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Synthesis, single crystal growth and properties of Sr5Pb3ZnO12
PublicationAbstract The novel Sr5Pb3ZnO12 oxide was synthesized by the solid-state reaction method. The crystal structure was studied by means of the powder x-ray diffraction Rietveld method and was found to be similar to 3 other previously known Sr5Pb3MO12 compounds (M = Co, Ni, Cu). Crystals of several hundred microns in size of the new phase were grown in molten sodium chloride and imaged using confocal optical and scanning electron microscopy....
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Magnetizability of the relativistic hydrogenlike atom in an arbitrary discrete energy eigenstate: Application of the Sturmian expansion of the generalized Dirac-Coulomb Green function
PublicationThe Sturmian expansion of the generalized Dirac--Coulomb Green function [R.\/~Szmytkowski, J.\ Phys.\ B 30 (1997) 825; erratum 30 (1997) 2747] is exploited to derive a closed-form expression for the magnetizability of an arbitrary discrete state of the relativistic one-electron atom with a point-like, spinless and motionless nucleus of charge $Ze$. The result has the form of a double finite sum involving the generalized hypergeometric...
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Evidence for solid state electrochemical degradation within a small molecule OLED
PublicationAcridone derivative have been synthesised and used as OLED (Organic Light Emitting Diode) emitters which were found to be electroactive. Electrochemical investigations showed a side reaction takes place inside an active layer which diminished the overall device efficiency. By using a dopant and host active layer architecture, the formation of the by product was removed. The by-product was identified as a σ-dimer formed inside an...
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The study of structure and surface morphology of lithium titanate sol-gel derived thin films
PublicationIn this paper the structure and the surface morphology of lithium titanate (LTO) thin films are presented. Nanocrystalline thin films were prepared by sol–gel method. To examine the influence of the annealing time on as-prepared films crystallization, the coatings were heated at different temperatures in the range of 500 °C–600 °C for 10, 20, 40 and 80 h. The structure of the obtained material was investigated using the X-ray diffraction...
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Cavitation Erosion Resistance of Austenitic Stainless Steel after Glow-Discharge Nitriding Process
PublicationThis paper presents investigation of cavitation erosion resistance of nitrided austenitic stainless steel X5CrNi18-10. The diffusion layers were produced by using different parameters of atmosphere (N2:H2). The microstructure, chemical composition and phase identification of the modified layer were examined using scanning electron microscopy, glow-discharge optical emission spectrometer and X-ray diffractometry, respectively. Cavitation...
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Ultrasonic spectroscopy of silicon single crystal
PublicationSpecimens of Si single crystals with different crystal orientation [100] and [110] were studied by the electro-ultrasonic spectroscopy (EUS) and Resonant Ultrasonic Spectroscopy (RUS). A silicon single crystal is an anisotropic crystal, so its properties are different in different directions in the material relative to the crystal orientation. EUS is based on interaction of two signals: electric AC signal and ultrasonic signal,...
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Pesticide residues levels in honey from apiaries located of Northern Poland
PublicationConcentration levels of 30 pesticide residues were measured in honey samples collected from apiaries in northern part of Poland (Pomerania) using method based on the QuEChERS extraction followed by liquid chromatography-tandem mass spectrometry with electron spray ionization (LC-ESI-MS/MS). In 29% of the samples were found positive for at least some of the target compounds. Concentration of bifenthrin, fenpyroximate, methidathion,...
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Low-energy positron collisions with water: elastic and rotationally inelastic scattering
PublicationDifferential, integral and momentum transfer cross sections for the vibrationally elastic and rotationally inelastic scattering of positrons from water at low collision energy (E ≤ 10 eV) are reported. Several models within the R-matrix method are used to compute the body-fixed T-matrices, while the scattering calculations are performed within the fixed-nuclei approximation corrected with the standard Born-closure formula. These...
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Unassisted formation of hemiaminal ether from 4-aminopyridine and o-vanillin - experimental and theoretical study
PublicationThe reactions between o-vanillin and three isomeric aminopyridines lead to imines of diverse spatial conformation and reactivity. The direct products of these simple reactions carried out in methanol are either imine compounds formed in the reactions of 2- amino- and 3-aminopyridine with o-vanillin or the α-aminoether formed in the reaction of o-vanillin with 4-aminopyridine. The Schiff-type derivative of 4-aminopyridine and o-vanillin,...
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Hydroxyapatite deposition on the laser modified Ti13Nb13Zr alloy
PublicationThe Ti13Nb13Zr alloy was subjected to laser modification with the Nd:YAG laser provided that such treatment would increase the surface roughness followed improved adhesion of hydroxyapatite (HAp) coatings The hydroxyapatite was deposited by electrophoretic method in suspension of 0.5 g HA powder and 100 ml ethyl alcohol. The deposition was carried out for 10 min at 10 V voltage followed by drying at room temperature for 24 h and...
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Use of Ginger Nanofibers for the Preparation of Cellulose Nanocomposites and Their Antimicrobial Activities
PublicationHere, we report, for the first time, the isolation of ginger nanofibers (GNF) from ginger rhizomes spent by acid hydrolysis and followed by high-pressure homogenization. Scanning electron microscopy was utilized to identify the surface morphology of the GNF and the widths ranged between 130 to 200 nm. Structural analysis of GNF was identified by Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy, Differential scanning calorimetry, and X-ray...
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RuAl6—An Endohedral Aluminide Superconductor
PublicationSuperconductivity is reported in an endohedral aluminide compound, RuAl6, with Tc = 1.21 K. The normalized heat capacity jump at Tc, ΔC/γTc = 1.58, confirms bulk superconductivity. The Ginzburg–Landau parameter of κ = 9.5 shows that RuAl6 is a type-II superconductor. Electronic structure calculations for RuAl6 are explored in comparison to its structural analogue ReAl6 (Tc = 0.74 K). The stability of the phases is discussed in...
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Properties of Barium Cerate-Zirconate Thin Films
PublicationIn this work, we review several experimental results showing the electrical properties of barium cerate-zirconate thin films and discuss them in view of the possible influence of various factors on their properties. Most of the presented Ba(Ce, Zr, Y)O3 thin films were formed by the pulsed laser deposition (PLD) technique, however thin films prepared using other methods, like RF magnetron sputtering, electron-beam deposition, powder...
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Integration of Fluorescent, NV-Rich Nanodiamond Particles with AFM Cantilevers by Focused Ion Beam for Hybrid Optical and Micromechanical Devices
PublicationIn this paper, a novel fabrication technology of atomic force microscopy (AFM) probes integrating cantilever tips with an NV-rich diamond particle is presented. Nanomanipulation techniques combined with the focused electron beam-induced deposition (FEBID) procedure were applied to position the NV-rich diamond particle on an AFM cantilever tip. Ultrasonic treatment of nanodiamond suspension was applied to reduce the size of diamond...
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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...
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Meldrum’s acid assisted formation of tetrahydroquinolin‑2‑one derivatives a short synthetic pathway to the biologically useful scaffold
PublicationA new method for the preparation of tetrahydroquinolin-2-one derivatives is presented. This approach involves a two-step reaction between enaminones and acylating agents, immediately followed by electrophilic cyclization, all within a single synthesis procedure, eliminating the need to isolate intermediates. The entire process is facilitated by the use of acyl Meldrum’s acids which not only shortens the preparation time of the...
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Effect of MAO coatings on cavitation erosion and tribological properties of 5056 and 7075 aluminum alloys
PublicationTwo ceramic coatings have been applied on 5056 and 7075 aluminum alloy by microarc oxidation (MAO) technology. The mass losses, surface morphologies and the phase constituents of the MAO coatings before and after cavitation tests were examined by means of digital scales, scanning electron microscopy (SEM) and X-ray diffraction (XRD), respectively. In order to assess the impact of the mechanical properties of the surface layer on...
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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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Ti-Fe2O3/In2O3 as photoactive material: The role of the substrate in photoelectrochemical water oxidation
PublicationThe layers of Ti-Fe2O3/In2O3 were prepared on the different substrates using hydrothermal method: Ti/TiO2 nanotubes, Ti foil, FTO and FTO/TiO2. Materials were characterized using scanning electron microscopy, XRD, Raman, UV-Vis, and X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy and tested as photoanodes for water oxidation under illumination. The formation of heterojunction on the TiO2 nanotubes increases photocurrent of water oxidation at...
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TiO2 /SrTiO3 and SrTiO3 microspheres decorated with Rh, Ru or Pt nanoparticles: Highly UV–vis responsible photoactivity and mechanism
PublicationA series of TiO2/SrTiO3 and SrTiO3 microspheres decorated by Rh, Ru or Pt NPs were prepared by facile hydrothermal method. The as-prepared samples were characterized by X-ray diffraction (XRD), X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS), transmission electron microscopy (TEM) with energy-dispersive Xray (EDX) spectroscopy, scanning electron microscopy (SEM), photoluminescence spectrometry (PL), Fourier transform infrared (FT-IR) and...
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Signature of Oxide-Ion Conduction in Alkaline-Earth-Metal-Doped Y3GaO6
PublicationWe have studied alkaline-earth-metal-doped Y3GaO6 as a new family of oxide-ion conductor. Solid solutions of Y3GaO6 and 2% −Ca2+-, −Sr2+-, and −Ba2+-doped Y3GaO6, i.e., Y(3−0.06)M0.06GaO6−δ (M = Ca2+, Sr2+, and Ba2+), were prepared via a conventional solid-state reaction route. X-ray Rietveld refined diffractograms of all the compositions showed the formation of an orthorhombic structure having the Cmc21 space group. Scanning electron...
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Mutually polarizable QM/MM model with in situ optimized localized basis functions
PublicationWe extend our recently developed quantum-mechanical/molecular mechanics (QM/MM) approach [Dziedzic et al., J. Chem. Phys. 145, 124106 (2016)] to enable in situ optimization of the localized orbitals. The quantum subsystem is described with ONETEP linear-scaling density functional theory and the classical subsystem – with the AMOEBA polarizable force field. The two subsystems interact via multipolar electrostatics and are fully...
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New Approaches for Escherichia coli Genotyping
PublicationEasy-to-perform, fast, and inexpensive methods of differentiation of Escherichia coli strains beyond the species level are highly required. Herein two new, original tools for genotyping of E. coli isolates are proposed. The first of the developed method, a PCR-RFLP (polymerase chain reaction-restriction fragment length polymorphism) test uses a highly variable fliC gene, encoding the H antigen as a molecular target. The designing...
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Dissociative multi-photon ionization of isolated uracil and uracil-adenine complexes
PublicationRecent multi-photon ionization (MPI) experiments on uracil revealed a fragment ion at m/z 84 that was proposed as a potential marker for ring opening in the electronically excited neutral molecule. The present MPI measurements on deuterated uracil identify the fragment as C3H4N2O+ (uracil+ less CO), a plausible dissociative ionization product from the theoretically predicted open-ring isomer. Equivalent measurements on thymine...
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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. To obtain RGO and PEDOT-RGO, the electrochemical reduction of GO and PEDOT-GO was carried out in 0.1 M KCl at a constant potential of −0.85 V. The GO, RGO and PEDOT-RGO...
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Electronic structure and magnetism of samarium and neodymium adatoms on free-standing graphene
PublicationThe electronic structure of selected rare-earth atoms adsorbed on a free-standing graphene was investigated using methods beyond the conventional density functional theory (DFT+U, DFT +HIA, and DFT+ED). The influence of the electron correlations and the spin-orbit coupling on the magnetic properties has been examined. The DFT+U method predicts both atoms to carry local magnetic moments (spin and orbital) contrary to a nonmagnetic...
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Effect of plasma sprayed and laser re-melted Al2O3 coatings on hardness and wear properties of stainless steel
PublicationCommercially available austenic stainless steel substrate was coated with commercially available, raw Al2O3 powder applied by means of plasma spraying method and then re-melted with CO2 laser beam of various parameters. Tribological and mechanical properties of the 120 J/mm and 160 J/mm laser re-melted coatings were compared with the tribological and mechanical properties of the “as-sprayed” coating. The influence of the laser...
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Transparent thin films of Cu-TiO2 with visible light photocatalytic acitivity
PublicationThin films of Cu–TiO2 with a high level of transparency were prepared by a dip-coating procedure on the glass surface. CuCl2 was used as a copper precursor added during sol – gel synthesis of TiO2. The extension of optical absorption into the visible region of as-prepared thin films was indicated by UV/Vis spectroscopy. Only the anatase phase was detected by X-ray di ffraction analysis (XRD). The presence of copper in the structure...
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Nanotubular oxide layers and hydroxyapatite coatings on ‘Ti–13Zr–13Nb’ alloy
PublicationThe presented research was aimed to determine the mechanical properties of the nanotubular oxide layer covered with hydroxyapatite coating. The Ti–13Zr–13Nb alloy was oxidised in 1M phosphoric acid with an addition of 0?5% HF for HF solution at 20 V voltage. The electrochemically assisted deposition of hydroxyapatite was performed at cyclic polarisation in NH4H2PO4 and CaCl2 solution at 80uC. The mechanical properties were determined...
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Spray deposited carbon nanotubes counter electrodes for dye-sensitized solar cells
PublicationCarbon nanotubes due to their catalytic properties are a promising alternative to platinum counter electrodes (CE) for dye-sensitized solar cells (DSSC). In this study, counter electrodes were made from double-walled carbon nanotube (DWCNT) ink using the spray printing technique and afterwards thermally treated at temperatures ranging from 120 to 300 °C. Morphology and structure was studied using scanning electron microscopy and...
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Optimization of Graphene Oxide Synthesis and Its Reduction
PublicationIn this article, we present the review of the chemical methods of synthesis of graphene oxide and its reduction in order to obtain the so-called reduced graphene oxide (rGO) whose properties are similar to those of pure graphene. We also present our experiments and the results in this field and the comparison of the efficiency of different methods of synthesis as well as the reduction of graphene oxide. To characterize the obtained...
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Spray-deposited carbon-nanotube counter-electrodes for dye-sensitized solar cells
PublicationCarbon nanotubes due to their catalytic properties are a promising alternative to platinum counter electrodes (CE) for dye-sensitized solar cells (DSSC). In this study, counter electrodes were made from double-walled carbon nanotube (DWCNT) ink using the spray printing technique and afterwards they were thermally treated at temperatures ranging from 120 to 300 °C. Morphology and structure was studied using scanning electron microscopy...
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Metody oznaczania in vitro właściwości przeciwutleniających próbek żywności. Cz. I
PublicationWystępowanie większości chorób cywilizacyjnych może być rezultatem stresu oksydacyjnego prowadzącego do różnorodnych zmian w ludzkim organizmie, wywołanych działaniem tzw. reaktywnych form tlenu. Z tego też powodu pojawiło się olbrzymie zapotrzebowanie na szybkie testy umożliwiające pomiar całkowitej zawartości przeciwutleniaczy czy też ogólnej siły przeciwutleniającej produktów żywnościowych a w szczególności świeżych warzyw...
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A procedure for the determination of dichloromethane and tetrachloroethene in water using pervaporation and gas chromatography
PublicationIn the present study, pervaporation was applied to the determination of tetrachloroethene (PCE) and dichloromethane (DCM) in liquid samples. PCE is the most commonly used solvent in dry-cleaning processes. PCE belongs to group 2A of carcinogens (probably carcinogenic to humans) according to the classification of the International Agency for Research on Cancer (IARC). DCM is also widely used as an industrial solvent for the purification...
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Ceramic composites for single-layer fuel cells
PublicationComposite materials consisting of acceptor doped lanthanum orthoniobate electrolyte phase (La0.98Ca0.02NbO4) and Li2O:NiO:ZnO semiconducting phase were synthesized. The precursor powder of La0.98Ca0.02NbO4 was prepared in nanocrystalline (mechanosynthesis) and microcrystalline (solid-state synthesis) form. The composite can be applied in a single-layer fuel cell, because of the presence of two phases acting as an anode and a cathode...
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Cascading transitions toward unconventional charge density wave states in the quasi-two-dimensional monophosphate tungsten bronze P4W16O56
PublicationSingle crystals of the m = 8 member of the low-dimensional monophosphate tungsten bronzes (PO2)4(WO3)2m family were grown by chemical vapour transport technique and the high crystalline quality obtained allowed a reinvestigation of the physical and structural properties. Resistivity measurements revealed three anomalies at TC1 = 258 K, TC2 = 245 K and TC3 = 140 K, never observed until now. Parallel X-ray diffraction investigations...
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Synthesis of isotactic polypropylene- block -polystyrene block copolymers as compatibilizers for isotactic polypropylene/polyphenylene oxide blends
PublicationPoly(2,6-dimethyl-1,4-phenylene oxide) (PPO) and isotactic polypropylene (iPP) are highly incompatible and consequently their uncompatibilized blends are quite brittle regardless of the molecular weights and ductility of the individual components. Isotactic polypropylene-polystyrene block copolymers, to be applied as compatibilizers for a broad range of PPO/iPP blend compositions, were prepared by mechanism transformation from...
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Structural and electrical properties of titanium-doped yttrium niobate
PublicationIn this work, the influence of the substitution of niobium by titanium in Y3Nb1-xTixO7-δ on the structural and electrical properties is reported. Several experimental techniques, i.e. X-Ray Diffraction (XRD), Scanning Electron Microscopy (SEM), X-Ray Photoelectron Spectroscopy (XPS) and Electrochemical Impedance Spectroscopy (EIS), were applied to investigate the system Y3Nb1-xTixO7-δ. Titanium in Y3Nb1-xTixO7-δ is an acceptor-type...
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The effect of morphology and crystalline structure of Mo/MoO3 layers on photocatalytic degradation of water organic pollutants
PublicationMolybdenum oxide layers were formed by anodization of the Mo metallic foil in a water/ethylene glycol-based electrolyte containing fluoride ions. The as-prepared, amorphous samples were annealed in air at different temperatures in a range from 100 �C to 700 �C. The crystal phase and morphology of anodized and annealed MoO3 layers were investigated using X-ray diffraction, Raman spectroscopy, and scanning electron microscopy. The...
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Development of Microstructured Carbon Coatings by Substrate-Catalytic CVD
PublicationCarbon nanostructured films were synthesized by chemical vapor deposition (CVD) on H18 stainless steel (AISI 440C) sheets with an H2/CH4/N2 gas mixture at various substrate temperatures. During the synthesis, the iron and chromium oxide layer was formed between the steel and carbonaceous layer. The carbon films exhibited wall-like and spherical morphologies and structures, as characterized by scanning electron microscopy and Raman...
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Redox property switching in MOFs with open metal sites for improved catalytic hydrogenation performance
PublicationIn this study, a decompression-thermalization strategy was utilized for a Cu-containing metal-organic framework (MOF) to tune its redox and catalytic hydrogenation properties. Remarkably, at just 120 °C, open metal sites (OMSs) were successfully constructed by removing coordinated solvent molecules to generate the daughter MOF-120. The tailored redox property of MOF-120 is correlated with the presence of OMSs. Compared with the...
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Implementation of SiN thin film in fiber-optic sensor working in telecommunication range of wavelengths
PublicationMirrors are used in optical sensors and measurement setups. This creates a demand for mirrors made of new materials and having various properties tailored to specific applications. In this work, we propose silicon covered with a thin silicon nitride layer as a mirror for near-infrared measurements. SiN layer was deposited on a standard silicon wafer with a Low-Pressure Chemical Vapor Deposition furnace. Then, the created layer...
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Ligand-Modified Boron-Doped Diamond Surface: DFT Insights into the Electronic Properties of Biofunctionalization
PublicationWith the increasing power of computation systems, theoretical calculations provide a means for quick determination of material properties, laying out a research plan, and lowering material development costs. One of the most common is Density Functional Theory (DFT), which allows us to simulate the structure of chemical molecules or crystals and their interaction. In developing a new generation of biosensors, understanding the nature...
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Hydrogen embrittlement of X2CrNiMoCuN25-6-3 super duplex stainless steel welded joints under cathodic protection
PublicationThe effect of cathodic polarization conditions on hydrogen degradation of X2CrNiMoCuN25-6-3 super duplex stainless steel welded joints, obtained using flux cored arc and submerged arc welding methods, was evaluated. Slow strain rate tensile tests of base material and welded specimens, ferrite content measurements, scanning electron microscopy observations, and statistical analysis were performed. It was found that hydrogenation...
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The effect of elevated temperature on LCF damage growth in 2024AA – Experiment and modeling
PublicationThis paper presents the results of experimental low-cycle fatigue (LCF) tests conducted on EN-AW 2024 alloy in T3511 temper at 100 ◦C, 200 ◦C and 300 ◦C. The material’s basic fatigue characteristics were determined, such as fatigue life curve and cyclic strain curve. Both the hysteresis loop and nature of fracture surfaces obtained in macro- and microscopic observations (scanning electron microscope, SEM) were accounted for. The...
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Sulfate reducing ammonium oxidation (SULFAMMOX) process under anaerobic conditions
PublicationSulfate (SO42-) can be an electron acceptor for ammonium nitrogen (NH4+) oxidation under anaerobic conditions. The process is known as sulfammox and can be a viable alternative to conventional, nitrite (NO2-) dependent, anammox. Two bacterial species, including Bacillus Benzoevorans and Brocadia Anammoxoglobus Sulfate, can perform that process. With sulfammox, an economically inefficient pre-nitration step (due to aeration) is...
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Synthesis of Phosphonated Carbon Nanotubes: New Insight into Carbon Nanotubes Functionalization
PublicationCarbon nanotubes were successfully functionalized for the first time in a free radical phosphonylation reaction. Three synthetic protocols were proposed. Carbon nanotubes and diethylphosphite reacted in the presence of known radical initiator, such as azobisisobutyronitrile, single electron oxidant—Mn(OAc)3, or under UV radiation. The functionalized material was fully characterized by means of spectroscopic methods, together with...
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The Influence of Nanometals, Dispersed in the Electrophoretic Nanohydroxyapatite Coatings on the Ti13Zr13Nb Alloy, on Their Morphology and Mechanical Properties
PublicationIn this work, nanohydroxyapatite coatings with nanosilver and nanocopper have been fabricated and studied. The presented results concern coatings with a chemical composition that has never been proposed before. The present research aims to characterize the effects of nanosilver and nanocopper, dispersed in nanohydroxyapatite coatings and deposited on a new, non-toxic Ti13Zr13Nb alloy, on the physical and mechanical properties of...
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Hybrid cross-linked chitosan/protonated-proline:glucose DES membranes with superior pervaporation performance for ethanol dehydration
PublicationThis work explores a protonated L-proline:glucose (molar ratio 5:1) deep eutectic solvent (DES) in fabricating biopolymer membranes utilizing chitosan (CS). Initially, the miscibility of CS and DES to prepare homogeneous dense blend membranes has been investigated. Different techniques, such as scanning electron microscopy, contact angle (CA), atomic force microscopy (AFM), Fourier transformed infrared spectroscopy (FTIR) and swelling...