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Search results for: SCANNING ELECTRON MICROSCOPY (SEM)
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Microstructure–Property Relationship of Polyurethane Foams Modified with Baltic Sea Biomass: Microcomputed Tomography vs. Scanning Electron Microscopy
PublicationIn this paper, novel rigid polyurethane foams modified with Baltic Sea biomass were compared with traditional petro-based polyurethane foam as reference sample. A special attention was focused on complex studies of microstructure, which was visualized and measured in 3D with high-resolution microcomputed tomography (microCT) and, as commonly applied for this purpose, scanning electron microscopy (SEM). The impact of pore volume,...
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Microstructure–Property Relationship of Polyurethane Foams Modified with Baltic Sea Biomass: Microcomputed Tomography vs. Scanning Electron Microscopy
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The Progress in Electron Microscopy Studies of Particulate Matters to Be Used as a Standard Monitoring Method for Air Dust Pollution
PublicationThe present article reviews studies on air solid particles carried out with the use of electron microscopy. Particle analysis combining scanning and transmission electron microscopy (SEM and TEM) can be used to derive size-resolved information of the composition, mixing state, morphology, and complex refractive index of atmospheric aerosol particles. It seems that electron microscopy is more widely used in atmospheric particulate...
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Evaluation of cathode materials for electrochemical photocatalyst deposition
PublicationElectrochemical deposition of photocatalyst, especially TiO2, onto several cathode materials was investigated and evaluated. The deposited films were characterized by scanning electron microscopy (SEM), energy dispersive X-ray spectrometer (EDX) and electrochemical measurements. Photocatalytic activity was determined by the decomposition of cyclohexane in air by irradiation with ultraviolet light emitting diodes. It was found that...
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Incorporation of nitrogen in diamond films – A new way of tuning parameters for optical passive elements
PublicationThis paper investigates the impact of nitrogen incorporation in diamond films for the construction of an interferometric sensor to measure displacement. Diamond films with different nitrogen levels (0–5%) were deposited on silicon substrates by microwave plasma enhanced chemical vapor deposition. The structural characteristics of these samples are characterized using scanning electron microscopy (SEM), atomic force microscopy (AFM), confocal...
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Impedance Studies of Phosphate-iron Glasses Containing Niobium and Titanium
PublicationThe ac and dc conductivity in phosphate-iron-niobate glasses with addition of titanium oxide was investigated as a function of temperature and frequency with the use of impedance spectroscopy. The topography and microstructure of glasses were investigated by the means of X-ray diffraction (XRD), scanning electron microscopy (SEM), and confocal microscopy methods. The obtained results show that all samples are amorphous but they...
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Evolution of Ag nanostructures created from thin films: UV–vis absorption and its theoretical predictions
PublicationAg-based plasmonic nanostructures were manufactured by thermal annealing of thin metallic films. Structure and morphology were studied using scanning electron microscopy (SEM), transmission electron microscopy (TEM), high-resolution transmission electron microscopy (HR-TEM) and X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS). SEM images show that the formation of nanostructures is influenced by the initial layer thickness as well as the...
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Incorporation of nitrogen in diamond films - A new way of tuning parameters for optical passive elements
PublicationThis paper investigates the impact of nitrogen incorporation in diamond films for the construction of an interferometric sensor to measure displacement. Diamond films with different nitrogen levels (0–5%) were deposited on silicon substrates by microwave plasma enhanced chemical vapor deposition. The structural characteristics of these samples are characterized using scanning electron microscopy (SEM), atomic force microscopy...
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Microstructure and Dielectric Properties of Barium-vanadate Glasses
PublicationThe ac and dc conductivity in barium-vanadate glasses was investigated as a function of temperature and frequency with the use of impedance spectroscopy. The topography and microstructure of glasses were investigated by the means of X-ray diffraction (XRD) and scanning electron microscopy (SEM) methods. The XRD results show that all samples are amorphous but microscopy investigation reveals that glasses with greater amount of V2O5...
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Epoxy Composites Filled with Natural Calcium Carbonate. 1. Epoxy Composites Obtained in the Presence of Monoperoxy Derivative of Epidian-6 Epoxy Resin
PublicationPhysico-mechanical properties of the products based on filled epoxy-oligomeric mixtures composed of Epidian-5 epoxy resin, oligoesteracrylate TGM-3 and monoperoxide derivative of Epidian-6 epoxy resin (PO) have been investigated. CaCO3 was used as a filler and polyethylene polyamine was a curing agent. The effect of PO and CaCO3 on the gel-fraction content and physico-mechanical properties was examined. Using a scanning electron...
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Design and Application of Magnetic Photocatalysts for Water Treatment. The Effect of Particle Charge on Surface
PublicationCore-interlayer-shell Fe3O4/SiO2/TiO2, CoFe2O4/SiO2/TiO2 and BaFe12O19/SiO2/TiO2 magnetic photocatalysts were obtained. A water-in-oil microemulsion system with suitable surfactants was used for functionalization of the magnetic core with silica interlayer and TiO2-based photocatalyst. Uncoated and coated particles were characterized by electrophoretic meaurements, X-ray diffractometry (XRD), scanning electron microscopy (SEM),...
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Comparison of PM10 concentration in Gdansk and London using electron microscopy
PublicationParticulate matter (PM) has been considered as one of the most dangerous elements of air pollution. Multiply analytical methods are employed to identify the composition of particles present in the air. The theoretical part of this work is a description of different research centres all over the world where particulate matter is being analyzed using various techniques. The purpose of this project is to analyze and compare particles...
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Electrical conductivity and relaxation processes in V2O5 nanorods prepared by sol–gel method
PublicationProperties of high purity V2O5 nanorods prepared by a sol – gel method are presented. The studied materials were characterized by: X-ray diffractometry (XRD), scanning electron microscopy (SEM), and X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS). The electrical impedance was measured as a function of temperature and frequency. The obtained results show that the electrical conductivity increases with increasing temperature. The d.c. conductivity...
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Instantaneous impedance monitoring of AA 7075 aluminum alloy corrosion in borate buffer with admixed chloride ions
PublicationThe study presents a research capabilities of Dynamic Electrochemical Impedance Spectroscopy (DEIS) as a tool used for instantaneous on-line monitoring of corrosion processes on the example of AA 7075 aluminum alloy. A borate buffer with admixed chloride ions in a quantity ranging from 0.05 to 25 mM was used to represent different types of corrosion attack. The surface of samples specimens was evaluated before and after the tests...
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Facile synthesis and characterization of graphene and N-doped graphene by CVD method from liquid precursors for promising electrode materials
PublicationIn this study, high-quality and few-layered graphene was synthesized using the chemical vapor deposition (CVD) method from liquid sources. Two different liquid carbon sources, pyridine, and benzene, were used and deposited on nickel foam under heat conditions using a bubbler in a quartz tube. X-ray diffraction (XRD) and Raman analysis confirmed the crystalline properties of graphene and N-doped graphene, demonstrating the high...
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Nitrogen-Doped Diamond Film for Optical Investigation of Hemoglobin Concentration
PublicationIn this work we present the fabrication and characterization of a diamond film which can be utilized in the construction of optical sensors for the investigation of biological samples. We produced a nitrogen-doped diamond (NDD) film using a microwave plasma enhanced chemical vapor deposition (MWPECVD) system. The NDD film was investigated with the use of scanning electron microscopy (SEM), atomic force microscopy (AFM) and Raman...
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Structural and mechanical properties of hydroxyapatite coatings formed by ion-beam assisted deposition
PublicationThe ion-beam assisted deposition (IBAD) is an advanced method capable of producing crystalline coatings at low temperatures. We determined the characteristics of hydroxyapatite Ca10(PO4)6(OH)2 target and coatings formed by IBAD using X-ray photoemission spectroscopy (XPS), X-ray diffraction (XRD), scanning electron microscopy (SEM), atomic force microscopy (AFM) and energy dispersive X-ray (EDX). The composition of the coatings'...
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Exhaled breath gas sensing using pristine and functionalized WO3 nanowire sensors enhanced by UV-light irradiation
PublicationThe development of advanced metal-oxide-semiconductor sensing technologies for the detection of Volatile Organic Compounds (VOCs) present in exhaled breath is of great importance for non-invasive, cheap and fast medical diagnostics. Our experimental studies investigate the effects of operating temperature selection and UV-light irradiation on improving the response of WO3 nanowire sensors towards exhaled breath exposure. Herein,...
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The influence of nanostructures size on V2O5 electrochemical properties as cathode materials for lithium ion battery
PublicationIn this paper, V2O5 nanostructures with a size depending on the annealing temperature are successfully synthesized by a sol-gel method. The crystal structure and morphology of samples are characterized by X-ray diffraction (XRD), X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS), transmission electron microscopy (TEM), selected area electron diffraction (SEAD) and scanning electron microscopy (SEM), respectively. Electrochemical testing such...
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High-Temperature Oxidation of Heavy Boron-Doped Diamond Electrodes: Microstructural and Electrochemical Performance Modification
PublicationIn this work, we reveal in detail the effects of high-temperature treatment in air at 600 °C on the microstructure as well as the physico-chemical and electrochemical properties of boron-doped diamond (BDD) electrodes. The thermal treatment of freshly grown BDD electrodes was applied, resulting in permanent structural modifications of surface depending on the exposure time. High temperature affects material corrosion, inducing...
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Electrochemical oxidation of sulphamerazine at boron-doped diamond electrodes: Influence of boron concentration
PublicationThe boron-doped diamond (BDD) electrodes with different boron concentrations have been tested as electrode material for sulphamerazine (SRM) oxidation in water solution. An investigation of the electrode morphology and molecular structure was carried out using high resolution scanning electron microscopy (SEM) and Raman spectroscopy. Electrochemical results showed clearly that the kinetics and efficiency of SRM oxidation were dependent...
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Fabrication, structural and electrical properties of Sr(V,Nb)O 3-δ perovskite materials
PublicationThe SrV1-xNbxO3-δ materials with different niobium content in perovskite B-sublattice were prepared by a solid-state reaction process. The microstructure and phase compositions of obtained samples were analyzed by the X-ray diffraction technique (XRD) and scanning electron microscopy (SEM). The electrical conductivity of samples was measured by a DC 4-wire method in range of 100–600 °C in different gas conditions. The oxidation...
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Evaluation of adhesive forces and the specific surface energy of zirconia stabilized by yttria with alumina additions ceramic by AFM method
PublicationThe adhesive forces and the specific surface energy of ceramic material surfaces are very important for further tribological and biomedical applications of ceramics. Partially stabilized zirconia (zirconium oxide) is popular for manufacturing various medical products. ZrO2 stabilized by Y2O3 with additions of 5 wt% alumina was produced by slip casting method with a subsequent sintering. Structure and chemical composition of ceramic...
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Assessment of the impact of bacteria Pseudomonas denitrificans, Pseudomonas fluorescens, Bacillus subtilis and yeast Yarrowia lipolytica on commercial poly(ether urethanes)
PublicationThe assessment of the impact of the bacteria Pseudomonas denitrificans, Pseudomonas fluorescens, Bacillus subtilis and yeast Yarrowia lipolytica on commercial poly(ether urethanes) Tecoflex® and Tecothane® is presented. The polyurethane samples were incubated with pure cultures of the microorganisms at 30 °C for five months. The changes in the chemical structure of the polymers were evaluated using loss of weight and contact angle...
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KTaO3-based nanocomposites for air treatment
PublicationA series of single semiconductors and their nanocomposites combination (such as KTaO3 + CdSe + SrTiO3; KTaO3 + CdS +WO3; KTaO3 + CdS + MoS2) were prepared using hydrothermal route. Photocatalytic activity of as-prepared nanocomposites was estimated by photocatalytic degradation of toluene in the gas phase using light-emitting diodes (LEDs, 375 nm) in four subsequent cycles. The nanocomposites were characterized by scanning electron...
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The inhibition effect of mad Honey on corrosion of 2007-type aluminium alloy in 3.5% NaCl solution
PublicationThe inhibition effect of mad honey on corrosion of 2007-type aluminium alloy in 3.5% NaCl solution was investigated by Tafel extrapolarisation (TP), electrochemical impedance spectroscopy (EIS) and dynamic electrochemical impedance spectroscopy (DEIS). All the studied parameters exhibited good anti-corrosive properties against corrosion of 2007-type aluminium alloy in the test solution; the corrosion rates decreased with the increase...
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Two kinds of oxygen vacancies in lithium titaniate doped with copper as detected by EPR
PublicationLithium titanate (Li1+xTi2-xO4) doped with Cu2+ ions was synthesized by sol-gel processing method. The structure and morphology are characterized by X-ray Diffraction (XRD), X-ray Photoemission Spectroscopy (XPS), Scanning Electron Microscopy (SEM) and Electron Paramagnetic Resonance (EPR). Spin Hamiltonian parameters describing Zeeman and hyperfine interaction for 63Cu2+ ions were obtained from EPR spectra simulations. The spectra...
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Evaluation of Praseodymium and Gadolinium Doped Ceria as a Possible Barrier Layer Material for Solid Oxide Cells
PublicationIn this work, nanocrystalline layers based on the Pr, Gd co-doped CeO2 were investigated. For the preparation of thin layers, lowtemperature spray pyrolysis technique was used. Different stoichiometries of the layers were produced for comparison on polished sapphire substrates. The microstructure of the prepared thin layers was studied by scanning electron microscopy (SEM), energydispersive X-ray spectroscopy (EDS) and X-ray diffractometry (XRD)....
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Preparation of Well-Compatibilized PP/PC Blends and Foams Thereof
PublicationThe performance of polypropylene-poly(ethylene brassylate) block and graft copolymers and a polypropylene-polycaprolactone graft copolymer as compatibilizers for polypropylene-rich polypropylene/bisphenol A polycarbonate (PP/PC, 80/20 wt/wt) blends was elucidated. The copolymers were synthesized either by metal-catalyzed ring-opening polymerization or transesterification of a presynthesized polyester, initiated by hydroxyl-functionalized...
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Cellulose Nanofibers Isolated from the Cuscuta Reflexa Plant as a Green Reinforcement of Natural Rubber
PublicationIn the present work, we used the steam explosion method for the isolation of cellulose nanofiber (CNF) from Cuscuta reflexa, a parasitic plant commonly seen in Kerala and we evaluated its reinforcing efficiency in natural rubber (NR). Fourier Transform Infrared Spectroscopy (FTIR), X-Ray Diffraction (XRD), Scanning Electron Microscopy (SEM), Transmission Electron Microscopy (TEM), and Thermogravimetric analysis (TGA) techniques...
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SnO2 nanoparticles embedded onto MoS2 nanoflakes - An efficient catalyst for photodegradation of methylene blue and photoreduction of hexavalent chromium
PublicationIn this work, a molybdenum disulfide/tin oxide (MoS2/SnO2) composite was successfully prepared via a hydrothermal method. The MoS2/SnO2 composite was used as a photocatalyst for photoreduction of hexavalent chromium and photodecomposition of methylene blue. It exhibited higher photocatalytic performance under simulated solar light irradiation than MoS2 itself. The obtained material was characterized by several spectroscopic and...
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GTR/Thermoplastics Blends: How Do Interfacial Interactions Govern Processing and Physico-Mechanical Properties?
PublicationIn this work, GTR/thermoplastics blends (in ratio 50/50 and 75/25 wt.%) were prepared by melt-compounding in an internal mixer. During research, trans-polyoctenamer rubber (TOR), ethylene-vinyl acetate copolymer (EVA), ethylene-octene copolymer (EOC), and linear low-density polyethylene (LLDPE), were used in their thermoplastic phase. Microstructure and processing-performance property interrelationships of the studied materials...
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Materiał węglowy ptrzymany na bazie karbonizowanego chitozanu domieszkowanego platyną = CARBON MATERIAL RECEIVED THROUGH CARBONIZATION OF CHITOSAN DOPED WITH PLATINUM
PublicationThe aim of this work was to investigate the impact of porous carbons with high nitrogen content onthe platinum catalyst performance properties. The system may be applied as well as cathodic catalyst for oxygenreduction in microbial fuel cells.We report a simple route for preparation of dispersed Platinum on the carbon support. Chitosan powder wasprotonated using aqueous solution of organic acid. The water from the pores was removed...
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Cure Index demonstrates curing of epoxy composites containing silica nanoparticles of variable morphology and porosity
PublicationAn image was taken by Cure Index on curability of epoxy with silica nanoparticles having variable morphology and porosity. Three kinds of silica nanoparticles with non-porous curved-rod, non-porous spherical, and mesoporous spherical microstructures were synthesized and characterized by Fourier-transform infrared spectroscopy, scanning electron microscopy (SEM) and Brunauer–Emmett–Teller analyses. Epoxy nanocomposites containing...
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The Physicochemical and Antibacterial Properties of Chitosan-Based Materials Modified with Phenolic Acids Irradiated by UVC Light
PublicationThis paper concerns the physicochemical properties of chitosan/phenolic acid thin films irradiated by ultraviolet radiation with wavelengths between 200 and 290 nm (UVC) light. We investigated the preparation and characterization of thin films based on chitosan (CTS) with tannic (TA), caffeic (CA) and ferulic acid (FA) addition as potential food‐packaging materials. Such materials were then exposed to the UVC light (254 nm) for...
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Experimental and Quantum Chemical Evaluation of 8-Hydroxyquinoline as a Corrosion Inhibitor for Copper in 0.1 M HCl
PublicationThe corrosion inhibition properties of 8-hydroxyquinoline (8-HQ) in 0.1 M HCl for copper have been investigated by using experimental (electrochemical impedance spectroscopy (EIS), dynamic electrochemical impedance spectroscopy (DEIS), and potentiodynamic polarization) and theoretical methods complemented by surface morphological examination with the aid of scanning electron microscopy (SEM) and electron dispersive X-ray spectroscopy...
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The effects of bifunctional linker and reflux time on the surface properties and photocatalytic activity of CdTe quantum dots decorated KTaO3 composite photocatalysts
PublicationNovel CdTe-KTaO3composite photocatalysts were successfully synthesized by using thioglycolic acid(TGA) or 3-mercaptopropionic acid (MPA) as linker molecules which facilitated attachment of CdTequantum dots to the surface of KTaO3nanocubes. The as-prepared photocatalysts were characterizedby UV–vis diffuse reflectance spectroscopy (DRS), X-ray diffraction (XRD), scanning electron microscopy(SEM), transmission electron microscopy...
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Experimental tuning of AuAg nanoalloy plasmon resonances assisted by machine learning method
PublicationPlasmonic nanostructures based on AuAg nanoalloys were fabricated by thermal annealing of metallic films in an argon atmosphere. The nanoalloys were chosen because they can extend the wavelength range in which plasmon resonance occurs and thus allow the design of plasmonic platforms with the desired parameters. The influence of initial fabrication parameters and experimental conditions on the formation of nanostructures was investigated....
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Improvement of opipramol base solubility by complexation with β-cyclodextrin
PublicationOpipramol (OPI), a tricyclic antidepressant and anxiolytic compound, is administered orally in the form of a dihydrochloride. Salt form of the drug has a higher solubility in water and hence bioavailability and stability. A similar effect can be achieved by closing the hydrophobic part of the drug molecule in the cyclodextrin cavity. The paper presents opipramol inclusion complexes with beta-cyclodextrin (β-CD) in 1:1 molar ratio....
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Nanostructure and dielectric behavior of vanadate glasses containing BaTiO3
PublicationThe ac and dc electrical conductivity of barium titanate doped bismuth-vanadate as-quenched and heat-treated materials was measured in the frequency range from 1 mHz to 1 MHz and in the temperature range from 153 K to 423 K with the impedance spectroscopy method. The microstructure was investigated by means of XRD, scanning electron microscopy (SEM), atomic force microscopy (AFM) and confocal microscopy. The obtained results showed...
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The effect of preliminary creep-strain on material behavior under LCF tension/compression and pure torsion regimes
PublicationThis paper presents the results of experimental tests of monotonic tension and torsion, creep-rupture and preliminary creep at 200C and 300C, as well as low-cycle fatigue of 2024 T3511 aluminum alloy. The fatigue process was conducted at room temperature for uniaxial tension/compression and torsion. The as-received material and pre-deformed material were also investigated during creep at elevated temperature. Basic monotonic,...
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Biological and mechanical research of titanium implants covered with bactericidal coating
PublicationThe paper concerns the biological and mechanical properties of titanium implants with an antibacterial coating. The Ti13Zr13Nb alloy samples were coated with hydroxyapatite (HAp) coatings using the electrophoretic deposition technique (EPD). Subsequently, the surface of the samples was modified with silver, copper, and nickel nanoparticles by the immersion method. Different titanium sample types (i.e. HAp-only and nanometals-enriched...
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ALTERNATIVE, DIRECT SYNTHESIS METHOD OF THE CERAMIC SOLID SOLUTIONS BASED ON BaTiO3 THROUGH A HIGH ENERGY BALL MILLING
PublicationPolycrystalline samples BaTiO3 and the solid solutions Ba0.9Sr0.1TiO3, Ba0.9Sr0.1Ti0.9Sn0.1O3, Ba0.9Sr0.1Ti0.8Sn0.2O3 were obtained by means of a mechanochemical treatment based on the high-energy ball milling technique and next a high temperature solid state reaction method. The influence of synthesis condition on microstructural, dielectric and ferroelectric properties of obtained solid solutions were investigated. The structure...
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Double ZIF-L structures with exceptional CO2 capacity
PublicationCarbon dioxide emission is an emerging problem nowadays and new methods are designed for its control. In this article, a report on the formation of zeolitic imidazole framework with an apparent double leaf-like morphology DZIF-L is given. The special structure of the materials prevents from aggregation of the particles providing remarkable CO2 capacity. At 0.1 MPa the CO2 uptake was 2.99 ± 0.06 mmol/g. The capacity of synthesized...
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Preliminary Investigation on Auto-Thermal Extrusion of Ground Tire Rubber
PublicationGround tire rubber (GTR) was processed using an auto-thermal extrusion as a prerequisite to green reclaiming of waste rubbers. The reclaimed GTR underwent a series of tests: thermogravimetric analysis combined with Fourier-transform infrared spectroscopy (TGA-FTIR), scanning electron microscopy (SEM), Fourier-transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR), and static headspace and gas chromatography-mass spectrometry (SHS-GC-MS) in order...
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Thermal Instability of Gold Thin Films
PublicationThe disintegration of a continuous metallic thin film leads to the formation of isolated islands, which can be used for the preparation of plasmonic structures. The transformation mechanism is driven by a thermally accelerated diffusion that leads to the minimalization of surface free energy in the system. In this paper, we report the results of our study on the disintegration of gold thin film and the formation of nanoislands...
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Suspension and process parameters selection for electrophoretic deposition of Mn–Co spinel coating on steel interconnects
PublicationMetallic interconnect coatings, consisting of MnCo2O4 spinel, were effectively applied to Crofer 22 APU using the electrophoretic deposition (EPD) method in both H2O: ethanol and pure ethanol solvents. The primary goal of this method was to prevent chromium migration, minimize evaporation, and control the oxidation rate. The study aimed to assess the quality, adhesion, and thickness of the Mn–Co coating, with the objective of...
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Determination of phenylbutazone, sulfamethazine, carbendazim and linuron using a novel pine bark biosorbent for solid-phase extraction (SPE) with high-performance liquid chromatography (HPLC)
PublicationThe paper presents a novel pine bark based biosorbent for solid-phase extraction (SPE). The morphology and composition of the pine bark were characterized using Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR) and scanning electron microscopy (SEM). The biosorbent was used for the preparation of wastewater for the determination of phenylbutazone, sulfamethazine, carbendazim, and linuron by high performance liquid chromatography with...
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Chestnut-Derived Activated Carbon as a Prospective Material for Energy Storage
PublicationIn this work, we present the preparation and characterization of biomass-derived activatedcarbon (AC) in view of its application as electrode material for electrochemical capacitors. Porouscarbons are prepared by pyrolysis of chestnut seeds and subsequent activation of the obtainedbiochar. We investigate here two activation methods, namely, physical by CO2and chemical usingKOH. Morphology, structure and specific surface area (SSA)...
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A Simple Replica Method as the Way to Obtain a Morphologically and Mechanically Bone-like Iron-Based Biodegradable Material
PublicationPorous iron-based scaffolds were prepared by the simple replica method using polyurethane foam as a template and applying the sintering process in a tube furnace. Their surface morphology was characterized using scanning electron microscopy (SEM) and phase homogeneity was confirmed using X-ray diffraction (XRD). Corrosion behavior was determined using immersion and potentiodynamic polarization methods in phosphate buffered saline...