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Search results for: scanning tunneling microscope
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Comparative Assessment of Bacteriophage and Antibiotic Activity against Multidrug-Resistant Staphylococcus aureus Biofilms
PublicationProblems connected with biofilm-related infections and antibiotic resistance necessitate the investigation and development of novel treatment strategies. Given their unique characteristics, one of the most promising alternatives to conventional antibiotics are bacteriophages. In the in vitro and in vivo larva model study, we demonstrate that phages vB_SauM-A, vB_SauM-C, and vB_SauM-D are effective antibiofilm agents. The exposure...
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Colored Tattoo Ink Screening Method with Optical Tissue Phantoms and Raman Spectroscopy
PublicationDue to the increasing popularity of tattoos among the general population, to ensure their safety and quality, there is a need to develop reliable and rapid methods for the analysis of the composition of tattoo inks, both in the ink itself and in already existing tattoos. This paper presents the possibility of using Raman spectroscopy to examine tattoo inks in biological materials. We have developed optical tissue phantoms mimicking...
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Variations in host surfaces morphology and biology of ciliate epibionts explaining distribution pattern of epibionts in the invasive signal crayfish Pacifastacus leniusculus (Dana, 1852)
Publicationciliates on the signal crayfish Pacifastacus leniusculus in relation to specialized structures of the host’s exoskeleton for the first time. This species is known to maintain a relatively clean carapace, but it is sometimes overgrown by other organisms. Epibionts cover different parts of the signal crayfish body, mainly antennae, antennules, maxillipedes III and pereiopods with inner edges of chelae; however, some parts of the...
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The Effect of Sodium Tetrafluoroborate on the Properties of Conversion Coatings Formed on the AZ91D Magnesium Alloy by Plasma Electrolytic Oxidation
PublicationMagnesium and its alloys are widely used in many areas because of their light weight, excellent dimensional stability, and high strength-to-weight ratio. However, the material exhibits poor wear and corrosion resistance, which limits its use. Plasma electrolytic oxidation (PEO) is an effective surface modification method for producing ceramic oxide layers on Mg and their alloys. The influence of the additions of sodium tetrafluoroborate...
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Graphene oxide, reduced graphene oxide and composite thin films NO2 sensing properties
PublicationA graphene oxide (GO), reduced graphene oxide (RGO) and poly(3,4-ethylenedioxytiophene)- reduced graphene oxide (PEDOT-RGO composite) gas sensors were successfully fabricated using an electrodeposition method. The electrodeposition was carried out in aqueous GO dispersions. In order to obtain RGO and PEDOT-RGO, the electrochemical reduction of GO and PEDOT-GO was carried out in 0.1 M KCl at constant potential of −0.85 V. The GO, RGO...
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Structure analysis and thermal degradation characteristics of bio-based poly(propylene succinate)s obtained by using different catalyst amounts
PublicationLinear bio-based polyester polyols were prepared with the use of succinic acid and 1.3-propanediol (both with natural origin). As a catalyst was used tetraisopropyl orthotitanate (TPT). In order to determine the effect of various catalyst content on the thermal degradation characteristics, three different TPT amounts, as a 1.3-propanediol equivalent, were used, namely 0.1 mass% (PPS-0.1), 0.2 mass% (PPS-0.2) and 0.25 mass% (PPS-0.25)....
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Effect of sisal fiber filler on thermal properties of bio-based polyurethane composites
PublicationThis work is mainly focused on study of thermal and thermomechanical properties of obtained bio-based polyurethane (coded as bio-PU) composites via using different types of bio-components (bio-glycol, modified soybean oil and sisal fiber) in the procedure. The chemical structure, morphology and mechanical properties were also investigated and described in this manuscript in order to know more perfect characterization of produced...
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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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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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In-situ odd random phase electrochemical impedance spectroscopy study on the electropolymerization of pyrrole on iron in the presence of sodium salicylate – The influence of the monomer concentration
PublicationIn this work, the potentiostatic electropolymerization of polypyrrole (PPy) on iron in aqueous solution of sodium salicylate and pyrrole is studied in situ by odd random phase electrochemical impedance spectroscopy (ORP-EIS). The influence of the pyrrole concentration on the electrosynthesis process is investigated. The ORP-EIS technique ensures a reliable analysis of the PPy electrosynthesis on iron by means of an advanced data...
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Copolymerization of Styrene and Pentadecylphenylmethacrylate (PDPMA): Synthesis, Characterization, Thermomechanical and Adhesion Properties
PublicationThe copolymerization of styrene (St) with a bioderived monomer, pentadecylphenylmethacrylate (PDPMA), via atom transfer radical polymerization (ATRP) was studied in this work.The copolymerization reactivity ratio was calculated using the composition data obtained from1HNMR spectroscopy, applying Kelen-Tudos and Finemann-Ross methods. The reactivity ratio of styrene (r1=0.93) and PDPMA (r2=0.05) suggested random copolymerization...
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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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Theoretical and Experimental Studies on the Visible Light Activity of TiO2 Modified with Halide-Based Ionic Liquids
PublicationFormation of a surface complex between organic molecules and TiO2 is one of the possible strategies for the development of visible light-induced TiO2 photoactivity. Herein, three ionic liquids (ILs) with the same cation and dierent anions (1-butylpirydynium chloride/bromide/iodide) have been applied for the surface modification of TiO2 and to understand the role of anions in visible light-induced activity of ILs-TiO2 systems. Photocatalytic...
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The In-Depth Studies of Pulsed UV Laser-Modified TiO2 Nanotubes: The Influence of Geometry, Crystallinity, and Processing Parameters
PublicationThe laser processing of the titania nanotubes has been investigated in terms of morphology, structure, and optical properties of the obtained material. The length of the nanotubes and crystallinity, as well as the atmosphere of the laser treatment, were taken into account. The degree of changes of the initial geometry of nanotubes were checked by means of scanning electron microscopy, which visualizes both the surface and the cross-section....
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Mechanical, Thermal and Rheological Properties of Polyethylene-Based Composites Filled with Micrometric Aluminum Powder
PublicationInvestigations related to polymer/metal composites are often limited to the analysis of the electrical and thermal conductivity of the materials. The presented study aims to analyze the impact of aluminum (Al) filler content (from 1 to 20 wt%) on the rarely investigated properties of composites based on the high-density polyethylene (HDPE) matrix. The crystalline structure, rheological (melt flow index and oscillatory rheometry),...
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Detection and Imaging of Debonding in Adhesive Joints of Concrete Beams Strengthened with Steel Plates Using Guided Waves and Weighted Root Mean Square
PublicationStrengthening of engineering structures is an important issue, especially for elements subjected to variable loads. In the case of concrete beams or slabs, one of the most popular approaches assumes mounting an external reinforcement in the form of steel or composite elements by structural adhesives. A significant disadvantage of adhesive joints is the lack of access to the adhesive film for visual condition assessment, thus, there...
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The new silica-based coated SPME fiber as universal support for the confinement of ionic liquid as an extraction medium
PublicationThe new silica-based SPME fiber coating is reported for the first time as universal support purposed to confinement of ionic liquid as an extraction medium. Fiber coating was prepared by the sol-gel process, using potassium silicate (K2SiO3) as a precursor and dimethylformamide (DMF) as a pore-forming medium. The concept of synthesis assumes obtaining a solid porous material on the surface of the glass rod and, being characterized...
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Cast polyurethanes obtained from reactive recovered polyol intermediates via crude glycerine decomposition process
PublicationIn this work, the possibility of applying intermediates from polyurethane waste recycling in polyurethane synthesis was presented. Polyurethanes were synthesised in a two-step method using a mixture of petrochemical polyol and glycerolysate, used as a reactive component, 4,4-diphenylmethane diisocyanate (MDI) and 1,4-buthanediol (BD). Glycerolysates were produced during decomposition of polyurethane elastomer by crude glycerine...
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High frequency dynamics of an isotropic Timoshenko periodic beam by the use of the Time-domain Spectral Finite Element Method
PublicationIn this work results of numerical simulations and experimental measurements related to the high frequency dynamics of an aluminium Timoshenko periodic beam are presented. It was assumed by the authors that the source of beam structural periodicity comes from periodical alterations to its geometry due to the presence of appropriately arranged drill-holes. As a consequence of these alterations dynamic characteristics of the beam...
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Thermal properties of strontium–borate glasses and glass-ceramics containing nanocrystallites of Bi2VO5.5. measured with DSC method
Open Research DataThermal properties of strontium–borate glasses and glass-ceramics containing nanocrystallites of Bi2VO5.5. was measured by DSC.
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Novel methods for diagnosis of pulmonary microangiopathy in diabetes mellitus
PublicationLung microangiopathy is a little known negative influence of diabetes mellitus on the functioning of the lungs. In current medical practice lung microangiopathy is diagnosed by comparing two measurements of lung diffusing capacity - one with the subject standing and one with the subject lying. The necessity to take two measurements is inconvenient. In lung microangiopathy we observe a reduction of diffusing capacity, lung flow...
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Assessment of FSW Welds Made of Aluminum Alloy AW7075-T651.
PublicationThis paper summarizes the results of experimental studies in which the aluminum alloy AW7075-T651 was friction stir welded (FSW) using various combinations of process parameters (rotational - R and travel speed - T). Mechanical properties of the test welds were assessed by using static tensile test and Vickers hardness measurement. The temperature of the welded plates was monitored during welding by means of thermocouples placed...
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Assessment of organic coating degradation via local impedance imaging
PublicationThe paper presents a new approach to organic coating condition evaluation at micrometer scale using localized impedance measurements. It is based on atomic force microscopy (AFM) in contact mode. Impedance is measured between conductive AFM tip and metal substrate covered with organic coating. A single-frequency voltage perturbation signal is applied between the electrodes and current response signal is registered. As the tip is...
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Preparation and characterization of monometallic (Au) and bimetallic (Ag/Au) modified-titania photocatalysts activated by visible light
PublicationThe Au-TiO2 and Ag/Au-TiO2 nanoparticles have been prepared using a water-in-oil microemulsion system of water/AOT/cyclohexane and water/Triton X-100/cyclohexane. The obtained photocatalysts were subsequently characterized by a BET method, DRS spectroscopy, X-ray photoelectron emission spectroscopy (XPS), scanning transmission electron microscopy (STEM) and X-ray powder diffraction analysis (XRD). For gold-doped titanium (IV) oxide...
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Thermodynamic Characteristics of Phenacetin in Solid State and Saturated Solutions in Several Neat and Binary Solvents
PublicationThe thermodynamic properties of phenacetin in solid state and in saturated conditions in neat and binary solvents were characterized based on differential scanning calorimetry and spectroscopic solubility measurements. The temperature-related heat capacity values measured for both the solid and melt states were provided and used for precise determination of the values for ideal solubility, fusion thermodynamic functions, and...
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Dielectric properties of modified graphene oxide filled polyurethane nanocomposites and its correlation with rheology
PublicationThis study aims at investigating the dynamic mechanical, dielectric and rheological properties of reinforced polyurethane (PU) nanocomposites containing hydrophilic graphene oxide (GO) and/or hydrophobic modified graphene oxide (mGO) sheets. The organic modification of GO was performed with 4,4′-methylenebis (phenyl isocyanate) (MDI) and the samples were prepared by solvent mixing. We found that addition of mGO provides a more...
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Nanocrystalline CVD Diamond Coatings on Fused Silica Optical Fibres: Optical Properties Study
Publicationpre-treatment by dip coating in two detonation nanodiamond (DND) seeding media has been studied. The DND suspension in ethyl alcohol and dispersion of DND in dimethyl sulfoxide (DMSO) with polyvinyl alcohol (PVA) were chosen for the seeding purpose. The grain size distribution of nanodiamond particles in both seeding media was kept at the same level (approximately 1050 nm). After the seeding nanocrystalline diamond lms were deposited...
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The lanthanide influence on selected properties of BaLnCo2O6-δ
PublicationThe subject of research of this dissertation are cobalt oxides with a double perovskite structure with a general formula BaLnCo2O6-δ, where Ln stands for La, Pr, Nd, Sm, Gd, Tb, Dy. The aim of the study was to verify the ability of these materials to form the protonic defects, as well as to identify the factors determining this ability. As part of the work, materials from the proposed group were synthesised and characterized. To...
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Cost-effective methods of fabricating thin rare-earth element layers on SOC interconnects based on low-chromium ferritic stainless steel and exposed to air, humidified air or humidified hydrogen atmospheres
PublicationMost oxidation studies involving interconnects are conducted in air under isothermal conditions, but during real-life solid oxide cell (SOC) operation, cells are also exposed a mixture of hydrogen and water vapor. For this study, an Fe–16Cr low-chromium ferritic stainless steel was coated with different reactive element oxides – Gd2O3, CeO2, Ce0.9Y0.1O2 – using an array of methods: dip coating, electrodeposition and spray pyrolysis....
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Tuning of eg electron occupancy of MnCo2O4 spinel for oxygen evolution reaction by partial substitution of Co by Fe at octahedral sites
PublicationTo study the effect of partial Co substitution by Fe in the B site of MnCo2O4 spinel on its physicochemical and electrochemical properties, a series of MnCo2-xFexO4 powders (x=0.125; 0.250; 0.500; 0.750; 1.000) were synthesized by means of the sol-gel method. The produced powders were characterized by powder X ray diffraction (pXRD), scanning and transmission electron microscopy (SEM & TEM) coupled with energy dispersive spectroscopy...
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Properties of Nanohydroxyapatite Coatings Doped with Nanocopper, Obtained by Electrophoretic Deposition on Ti13Zr13Nb Alloy
PublicationNowadays, hydroxyapatite coatings are the most common surface modification of long-term implants. These coatings are characterized by high thickness and poor adhesion to the metallic substrate. The present research is aimed at characterizing the properties of nanohydroxyapatite (nanoHAp) with the addition of copper nanoparticle (nanoCu) coatings deposited on the Ti13Zr13Nb alloy by an electrophoresis process. The deposition of...
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Assessment of unusual failure in crankshaft of heavy-duty truck engine
PublicationThe unusual premature failure of a heavy-duty truck engine crankshaft has been the subject of a rigorous study, and this manuscript describes it in detail. The failure was happened to begin with the growth of the crack from the surface defects, in the form of the clusters of non-metallic inclusions, in the lubrication hole zone of the first main journal, which was the stress concentration zone. A series of experiments including...
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Disinfection characteristics of an advanced rotational hydrodynamic cavitation reactor in pilot scale
PublicationHydrodynamic cavitation is a promising technique for water disinfection. In the present paper, the disinfection characteristics of an advanced hydrodynamic cavitation reactor (ARHCR) in pilot scale were studied. The effects of various flow rates (1.4–2.6 m3/h) and rotational speeds (2600–4200 rpm) on the removal of Escherichia coli (E. coli) were revealed and analyzed. The variation regularities of the log reduction and reaction...
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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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Role of size scale of ZnO nanoparticles and microparticles on toxicity toward bacteria and osteoblast cancer cells
PublicationThe specific role of size scale, surface capping, and aspect ratio of zinc oxide (ZnO) particles on toxicity toward prokaryotic and eukaryotic cells was investigated. ZnO nano and microparticles of controlled size and mor- phology were synthesized by wet chemical methods. Cytotoxicity toward mammalian cells was studied using a human osteoblast cancer cell line and antibacterial activity using Gram-negative bacteria (Escherichia...
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Deep Eutectic Solvents or Eutectic Mixtures? Characterization of Tetrabutylammonium Bromide and Nonanoic Acid Mixtures
PublicationDeep eutectic solvents have quickly attracted the attention of researchers because they better meet the requirements of green chemistry and thus have the potential to replace conventional hazardous organic solvents in some areas. To better understand the nature of these mixtures, as well as expand the possibilities of their use in different industries, a detailed examination of their physical properties, such as density, viscosity,...
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Mechanical Behavior of Bi-Layer and Dispersion Coatings Composed of Several Nanostructures on Ti13Nb13Zr Alloy
PublicationTitanium implants are commonly used because of several advantages, but their surface modification is necessary to enhance bioactivity. Recently, their surface coatings were developed to induce local antibacterial properties. The aim of this research was to investigate and compare me-chanical properties of three coatings: multi-wall carbon nanotubes (MWCNTs), bi-layer composed of an inner MWCNTs layer and an outer TiO2 layer, and...
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Structure and transport properties of triple-conducting BaxSr1−xTi1−yFeyO3−δ oxides
PublicationIn this work, BaxSr1−xTi1−yFeyO3−δ perovskite-based mixed conducting ceramics (for x = 0, 0.2, 0.5 and y = 0.1, 0.8) were synthesized and studied. The structural analysis based on the X-ray diffraction results showed significant changes in the unit cell volume and Fe(Ti)–O distance as a function of Ba content. The morphology of the synthesized samples studied by means of scanning electron microscopy has shown different microstructures...
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Investigation of the Few‐Layer Black Phosphorus Degradation by the Photonic Measurements
PublicationFew-layer black phosphorus (FLBP) is a 2D material that gains worldwide interest for its possible applications, mainly in electronics and optoelec-tronics. However, as FLBP is prone to a degradation process under envi-ronmental conditions, there is a need for a monitoring method allowing investigation of its surface quality. Among many techniques, optoelectronic ones have unique advantages of fast response, non-contact, and non-invasive...
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FTIR spectroscopic and thermogravimetric characterization of ground tyre rubber devulcanized by microwave treatment
PublicationIn this work, the phenomena involved in the microwave devulcanization of ground tyre rubber (GTR) were investigated. Three types of GTR with different content of organic compounds (elastomers, plasticizers, etc.), carbon black and ash have been studied. The chemical structure of GTR before and after a microwave devulcanization process was analyzed by Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR), thermogravimetric analysis (TGA)...
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Synthesis and characterization of novel renewable polyesters based on 2,5-furandicarboxylic acid and 2,3-butanediol
PublicationNovel polyesters from 2,5-furandicarboxylic acid or 2,5-dimethyl-furandicarboxylate and 2,3-butanediol have been synthesized via bulk polycondensation catalyzed by titanium (IV) n-butoxide, tin (IV) ethylhexanoate, or zirconium (IV) butoxide. The polymers were analyzed by size exclusion chromatography, nuclear magnetic resonance spectroscopy, Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR), matrix-assisted laser ionization-desorption...
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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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Electrodes consisting of PEDOT modified by Prussian Blue analogues deposited onto titania nanotubes – Their highly improved capacitance
PublicationIn this work we present the outstanding energy storage of prepared inorganic-organic heterojunction where hydrogenated ordered titania nanotubes (H-TiO2NT) were modified by the hybrid made of poly(3,4-ethylenedioxythiophene) (pEDOT) and iron hexacyanoferrate centres (Fehcf, Prussian Blue). The material TiO2NT/pEDOT:Fechf was obtained electrochemically by means of: anodization, hydrogenation and finally, electropolymerization of...
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Preparation and characterization of Pt–N/TiO2 photocatalysts and their efficiency in degradation of recalcitrant chemicals
PublicationSeries of Pt–N/TiO2 photocatalysts were synthesized using the sol–gel method. The photocatalysts’ characteristics by X-ray diffractometry (XRD), scanning transmission electron microscopy (STEM), diffuse reflectance spectroscopy (DRS), X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS) showed that sample with the molar ratio Ti:N equal 1:4 and platinum nanoparticles size of about 3 nm had anatase structure, about 94 m2/g specific surface area...
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Novel Functionalization of Boron-Doped Diamond by Microwave Pulsed-Plasma Polymerized Allylamine Film
PublicationWe report the novel modification of a hydrogen-terminated polycrystalline boron-doped electrode with a microwave pulsed-plasma polymerized allylamine. Boron-doped diamond (BDD) was coated with a very thin layer of adherent cross-linked, pinhole- and additive-free allylamine plasma polymer (PPAAm) resistant to hydrolysis and delamination and characterized by a high density of positively charged amino groups. The pulsed microwave...
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Evaluation of organic coatings condition with AFM-based method
PublicationThe paper presents an atomic force microscopy (AFM)-based approach to evaluation of local protective properties of organic coatings. Apart from topography, it provides local ac and dc characteristics of examined coating. The method consists in application of ac voltage perturbation signal between conductive AFM tip and coated metal substrate. The resulting current is used to determine local impedance characteristics. Both impedance...
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Fabrication and Study of BiNbO4 Ceramics
PublicationAim of the present research was to fabricate and study crystalline structure as well as dielectric properties of BiNbO4 ceramics. In the present study BiNbO4 ceramics was fabricated by solid state reaction from the mixture of simple oxides viz. Bi2O3, and Nb2O5. Stoichiometric mixture of the powders was thermally analyzed so parameters of the thermal treatment were determined. The EDS measurements proved conservation of the chemical...
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Mechanical and fracture properties of concrete reinforced with recycled and industrial steel fibers using Digital Image Correlation technique and X-ray micro computed tomography
PublicationPaper presents investigation of fracture phenomenon in plain concrete and in concrete reinforced with both recycled steel fibers (RSF) and industrial steel fibers (ISF). The wedge splitting test (WST), which enables stable crack propagation for quasi-brittle materials, was carried out on 75 75 75 mm cube samples. Initially, fracture process zone development was investigated only on the surface of samples using Digital Image Correlation...
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Effect of Semiconductor Element Substitution on the Electric Properties of Barium Titanate Ceramics
PublicationThe investigated ceramics were prepared by a solid-state reaction from simple oxides and carbonates with the use of a mixed oxide method (MOM). The morphology of BaTi0.96Si0.04O3 (BTSi04) ceramics was characterised by means of a scanning electron microscopy (SEM). It was found that Si+4 ion substitution supported the grain growth process in BT-based ceramics. The EDS results confirmed the high purity and expected quantitative composition...
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Highly Active TiO2 Microspheres Formation in the Presence of Ethylammonium Nitrate Ionic Liquid
PublicationSpherical microparticles of TiO2 were synthesized by the ionic liquid-assisted solvothermal method at different reaction times (3, 6, 12, and 24 h). The properties of the prepared photocatalysts were investigated by means of UV-VIS diffuse-reflectance spectroscopy (DRS), Brunauer–Emmett–Teller (BET) surface area measurements, scanning electron microscopy (SEM), X-ray diffraction analysis (XRD), and X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy...