Sample records for roughened silver electrodes

  1. Highly surface-roughened quasi-spherical silver powders in back electrode paste for silicon solar cells

    NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

    Yin, Peng; Liu, Shouchao; Li, Qiuying; Chen, Xiaolei; Guo, Weihong; Wu, Chifei

    2017-08-01

    In our work, highly surface-roughened quasi-spherical silver powders with controllable size and superior dispersibility, which have narrow size distribution and relatively high tap density, were successfully prepared by reducing silver nitrate with ascorbic acid in aqueous solutions. Gum arabic (AG) was selected as dispersant to prevent the agglomeration of silver particles. Furthermore, the effects of preparation conditions on the characteristics of the powders were systematically investigated. By varying the concentration of the reactants, dosage of dispersant, the feeding modes, synthesis temperature and the pH value of the mixture solution of silver nitrate and AG, the resulted silver particles displayed controllable size, different morphologies and surface roughness. The spherical silver powder with mean particle size of 1.20 µm, tap density of 4.1 g cm-3 and specific area value of 0.46 m2 g-1 was prepared by adjusting preparation conditions. The AG absorbed on the surface preventing the silver particles from diffusion and aggregation was proved by the ultraviolet spectra. Observations of SEM images showed that the as-prepared silver powders were relatively monodisperse silver spheres with highly roughened surface and the particle size was controllable from 1 µm to 5 µm, specific surface area value from approximately 0.2 m2 g-1 to 0.8 m2 g-1. X-ray diffraction (XRD) patterns, energy dispersive spectroscopy (EDS), x-ray photoelectron spectra (XPS) and thermal gravity analysis (TGA) demonstrated high crystallinity and purity of the obtained silver powders.

  2. Surface-enhanced Raman difference between bombesin and its modified analogues on the colloidal and electrochemically roughen silver surfaces.

    PubMed

    Podstawka, Edyta; Ozaki, Yukihiro

    2008-10-01

    In this article, surface-enhanced Raman scattering (SERS) spectra of bombesin (BN) and its six modified analogues ([D-Phe(12)]BN, [Tyr(4)]BN, [Tyr(4),D-Phe(12)]BN, [D-Phe(12),Leu(14)]BN, [Leu(13)-(R)-Leu(14)]BN, and [Lys(3)]BN) on a colloidal silver surface are reported and compared with SERS spectra of these species immobilized onto an ellectrochemically roughen silver electrode. Changes in enhancement and wavenumber of proper bands upon adsorption on different silver surfaces are consistent with BN and its analogues adsorption primarily through Trp(8). Slightly different adsorption states of these molecules are observed depending upon natural amino acids substitution. For example, the indole ring in all the peptides interacts with silver nanoparticles in a edge-on orientation. It is additionally coordinated to the silver through the N(1)--H bond for all the peptides, except [Phe(12)]BN. This is in contrary to the results obtained for the silver roughen electrode that show direct but not strong N(1)--H/Ag interaction for all peptides except [D-Phe(12),Leu(14)]BN and [Leu(13)-(R)-Leu(14)]BN. For BN only C==O is not involved in the chemical coordination with the colloidal surface. [Lys(3)]BN and BN also adsorb with the C--N bond of NH(2) group normal and horizontal, respectively, to the colloidal surface, whereas C--NH(2) in other peptides is tilted to this surface. Also, the Trp(8) --CH(2)-- moiety of only [Tyr(4)]BN, [Lys(3)]BN, and [Tyr(4),D-Phe(12)]BN coordinates to Ag, whereas the Phe(12) ring of [Phe(12)]BN, [Tyr(4),D-Phe(12)]BN, and [D-Phe(12),Leu(14)]BN assists in the peptides binding only on the colloidal silver. (c) 2008 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.

  3. [Surface-enhanced raman spectra studies on roughened Zn electrode in alkaline solutions].

    PubMed

    Shen, Xiao-ying; Liu, Guo-kun; Gu, Ren-ao; Tian, Zhong-qun

    2005-09-01

    Electrochemical oxidation-reduction method was employed to roughen Zn electrode for obtaining SERS, and potential dependent surface enhanced Raman spectra (SERS) of roughened Zn electrode in KOH solution of different concentration wereobserved. The spectra of Zn electrode in various solutions had obvious differences which indicated the concentration of OH- had a great effect on the dissolution and passivation of zinc. Based on our experimental results, the authors attempt to analyse the behavior of zinc in alkaline and give the mechanism of its passivation.

  4. Silver manganese oxide electrodes for lithium batteries

    DOEpatents

    Thackeray, Michael M.; Vaughey, John T.; Dees, Dennis W.

    2006-05-09

    This invention relates to electrodes for non-aqueous lithium cells and batteries with silver manganese oxide positive electrodes, denoted AgxMnOy, in which x and y are such that the manganese ions in the charged or partially charged electrodes cells have an average oxidation state greater than 3.5. The silver manganese oxide electrodes optionally contain silver powder and/or silver foil to assist in current collection at the electrodes and to improve the power capability of the cells or batteries. The invention relates also to a method for preparing AgxMnOy electrodes by decomposition of a permanganate salt, such as AgMnO4, or by the decomposition of KMnO4 or LiMnO4 in the presence of a silver salt.

  5. Silver-silver sulfate reference electrodes for use in lead-acid batteries

    NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

    Ruetschi, Paul

    Electrochemical properties of silver-silver sulfate reference electrodes for lead-acid batteries are described, and the following possible applications discussed: Determination of individual capacities of positive and negative plates. Monitoring individual electrode behavior during deep discharge and cell reversal. Optimization charge or discharge parameters, by controlling the current such that pre-determined limits of positive or negative half-cell potential are respected. Observation of acid concentration differences, for example due to acid stratification, by measuring diffusion potentials (concentration-cell voltages). Detection of defective cells, and defective plate sets, in a string of cells, at the end of their service life. Silver-silver sulfate reference electrodes, permanently installed in lead-acid cells, may be a means to improve battery management, and therewith to improve reliability and service life. In vented batteries, reference electrodes may be used to limit positive plate polarization during charge, or float-charge. Limiting the positive half-cell potential to an upper, pre-set value would permit to keep anodic corrosion as low as possible. During cycling, discharge could be terminated when the half-cell potential of the positive electrode has dropped to a pre-set limit. This would prevent excessive discharge of the positive electrodes, which could result in an improvement of cycle life. In valve-regulated batteries, reference electrodes may be used to adjust float-charge conditions such as to assure sufficient cathodic polarization of the negative electrodes, in order to avoid sulfation. The use of such reference electrodes could be beneficial particularly in multi-cell batteries, with overall voltages above 12 V, operated in a partial-state-of-charge.

  6. Adsorption mechanism of physiologically active L-phenylalanine phosphonodipeptide analogues: Comparison of colloidal silver and macroscopic silver substrates

    NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

    Podstawka, E.; Kudelski, A.; Proniewicz, L. M.

    2007-11-01

    Here we present SERS spectra of several L-phenylalanine (Phe) phosphonodipeptides, i.e., L-Phe- L-Ala-PO 3H 2 ( MD1), L-Phe- L-Va L-PO 3H 2 ( MD2), L-Phe-β-Ala-CH(OH)-PO 3H 2 ( MD3), L-Phe- L-Ala-CH(OH)-PO 3H 2 ( MD4), L-Ala-(3,4-dimethoxy)- L-Phe-PO 3H 2 ( MD5), and L-Ala-(3,4-dimethoxy)-(des-CH 2)- L-Phe-PO 3H 2 ( MD6), immobilized on electrochemically roughened silver electrodes. These spectra are analyzed by theoretical calculations using density functional theory (DFT) at the B3LYP level with 6-31++G∗∗ basis set. In addition, these spectra are compared with SERS spectra of these species adsorbed on a colloidal silver surface. We showed that on the macroscopic silver substrate, the Phe aromatic ring of MD3 and MD4 is oriented vertically, while for MD1 it almost "stands up" on this surface. In the other three cases, the Phe ring adopts a tilted orientation in regard to the substrate. We also find that the phosphonate (-PO32-), methyl/methane, or dimethoxy groups of MD1, MD2, MD3, MD5, and MD6 are involved in the interaction of these phosphonodipeptides with the electrochemically roughened surface. This phenomenon is clearly seen for -CH 2-/-CH 3/-OCH 3 moieties as well as for the PO32- group that adsorbs on the macroscopic silver substrates mainly via the P dbnd O fragment. We also showed that MD4 binds to the macroscopic silver substrate through the hydroxyl, amine, and phosphonate groups, while the methylene/methane moieties are remote from this surface. We found that studied phosphonodipeptides often adsorb differently on the macroscopic silver substrate and on the colloidal silver nanoparticles. For example, MD1 adopts an almost vertical orientation on the electrochemically roughened silver substrate and is tilted or close to flat on the silver nanoparticles.

  7. Adsorbed States of phosphonate derivatives of N-heterocyclic aromatic compounds, imidazole, thiazole, and pyridine on colloidal silver: comparison with a silver electrode.

    PubMed

    Podstawka, Edyta; Olszewski, Tomasz K; Boduszek, Bogdan; Proniewicz, Leonard M

    2009-09-03

    Here, we report a systematic surface-enhanced Raman spectroscopy (SERS) study of the structures of phosphonate derivatives of the N-heterocyclic aromatic compounds imidazole (ImMeP ([hydroxy(1H-imidazol-5-yl)methyl]phosphonic acid) and (ImMe)(2)P (bis[hydroxy-(1H-imidazol-4-yl)-methyl]phosphinic acid)), thiazole (BAThMeP (butylaminothiazol-2-yl-methyl)phosphonic acid) and BzAThMeP (benzylaminothiazol-2-yl-methyl)phosphonic acid)), and pyridine ((PyMe)(2)P (bis[(hydroxypyridin-3-yl-methyl)]phosphinic acid)) adsorbed on nanometer-sized colloidal particles. We compared these structures to those on a roughened silver electrode surface to determine the relationship between the adsorption strength and the geometry. For example, we showed that all of these biomolecules interact with the colloidal surface through aromatic rings. However, for BzAThMeP, a preferential interaction between the benzene ring and the colloidal silver surface is observed more so than that between the thiazole ring and this substrate. The PC(OH)C fragment does not take part in the adsorption process, and the phosphonate moiety of ImMeP and (ImMe)(2)P, being removed from the surface, only assists in this process.

  8. Life capability of the silver electrode in alkaline electrochemical cells

    NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

    Frank, H. A.

    1976-01-01

    Estimates of silver electrode degradation rates were made by comparing the recently measured capacities with the reported early life capacities. Chemical analyses were carried out to determine the extent of silver loss from the electrode and its distribution throughout the cell components. The results established that the silver electrode is very stable when stored at reduced temperatures in the range of 0 to -51 C, in which it exhibits a permanent degradation in capacity of 0.5%/year. The results also indicated that the silver electrode is not quite as stable when operated and stored at room temperature, where it exhibits permanent degradation in the range of 3% to 14%/year. These results were employed in predicting the life capability of the proposed new Ag-H2 cell and also in assessing the merits of employing silver electrodes in long-life probe batteries.

  9. Screen printed silver top electrode for efficient inverted organic solar cells

    DOE Office of Scientific and Technical Information (OSTI.GOV)

    Kim, Junwoo; Duraisamy, Navaneethan; Lee, Taik-Min

    2015-10-15

    Highlights: • Screen printing of silver pattern. • X-ray diffraction pattern confirmed the face centered cubic structure of silver. • Uniform surface morphology of silver pattern with sheet resistance of 0.06 Ω/sq. • The power conversion efficiency of fabricated solar cell is found to be 2.58%. - Abstract: The present work is mainly focused on replacement of the vacuum process for top electrode fabrication in organic solar cells. Silver top electrode deposited through solution based screen printing on pre-deposited polymeric thin film. The solution based printing technology provides uniform top electrode without damaging the underlying organic layers. The surface crystallinitymore » and surface morphology of silver top electrode are examined through X-ray diffraction, field-emission scanning electron microscope and atomic force microscope. The purity of silver is examined through X-ray energy dispersive spectroscopy. The top electrode exhibits face centered cubic structure with homogeneous morphology. The sheet resistance of top electrode is found to be 0.06 Ω/sq and an average pattern thickness of ∼15 μm. The power conversion efficiency is 2.58%. Our work demonstrates that the solution based screen printing is a significant role in the replacement of vacuum process for the fabrication of top electrode in organic solar cells.« less

  10. Chemical sintering of direct-written silver nanowire flexible electrodes under room temperature.

    PubMed

    Hui, Zhuang; Liu, Yangai; Guo, Wei; Li, Lihang; Mu, Nan; Jin, Chao; Zhu, Ying; Peng, Peng

    2017-07-14

    Transparent and flexible electrodes on cost effective plastic substrates for wearable electronics have attract great attention recently. Due to the conductivity and flexibility in network form, metal nanowire is regarded as one of the most promising candidates for flexible electrode fabrication. Prior to application, low temperature joining of nanowire processes are required to reduce the resistance of electrodes and simultaneously maintain the dimensionality and uniformity of those nanowires. In the present work, we presented an innovative, robust and cost effective method to minimize the heat effect to plastic substrate and silver nanowires which allows silver nanowire electrodes been directly written on polycarbonate substrate and sintered by different electrolyte solutions at room temperature or near. It has been rigorously demonstrated that the resistance of silver nanowire electrodes has been reduced by 90% after chemical sintering at room temperature due to the joining of silver nanowires at junction areas. After ∼1000 bending cycles, the measured resistance of silver nanowire electrode was stable during both up-bending and down-bending states. The changes of silver nanowires after sintering were characterized using x-ray photoelectron spectroscopy and transmission electron microscopy and a sintering mechanism was proposed and validated. This direct-written silver nanowire electrode with good performance has broad applications in flexible electronics fabrication and packaging.

  11. Enhancing biodegradation and energy generation via roughened surface graphite electrode in microbial desalination cell.

    PubMed

    Ebrahimi, Atieh; Yousefi Kebria, Daryoush; Najafpour Darzi, Ghasem

    2017-09-01

    The microbial desalination cell (MDC) is known as a newly developed technology for water and wastewater treatment. In this study, desalination rate, organic matter removal and energy production in the reactors with and without desalination function were compared. Herein, a new design of plain graphite called roughened surface graphite (RSG) was used as the anode electrode in both microbial fuel cell (MFC) and MDC reactors for the first time. Among the three type of anode electrodes investigated in this study, RSG electrode produced the highest power density and salt removal rate of 10.81 W/m 3 and 77.6%, respectively. Such a power density was 2.33 times higher than the MFC reactor due to the junction potential effect. In addition, adding the desalination function to the MFC reactor enhanced columbic efficiency from 21.8 to 31.4%. These results provided a proof-of-concept that the use of MDC instead of MFC would improve wastewater treatment efficiency and power generation, with an added benefit of water desalination. Furthermore, RSG can successfully be employed in an MDC or MFC, enhancing the bio-electricity generation and salt removal.

  12. Preparation of thin film silver fluoride electrodes from constituent elements

    NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

    Odonnell, P. M.

    1972-01-01

    The feasibility of preparing thin-film metal fluoride electrodes from the elemental constituents has been demonstrated. Silver fluoride cathodes were prepared by deposition of silver on a conducting graphite substrate followed by fluorination under controlled conditions using elemental fluorine. The resulting electrodes were of high purity, and the variables such as size, shape, and thickness were easily controlled.

  13. Schiff Base modified on CPE electrode and PCB gold electrode for selective determination of silver ion

    NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

    Leepheng, Piyawan; Suramitr, Songwut; Phromyothin, Darinee

    2017-09-01

    The schiff base was synthesized by 2,5-thiophenedicarboxaldehyde and 1,2,4-thiadiazole-3,5-diamine with condensation method. There was modified on carbon paste electrode (CPE) and Printed circuit board (PCB) gold electrode for determination silver ion. The schiff base modified electrodes was characterized by atomic force microscopy (AFM) and scanning electron microscopy (SEM), respectively. The electrochemical study was reported by cyclic voltammetry method and impedance spectroscopy using modified electrode as working electrode, platinum wire and Ag/AgCl as counter electrode and reference electrode, respectively. The modified electrodes have suitable detection for Ag+. The determination of silver ions using the modified electrodes depended linearly on Ag+ concentration in the range 1×10-10 M to 1×10-7 M, with cyclic voltammetry sensitivity were 2.51×108 μAM-1 and 1.88×108 μAM-1 for PCB gold electrode and CPE electrode, respectively, limits of detection were 5.33×10-9 M and 1.99×10-8 M for PCB gold electrode and CPE electrode, respectively. The modified electrodes have high accuracy, inexpensive and can applied to detection Ag+ in real samples.

  14. Fully solution processed PEDOT:PSS and silver nanowire semitransparent electrodes for thin film solar cells

    NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

    Vaagensmith, Bjorn

    Building integrated photovoltaics (BIPV), such as semitransparent organic solar cells (OSC) for power generating windows, is a promising method for implementing renewable energy under the looming threat of depleting fossil fuels. OSC require a solution processed transparent electrode to be cost effective; but typically employ a non-solution processed indium tin oxide (ITO) transparent electrode. PEDOT:PSS and silver nanowire transparent electrodes have emerged as a promising alternative to ITO and are solution processed compatible. However, PEDOT:PSS requires a strong acid treatment, which is incompatible with high throughput solution processed fabrication techniques. Silver nanowires suffer from a short lifetime when subject to electrical stress. The goals of this work were to fabricate a PEDOT:PSS electrodes without using strong acids, a silver nanowire electrode with a lifetime that can exceed 6000 hours of constant electrical stress, and use these two electrodes to fabricate a semitransparent OSC. Exploring optimal solvent blend additives in conjunction with solvent bend post treatments for PEDOT:PSS electrodes could provide an acid free method that results in comparable sheet resistance and transmittance of ITO electrodes. Silver nanowires fail under electrical stress due to sulfur corrosion and Joule heating (which melts and breaks apart electrical contact). A silver oxide layer coating the nanowires could hinder sulfur corrosion and help redistribute heat. Moreover, nanowires with thicker diameters could also exhibit higher heat tolerance and take longer to corrode. Four layer PEDOT:PSS electrodes with optimal solvent blend additives and post treatments were fabricated by spin coating. Silver nanowire electrodes of varying nanowire diameter with and without UV-ozone treatment were fabricated by spray coating and subject to electrical stress of 20 mA/cm2 constant current density. PEDOT:PSS electrodes exhibited a sheet resistance of 80 O/□ and average

  15. Manufacturing and actuation characterization of ionic polymer metal composites with silver as electrodes

    NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

    Pandita, Surya D.; Lim, Hyoung Tae; Yoo, Youngtai; Park, Hoon Cheol

    2006-03-01

    Manufacturing and characterization of ionic polymer metal composites (IPMCs) with silver as electrodes have been investigated. Tollen's reagent that contains ion Ag(NH 3) II + was used as a raw material for silver deposition on the surfaces of the polymer membrane Nafion"R". Two types of inner solvents, namely common water based electrolyte solution (LiOH 1N) and ionic liquid were used and investigated. Compared to IPMCs with platinum electrodes, silver-plated IPMCs with water electrolyte showed higher conductivity. The actuation response of silver-plated IPMCs with the water based electrolyte was faster than that of platinum IPMCs. However, the silver electrode was too brittle and severely damaged during the solvent exchange process from water to ionic liquid, resulted in high resistance and hence very low actuation behavior.

  16. Effects of surface roughening of Nafion 117 on the mechanical and physicochemical properties of ionic polymer-metal composite (IPMC) actuators

    NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

    Wang, Yanjie; Zhu, Zicai; Liu, Jiayu; Chang, Longfei; Chen, Hualing

    2016-08-01

    In this paper, the surface of a Nafion membrane was roughened by the sandblasting method, mainly considering the change of sandblasting time and powder size. The roughened surfaces were characterized in terms of their topography from the confocal laser scanning microscope (CLSM) and SEM. The key surface parameters, such as Sa (the arithmetical mean deviation of the specified surface profile), SSA (the surface area ratio before and after roughening) and the area measurement on the histogram from the CLSM images, were extracted and evaluated from the roughened membranes. Also, the detailed change in surface and interfacial electrodes were measured and discussed together with the surface resistance, equivalent modulus, capacitance and performances of IPMC actuators based on the roughened membranes. The results show that a suitable sandblasting condition, resulting in the decrease in the bending stiffness and the increase in the interface area closely related to the capacitance, can effectively increase the electromechanical responses of IPMCs. Although the surface roughening by sandblasting caused a considerable lowering of mechanical strength, it was very effective for enlarging the interfacial area between Nafion membrane and the electrode layers, and for forming a penetrated electrode structure, which facilitated improvement of the surface resistance and capacitance characteristics of IPMCs. In this work, a quantitative relationship was built between the topography of Nafion membrane surface and electromechanical performance of IPMCs by means of sandblasting.

  17. Potentiometric titration of thiols, cationic surfactants and halides using a solid-state silver-silver sulphide electrode.

    PubMed

    Pinzauti, S; Papeschi, G; La Porta, E

    1983-01-01

    A rugged, low resistance silver-silver sulphide solid-state electrode for determining pharmaceuticals as authentic samples or in dosage forms by potentiometric titration is described. Sodium tetraphenylborate, mercury(II) acetate and silver nitrate (0.01) M were employed as titrants in the analysis of cationic surfactants (cetylpyridinium chloride, benzethonium chloride, benzalkonium chloride and chlorhexidine salts), antithyroid drugs (methimazole and propylthiouracil) or sodium halides respectively.

  18. Characterization of home-made silver sulphide based iodide selective electrode.

    PubMed

    Rajbhandari Nyachhyon, A; Yadav, A P; Manandhar, K; Pradhananga, R R

    2010-09-15

    Polycrystalline silver sulphide/silver iodide ion selective electrodes (ISEs) with four different compositions, 9:1, 2:1, 1:1, 1:9 Ag(2)S-AgI mole ratios, have been fabricated in the laboratory and characterized by X-ray diffractometry (XRD), scanning electron microscopy (SEM), and electrochemical impedance spectroscopy (EIS). X-ray diffraction studies show the presence of Ag(3)SI, Ag(2)S and AgI crystalline phases in the electrode material. The electrode surfaces have been found to become smoother and lustrous with increasing percentage of silver sulphide in silver iodide. ISE 1:1, ISE 2:1 and ISE 9:1 all responded in Nernstian manner with slopes of about 60 mV/decade change in iodide ion concentration in the linear range of 1 x 10(-1) to 1 x 10(-6)M while ISE 1:9 showed sub-Nernstian behavior with slope of about 45 mV up to the concentration 1 x 10(-5)M. Two capacitive loops, one corresponding to the charge transfer process at metal electrode and the back contact and a second loop corresponding to the charge transfer process at membrane-electrolyte interface have been observed at high and low frequency ranges, respectively. Mott-Schottky analysis shows that the materials are n-type semiconductors with donor defect concentrations in the range of 5.1 x 10(14) to 2.4 x 10(19)/cm(3). Copyright (c) 2010 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.

  19. The Joule heating problem in silver nanowire transparent electrodes

    NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

    Khaligh, H. H.; Xu, L.; Khosropour, A.; Madeira, A.; Romano, M.; Pradére, C.; Tréguer-Delapierre, M.; Servant, L.; Pope, M. A.; Goldthorpe, I. A.

    2017-10-01

    Silver nanowire transparent electrodes have shown considerable potential to replace conventional transparent conductive materials. However, in this report we show that Joule heating is a unique and serious problem with these electrodes. When conducting current densities encountered in organic solar cells, the average surface temperature of indium tin oxide (ITO) and silver nanowire electrodes, both with sheet resistances of 60 ohms/square, remains below 35 °C. However, in contrast to ITO, the temperature in the nanowire electrode is very non-uniform, with some localized points reaching temperatures above 250 °C. These hotspots accelerate nanowire degradation, leading to electrode failure after 5 days of continuous current flow. We show that graphene, a commonly used passivation layer for these electrodes, slows nanowire degradation and creates a more uniform surface temperature under current flow. However, the graphene does not prevent Joule heating in the nanowires and local points of high temperature ultimately shift the failure mechanism from nanowire degradation to melting of the underlying plastic substrate. In this paper, surface temperature mapping, lifetime testing under current flow, post-mortem analysis, and modelling illuminate the behaviour and failure mechanisms of nanowires under extended current flow and provide guidelines for managing Joule heating.

  20. Calixarene-based potentiometric ion-selective electrodes for silver.

    PubMed

    O'Connor, K M; Svehla, G; Harris, S J; McKervey, M A

    1992-11-01

    Four lipophilic sulphur and/or nitrogen containing calixarene derivatives have been tested as ionophores in Ag(I)-selective poly (vinyl chloride) membrane electrodes. All gave acceptable linear responses with one giving a response of 50 mV/dec in the Ag(I) ion activity range 10(-4)-10(-1)M and high selectivity towards other transition metals and sodium and potassium ions. This ionophore was also tested as a membrane coated glassy-carbon electrode where the sensitivity and selectivity of the conventional membrane electrode was found to be repeated. The latter electrode was then used in potentiometric titrations of halide ions with silver nitrate.

  1. Laser-Direct Writing of Silver Metal Electrodes on Transparent Flexible Substrates with High-Bonding Strength.

    PubMed

    Zhou, Weiping; Bai, Shi; Ma, Ying; Ma, Delong; Hou, Tingxiu; Shi, Xiaomin; Hu, Anming

    2016-09-21

    We demonstrate a novel approach to rapidly fabricate conductive silver electrodes on transparent flexible substrates with high-bonding strength by laser-direct writing. A new type of silver ink composed of silver nitrate, sodium citrate, and polyvinylpyrrolidone (PVP) was prepared in this work. The role of PVP was elucidated for improving the quality of silver electrodes. Silver nanoparticles and sintered microstructures were simultaneously synthesized and patterned on a substrate using a focused 405 nm continuous wave laser. The writing was completed through the transparent flexible substrate with a programmed 2D scanning sample stage. Silver electrodes fabricated by this approach exhibit a remarkable bonding strength, which can withstand an adhesive tape test at least 50 times. After a 1500 time bending test, the resistance only increased 5.2%. With laser-induced in-situ synthesis, sintering, and simultaneous patterning of silver nanoparticles, this technology is promising for the facile fabrication of conducting electronic devices on flexible substrates.

  2. Facile green synthesis of silver nanodendrite/cellulose acetate thin film electrodes for flexible supercapacitors.

    PubMed

    Devarayan, Kesavan; Park, Jiyoung; Kim, Hak-Yong; Kim, Byoung-Suhk

    2017-05-01

    In this study, we present a highly efficient and economical solution called as 'in situ hydrogenation' for preparation of highly conductive thin film electrode based on silver nanodendrites. The silver nanodendrite (AgND)/cellulose acetate (CA) thin film electrodes exhibited sheet resistance ranging from 0.32ohm/sq to 122.1ohm/sq which could be controlled by changing the concentration of both silver and polymer. In addition, these electrodes exhibited outstanding toughness during the bending test. Further, these thin film electrodes have great potential for scale-up with an average weight of 3mg/cm 2 and can be also combined with active nanomaterials such as multiwalled carbon nanotubes (MWCNTs) to fabricate AgND/CA/MWCNTs thin film for high-performance flexible supercapacitor electrode. The AgND/CA/MWCNTs electrodes exhibited a maximum specific capacitance of 237F/g at a current density of 0.3A/g. After 1000 cycles, the AgND/MWCNT/CA exhibited a decrease of 16.0% of specific capacitance. Copyright © 2017 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.

  3. Flow Synthesis of Silver Nanowires for Semitransparent Solar Cell Electrodes: A Life Cycle Perspective.

    PubMed

    Espinosa, Nieves; Søndergaard, Roar R; Jørgensen, Mikkel; Krebs, Frederik C

    2016-04-21

    Silver nanowires (AgNWs) were prepared on a 5 g scale using either the well-known batch synthesis following the polyol method or a new flow synthesis method. The AgNWs were employed as semitransparent electrode materials in organic photovoltaics and compared to traditional printed silver electrodes based on micron sized silver flakes using life cycle analysis and environmental impact analysis methods. The life cycle analysis of AgNWs confirms that they provide an avenue to low-impact semitransparent electrodes. We find that the benefit of AgNWs in terms of embodied energy is less pronounced than generally assumed but that the toxicological and environmental benefits are significant. © 2016 WILEY-VCH Verlag GmbH & Co. KGaA, Weinheim.

  4. Grain-Boundary Roughening in Colloidal Crystals

    NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

    Liao, Maijia; Xiao, Xiao; Chui, Siu Tat; Han, Yilong

    2018-04-01

    In polycrystals, faceted grains may become round and rough at high temperatures. Such a roughening phenomenon remains poorly understood, partly because of the lack of experimental observations. Here, we directly visualize the roughening dynamics of grain boundaries inside thin-film colloidal crystals at the single-particle level using video microscopy. The thermal fluctuations of grain boundaries appear to exhibit both static and dynamic critical-like behaviors, in contrast to the Kosterlitz-Thouless transition in typical free surface roughening. The roughening point shifts towards the melting point as the grain boundary's mismatch angle θ decreases and is preempted by melting when θ <18 ° . Counterintuitively, the amplitude of grain-boundary fluctuations decreases above the roughening point. This could be attributed to the observed widening of the grain boundary. The roughening strongly affects the mobility of the grain boundary but not the stiffness. These results provide new guidance for the control of microstructures in polycrystals and further development of roughening theory.

  5. Reduced contact resistance of a-IGZO thin film transistors with inkjet-printed silver electrodes

    NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

    Chen, Jianqiu; Ning, Honglong; Fang, Zhiqiang; Tao, Ruiqiang; Yang, Caigui; Zhou, Yicong; Yao, Rihui; Xu, Miao; Wang, Lei; Peng, Junbiao

    2018-04-01

    In this study, high performance amorphous In–Ga–Zn–O (a-IGZO) TFTs were successfully fabricated with inkjet-printed silver source-drain electrodes. The results showed that increased channel thickness has an improving trend in the properties of TFTs due to the decreased contact resistance. Compared with sputtered silver TFTs, devices with printed silver electrodes were more sensitive to the thickness of active layer. Furthermore, the devices with optimized active layer showed high performances with a maximum saturation mobility of 8.73 cm2 · V‑1 · S‑1 and an average saturation mobility of 6.97 cm2 · V‑1 · S‑1, I on/I off ratio more than 107 and subthreshold swing of 0.28 V/decade, which were comparable with the analogous devices with sputtered electrodes.

  6. Electrodeposition of platinum and silver into chemically modified microporous silicon electrodes

    PubMed Central

    2012-01-01

    Electrodeposition of platinum and silver into hydrophobic and hydrophilic microporous silicon layers was investigated using chemically modified microporous silicon electrodes. Hydrophobic microporous silicon enhanced the electrodeposition of platinum in the porous layer. Meanwhile, hydrophilic one showed that platinum was hardly deposited within the porous layer, and a film of platinum on the top of the porous layer was observed. On the other hand, the electrodeposition of silver showed similar deposition behavior between these two chemically modified electrodes. It was also found that the electrodeposition of silver started at the pore opening and grew toward the pore bottom, while a uniform deposition from the pore bottom was observed in platinum electrodeposition. These electrodeposition behaviors are explained on the basis of the both effects, the difference in overpotential for metal deposition on silicon and on the deposited metal, and displacement deposition rate of metal. PMID:22720690

  7. Laser Processed Silver Nanowire Network Transparent Electrodes for Novel Electronic Devices

    NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

    Spechler, Joshua Allen

    Silver nanowire network transparent conducting layers are poised to make headway into a space previously dominated by transparent conducting oxides due to the promise of a flexible, scaleable, lab-atmosphere processable alternative. However, there are many challenges standing in the way between research scale use and consumer technology scale adaptation of this technology. In this thesis we will explore many, and overcome a few of these challenges. We will address the poor conductivity at the narrow nanowire-nanowire junction points in the network by developing a laser based process to weld nanowires together on a microscopic scale. We address the need for a comparative metric for transparent conductors in general, by taking a device level rather than a component level view of these layers. We also address the mechanical, physical, and thermal limitations to the silver nanowire networks by making composites from materials including a colorless polyimide and titania sol-gel. Additionally, we verify our findings by integrating these processes into devices. Studying a hybrid organic/inorganic heterojunction photovoltaic device we show the benefits of a laser processed electrode. Green phosphorescent organic light emitting diodes fabricated on a solution phase processed silver nanowire based electrode show favorable device metrics compared to a conductive oxide electrode based control. The work in this thesis is intended to push the adoption of silver nanowire networks to further allow new device architectures, and thereby new device applications.

  8. Studies of reaction geometry in oxidation and reduction of the alkaline silver electrode

    NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

    Butler, E. A.; Blackham, A. U.

    1971-01-01

    Two methods of surface area estimations of sintered silver electrodes have given roughness factors of 58 and 81. One method is based on constant current oxidation, the other is based on potentiostatic oxidation. Examination of both wire and sintered silver electrodes via scanning electron microscopy at various stages of oxidation have shown that important structural features are mounds of oxide. In potentiostatic oxidations these appear to form on sites instantaneously nucleated while in constant current oxidations progressive nucleation is indicated.

  9. Investigations on silver/polyaniline electrodes for electrochemical supercapacitors.

    PubMed

    Patil, Dipali S; Shaikh, J S; Pawar, S A; Devan, R S; Ma, Y R; Moholkar, A V; Kim, J H; Kalubarme, R S; Park, C J; Patil, P S

    2012-09-14

    Polyaniline (PANI) and silver doped polyaniline (Ag/PANI) thin films were deposited on stainless steel substrates by a dip coating technique. To study the effect of doping concentration of Ag on the specific capacitance of PANI the concentration of Ag was varied from 0.3 to 1.2 weight percent. Fourier transform-infrared and Fourier transform-Raman spectroscopy, and energy dispersion X-ray techniques were used for the phase identification and determination of the doping content in the PANI films, respectively. The surface morphology of the films was examined by Field Emission Scanning Electron Microscopy, which revealed a nanofiber like structure for PANI and nanofibers with bright spots of Ag particles for the Ag/PANI films. There was decrease in the room temperature electrical resistivity of the Ag/PANI films of the order of 10(2) with increasing Ag concentration. The supercapacitive behavior of the electrodes was tested in a three electrode system using 1.0 M H(2)SO(4) electrolyte. The specific capacitance increased from 285 F g(-1) (for PANI) to 512 F g(-1) for Ag/PANI at 0.9 weight percent doping of Ag, owing to the synergic effect of PANI and silver nanoparticles. This work demonstrates a simple strategy of improving the specific capacitance of polymer electrodes and may also be easily adopted for other dopants.

  10. In situ roughening of polymeric microstructures.

    PubMed

    Shadpour, Hamed; Allbritton, Nancy L

    2010-04-01

    A method to perform in situ roughening of arrays of microstructures weakly adherent to an underlying substrate was presented. SU8, 1002F, and polydimethylsiloxane (PDMS) microstructures were roughened by polishing with a particle slurry. The roughness and the percentage of dislodged or damaged microstructures was evaluated as a function of the roughening time for both SU8 and 1002F structures. A maximal RMS roughness of 7-18 nm for the surfaces was obtained within 15-30 s of polishing with the slurry. This represented a 4-9 fold increase in surface roughness relative to that of the native surface. Less than 0.8% of the microstructures on the array were removed or damaged after 5 min of polishing. Native and roughened arrays were assessed for their ability to support fibronectin adhesion and cell attachment and growth. The quantity of adherent fibronectin was increased on roughened arrays by two-fold over that on native arrays. Cell adhesion to the roughened surfaces was also increased compared to native surfaces. Surface roughening with the particle slurry also improved the ability to stamp molecules onto the substrate during microcontact printing. Roughening both the PDMS stamp and substrate resulted in up to a 20-fold improvement in the transfer of BSA-Alexa Fluor 647 from the stamp to the substrate. Thus roughening of micrometer-scale surfaces with a particle slurry increased the adhesion of biomolecules as well as cells to microstructures with little to no damage to largescale arrays of the structures.

  11. In-Situ Roughening of Polymeric Microstructures

    PubMed Central

    Shadpour, Hamed; Allbritton, Nancy L.

    2010-01-01

    A method to perform in-situ roughening of arrays of microstructures weakly adherent to an underlying substrate was presented. SU8, 1002F, and polydimethylsiloxane (PDMS) microstructures were roughened by polishing with a particle slurry. The roughness and the percentage of dislodged or damaged microstructures was evaluated as a function of the roughening time for both SU8 and 1002F structures. A maximal RMS roughness of 7-18 nm for the surfaces was obtained within 15 to 30 s of polishing with the slurry. This represented a 4-9 fold increase in surface roughness relative to that of the native surface. Less than 0.8% of the microstructures on the array were removed or damage after 5 min of polishing. Native and roughened arrays were assessed for their ability to support fibronectin adhesion and cell attachment and growth. The quantity of adherent fibronectin was increased on roughened arrays by two-fold over that on native arrays. Cell adhesion to the roughened surfaces was also increased compared to native surfaces. Surface roughening with the particle slurry also improved the ability to stamp molecules onto the substrate during microcontact printing. Roughening both the PDMS stamp and substrate resulted in up to a 20-fold improvement in the transfer of BSA-Alexa Fluor 647 from the stamp to the substrate. Thus roughening of micron-scale surfaces with a particle slurry increased the adhesion of biomolecules as well as cells to microstructures with little to no damage to large scale arrays of the structures. PMID:20423129

  12. Effect of fractal silver electrodes on charge collection and light distribution in semiconducting organic polymer films

    DOE PAGES

    Chamousis, Rachel L.; Chang, Lilian; Watterson, William J.; ...

    2014-08-21

    Living organisms use fractal structures to optimize material and energy transport across regions of differing size scales. Here we test the effect of fractal silver electrodes on light distribution and charge collection in organic semiconducting polymer films made of P3HT and PCBM. The semiconducting polymers were deposited onto electrochemically grown fractal silver structures (5000 nm × 500 nm; fractal dimension of 1.71) with PEDOT:PSS as hole-selective interlayer. The fractal silver electrodes appear black due to increased horizontal light scattering, which is shown to improve light absorption in the polymer. According to surface photovoltage spectroscopy, fractal silver electrodes outperform the flatmore » electrodes when the BHJ film thickness is large (>400 nm, 0.4 V photovoltage). Photocurrents of up to 200 microamperes cm -2 are generated from the bulk heterojunction (BHJ) photoelectrodes under 435 nm LED (10–20 mW cm -2) illumination in acetonitrile solution containing 0.005 M ferrocenium hexafluorophosphate as the electron acceptor. In conclusion, the low IPCE values (0.3–0.7%) are due to slow electron transfer to ferrocenium ion and due to shunting along the large metal–polymer interface. Overall, this work provides an initial assessment of the potential of fractal electrodes for organic photovoltaic cells.« less

  13. Impact electrochemistry on screen-printed electrodes for the detection of monodispersed silver nanoparticles of sizes 10-107 nm.

    PubMed

    Nasir, Muhammad Zafir Mohamad; Pumera, Martin

    2016-10-12

    Impact electrochemistry provides a useful alternative technique for the detection of silver nanoparticles in solutions. The combined use of impact electrochemistry on screen-printed electrodes (SPEs) for the successful detection of silver nanoparticles provides an avenue for future on-site, point-of-care detection devices to be made for environmental, medicinal and biological uses. Here we discuss the use of screen-printed electrodes for the detection of well-defined monodispersed silver nanoparticles of sizes 10, 20, 40, 80, and 107 nm.

  14. Determination of nicotine by surface-enhanced Raman scattering (SERS)

    DOE Office of Scientific and Technical Information (OSTI.GOV)

    Barber, T.E.; List, M.S.; Haas, J.W. III

    1994-11-01

    The analytical application of surface-enhanced Raman spectroscopy (SERS) to the determination of nicotine is demonstrated. A simple spectroelectrochemical method using a copper or silver electrode as the SERS substrate has been developed, consisting of three steps: polishing a working electrode to a mirror finish; roughening the electrode in an electrolyte solution; and, finally, depositing the nicotine analyte onto the roughened electrode after immersion in a sample solution. During the reduction cycle, a large enhancement in nicotine Raman scattering is observed at the electrode surface. The intensity of the SERS signal on a silver electrode is linear with concentration from 10more » to 900 ppb, with an estimated detection limit of 7 ppb. The total analysis time per sample is approximately five minutes. This procedure has been used to analyze the extract from a cigarette side-stream smoke sample (environmental tobacco smoke); the SERS results agree well with those of conventional gas chromatographic analysis.« less

  15. Planar silver nanowire, carbon nanotube and PEDOT:PSS nanocomposite transparent electrodes

    NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

    Stapleton, Andrew J.; Yambem, Soniya D.; Johns, Ashley H.; Afre, Rakesh A.; Ellis, Amanda V.; Shapter, Joe G.; Andersson, Gunther G.; Quinton, Jamie S.; Burn, Paul L.; Meredith, Paul; Lewis, David A.

    2015-04-01

    Highly conductive, transparent and flexible planar electrodes were fabricated using interwoven silver nanowires and single-walled carbon nanotubes (AgNW:SWCNT) in a PEDOT:PSS matrix via an epoxy transfer method from a silicon template. The planar electrodes achieved a sheet resistance of 6.6 ± 0.0 Ω/□ and an average transmission of 86% between 400 and 800 nm. A high figure of merit of 367 Ω-1 is reported for the electrodes, which is much higher than that measured for indium tin oxide and reported for other AgNW composites. The AgNW:SWCNT:PEDOT:PSS electrode was used to fabricate low temperature (annealing free) devices demonstrating their potential to function with a range of organic semiconducting polymer:fullerene bulk heterojunction blend systems.

  16. Flexible organic light-emitting devices with a smooth and transparent silver nanowire electrode

    NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

    Cui, Hai-Feng; Zhang, Yi-Fan; Li, Chuan-Nan

    2014-07-01

    We demonstrate a flexible organic light-emitting device (OLED) by using silver nanowire (AgNW) transparent electrode. A template stripping process has been employed to fabricate the AgNW electrode on a photopolymer substrate. From this approach, a random AgNW network electrode can be transferred to the flexible substrate and its roughness has been successfully decreased. As a result, the devices obtained by this method exhibit high efficiency. In addition, the flexible OLEDs keep good performance under a small bending radius.

  17. Planar silver nanowire, carbon nanotube and PEDOT:PSS nanocomposite transparent electrodes

    PubMed Central

    Stapleton, Andrew J; Yambem, Soniya D; Johns, Ashley H; Afre, Rakesh A; Ellis, Amanda V; Shapter, Joe G; Andersson, Gunther G; Quinton, Jamie S; Burn, Paul L; Meredith, Paul

    2015-01-01

    Highly conductive, transparent and flexible planar electrodes were fabricated using interwoven silver nanowires and single-walled carbon nanotubes (AgNW:SWCNT) in a PEDOT:PSS matrix via an epoxy transfer method from a silicon template. The planar electrodes achieved a sheet resistance of 6.6 ± 0.0 Ω/□ and an average transmission of 86% between 400 and 800 nm. A high figure of merit of 367 Ω−1 is reported for the electrodes, which is much higher than that measured for indium tin oxide and reported for other AgNW composites. The AgNW:SWCNT:PEDOT:PSS electrode was used to fabricate low temperature (annealing free) devices demonstrating their potential to function with a range of organic semiconducting polymer:fullerene bulk heterojunction blend systems. PMID:27877771

  18. Surface enhanced Raman scattering of new acridine based fluorophore adsorbed on silver electrode

    NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

    Solovyeva, Elena V.; Myund, Liubov A.; Denisova, Anna S.

    2015-10-01

    4,5-Bis(N,N-di(2-hydroxyethyl)iminomethyl)acridine (BHIA) is a new acridine based fluoroionophore and a highly-selective sensor for cadmium ion. The direct interaction of the aromatic nitrogen atom with a surface is impossible since there are bulky substituents in the 4,5-positions of the acridine fragment. Nevertheless BHIA molecule shows a reliable SERS spectrum while adsorbed on a silver electrode. The analysis of SERS spectra pH dependence reveals that BHIA species adsorbed on a surface can exist in both non-protonated and protonated forms. The adsorption of BHIA from alkaline solution is accompanied by carbonaceous species formation at the surface. The intensity of such "carbon bands" turned out to be related with the supporting electrolyte (KCl) concentration. Upon lowering the electrode potential the SERS spectra of BHIA do not undergo changes but the intensity of bands decreases. This indicates that the adsorption mechanism on the silver surface is realized via aromatic system of acridine fragment. In case of such an adsorption mechanism the chelate fragment of the BHIA molecule is capable of interaction with the solution components. Addition of Cd2+ ions to a system containing BHIA adsorbed on a silver electrode in equilibrium with the solution leads to the formation of BHIA/Cd2+ complex which desorption causes the loss of SERS signal.

  19. Unraveling the solvent induced welding of silver nanowires for high performance flexible transparent electrodes.

    PubMed

    Zhang, Kui; Li, Jia; Fang, Yunsheng; Luo, Beibei; Zhang, Yanli; Li, Yanqiu; Zhou, Jun; Hu, Bin

    2018-04-25

    A solution processed metal nanowire network is a promising flexible transparent electrode to replace brittle metal oxides for printable optoelectronics applications, but suffers from the issue of pseudo contact between nanowires. Herein, using volatile solvent mists as a powerful "zipper", we demonstrate a simple and rapid method to effectively weld silver nanowires, which dramatically improves the conductivity and robustness of the silver nanowire network based flexible transparent electrodes. We reveal that for a stacked network structure, the unique wedge-shaped nanogaps between the long nanowires and substrate provide a strong capillary force during solvent evaporation, which is much larger than that between zero-dimensional nanoparticles and gives a decisive contribution for nanowire junction welding, and this nanowire-substrate interplay force is positively related to the wettability of the substrate. At the same time, the dissolution-reprecipitation of the capping agent on the silver nanowire surface as the natural adhesive can fix the network on the substrate tightly, which enhances the robustness of the network. Our approach solves two key issues in solution-processed transparent electrodes in one simple step, and is compatible with various mild solution-processed optoelectronic devices, especially those containing heat-sensitive or chemical-sensitive materials. Moreover, a new type of invisible infrared encryption display is demonstrated based on this approach.

  20. Graphene and silver-nanoprism dispersion for printing optically-transparent electrodes

    NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

    Sinar, Dogan; Knopf, George K.; Nikumb, Suwas

    2017-02-01

    Optically transparent electrodes (OTEs) are used for bioelectronics, touch screens, visual displays, and photovoltaic cells. Although the conductive coating for these electrodes is often composed of indium tin oxide (ITO), indium is a very expensive material and thin ITO films are relatively brittle compared to conductive polymer or graphene thin films. An alternative highly conductive optically transparent thin film based on a graphene (G) and silver-nanoprism (AgNP) dispersion is introduced in this paper. The aqueous G ink is first synthesized using carboxymethyl cellulose (CMC) as a stabilizing agent. Silver (Ag) nanoprisms are then prepared separately by a simple thermal process which involves the reduction of silver nitrate by sodium borohydride. These Ag nanoprisms are only a few nanometers thick but have relatively large surface areas (>1000 nm2). As a consequence, the nanoprisms provide more efficient injection of free carriers to the G layer. The concentrated G-AgNP dispersions are then deposited on optically transparent glass and polyimide substrates using an inkjet printer with a HP6602A print head. After printing, these optically thin films can be thermally treated to further increase electrical conductivity. Thermal treatment decomposes CMC which frees elemental carbon from polymer chain and, simultaneously, causes the film to become hydrophobic. Preliminary experiments demonstrate that the G-AgNP films on glass substrates exhibit high conductivity at 70% transparency (550 nm). Additional tests on the Gr-AgNP thin films printed on polymide substrates show mechanical stability under bending with minimal reduction in electrical conductivity or optical transparency.

  1. Direct Inkjet Printing of Silver Source/Drain Electrodes on an Amorphous InGaZnO Layer for Thin-Film Transistors

    PubMed Central

    Ning, Honglong; Chen, Jianqiu; Fang, Zhiqiang; Tao, Ruiqiang; Cai, Wei; Yao, Rihui; Hu, Shiben; Zhu, Zhennan; Zhou, Yicong; Yang, Caigui; Peng, Junbiao

    2017-01-01

    Printing technologies for thin-film transistors (TFTs) have recently attracted much interest owing to their eco-friendliness, direct patterning, low cost, and roll-to-roll manufacturing processes. Lower production costs could result if electrodes fabricated by vacuum processes could be replaced by inkjet printing. However, poor interfacial contacts and/or serious diffusion between the active layer and the silver electrodes are still problematic for achieving amorphous indium–gallium–zinc–oxide (a-IGZO) TFTs with good electrical performance. In this paper, silver (Ag) source/drain electrodes were directly inkjet-printed on an amorphous a-IGZO layer to fabricate TFTs that exhibited a mobility of 0.29 cm2·V−1·s−1 and an on/off current ratio of over 105. To the best of our knowledge, this is a major improvement for bottom-gate top-contact a-IGZO TFTs with directly printed silver electrodes on a substrate with no pretreatment. This study presents a promising alternative method of fabricating electrodes of a-IGZO TFTs with desirable device performance. PMID:28772410

  2. Direct Inkjet Printing of Silver Source/Drain Electrodes on an Amorphous InGaZnO Layer for Thin-Film Transistors.

    PubMed

    Ning, Honglong; Chen, Jianqiu; Fang, Zhiqiang; Tao, Ruiqiang; Cai, Wei; Yao, Rihui; Hu, Shiben; Zhu, Zhennan; Zhou, Yicong; Yang, Caigui; Peng, Junbiao

    2017-01-10

    Printing technologies for thin-film transistors (TFTs) have recently attracted much interest owing to their eco-friendliness, direct patterning, low cost, and roll-to-roll manufacturing processes. Lower production costs could result if electrodes fabricated by vacuum processes could be replaced by inkjet printing. However, poor interfacial contacts and/or serious diffusion between the active layer and the silver electrodes are still problematic for achieving amorphous indium-gallium-zinc-oxide (a-IGZO) TFTs with good electrical performance. In this paper, silver (Ag) source/drain electrodes were directly inkjet-printed on an amorphous a-IGZO layer to fabricate TFTs that exhibited a mobility of 0.29 cm²·V -1 ·s -1 and an on/off current ratio of over 10⁵. To the best of our knowledge, this is a major improvement for bottom-gate top-contact a-IGZO TFTs with directly printed silver electrodes on a substrate with no pretreatment. This study presents a promising alternative method of fabricating electrodes of a-IGZO TFTs with desirable device performance.

  3. One-step fabrication of 3D silver paste electrodes into microfluidic devices for enhanced droplet-based cell sorting

    NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

    Rao, Lang; Cai, Bo; Yu, Xiao-Lei; Guo, Shi-Shang; Liu, Wei; Zhao, Xing-Zhong

    2015-05-01

    3D microelectrodes are one-step fabricated into a microfluidic droplet separator by filling conductive silver paste into PDMS microchambers. The advantages of 3D silver paste electrodes in promoting droplet sorting accuracy are systematically demonstrated by theoretical calculation, numerical simulation and experimental validation. The employment of 3D electrodes also helps to decrease the droplet sorting voltage, guaranteeing that cells encapsulated in droplets undergo chip-based sorting processes are at better metabolic status for further potential cellular assays. At last, target droplet containing single cell are selectively sorted out from others by an appropriate electric pulse. This method provides a simple and inexpensive alternative to fabricate 3D electrodes, and it is expected our 3D electrode-integrated microfluidic droplet separator platform can be widely used in single cell operation and analysis.

  4. Epitaxial-Growth-Induced Junction Welding of Silver Nanowire Network Electrodes.

    PubMed

    Kang, Hyungseok; Song, Sol-Ji; Sul, Young Eun; An, Byeong-Seon; Yin, Zhenxing; Choi, Yongsuk; Pu, Lyongsun; Yang, Cheol-Woong; Kim, Youn Sang; Cho, Sung Min; Kim, Jung-Gu; Cho, Jeong Ho

    2018-05-22

    In this study, we developed a roll-to-roll Ag electroplating process for metallic nanowire electrodes using a galvanostatic mode. Electroplating is a low-cost and facile method for deposition of metal onto a target surface with precise control of both the composition and the thickness. Metallic nanowire networks [silver nanowires (AgNWs) and copper nanowires (CuNWs)] coated onto a polyethylene terephthalate (PET) film were immersed directly in an electroplating bath containing AgNO 3 . Solvated silver ions (Ag + ions) were deposited onto the nanowire surface through application of a constant current via an external circuit between the nanowire networks (cathode) and a Ag plate (anode). The amount of electroplated Ag was systematically controlled by changing both the applied current density and the electroplating time, which enabled precise control of the sheet resistance and optical transmittance of the metallic nanowire networks. The optimized Ag-electroplated AgNW (Ag-AgNW) films exhibited a sheet resistance of ∼19 Ω/sq at an optical transmittance of 90% (550 nm). A transmission electron microscopy study confirmed that Ag grew epitaxially on the AgNW surface, but a polycrystalline Ag structure was formed on the CuNW surface. The Ag-electroplated metallic nanowire electrodes were successfully applied to various electronic devices such as organic light-emitting diodes, triboelectric nanogenerators, and a resistive touch panel. The proposed roll-to-roll Ag electroplating process provides a simple, low-cost, and scalable method for the fabrication of enhanced transparent conductive electrode materials for next-generation electronic devices.

  5. Surface enhanced Raman spectroscopy of the silver/KCl, triethylenediamine (DABCO), water system

    NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

    Irish, D. E.; Guzonas, D.; Atkinson, G. F.

    1985-07-01

    1,4-Diazabicyclo[2.2.2]octane, (N(CH 2CH 2) 3N), usually abbreviated DABCO or DBO, is a symmetric top molecule of point group D 3h. SERS experiments have been carried out in an optical electrochemical cell using a silver electrode roughened by a single oxidation-reduction cycle (ORC). The observed SERS spectra contained four strong bands at 624, 798, 990 and 1351 cm -1, all A' 1 totally symmetric modes. The same bands were also observed in SERS spectra of DABCO adsorbed on colloidal gold. In the electrochemical experiments, the maximum of SERS-intensity versus electrode potential plots was observed to shift to less negative potentials as the wavelength of the exciting line was shifted to the red. The radically-altered, relative intensities of the observed bands, as well as observed changes in relative intensity as a function of electrode potential, have been interpreted as a selective enhancement of those normal modes which have as a major component of vibrational motion the C-C stretch. These observations are correlated with current theories concerning the SERS mechanism, especially those involving charge transfer (CT).

  6. Flexible, silver nanowire network nickel hydroxide core-shell electrodes for supercapacitors

    NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

    Yuksel, Recep; Coskun, Sahin; Kalay, Yunus Eren; Unalan, Husnu Emrah

    2016-10-01

    We present a novel one-dimensional coaxial architecture composed of silver nanowire (Ag NW) network core and nickel hydroxide (Ni(OH)2) shell for the realization of coaxial nanocomposite electrode materials for supercapacitors. Ag NWs are formed conductive networks via spray coating onto polyethylene terephthalate (PET) substrates and Ni(OH)2 is gradually electrodeposited onto the Ag NW network to fabricate core-shell electrodes for supercapacitors. Synergy of highly conductive Ag NWs and high capacitive Ni(OH)2 facilitate ion and electron transport, enhance electrochemical properties and result in a specific capacitance of 1165.2 F g-1 at a current density of 3 A g-1. After 3000 cycles, fabricated nanocomposite electrodes show 93% capacity retention. The rational design explored in this study points out the potential of nanowire based coaxial energy storage devices.

  7. Orientation of 6-mercaptopurine SAMs at the silver electrode as studied by Raman mapping and in situ SERS.

    PubMed

    Chu, Hui; Yang, Haifeng; Huan, Shuangyan; Shen, Guoli; Yu, Ruqin

    2006-03-23

    Self-assembled monolayers (SAMs) of 6-mercaptopurine (6MP) on a silver electrode in acid and alkaline media were investigated by a combination protocol of the SERS technique with Raman mapping, and it was found that the adsorption mode of 6MP SAMs changed with the pH value of the environment. Quantum calculations for the vibrational mode were performed by the BLYP/6-31G method. 6MP was adsorbed on the silver electrode with a tilted orientation via S, N1, and N7 atoms in acid medium, while the SAMs adopted head-on adsorption modes with the S atom and the N1 atom anchoring the silver surface in alkaline medium. However, 6MP SAMs turned to the same upright orientation on the electrode through the S and N7 atoms when either acid or basic solution was removed. Stability of 6MP SAMs was observed by in situ SERS spectroelectrochemical measurements. The results reveal that the desorption potentials of 6MP SAMs formed under acid and alkaline conditions from the Ag electrode were at ca. -1.3 V and -1.6 V vs SCE, respectively.

  8. Large-size, high-uniformity, random silver nanowire networks as transparent electrodes for crystalline silicon wafer solar cells.

    PubMed

    Xie, Shouyi; Ouyang, Zi; Jia, Baohua; Gu, Min

    2013-05-06

    Metal nanowire networks are emerging as next generation transparent electrodes for photovoltaic devices. We demonstrate the application of random silver nanowire networks as the top electrode on crystalline silicon wafer solar cells. The dependence of transmittance and sheet resistance on the surface coverage is measured. Superior optical and electrical properties are observed due to the large-size, highly-uniform nature of these networks. When applying the nanowire networks on the solar cells with an optimized two-step annealing process, we achieved as large as 19% enhancement on the energy conversion efficiency. The detailed analysis reveals that the enhancement is mainly caused by the improved electrical properties of the solar cells due to the silver nanowire networks. Our result reveals that this technology is a promising alternative transparent electrode technology for crystalline silicon wafer solar cells.

  9. Aerosol jet printed silver nanowire transparent electrode for flexible electronic application

    NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

    Tu, Li; Yuan, Sijian; Zhang, Huotian; Wang, Pengfei; Cui, Xiaolei; Wang, Jiao; Zhan, Yi-Qiang; Zheng, Li-Rong

    2018-05-01

    Aerosol jet printing technology enables fine feature deposition of electronic materials onto low-temperature, non-planar substrates without masks. In this work, silver nanowires (AgNWs) are proposed to be printed into transparent flexible electrodes using a Maskless Mesoscale Material Deposition Aerosol Jet® printing system on a glass substrate. The influence of the most significant process parameters, including printing cycles, printing speed, and nozzle size, on the performance of AgNW electrodes was systematically studied. The morphologies of printed patterns were characterized by scanning electron microscopy, and the transmittance was evaluated using an ultraviolet-visible spectrophotometer. Under optimum conditions, high transparent AgNW electrodes with a sheet resistance of 57.68 Ω/sq and a linewidth of 50.9 μm were obtained, which is an important step towards a higher performance goal for flexible electronic applications.

  10. Improvements in purification of silver nanowires by decantation and fabrication of flexible transparent electrodes. Application to capacitive touch sensors.

    PubMed

    Mayousse, Céline; Celle, Caroline; Moreau, Eléonore; Mainguet, Jean-François; Carella, Alexandre; Simonato, Jean-Pierre

    2013-05-31

    Transparent flexible electrodes made of metallic nanowires, and in particular silver nanowires (AgNWs), appear as an extremely promising alternative to transparent conductive oxides for future optoelectronic devices. Though significant progresses have been made the last few years, there is still some room for improvement regarding the synthesis of high quality silver nanowire solutions and fabrication process of high performance electrodes. We show that the commonly used purification process can be greatly simplified through decantation. Using this process it is possible to fabricate flexible electrodes by spray coating with sheet resistance lower than 25 Ω sq⁻¹ at 90% transparency in the visible spectrum. These electrodes were used to fabricate an operative transparent flexible touch screen. To our knowledge this is the first reported AgNW based touch sensor relying on capacitive technology.

  11. Nanoparticle-Enhanced Silver-Nanowire Plasmonic Electrodes for High-Performance Organic Optoelectronic Devices.

    PubMed

    Kim, Taehyo; Kang, Saewon; Heo, Jungwoo; Cho, Seungse; Kim, Jae Won; Choe, Ayoung; Walker, Bright; Shanker, Ravi; Ko, Hyunhyub; Kim, Jin Young

    2018-05-21

    Improved performance in plasmonic organic solar cells (OSCs) and organic light-emitting diodes (OLEDs) via strong plasmon-coupling effects generated by aligned silver nanowire (AgNW) transparent electrodes decorated with core-shell silver-silica nanoparticles (Ag@SiO 2 NPs) is demonstrated. NP-enhanced plasmonic AgNW (Ag@SiO 2 NP-AgNW) electrodes enable substantially enhanced radiative emission and light absorption efficiency due to strong hybridized plasmon coupling between localized surface plasmons (LSPs) and propagating surface plasmon polaritons (SPPs) modes, which leads to improved device performance in organic optoelectronic devices (OODs). The discrete dipole approximation (DDA) calculation of the electric field verifies a strongly enhanced plasmon-coupling effect caused by decorating core-shell Ag@SiO 2 NPs onto the AgNWs. Notably, an electroluminescence efficiency of 25.33 cd A -1 (at 3.2 V) and a power efficiency of 25.14 lm W -1 (3.0 V) in OLEDs, as well as a power conversion efficiency (PCE) value of 9.19% in OSCs are achieved using hybrid Ag@SiO 2 NP-AgNW films. These are the highest values reported to date for optoelectronic devices based on AgNW electrodes. This work provides a new design platform to fabricate high-performance OODs, which can be further explored in various plasmonic and optoelectronic devices. © 2018 WILEY-VCH Verlag GmbH & Co. KGaA, Weinheim.

  12. Effects of surface roughening on the mass transport and mechanical properties of ionic polymer-metal composite

    NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

    Chang, Longfei; Asaka, Kinji; Zhu, Zicai; Wang, Yanjie; Chen, Hualing; Li, Dichen

    2014-06-01

    Ionic Polymer-Metal Composite (IPMC) has been well-documented of being a promising functional material in extensive applications. In its most popular and traditional manufacturing technique, roughening is a key process to ensure a satisfying performance. In this paper, based on a lately established multi-physical model, the effect of roughening process on the inner mass transportation and the electro-active output of IPMC were investigated. In the model, the electro-chemical field was monitored by Poisson equation and a properly simplified Nernst-Planck equation set, while the mechanical field was evaluated on the basis of volume strain effect. Furthermore, with Ramo-Shockley theorem, the out-circuit current and accumulated charge on the electrode were bridged with the inner cation distribution. Besides, nominal current and charge density as well as the curvature of the deformation were evaluated to characterize the performance of IPMC. The simulation was implemented by Finite Element Method with Comsol Multi-physics, based on two groups of geometrical models, those with various rough interface and those with different thickness. The results of how the roughening impact influences on the performance of IPMC were discussed progressively in three aspects, steady-state distribution of local potential and mass concentration, current response and charge accumulation, as well as the curvature of deformation. Detailed explanations for the performance improvement resulted from surface roughening were provided from the micro-distribution point of view, which can be further explored for the process optimization of IPMC.

  13. Improved thermal oxidation stability of solution-processable silver nanowire transparent electrode by reduced graphene oxide.

    PubMed

    Ahn, Yumi; Jeong, Youngjun; Lee, Youngu

    2012-12-01

    Solution-processable silver nanowire-reduced graphene oxide (AgNW-rGO) hybrid transparent electrode was prepared in order to replace conventional ITO transparent electrode. AgNW-rGO hybrid transparent electrode exhibited high optical transmittance and low sheet resistance, which is comparable to ITO transparent electrode. In addition, it was found that AgNW-rGO hybrid transparent electrode exhibited highly enhanced thermal oxidation and chemical stabilities due to excellent gas-barrier property of rGO passivation layer onto AgNW film. Furthermore, the organic solar cells with AgNW-rGO hybrid transparent electrode showed good photovoltaic behavior as much as solar cells with AgNW transparent electrode. It is expected that AgNW-rGO hybrid transparent electrode can be used as a key component in various optoelectronic application such as display panels, touch screen panels, and solar cells.

  14. Sampling for silver nanoparticles in aqueous media using a rotating disk electrode: evidence for selective sampling of silver nanoparticles in the presence of ionic silver.

    PubMed

    Steinberg, Spencer; Hodge, Vernon; Schumacher, Brian; Sovocool, Wayne

    2017-03-01

    Amendment of a carbon paste electrode consisting of graphite and Nujol®, with a variety of organic and inorganic materials, allows direct adsorption of silver nanoparticles (AgNPs) from aqueous solution in either open or close circuit modes. The adsorbed AgNPs are detected by stripping voltammetry. Detection limits of less than 1 ppb Ag are achievable with a rotating disk system. More than one silver peak was apparent in many of the stripping voltammograms. The appearance of multiple peaks could be due to different species of silver formed upon stripping or variation in the state of aggregation or size of nanoparticles. With most of these packing materials, dissolved Ag + was also extracted from aqueous solution, but, with a packing material made with Fe(II,III) oxide nanoparticles, only AgNPs were extracted. Therefore, it is the best candidate for determination of metallic AgNPs in aqueous environmental samples without interference from Ag + .

  15. Substrate dependent stability of conducting polymer coatings on medical electrodes.

    PubMed

    Green, Rylie A; Hassarati, Rachelle T; Bouchinet, Lucie; Lee, Chaekyung S; Cheong, Gin L M; Yu, Jin F; Dodds, Christopher W; Suaning, Gregg J; Poole-Warren, Laura A; Lovell, Nigel H

    2012-09-01

    Conducting polymer (CP) coatings on medical electrodes have the potential to provide superior performance when compared to conventional metallic electrodes, but their stability is strongly dependant on the substrate properties. The aim of this study was to examine the effect of laser roughening of underlying platinum (Pt) electrode surfaces on the mechanical, electrical and biological performance of CP coatings. In addition, the impact of dopant type on electrical performance and stability was assessed. The CP poly(ethylene dioxythiophene) (PEDOT) was coated on Pt microelectrode arrays, with three conventional dopant ions. The in vitro electrical characteristics were assessed by cyclic voltammetry and biphasic stimulation. Results showed that laser roughening of the underlying substrate did not affect the charge injection limit of the coated material, but significantly improved the passive stability and chronic stimulation lifetime without failure of the coating. Accelerated material ageing and long-term biphasic stimulus studies determined that some PEDOT variants experienced delamination within as little as 10 days when the underlying Pt was smooth, but laser roughening to produce a surface index of 2.5 improved stability, such that more than 1.3 billion stimulation cycles could be applied without evidence of failure. PEDOT doped with paratoluene sulfonate (PEDOT/pTS) was found to be the most stable CP on roughened Pt, and presented a surface topography which encouraged neural cell attachment. Crown Copyright © 2012. Published by Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.

  16. Theoretical Study on Sers of Wagging Vibrations of Benzyl Radical Adsorbed on Silver Electrodes

    NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

    Wu, De-Yin; Chen, Yan-Li; Tian, Zhong-Qun

    2016-06-01

    Electrochemical surface-enhanced Raman spectroscopy (EC-SERS) has been used to characterize adsorbed species widely but reaction intermediates rarely on electrodes. In previous studies, the observed SERS signals were proposed from surface benzyl species due to the electrochemical reduction of benzyl chloride on silver electrode surfaces. In this work, we reinvestigated the vibrational assignments of benzyl chloride and benzyl radical as the reaction intermediate. On the basis of density functional theoretical (DFT) calculations and normal mode analysis, our systematical results provide more reasonable new assignments for both surface species. Further, we investigated adsorption configurations, binding energies, and vibrational frequency shifts of benzyl radical interacting with silver. Our calculated results show that the wagging vibration displays significant vibrational frequency shift, strong coupling with some intramolecular modes in the phenyl ring, and significant changes in intensity of Raman signals. The study also provides absolute Raman intensity in benzyl halides and discuss the enhancement effect mainly due to the binding interaction with respect to free benzyl radical.

  17. Preliminary flight prototype silver ion monitoring system

    NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

    Brady, J.

    1974-01-01

    The design, fabrication, and testing of a preliminary flight prototype silver ion monitoring system based on potentiometric principles and utilizing a solid-state silver sulfide electrode paired with a pressurized double-junction reference electrode housing a replaceable electrolyte reservoir is described. The design provides automatic electronic calibration utilizing saturated silver bromide solution as a silver ion standard. The problem of loss of silver ion from recirculating fluid, its cause, and corrective procedures are reported. The instability of the silver sulfide electrode is discussed as well as difficulties met in implementing the autocalibration procedure.

  18. A Flexible and Thin Graphene/Silver Nanowires/Polymer Hybrid Transparent Electrode for Optoelectronic Devices.

    PubMed

    Dong, Hua; Wu, Zhaoxin; Jiang, Yaqiu; Liu, Weihua; Li, Xin; Jiao, Bo; Abbas, Waseem; Hou, Xun

    2016-11-16

    A typical thin and fully flexible hybrid electrode was developed by integrating the encapsulation of silver nanowires (AgNWs) network between a monolayer graphene and polymer film as a sandwich structure. Compared with the reported flexible electrodes based on PET or PEN substrate, this unique electrode exhibits the superior optoelectronic characteristics (sheet resistance of 8.06 Ω/□ at 88.3% light transmittance). Meanwhile, the specific up-to-bottom fabrication process could achieve the superflat surface (RMS = 2.58 nm), superthin thickness (∼8 μm thickness), high mechanical robustness, and lightweight. In addition, the strong corrosion resistance and stability for the hybrid electrode were proved. With these advantages, we employ this electrode to fabricate the simple flexible organic light-emitting device (OLED) and perovskite solar cell device (PSC), which exhibit the considerable performance (best PCE of OLED = 2.11 cd/A 2 ; best PCE of PSC = 10.419%). All the characteristics of the unique hybrid electrode demonstrate its potential as a high-performance transparent electrode candidate for flexible optoelectronics.

  19. All-solution processed semi-transparent perovskite solar cells with silver nanowires electrode.

    PubMed

    Yang, Kaiyu; Li, Fushan; Zhang, Jianhua; Veeramalai, Chandrasekar Perumal; Guo, Tailiang

    2016-03-04

    In this work, we report an all-solution route to produce semi-transparent high efficiency perovskite solar cells (PSCs). Instead of an energy-consuming vacuum process with metal deposition, the top electrode is simply deposited by spray-coating silver nanowires (AgNWs) under room temperature using fabrication conditions and solvents that do not damage or dissolve the underlying PSC. The as-fabricated semi-transparent perovskite solar cell shows a photovoltaic output with dual side illuminations due to the transparency of the AgNWs. With a back cover electrode, the open circuit voltage increases significantly from 1.01 to 1.16 V, yielding high power conversion efficiency from 7.98 to 10.64%.

  20. Patterning Method for Silver Nanoparticle Electrodes in Fully Solution-Processed Organic Thin-Film Transistors Using Selectively Treated Hydrophilic and Hydrophobic Surfaces

    NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

    Fukuda, Kenjiro; Takeda, Yasunori; Kobayashi, Yu; Shimizu, Masahiro; Sekine, Tomohito; Kumaki, Daisuke; Kurihara, Masato; Sakamoto, Masatomi; Tokito, Shizuo

    2013-05-01

    Fully solution-processed organic thin-film transistor (OTFT) devices have been fabricated with simple patterning process at a relatively low process temperature of 100 °C. In the patterning process, a hydrophobic amorphous fluoropolymer material, which was used as the gate dielectric layer and the underlying base layer, was treated with an oxygen plasma to selectively change its surface wetting properties from hydrophobic to hydrophilic. Silver source and drain electrodes were successfully formed in the treated areas with highly uniform line widths and without residues between the electrodes. Nonuniformities in the thickness of the silver electrodes originating from the “coffee-ring” effect were suppressed by optimizing the blend of solvents used with the silver nanoparticles, such that the printed electrodes are appropriate for bottom-gate OTFT devices. A fully solution-processed OTFT device using a polymer semiconductor material (PB16TTT) exhibited good electrical performance with no hysteresis in its transfer characteristics and with good linearity in its output characteristics. A relatively high carrier mobility of 0.14 cm2 V-1 s-1 and an on/off ratio of 1×105 were obtained with the fabricated TFT device.

  1. Cathodic Stripping Analysis Complicated by Adsorption Processes: Determination of 2-Thiouracil at a Rotating Silver Disk Electrode,

    DTIC Science & Technology

    1983-01-01

    concentration, poten- tial sweep rate, rotation speed, deposition potential and other parameters -on the shape and height of the stripping peaks have...concentration, potential sweep rate, rotation speed, deposition potential and other parameters on the shape and height of the stripping peaks have been...of the greater surface area of a solid electrode compared to a dropping mercury electrode. Cathodic stripping voltametry at a rotating silver disk

  2. Aligned silver nanowire-based transparent electrodes for engineering polarisation-selective optoelectronics.

    PubMed

    Park, Byoungchoo; Bae, In-Gon; Huh, Yoon Ho

    2016-01-18

    We herein report on a remarkably simple, fast, and economic way of fabricating homogeneous and well oriented silver nanowires (AgNWs) that exhibit strong in-plane electrical and optical anisotropies. Using a small quantity of AgNW suspension, the horizontal-dip (H-dip) coating method was applied, in which highly oriented AgNWs were deposited unidirectionally along the direction of coating over centimetre-scale lengths very rapidly. In applying the H-dip-coating method, we adjusted the shear strain rate of the capillary flow in the Landau-Levich meniscus of the AgNW suspension, which induced a high degree of uniaxial orientational ordering (0.37-0.43) of the AgNWs, comparable with the ordering seen in archetypal nematic liquid crystal (LC) materials. These AgNWs could be used to fabricate not only transparent electrodes, but also LC-alignment electrodes for LC devices and/or polarising electrodes for organic photovoltaic devices, having the potential to revolutionise the architectures of a number of polarisation-selective opto-electronic devices for use in printed/organic electronics.

  3. High Rate Performance Nanocomposite Electrode of Mesoporous Manganese Dioxide/Silver Nanowires in KI Electrolytes.

    PubMed

    Jiang, Yanhua; Cui, Xiuguo; Zu, Lei; Hu, Zhongkai; Gan, Jing; Lian, Huiqin; Liu, Yang; Xing, Guangjian

    2015-10-13

    In recent years, manganese dioxide has become a research hotspot as an electrode material because of its low price. However, it has also become an obstacle to industrialization due to its low ratio of capacitance and the low rate performance which is caused by the poor electrical conductivity. In this study, a KI solution with electrochemical activity was innovatively applied to the electrolyte, and we systematically investigated the rate performance of the mesoporous manganese dioxide and the composite electrode with silver nanowires in supercapacitors. The results showed that when mesoporous manganese dioxide and mesoporous manganese dioxide/silver nanowires composite were used as electrodes, the strength of the current was amplified five times (from 0.1 to 0.5 A/g), the remaining rates of specific capacitance were 95% (from 205.5 down to 197.1 F/g) and 92% (from 208.1 down to 191.7 F/g) in the KI electrolyte, and the rate performance was much higher than which in an Na₂SO₄ electrolyte with a remaining rate of 25% (from 200.3 down to 49.1 F/g) and 60% (from 187.2 down to 113.1 F/g). The morphology and detail structure were investigated by Scanning electron microscopy, X-ray diffraction, Fourier transform infrared spectrometry and Nitrogen adsorption-desorption isotherms. The electrochemical performance was assessed by cyclic voltammograms, galvanostatic charge/discharge and electrochemical impedance spectroscopy.

  4. Terahertz time-domain measurement of non-Drude conductivity in silver nanowire thin films for transparent electrode applications

    NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

    Kim, Jaeseok; Maeng, Inhee; Jung, Jongwook; Song, Hyunjoon; Son, Joo-Hiuk; Kim, Kilsuk; Lee, Jaeik; Kim, Chul-Hong; Chae, Geesung; Jun, Myungchul; Hwang, YongKee; Jeong Lee, Su; Myoung, Jae-Min; Choi, Hyunyong

    2013-01-01

    We have investigated the complex conductivity of silver nanowire thin films using terahertz time-domain spectroscopy. Maxwell-Garnett effective medium theory, which accounts for the effective complex conductivity of silver nanowires, is presented in detail theoretically and experimentally. The conductivity of nanowires exhibits a characteristic non-Drude response in which the applied terahertz field is polarized in the longitudinal nanowire direction. The non-Drude responses of the silver nanowires are explained by the Gans approximation and the Drude-Smith model, and both agree well with the experimental data. Our results provide a basis for further explorations of charge carrier dynamics in nanowire-based transparent electrode applications.

  5. Powder processing of hybrid titanium neural electrodes

    NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

    Lopez, Jose Luis, Jr.

    A preliminary investigation into the powder production of a novel hybrid titanium neural electrode for EEG is presented. The rheological behavior of titanium powder suspensions using sodium alginate as a dispersant are examined for optimal slip casting conditions. Electrodes were slip cast and sintered at 950°C for 1 hr, 1000°C for 1, 3, and 6 hrs, and 1050°C for 1 hr. Residual porosities from sintering are characterized using Archimedes' technique and image analysis. The pore network is gel impregnated by submerging the electrodes in electrically conductive gel and placing them in a chamber under vacuum. Gel evaporation of the impregnated electrodes is examined. Electrodes are characterized in the dry and gelled states using impedance spectrometry and compared to a standard silver- silver chloride electrode. Power spectral densities for the sensors in the dry and gelled state are also compared. Residual porosities for the sintered specimens were between 50.59% and 44.81%. Gel evaporation tests show most of the impregnated gel evaporating within 20 min of exposure to atmospheric conditions with prolonged evaporation times for electrodes with higher impregnated gel mass. Impedance measurements of the produced electrodes indicate the low impedance of the hybrid electrodes are due to the increased contact area of the porous electrode. Power spectral densities of the titanium electrode behave similar to a standard silver-silver chloride electrode. Tests suggest the powder processed hybrid titanium electrode's performance is better than current dry contact electrodes and comparable to standard gelled silver-silver chloride electrodes.

  6. Fabrication and testing of silver-hydrogen cells

    NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

    Debicarri, D. J.; Charkey, A.

    1978-01-01

    Silver electrodes containing various additives were fabricated and tested in single electrode cells in order to improve the electrochemical utilization of sintered silver cathodes in Ag-H2 aerospace batteries. A standard stack arrangement was used which featured a NASA-developed organic-inorganic separator. All cells were cycled in a regime designed to remove 75% of the cells nominal capacity based on 3.3 gms/AHr Ag utilization. In cases where performance degradation was observed, the main feature mode appeared to be corrosion of either the expanded silver current collector or the connection between the silver electrode and the electrode tab. Promising silver electrodes from single electrode studies were used in the construction of 35 AHr Ag-H2 cells. Two such cells were constructed and installed in heavy walled pressure vessels for testing. Based on the data obtained from all cells tested during the program, four lightweight 35 AHr cells were fabricated. During acceptance testing these cells yielded an average gravimetric energy density of 30 WHr/1b.

  7. Microtitrimetry by differential electrolytic potentiometry using metallic electrodes and nanomaterials modified metallic electrodes

    NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

    Amro, Abdulaziz Nabil

    For the first time silver wire electrodes have been coated with carbon nanotubes using floating catalyst chemical vapor deposition (CVD) method. The production of CNTs has been conducted in a horizontal tubular reactor. Acetylene gas was used as a carbon source. Ferrocene has been used as a catalyst precursor for the growth of CNT. Different parameters have been optimized to get a high yield of CNTs and ensure their growth on the silver electrodes using univariate method. The parameters studied include the hydrogen flow rate, acetylene flow rate, temperature of the furnace, time of the reaction and the location of the electrodes in the reactor tube. The optimum conditions for those parameters were: for hydrogen and acetylene, the flow rates were 25 mL /min and 75 mL / min respectively. The furnace temperature was found to be 700 °C and the reaction time was 15 minutes. Regarding the location of the silver wires it should be located in the first 10 cm of the front side of the tube. Scanning electron microscopy (SEM) and transition electron microscopy (TEM) have been used to characterize carbon on silver electrodes. According to the experimental results, TEM figures show that CNT produced on Silver wire is multiwall carbon nanotubes MWCNT. Silver electrodes either pure or coated with CNT were used as indicating systems in micro titration using both dc differential electrolytic potentiometry (DEP) and mark-space bias DEP techniques. All types of titrimetric reactions were investigated using different types of electrodes like Pt and gold for oxidation reduction titrations, antimony electrodes for acid base titrations, silver electrodes for precipitation titrations in addition to Ag-CNT electrodes. End points at volumes of 1 microL were determined. Different parameters were optimized like the current density, the percentage bias, the volume of the sample and the concentrations of the reactants. Microtitrimetry has been applied on several types of analytes; Ferrous

  8. Morphological Behavior of Printed Silver Electrodes with Protective Self-Assembled Monolayers for Electrochemical Migration.

    PubMed

    Sekine, Tomohito; Sato, Jun; Takeda, Yasunori; Kumaki, Daisuke; Tokito, Shizuo

    2018-05-09

    We evaluated the electrochemical behaviors and reliability of printed silver (Ag) electrodes prepared from nanoparticle inks with the use of protective self-assembled monolayers (SAMs) under electronic bias conditions. The printed Ag electrodes were fabricated by inkjet printing on a hydrophobic substrate. The SAMs, which acted as barriers to moisture, were prepared by immersing the substrate in a pentafluorobenzenethiol solution at ambient temperature (25 °C). We investigated the electrochemical migration phenomenon using the water drop method, and the results showed that the formation of dendrites connecting the cathode and the anode, which can affect the electrochemical reliability of an electric device, was suppressed in the presence of the SAMs. The time before short circuit occurred was found to depend on the spacing between the electrodes, i.e., 130 s, when the distance between the electrodes was 200 μm in the presence of an SAM. We demonstrated that Ag electrodes treated using the procedure described in this work suppress the occurrence of electrical short circuits caused by Ag dendrite formation and thus their electrochemical properties are substantially improved.

  9. Silver nanowire-graphene hybrid transparent conductive electrodes for highly efficient inverted organic solar cells

    NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

    Ye, Neng; Yan, Jielin; Xie, Shuang; Kong, Yuhan; Liang, Tao; Chen, Hongzheng; Xu, Mingsheng

    2017-07-01

    Silver nanowires (AgNWs) and graphene are both promising candidates as a transparent conductive electrode (TCE) to replace expensive and fragile indium tin oxide (ITO) TCE. A synergistically optimized performance is expected when the advantages of AgNWs and graphene are combined. In this paper, the AgNW-graphene hybrid electrode is constructed by depositing a graphene layer on top of the network of AgNWs. Compared with the pristine AgNWs electrode, the AgNW-graphene TCE exhibits reduced sheet resistance, lower surface roughness, excellent long-term stability, and corrosion resistance in corrosive liquids. The graphene layer covering the AgNWs provides additional conduction pathways for electron transport and collection by the electrode. Benefiting from these advantages of the hybrid electrodes, we achieve a power conversion efficiency of 8.12% of inverted organic solar cells using PTB7:PC71BM as the active layer, which is compared to that of the solar cells based on standard ITO TCE but about 10% higher than that based on AgNWs TCE.

  10. Fabrication of flexible indium tin oxide-free polymer solar cells with silver nanowire transparent electrode

    NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

    Lin, Ming-Yi; Chen, Tsun-Jui; Xu, Wei-Feng; Hsiao, Li-Jen; Budiawan, Widhya; Tu, Wei-Chen; Chen, Shih-Lun; Chu, Chih-Wei; Wei, Pei-Kuen

    2018-03-01

    Flexible indium tin oxide (ITO)-free poly(3-hexylthiophene):[6,6]-phenyl C61-butyric acid methyl ester (P3HT:PC61BM) solar cells with a spin-coated silver nanowire transparent electrode are demonstrated. The solution-processed silver nanowire thin film not only exhibits high transmission (∼87%), but also shows low sheet resistance R s (∼25 Ω/sq). For solar cells with a conventional structure, the power conversion efficiency (PCE) of devices based on silver nanowires can reach around 2.29%. For the inverted structure, the PCE of devices can reach 3.39%. Conventional and inverted flexible ITO-based P3HT:PC61BM solar cells are also fabricated as a reference for comparison. For both types of solar cells, the PCE of ITO-free devices is very close that of an ITO-based polymer solar cell.

  11. Use of carbon paste electrodes for the voltammetric detection of silver leached from the oxidative dissolution of silver nanoparticles

    NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

    Mullaugh, Katherine M.; Pearce, Olivia M.

    2017-04-01

    The widespread use of silver nanoparticles (Ag NPs) in consumer goods has raised concerns about the release of silver in environmental waters. Of particular concern is the oxidative dissolution of Ag NPs to release Ag+ ions, which are highly toxic to many aquatic organisms. Here, we have investigated the application of differential pulse stripping voltammetry (DPSV) with carbon paste electrodes (CPEs) in monitoring the oxidation of Ag NPs. Using a commercially available, unmodified carbon paste and 60-s deposition times, a detection limit of 3 nM Ag+ could be achieved. We demonstrate its selectivity for free Ag+ ions over Ag nanoparticles, allowing for analysis of the oxidation of Ag NPs without the need for separation of ions and nanoparticles prior to analysis. We applied this approach to investigate the effect of pH in the oxidative dissolution of Ag NPs, demonstrating the usefulness of CPEs in studies of this type.

  12. High Rate Performance Nanocomposite Electrode of Mesoporous Manganese Dioxide/Silver Nanowires in KI Electrolytes

    PubMed Central

    Jiang, Yanhua; Cui, Xiuguo; Zu, Lei; Hu, Zhongkai; Gan, Jing; Lian, Huiqin; Liu, Yang; Xing, Guangjian

    2015-01-01

    In recent years, manganese dioxide has become a research hotspot as an electrode material because of its low price. However, it has also become an obstacle to industrialization due to its low ratio of capacitance and the low rate performance which is caused by the poor electrical conductivity. In this study, a KI solution with electrochemical activity was innovatively applied to the electrolyte, and we systematically investigated the rate performance of the mesoporous manganese dioxide and the composite electrode with silver nanowires in supercapacitors. The results showed that when mesoporous manganese dioxide and mesoporous manganese dioxide/silver nanowires composite were used as electrodes, the strength of the current was amplified five times (from 0.1 to 0.5 A/g), the remaining rates of specific capacitance were 95% (from 205.5 down to 197.1 F/g) and 92% (from 208.1 down to 191.7 F/g) in the KI electrolyte, and the rate performance was much higher than which in an Na2SO4 electrolyte with a remaining rate of 25% (from 200.3 down to 49.1 F/g) and 60% (from 187.2 down to 113.1 F/g). The morphology and detail structure were investigated by Scanning electron microscopy, X-ray diffraction, Fourier transform infrared spectrometry and Nitrogen adsorption-desorption isotherms. The electrochemical performance was assessed by cyclic voltammograms, galvanostatic charge/discharge and electrochemical impedance spectroscopy. PMID:28347086

  13. Impedimetric detection of cocaine by using an aptamer attached to a screen printed electrode modified with a dendrimer/silver nanoparticle nanocomposite.

    PubMed

    Roushani, Mahmoud; Shahdost-Fard, Faezeh

    2018-03-12

    The authors describe a highly sensitive method for the aptamer (Apt) based impedimetric determination of cocaine. The surface of a screen-printed electrode (SPE) was modified with a nanocomposite of dendrimer and silver nanoparticles (AgNPs). The cocaine-binding Apt was attached to a dendrimer/AgNP/SPE surface, forming a sensitive layer for the determination of cocaine. The incubation with the analyte resulted in the formation of a cocaine/Apt complex on the electrode surface. As a consequence, folding and conformational change in the aptamer structure was induced, this resulting in a change in the impedimetric signal. The aptaassay exhibits highly efficient sensing characteristics with a good linearity of 1 fmol L -1 to 100 nmol L -1 (with two linear ranges) and a limit of detection (LOD) of 333 amol L -1 . Its excellent specificity and high sensitivity suggest that this kind of aptamer-based assay may be applied to detect other targets in this field. Graphical Abstract Designing of an aptaassay via immobilization of a functionalized aptamer with silver nanoparticle (AgNPs-Apt) on the modified screen-printed electrode (SPE) with dendrimer/silver nanoparticle nanocomposite (Den-AgNPs) for impedimetric detection of cocaine.

  14. Capillary Printing of Highly Aligned Silver Nanowire Transparent Electrodes for High-Performance Optoelectronic Devices.

    PubMed

    Kang, Saewon; Kim, Taehyo; Cho, Seungse; Lee, Youngoh; Choe, Ayoung; Walker, Bright; Ko, Seo-Jin; Kim, Jin Young; Ko, Hyunhyub

    2015-12-09

    Percolation networks of silver nanowires (AgNWs) are commonly used as transparent conductive electrodes (TCEs) for a variety of optoelectronic applications, but there have been no attempts to precisely control the percolation networks of AgNWs that critically affect the performances of TCEs. Here, we introduce a capillary printing technique to precisely control the NW alignment and the percolation behavior of AgNW networks. Notably, partially aligned AgNW networks exhibit a greatly lower percolation threshold, which leads to the substantial improvement of optical transmittance (96.7%) at a similar sheet resistance (19.5 Ω sq(-1)) as compared to random AgNW networks (92.9%, 20 Ω sq(-1)). Polymer light-emitting diodes (PLEDs) using aligned AgNW electrodes show a 30% enhanced maximum luminance (33068 cd m(-2)) compared to that with random AgNWs and a high luminance efficiency (14.25 cd A(-1)), which is the highest value reported so far using indium-free transparent electrodes for fluorescent PLEDs. In addition, polymer solar cells (PSCs) using aligned AgNW electrodes exhibit a power conversion efficiency (PCE) of 8.57%, the highest value ever reported to date for PSCs using AgNW electrodes.

  15. Spatial Competition: Roughening of an Experimental Interface.

    PubMed

    Allstadt, Andrew J; Newman, Jonathan A; Walter, Jonathan A; Korniss, G; Caraco, Thomas

    2016-07-28

    Limited dispersal distance generates spatial aggregation. Intraspecific interactions are then concentrated within clusters, and between-species interactions occur near cluster boundaries. Spread of a locally dispersing invader can become motion of an interface between the invading and resident species, and spatial competition will produce variation in the extent of invasive advance along the interface. Kinetic roughening theory offers a framework for quantifying the development of these fluctuations, which may structure the interface as a self-affine fractal, and so induce a series of temporal and spatial scaling relationships. For most clonal plants, advance should become spatially correlated along the interface, and width of the interface (where invader and resident compete directly) should increase as a power function of time. Once roughening equilibrates, interface width and the relative location of the most advanced invader should each scale with interface length. We tested these predictions by letting white clover (Trifolium repens) invade ryegrass (Lolium perenne). The spatial correlation of clover growth developed as anticipated by kinetic roughening theory, and both interface width and the most advanced invader's lead scaled with front length. However, the scaling exponents differed from those predicted by recent simulation studies, likely due to clover's growth morphology.

  16. Large silver-cadmium technology program

    NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

    Charlip, S.; Lerner, S.

    1971-01-01

    The effects of varying cell design on operation factors on the electrochemical performance of sealed, silver-cadmium cells were determined. A factorial experiment was conducted for all test cells constructed with organic separators. Three operating factors were evaluated: temperature, depth of discharge, and charge rate. The six construction factors considered were separator, absorber, electrolyte quantity, cadmium electrode type, cadmium-to-silver ratio, and auxiliary electrode. Test cells of 4 ampere-hour capacity were fabricated and cycled. The best performing cells, on a 94 minute orbit, at 40% depth of discharge, were those containing silver-treated fibrous sausage casings as the separator, and Teflon-ated, pressed cadmium electrodes. Cycling data of cells with inorganic separators (Astroset) are given. Best performance was shown by cells with nonwoven nylon absorbers. Rigid inorganic separators provided the best barrier to silver migration.

  17. Transparent electrodes fabricated via the self-assembly of silver nanowires using a bubble template.

    PubMed

    Tokuno, Takehiro; Nogi, Masaya; Jiu, Jinting; Sugahara, Tohru; Suganuma, Katsuaki

    2012-06-26

    To shore up the demand of transparent electrodes for wide applications such as organic light emitting diodes and solar cells, transparent electrodes are required as an alternative for indium tin oxide electrodes. Herein the self-assembly method with a bubble template paves the way for cost-effective fabrication of transparent electrodes with high conductivity and transparency using self-assembly of silver nanowires (AgNWs) in a bubble template. AgNWs were first dispersed in water that was bubbled with a surfactant and a thickening agent. Furthermore, these AgNWs were assembled by lining along the bubble ridges. When the bubbles containing the AgNWs were sandwiched between two glass substrates, the bubble ridges including the AgNWs formed continuous polygonal structures. Mesh structures were formed on both glass substrates after air-drying. The mesh structures evolved into mesh transparent electrodes following heat-treatment. The AgNW mesh structure exhibited a low sheet resistance of 6.2 Ω/square with a transparency of 84% after heat treatment at 200 °C for 20 min. The performance is higher than that of transparent electrodes with random networks of AgNWs. Furthermore, the conductivity and transparency of the mesh transparent electrodes can be adjusted by changing the amount of the AgNW suspension and the space between the two glass substrates.

  18. High frequency reference electrode

    DOEpatents

    Kronberg, J.W.

    1994-05-31

    A high frequency reference electrode for electrochemical experiments comprises a mercury-calomel or silver-silver chloride reference electrode with a layer of platinum around it and a layer of a chemically and electrically resistant material such as TEFLON around the platinum covering all but a small ring or halo' at the tip of the reference electrode, adjacent to the active portion of the reference electrode. The voltage output of the platinum layer, which serves as a redox electrode, and that of the reference electrode are coupled by a capacitor or a set of capacitors and the coupled output transmitted to a standard laboratory potentiostat. The platinum may be applied by thermal decomposition to the surface of the reference electrode. The electrode provides superior high-frequency response over conventional electrodes. 4 figs.

  19. High frequency reference electrode

    DOEpatents

    Kronberg, James W.

    1994-01-01

    A high frequency reference electrode for electrochemical experiments comprises a mercury-calomel or silver-silver chloride reference electrode with a layer of platinum around it and a layer of a chemically and electrically resistant material such as TEFLON around the platinum covering all but a small ring or "halo" at the tip of the reference electrode, adjacent to the active portion of the reference electrode. The voltage output of the platinum layer, which serves as a redox electrode, and that of the reference electrode are coupled by a capacitor or a set of capacitors and the coupled output transmitted to a standard laboratory potentiostat. The platinum may be applied by thermal decomposition to the surface of the reference electrode. The electrode provides superior high-frequency response over conventional electrodes.

  20. Photocatalytic, antimicrobial activities of biogenic silver nanoparticles and electrochemical degradation of water soluble dyes at glassy carbon/silver modified past electrode using buffer solution.

    PubMed

    Khan, Zia Ul Haq; Khan, Amjad; Shah, Afzal; Chen, Yongmei; Wan, Pingyu; Khan, Arif Ullah; Tahir, Kamran; Muhamma, Nawshad; Khan, Faheem Ullah; Shah, Hidayat Ullah

    2016-03-01

    In the present research work a novel, nontoxic and ecofriendly procedure was developed for the green synthesis of silver nano particle (AgNPs) using Caruluma edulis (C. edulis) extract act as reductant as well as stabilizer agents. The formation of AgNPs was confirmed by UV/Vis spectroscopy. The small and spherical sizes of AgNPs were conformed from high resolution transmission electron microscopy (HRTEM) analysis and were found in the range of 2-10nm, which were highly dispersion without any aggregation. The crystalline structure of AgNPs was conformed from X-ray diffraction (XRD) analysis. For the elemental composition EDX was used and FTIR helped to determine the type of organic compounds in the extract. The potential electrochemical property of modified silver electrode was also studied. The AgNPs showed prominent antibacterial motion with MIC values of 125 μg/mL against Bacillus subtilis and Staphylococcus aureus while 250 μg/mL against Escherichia coli. High cell constituents' release was exhibited by B. subtilis with 2 × MIC value of silver nanoparticles. Silver nanoparticles also showed significant DPPH free radical scavenging activity. This research would have an important implication for the synthesis of more efficient antimicrobial and antioxidant agent. The AgNP modified electrode (GC/AgNPs) exhibited an excellent electro-catalytic activity toward the redox reaction of phenolic compounds. The AgNPs were evaluated for electrochemical degradation of bromothymol blue (BTB) dyes which showed a significant activity. From the strong reductive properties it is obvious that AgNPs can be used in water sanitization and converting some organic perilous in to non-hazardous materials. The AgNPs showed potential applications in the field of electro chemistry, sensor, catalyst, nano-devices and medical. Copyright © 2016 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.

  1. N-Doped Porous Carbon Nanofibers/Porous Silver Network Hybrid for High-Rate Supercapacitor Electrode.

    PubMed

    Meng, Qingshi; Qin, Kaiqiang; Ma, Liying; He, Chunnian; Liu, Enzuo; He, Fang; Shi, Chunsheng; Li, Qunying; Li, Jiajun; Zhao, Naiqin

    2017-09-13

    A three-dimensional cross-linked porous silver network (PSN) is fabricated by silver mirror reaction using polymer foam as the template. The N-doped porous carbon nanofibers (N-PCNFs) are further prepared on PSN by chemical vapor deposition and treated by ammonia gas subsequently. The PSN substrate serving as the inner current collector will improve the electron transport efficiency significantly. The ammonia gas can not only introduce nitrogen doping into PCNFs but also increase the specific surface area of PCNFs at the same time. Because of its large surface area (801 m 2 /g), high electrical conductivity (211 S/cm), and robust structure, the as-constructed N-PCNFs/PSN demonstrates a specific capacitance of 222 F/g at the current density of 100 A/g with a superior rate capability of 90.8% of its initial capacitance ranging from 1 to 100 A/g while applied as the supercapacitor electrode. The symmetric supercapacitor device based on N-PCNFs/PSN displays an energy density of 8.5 W h/kg with power density of 250 W/kg and excellent cycling stability, which attains 103% capacitance retention after 10 000 charge-discharge cycles at a high current density of 20 A/g, which indicates that N-PCNFs/PSN is a promising candidate for supercapacitor electrode materials.

  2. Immobilization of metallothionein to carbon paste electrode surface via anti-MT antibodies and its use for biosensing of silver.

    PubMed

    Trnkova, Libuse; Krizkova, Sona; Adam, Vojtech; Hubalek, Jaromir; Kizek, Rene

    2011-01-15

    In this paper, heavy metal biosensor based on immobilization of metallothionein (MT) to the surface of carbon paste electrode (CPE) via anti-MT-antibodies is reported. First, the evaluation of MT electroactivity was done. The attention was focused on the capturing of MT to the CPE surface. Antibodies incorporated and mixed into carbon paste were stable; even after two weeks the observed changes in signal height were lower than 5%. Further, the interaction of MT with polyclonal chicken antibodies incorporated in carbon paste electrode was determined by square-wave voltammetry. In the voltammogram, two signals--labelled as cys(MT) and W(a)--were observed. The cys(MT) corresponded to -SH moieties of MT and W(a) corresponded to tryptophan residues of chicken antibodies. Time of interaction (300 s) and MT concentration (125 μg/ml) were optimized to suggest a silver(I) ions biosensor. Biosensor (CPE modified with anti-MT antibody) prepared under the optimized conditions was then used for silver(I) ions detection. The detection limit (3 S/N) for silver(I) ions was estimated as 0.5 nM. The proposed biosensor was tested by detection spiking of silver(I) ions in various water samples (from very pure distilled water to rainwater). Recoveries varied from 74 to 104%. Copyright © 2010 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.

  3. Bendable Electro-chemical Lactate Sensor Printed with Silver Nano-particles

    PubMed Central

    Abrar, Md Abu; Dong, Yue; Lee, Paul Kyuheon; Kim, Woo Soo

    2016-01-01

    Here we report a flexible amperometric lactate biosensor using silver nanoparticle based conductive electrode. Mechanically bendable cross-serpentine-shaped silver electrode is generated on flexible substrate for the mechanical durability such as bending. The biosensor is designed and fabricated by modifying silver electrode with lactate oxidase immobilized by bovine serum albumin. The in-sensor pseudo Ag/AgCl reference electrode is fabricated by chloridization of silver electrode, which evinced its long-term potential stability against a standard commercial Ag/AgCl reference electrode. The amperometric response of the sensor shows linear dependence with lactate concentration of 1~25 mM/L. Anionic selectivity is achieved by using drop-casted Nafion coated on silver electrode against anionic interferences such as ascorbate. This non-invasive electrochemical lactate sensor also demonstrates excellent resiliency against mechanical deformation and temperature fluctuation which leads the possibility of using it on human epidermis for continuous measurement of lactate from sweat. Near field communication based wireless data transmission is demonstrated to reflect a practical approach of the sensor to measure lactate concentration portably using human perspiration. PMID:27465437

  4. Bendable Electro-chemical Lactate Sensor Printed with Silver Nano-particles

    NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

    Abrar, Md Abu; Dong, Yue; Lee, Paul Kyuheon; Kim, Woo Soo

    2016-07-01

    Here we report a flexible amperometric lactate biosensor using silver nanoparticle based conductive electrode. Mechanically bendable cross-serpentine-shaped silver electrode is generated on flexible substrate for the mechanical durability such as bending. The biosensor is designed and fabricated by modifying silver electrode with lactate oxidase immobilized by bovine serum albumin. The in-sensor pseudo Ag/AgCl reference electrode is fabricated by chloridization of silver electrode, which evinced its long-term potential stability against a standard commercial Ag/AgCl reference electrode. The amperometric response of the sensor shows linear dependence with lactate concentration of 1~25 mM/L. Anionic selectivity is achieved by using drop-casted Nafion coated on silver electrode against anionic interferences such as ascorbate. This non-invasive electrochemical lactate sensor also demonstrates excellent resiliency against mechanical deformation and temperature fluctuation which leads the possibility of using it on human epidermis for continuous measurement of lactate from sweat. Near field communication based wireless data transmission is demonstrated to reflect a practical approach of the sensor to measure lactate concentration portably using human perspiration.

  5. Spatial Competition: Roughening of an Experimental Interface

    PubMed Central

    Allstadt, Andrew J.; Newman, Jonathan A.; Walter, Jonathan A.; Korniss, G.; Caraco, Thomas

    2016-01-01

    Limited dispersal distance generates spatial aggregation. Intraspecific interactions are then concentrated within clusters, and between-species interactions occur near cluster boundaries. Spread of a locally dispersing invader can become motion of an interface between the invading and resident species, and spatial competition will produce variation in the extent of invasive advance along the interface. Kinetic roughening theory offers a framework for quantifying the development of these fluctuations, which may structure the interface as a self-affine fractal, and so induce a series of temporal and spatial scaling relationships. For most clonal plants, advance should become spatially correlated along the interface, and width of the interface (where invader and resident compete directly) should increase as a power function of time. Once roughening equilibrates, interface width and the relative location of the most advanced invader should each scale with interface length. We tested these predictions by letting white clover (Trifolium repens) invade ryegrass (Lolium perenne). The spatial correlation of clover growth developed as anticipated by kinetic roughening theory, and both interface width and the most advanced invader’s lead scaled with front length. However, the scaling exponents differed from those predicted by recent simulation studies, likely due to clover’s growth morphology. PMID:27465518

  6. Electrochemical determination of paraquat in citric fruit based on electrodeposition of silver particles onto carbon paste electrode.

    PubMed

    Farahi, Abdelfettah; Achak, Mounia; El Gaini, Laila; El Mhammedi, Moulay Abderrahim; Bakasse, Mina

    2015-09-01

    Carbon paste electrodes (CPEs) modified with silver particles present an interesting tool in the determination of paraquat (PQ) using square wave voltammetry. Metallic silver particle deposits have been obtained via electrochemical deposition in acidic media using cyclic voltammetry. Scanning electron microscopy and X-ray diffraction measurements show that the silver particles are deposited onto carbon surfaces in aggregate form. The response of PQ with modified electrode (Ag-CPE) related to Ag/CP loading, preconcentration time, and measuring solution pH was investigated. The result shows that the increase in the two cathodic peak currents (Peak 1 and Peak 2), under optimized conditions, was linear with the increase in PQ concentration in the range 1.0 × 10 -7  mol/L to 1.0 × 10 -3  mol/L. The detection limit and quantification limit were 2.01 × 10 -8  mol/L and 6.073 × 10 -8  mol/L, respectively for Peak 1. The precision expressed as relative standard deviation for the concentration level 1.0 × 10 -5  mol/L (n = 8) was found to be 1.45%. The methodology was satisfactorily applied for the determination of PQ in citric fruit cultures. Copyright © 2015. Published by Elsevier B.V.

  7. Electrochemistry in ethanol. I. Reference electrodes

    DOE Office of Scientific and Technical Information (OSTI.GOV)

    Zara, A.J.; de S. Bulhoes, L.O.

    1982-01-01

    The silver/silver nitrate electrode was found to be a suitable reference electrode in ethanolic solutions (2% v/v in water). The concentration of Ag/sup +/ inside the reference electrode is satisfactory in teh 0.1 to 10 mM concentration range. The liquid junction potential is minimized with sufficient supporting electrolyte (e.g., 0.1 to 0.5 M sodium perchlorate). The electrode is suitable for use as reference electrode in potentiometry and in polarography. Preparation is uncomplicated and the product is stable. 4 figures.

  8. Rheology of cellulose nanofibrils/silver nanowires suspension for the production of transparent and conductive electrodes by screen printing

    NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

    Hoeng, Fanny; Denneulin, Aurore; Reverdy-Bruas, Nadège; Krosnicki, Guillaume; Bras, Julien

    2017-02-01

    With the aim of processing silver nanowires-based electrodes using screen printing process, this study proposes to evaluate the suitability of cellulose nanofibrils (CNF) as a thickening agent for providing a high viscosity silver nanowires screen printing ink. Rheology of CNF suspension has been specifically investigated according to screen printing process requirements using both rotational and oscillating rheology. It has been found that CNF indeed act as a thickener and stabilizer for the silver nanowires suspension. However, the solid dominant visco-elastic behavior of the CNF suspension was not suitable for screen printing and leads to defects within the printed film. CNF visco-elastic properties were modified by adding hydroxypropylmethyl cellulose (HPMC) to the suspension. Homogeneous transparent conductive layers have been obtained when using CNF-HPMC as a matrix for silver nanowires. The screen printed layers were characterized and performances of Rsh = 12 ± 5 Ω□-1 and T%500nm = 74,8% were achieved without any additional post-treatment to the film.

  9. Fabrication and testing of silver-hydrogen cells

    NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

    Klein, M. G.

    1978-01-01

    The development and life testing of single electrode and multi electrode stacks to optimize the individual components and characterize the performance of a silver hydrogen battery system are described. A NASA-developed inorganic separator material was used as the main separator within the cells. Single electrode test cells were cycled at 75% of nominal capacity out through approximately 1,000 cycles in a number of cases where deterioration in performance was observed. This deterioration appears to be a decay in usable capacity of the silver electrode; but the exact mechanism is still unidentified. Twenty ampere-hour boilerplate test cells consisting of a stack of ten silver electrodes and twenty hydrogen electrodes were cycled also at 75% depth of discharge. The oldest stack achieved 522 stable cycles to the end of the program. Weight analysis of light-weight cells showed that 50 ampere-hour cells with improved components could be capable of as much as 40 watt hours per pound.

  10. Surface Roughening Behavior of 6063 Aluminum Alloy during Bulging by Spun Tubes

    PubMed Central

    Cai, Yang; Wang, Xiaosong; Yuan, Shijian

    2017-01-01

    Severe surface roughening during the hydroforming of aluminum alloy parts can produce surface defects that severely restrict their application in the automobile and aerospace industry. To understand the relation between strain, grain size and surface roughness under biaxial stress conditions, hydro-bulging tests of aluminum alloy tubes were carried out, and the tubes with different grain sizes were prepared by a spinning and annealing process. The surface roughness was measured by a laser scanning confocal microscope to evaluate the surface roughening macroscopical behavior, and the corresponding microstructures were observed using electron back-scattered diffraction (EBSD) to reveal the roughening microscopic behavior. The results obtained show that the surface roughness increased with both strain and grain size under biaxial stress. No surface defects were observed on the surface when the grain size was less than 105 μm if the strain was less than 18%, or when the grain size was between 130 and 175 μm if the strain was less than 15.88% and 7.15%, respectively. The surface roughening microscopic behavior was identified as an inhomogeneous grain size distribution, which became more pronounced with increasing grain size and resulted in greater local deformation. Concentrated grain orientation also results in severe inhomogeneous deformation during plastics deformation, and serious surface roughening. PMID:28772658

  11. Surface morphology evolution during plasma etching of silicon: roughening, smoothing and ripple formation

    NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

    Ono, Kouichi; Nakazaki, Nobuya; Tsuda, Hirotaka; Takao, Yoshinori; Eriguchi, Koji

    2017-10-01

    Atomic- or nanometer-scale roughness on feature surfaces has become an important issue to be resolved in the fabrication of nanoscale devices in industry. Moreover, in some cases, smoothing of initially rough surfaces is required for planarization of film surfaces, and controlled surface roughening is required for maskless fabrication of organized nanostructures on surfaces. An understanding, under what conditions plasma etching results in surface roughening and/or smoothing and what are the mechanisms concerned, is of great technological as well as fundamental interest. In this article, we review recent developments in the experimental and numerical study of the formation and evolution of surface roughness (or surface morphology evolution such as roughening, smoothing, and ripple formation) during plasma etching of Si, with emphasis being placed on a deeper understanding of the mechanisms or plasma-surface interactions that are responsible for. Starting with an overview of the experimental and theoretical/numerical aspects concerned, selected relevant mechanisms are illustrated and discussed primarily on the basis of systematic/mechanistic studies of Si etching in Cl-based plasmas, including noise (or stochastic roughening), geometrical shadowing, surface reemission of etchants, micromasking by etch inhibitors, and ion scattering/chanelling. A comparison of experiments (etching and plasma diagnostics) and numerical simulations (Monte Carlo and classical molecular dynamics) indicates a crucial role of the ion scattering or reflection from microscopically roughened feature surfaces on incidence in the evolution of surface roughness (and ripples) during plasma etching; in effect, the smoothing/non-roughening condition is characterized by reduced effects of the ion reflection, and the roughening-smoothing transition results from reduced ion reflections caused by a change in the predominant ion flux due to that in plasma conditions. Smoothing of initially rough

  12. Welding of silver nanowire networks via flash white light and UV-C irradiation for highly conductive and reliable transparent electrodes

    PubMed Central

    Chung, Wan-Ho; Kim, Sang-Ho; Kim, Hak-Sung

    2016-01-01

    In this work, silver nanowire inks with hydroxypropyl methylcellulose (HPMC) binders were coated on polyethylene terephthalate (PET) substrates and welded via flash white light and ultraviolet C (UV-C) irradiation to produce highly conductive transparent electrodes. The coated silver nanowire films were firmly welded and embedded into PET substrate successfully at room temperature and under ambient conditions using an in-house flash white light welding system and UV-C irradiation. The effects of light irradiation conditions (light energy, irradiation time, pulse duration, and pulse number) on the silver nanowire networks were studied and optimized. Bending fatigue tests were also conducted to characterize the reliability of the welded transparent conductive silver nanowire films. The surfaces of the welded silver nanowire films were analyzed via scanning electron microscopy (SEM), while the transmittance of the structures was measured using a spectrophotometer. From the results, a highly conductive and transparent silver nanowire film with excellent reliability could be achieved at room temperature under ambient conditions via the combined flash white light and UV-C irradiation welding process. PMID:27553755

  13. Welding of silver nanowire networks via flash white light and UV-C irradiation for highly conductive and reliable transparent electrodes

    NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

    Chung, Wan-Ho; Kim, Sang-Ho; Kim, Hak-Sung

    2016-08-01

    In this work, silver nanowire inks with hydroxypropyl methylcellulose (HPMC) binders were coated on polyethylene terephthalate (PET) substrates and welded via flash white light and ultraviolet C (UV-C) irradiation to produce highly conductive transparent electrodes. The coated silver nanowire films were firmly welded and embedded into PET substrate successfully at room temperature and under ambient conditions using an in-house flash white light welding system and UV-C irradiation. The effects of light irradiation conditions (light energy, irradiation time, pulse duration, and pulse number) on the silver nanowire networks were studied and optimized. Bending fatigue tests were also conducted to characterize the reliability of the welded transparent conductive silver nanowire films. The surfaces of the welded silver nanowire films were analyzed via scanning electron microscopy (SEM), while the transmittance of the structures was measured using a spectrophotometer. From the results, a highly conductive and transparent silver nanowire film with excellent reliability could be achieved at room temperature under ambient conditions via the combined flash white light and UV-C irradiation welding process.

  14. Recyclable patterning of silver nanowire percolated network for fabrication of flexible transparent electrode

    NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

    Yoo, Byungwook; Kim, Youngmin; Han, Chul Jong; Oh, Min Suk; Kim, Jong-Woong

    2018-01-01

    Recent studies have revealed that silver nanowires (AgNWs) are a promising material for highly flexible transparent electrodes. Here we introduce a novel photoinduced recyclable approach to AgNW patterning to overcome the issue of loss of material during fabrication of AgNW patterns, which is a leading factor in the high fabrication costs of AgNW-based electrodes. Our patterning scheme involves the selective irradiation of an AgNW/polymer composite with high-intensity pulsed light, followed by immersion of the sample in a liquid and an ultrasonication treatment. The nanowires that detach during sonication could be recycled, and the recycled AgNWs achieved comparable performance to that of pristine AgNWs. The recycled AgNWs were also superior to commercial indium tin oxide films and other competing materials. We successfully demonstrated a high performance transparent heater by employing the recyclable patterning method and recycled AgNWs.

  15. Silver Nanoparticle Modified Electrode Covered by Graphene Oxide for the Enhanced Electrochemical Detection of Dopamine

    PubMed Central

    Shin, Jae-Wook; Kim, Kyeong-Jun; Yoon, Jinho; Jo, Jinhee; El-Said, Waleed Ahmed; Choi, Jeong-Woo

    2017-01-01

    Several neurological disorders such as Alzheimer’s disease and Parkinson’s disease have become a serious impediment to aging people nowadays. One of the efficient methods used to monitor these neurological disorders is the detection of neurotransmitters such as dopamine. Metal materials, such as gold and platinum, are widely used in this electrochemical detection method; however, low sensitivity and linearity at low dopamine concentrations limit the use of these materials. To overcome these limitations, a silver nanoparticle (SNP) modified electrode covered by graphene oxide for the detection of dopamine was newly developed in this study. For the first time, the surface of an indium tin oxide (ITO) electrode was modified using SNPs and graphene oxide sequentially through the electrochemical deposition method. The developed biosensor provided electrochemical signal enhancement at low dopamine concentrations in comparison with previous biosensors. Therefore, our newly developed SNP modified electrode covered by graphene oxide can be used to monitor neurological diseases through electrochemical signal enhancement at low dopamine concentrations. PMID:29186040

  16. Silver Nanoparticle Modified Electrode Covered by Graphene Oxide for the Enhanced Electrochemical Detection of Dopamine.

    PubMed

    Shin, Jae-Wook; Kim, Kyeong-Jun; Yoon, Jinho; Jo, Jinhee; El-Said, Waleed Ahmed; Choi, Jeong-Woo

    2017-11-29

    Several neurological disorders such as Alzheimer's disease and Parkinson's disease have become a serious impediment to aging people nowadays. One of the efficient methods used to monitor these neurological disorders is the detection of neurotransmitters such as dopamine. Metal materials, such as gold and platinum, are widely used in this electrochemical detection method; however, low sensitivity and linearity at low dopamine concentrations limit the use of these materials. To overcome these limitations, a silver nanoparticle (SNP) modified electrode covered by graphene oxide for the detection of dopamine was newly developed in this study. For the first time, the surface of an indium tin oxide (ITO) electrode was modified using SNPs and graphene oxide sequentially through the electrochemical deposition method. The developed biosensor provided electrochemical signal enhancement at low dopamine concentrations in comparison with previous biosensors. Therefore, our newly developed SNP modified electrode covered by graphene oxide can be used to monitor neurological diseases through electrochemical signal enhancement at low dopamine concentrations.

  17. Roll-to-Roll Production of Transparent Silver-Nanofiber-Network Electrodes for Flexible Electrochromic Smart Windows.

    PubMed

    Lin, Sen; Bai, Xiaopeng; Wang, Haiyang; Wang, Haolun; Song, Jianan; Huang, Kai; Wang, Chang; Wang, Ning; Li, Bo; Lei, Ming; Wu, Hui

    2017-11-01

    Electrochromic smart windows (ECSWs) are considered as the most promising alternative to traditional dimming devices. However, the electrode technology in ECSWs remains stagnant, wherein inflexible indium tin oxide and fluorine-doped tin oxide are the main materials being used. Although various complicated production methods, such as high-temperature calcination and sputtering, have been reported, the mass production of flexible and transparent electrodes remains challenging. Here, a nonheated roll-to-roll process is developed for the continuous production of flexible, extralarge, and transparent silver nanofiber (AgNF) network electrodes. The optical and mechanical properties, as well as the electrical conductivity of these products (i.e., 12 Ω sq -1 at 95% transmittance) are comparable with those AgNF networks produced via high-temperature sintering. Moreover, the as-prepared AgNF network is successfully assembled into an A4-sized ECSW with short switching time, good coloration efficiency, and flexibility. © 2017 WILEY-VCH Verlag GmbH & Co. KGaA, Weinheim.

  18. Electrostatic spray deposition of highly transparent silver nanowire electrode on flexible substrate.

    PubMed

    Kim, Taegeon; Canlier, Ali; Kim, Geun Hong; Choi, Jaeho; Park, Minkyu; Han, Seung Min

    2013-02-01

    In this work, a modified polyol synthesis by adding KBr and by replacing the AgCl with NaCl seed was used to obtain high quality silver nanowires with long aspect ratios with an average length of 13.5 μm in length and 62.5 nm in diameter. The Ag nanowires suspended in methanol solution after removing any unwanted particles using a glass filter system were then deposited on a flexible polycarbonate substrate using an electrostatic spray system. Transmittance of 92.1% at wavelength of 550 nm with sheet resistance of 20 Ω/sq and haze of 4.9% were measured for the electrostatic sprayed Ag nanowire transparent electrode.

  19. Highly-flexible, ultra-thin, and transparent single-layer graphene/silver composite electrodes for organic light emitting diodes

    NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

    Li, Kun; Wang, Hu; Li, Huiying; Li, Ye; Jin, Guangyong; Gao, Lanlan; Marco, Mazzeo; Duan, Yu

    2017-08-01

    Transparent conductive electrode (TCE) platforms are required in many optoelectronic devices, including organic light emitting diodes (OLEDs). To date, indium tin oxide based electrodes are widely used in TCEs but they still have few limitations in term of achieving flexible OLEDs and display techniques. In this paper, highly-flexible and ultra-thin TCEs were fabricated for use in OLEDs by combining single-layer graphene (SLG) with thin silver layers of only several nanometers in thickness. The as-prepared SLG + Ag (8 nm) composite electrodes showed low sheet resistances of 8.5 Ω/□, high stability over 500 bending cycles, and 74% transmittance at 550 nm wavelength. Furthermore, SLG + Ag composite electrodes employed as anodes in OLEDs delivered turn-on voltages of 2.4 V, with luminance exceeding 1300 cd m-2 at only 5 V, and maximum luminance reaching up 40 000 cd m-2 at 9 V. Also, the devices could work normally under less than the 1 cm bending radius.

  20. Silver(I) ion-selective membrane based on Schiff base-p-tert-butylcalix[4]arene.

    PubMed

    Mahajan, R K; Kumar, M; Sharma, V; Kaur, I

    2001-04-01

    A PVC membrane electrode for silver(I) ion based on Schiff base-p-tert-butylcalix[4]arene is reported. The electrode works well over a wide range of concentration (1.0 x 10(-5)-1.0 x 10(-1) mol dm-3) with a Nernstian slope of 59.7 mV per decade. The electrode shows a fast response time of 20 s and operates in the pH range 1.0-5.6. The sensor can be used for more than 6 months without any divergence in the potential. The selectivity of the electrode was studied and it was found that the electrode exhibits good selectivity for silver ion over some alkali, alkaline earth and transition metal ions. The silver ion-selective electrode was used as an indicator electrode for the potentiometric titration of silver ion in solution using a standard solution of sodium chloride; a sharp potential change occurs at the end-point. The applicability of the sensor to silver(I) ion measurement in water samples spiked with silver nitrate is illustrated.

  1. NiCd battery electrodes

    NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

    Holleck, G.; Turchan, M.; Hopkins, J.

    1972-01-01

    The objective of this research program was to develop and evaluate electrodes for a negative limited nickel-cadmium cell and to prove its feasibility. The program consisted of three phases: (1) the development of cadmium electrodes with high hydrogen overvoltage characteristics, (2) the testing of positive and negative plates, and (3) the fabrication and testing of complete negative limited NiCd cells. The following electrode structures were manufactured and their physical and electrochemical characteristics were evaluated: (1) silver sinter-based Cd electrodes, (2) Teflon-bonded Cd electrodes, (3) electrodeposited Cd sponge, and (4) Cd-sinter structures. All cadmium electrode structures showed a sharp increase in potential at the end of charge, with the advent of hydrogen evolution occurring at approximately -1.3 V versus Hg/HgO. The hydrogen advent potentials on pure cadmium structures were 50 to 70 mV more cathodic than those of their silver-containing counterparts.

  2. Transferable self-welding silver nanowire network as high performance transparent flexible electrode.

    PubMed

    Zhu, Siwei; Gao, Yuan; Hu, Bin; Li, Jia; Su, Jun; Fan, Zhiyong; Zhou, Jun

    2013-08-23

    High performance transparent electrodes (TEs) with figures-of-merit as high as 471 were assembled using ultralong silver nanowires (Ag NWs). A room-temperature plasma was employed to enhance the conductivity of the Ag NW TEs by simultaneously removing the insulating PVP layer coating on the NWs and welding the junctions tightly. Furthermore, we developed a general way to fabricate TEs regardless of substrate limitations by transferring the as-fabricated Ag NW network onto various substrates directly, and the transmittance can remain as high as 91% with a sheet resistivity of 13 Ω/sq. The highly robust and stable flexible TEs will have broad applications in flexible optoelectronic and electronic devices.

  3. Silver Nanowire Top Electrodes in Flexible Perovskite Solar Cells using Titanium Metal as Substrate.

    PubMed

    Lee, Minoh; Ko, Yohan; Min, Byoung Koun; Jun, Yongseok

    2016-01-08

    Flexible perovskite solar cells (FPSCs) have various applications such as wearable electronic textiles and portable devices. In this work, we demonstrate FPSCs on a titanium metal substrate employing solution-processed silver nanowires (Ag NWs) as the top electrode. The Ag NW electrodes were deposited on top of the spiro-MeOTAD hole transport layer by a carefully controlled spray-coating method at moderate temperatures. The power conversion efficiency (PCE) reached 7.45 % under AM 1.5 100 mW cm(-2) illumination. Moreover, the efficiency for titanium-based FPSCs decreased only slightly (by 2.6 % of the initial value) after the devices were bent 100 times. With this and other advances, fully solution-based indium-free flexible photovoltaics, advantageous in terms of price and processing, have the potential to be scaled into commercial production. © 2016 WILEY-VCH Verlag GmbH & Co. KGaA, Weinheim.

  4. A thermally regenerative ammonia battery with carbon-silver electrodes for converting low-grade waste heat to electricity

    NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

    Rahimi, Mohammad; Kim, Taeyoung; Gorski, Christopher A.; Logan, Bruce E.

    2018-01-01

    Thermally regenerative ammonia batteries (TRABs) have shown great promise as a method to convert low-grade waste heat into electrical power, with power densities an order of magnitude higher than other approaches. However, previous TRABs based on copper electrodes suffered from unbalanced anode dissolution and cathode deposition rates during discharging cycles, limiting practical applications. To produce a TRAB with stable and reversible electrode reactions over many cycles, inert carbon electrodes were used with silver salts. In continuous flow tests, power production was stable over 100 discharging cycles, demonstrating excellent reversibility. Power densities were 23 W m-2-electrode area in batch tests, which was 64% higher than that produced in parallel tests using copper electrodes, and 30 W m-2 (net energy density of 490 Wh m-3-anolyte) in continuous flow tests. While this battery requires the use a precious metal, an initial economic analysis of the system showed that the cost of the materials relative to energy production was 220 per MWh, which is competitive with energy production from other non-fossil fuel sources. A substantial reduction in costs could be obtained by developing less expensive anion exchange membranes.

  5. The role of graphene formed on silver nanowire transparent conductive electrode in ultra-violet light emitting diodes

    PubMed Central

    Seo, Tae Hoon; Lee, Seula; Min, Kyung Hyun; Chandramohan, S.; Park, Ah Hyun; Lee, Gun Hee; Park, Min; Suh, Eun-Kyung; Kim, Myung Jong

    2016-01-01

    This paper reports a highly reliable transparent conductive electrode (TCE) that integrates silver nanowires (AgNWs) and high-quality graphene as a protecting layer. Graphene with minimized defects and large graphene domains has been successfully obtained through a facile two-step growth approach. Ultraviolet light emitting diodes (UV-LEDs) were fabricated with AgNWs or hybrid electrodes where AgNWs were combined with two-step grown graphene (A-2GE) or conventional one-step grown graphene (A-1GE). The device performance and reliability of the UV-LEDs with three different electrodes were compared. The A-2GE offered high figure of merit owing to the excellent UV transmittance and reduced sheet resistance. As a consequence, the UV-LEDs made with A-2GE demonstrated reduced forward voltage, enhanced electroluminescence (EL) intensity, and alleviated efficiency droop. The effects of joule heating and UV light illumination on the electrode stability were also studied. The present findings prove superior performance of the A-2GE under high current injection and continuous operation of UV LED, compared to other electrodes. From our observation, the A-2GE would be a reliable TCE for high power UV-LEDs. PMID:27387274

  6. The role of graphene formed on silver nanowire transparent conductive electrode in ultra-violet light emitting diodes

    NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

    Seo, Tae Hoon; Lee, Seula; Min, Kyung Hyun; Chandramohan, S.; Park, Ah Hyun; Lee, Gun Hee; Park, Min; Suh, Eun-Kyung; Kim, Myung Jong

    2016-07-01

    This paper reports a highly reliable transparent conductive electrode (TCE) that integrates silver nanowires (AgNWs) and high-quality graphene as a protecting layer. Graphene with minimized defects and large graphene domains has been successfully obtained through a facile two-step growth approach. Ultraviolet light emitting diodes (UV-LEDs) were fabricated with AgNWs or hybrid electrodes where AgNWs were combined with two-step grown graphene (A-2GE) or conventional one-step grown graphene (A-1GE). The device performance and reliability of the UV-LEDs with three different electrodes were compared. The A-2GE offered high figure of merit owing to the excellent UV transmittance and reduced sheet resistance. As a consequence, the UV-LEDs made with A-2GE demonstrated reduced forward voltage, enhanced electroluminescence (EL) intensity, and alleviated efficiency droop. The effects of joule heating and UV light illumination on the electrode stability were also studied. The present findings prove superior performance of the A-2GE under high current injection and continuous operation of UV LED, compared to other electrodes. From our observation, the A-2GE would be a reliable TCE for high power UV-LEDs.

  7. Determination of Zinc, Cadmium, Lead, Copper and Silver Using a Carbon Paste Electrode and a Screen Printed Electrode Modified with Chromium(III) Oxide.

    PubMed

    Koudelkova, Zuzana; Syrovy, Tomas; Ambrozova, Pavlina; Moravec, Zdenek; Kubac, Lubomir; Hynek, David; Richtera, Lukas; Adam, Vojtech

    2017-08-09

    In this study, the preparation and electrochemical application of a chromium(III) oxide modified carbon paste electrode (Cr-CPE) and a screen printed electrode (SPE), made from the same material and optimized for the simple, cheap and sensitive simultaneous determination of zinc, cadmium, lead, copper and the detection of silver ions, is described. The limits of detection and quantification were 25 and 80 µg·L -1 for Zn(II), 3 and 10 µg·L -1 for Cd(II), 3 and 10 µg·L -1 for Pb(II), 3 and 10 µg·L -1 for Cu(II), and 3 and 10 µg·L -1 for Ag(I), respectively. Furthermore, this promising modification was transferred to the screen-printed electrode. The limits of detection for the simultaneous determination of zinc, cadmium, copper and lead on the screen printed electrodes were found to be 350 µg·L -1 for Zn(II), 25 µg·L -1 for Cd(II), 3 µg·L -1 for Pb(II) and 3 µg·L -1 for Cu(II). Practical usability for the simultaneous detection of these heavy metal ions by the Cr-CPE was also demonstrated in the analyses of wastewaters.

  8. Determination of Zinc, Cadmium, Lead, Copper and Silver Using a Carbon Paste Electrode and a Screen Printed Electrode Modified with Chromium(III) Oxide

    PubMed Central

    Koudelkova, Zuzana; Syrovy, Tomas; Ambrozova, Pavlina; Moravec, Zdenek; Kubac, Lubomir; Hynek, David; Adam, Vojtech

    2017-01-01

    In this study, the preparation and electrochemical application of a chromium(III) oxide modified carbon paste electrode (Cr-CPE) and a screen printed electrode (SPE), made from the same material and optimized for the simple, cheap and sensitive simultaneous determination of zinc, cadmium, lead, copper and the detection of silver ions, is described. The limits of detection and quantification were 25 and 80 µg·L−1 for Zn(II), 3 and 10 µg·L−1 for Cd(II), 3 and 10 µg·L−1 for Pb(II), 3 and 10 µg·L−1 for Cu(II), and 3 and 10 µg·L−1 for Ag(I), respectively. Furthermore, this promising modification was transferred to the screen-printed electrode. The limits of detection for the simultaneous determination of zinc, cadmium, copper and lead on the screen printed electrodes were found to be 350 µg·L−1 for Zn(II), 25 µg·L−1 for Cd(II), 3 µg·L−1 for Pb(II) and 3 µg·L−1 for Cu(II). Practical usability for the simultaneous detection of these heavy metal ions by the Cr-CPE was also demonstrated in the analyses of wastewaters. PMID:28792450

  9. Design and fabrication of silver-hydrogen cells

    NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

    Klein, M. G.

    1975-01-01

    The design and fabrication of silver-hydrogen secondary cells capable of delivering higher energy densities than comparable nickel-cadmium and nickel-hydrogen cells and relatively high cycle life is presented. An experimental task utilizing single electrode pairs for the optimization of the individual electrode components, the preparation of a design for lightweight 20Ahr cells, and the fabrication of four 20Ahr cells in heavy wall test housing containing electrode stacks of the lightweight design are described. The design approach is based on the use of a single cylindrical self-contained cell with a stacked disc sequence of electrodes. The electrode stack design is based on the use of NASA- Astropower Separator Material, PPF fuel cell anodes, an intercell electrolyte reservoir concept and sintered silver electrodes. Results of performance tests are given.

  10. para-Sulfonatocalix[6]arene-modified silver nanoparticles electrodeposited on glassy carbon electrode: preparation and electrochemical sensing of methyl parathion.

    PubMed

    Bian, Yinghui; Li, Chunya; Li, Haibing

    2010-05-15

    In this paper, a new electrochemical sensor, based on modified silver nanoparticles, was fabricated using one-step electrodeposition approach. The para-sulfonatocalix[6]arene-modified silver nanoparticles coated on glassy carbon electrode (pSC(6)-Ag NPs/GCE) was characterized by attenuated total reflection IR spectroscopy (ATR-IR), X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS) and scanning electron microscopy (SEM), etc. The pSC(6) as the host are highly efficient to capture organophosphates (OPs), which dramatically facilitates the enrichment of nitroaromatic OPs onto the electrochemical sensor surface. The combination of the host-guest supramolecular structure and the excellent electrochemical catalytic activities of the pSC(6)-Ag NPs/GCE provides a fast, simple, and sensitive electrochemical method for detecting nitroaromatic OPs. In this work, methyl parathion (MP) was used as a nitroaromatic OP model for testing the proposed sensor. In comparison with Ag NPs-modified electrode, the cathodic peak current of MP was amplified significantly. Differential pulse voltammetry was used for the simultaneous determination of MP. Under optimum conditions, the current increased linearly with the increasing concentration of MP in the range of 0.01-80microM, with a detection limit of 4.0nM (S/N=3). The fabrication reproducibility and stability of the sensor is better than that of enzyme-based electrodes. The possible underlying mechanism is discussed.

  11. Surface-enhanced Raman scattering (SERS) by molecules adsorbed at spherical particles: errata

    DOE Office of Scientific and Technical Information (OSTI.GOV)

    Kerker, M.; Wang, D.S.; Chew, H.

    1980-12-15

    A model for Raman scattering by a molecule adsorbed at the surface of a spherical particle is articulated by treating the molecule as a classical electric dipole. This follows Moskovits's suggestion (J. Chem. Phys. 69, 4159 (1978)) and the experiments by Creighton et al. (J. Chem. Soc. Faraday Trans. II, 75, 790(1979)) that such a system may exhibit SERS simlar to that at roughened electrode surfaces. The molecule is stimulated by a primary field comprised of the incident and near-scattered fields. Emission consists of the dipole field plus a scattered field, each at the shifted frequency. Addition of feedback termsmore » between the dipole and the particle makes only a negligible contribution to the fields. For pyridine adsorbed at the surface of a silver sphere, the 1010 cm/sup -1/ band is enhanced by approx.10/sup 6/ if the radius is much less than the wavelengths and the excitation wavelength is approx.382 nm, a wavelength for which the relative refractive index of silver is close to m = ..sqrt..2i. Detailed results are given for the effect upon the angular distribution and the polarization of the Raman emission of particle size, distance from the surface, excitation wavelength, and location of the molecule upon the surface. These results simulate those observed at roughened silver electrodes and suggest that the mechanism of SERS at those electrodes may resemble the electromagnetic mechanism elucidated here. The authors predict that comparable effects should be observed for fluorescent scattering. 53 references, 9 figures.« less

  12. Development of a 3D origami multiplex electrochemical immunodevice using a nanoporous silver-paper electrode and metal ion functionalized nanoporous gold-chitosan.

    PubMed

    Li, Weiping; Li, Long; Li, Meng; Yu, Jinghua; Ge, Shenguang; Yan, Mei; Song, Xianrang

    2013-10-25

    A simple and sensitive 3D microfluidic origami multiplex electrochemical immunodevice was developed for the first time using a novel nanoporous silver modified paper working electrode as a sensor platform and different metal ion functionalized nanoporous gold-chitosan as a tracer.

  13. Electrochemical Detection of Ultratrace (Picomolar) Levels of Hg2+ Using a Silver Nanoparticle-Modified Glassy Carbon Electrode.

    PubMed

    Suherman, Alex L; Ngamchuea, Kamonwad; Tanner, Eden E L; Sokolov, Stanislav V; Holter, Jennifer; Young, Neil P; Compton, Richard G

    2017-07-05

    Ultratrace levels of Hg 2+ have been quantified by undertaking linear sweep voltammetry with a silver nanoparticle-modified glassy carbon electrode (AgNP-GCE) in aqueous solutions containing Hg 2+ . This is achieved by monitoring the change in the silver stripping peak with Hg 2+ concentration resulting from the galvanic displacement of silver by mercury: Ag(np) + 1/2Hg 2+ (aq) → Ag + (aq) + 1/2Hg(l). This facile and reproducible detection method exhibits an excellent linear dynamic range of 100.0 pM to 10.0 nM Hg 2+ concentration with R 2 = 0.982. The limit of detection (LoD) based on 3σ is 28 pM Hg 2+ , while the lowest detectable level for quantification purposes is 100.0 pM. This method is appropriate for routine environmental monitoring and drinking water quality assessment since the guideline value set by the US Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) for inorganic mercury in drinking water is 0.002 mg L -1 (10 nM).

  14. Improved efficiency of hybrid organic photovoltaics by pulsed laser sintering of silver nanowire network transparent electrode.

    PubMed

    Spechler, Joshua A; Nagamatsu, Ken A; Sturm, James C; Arnold, Craig B

    2015-05-20

    In this Research Article, we demonstrate pulsed laser processing of a silver nanowire network transparent conductor on top of an otherwise complete solar cell. The macroscopic pulsed laser irradiation serves to sinter nanowire-nanowire junctions on the nanoscale, leading to a much more conductive electrode. We fabricate hybrid silicon/organic heterojunction photovoltaic devices, which have ITO-free, solution processed, and laser processed transparent electrodes. Furthermore, devices which have high resistive losses show up to a 35% increase in power conversion efficiency after laser processing. We perform this study over a range of laser fluences, and a range of nanowire area coverage to investigate the sintering mechanism of nanowires inside of a device stack. The increase in device performance is modeled using a simple photovoltaic diode approach and compares favorably to the experimental data.

  15. Transparent Electrodes Based on Silver Nanowire Networks: From Physical Considerations towards Device Integration

    PubMed Central

    Bellet, Daniel; Lagrange, Mélanie; Sannicolo, Thomas; Aghazadehchors, Sara; Nguyen, Viet Huong; Langley, Daniel P.; Muñoz-Rojas, David; Jiménez, Carmen; Bréchet, Yves; Nguyen, Ngoc Duy

    2017-01-01

    The past few years have seen a considerable amount of research devoted to nanostructured transparent conducting materials (TCM), which play a pivotal role in many modern devices such as solar cells, flexible light-emitting devices, touch screens, electromagnetic devices, and flexible transparent thin film heaters. Currently, the most commonly used TCM for such applications (ITO: Indium Tin oxide) suffers from two major drawbacks: brittleness and indium scarcity. Among emerging transparent electrodes, silver nanowire (AgNW) networks appear to be a promising substitute to ITO since such electrically percolating networks exhibit excellent properties with sheet resistance lower than 10 Ω/sq and optical transparency of 90%, fulfilling the requirements of most applications. In addition, AgNW networks also exhibit very good mechanical flexibility. The fabrication of these electrodes involves low-temperature processing steps and scalable methods, thus making them appropriate for future use as low-cost transparent electrodes in flexible electronic devices. This contribution aims to briefly present the main properties of AgNW based transparent electrodes as well as some considerations relating to their efficient integration in devices. The influence of network density, nanowire sizes, and post treatments on the properties of AgNW networks will also be evaluated. In addition to a general overview of AgNW networks, we focus on two important aspects: (i) network instabilities as well as an efficient Atomic Layer Deposition (ALD) coating which clearly enhances AgNW network stability and (ii) modelling to better understand the physical properties of these networks. PMID:28772931

  16. Superwettability-Induced Confined Reaction toward High-Performance Flexible Electrodes.

    PubMed

    Xiong, Weiwei; Liu, Hongliang; Zhou, Yahong; Ding, Yi; Zhang, Xiqi; Jiang, Lei

    2016-05-18

    To find a general strategy to realize confinement of the conductive layer for high-performance flexible electrodes, with improved interfacial adhesion and high conductivity, is of important scientific significance. In this work, superwettability-induced confined reaction is used to fabricate high-performance flexible Ag/polymer electrodes, showing significantly improved silver conversion efficiency and interfacial adhesion. The as-prepared flexible electrodes by superhydrophilic polymeric surface under oil are highly conductive with an order of magnitude higher than the Ag/polymer electrodes obtained from original polymeric surface. The high conductivity achieved via superhydrophilic confinement is ascribed to the fact that the superhydrophilic polymeric surface can enhance the reaction rate of silver deposition and reduce the size of silver nanoparticles to achieve the densest packing. This new approach will provide a simple method to fabricate flexible and highly conductive Ag/polymer electrodes with excellent adhesion between the conductive layer and the substrate, and can be extended to other metal/polymeric electrodes or alloy/polymeric electrodes.

  17. Non-gassing nickel-cadmium battery electrodes and cells

    NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

    Luksha, E.; Gordy, D. J.

    1972-01-01

    The concept of a negative limited nongassing nickel-cadmium battery was demonstrated by constructing and testing practical size experimental cells of approximately 25 Ah capacity. These batteries operated in a gas-free manner and had measured energy densities of 10-11 Wh/lb. Thirty cells were constructed for extensive testing. Some small cells were tested for over 200 cycles at 100% depth. For example, a small cell with an electrodeposited cadmium active mass on a silver screen still had 55% of its theoretical capacity (initial efficiency was 85%). There was no evidence of deterioration of gassing properties with cycling of the nickel electrodes. The charge temperature was observed to be the most critical variable governing nickel electrode gassing. This variable was shown to be age dependent. Four types of cadmium electrodes were tested: an electrodeposited cadmium active mass on a cadmium or silver substrate, a porous sintered silver substrate based electrode, and a Teflon bonded pressed cadmium electrode. The electrodeposited cadmium mass on a silver screen was found to be the best all-around electrode from a performance point of view and from the point of view of manufacturing them in a size required for a 25 Ah size battery.

  18. Electrode for a lithium cell

    DOEpatents

    Thackeray, Michael M [Naperville, IL; Vaughey, John T [Elmhurst, IL; Dees, Dennis W [Downers Grove, IL

    2008-10-14

    This invention relates to a positive electrode for an electrochemical cell or battery, and to an electrochemical cell or battery; the invention relates more specifically to a positive electrode for a non-aqueous lithium cell or battery when the electrode is used therein. The positive electrode includes a composite metal oxide containing AgV.sub.3O.sub.8 as one component and one or more other components consisting of LiV.sub.3O.sub.8, Ag.sub.2V.sub.4O.sub.11, MnO.sub.2, CF.sub.x, AgF or Ag.sub.2O to increase the energy density of the cell, optionally in the presence of silver powder and/or silver foil to assist in current collection at the electrode and to improve the power capability of the cell or battery.

  19. Electrostatic separation for recycling silver, silicon and polyethylene terephthalate from waste photovoltaic cells

    NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

    Zhang, Zisheng; Sun, Bo; Yang, Jie; Wei, Yusheng; He, Shoujie

    2017-04-01

    Electrostatic separation technology has been proven to be an effective and environmentally friendly way of recycling electronic waste. In this study, this technology was applied to recycle waste solar panels. Mixed particles of silver and polyethylene terephthalate, silicon and polyethylene terephthalate, and silver and silicon were separated with a single-roll-type electrostatic separator. The influence of high voltage level, roll speed, radial position corona electrode and angular position of the corona electrode on the separation efficiency was studied. The experimental data showed that separation of silver/polyethylene terephthalate and silicon/polyethylene terephthalate needed a higher voltage level, while separation of silver and silicon needed a smaller angular position for the corona electrode and a higher roll speed. The change of the high voltage level, roll speed, radial position of the corona electrode, and angular position of the corona electrode has more influence on silicon separation efficiency than silver separation efficiency. An integrated process is proposed using a two-roll-type corona separator for multistage separation of a mixture of these three materials. The separation efficiency for silver and silicon were found to reach 96% and 98%, respectively.

  20. Biomedical engineering tasks. [electrode development for electrocardiography and electroencephalography

    NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

    1972-01-01

    Electrocardiographic and vectorcardiographic bioinstrumentation work centered on the development of a new electrode system harness for Project Skylab. Evaluation of several silver electrode configurations proved superior impedance voltage performance for silver/silver chloride electrodes mounted flush by using a paste adhesive. A portable ECG processor has been designed and a breadboard unit has been built to sample ECG input data at a rate of 500 samples per second for arrhythmia detection. A small real time display driver program has been developed for statistical analysis on selected QPS features. Engineering work on a sleep monitoring cap assembly continued.

  1. Solution-Processable transparent conducting electrodes via the self-assembly of silver nanowires for organic photovoltaic devices.

    PubMed

    Tugba Camic, B; Jeong Shin, Hee; Hasan Aslan, M; Basarir, Fevzihan; Choi, Hyosung

    2018-02-15

    Solution-processed transparent conducting electrodes (TCEs) were fabricated via the self-assembly deposition of silver nanowires (Ag NWs). Glass substrates modified with (3-aminopropyl)triethoxysilane (APTES) and (3-mercaptopropyl)trimethoxysilane (MPTES) were coated with Ag NWs for various deposition times, leading to three different Ag NWs samples (APTES-Ag NWs (PVP), MPTES-Ag NWs (PVP), and APTES-Ag NWs (COOH)). Controlling the deposition time produced Ag NWs monolayer thin films with different optical transmittance and sheet resistance. Post-annealing treatment improved their electrical conductivity. The Ag NWs films were successfully characterized using UV-Vis spectroscopy, field emission scanning electron microscopy, optical microscopy and four-point probe. Three Ag NWs films exhibited low sheet resistance of 4-19Ω/sq and high optical transmittance of 65-81% (at 550nm), which are comparable to those of commercial ITO electrode. We fabricated an organic photovoltaic device by using Ag NWs as the anode instead of ITO electrode, and optimized device with Ag NWs exhibited power conversion efficiency of 1.72%. Copyright © 2017 Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.

  2. Ag electrode modified with polyhexamethylene biguanide stabilized silver nanoparticles: a new type of SERS substrates for detection of enzymatically generated thiocholine

    NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

    Tepanov, A. A.; Nechaeva, N. L.; Prokopkina, T. A.; Kudrinskiy, A. A.; Kurochkin, I. N.; Lisichkin, G. V.

    2015-11-01

    The detection of thiocholine is one of the most widespread techniques for estimation of the cholinesterase activity - acetylcholinesterase and butyrylcholinesterase. Both cholinesterases can be inhibited by organophosphates and carbamates and accordingly can be considered for estimation of these pollutants in the environment. In the current work, SERS spectroscopy was applied for the thiocholine detection. The Ag electrodes modified with silver nanoparticles stabilized by polyhexamethylene biguanide were for the first time suggested as SERS-substrates for that purpose. Such electrodes can be applicable for SERS detection of submicromolar concentrations of thiocholine.

  3. Fabrication of silver nanowires and metal oxide composite transparent electrodes and their application in UV light-emitting diodes

    NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

    Yan, Xingzhen; Ma, Jiangang; Xu, Haiyang; Wang, Chunliang; Liu, Yichun

    2016-08-01

    In this paper, we prepared the silver nanowires (AgNWs)/aluminum-doped zinc oxide (AZO) composite transparent conducting electrodes for n-ZnO/p-GaN heterojunction light emitting-diodes (LEDs) by drop casting AgNW networks and subsequent atomic layer deposition (ALD) of AZO at 150 °C. The contact resistances between AgNWs were dramatically reduced by pre-annealing in the vacuum chamber before the ALD of AZO. In this case, AZO works not only as the conformal passivation layer that protects AgNWs from oxidation, but also as the binding material that improves AgNWs adhesion to substrates. Due to the localized surface plasmons (LSPs) of the AgNWs resonant coupling with the ultraviolet (UV) light emission from the LEDs, a higher UV light extracting efficiency is achieved from LEDs with the AgNWs/AZO composite electrodes in comparison with the conventional AZO electrodes. Additionally, the antireflective nature of random AgNW networks in the composite electrodes caused a broad output light angular distribution, which could be of benefit to certain optoelectronic devices like LEDs and solar cells.

  4. A flexible plasma-treated silver-nanowire electrode for organic light-emitting devices.

    PubMed

    Li, Jun; Tao, Ye; Chen, Shufen; Li, Huiying; Chen, Ping; Wei, Meng-Zhu; Wang, Hu; Li, Kun; Mazzeo, Marco; Duan, Yu

    2017-11-28

    Silver nanowires (AgNWs) are a promising candidate to replace indium tin oxide (ITO) as transparent electrode material. However, the loose contact at the junction of the AgNWs and residual surfactant polyvinylpyrrolidone (PVP) increase the sheet resistance of the AgNWs. In this paper, an argon (Ar) plasma treatment method is applied to pristine AgNWs to remove the PVP layer and enhance the contact between AgNWs. By adjusting the processing time, we obtained AgNWs with a sheet resistance of 7.2Ω/□ and a transmittance of 78% at 550 nm. To reduce the surface roughness of the AgNWs, a peel-off process was used to transfer the AgNWs to a flexible NOA63 substrate. Then, an OLED was fabricated with the plasma-treated AgNWs electrode as anode. The highest brightness (27000 cd/m 2 ) and current efficiency (11.8 cd/A) was achieved with a 30 nm thick light emitting layer of tris-(8-hydroxyquinoline) aluminum doped with 1% 10-(2-benzothiazolyl)-2,3,6,7-tetrahydro-1,1,7,7-tetramethyl-1H,5 H,11H-(1)-benzopyropyrano(6,7-8-I,j)quinolizin-11-one. Compared to thermal annealing, the plasma-treated AgNW film has a lower sheet resistance, a shorter processing time, and a better hole-injection. Our results indicate that plasma treatment is an effective and efficient method to enhance the conductivity of AgNW films, and the plasma-treated AgNW electrode is suitable to manufacture flexible organic optoelectronic devices.

  5. Catoptric electrodes: transparent metal electrodes using shaped surfaces.

    PubMed

    Kik, Pieter G

    2014-09-01

    An optical electrode design is presented that theoretically allows 100% optical transmission through an interdigitated metallic electrode at 50% metal areal coverage. This is achieved by redirection of light incident on embedded metal electrode lines to an angle beyond that required for total internal reflection. Full-field electromagnetic simulations using realistic material parameters demonstrate 84% frequency-averaged transmission for unpolarized illumination across the entire visible spectral range using a silver interdigitated electrode at 50% areal coverage. The redirection is achieved through specular reflection, making it nonresonant and arbitrarily broadband, provided the electrode width exceeds the optical wavelength. These findings could significantly improve the performance of photovoltaic devices and optical detectors that require high-conductivity top contacts.

  6. Synthesis of Silver Embedded Poly(o-Anisidine) Molybdophosphate Nano Hybrid Cation-Exchanger Applicable for Membrane Electrode

    PubMed Central

    Khan, Anish; Khan, Aftab Aslam Parwaz; Asiri, Abdullah M.; Rub, Malik Abdul

    2014-01-01

    Poly(o-anisidine) molybdophosphate was expediently obtained by sol-gel mixing of Poly(o-anisidine) into the inorganic matrices of molybdophosphate, which was allowed to react with silver nitrate to the formation of poly(o-anisidine) molybdophosphate embedded silver nano composite. The composite was characterized by Fourier Transform Infrared Spectroscopy, X-ray powder diffraction, UV-Vis Spectrophotometry, Fluorescence Spectroscopy, Scanning Electron Microscopy/Energy-dispersive X-ray Spectroscopy and Thermogravimertic Analysis. Ion exchange capacity and distribution studies were carried out to understand the ion-exchange capabilities of the nano composite. On the basis of highest distribution studies, this nano composite cation exchanger was used as preparation of heavy metal ion selective membrane. Membrane was characterized for its performance as porosity and swelling later on was used for the preparation of membrane electrode for Hg(II), having better linear range, wide working pH range (2–4.5) with fast response in the real environment. PMID:24805257

  7. NiCd battery electrodes, C-150

    NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

    Holleck, G.; Turchan, M.; Hopkins, J.

    1972-01-01

    Electrodes for a nongassing negative limited nickel-cadmium cell are discussed. The key element is the development of cadmium electrodes with high hydrogen overvoltage. For this, the following electrode structures were manufactured and their physical and electrochemical characteristics were evaluated: (1) silver-sinter-based Cd electrodes, (2) Teflon-bonded Cd electrodes, (3) electrodeposited Cd sponge, and (4) Cd-sinter structures.

  8. Ultra-flexible and robust transparent electrodes by embedding silver nanowires into polyimide matrix

    NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

    Zhao, Rong Rong; Yu, Ming Shi; Wang, Guan Cheng; Liu, Wei; Chen, Tong Lai

    2018-06-01

    Silver nanowires (AgNWs) percolated films have been extensively considered as promising candidates for alternative transparent electrodes. However, due to their high surface roughness, poor adhesion and thermal stability, their practical use in transparent conducting film application is still heavily limited. In this paper, we report ultra-flexible transparent electrodes by imbedding AgNWs into polyimide (PI) thin films to achieve smooth surface, pronounced thermal stability, and high adhesion. Besides the excellent electrical conductivity of about 7-13Ω/□ in sheet resistance, the obtained AgNWs/PI films have excellent transparency and mechanical resilience due to the intrinsic physical and chemical properties of PI organic polymer. By embedding AgNWs into PI, the surface roughness of AgNWs percolated films can be reduced from 39.5 nm to 6 nm (RMS values), and the adhesion of AgNWs to PI is greatly enhanced if compared to the case of only AgNWs onto glass or plastic substrates. Additionally, the AgNWs/PI films show extraordinary stability in terms of electrical conductivity after the arbitrary twisting and thermal heating test, respectively, which are demonstrated by the electrical-thermal measurements via thermal IR imaging.

  9. Direct electrochemistry and electrocatalysis of glucose oxidase immobilized on reduced graphene oxide and silver nanoparticles nanocomposite modified electrode.

    PubMed

    Palanisamy, Selvakumar; Karuppiah, Chelladurai; Chen, Shen-Ming

    2014-02-01

    The direct electrochemistry of glucose oxidase (GOx) was successfully realized on electrochemically reduced graphene oxide and silver nanoparticles (RGO/Ag) nanocomposite modified electrode. The fabricated nanocomposite was characterized by field emission scanning electron microscope and energy dispersive spectroscopy. The GOx immobilized nanocomposite modified electrode showed a pair of well-defined redox peaks with a formal potential (E°) of -0.422 V, indicating that the bioactivity of GOx was retained. The heterogeneous electron transfer rate constant (Ks) of GOx at the nanocomposite was calculated to be 5.27 s(-1), revealing a fast direct electron transfer of GOx. The GOx immobilized RGO/Ag nanocomposite electrode exhibited a good electrocatalytic activity toward glucose over a linear concentration range from 0.5 to 12.5 mM with a detection limit of 0.16 mM. Besides, the fabricated biosensor showed an acceptable sensitivity and selectivity for glucose. Copyright © 2013 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.

  10. Electrode Processes in Porous Electrodes.

    DTIC Science & Technology

    1985-11-26

    F104470 2.0 MASS SPECTROMETRY One part of activity for this year is an investigation of the behavior of silver electrodes through the distribution of...al. (2)). These, in some cases, involve tedious and time comsuming procedures and discrepencies of as much as 15% have been observed in the results. As

  11. Dielectric elastomers with novel highly-conducting electrodes

    NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

    Böse, Holger; Uhl, Detlev

    2013-04-01

    Beside the characteristics of the elastomer material itself, the performance of dielectric elastomers in actuator, sensor as well as generator applications depends also on the properties of the electrode material. Various electrode materials based on metallic particles dispersed in a silicone matrix were manufactured and investigated. Anisotropic particles such as silver-coated copper flakes and silver-coated glass flakes were used for the preparation of the electrodes. The concentration of the metallic particles and the thickness of the electrode layers were varied. Specific conductivities derived from resistance measurements reached about 100 S/cm and surmount those of the reference materials based on graphite and carbon black by up to three orders of magnitude. The high conductivities of the new electrode materials can be maintained even at very large stretch deformations up to 200 %.

  12. Silver nanowire-based transparent, flexible, and conductive thin film

    PubMed Central

    2011-01-01

    The fabrication of transparent, conductive, and uniform silver nanowire films using the scalable rod-coating technique is described in this study. Properties of the transparent conductive thin films are investigated, as well as the approaches to improve the performance of transparent silver nanowire electrodes. It is found that silver nanowires are oxidized during the coating process. Incubation in hydrogen chloride (HCl) vapor can eliminate oxidized surface, and consequently, reduce largely the resistivity of silver nanowire thin films. After HCl treatment, 175 Ω/sq and approximately 75% transmittance are achieved. The sheet resistivity drops remarkably with the rise of the film thickness or with the decrease of transparency. The thin film electrodes also demonstrated excellent flexible stability, showing < 2% resistance change after over 100 bending cycles. PMID:21711602

  13. Silver nanostructures synthesis via optically induced electrochemical deposition

    NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

    Li, Pan; Liu, Na; Yu, Haibo; Wang, Feifei; Liu, Lianqing; Lee, Gwo-Bin; Wang, Yuechao; Li, Wen Jung

    2016-06-01

    We present a new digitally controlled, optically induced electrochemical deposition (OED) method for fabricating silver nanostructures. Projected light patterns were used to induce an electrochemical reaction in a specialized sandwich-like microfluidic device composed of one indium tin oxide (ITO) glass electrode and an optically sensitive-layer-covered ITO electrode. Silver polyhedral nanoparticles, triangular and hexagonal nanoplates, and nanobelts were controllably synthesized in specific positions at which projected light was illuminated. The silver nanobelts had rectangular cross-sections with an average width of 300 nm and an average thickness of 100 nm. By controlling the applied voltage, frequency, and time, different silver nanostructure morphologies were obtained. Based on the classic electric double-layer theory, a dynamic process of reduction and crystallization can be described in terms of three phases. Because it is template- and surfactant-free, the digitally controlled OED method facilitates the easy, low cost, efficient, and flexible synthesis of functional silver nanostructures, especially quasi-one-dimensional nanobelts.

  14. Large-Area Cross-Aligned Silver Nanowire Electrodes for Flexible, Transparent, and Force-Sensitive Mechanochromic Touch Screens.

    PubMed

    Cho, Seungse; Kang, Saewon; Pandya, Ashish; Shanker, Ravi; Khan, Ziyauddin; Lee, Youngsu; Park, Jonghwa; Craig, Stephen L; Ko, Hyunhyub

    2017-04-25

    Silver nanowire (AgNW) networks are considered to be promising structures for use as flexible transparent electrodes for various optoelectronic devices. One important application of AgNW transparent electrodes is the flexible touch screens. However, the performances of flexible touch screens are still limited by the large surface roughness and low electrical to optical conductivity ratio of random network AgNW electrodes. In addition, although the perception of writing force on the touch screen enables a variety of different functions, the current technology still relies on the complicated capacitive force touch sensors. This paper demonstrates a simple and high-throughput bar-coating assembly technique for the fabrication of large-area (>20 × 20 cm 2 ), highly cross-aligned AgNW networks for transparent electrodes with the sheet resistance of 21.0 Ω sq -1 at 95.0% of optical transmittance, which compares favorably with that of random AgNW networks (sheet resistance of 21.0 Ω sq -1 at 90.4% of optical transmittance). As a proof of concept demonstration, we fabricate flexible, transparent, and force-sensitive touch screens using cross-aligned AgNW electrodes integrated with mechanochromic spiropyran-polydimethylsiloxane composite film. Our force-sensitive touch screens enable the precise monitoring of dynamic writings, tracing and drawing of underneath pictures, and perception of handwriting patterns with locally different writing forces. The suggested technique provides a robust and powerful platform for the controllable assembly of nanowires beyond the scale of conventional fabrication techniques, which can find diverse applications in multifunctional flexible electronic and optoelectronic devices.

  15. Indium-free organic thin-film solar cells using a plasmonic electrode

    NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

    Takatori, Kentaro; Nishino, Takayuki; Okamoto, Takayuki; Takei, Hiroyuki; Ishibashi, Koji; Micheletto, Ruggero

    2016-05-01

    We propose a new kind of organic solar cell (OSC) that substitutes the standard indium tin oxide (ITO) electrode with a silver layer with randomly arranged circular nanoholes (plasmonic electrode). The quasi-random structure in the silver layer efficiently converts wideband incident light into surface plasmon polaritons propagating along the surface of the silver film. In this way, the converted surface plasmon polaritons enhance light absorption in the active layer. We describe in detail the fabrication process we used and we give a thorough report of the resulting optical characteristics and performances. Although the transmittance of the plasmonic electrode is approximately one-third of that of the ITO electrodes, the power conversion efficiency of the OSCs with our plasmonic electrode is comparable to that of conventional inverted solar cells using ITO electrodes. Moreover, the obtained incident photon to current efficiency was better than that of the inverted solar cells in the wavelength regions around 400 nm and over 620 nm.

  16. Next generation solar cells using flexible transparent electrodes based on silver nanowires and grapheme

    NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

    Alomairy, Sultan

    Organic photovoltaic (OPV) devices have been developed extensively and optimised due to the use of nanomaterials in their construction. More recently, the demand for such devices to be flexible and mechanically robust has been a major area of research. Presently, Indium Tin Oxide (ITO) is the material that is used almost exclusively for transparent electrode. However, it has several drawbacks such as brittleness, high refractive index and high processing temperature. Furthermore, the price of ITO has been highly volatile due to scarcity of indium resources and the increased consumption of the material. Therefore, cheap, flexible and solution-processed transparent conductors are required for emerging optoelectronic devices with flexible construction which can be promising for wearable or environmentally adaptable devices purposes such as flexible solar cells and displays. Therefore, over the past decade an alternative material has been sought intensively, particularly in the need for producing large area flexible transparent electrodes. Many materials have been investigated but most investigations have focused on carbon nanotube (CNT), graphene flakes and metallic nanowires. Silver nanowires (Ag NWs) networks have been proven to show a high electrical conductivity with high optical transmittance. This special characteristic is desirable in transparent conductive electrodes in optoelectronic applications such as solar cells, light emitting diodes, and touch screen. On the other hand, Polymeric substrates that act as a non-brittle scaffold as well as protective packaging of the OPV are an essential element for such an “All-plastic” device. However, for such applications where the coating should be relatively hard a bottleneck to fabricating large area homogeneous films is associated with the formation of cracks as a result of local mismatches in mechanical properties during film formation. In this work, the fabrication and characterization of flexible transparent

  17. Silver Nanowire Transparent Conductive Electrodes for High-Efficiency III-Nitride Light-Emitting Diodes

    PubMed Central

    Oh, Munsik; Jin, Won-Yong; Jun Jeong, Hyeon; Jeong, Mun Seok; Kang, Jae-Wook; Kim, Hyunsoo

    2015-01-01

    Silver nanowires (AgNWs) have been successfully demonstrated to function as next-generation transparent conductive electrodes (TCEs) in organic semiconductor devices owing to their figures of merit, including high optical transmittance, low sheet resistance, flexibility, and low-cost processing. In this article, high-quality, solution-processed AgNWs with an excellent optical transmittance of 96.5% at 450 nm and a low sheet resistance of 11.7 Ω/sq were demonstrated as TCEs in inorganic III-nitride LEDs. The transmission line model applied to the AgNW contact to p-GaN showed that near ohmic contact with a specific contact resistance of ~10−3 Ωcm2 was obtained. The contact resistance had a strong bias-voltage (or current-density) dependence: namely, field-enhanced ohmic contact. LEDs fabricated with AgNW electrodes exhibited a 56% reduction in series resistance, 56.5% brighter output power, a 67.5% reduction in efficiency droop, and a approximately 30% longer current spreading length compared to LEDs fabricated with reference TCEs. In addition to the cost reduction, the observed improvements in device performance suggest that the AgNWs are promising for application as next-generation TCEs, to realise brighter, larger-area, cost-competitive inorganic III-nitride light emitters. PMID:26333768

  18. Development of Silver-Free Silicon Photovoltaic Solar Cells with All-Aluminum Electrodes

    NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

    Sun, Wen-Cheng

    To date, the most popular and dominant material for commercial solar cells is crystalline silicon (or wafer-Si). It has the highest cell efficiency and cell lifetime out of all commercial solar cells. Although the potential of crystalline-Si solar cells in supplying energy demands is enormous, their future growth will likely be constrained by two major bottlenecks. The first is the high electricity input to produce crystalline-Si solar cells and modules, and the second is the limited supply of silver (Ag) reserves. These bottlenecks prevent crystalline-Si solar cells from reaching terawatt-scale deployment, which means the electricity produced by crystalline-Si solar cells would never fulfill a noticeable portion of our energy demands in the future. In order to solve the issue of Ag limitation for the front metal grid, aluminum (Al) electroplating has been developed as an alternative metallization technique in the fabrication of crystalline-Si solar cells. The plating is carried out in a near-room-temperature ionic liquid by means of galvanostatic electrolysis. It has been found that dense, adherent Al deposits with resistivity in the high 10--6 Ω-cm range can be reproducibly obtained directly on Si substrates and nickel seed layers. An all-Al Si solar cell, with an electroplated Al front electrode and a screen-printed Al back electrode, has been successfully demonstrated based on commercial p-type monocrystalline-Si solar cells, and its efficiency is approaching 15%. Further optimization of the cell fabrication process, in particular a suitable patterning technique for the front silicon nitride layer, is expected to increase the efficiency of the cell to ~18%. This shows the potential of Al electroplating in cell metallization is promising and replacing Ag with Al as the front finger electrode is feasible.

  19. Fabrication of a transparent conducting electrode based on graphene/silver nanowires via layer-by-layer method for organic photovoltaic devices.

    PubMed

    Tugba Camic, B; Oytun, Faruk; Hasan Aslan, M; Jeong Shin, Hee; Choi, Hyosung; Basarir, Fevzihan

    2017-11-01

    A solution-processed transparent conducting electrode was fabricated via layer-by-layer (LBL) deposition of graphene oxide (GO) and silver nanowires (Ag NWs). First, graphite was oxidized with a modified Hummer's method to obtain negatively-charged GO sheets, and Ag NWs were functionalized with cysteamine hydrochloride to acquire positively-charged silver nanowires. Oppositely-charged GO and Ag NWs were then sequentially coated on a 3-aminopropyltriethoxysilane modified glass substrate via LBL deposition, which provided highly controllable thin films in terms of optical transmittance and sheet resistance. Next, the reduction of GO sheets was performed to improve the electrical conductivity of the multilayer films. The resulting GO/Ag NWs multilayer was characterized by a UV-Vis spectrometer, field emission scanning electron microscope (FE-SEM), optical microscope (OM) and sheet resistance using a four-point probe method. The best result was achieved with a 2-bilayer film, resulting in a sheet resistance of 6.5Ω sq -1 with an optical transmittance of 78.2% at 550nm, which values are comparable to those of commercial ITO electrodes. The device based on a 2-bilayer hybrid film exhibited the highest device efficiency of 1.30% among the devices with different number of graphene/Ag NW LBL depositions. Copyright © 2017 Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.

  20. Influence of Ice Particle Surface Roughening on the Global Cloud Radiative Effect

    NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

    Yi, Bingqi; Yang, Ping; Baum, Bryan A.; LEcuyer, Tristan; Oreopoulos, Lazaros; Mlawer, Eli J.; Heymsfield, Andrew J.; Liou, Kuo-Nan

    2013-01-01

    Ice clouds influence the climate system by changing the radiation budget and large-scale circulation. Therefore, climate models need to have an accurate representation of ice clouds and their radiative effects. In this paper, new broadband parameterizations for ice cloud bulk scattering properties are developed for severely roughened ice particles. The parameterizations are based on a general habit mixture that includes nine habits (droxtals, hollow/solid columns, plates, solid/hollow bullet rosettes, aggregate of solid columns, and small/large aggregates of plates). The scattering properties for these individual habits incorporate recent advances in light-scattering computations. The influence of ice particle surface roughness on the ice cloud radiative effect is determined through simulations with the Fu-Liou and the GCM version of the Rapid Radiative Transfer Model (RRTMG) codes and the National Center for Atmospheric Research Community Atmosphere Model (CAM, version 5.1). The differences in shortwave (SW) and longwave (LW) radiative effect at both the top of the atmosphere and the surface are determined for smooth and severely roughened ice particles. While the influence of particle roughening on the single-scattering properties is negligible in the LW, the results indicate that ice crystal roughness can change the SW forcing locally by more than 10 W m(exp -2) over a range of effective diameters. The global-averaged SW cloud radiative effect due to ice particle surface roughness is estimated to be roughly 1-2 W m(exp -2). The CAM results indicate that ice particle roughening can result in a large regional SW radiative effect and a small but nonnegligible increase in the global LW cloud radiative effect.

  1. Gelatin coated electrodes allow prolonged bioelectronic measurements

    NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

    1966-01-01

    Silver electrodes treated with an anodizing electrolyte containing gelatin are used for long term monitoring of bioelectronic potentials in humans. The electrodes do not interact with perspiration, cause skin irritation, or promote the growth of bacteria.

  2. An analysis of LDEF-exposed silvered FEP teflon thermal blanket material

    NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

    Young, Philip R.; Slemp, Wayne S.

    1991-01-01

    The characterization of selected silvered fluorinated ethylene propylene (FEP) teflon thermal blanket material which received 5 years and 9 months of exposure to the LEO environment on the Long Duration Exposure Facility is reported. X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy, infrared, and thermal analyses did not detect a significant change at the molecular level as the result of this exposure. However, various microscopic analyses revealed a roughening of the coating surface due to atomic oxygen erosion which resulted in some materials changing from specular reflectors of visible radiation to diffuse reflectors. The potential effect of silicon-containing molecular contamination on these materials is addressed.

  3. Highly Stretchable and Conductive Silver Nanoparticle Embedded Graphene Flake Electrode Prepared by In situ Dual Reduction Reaction

    NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

    Yoon, Yeoheung; Samanta, Khokan; Lee, Hanleem; Lee, Keunsik; Tiwari, Anand P.; Lee, Jihun; Yang, Junghee; Lee, Hyoyoung

    2015-09-01

    The emergence of stretchable devices that combine with conductive properties offers new exciting opportunities for wearable applications. Here, a novel, convenient and inexpensive solution process was demonstrated to prepare in situ silver (Ag) or platinum (Pt) nanoparticles (NPs)-embedded rGO hybrid materials using formic acid duality in the presence of AgNO3 or H2PtCl6 at low temperature. The reduction duality of the formic acid can convert graphene oxide (GO) to rGO and simultaneously deposit the positively charged metal ion to metal NP on rGO while the formic acid itself is converted to a CO2 evolving gas that is eco-friendly. The AgNP-embedded rGO hybrid electrode on an elastomeric substrate exhibited superior stretchable properties including a maximum conductivity of 3012 S cm-1 (at 0 % strain) and 322.8 S cm-1 (at 35 % strain). Its fabrication process using a printing method is scalable. Surprisingly, the electrode can survive even in continuous stretching cycles.

  4. Highly Stretchable and Conductive Silver Nanoparticle Embedded Graphene Flake Electrode Prepared by In situ Dual Reduction Reaction.

    PubMed

    Yoon, Yeoheung; Samanta, Khokan; Lee, Hanleem; Lee, Keunsik; Tiwari, Anand P; Lee, JiHun; Yang, Junghee; Lee, Hyoyoung

    2015-09-18

    The emergence of stretchable devices that combine with conductive properties offers new exciting opportunities for wearable applications. Here, a novel, convenient and inexpensive solution process was demonstrated to prepare in situ silver (Ag) or platinum (Pt) nanoparticles (NPs)-embedded rGO hybrid materials using formic acid duality in the presence of AgNO3 or H2PtCl6 at low temperature. The reduction duality of the formic acid can convert graphene oxide (GO) to rGO and simultaneously deposit the positively charged metal ion to metal NP on rGO while the formic acid itself is converted to a CO2 evolving gas that is eco-friendly. The AgNP-embedded rGO hybrid electrode on an elastomeric substrate exhibited superior stretchable properties including a maximum conductivity of 3012 S cm(-1) (at 0 % strain) and 322.8 S cm(-1) (at 35 % strain). Its fabrication process using a printing method is scalable. Surprisingly, the electrode can survive even in continuous stretching cycles.

  5. Electrohydrodynamic spinning of random-textured silver webs for electrodes embedded in flexible organic solar cells

    NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

    Yoon, Dai Geon; Chin, Byung Doo; Bail, Robert

    2017-03-01

    A convenient process for fabricating a transparent conducting electrode on a flexible substrate is essential for numerous low-cost optoelectronic devices, including organic solar cells (OSCs), touch sensors, and free-form lighting applications. Solution-processed metal-nanowire arrays are attractive due to their low sheet resistance and optical clarity. However, the limited conductance at wire junctions and the rough surface topology still need improvement. Here, we present a facile process of electrohydrodynamic spinning using a silver (Ag) - polymer composite paste with high viscosity. Unlike the metal-nanofiber web formed by conventional electrospinning, a relatively thick, but still invisible-to-naked eye, Ag-web random pattern was formed on a glass substrate. The process parameters such as the nozzle diameter, voltage, flow rate, standoff height, and nozzle-scanning speed, were systematically engineered. The formed random texture Ag webs were embedded in a flexible substrate by in-situ photo-polymerization, release from the glass substrate, and post-annealing. OSCs with a donor-acceptor polymeric heterojunction photoactive layer were prepared on the Ag-web-embedded flexible films with various Ag-web densities. The short-circuit current and the power conversion efficiency of an OSC with a Ag-web-embedded electrode were not as high as those of the control sample with an indium-tin-oxide electrode. However, the Ag-web textures embedded in the OSC served well as electrodes when bent (6-mm radius), showing a power conversion efficiency of 2.06% (2.72% for the flat OSC), and the electrical stability of the Ag-web-textured patterns was maintained for up to 1,000 cycles of bending.

  6. Correlation of surface site formation to nanoisland growth in the electrochemical roughening of Pt(111)

    NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

    Jacobse, Leon; Huang, Yi-Fan; Koper, Marc T. M.; Rost, Marcel J.

    2018-03-01

    Platinum plays a central role in a variety of electrochemical devices and its practical use depends on the prevention of electrode degradation. However, understanding the underlying atomic processes under conditions of repeated oxidation and reduction inducing irreversible surface structure changes has proved challenging. Here, we examine the correlation between the evolution of the electrochemical signal of Pt(111) and its surface roughening by simultaneously performing cyclic voltammetry and in situ electrochemical scanning tunnelling microscopy (EC-STM). We identify a `nucleation and early growth' regime of nanoisland formation, and a `late growth' regime after island coalescence, which continues up to at least 170 cycles. The correlation analysis shows that each step site that is created in the `late growth' regime contributes equally strongly to both the electrochemical and the roughness evolution. In contrast, in the `nucleation and early growth' regime, created step sites contribute to the roughness, but not to the electrochemical signal.

  7. Technique eliminates high voltage arcing at electrode-insulator contact area

    NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

    Mealy, G.

    1967-01-01

    Coating the electrode-insulator contact area with silver epoxy conductive paint and forcing the electrode and insulator tightly together into a permanent connection, eliminates electrical arcing in high-voltage electrodes supplying electrical power to vacuum facilities.

  8. Ion sputter textured graphite electrode plates

    NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

    Curren, A. N.; Forman, R.; Sovey, J. S.; Wintucky, E. G. (Inventor)

    1983-01-01

    A specially textured surface of pyrolytic graphite exhibits extremely low yields of secondary electrons and reduced numbers of reflected primary electrons after impingement of high energy primary electrons. Electrode plates of this material are used in multistage depressed collectors. An ion flux having an energy between 500 iV and 1000 iV and a current density between 1.0 mA/sq cm and 6.0 mA/sq cm produces surface roughening or texturing which is in the form of needles or spires. Such textured surfaces are especially useful as anode collector plates in high tube devices.

  9. Protein-Modified-Paramagnetic-Particles as a Tool for Detection of Silver(I) Ions

    NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

    Kizek, R.; Krizkova, S.; Adam, V.; Huska, D.; Hubalek, J.; Trnkova, L.

    2009-04-01

    In a number of published articles the toxic effect of silver(I) ions on aquatic organisms is described. Silver(I) ions in aquatic environment are stable in a wide range of pH. Under alkali pH AgOH and Ag(OH)2- can be formed. However, in water environment there are many compounds to interact with silver(I) ions. The most important ones are chloride anions, which forms insoluble precipitate with silver(I) ions (AgCl). The insoluble silver containing compounds do not pose any threat to aquatic organisms. Toxicity of silver ions is probably caused by their very good affinity to nucleic acids and also proteins. The binding into active enzyme site leads to the expressive enzyme reaction inhibition. Silver(I) ions are into living environment introduced thanks to anthropogenic activities. They easily contaminate atmosphere as well as aquatic environment or soils. Several authors described using of carbon electrode as working electrode for determination of silver. Recently, we have suggested heavy metal biosensor based on interaction of metal ions with low molecular mass protein called metallothionein (MT), which was adsorbed on the surface of hanging mercury drop electrode (HMDE). The biosensor was successfully used for detection of cadmium(II) and zinc(II) ions, cisplatin, cisplatin-DNA adducts and palladium(II) ions. Due to the convincing results with MT as biological component we report on suggesting of heavy metal biosensor based on immobilization of metallothionein (MT) on the surface of carbon paste electrode (CPE) via MT-antibodies. Primarily we studied of basic electrochemical behaviour of MT at surface of carbon paste electrode by using of square wave voltammetry (SWV). Detection limit (3 S/N) for MT was evaluated as 0.1 μg/ml. After that we have evaluated the electroactivity of MT at surface of SWV, we aimed our attention on the way of capturing of MT on the surface of CPE. We choose antibody against MT obtained from chicken eggs for these purposes. Antibodies

  10. Solution-processed parallel tandem polymer solar cells using silver nanowires as intermediate electrode.

    PubMed

    Guo, Fei; Kubis, Peter; Li, Ning; Przybilla, Thomas; Matt, Gebhard; Stubhan, Tobias; Ameri, Tayebeh; Butz, Benjamin; Spiecker, Erdmann; Forberich, Karen; Brabec, Christoph J

    2014-12-23

    Tandem architecture is the most relevant concept to overcome the efficiency limit of single-junction photovoltaic solar cells. Series-connected tandem polymer solar cells (PSCs) have advanced rapidly during the past decade. In contrast, the development of parallel-connected tandem cells is lagging far behind due to the big challenge in establishing an efficient interlayer with high transparency and high in-plane conductivity. Here, we report all-solution fabrication of parallel tandem PSCs using silver nanowires as intermediate charge collecting electrode. Through a rational interface design, a robust interlayer is established, enabling the efficient extraction and transport of electrons from subcells. The resulting parallel tandem cells exhibit high fill factors of ∼60% and enhanced current densities which are identical to the sum of the current densities of the subcells. These results suggest that solution-processed parallel tandem configuration provides an alternative avenue toward high performance photovoltaic devices.

  11. Polyaniline silver nanoparticle coffee waste extracted porous graphene oxide nanocomposite structures as novel electrode material for rechargeable batteries

    NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

    Sundriyal, Poonam; Bhattacharya, Shantanu

    2017-03-01

    The exploration of new and advanced electrode materials are required in electronic and electrical devices for power storage applications. Also, there has been a continuous endeavour to formulate strategies for extraction of high performance electrode materials from naturally obtained waste products. In this work, we have developed an in situ hybrid nanocomposite from coffee waste extracted porous graphene oxide (CEPG), polyaniline (PANI) and silver nanoparticles (Ag) and have found this novel composite to serve as an efficient electrode material for batteries. The successful interaction among the three phases of the nano-composite i.e. CEPG-PANI-Ag have been thoroughly understood through RAMAN, Fourier transform infrared and x-ray diffraction spectroscopy, morphological studies through field emission scanning electron microscope and transmission electron microscope. Thermo-gravimetric analysis of the nano-composite demonstrates higher thermal stability up-to a temperature of 495 °C. Further BET studies through nitrogen adsorption-desorption isotherms confirm the presence of micro/meso and macro-pores in the nanocomposite sample. The cyclic-voltammetry (CV) analysis performed on CEPG-PANI-Ag nanocomposite exhibits a purely faradic behaviour using nickel foam as a current collector thus suggests the prepared nanocomposite as a battery electrode material. The nanocomposite reports a maximum specific capacity of 1428 C g-1 and excellent cyclic stability up-to 5000 cycles.

  12. Overcoming the limitations of silver nanowire electrodes for light emitting applications

    NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

    Chen, Dustin Yuan

    nanowires. This development of a thermally stable AgNW based substrate is critical for the future of flexible OLEDs, as both polymers and AgNWs are unstable at elevated temperatures required for certain OLED processing. However, at the time publication, no solutions existed for flexible OLED substrates simultaneously having thermal stability in excess of 230 °C for more than a few minutes while maintaining a smooth surface for subsequent device fabrication. The thermally stable silver nanowires developed in this work are able to withstand temperatures of 500 °C in ramping tests, and when integrated with a thermally stable polymer matrix, withstand temperatures of 300 °C for at least 6 hours, representing an increase in allowable processing temperatures of 70 °C for several hours longer. Resulting polymer light emitting devices (PLEDs) requiring high temperature processing fabricated on this thermally stable exhibit comparable performance to the same devices fabricated on ITO, validating its compatibility for integration in traditional process flows, and validity for use in extreme processing conditions. Secondly, the aforementioned method is applied to understanding the electrical stability of silver nanowires. At the time of publication, previous works on the electrical failure of silver nanowires centered on the observation of failure under current flow, without a solution offered for how to mitigate the phenomenon. However, because the underlying purpose of these electrodes is to transport current, providing a solution for the failure flow is paramount to the success of AgNWs in future commercial applications. The importance of the development of this solution cannot be understated, especially in light of the fact that silver nanowires have been shown to fail under electrical stresses below typical operating conditions of various optoelectronic devices. The same technique mentioned previously can be leveraged for electrically stable silver nanowire networks, which

  13. Kinetic Roughening Transition and Energetics of Tetragonal Lysozyme Crystal Growth

    NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

    Gorti, Sridhar; Forsythe, Elizabeth L.; Pusey, Marc L.

    2004-01-01

    Interpretation of lysozyme crystal growth rates using well-established physical theories enabled the discovery of a phenomenon possibly indicative of kinetic roughening. For example, lysozyme crystals grown above a critical supersaturation sigma, (where supersaturation sigma = ln c/c(sub eq), c = the protein concentration and c(sub eq) = the solubility concentration) exhibit microscopically rough surfaces due to the continuous addition of growth units anywhere on the surface of a crystal. The rate of crystal growth, V(sub c), for the continuous growth process is determined by the continuous flux of macromolecules onto a unit area of the crystal surface, a, from a distance, xi, per unit time due to diffusion, and a probability of attachment onto the crystal surface, expressed. Based upon models applied, the energetics of lysozyme crystal growth was determined. The magnitudes of the energy barriers of crystal growth for both the (110) and (101) faces of tetragonal lysozyme crystals are compared. Finally, evidence supportive of the kinetic roughening hypothesis is presented.

  14. Surface roughening transition and critical layer thickness in strained-layer heteroepitaxy of EuTe on PbTe (111)

    NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

    Springholz, G.; Frank, N.; Bauer, G.

    1994-05-01

    Heteroepitaxial growth of 2% lattice-mismatched EuTe on PbTe (111) by molecular beam epitaxy is investigated in the two-dimensional layer-by-layer growth regime combining in situ reflection high-energy electron diffraction and scanning tunneling microscopy (STM). At the critical layer thickness a distinct surface roughening is observed. The quantitative analysis of STM images yields an increase of the root mean square roughness by a factor of 4 at this roughening transition. Strong evidence is presented that for the used growth conditions this roughening is not caused by strain induced coherent islanding but by misfit dislocations at the onset of strain relaxation.

  15. Fabrication of an Inexpensive Ion-Selective Electrode.

    ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

    Palanivel, A.; Riyazuddin, P.

    1984-01-01

    The preparation and performance of a graphite (silver/copper sulfide) electrode is described. This rod, extracted from a used dry cell, is an acceptable substitute for ion-selective electrodes after it has been cleaned by abrasion followed by an overnight treatment with hydrochloric acid. (JN)

  16. Voltammetric analysis of ordnance materials. Part 2: A portable digital voltammeter for use with a silver wire working electrode

    NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

    Fine, D. A.; Reeve, D. A.; Dickus, R. A.

    1984-12-01

    An inexpensive, portable, digital voltammeter has been designed and built at NWC. The instrument is intended for use with a silver wire working electrode. The voltammeter was built in response to a need on the part of Navy facilities for the monitoring of effluent water from the carbon column cleanup process used to remove propyleneglycoldinitrate from Otto fuel waste water. The instrument may also be used for the monitoring of contaminants such as nitroglycerin, dinitrotoluene, trinitrotoluene and nitroguanidine. This report describes in detail the construction, circuitry, software and operational features of the instrument.

  17. Development of a Flexible Non-Metal Electrode for Cell Stimulation and Recording

    PubMed Central

    Gong, Cihun-Siyong Alex; Syu, Wun-Jia; Lei, Kin Fong; Hwang, Yih-Shiou

    2016-01-01

    This study presents a method of producing flexible electrodes for potentially simultaneously stimulating and measuring cellular signals in retinal cells. Currently, most multi-electrode applications rely primarily on etching, but the metals involved have a certain degree of brittleness, leaving them prone to cracking under prolonged pressure. This study proposes using silver chloride ink as a conductive metal, and polydimethysiloxane (PDMS) as the substrate to provide electrodes with an increased degree of flexibility to allow them to bend. This structure is divided into the electrode layer made of PDMS and silver chloride ink, and a PDMS film coating layer. PDMS can be mixed in different proportions to modify the degree of rigidity. The proposed method involved three steps. The first segment entailed the manufacturing of the electrode, using silver chloride ink as the conductive material, and using computer software to define the electrode size and micro-engraving mechanisms to produce the electrode pattern. The resulting uniform PDMS pattern was then baked onto the model, and the flow channel was filled with the conductive material before air drying to produce the required electrode. In the second stage, we tested the electrode, using an impedance analyzer to measure electrode cyclic voltammetry and impedance. In the third phase, mechanical and biocompatibility tests were conducted to determine electrode properties. This study aims to produce a flexible, non-metallic sensing electrode which fits snugly for use in a range of measurement applications. PMID:27690049

  18. Evaluation of bactericidal efficacy of silver ions on Escherichia coli for drinking water disinfection.

    PubMed

    Pathak, Satya P; Gopal, K

    2012-07-01

    The purpose of this study is the development of a suitable process for the disinfection of drinking water by evaluating bactericidal efficacy of silver ions from silver electrodes. A prototype of a silver ioniser with silver electrodes and control unit has been fabricated. Silver ions from silver electrodes in water samples were estimated with an atomic absorption spectrophotometer. A fresh culture of Escherichia coli (1.75 × 10(3) c.f.u./ml) was exposed to 1, 2, 5, 10 and 20 ppb of silver ions in 100 ml of autoclaved tap water for 60 min. The effect of different pH and temperatures on bactericidal efficacy was observed at constant silver ion concentration (5 ppb) and contact time of 30 min. The maximum bactericidal activity (100%) was observed at 20 ppb of silver ion concentration indicating total disinfection after 20 min while minimum bactericidal activity (25%) was observed after 10 min at 01 ppb of silver ions. Likewise, 100% bactericidal activity was noticed with 2, 5 and 10 ppb of silver ions after 60, 50 and 40 min, respectively. Bactericidal activity at pH 5, 6, 7, 8 and 9 was observed at 79.9%, 79.8%, 80.5%, 100% and 100%, respectively, whereas it was 80.4%, 88.3%, 100%, 100% and 100% at 10°C, 20°C, 30°C, 40°C and 50°C, respectively. The findings of this study revealed that very low concentrations of silver ions at pH 8-9 and temperature >20°C have bactericidal efficacy for total disinfection of drinking water. Silver ionisation is suitable for water disinfection and an appropriate alternative to chlorination which forms carcinogenic disinfection by-products.

  19. Highly Stretchable and Conductive Silver Nanoparticle Embedded Graphene Flake Electrode Prepared by In situ Dual Reduction Reaction

    PubMed Central

    Yoon, Yeoheung; Samanta, Khokan; Lee, Hanleem; Lee, Keunsik; Tiwari, Anand P.; Lee, JiHun; Yang, Junghee; Lee, Hyoyoung

    2015-01-01

    The emergence of stretchable devices that combine with conductive properties offers new exciting opportunities for wearable applications. Here, a novel, convenient and inexpensive solution process was demonstrated to prepare in situ silver (Ag) or platinum (Pt) nanoparticles (NPs)-embedded rGO hybrid materials using formic acid duality in the presence of AgNO3 or H2PtCl6 at low temperature. The reduction duality of the formic acid can convert graphene oxide (GO) to rGO and simultaneously deposit the positively charged metal ion to metal NP on rGO while the formic acid itself is converted to a CO2 evolving gas that is eco-friendly. The AgNP-embedded rGO hybrid electrode on an elastomeric substrate exhibited superior stretchable properties including a maximum conductivity of 3012 S cm-1 (at 0 % strain) and 322.8 S cm-1 (at 35 % strain). Its fabrication process using a printing method is scalable. Surprisingly, the electrode can survive even in continuous stretching cycles. PMID:26383845

  20. A highly sensitive and flexible pressure sensor with electrodes and elastomeric interlayer containing silver nanowires.

    PubMed

    Wang, Jun; Jiu, Jinting; Nogi, Masaya; Sugahara, Tohru; Nagao, Shijo; Koga, Hirotaka; He, Peng; Suganuma, Katsuaki

    2015-02-21

    The next-generation application of pressure sensors is gradually being extended to include electronic artificial skin (e-skin), wearable devices, humanoid robotics and smart prosthetics. In these advanced applications, high sensing capability is an essential feature for high performance. Although surface patterning treatments and some special elastomeric interlayers have been applied to improve sensitivity, the process is complex and this inevitably raises the cost and is an obstacle to large-scale production. In the present study a simple printing process without complex patterning has been used for constructing the sensor, and an interlayer is employed comprising elastomeric composites filled with silver nanowires. By increasing the relative permittivity, εr, of the composite interlayer induced by compression at high nanowire concentration, it has been possible to achieve a maximum sensitivity of 5.54 kPa(-1). The improvement in sensitivity did not sacrifice or undermine the other features of the sensor. Thanks to the silver nanowire electrodes, the sensor is flexible and stable after 200 cycles at a bending radius of 2 mm, and exhibits outstanding reproducibility without hysteresis under similar pressure pulses. The sensor has been readily integrated onto an adhesive bandage and has been successful in detecting human movements. In addition to measuring pressure in direct contact, non-contact pressures such as air flow can also be detected.

  1. A novel paper-based device coupled with a silver nanoparticle-modified boron-doped diamond electrode for cholesterol detection.

    PubMed

    Nantaphol, Siriwan; Chailapakul, Orawon; Siangproh, Weena

    2015-09-03

    A novel paper-based analytical device (PAD) coupled with a silver nanoparticle-modified boron-doped diamond (AgNP/BDD) electrode was first developed as a cholesterol sensor. The AgNP/BDD electrode was used as working electrode after modification by AgNPs using an electrodeposition method. Wax printing was used to define the hydrophilic and hydrophobic areas on filter paper, and then counter and reference electrodes were fabricated on the hydrophilic area by screen-printing in house. For the amperometric detection, cholesterol and cholesterol oxidase (ChOx) were directly drop-cast onto the hydrophilic area, and H2O2 produced from the enzymatic reaction was monitored. The fabricated device demonstrated a good linearity (0.39 mg dL(-1) to 270.69 mg dL(-1)), low detection limit (0.25 mg dL(-1)), and high sensitivity (49.61 μA mM(-1) cm(-2)). The precision value for ten replicates was 3.76% RSD for 1 mM H2O2. In addition, this biosensor exhibited very high selectivity for cholesterol detection and excellent recoveries for bovine serum analysis (in the range of 99.6-100.8%). The results showed that this new sensing platform will be an alternative tool for cholesterol detection in routine diagnosis and offers the advantages of low sample/reagent consumption, low cost, portability, and short analysis time. Copyright © 2015 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.

  2. Recycling Metals from Spent Screen-Printed Electrodes While Learning the Fundamentals of Electrochemical Sensing

    ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

    González-Sánchez, María-Isabel; Gómez-Monedero, Beatriz; Agrisuelas, Jerónimo; Valero, Edelmira

    2018-01-01

    A laboratory experiment in which students recycle silver and platinum selectively from spent screen-printed platinum electrodes is described. The recovered silver in solution is used to show its spontaneous redox reaction with a copper sheet. The recovered platinum is electrodeposited onto a screen-printed carbon electrode to develop a sensor for…

  3. Quantized conductance observed during sintering of silver nanoparticles by intense terahertz pulses

    NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

    Takano, Keisuke; Harada, Hirofumi; Yoshimura, Masashi; Nakajima, Makoto

    2018-04-01

    We show that silver nanoparticles, which are deposited on a terahertz-receiving antenna, can be sintered by intense terahertz pulse irradiation. The conductance of the silver nanoparticles between the antenna electrodes is measured under the terahertz pulse irradiation. The dispersant materials surrounding the nanoparticles are peeled off, and conduction paths are created. We reveal that, during sintering, quantum point contacts are formed, leading to quantized conductance between the electrodes with the conductance quantum, which reflects the formation of atomically thin wires. The terahertz electric pulses are sufficiently intense to activate electromigration, i.e., transfer of kinetic energy from the electrons to the silver atoms. The silver atoms move and atomically thin wires form under the intense terahertz pulse irradiation. These findings may inspire nanoscale structural processing by terahertz pulse irradiation.

  4. Mechanism of Prophylaxis by Silver Compounds against Infection of Burns

    PubMed Central

    Ricketts, C. R.; Lowbury, E. J. L.; Lawrence, J. C.; Hall, M.; Wilkins, M. D.

    1970-01-01

    To clarify tthe mechanism by which local application of silver compounds protects burns against infection, an ion-specific electrode was used to measùre the concentration of silver ions in solutions. By this method it was shown that in burn dressings silver ions were reduced to a very low level by precipitation as silver chloride. The antibacterial effect was found to depend on the availability of silver ions from solution in contact with precipitate. Between 10-5 and 10-6 molar silver nitrate solution in water was rapidly bactericidal. The minimal amount of silver nitrate causing inhibition of respiration of skin in tissue culture was about 25 times the minimal concentration of silver nitrate that inhibited growth of Pseudomonas aeruginosa. PMID:4986877

  5. Production of silver ions from colloidal silver by nanoparticle iontophoresis system.

    PubMed

    Tseng, Kuo-Hsiung; Liao, Chih-Yu

    2011-03-01

    Metal ions, especially the silver ion, were used to treat infection before the initiation of antibiotic therapy. Unfortunately, there is a lack of research on the metallic nanoparticle suspension as a reservoir for metal ion release application. For medical purposes, conversion of colloidal silver into an ionic form is necessary, but not using silver salts (e.g., AgNO3, Ag2SO4), due to the fact that the counter-ion of silver salts may cause problems to the body as the silver ion (Ag+) is consumed. The goal of this research is to develop a silver nanoparticle iontophoresis system (NIS) which can provide a relatively safe bactericidal silver ion solution with a controllable electric field. In this study, ion-selective electrodes were used to identify and observe details of the system's activity. Both qualitative and quantitative data analyses were performed. The experimental results show that the ion releasing peak time (R(PT)) has an inversely proportional relationship with the applied current and voltage. The ion releasing maximum level (R(ML)) and dosage (R(D)) are proportional to the current density and inversely proportional to the voltage, respectively. These results reveal that the nanoparticle iontophoresis system (NIS) is an alternative method for the controlled release of a metal ion and the ion's concentration profile, by controlling the magnitude of current density (1 microA/cm2 equal to 1 ppm/hour) and applied voltage.

  6. Construction of a new selective coated disk electrode for Ag (I) based on modified polypyrrole-carbon nanotubes composite with new lariat ether.

    PubMed

    Abbaspour, A; Tashkhourian, J; Ahmadpour, S; Mirahmadi, E; Sharghi, H; Khalifeh, R; Shahriyari, M R

    2014-01-01

    A poly (vinyl chloride) (PVC) matrix membrane ion-selective electrode for silver (I) ion is fabricated based on modified polypyrrole - multiwalled carbon nanotubes composite with new lariat ether. This sensor has a Nernstian slope of 59.4±0.5mV/decade over a wide linear concentration range of 1.0×10(-7) to 1.0×10(-1)molL(-1) for silver (I) ion. It has a short response time of about 8.0s and can be used for at least 50days. The detection limit is 9.3×10(-8)molL(-1) for silver (I) ion, and the electrode was applicable in the wide pH range of 1.6 -7.7. The electrode shows good selectivity for silver ion against many cations such as Hg (II), which usually imposes serious interference in the determination of silver ion concentration. The use of multiwalled carbon nanotubes (MWCNTs) in a polymer matrix improves the linear range and sensitivity of the electrode. In addition by coating the solid contact with a layer of the polypyrrole (Ppy) before coating the membrane on it, not only did it reduce the drift in potential, but a shorter response time was also resulted. The proposed electrode was used as an indicator electrode for potentiometric titration of silver ions with chloride anions and in the titration of mixed halides. This electrode was successfully applied for the determination of silver ions in silver sulphadiazine as a burning cream. © 2013.

  7. Assessing a novel polymer-wick based electrode for EEG neurophysiological research.

    PubMed

    Pasion, Rita; Paiva, Tiago O; Pedrosa, Paulo; Gaspar, Hugo; Vasconcelos, Beatriz; Martins, Ana C; Amaral, Maria H; Nóbrega, João M; Páscoa, Ricardo; Fonseca, Carlos; Barbosa, Fernando

    2016-07-15

    The EEG technique has decades of valid applications in clinical and experimental neurophysiology. EEG equipment and data analysis methods have been characterized by remarkable developments, but the skin-to-electrode signal transfer remains a challenge for EEG recording. A novel quasi-dry system - the polymer wick-based electrode - was developed to overcome the limitations of conventional dry and wet silver/silver-chloride (Ag/AgCl) electrodes for EEG recording. Nine participants completed an auditory oddball protocol with simultaneous EEG acquisition using both the conventional Ag/AgCl and the wick electrodes. Wick system successfully recorded the expected P300 modulation. Standard ERP analysis, residual random noise analysis, and single-trial analysis of the P300 wave were performed in order to compare signal acquired by both electrodes. It was found that the novel wick electrode performed similarly to the conventional Ag/AgCl electrodes. The developed wick electrode appears to be a reliable alternative for EEG research, representing a promising halfway alternative between wet and dry electrodes. Copyright © 2016 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.

  8. Glass frits coated with silver nanoparticles for silicon solar cells

    NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

    Li, Yingfen; Gan, Weiping; Zhou, Jian; Li, Biyuan

    2015-06-01

    Glass frits coated with silver nanoparticles were prepared by electroless plating. Gum Arabic (GA) was used as the activating agent of glass frits without the assistance of stannous chloride or palladium chloride. The silver-coated glass frits prepared with different GA dosages were characterized by X-ray diffraction (XRD), field emission scanning electron microscopy (FESEM), and thermogravimetric analysis (TGA). The characterization results indicated that silver-coated glass frits had the structures of both glass and silver. Spherical silver nanoparticles were distributed on the glass frits evenly. The density and particle size of silver nanoparticles on the glass frits can be controlled by adjusting the GA dosage. The silver-coated glass frits were applied to silver pastes to act as both the densification promoter and silver crystallite formation aid in the silver electrodes. The prepared silver-coated glass frits can improve the photovoltaic performances of solar cells.

  9. Organic electrode coatings for next-generation neural interfaces

    PubMed Central

    Aregueta-Robles, Ulises A.; Woolley, Andrew J.; Poole-Warren, Laura A.; Lovell, Nigel H.; Green, Rylie A.

    2014-01-01

    Traditional neuronal interfaces utilize metallic electrodes which in recent years have reached a plateau in terms of the ability to provide safe stimulation at high resolution or rather with high densities of microelectrodes with improved spatial selectivity. To achieve higher resolution it has become clear that reducing the size of electrodes is required to enable higher electrode counts from the implant device. The limitations of interfacing electrodes including low charge injection limits, mechanical mismatch and foreign body response can be addressed through the use of organic electrode coatings which typically provide a softer, more roughened surface to enable both improved charge transfer and lower mechanical mismatch with neural tissue. Coating electrodes with conductive polymers or carbon nanotubes offers a substantial increase in charge transfer area compared to conventional platinum electrodes. These organic conductors provide safe electrical stimulation of tissue while avoiding undesirable chemical reactions and cell damage. However, the mechanical properties of conductive polymers are not ideal, as they are quite brittle. Hydrogel polymers present a versatile coating option for electrodes as they can be chemically modified to provide a soft and conductive scaffold. However, the in vivo chronic inflammatory response of these conductive hydrogels remains unknown. A more recent approach proposes tissue engineering the electrode interface through the use of encapsulated neurons within hydrogel coatings. This approach may provide a method for activating tissue at the cellular scale, however, several technological challenges must be addressed to demonstrate feasibility of this innovative idea. The review focuses on the various organic coatings which have been investigated to improve neural interface electrodes. PMID:24904405

  10. Frequency response measurements in battery electrodes

    NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

    Thomas, Daniel L.

    1992-01-01

    Electrical impedance spectroscopy was used to investigate the behavior of porous zinc, silver, cadmium, and nickel electrodes. State of charge could be correlated with impedance data for all but the nickel electrodes. State of health was correlated with impedance data for two AgZn cells, one apparently good and the other bad. The impedance data was fit to equivalent circuit models.

  11. Intrinsic anomalous surface roughening of TiN films deposited by reactive sputtering

    DOE Office of Scientific and Technical Information (OSTI.GOV)

    Auger, M. A.; Centro Nacional de Investigaciones Metalurgicas; Vazquez, L.

    2006-01-15

    We study surface kinetic roughening of TiN films grown on Si(100) substrates by dc reactive sputtering. The surface morphology of films deposited for different growth times under the same experimental conditions were analyzed by atomic force microscopy. The TiN films exhibit intrinsic anomalous scaling and multiscaling. The film kinetic roughening is characterized by a set of local exponent values {alpha}{sub loc}=1.0 and {beta}{sub loc}=0.39, and global exponent values {alpha}=1.7 and {beta}=0.67, with a coarsening exponent of 1/z=0.39. These properties are correlated to the local height-difference distribution function obeying power-law statistics. We associate this intrinsic anomalous scaling with the instability duemore » to nonlocal shadowing effects that take place during thin-film growth by sputtering.« less

  12. Correlation of Electrode Kinetics with Surface Structure.

    DTIC Science & Technology

    1980-09-01

    platinum and gold electrodes is sufficiently strong so that monolayers are formed upon contact even with small (millimolar) bulk iodide concentrations...transition-metal reactants, we have monitored the effects of altering the electrode material from mercury to silver, platinum, and gold upon the...strikingly different behavior for the reduction of Co III(NH3)5X and Co II(en)2X2 at platinum and gold electrodes. 1 0 For halide bridging ligands (X

  13. A microfluidic glucose sensor incorporating a novel thread-based electrode system.

    PubMed

    Gaines, Michelle; Gonzalez-Guerrero, Maria Jose; Uchida, Kathryn; Gomez, Frank A

    2018-05-01

    An electrochemical sensor for the detection of glucose using thread-based electrodes and fabric is described. This device is relatively simple to fabricate and can be used for multiple readings after washing with ethanol. The fabrication of the chip consisted of two steps. First, three thread-based electrodes (reference, working, and counter) were fabricated by painting pieces of nylon thread with either layered silver ink and carbon ink or silver/silver chloride ink. The threads were then woven into a fabric chip with a beeswax barrier molded around the edges in order to prevent leaks from the tested solutions. A thread-based working electrode consisting of one layer of silver underneath two layers of carbon was selected to fabricate the final sensor system. Using the chip, a PBS solution containing glucose oxidase (GOx) (10 mg/mL), potassium ferricyanide (K 3 [Fe(CN) 6 ]) (10 mg/mL) as mediator, and different concentrations of glucose (0-25 mM), was measured by cyclic voltammetry (CV). It was found that the current output from the oxidation of glucose was proportional to the glucose concentrations. This thread-based electrode system is a viable sensor platform for detecting glucose in the physiological range. This article is protected by copyright. All rights reserved. This article is protected by copyright. All rights reserved.

  14. Controlled atmosphere for fabrication of cermet electrodes

    DOEpatents

    Ray, Siba P.; Woods, Robert W.

    1998-01-01

    A process for making an inert electrode composite wherein a metal oxide and a metal are reacted in a gaseous atmosphere at an elevated temperature of at least about 750.degree. C. The metal oxide is at least one of the nickel, iron, tin, zinc and zirconium oxides and the metal is copper, silver, a mixture of copper and silver or a copper-silver alloy. The gaseous atmosphere has an oxygen content that is controlled at about 5-3000 ppm in order to obtain a desired composition in the resulting composite.

  15. Controlled atmosphere for fabrication of cermet electrodes

    DOEpatents

    Ray, S.P.; Woods, R.W.

    1998-08-11

    A process is disclosed for making an inert electrode composite wherein a metal oxide and a metal are reacted in a gaseous atmosphere at an elevated temperature of at least about 750 C. The metal oxide is at least one of the nickel, iron, tin, zinc and zirconium oxides and the metal is copper, silver, a mixture of copper and silver or a copper-silver alloy. The gaseous atmosphere has an oxygen content that is controlled at about 5--3000 ppm in order to obtain a desired composition in the resulting composite. 2 figs.

  16. Synthesis of silver nanowires using hydrothermal technique for flexible transparent electrode application

    NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

    Vijila, C. V. Mary; Rahman, K. K. Arsina; Parvathy, N. S.; Jayaraj, M. K.

    2016-05-01

    Transparent conducting films are becoming increasingly interesting because of their applications in electronics industry such as their use in solar energy applications. In this work silver nanowires were synthesized using solvothermal method by reducing silver nitrate and adding sodium chloride for assembling silver into nanowires. Absorption spectra of nanowires in the form of a dispersion in deionized water, AFM and SEM images confirm the nanowire formation. Solution of nanowire was coated over PET films to obtain transparent conducting films.

  17. Synthesis of silver nanowires using hydrothermal technique for flexible transparent electrode application

    DOE Office of Scientific and Technical Information (OSTI.GOV)

    Vijila, C. V. Mary; Rahman, K. K. Arsina; Parvathy, N. S.

    2016-05-23

    Transparent conducting films are becoming increasingly interesting because of their applications in electronics industry such as their use in solar energy applications. In this work silver nanowires were synthesized using solvothermal method by reducing silver nitrate and adding sodium chloride for assembling silver into nanowires. Absorption spectra of nanowires in the form of a dispersion in deionized water, AFM and SEM images confirm the nanowire formation. Solution of nanowire was coated over PET films to obtain transparent conducting films.

  18. A numerical investigation of the crystallographic texture effect on the surface roughening in aluminum polycrystals

    NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

    Romanova, V.; Balokhonov, R.; Batukhtina, E.; Zinovieva, O.; Bezmozgiy, I.

    2015-10-01

    The results of a numerical analysis of the mesoscale surface roughening in a polycrystalline aluminum alloy exposed to uniaxial tension are presented. A 3D finite-element model taking an explicit account of grain structure is developed. The model describes a constitutive behavior of the material on the grain scale, using anisotropic elasticity and crystal plasticity theory. The effects of the grain shape and texture on the deformation-induced roughening are investigated. Calculation results have shown that surface roughness is much higher and develops at the highest rate in a polycrystal with equiaxed grains where both the micro- and mesoscale surface displacements are observed.

  19. Determination of glucose in human urine by cyclic voltammetry method using gold electrode

    NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

    Riyanto; Supwatul Hakim, Muh.

    2018-01-01

    This study has been the determination of glucose in human urine by cyclic voltammetry method using gold electrode. The gold electrode was prepared using gold wire with purity 99.99%, size 1.0 mm by length and wide respectively, connected with silver wire using silver conductive paint. The effect of electrolyte, pH and glucose concentration has been determined to produce the optimum method. The research showed the KNO3 is a good electrolyte for determination of glucose in human urine using gold electrode. The effect of glucose concentration have the coefficient correlation is R2 = 0.994. The results of the recovery using addition method showed at range95-105%. As a conclusion isa gold electrode is a good electrode for electrochemical sensors to the determination of glucose in human urine.

  20. Evaluation of a Ag/Ag 2S reference electrode with long-term stability for electrochemistry in ionic liquids

    DOE PAGES

    Horwood, Corie; Stadermann, Michael

    2018-02-08

    We report on a reference electrode designed for use in ionic liquids, based on a silver wire coated with silver sulfide. The reference electrode potential is determined by the concentrations of Ag + and S 2-, which are established by the solubility of the Ag 2S coating on the Ag wire. While potential shifts of >100 mV during an experiment have been reported when using silver or platinum wire quasi-reference electrodes, the reference electrode reported here provides a stable potential over several months of experimental use. Additionally, our reference electrode can be prepared and used in a normal air atmosphere,more » and does not need to be assembled and used in a glovebox, or protected from light. In conclusion, the reference electrode has been characterized by voltammetry measurements of ferrocene and cobaltocenium hexafluorophosphate, and was found to slowly drift to more positive potentials at a rate of <1 mV/day for five of the six ionic liquids investigated.« less

  1. Evaluation of a Ag/Ag 2S reference electrode with long-term stability for electrochemistry in ionic liquids

    DOE Office of Scientific and Technical Information (OSTI.GOV)

    Horwood, Corie; Stadermann, Michael

    We report on a reference electrode designed for use in ionic liquids, based on a silver wire coated with silver sulfide. The reference electrode potential is determined by the concentrations of Ag + and S 2-, which are established by the solubility of the Ag 2S coating on the Ag wire. While potential shifts of >100 mV during an experiment have been reported when using silver or platinum wire quasi-reference electrodes, the reference electrode reported here provides a stable potential over several months of experimental use. Additionally, our reference electrode can be prepared and used in a normal air atmosphere,more » and does not need to be assembled and used in a glovebox, or protected from light. In conclusion, the reference electrode has been characterized by voltammetry measurements of ferrocene and cobaltocenium hexafluorophosphate, and was found to slowly drift to more positive potentials at a rate of <1 mV/day for five of the six ionic liquids investigated.« less

  2. Silver nanoparticles-coated glass frits for silicon solar cells

    NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

    Li, Yingfen; Gan, Weiping; Li, Biyuan

    2016-04-01

    Silver nanoparticles-coated glass frit composite powders for silicon solar cells were prepared by electroless plating. Silver colloids were used as the activating agent of glass frits. The products were characterized by X-ray diffraction, scanning electron microscopy, and differential scanning calorimetry. The characterization results indicated that silver nanoparticles with the melting temperature of 838 °C were uniformly deposited on glass frit surface. The particle size of silver nanoparticles could be controlled by adjusting the [Ag(NH3)2]NO3 concentration. The as-prepared composite powders were applied in the front side metallization of silicon solar cells. Compared with those based on pure glass frits, the solar cells containing the composite powders had the denser silver electrodes and the better silver-silicon ohmic contacts. Furthermore, the photovoltaic performances of solar cells were improved after the electroless plating.

  3. Methyl parathion detection in vegetables and fruits using silver@graphene nanoribbons nanocomposite modified screen printed electrode

    NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

    Govindasamy, Mani; Mani, Veerappan; Chen, Shen-Ming; Chen, Tse-Wei; Sundramoorthy, Ashok Kumar

    2017-04-01

    We have developed a sensitive electrochemical sensor for Organophosphorus pesticide methyl parathion (MP) using silver particles supported graphene nanoribbons (Ag@GNRs). The Ag@GNRs nanocomposite was prepared through facile wet chemical strategy and characterized by TEM, EDX, XRD, Raman, UV-visible, electrochemical and impedance spectroscopies. The Ag@GNRs film modified screen printed carbon electrode (SPCE) delivers excellent electrocatalytic ability to the reduction of MP. The Ag@GNRs/SPCE detects sub-nanomolar concentrations of MP with excellent selectivity. The synergic effects between special electrocatalytic ability of Ag and excellent physicochemical properties of GNRs (large surface area, high conductivity, high area-normalized edge-plane structures and abundant catalytic sites) make the composite highly suitable for MP sensing. Most importantly, the method is successfully demonstrated in vegetables and fruits which revealed its potential real-time applicability in food analysis.

  4. Phase formation in selected surface-roughened plasma-nitrided 304 austenite stainless steel.

    PubMed

    Singh, Gajendra Prasad; Joseph, Alphonsa; Raole, Prakash Manohar; Barhai, Prema Kanta; Mukherjee, Subroto

    2008-04-01

    Direct current (DC) glow discharge plasma nitriding was carried out on three selected surface-roughened AISI 304 stainless steel samples at 833 K under 4 mbar pressures for 24 h in the presence of N 2 :H 2 gas mixtures of 50 : 50 ratios. After plasma nitriding, the phase formation, case depth, surface roughness, and microhardness of a plasma-nitrided layer were evaluated by glancing angle x-ray diffractogram, optical microscope, stylus profilometer, and Vickers microhardness tester techniques. The case depth, surface hardness, and phase formation variations were observed with a variation in initial surface roughness. The diffraction patterns of the plasma-nitrided samples showed the modified intensities of the α and γ phases along with those of the CrN, Fe 4 N, and Fe 3 N phases. Hardness and case depth variations were observed with a variation in surface roughness. A maximum hardness of 1058 Hv and a case depth of 95 μm were achieved in least surface-roughened samples.

  5. Surface kinetic roughening caused by dental erosion: An atomic force microscopy study

    NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

    Quartarone, Eliana; Mustarelli, Piercarlo; Poggio, Claudio; Lombardini, Marco

    2008-05-01

    Surface kinetic roughening takes place both in case of growth and erosion processes. Teeth surfaces are eroded by contact with acid drinks, such as those used to supplement mineral salts during sporting activities. Calcium-phosphate based (CPP-ACP) pastes are known to reduce the erosion process, and to favour the enamel remineralization. In this study we used atomic force microscopy (AFM) to investigate the surface roughening during dental erosion, and the mechanisms at the basis of the protection role exerted by a commercial CPP-ACP paste. We found a statistically significant difference (p<0.01) in the roughness of surfaces exposed and not exposed to the acid solutions. The treatment with the CPP-ACP paste determined a statistically significant reduction of the roughness values. By interpreting the AFM results in terms of fractal scaling concepts and continuum stochastic equations, we showed that the protection mechanism of the paste depends on the chemical properties of the acid solution.

  6. Amperometric determination of total phenolic content in wine by laccase immobilized onto silver nanoparticles/zinc oxide nanoparticles modified gold electrode.

    PubMed

    Chawla, Sheetal; Rawal, Rachna; Kumar, Dheeraj; Pundir, Chandra Shekhar

    2012-11-01

    A method is described for construction of a highly sensitive amperometric biosensor for measurement of total phenolic compounds in wine by immobilizing laccase covalently onto nanocomposite of silver nanoparticles (AgNPs)/zinc oxide nanoparticles (ZnONPs) electrochemically deposited onto gold (Au) electrode. Scanning electron microscopy, X-ray diffraction, and electrochemical impedance spectroscopy were applied for characterization of the surface morphology of the modified electrode, and cyclic voltammetry was used to investigate the electrochemical properties of the proposed electrode toward the oxidation of guaiacol. The linearity between the oxidation current and the guaiacol concentration was obtained in a range of 0.1 to 500μM with a detection limit of 0.05μM (signal-to-noise ratio (S/N)=3) and sensitivity of 0.71μAμM(-1)cm(-2). The electrode showed increased oxidation and reduced reduction current with the deposition of AgNPs/ZnONPs on it. R(CT) values of ZnONPs/Au, AgNPs/ZnONPs/Au, and laccase/AgNPs/ZnONPs/Au electrode were 220, 175, and 380Ω, respectively. The biosensor showed an optimal response within 8s at pH 6.0 (0.1M acetate buffer) and 35°C when operated at 0.22V against Ag/AgCl. Analytical recovery of added guaiacol was 98%. The method showed a good correlation (r=0.99) with the standard spectrophotometric method, with the regression equation being y=1.0053x-3.5541. The biosensor lost 25% of its initial activity after 200 uses over 5months. Copyright © 2012 Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.

  7. Optimization of method for zinc analysis in several bee products on renewable mercury film silver based electrode.

    PubMed

    Opoka, Włodzimierz; Szlósarczyk, Marek; Maślanka, Anna; Piech, Robert; Baś, Bogusław; Włodarczyk, Edyta; Krzek, Jan

    2013-01-01

    Zinc is an interesting target for detection as it is one of the elements necessary for the proper functioning of the human body, its excess and deficiency can cause several symptoms. Several techniques including electrochemistry have been developed but require laboratory equipment, preparative steps and mercury or complex working electrodes. We here described the development of a robust, simple and commercially available electrochemical system. Differential pulse (DP) voltammetry was used for this purpose with the cyclic renewable mercury film silver based electrode (Hg(Ag)FE) and 0.05 M KNO3 solution as a supporting electrolyte. The effect of various factors such as: preconcentration potential and time, pulse amplitude and width, step potential and supporting electrolyte composition are optimized. The limits of detection (LOD) and quantification (LOQ) were 1.62 ng/mL and 4.85 ng/mL, respectively. The repeatability of the method at a concentration level of the analyte as low as 3 ng/mL, expressed as RSD is 3.5% (n = 6). Recovery was determined using certified reference material: Virginia Tobacco Leaves (CTA-VTL-2). The recovery of zinc ranged from 96.6 to 106.5%. The proposed method was successfully applied for determination of zinc in bee products (honey, propolis and diet supplements) after digestion procedure.

  8. Fisher waves and front roughening in a two-species invasion model with preemptive competition.

    PubMed

    O'Malley, L; Kozma, B; Korniss, G; Rácz, Z; Caraco, T

    2006-10-01

    We study front propagation when an invading species competes with a resident; we assume nearest-neighbor preemptive competition for resources in an individual-based, two-dimensional lattice model. The asymptotic front velocity exhibits an effective power-law dependence on the difference between the two species' clonal propagation rates (key ecological parameters). The mean-field approximation behaves similarly, but the power law's exponent slightly differs from the individual-based model's result. We also study roughening of the front, using the framework of nonequilibrium interface growth. Our analysis indicates that initially flat, linear invading fronts exhibit Kardar-Parisi-Zhang (KPZ) roughening in one transverse dimension. Further, this finding implies, and is also confirmed by simulations, that the temporal correction to the asymptotic front velocity is of O(t(-2/3)).

  9. The effect of liquid configuration in porous gas electrodes.

    NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

    Katan, T.; Grens, E. A., II

    1971-01-01

    Measurement of the influence of differential pressure on electrode activity in oxygen cathodes made up of beds of uniform silver spheres (156 micron diameter). The extent and nature of this dependence could be explained through use of the concept of pendular and funicular liquid configuration in the pore space of the electrode.

  10. Control of Silver Diffusion in Low-Temperature Co-Fired Diopside Glass-Ceramic Microwave Dielectrics

    PubMed Central

    Chou, Chen-Chia; Chang, Chun-Yao; Chen, Guang-Yu; Feng, Kuei-Chih; Tsao, Chung-Ya

    2017-01-01

    Electrode material for low-temperature co-fired diopside glass-ceramic used for microwave dielectrics was investigated in the present work. Diffusion of silver from the electrode to diopside glass-ceramics degrades the performance of the microwave dielectrics. Two approaches were adopted to resolve the problem of silver diffusion. Firstly, silicon-oxide (SiO2) powder was employed and secondly crystalline phases were chosen to modify the sintering behavior and inhibit silver ions diffusion. Nanoscale amorphous SiO2 powder turns to the quartz phase uniformly in dielectric material during the sintering process, and prevents the silver from diffusion. The chosen crystalline phase mixing into the glass-ceramics enhances crystallinity of the material and inhibits silver diffusion as well. The result provides a method to decrease the diffusivity of silver ions by adding the appropriate amount of SiO2 and appropriate crystalline ceramics in diopside glass-ceramic dielectric materials. Finally, we used IEEE 802.11a 5.8 GHz as target specification to manufacture LTCC antenna and the results show that a good broadband antenna was made using CaMgSi2O6 with 4 wt % silicon oxide. PMID:29286330

  11. Electrodic voltages in the presence of dissolved sulfide: Implications for monitoring natural microbial activity

    DOE Office of Scientific and Technical Information (OSTI.GOV)

    Slater, L.; Ntarlagiannis, D.; Yee, N.

    2008-10-01

    There is growing interest in the development of new monitoring strategies for obtaining spatially extensive data diagnostic of microbial processes occurring in the earth. Open-circuit potentials arising from variable redox conditions in the fluid local-to-electrode surfaces (electrodic potentials) were recorded for a pair of silver-silver chloride electrodes in a column experiment, whereby a natural wetland soil containing a known community of sulfate reducers was continuously fed with a sulfate-rich nutrient medium. Measurements were made between five electrodes equally spaced along the column and a reference electrode placed on the column inflow. The presence of a sulfate reducing microbial population, coupledmore » with observations of decreasing sulfate levels, formation of black precipitate (likely iron sulfide),elevated solid phase sulfide, and a characteristic sulfurous smell, suggest microbial-driven sulfate reduction (sulfide generation) in our column. Based on the known sensitivity of a silver electrode to dissolved sulfide concentration, we interpret the electrodic potentials approaching 700 mV recorded in this experiment as an indicator of the bisulfide (HS-) concentration gradients in the column. The measurement of the spatial and temporal variation in these electrodic potentials provides a simple and rapid method for monitoring patterns of relative HS- concentration that are indicative of the activity of sulfate-reducing bacteria. Our measurements have implications both for the autonomous monitoring of anaerobic microbial processes in the subsurface and the performance of self-potential electrodes, where it is critical to isolate, and perhaps quantify, electrochemical interfaces contributing to observed potentials.« less

  12. Laser patterning of platinum electrodes for safe neurostimulation

    NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

    Green, R. A.; Matteucci, P. B.; Dodds, C. W. D.; Palmer, J.; Dueck, W. F.; Hassarati, R. T.; Byrnes-Preston, P. J.; Lovell, N. H.; Suaning, G. J.

    2014-10-01

    Objective. Laser surface modification of platinum (Pt) electrodes was investigated for use in neuroprosthetics. Surface modification was applied to increase the surface area of the electrode and improve its ability to transfer charge within safe electrochemical stimulation limits. Approach. Electrode arrays were laser micromachined to produce Pt electrodes with smooth surfaces, which were then modified with four laser patterning techniques to produce surface structures which were nanosecond patterned, square profile, triangular profile and roughened on the micron scale through structured laser interference patterning (SLIP). Improvements in charge transfer were shown through electrochemical impedance spectroscopy (EIS), cyclic voltammetry (CV) and biphasic stimulation at clinically relevant levels. A new method was investigated and validated which enabled the assessment of in vivo electrochemically safe charge injection limits. Main results. All of the modified surfaces provided electrical advantage over the smooth Pt. The SLIP surface provided the greatest benefit both in vitro and in vivo, and this surface was the only type which had injection limits above the threshold for neural stimulation, at a level shown to produce a response in the feline visual cortex when using an electrode array implanted in the suprachoroidal space of the eye. This surface was found to be stable when stimulated with more than 150 million clinically relevant pulses in physiological saline. Significance. Critical to the assessment of implant devices is accurate determination of safe usage limits in an in vivo environment. Laser patterning, in particular SLIP, is a superior technique for improving the performance of implant electrodes without altering the interfacial electrode chemistry through coating. Future work will require chronic in vivo assessment of these electrode patterns.

  13. Smoothing and roughening of slip surfaces in direct shear experiments

    NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

    Sagy, Amir; Badt, Nir; Hatzor, Yossef H.

    2015-04-01

    , increases as a function of slip amount. The roughness measured after slip can be fitted by a power-law similar to that of the initial tensile surface. In the next series of experiments a similar procedure is applied when the roughness evolution is measured as a function of increasing normal stress for a fixed displacement amount of 10 mm. While samples sheared under a constant normal stress of 5 MPa generated surface smoothing, shearing under normal stress of 7.5 MPa to 15 MPa exhibited surface roughening at the measured range of scales. We find that roughening is correlated with the attained peak shear stress values, stress drop (peak shear stress minus residual shear stress) and with wear accumulation, a novel measurement procedure of which is developed here. Analysis of the sheared samples shows that roughening is generated by sets of dense fractures that significantly damaged the sample in the immediate proximity to large asperities. This roughening is related to penetrative damage during transient wear in rough surfaces.

  14. Photoelectrolytic production of hydrogen using semiconductor electrodes

    NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

    Byvik, C. E.; Walker, G. H.

    1976-01-01

    Experimental data for the photoelectrolytic production of hydrogen using GaAs photoanodes was presented. Four types of GaAs anodes were investigated: polished GaAs, GaAs coated with gold, GaAs coated with silver, and GaAs coated with tin. The maximum measured efficiency using a tungsten light source was 8.9 percent for polished GaAs electrodes and 6.3 percent for tin coated GaAs electrodes.

  15. AAO-CNTs electrode on microfluidic flow injection system for rapid iodide sensing.

    PubMed

    Phokharatkul, Ditsayut; Karuwan, Chanpen; Lomas, Tanom; Nacapricha, Duangjai; Wisitsoraat, Anurat; Tuantranont, Adisorn

    2011-06-15

    In this work, carbon nanotubes (CNTs) nanoarrays in anodized aluminum oxide (AAO-CNTs) nanopore is integrated on a microfluidic flow injection system for in-channel electrochemical detection of iodide. The device was fabricated from PDMS (polydimethylsiloxane) microchannel bonded on glass substrates that contains three-electrode electrochemical system, including AAO-CNTs as a working electrode, silver as a reference electrode and platinum as an auxiliary electrode. Aluminum, stainless steel catalyst, silver and platinum layers were sputtered on the glass substrate through shadow masks. Aluminum layer was then anodized by two-step anodization process to form nanopore template. CNTs were then grown in AAO template by thermal chemical vapor deposition. The amperometric detection of iodide was performed in 500-μm-wide and 100-μm-deep microchannels on the microfluidic chip. The influences of flow rate, injection volume and detection potential on the current response were optimized. From experimental results, AAO-CNTs electrode on chip offers higher sensitivity and wider dynamic range than CNTs electrode with no AAO template. Copyright © 2011 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.

  16. Machined versus roughened immediately loaded and finally restored single implants inserted flapless: Preliminary 6-month data from a split- mouth randomised controlled trial.

    PubMed

    Cannizzaro, Gioacchino; Felice, Pietro; Loi, Ignazio; Viola, Paolo; Ferri, Vittorio; Leone, Michele; Lazzarini, Matteo; Trullenque-Eriksson, Anna; Esposito, Marco

    To compare the outcome of immediately loaded single implants with a machined or a roughened surface. Fifty patients had two implant sites randomly allocated to receive flaplessplaced single Syra implants (Sweden & Martina), one with a machined and one with a roughened surface (sand-blasted with zirconia powder and acid etched), according to a split-mouth design. To be loaded immediately, implants had to be inserted with a torque superior to 50 Ncm. Implants were restored with definitive crowns in direct occlusal contact within 48 h. Patients were followed for 6 months after loading. Outcome measures were prosthetic and implant failures and complications. Two machined implants and four roughened implants were not loaded immediately. Six months after loading no dropout occurred. One implant loaded late, which had a rough implant surface, failed 20 days after loading (P (McNemar test) = 0.625; difference in proportions = -0.04; 95% CI: -0.15 to 0.07). Three crowns had to be remade on machined implants and four on roughened implants (P (McNemar test) = 1.000; difference in proportions = -0.02; 95% CI: -0.12 to 0.08). Three machined and five roughened implants experienced complications (P (McNemar test) = 0.625; difference in proportions = -0.04; 95% CI: -0.15 to 0.07). There were no statistically significant differences between groups for crown and implant losses as well as complications. Up to 6 months after loading both machined and roughened flapless-placed and immediately loaded single implants provided good and similar results, however, longer follow-ups are needed to evaluate the long-term prognosis of implants with different surfaces.

  17. Nanoscale current spreading analysis in solution-processed graphene oxide/silver nanowire transparent electrodes via conductive atomic force microscopy

    DOE Office of Scientific and Technical Information (OSTI.GOV)

    Shaw, Joseph E.; Perumal, Ajay; Bradley, Donal D. C.

    2016-05-21

    We use conductive atomic force microscopy (CAFM) to study the origin of long-range conductivity in model transparent conductive electrodes composed of networks of reduced graphene oxide (rGO{sub X}) and silver nanowires (AgNWs), with nanoscale spatial resolution. Pristine networks of rGO{sub X} (1–3 monolayers-thick) and AgNWs exhibit sheet resistances of ∼100–1000 kΩ/□ and 100–900 Ω/□, respectively. When the materials are deposited sequentially to form bilayer rGO{sub X}/AgNW electrodes and thermally annealed at 200 °C, the sheet resistance reduces by up to 36% as compared to pristine AgNW networks. CAFM was used to analyze the current spreading in both systems in order to identify themore » nanoscale phenomena responsible for this effect. For rGO{sub X} networks, the low intra-flake conductivity and the inter-flake contact resistance is found to dominate the macroscopic sheet resistance, while for AgNW networks the latter is determined by the density of the inter-AgNW junctions and their associated resistance. In the case of the bilayer rGO{sub X}/AgNWs' networks, rGO{sub X} flakes are found to form conductive “bridges” between AgNWs. We show that these additional nanoscopic electrical connections are responsible for the enhanced macroscopic conductivity of the bilayer rGO{sub X}/AgNW electrodes. Finally, the critical role of thermal annealing on the formation of these nanoscopic connections is discussed.« less

  18. Wearable multifunctional sensors using printed stretchable conductors made of silver nanowires

    NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

    Yao, Shanshan; Zhu, Yong

    2014-01-01

    Considerable efforts have been made to achieve highly sensitive and wearable sensors that can simultaneously detect multiple stimuli such as stretch, pressure, temperature or touch. Here we develop highly stretchable multifunctional sensors that can detect strain (up to 50%), pressure (up to ~1.2 MPa) and finger touch with high sensitivity, fast response time (~40 ms) and good pressure mapping function. The reported sensors utilize the capacitive sensing mechanism, where silver nanowires are used as electrodes (conductors) and Ecoflex is used as a dielectric. The silver nanowire electrodes are screen printed. Our sensors have been demonstrated for several wearable applications including monitoring thumb movement, sensing the strain of the knee joint in patellar reflex (knee-jerk) and other human motions such as walking, running and jumping from squatting, illustrating the potential utilities of such sensors in robotic systems, prosthetics, healthcare and flexible touch panels.Considerable efforts have been made to achieve highly sensitive and wearable sensors that can simultaneously detect multiple stimuli such as stretch, pressure, temperature or touch. Here we develop highly stretchable multifunctional sensors that can detect strain (up to 50%), pressure (up to ~1.2 MPa) and finger touch with high sensitivity, fast response time (~40 ms) and good pressure mapping function. The reported sensors utilize the capacitive sensing mechanism, where silver nanowires are used as electrodes (conductors) and Ecoflex is used as a dielectric. The silver nanowire electrodes are screen printed. Our sensors have been demonstrated for several wearable applications including monitoring thumb movement, sensing the strain of the knee joint in patellar reflex (knee-jerk) and other human motions such as walking, running and jumping from squatting, illustrating the potential utilities of such sensors in robotic systems, prosthetics, healthcare and flexible touch panels. Electronic

  19. Facile Synthesis of Silver Nanowires with Different Aspect Ratios and Used as High-Performance Flexible Transparent Electrodes

    NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

    Xue, Qingwen; Yao, Weijing; Liu, Jun; Tian, Qingyong; Liu, Li; Li, Mengxiao; Lu, Qiang; Peng, Rui; Wu, Wei

    2017-08-01

    Silver nanowires (Ag NWs) are the promising materials to fabricate flexible transparent electrodes, aiming to replace indium tin oxide (ITO) in the next generation of flexible electronics. Herein, a feasible polyvinylpyrrolidone (PVP)-mediated polyol synthesis of Ag NWs with different aspect ratios is demonstrated and high-quality Ag NWs transparent electrodes (NTEs) are fabricated without high-temperature thermal sintering. When employing the mixture of PVP with different average molecular weight as the capping agent, the diameters of Ag NWs can be tailored and Ag NWs with different aspect ratios varying from ca. 30 to ca. 1000 are obtained. Using these as-synthesized Ag NWs, the uniform Ag NWs films are fabricated by repeated spin coating. When the aspect ratios exceed 500, the optoelectronic performance of Ag NWs films improve remarkably and match up to those of ITO films. Moreover, an optimal Ag NTEs with low sheet resistance of 11.4 Ω/sq and a high parallel transmittance of 91.6% at 550 nm are achieved when the aspect ratios reach almost 1000. In addition, the sheet resistance of Ag NWs films does not show great variation after 400 cycles of bending test, suggesting an excellent flexibility. The proposed approach to fabricate highly flexible and high-performance Ag NTEs would be useful to the development of flexible devices.

  20. Dry writing of highly conductive electrodes on papers by using silver nanoparticle-graphene hybrid pencils.

    PubMed

    Park, Jun-Ho; Park, Myung-Joo; Lee, Jang-Sik

    2017-01-05

    The development of paper electronics would enable realization of extremely cheap devices for portable, disposable, and environmentally-benign electronics. Here, we propose a simple dry-writing tool similar to a pencil, which can be used to draw electrically conducting lines on paper for use in paper-based electronic devices. The fabricated pencil is composed of silver nanoparticles decorated on graphene layers to construct layered hybrid nanostructures. This pencil can draw highly conductive lines that are flexible and foldable on conventional papers. Electrodes drawn using this pencil on conventional copy paper are stable during repetitive mechanical folding and highly resistant to moisture/chemicals. This pencil can draw a conductive line where its resistance can be tuned by changing the amount of nanoparticles. A nonvolatile memory device is realized on papers by hand written lines with different resistance. All memory elements are composed of carbons on papers, so complete data security can be achieved by burning the memory papers. This work will provide a new opportunity to fabricate electronic devices on real papers with good conductivity as well as robust mechanical/chemical stability.

  1. Simultaneous and sensitive determination of ascorbic acid, dopamine, uric acid, and tryptophan with silver nanoparticles-decorated reduced graphene oxide modified electrode.

    PubMed

    Kaur, Balwinder; Pandiyan, Thangarasu; Satpati, Biswarup; Srivastava, Rajendra

    2013-11-01

    In this paper, we report the synthesis of silver nanoparticle-decorated reduced graphene oxide composite (AgNPs/rGO) by heating the mixture of graphene oxide and silver nitrate aqueous solution in the presence of sodium hydroxide. This material was characterized by means of X-ray diffraction, UV-vis spectroscopy, and transmission electron microscopy. AgNPs/rGO based electrochemical sensor was fabricated for the simultaneous determination of ascorbic acid, dopamine, uric acid, and tryptophan. Electrochemical studies were carried out by using cyclic voltammetry, linear sweep voltammetry, and chronoamperometry. AgNPs/rGO modified electrode exhibited excellent electrocatalytic activity, stability, sensitivity, and selectivity with well-separated oxidation peaks toward ascorbic acid, dopamine, uric acid, and tryptophan in the simultaneous determination of their quaternary mixture. The analytical performance of this material as a chemical sensor was demonstrated for the determination of ascorbic acid and dopamine in commercial pharmaceutical samples such as vitamin C tablets and dopamine injections, respectively. The applicability of this sensor was also extended in the determination of uric acid in human urine samples. Copyright © 2013 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.

  2. Study of transmission function and electronic transport in one dimensional silver nanowire: Ab-initio method using density functional theory (DFT)

    NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

    Thakur, Anil; Kashyap, Rajinder

    2018-05-01

    Single nanowire electrode devices have their application in variety of fields which vary from information technology to solar energy. Silver nanowires, made in an aqueous chemical reduction process, can be reacted with gold salt to create bimetallic nanowires. Silver nanowire can be used as electrodes in batteries and have many other applications. In this paper we investigated structural and electronic transport properties of Ag nanowire using density functional theory (DFT) with SIESTA code. Electronic transport properties of Ag nanowire have been studied theoretically. First of all an optimized geometry for Ag nanowire is obtained using DFT calculations, and then the transport relations are obtained using NEGF approach. SIESTA and TranSIESTA simulation codes are used in the calculations respectively. The electrodes are chosen to be the same as the central region where transport is studied, eliminating current quantization effects due to contacts and focusing the electronic transport study to the intrinsic structure of the material. By varying chemical potential in the electrode regions, an I-V curve is traced which is in agreement with the predicted behavior. Bulk properties of Ag are in agreement with experimental values which make the study of electronic and transport properties in silver nanowires interesting because they are promising materials as bridging pieces in nanoelectronics. Transmission coefficient and V-I characteristic of Ag nano wire reveals that silver nanowire can be used as an electrode device.

  3. Electrochemical Study and Applications of Selective Electrodeposition of Silver on Quantum Dots.

    PubMed

    Martín-Yerga, Daniel; Rama, Estefanía Costa; Costa-García, Agustín

    2016-04-05

    In this work, selective electrodeposition of silver on quantum dots is described. The particular characteristics of the nanostructured silver thus obtained are studied by electrochemical and microscopic techniques. On one hand, quantum dots were found to catalyze the silver electrodeposition, and on the other hand, a strong adsorption between electrodeposited silver and quantum dots was observed, indicated by two silver stripping processes. Nucleation of silver nanoparticles followed different mechanisms depending on the surface (carbon or quantum dots). Voltammetric and confocal microscopy studies showed the great influence of electrodeposition time on surface coating, and high-resolution transmission electron microscopy (HRTEM) imaging confirmed the initial formation of Janus-like Ag@QD nanoparticles in this process. By use of moderate electrodeposition conditions such as 50 μM silver, -0.1 V, and 60 s, the silver was deposited only on quantum dots, allowing the generation of localized nanostructured electrode surfaces. This methodology can also be employed for sensing applications, showing a promising ultrasensitive electrochemical method for quantum dot detection.

  4. Anomalous spectral correlations between SERS enhancement and far-field optical responses in roughened Au mesoparticles

    NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

    Huang, Yu; Chen, Yun; Gao, Weixiang; Yang, Zhengxuan; Wang, Lingling

    2018-04-01

    Depending on the experimental conditions and plasmonic systems, the correlations between near-field surface enhanced Raman scattering (SERS) behaviors and far-field optical responses have sometimes been accepted directly, or argued, or explored. In this work, we have numerically demonstrated the anomalous spectral correlations between the near- and far-field properties for roughened Au mesoparticles. As a counterexample, it is witnessed that the dipole extinction peak of the mesoparticles may mislead us in seeking favorable SERS performance. The simple Rayleigh scattering spectra can also be misguided in the presence of dark modes. For roughened mesoparticles with a moderate size here, the huge near-field enhancement is a synergistic result of the overall dark quadrupole mode and the substructural bonding dipole coupling. The conclusions demonstrated here would be of general interest to the field of plasmonics, especially the optimization of single-particle SERS substrates.

  5. A new method for measuring low resistivity contacts between silver and YBa2Cu3O(7-x) superconductor

    NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

    Hsi, Chi-Shiung; Haertling, Gene H.; Sherrill, Max D.

    1991-01-01

    Several methods of measuring contact resistivity between silver electrodes and YBa2Cu3O(7-x) superconductors were investigated; including the two-point, the three point, and the lap-joint methods. The lap-joint method was found to yield the most consistent and reliable results and is proposed as a new technique for this measurement. Painting, embedding, and melting methods were used to apply the electrodes to the superconductor. Silver electrodes produced good ohmic contacts to YBa2Cu3O(7-x) superconductors with contact resistivities as low as 1.9 x 10 to the -9th ohm sq cm.

  6. Spinal cord electrophysiology II: extracellular suction electrode fabrication.

    PubMed

    Garudadri, Suresh; Gallarda, Benjamin; Pfaff, Samuel; Alaynick, William

    2011-02-20

    Development of neural circuitries and locomotion can be studied using neonatal rodent spinal cord central pattern generator (CPG) behavior. We demonstrate a method to fabricate suction electrodes that are used to examine CPG activity, or fictive locomotion, in dissected rodent spinal cords. The rodent spinal cords are placed in artificial cerebrospinal fluid and the ventral roots are drawn into the suction electrode. The electrode is constructed by modifying a commercially available suction electrode. A heavier silver wire is used instead of the standard wire given by the commercially available electrode. The glass tip on the commercial electrode is replaced with a plastic tip for increased durability. We prepare hand drawn electrodes and electrodes made from specific sizes of tubing, allowing consistency and reproducibility. Data is collected using an amplifier and neurogram acquisition software. Recordings are performed on an air table within a Faraday cage to prevent mechanical and electrical interference, respectively.

  7. QCM and AFM Study of atomic scale polishing and roughening of surfaces exposed to nanoparticle suspensions of diamond, Al2O3 and SiO2.

    NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

    Krim, Jacqueline; Acharya, Biplav; Chestnut, Melanie; Marek, Antonin; Shendarova, Olga; Smirnov, Alex

    The addition of nanoparticles to conventional automotive lubricants is known in many cases to result in increased energy efficiency, but the atomic scale mechanisms leading to the increased efficiency are yet to be established. To explore this issue, we studied surface uptake and nanotribological properties of nanoparticle suspensions of diamond, Al2O3 and SiO2 dispersed in water and/or oil (PAO6) in real time by means of an in situ Quartz Crystal Microbalance (QCM) technique, with a focus on the impact of the suspension on the surface roughness and texture of the QCM electrode and how the results compared to macroscopic reductions in friction and increased energy efficiency for the same materials' combinations. The frequency and dissipative properties (mechanical resistance) of QCM's with both gold and nickel surface electrodes were first studied for immersed samples upon addition of the nanoparticles. Nanodiamonds resulted in an increased mechanical resistance while the addition of Al2O3 and SiO2 nanoparticles resulted in a decreased resistance, indicating a reduced resistance of the fluid to the motion of the QCM. Atomic Force Microscope (AFM) measurements were then performed on the QCM electrodes after exposure to the suspensions, to explore potential polishing and/or roughening effects. The results are closely linked to the macroscopic friction and wear attributes. Work supported by NSF.

  8. Local heat/mass transfer distributions around sharp 180 deg turns in two-pass smooth and rib-roughened channels

    NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

    Han, J. C.; Chandra, P. R.; Lau, S. C.

    1988-01-01

    The napthalene sublimation technique was employed to study the detailed mass transfer distributions around the sharp 180 deg turns in a two-pass, square, smooth channel and in an identical channel with two rib-roughened opposite walls. Experiments conducted for Reynolds numbers of 15,000, 30,000, and 60,000 indicate that the Sherwood numbers on the top, outer, and inner walls around the turn in the rib-roughened channel are higher than the corresponding Sherwood numbers around the turn in the smooth channel. Sherwood numbers after the sharp turn are found to be higher than those before the turn for both the smooth and the ribbed channels.

  9. Study of reticulated vitreous carbon surface treated by plasma immersion ion implantation for electrodes production

    NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

    Silva, L. L. G.; Conceição, D. A. S.; Oishi, S. S.; Toth, A.; Ueda, M.

    2012-03-01

    RVC samples were treated by nitrogen plasma immersion ion implantation (N-PIII) for electrodes production. High-voltage pulses with amplitudes of -3.0 kV or -10.0 kV were applied to the RVC samples while the treatment time was 10, 20 and 30 min. The samples were characterized by scanning electron microscopy (SEM), X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS) and electrochemical measurements. The SEM images present an apparent enhancement of the surface roughness after the treatment probably due to the surface sputtering during the PIII process. This observation is in agreement with the specific electrochemical surface area (SESA) of RVC electrodes. An increase was observed of the SESA values for the PIII-treated samples compared to the untreated specimen. Some oxygen and nitrogen containing groups were introduced on the RVC surface after the PIII treatment. Both plasma-induced process: the surface roughening and the introduction of the polar species on the RVC surface are beneficial for the RVC electrodes application.

  10. Highly sensitive and selective determination of methylergometrine maleate using carbon nanofibers/silver nanoparticles composite modified carbon paste electrode.

    PubMed

    Kalambate, Pramod K; Rawool, Chaitali R; Karna, Shashi P; Srivastava, Ashwini K

    2016-12-01

    A highly sensitive and selective voltammetric method for determination of Methylergometrine maleate (MM) in pharmaceutical formulations, urine and blood serum samples has been developed based on enhanced electrochemical response of MM at carbon nanofibers and silver nanoparticles modified carbon paste electrode (CNF-AgNP-CPE). The electrode material was characterized by various techniques viz., X-ray diffraction, scanning electron microscopy and energy dispersive X-ray spectroscopy. The electrocatalytic response of MM at CNF-AgNP-CPE was studied by cyclic voltammetry (CV), differential pulse voltammetry (DPV) and electrochemical impedance spectroscopy (EIS). Under optimized conditions, the proposed sensor exhibits excellent electrochemical response towards MM. The DPV study shows greatly enhanced electrochemical signal for MM at CNF-AgNP-CPE lending high sensitivity to the proposed sensor for MM detection. The peak (Ip) current for MM is found to be rectilinear in the range 4.0×10(-8)-2.0×10(-5)M with a detection limit of 7.1×10(-9)M using DPV. The feasibility of the proposed sensor in analytical applications was investigated by conducting experiments on commercial pharmaceutical formulations, human urine and blood serum samples, which yielded satisfactory recoveries of MM. The proposed electrochemical sensor offers high sensitivity, selectivity, reproducibility and practical utility. We recommend it as an authentic and productive electrochemical sensor for successful determination of MM. Copyright © 2016. Published by Elsevier B.V.

  11. Spinal Cord Electrophysiology II: Extracellular Suction Electrode Fabrication

    PubMed Central

    Garudadri, Suresh; Gallarda, Benjamin; Pfaff, Samuel; Alaynick, William

    2011-01-01

    Development of neural circuitries and locomotion can be studied using neonatal rodent spinal cord central pattern generator (CPG) behavior. We demonstrate a method to fabricate suction electrodes that are used to examine CPG activity, or fictive locomotion, in dissected rodent spinal cords. The rodent spinal cords are placed in artificial cerebrospinal fluid and the ventral roots are drawn into the suction electrode. The electrode is constructed by modifying a commercially available suction electrode. A heavier silver wire is used instead of the standard wire given by the commercially available electrode. The glass tip on the commercial electrode is replaced with a plastic tip for increased durability. We prepare hand drawn electrodes and electrodes made from specific sizes of tubing, allowing consistency and reproducibility. Data is collected using an amplifier and neurogram acquisition software. Recordings are performed on an air table within a Faraday cage to prevent mechanical and electrical interference, respectively. PMID:21372792

  12. Effects of Flexible Dry Electrode Design on Electrodermal Activity Stimulus Response Detection.

    PubMed

    Haddad, Peter A; Servati, Amir; Soltanian, Saeid; Ko, Frank; Servati, Peyman

    2017-12-01

    The focus of this research is to evaluate the effects of design parameters including surface area, distance between and geometry of dry flexible electrodes on electrodermal activity (EDA) stimulus response detection. EDA is a result of the autonomic nervous system being stimulated, which causes sweat and changes the electrical characteristics of the skin. Standard silver/silver chloride (Ag/AgCl) EDA electrodes are rigid and lack conformability in contact with skin. In this study, flexible dry Ag/AgCl EDA electrodes were fabricated on a compliant substrate, used to monitor EDA stimulus responses and compared to results simultaneously collected by rigid dry Ag/AgCl electrodes. A repeatable fabrication process for flexible Ag/AgCl electrodes has been established. Surface area, distance between and geometry of electrodes are shown to affect the detectability of the EDA response and the minimum number of sweat glands to be covered by the electrodes has been estimated at 140, or more, in order to maintain functionality. The optimal flexible EDA electrode is a serpentine design with a 0.15 cm 2 surface area and a 0.20 cm distance with an average Pearson correlation coefficient of . Fabrication of flexible electrodes is described and an understanding of the effects of electrode designs on the EDA stimulus response detection has been established and is potentially related to the coverage of sweat glands. This work presents a novel systematic approach to understand the effects of electrode designs on monitoring EDA which is of importance for the design of wearable EDA monitoring devices.

  13. Modification of the Highly Conductive PEDOT:PSS Layer for Use in Silver Nanogrid Electrodes for Flexible Inverted Polymer Solar Cells.

    PubMed

    Wang, Jie; Fei, Fei; Luo, Qun; Nie, Shuhong; Wu, Na; Chen, Xiaolian; Su, Wenming; Li, Yuanjie; Ma, Chang-Qi

    2017-03-01

    Silver nanogrid based flexible transparent electrode is recognized as the most promising alternative to ITO electrode for organic electronics, owing to its low production cost and excellent flexibility. Typically, a highly conductive thin film coating layer, such as highly conductive PEDOT:PSS (HC-PEDOT:PSS) is usually deposited onto the Ag-grid electrode to smooth the surface and to minimize the sheet resistance. In this paper, we found that inverted flexible polymer solar cells with structure of Ag-grid/HC-PEDOT:PSS/ZnO/photoactive layer/MoO 3 /Al generally exhibits strong S-shaped J-V curves, which could be eliminated by light-soaking treatment. Kelvin probe force microscope (KPFM) measurement proved that a large work function (WF) difference (0.70 eV) between HC-PEDOT:PSS and ZnO is the main reason for the formation of S-shape. White light soaking of the Ag-grid/HC-PEDOT:PSS gradually decreased the WF of HC-PEDOT:PSS from 5.10 to 4.60 eV, leading to a reduced WF difference between HC-PEDOT:PSS and ZnO from 0.70 to 0.38 eV. Such a WF difference decrease was believed to be the working mechanism for the light-soaking effect in this flexible device. Based on this finding, the HC-PEDOT:PSS solution was then modified by doping with polyethylenimine (PEI) and aqueous ammonia. The modified PEDOT:PSS film is characteristic of adjusting WF through varying PEI doping concentrations. By using such a modified PEDOT:PSS layer, light-soaking-free flexible inverted polymer solar cell with a power conversion efficiency of 6.58% was achieved for PTB7-Th:PC 71 BM cells. The current work provides a useful guideline for interfacial modification for Ag-grid based flexible electrode.

  14. Textile Concentric Ring Electrodes for ECG Recording Based on Screen-Printing Technology

    PubMed Central

    Ye-Lin, Yiyao; Garcia-Casado, Javier

    2018-01-01

    Among many of the electrode designs used in electrocardiography (ECG), concentric ring electrodes (CREs) are one of the most promising due to their enhanced spatial resolution. Their development has undergone a great push due to their use in recent years; however, they are not yet widely used in clinical practice. CRE implementation in textiles will lead to a low cost, flexible, comfortable, and robust electrode capable of detecting high spatial resolution ECG signals. A textile CRE set has been designed and developed using screen-printing technology. This is a mature technology in the textile industry and, therefore, does not require heavy investments. Inks employed as conductive elements have been silver and a conducting polymer (poly (3,4-ethylenedioxythiophene) polystyrene sulfonate; PEDOT:PSS). Conducting polymers have biocompatibility advantages, they can be used with flexible substrates, and they are available for several printing technologies. CREs implemented with both inks have been compared by analyzing their electric features and their performance in detecting ECG signals. The results reveal that silver CREs present a higher average thickness and slightly lower skin-electrode impedance than PEDOT:PSS CREs. As for ECG recordings with subjects at rest, both CREs allowed the uptake of bipolar concentric ECG signals (BC-ECG) with signal-to-noise ratios similar to that of conventional ECG recordings. Regarding the saturation and alterations of ECGs captured with textile CREs caused by intentional subject movements, silver CREs presented a more stable response (fewer saturations and alterations) than those of PEDOT:PSS. Moreover, BC-ECG signals provided higher spatial resolution compared to conventional ECG. This improved spatial resolution was manifested in the identification of P1 and P2 waves of atrial activity in most of the BC-ECG signals. It can be concluded that textile silver CREs are more suitable than those of PEDOT:PSS for obtaining BC-ECG records

  15. Textile Concentric Ring Electrodes for ECG Recording Based on Screen-Printing Technology.

    PubMed

    Lidón-Roger, José Vicente; Prats-Boluda, Gema; Ye-Lin, Yiyao; Garcia-Casado, Javier; Garcia-Breijo, Eduardo

    2018-01-21

    Among many of the electrode designs used in electrocardiography (ECG), concentric ring electrodes (CREs) are one of the most promising due to their enhanced spatial resolution. Their development has undergone a great push due to their use in recent years; however, they are not yet widely used in clinical practice. CRE implementation in textiles will lead to a low cost, flexible, comfortable, and robust electrode capable of detecting high spatial resolution ECG signals. A textile CRE set has been designed and developed using screen-printing technology. This is a mature technology in the textile industry and, therefore, does not require heavy investments. Inks employed as conductive elements have been silver and a conducting polymer (poly (3,4-ethylenedioxythiophene) polystyrene sulfonate; PEDOT:PSS). Conducting polymers have biocompatibility advantages, they can be used with flexible substrates, and they are available for several printing technologies. CREs implemented with both inks have been compared by analyzing their electric features and their performance in detecting ECG signals. The results reveal that silver CREs present a higher average thickness and slightly lower skin-electrode impedance than PEDOT:PSS CREs. As for ECG recordings with subjects at rest, both CREs allowed the uptake of bipolar concentric ECG signals (BC-ECG) with signal-to-noise ratios similar to that of conventional ECG recordings. Regarding the saturation and alterations of ECGs captured with textile CREs caused by intentional subject movements, silver CREs presented a more stable response (fewer saturations and alterations) than those of PEDOT:PSS. Moreover, BC-ECG signals provided higher spatial resolution compared to conventional ECG. This improved spatial resolution was manifested in the identification of P1 and P2 waves of atrial activity in most of the BC-ECG signals. It can be concluded that textile silver CREs are more suitable than those of PEDOT:PSS for obtaining BC-ECG records

  16. Silver Ion Biocide Delivery System for Water Disinfection

    NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

    Slote, Benjamin M.; Salley, Edward; Carr, Daniel; Kimble, Michael C.; Adam, Niklas

    2016-01-01

    U.S. space exploration missions have long considered returning to the Moon and exploration of Mars that challenge life support systems. For these long duration missions, there is interest in replacing the iodine water treatment system with ionic silver, a proven biocide. For long duration exploration missions, it is imperative that an effective biocide be used that prevents microbial growth, biofilm formation, and microbially induced corrosion in the water storage and distribution systems while minimizing logistical supply requirements associated with the biocide delivery system. Two biocide delivery systems have been developed that electrochemically produce silver ions for disinfecting water throughout the water storage and distribution system. One system uses a newly developed hybrid micro-filtration and ion-exchange membrane to produce an abundance of silver ions at the 1000 ppb level upstream in the water distribution system to prevent biofilm growth. This is followed by a downstream collection module that electrochemically removes these silver ions before the water is discharged. Another approach uses a membraneless reactor to produce a 1000 ppb silver ion concentration level that also has a mechanically driven electrode cleaning mechanism that removes oxide films ensuring long life operation. By maintaining a sufficiently high level of silver ions throughout the water storage and distribution system, biofilm formation is suppressed. This approach overcomes present concerns where spurious silver deposition occurs on the container and flow line surfaces thus lowering the silver ion concentration to unsatisfactory disinfection levels.

  17. Bioinspired assembly of surface-roughened nanoplatelets.

    PubMed

    Lin, Tzung-Hua; Huang, Wei-Han; Jun, In-Kook; Jiang, Peng

    2010-04-15

    Here we report a novel electrophoretic deposition technology for assembling surface-roughened inorganic nanoplatelets into ordered multilayers that mimic the brick-and-mortar nanostructure found in the nacreous layer of mollusk shells. A thin layer of sol-gel silica is coated on smooth gibbsite nanoplatelets in order to increase the surface roughness to mimic the asperity of aragonite platelets found in nacres. To avoid the severe cracking caused by the shrinkage of sol-gel silica during drying, polyelectrolyte polyethyleneimine is used to reverse the surface charge of silica-coated-gibbsite nanoplatelets and increase the adherence and strength of the electrodeposited films. Polymer nanocomposites can then be made by infiltrating the interstitials of the aligned nanoplatelet multilayers with photocurable monomer followed by photopolymerization. The resulting self-standing films are highly transparent and exhibit nearly three times higher tensile strength and one-order-of-magnitude higher toughness than those of pure polymer. The measured tensile strength agrees with that predicted by a simple shear lag model. Published by Elsevier Inc.

  18. Substrate roughening improves swimming performance in two small-bodied riverine fishes: implications for culvert remediation and design

    PubMed Central

    Rodgers, Essie M.; Heaslip, Breeana M.; Cramp, Rebecca L.; Riches, Marcus; Gordos, Matthew A.

    2017-01-01

    Abstract Worldwide declines in riverine fish abundance and diversity have been linked to the fragmentation of aquatic habitats through the installation of instream structures (e.g. culverts, dams, weirs and barrages). Restoring riverine connectivity can be achieved by remediating structures impeding fish movements by, for example, replacing smooth substrates of pipe culverts with naturalistic substrates (i.e. river stones; culvert roughening). However, empirical evaluations of the efficacy of such remediation efforts are often lacking despite the high economic cost. We assessed the effectiveness of substrate roughening in improving fish swimming performance and linked this to estimates of upstream passage success. Critical swimming speeds (Ucrit) of two small-bodied fish, purple-spotted gudgeon (Mogurnda adspersa; 7.7–11.6 cm total length, BL) and crimson-spotted rainbowfish (Melanotaenia duboulayi; 4.2–8.7 cm BL) were examined. Swimming trials were conducted in a hydraulic flume fitted with either a smooth acrylic substrate (control) or a rough substrate with fixed river stones. Swimming performance was improved on the rough compared to the smooth substrate, with Mo. adspersa (Ucrit-smooth = 0.28 ± 0.0 m s−1, 2.89 ± 0.1 BL s−1, Ucrit-rough = 0.36 ± 0.02 m s−1, 3.66 ± 0.22 BL s−1, mean ± s.e) and Me. duboulayi (Ucrit-smooth = 0.46 ± 0.01 m s−1, 7.79 ± 0.33 BL s−1; Ucrit-rough = = 0.55 ± 0.03 m s−1, 9.83 ± 0.67 BL s−1, mean ± s.e.) both experiencing a 26% increase in relative Ucrit. Traversable water velocity models predicted maximum water speeds allowing successful upstream passage of both species to substantially increase following roughening remediation. Together these findings suggest culvert roughening may be a solution which allows hydraulic efficiency goals to be met, without compromising fish passage. PMID:28567285

  19. Substrate roughening improves swimming performance in two small-bodied riverine fishes: implications for culvert remediation and design.

    PubMed

    Rodgers, Essie M; Heaslip, Breeana M; Cramp, Rebecca L; Riches, Marcus; Gordos, Matthew A; Franklin, Craig E

    2017-01-01

    Worldwide declines in riverine fish abundance and diversity have been linked to the fragmentation of aquatic habitats through the installation of instream structures (e.g. culverts, dams, weirs and barrages). Restoring riverine connectivity can be achieved by remediating structures impeding fish movements by, for example, replacing smooth substrates of pipe culverts with naturalistic substrates (i.e. river stones; culvert roughening). However, empirical evaluations of the efficacy of such remediation efforts are often lacking despite the high economic cost. We assessed the effectiveness of substrate roughening in improving fish swimming performance and linked this to estimates of upstream passage success. Critical swimming speeds ( U crit ) of two small-bodied fish, purple-spotted gudgeon ( Mogurnda adspersa ; 7.7-11.6 cm total length, BL) and crimson-spotted rainbowfish ( Melanotaenia duboulayi ; 4.2-8.7 cm BL) were examined. Swimming trials were conducted in a hydraulic flume fitted with either a smooth acrylic substrate (control) or a rough substrate with fixed river stones. Swimming performance was improved on the rough compared to the smooth substrate, with Mo. adspersa ( U crit-smooth = 0.28 ± 0.0 m s -1 , 2.89 ± 0.1 BL s -1 , U crit-rough = 0.36 ± 0.02 m s -1 , 3.66 ± 0.22 BL s -1 , mean ± s.e) and Me. duboulayi ( U crit-smooth = 0.46 ± 0.01 m s -1 , 7.79 ± 0.33 BL s -1 ; U crit-rough = = 0.55 ± 0.03 m s -1 , 9.83 ± 0.67 BL s -1 , mean ± s.e.) both experiencing a 26% increase in relative U crit . Traversable water velocity models predicted maximum water speeds allowing successful upstream passage of both species to substantially increase following roughening remediation. Together these findings suggest culvert roughening may be a solution which allows hydraulic efficiency goals to be met, without compromising fish passage.

  20. Positive electrode current collector for liquid metal cells

    DOEpatents

    Shimotake, Hiroshi; Bartholme, Louis G.

    1984-01-01

    A current collector for the positive electrode of an electrochemical cell with a positive electrode including a sulfide. The cell also has a negative electrode and a molten salt electrolyte including halides of a metal selected from the alkali metals and the alkaline earth metals in contact with both the positive and negative electrodes. The current collector has a base metal of copper, silver, gold, aluminum or alloys thereof with a coating thereon of iron, nickel, chromium or alloys thereof. The current collector when subjected to cell voltage forms a sulfur-containing compound on the surface thereby substantially protecting the current collector from further attack by sulfur ions during cell operation. Both electroless and electrolytic processes may be used to deposit coatings.

  1. Enhancement of the performance of cadmium sulfide quantum dot solar cells using a platinum-polyaniline counter electrode and a silver nanoparticle-sensitized photoanode

    NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

    Nourolahi, Hamzeh; Bolorizadeh, Mohammadagha A.; Dorri, Navid; Behjat, Abbas

    2017-07-01

    A metal-polymer nanocomposite of platinum-polyaniline (Pt/PANI) was deposited on fluorine-doped tin oxide glass substrates to function as a counter electrode for polysulfide redox reactions in cadmium sulfide quantum dot-sensitized solar cells. In addition, front-side illuminated photoelectrodes were sensitized by silver (Ag) nanoparticles (NPs) as an interfacial layer between a transparent conducting oxide substrate and a TiO2 layer. This configuration, i.e., both the Pt/PANI counter electrode and the Ag NPs in the photoanode, leads to 1.92% in the power-conversion efficiency (PCE) of the fabricated cells. A PCE enhancement of around 21% was obtained for the Ag NPs-sensitized photoanodes, as compared with the Ag NPs-free one. The improved performance can be attributed to the easier transport of excited electrons and the inhibition of charge recombination due to the application of an Ag NPs layer. Electrochemical impedance spectroscopy measurements showed that once Ag NPs are incorporated in a photoanode, electron transport time decreases in the photoanode structure.

  2. Li/Ag 2VO 2PO 4 batteries: the roles of composite electrode constituents on electrochemistry

    DOE Office of Scientific and Technical Information (OSTI.GOV)

    Bock, David C.; Bruck, Andrea M.; Pelliccione, Christopher J.

    2016-11-01

    Silver vanadium phosphorous oxide, Ag 2V 2OPO 4, was used as a model system to systematically study the impact on the constituents of a composite electrode, including polymeric and conductive additives, on electrochemistry. Three different electrode compositions were investigated.

  3. An EEG (electroencephalogram) recording system with carbon wire electrodes for simultaneous EEG-fMRI (functional magnetic resonance imaging) recording

    PubMed Central

    Negishi, Michiro; Abildgaard, Mark; Laufer, Ilan; Nixon, Terry; Constable, Robert Todd

    2008-01-01

    Simultaneous EEG-fMRI (Electroencephalography-functional Magnetic Resonance Imaging) recording provides a means for acquiring high temporal resolution electrophysiological data and high spatial resolution metabolic data of the brain in the same experimental runs. Carbon wire electrodes (not metallic EEG electrodes with carbon wire leads) are suitable for simultaneous EEG-fMRI recording, because they cause less RF (radio-frequency) heating and susceptibility artifacts than metallic electrodes. These characteristics are especially desirable for recording the EEG in high field MRI scanners. Carbon wire electrodes are also comfortable to wear during long recording sessions. However, carbon electrodes have high electrode-electrolyte potentials compared to widely used Ag/AgCl (silver/silver-chloride) electrodes, which may cause slow voltage drifts. This paper introduces a prototype EEG recording system with carbon wire electrodes and a circuit that suppresses the slow voltage drift. The system was tested for the voltage drift, RF heating, susceptibility artifact, and impedance, and was also evaluated in a simultaneous ERP (event-related potential)-fMRI experiment. PMID:18588913

  4. Electroencephalogram measurement using polymer-based dry microneedle electrode

    NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

    Arai, Miyako; Nishinaka, Yuya; Miki, Norihisa

    2015-06-01

    In this paper, we report a successful electroencephalogram (EEG) measurement using polymer-based dry microneedle electrodes. The electrodes consist of needle-shaped substrates of SU-8, a silver film, and a nanoporous parylene protective film. Differently from conventional wet electrodes, microneedle electrodes do not require skin preparation and a conductive gel. SU-8 is superior as a structural material to poly(dimethylsiloxane) (PDMS; Dow Corning Toray Sylgard 184) in terms of hardness, which was used in our previous work, and facilitates the penetration of needles through the stratum corneum. SU-8 microneedles can be successfully inserted into the skin without breaking and could maintain a sufficiently low skin-electrode contact impedance for EEG measurement. The electrodes successfully measured EEG from the frontal pole, and the quality of acquired signals was verified to be as high as those obtained using commercially available wet electrodes without any skin preparation or a conductive gel. The electrodes are readily applicable to record brain activities for a long period with little stress involved in skin preparation to the users.

  5. Contribution to the study of the electric arc: Erosion of metallic electrodes. Thesis

    NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

    Castro, A.

    1986-01-01

    A procedure is described for determining the extent of arc electrode erosion (excluding erosion due to transfer of material) from measurements of emitted spectral beam intensity. The relation between emission intensity and plasma temperature is ascertained. Experimental study of several combinations of monometallic electrodes shows that the method is suitable for determining cathode erosion, although the anode metal affects the extent of erosion. Combinations of electrodes which lead to low erosion of silver are reported.

  6. Embedded silver PDMS electrodes for single cell electrical impedance spectroscopy

    NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

    Wei, Yuan; Xu, Zhensong; Cachia, Mark A.; Nguyen, John; Zheng, Yi; Wang, Chen; Sun, Yu

    2016-09-01

    This paper presents a microfluidic device with wide channels and embedded AgPDMS electrodes for measuring the electrical properties of single cells. The work demonstrates the feasibility of using a large channel design and embedded electrodes for impedance spectroscopy to circumvent issues such as channel clogging and limited device re-usability. AgPDMS electrodes were formed on channel sidewalls for impedance detection and cell electrical properties measurement. Equivalent circuit models were used to interpret multi-frequency impedance data to quantify each cell’s cytoplasm conductivity and specific membrane capacitance. T24 cells were tested to validate the microfluidic system and modeling results. Comparisons were then made by measuring two leukemia cell lines (AML-2 and HL-60) which were found to have different cytoplasm conductivity values (0.29  ±  0.15 S m-1 versus 0.47  ±  0.20 S m-1) and specific membrane capacitance values (41  ±  25 mF m-2 versus 55  ±  26 mF m-2) when the cells were flown through the wide channel and measured by the AgPDMS electrodes.

  7. Estimation of kinetics parameters for the adsorption of human serum albumin onto hydroxyapatite-modified silver electrodes by piezoelectric quartz crystal impedance analysis.

    PubMed

    Tian, Lu; Wei, Wan-Zhi; Mao, You-An

    2004-04-01

    The adsorption of human serum albumin onto hydroxyapatite-modified silver electrodes has been in situ investigated by utilizing the piezoelectric quartz crystal impedance technique. The changes of equivalent circuit parameters were used to interpret the adsorption process. A kinetic model of two consecutive steps was derived to describe the process and compared with a first-order kinetic model by using residual analysis. The experimental data of frequency shift fitted to the model and kinetics parameters, k1, k2, psi1, psi2 and qr, were obtained. All fitted results were in reasonable agreement with the corresponding experimental results. Two adsorption constants (7.19 kJ mol(-1) and 22.89 kJ mol(-1)) were calculated according to the Arrhenius formula.

  8. Capillary flow of amorphous metal for high performance electrode

    PubMed Central

    Kim, Se Yun; Kim, Suk Jun; Jee, Sang Soo; Park, Jin Man; Park, Keum Hwan; Park, Sung Chan; Cho, Eun Ae; Lee, Jun Ho; Song, In Yong; Lee, Sang Mock; Han, In Taek; Lim, Ka Ram; Kim, Won Tae; Park, Ju Cheol; Eckert, Jürgen; Kim, Do Hyang; Lee, Eun-Sung

    2013-01-01

    Metallic glass (MG) assists electrical contact of screen-printed silver electrodes and leads to comparable electrode performance to that of electroplated electrodes. For high electrode performance, MG needs to be infiltrated into nanometer-scale cavities between Ag particles and reacts with them. Here, we show that the MG in the supercooled state can fill the gap between Ag particles within a remarkably short time due to capillary effect. The flow behavior of the MG is revealed by computational fluid dynamics and density funtional theory simulation. Also, we suggest the formation mechanism of the Ag electrodes, and demonstrate the criteria of MG for higher electrode performance. Consequently, when Al85Ni5Y8Co2 MG is added in the Ag electrodes, cell efficiency is enhanced up to 20.30% which is the highest efficiency reported so far for screen-printed interdigitated back contact solar cells. These results show the possibility for the replacement of electroplating process to screen-printing process. PMID:23851671

  9. Room-temperature solution-processed and metal oxide-free nano-composite for the flexible transparent bottom electrode of perovskite solar cells

    NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

    Lu, Haifei; Sun, Jingsong; Zhang, Hong; Lu, Shunmian; Choy, Wallace C. H.

    2016-03-01

    The exploration of low-temperature and solution-processed charge transporting and collecting layers can promote the development of low-cost and large-scale perovskite solar cells (PVSCs) through an all solution process. Here, we propose a room-temperature solution-processed and metal oxide-free nano-composite composed of a silver nano-network and graphene oxide (GO) flawless film for the transparent bottom electrode of a PVSC. Our experimental results show that the amount of GO flakes play a critical role in forming the flawless anti-corrosive barrier in the silver nano-network through a self-assembly approach under ambient atmosphere, which can effectively prevent the penetration of liquid or gaseous halides and their corrosion against the silver nano-network underneath. Importantly, we simultaneously achieve good work function alignment and surface wetting properties for a practical bottom electrode by controlling the degree of reduction of GO flakes. Finally, flexible PVSC adopting the room-temperature and solution-processed nano-composite as the flexible transparent bottom electrode has been demonstrated on a polyethylene terephthalate (PET) substrate. As a consequence, the demonstration of our room-temperature solution-processed and metal oxide-free flexible transparent bottom electrode will contribute to the emerging large-area flexible PVSC technologies.The exploration of low-temperature and solution-processed charge transporting and collecting layers can promote the development of low-cost and large-scale perovskite solar cells (PVSCs) through an all solution process. Here, we propose a room-temperature solution-processed and metal oxide-free nano-composite composed of a silver nano-network and graphene oxide (GO) flawless film for the transparent bottom electrode of a PVSC. Our experimental results show that the amount of GO flakes play a critical role in forming the flawless anti-corrosive barrier in the silver nano-network through a self

  10. Silver(I) Ions Ultrasensitive Detection at Carbon Electrodes—Analysis of Waters, Tobacco Cells and Fish Tissues

    PubMed Central

    Krizkova, Sona; Krystofova, Olga; Trnkova, Libuse; Hubalek, Jaromir; Adam, Vojtech; Beklova, Miroslava; Horna, Ales; Havel, Ladislav; Kizek, Rene

    2009-01-01

    We used carbon paste electrodes and a standard potentiostat to detect silver ions. The detection limit (3 Signal/Noise ratio) was estimated as 0.5 μM. A standard electrochemical instrument microanalysis of silver(I) ions was suggested. As a working electrode a carbon tip (1 mL) or carbon pencil was used. Limits of detection estimated by dilution of a standard were 1 (carbon tip) or 10 nM (carbon pencil). Further we employed flow injection analysis coupled with carbon tip to detect silver(I) ions released in various beverages and mineral waters. During first, second and third week the amount of silver(I) ions releasing into water samples was under the detection limit of the technique used for their quantification. At the end of a thirteen weeks long experiment the content of silver(I) ions was several times higher compared to the beginning of release detected in the third week and was on the order of tens of nanomoles. In subsequent experiments the influence of silver(I) ions (0, 5 and 10 μM) on a plant model system (tobacco BY-2 cells) during a four-day exposition was investigated. Silver(I) ions were highly toxic to the cells, which was revealed by a double staining viability assay. Moreover we investigated the effect of silver(I) ions (0, 0.3, 0.6, 1.2 and 2.5 μM) on guppies (Poecilia reticulata). Content of Ag(I) increased with increasing time of the treatment and applied concentrations in fish tissues. It can be concluded that a carbon tip or carbon pencil coupled with a miniaturized potentiostat can be used for detection of silver(I) ions in environmental samples and thus represents a small, portable, low cost and easy-to-use instrument for such purposes. PMID:22399980

  11. Novel Conductive Carbon Black and Polydimethlysiloxane ECG Electrode: A Comparison with Commercial Electrodes in Fresh, Chlorinated, and Salt Water.

    PubMed

    Noh, Yeonsik; Bales, Justin R; Reyes, Bersain A; Molignano, Jennifer; Clement, Amanda L; Pins, George D; Florian, John P; Chon, Ki H

    2016-08-01

    In this study, we evaluated the performance of two novel conductive carbon black (CB) and polydimethlysiloxane (PDMS) bio-potential electrodes, with and without an integrated flexible copper mesh, against commercially available electrodes (Polar(®) textile, Silver-coated textile, and carbon rubber). The electrodes were tested in three types of water (fresh/unfiltered, chlorinated, and salt water). Our testing revealed that our CB/PDMS electrode with integrated copper mesh provided a high-fidelity ECG signal morphologies without any amplitude degradation in all of the types of water tested (N = 10). The non-meshed CB/PDMS electrodes were also subjected to a long-term durability test by the US Navy SCUBA divers during which the electrodes maintained ECG signal quality for a 6 h period of continuous use. The results of a material degradation analysis revealed the CB/PDMS composite material does not exhibit significant changes in physical integrity after prolonged exposure to the test conditions. The newly developed meshed CB/PDMS electrodes have the potential to be used in a wide variety of both dry and wet environments including the challenge of obtaining ECG signals in salt water environments.

  12. Printed silver nanowire antennas with low signal loss at high-frequency radio

    NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

    Komoda, Natsuki; Nogi, Masaya; Suganuma, Katsuaki; Kohno, Kazuo; Akiyama, Yutaka; Otsuka, Kanji

    2012-05-01

    Silver nanowires are printable and conductive, and are believed to be promising materials in the field of printed electronics. However, the resistivity of silver nanowire printed lines is higher than that of metallic particles or flakes even when sintered at high temperatures of 100-400 °C. Therefore, their applications have been limited to the replacement of transparent electrodes made from high-resistivity materials, such as doped metallic oxides, conductive polymers, carbon nanotubes, or graphenes. Here we report that using printed silver nanowire lines, signal losses obtained in the high-frequency radio were lower than those obtained using etched copper foil antennas, because their surfaces were much smoother than those of etched copper foil antennas. This was the case even though the resistivity of silver nanowire lines was 43-71 μΩ cm, which is much higher than that of etched copper foil (2 μΩ cm). When printed silver nanowire antennas were heated at 100 °C, they achieved signal losses that were much lower than those of silver paste antennas comprising microparticles, nanoparticles, and flakes. Furthermore, using a low temperature process, we succeeded in remotely controlling a commercialized radio-controlled car by transmitting a 2.45 GHz signal via a silver nanowire antenna printed on a polyethylene terephthalate film.Silver nanowires are printable and conductive, and are believed to be promising materials in the field of printed electronics. However, the resistivity of silver nanowire printed lines is higher than that of metallic particles or flakes even when sintered at high temperatures of 100-400 °C. Therefore, their applications have been limited to the replacement of transparent electrodes made from high-resistivity materials, such as doped metallic oxides, conductive polymers, carbon nanotubes, or graphenes. Here we report that using printed silver nanowire lines, signal losses obtained in the high-frequency radio were lower than those

  13. Composite Transparent Electrode of Graphene Nanowalls and Silver Nanowires on Micropyramidal Si for High-Efficiency Schottky Junction Solar Cells.

    PubMed

    Jiao, Tianpeng; Liu, Jian; Wei, Dapeng; Feng, Yanhui; Song, Xuefen; Shi, Haofei; Jia, Shuming; Sun, Wentao; Du, Chunlei

    2015-09-16

    The conventional graphene-silicon Schottky junction solar cell inevitably involves the graphene growth and transfer process, which results in complicated technology, loss of quality of the graphene, extra cost, and environmental unfriendliness. Moreover, the conventional transfer method is not well suited to conformationally coat graphene on a three-dimensional (3D) silicon surface. Thus, worse interfacial conditions are inevitable. In this work, we directly grow graphene nanowalls (GNWs) onto the micropyramidal silicon (MP) by the plasma-enhanced chemical vapor deposition method. By controlling growth time, the cell exhibits optimal pristine photovoltaic performance of 3.8%. Furthermore, we improve the conductivity of the GNW electrode by introducing the silver nanowire (AgNW) network, which could achieve lower sheet resistance. An efficiency of 6.6% has been obtained for the AgNWs-GNWs-MP solar cell without any chemical doping. Meanwhile, the cell exhibits excellent stability exposed to air. Our studies show a promising way to develop simple-technology, low-cost, high-efficiency, and stable Schottky junction solar cells.

  14. Interface Modification of Bernal- and Rhombohedral-Stacked Trilayer-Graphene/Metal Electrode on Resistive Switching of Silver Electrochemical Metallization Cells.

    PubMed

    Wang, Jer-Chyi; Chan, Ya-Ting; Chen, Wei-Fan; Wu, Ming-Chung; Lai, Chao-Sung

    2017-10-25

    Bernal- and rhombohedral-stacked trilayer graphene (B- and r-TLG) on nickel (Ni) and iridium (Ir) films acting as bottom electrodes (BEs) of silver electrochemical metallization cells (Ag-EMCs) have been investigated in this study. Prior to the fabrication of the EMC devices, Raman mapping and atomic force microscopy are applied to identify the B- and r-TLG sheets, with the latter revealing a significant D peak and a rough surface for the Ir film. The Ag-EMCs with the stacked BE of r-TLG on the Ir film show a conductive mechanism of Schottky emission at the positive top electrode bias for both high- and low-resistance states that can be examined by the resistance change with the device area and are modulated by pulse bias operation. Thus, an effective electron barrier height of 0.262 eV at the r-TLG and Ir interface is obtained because of the conspicuous energy gap of r-TLG on the Ir film and the van der Waals (vdW) gap between the r-TLG and Ir contact metal. With the use of Ni instead of Ir contact metal, the Ag-EMCs with TLG BE demonstrate +0.3 V/-0.75 V operation voltages, more than 10 4 s data retention at 115 °C and 250 times endurance testing, making the TLG sheets suitable for low-power nonvolatile memory applications on flexible substrates.

  15. Wearable carbon nanotube based dry-electrodes for electrophysiological sensors

    NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

    Kang, Byeong-Cheol; Ha, Tae-Jun

    2018-05-01

    In this paper, we demonstrate all-solution-processed carbon nanotube (CNT) dry-electrodes for the detection of electrophysiological signals such as electrocardiograms (ECG) and electromyograms (EMG). The key parameters of P, Q, R, S, and T peaks are successfully extracted by such CNT based dry-electrodes, which is comparable with conventional silver/chloride (Ag/AgCl) wet-electrodes with a conducting gel film for the ECG recording. Furthermore, the sensing performance of CNT based dry-electrodes is secured during the bending test of 200 cycles, which is essential for wearable electrophysiological sensors in a non-invasive method on human skin. We also investigate the application of wearable CNT based dry-electrodes directly attached to the human skins such as forearm for sensing the electrophysiological signals. The accurate and rapid sensing response can be achieved by CNT based dry-electrodes to supervise the health condition affected by excessive physical movements during the real-time measurements.

  16. Multiplexed enzyme-free electrochemical immunosensor based on ZnO nanorods modified reduced graphene oxide-paper electrode and silver deposition-induced signal amplification strategy.

    PubMed

    Sun, Guoqiang; Zhang, Lina; Zhang, Yan; Yang, Hongmei; Ma, Chao; Ge, Shenguang; Yan, Mei; Yu, Jinghua; Song, Xianrang

    2015-09-15

    Herein, an origami multiplexed enzyme-free electrochemical (EC) immunodevice is developed for the first time. Typically, ZnO nanorods (ZNRs) modified reduced graphene oxide (rGO)-paper electrode is used as a sensor platform, in which rGO improves the electronic transmission rate and ZNRs provide abundant sites for capture probes binding. Furthermore, by combining the large surface area of rGO and high catalytic activity of bovine serum protein (BSA)-stabilized silver nanoparticles (Ag@BSA) toward H2O2 reduction, rGO/Ag@BSA composites can be used as an excellent signal labels. The current signal is generated from the reduction of H2O2 and further amplified by a subsequent signal labels-promoted deposition of silver. Under optimal conditions, the proposed immunoassays exhibit excellent precision, high sensitivity and a wide linear range of 0.002-120 mIU mL(-1) for human chorionic gonadotropin, 0.001-110 ng mL(-1) for prostate-specific antigen, and 0.001-100 ng mL(-1) for carcinoembryonic antigen. The results for real sample analysis demonstrate that the newly constructed immunosensor arrays provide a simple and cost-effective method for clinical applications. Copyright © 2015 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.

  17. Highly efficient and low voltage silver nanowire-based OLEDs employing a n-type hole injection layer.

    PubMed

    Lee, Hyungjin; Lee, Donghwa; Ahn, Yumi; Lee, Eun-Woo; Park, Lee Soon; Lee, Youngu

    2014-08-07

    Highly flexible and efficient silver nanowire-based organic light-emitting diodes (OLEDs) have been successfully fabricated by employing a n-type hole injection layer (HIL). The silver nanowire-based OLEDs without light outcoupling structures exhibited excellent device characteristics such as extremely low turn-on voltage (3.6 V) and high current and power efficiencies (44.5 cd A(-1) and 35.8 lm W(-1)). In addition, flexible OLEDs with the silver nanowire transparent conducting electrode (TCE) and n-type HIL fabricated on plastic substrates showed remarkable mechanical flexibility as well as device performance.

  18. Coupling multielectrode array recordings with silver labeling of recording sites to study cervical spinal network connectivity.

    PubMed

    Streeter, K A; Sunshine, M D; Patel, S R; Liddell, S S; Denholtz, L E; Reier, P J; Fuller, D D; Baekey, D M

    2017-03-01

    Midcervical spinal interneurons form a complex and diffuse network and may be involved in modulating phrenic motor output. The intent of the current work was to enable a better understanding of midcervical "network-level" connectivity by pairing the neurophysiological multielectrode array (MEA) data with histological verification of the recording locations. We first developed a method to deliver 100-nA currents to electroplate silver onto and subsequently deposit silver from electrode tips after obtaining midcervical (C3-C5) recordings using an MEA in anesthetized and ventilated adult rats. Spinal tissue was then fixed, harvested, and histologically processed to "develop" the deposited silver. Histological studies verified that the silver deposition method discretely labeled (50-μm resolution) spinal recording locations between laminae IV and X in cervical segments C3-C5. Using correlative techniques, we next tested the hypothesis that midcervical neuronal discharge patterns are temporally linked. Cross-correlation histograms produced few positive peaks (5.3%) in the range of 0-0.4 ms, but 21.4% of neuronal pairs had correlogram peaks with a lag of ≥0.6 ms. These results are consistent with synchronous discharge involving mono- and polysynaptic connections among midcervical neurons. We conclude that there is a high degree of synaptic connectivity in the midcervical spinal cord and that the silver-labeling method can reliably mark metal electrode recording sites and "map" interneuron populations, thereby providing a low-cost and effective tool for use in MEA experiments. We suggest that this method will be useful for further exploration of midcervical network connectivity. NEW & NOTEWORTHY We describe a method that reliably identifies the locations of multielectrode array (MEA) recording sites while preserving the surrounding tissue for immunohistochemistry. To our knowledge, this is the first cost-effective method to identify the anatomic locations of neuronal

  19. Silver Nanoparticles Mediated by Costus afer Leaf Extract: Synthesis, Antibacterial, Antioxidant and Electrochemical Properties.

    PubMed

    Elemike, Elias E; Fayemi, Omolola E; Ekennia, Anthony C; Onwudiwe, Damian C; Ebenso, Eno E

    2017-04-29

    Synthesis of metallic and semiconductor nanoparticles through physical and chemical routes has been extensively reported. However, green synthesized metal nanoparticles are currently in the limelight due to the simplicity, cost-effectiveness and eco-friendliness of their synthesis. This study explored the use of aqueous leaf extract of Costus afer in the synthesis of silver nanoparticles (CA-AgNPs). The optical and structural properties of the resulting silver nanoparticles were studied using UV-visible spectroscopy, scanning electron microscopy (SEM), transmission electron microscopy (TEM) and Fourier transform infra-red spectrophotometer (FTIR). TEM images of the silver nanoparticles confirmed the existence of monodispersed spherical nanoparticles with a mean size of 20 nm. The FTIR spectra affirmed the presence of phytochemicals from the Costus afer leaf extract on the surface of the silver nanoparticles. The electrochemical characterization of a CA-AgNPs/multiwalled carbon nanotubes (MWCNT)-modified electrode was carried out to confirm the charge transfer properties of the nanocomposites. The comparative study showed that the CA-AgNPs/MWCNT-modified electrode demonstrated faster charge transport behaviour. The anodic current density of the electrodes in Fe(CN)₆] 4- /[Fe(CN)₆] 3- redox probe follows the order: GCE/CA-Ag/MWCNT (550 mA/cm²) > GCE/MWCNT (270 mA/cm²) > GCE (80 mA/cm²) > GCE/CA-Ag (7.93 mA/cm²). The silver nanoparticles were evaluated for their antibacterial properties against Gram negative ( Escherichia coli, Klebsiella pneumonia, Pseudomonas aeruginosa ) and Gram positive ( Bacillus subtilis and Staphylococcus aureus ) pathogens. The nanoparticles exhibited better inhibition of the bacterial strains compared to the precursors (leaf extract of Costus afer and silver nitrate). Furthermore, the ability of the nanoparticles to scavenge DPPH radicals at different concentrations was studied using the DPPH radical scavenging assay and compared to

  20. Low-cost electrodes for stable perovskite solar cells

    NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

    Bastos, João P.; Manghooli, Sara; Jaysankar, Manoj; Tait, Jeffrey G.; Qiu, Weiming; Gehlhaar, Robert; De Volder, Michael; Uytterhoeven, Griet; Poortmans, Jef; Paetzold, Ulrich W.

    2017-06-01

    Cost-effective production of perovskite solar cells on an industrial scale requires the utilization of exclusively inexpensive materials. However, to date, highly efficient and stable perovskite solar cells rely on expensive gold electrodes since other metal electrodes are known to cause degradation of the devices. Finding a low-cost electrode that can replace gold and ensure both efficiency and long-term stability is essential for the success of the perovskite-based solar cell technology. In this work, we systematically compare three types of electrode materials: multi-walled carbon nanotubes (MWCNTs), alternative metals (silver, aluminum, and copper), and transparent oxides [indium tin oxide (ITO)] in terms of efficiency, stability, and cost. We show that multi-walled carbon nanotubes are the only electrode that is both more cost-effective and stable than gold. Devices with multi-walled carbon nanotube electrodes present remarkable shelf-life stability, with no decrease in the efficiency even after 180 h of storage in 77% relative humidity (RH). Furthermore, we demonstrate the potential of devices with multi-walled carbon nanotube electrodes to achieve high efficiencies. These developments are an important step forward to mass produce perovskite photovoltaics in a commercially viable way.

  1. High Performance of PEDOT:PSS/n-Si Solar Cells Based on Textured Surface with AgNWs Electrodes

    NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

    Jiang, Xiangyu; Zhang, Pengbo; Zhang, Juan; Wang, Jilei; Li, Gaofei; Fang, Xiaohong; Yang, Liyou; Chen, Xiaoyuan

    2018-02-01

    Hybrid heterojunction solar cells (HHSCs) have gained extensive research and attention due to simple device structure and low-cost technological processes. Here, HHSCs are presented based on a highly transparent conductive polymer poly(3,4ethylenedioxythiophene):poly(styrenesulfonate)(PEDOT:PSS) directly spin-coated on an n-type crystalline silicon with microscale surface textures, which are prepared by traditional chemical etching. We have studied interface properties between PEDOT:PSS and textured n-Si by varying coating conditions. Final power conversion efficiency (PCE) could arrive at 8.54% by these simple solution-based fabrication processes. The high conversion efficiency is attributed to the fully conformal contact between PEDOT:PSS film and textured silicon. Furthermore, the reflectance of the PEDOT:PSS layer on textured surface is analyzed by changing film thickness. In order to improve the performance of the device, silver nanowires were employed as electrodes because of its better optical transmittance and electrical conductivity. The highest PCE of 11.07% was achieved which displayed a 29.6% enhancement compared with traditional silver electrodes. These findings imply that the combination of PEDOT:PSS film and silver nanowire transparent electrodes pave a promising way for realizing high-efficiency and low-cost solar cells.

  2. High Performance of PEDOT:PSS/n-Si Solar Cells Based on Textured Surface with AgNWs Electrodes.

    PubMed

    Jiang, Xiangyu; Zhang, Pengbo; Zhang, Juan; Wang, Jilei; Li, Gaofei; Fang, Xiaohong; Yang, Liyou; Chen, Xiaoyuan

    2018-02-14

    Hybrid heterojunction solar cells (HHSCs) have gained extensive research and attention due to simple device structure and low-cost technological processes. Here, HHSCs are presented based on a highly transparent conductive polymer poly(3,4ethylenedioxythiophene):poly(styrenesulfonate)(PEDOT:PSS) directly spin-coated on an n-type crystalline silicon with microscale surface textures, which are prepared by traditional chemical etching. We have studied interface properties between PEDOT:PSS and textured n-Si by varying coating conditions. Final power conversion efficiency (PCE) could arrive at 8.54% by these simple solution-based fabrication processes. The high conversion efficiency is attributed to the fully conformal contact between PEDOT:PSS film and textured silicon. Furthermore, the reflectance of the PEDOT:PSS layer on textured surface is analyzed by changing film thickness. In order to improve the performance of the device, silver nanowires were employed as electrodes because of its better optical transmittance and electrical conductivity. The highest PCE of 11.07% was achieved which displayed a 29.6% enhancement compared with traditional silver electrodes. These findings imply that the combination of PEDOT:PSS film and silver nanowire transparent electrodes pave a promising way for realizing high-efficiency and low-cost solar cells.

  3. Improved Flexible Transparent Conductive Electrodes based on Silver Nanowire Networks by a Simple Sunlight Illumination Approach

    PubMed Central

    Kou, Pengfei; Yang, Liu; Chang, Cheng; He, Sailing

    2017-01-01

    Silver nanowire (Ag NW) networks have attracted wide attention as transparent electrodes for emerging flexible optoelectronics. However, the sheet resistance is greatly limited by large wire-to-wire contact resistances. Here, we propose a simple sunlight illumination approach to remarkably improve their electrical conductivity without any significant degradation of the light transmittance. Because the power density is extremely low (0.1 W/cm2, 1-Sun), only slight welding between Ag NWs has been observed. Despite this, a sheet resistance of <20 Ω/sq and transmittance of ~87% at wavelength of 550 nm as well as excellent mechanical flexibility have still been achieved for Ag NW networks after sunlight illumination for 1 hour or longer, which are significant upgrades over those of ITO. Slight plasmonic welding together with the associated self-limiting effect has been investigated by numerical simulations and further verified experimentally through varied solar concentrations. Due to the reduced resistance, high-performance transparent film heaters as well as efficient defrosters have been demonstrated, which are superior to the previously-reported Ag NW based film heaters. Since the sunlight is environmentally friendly and easily available, sophisticated or expensive facilities are not necessary. Our findings are particularly meaningful and show enormous potential for outdoor applications. PMID:28169343

  4. Printed silver nanowire antennas with low signal loss at high-frequency radio.

    PubMed

    Komoda, Natsuki; Nogi, Masaya; Suganuma, Katsuaki; Kohno, Kazuo; Akiyama, Yutaka; Otsuka, Kanji

    2012-05-21

    Silver nanowires are printable and conductive, and are believed to be promising materials in the field of printed electronics. However, the resistivity of silver nanowire printed lines is higher than that of metallic particles or flakes even when sintered at high temperatures of 100-400 °C. Therefore, their applications have been limited to the replacement of transparent electrodes made from high-resistivity materials, such as doped metallic oxides, conductive polymers, carbon nanotubes, or graphenes. Here we report that using printed silver nanowire lines, signal losses obtained in the high-frequency radio were lower than those obtained using etched copper foil antennas, because their surfaces were much smoother than those of etched copper foil antennas. This was the case even though the resistivity of silver nanowire lines was 43-71 μΩ cm, which is much higher than that of etched copper foil (2 μΩ cm). When printed silver nanowire antennas were heated at 100 °C, they achieved signal losses that were much lower than those of silver paste antennas comprising microparticles, nanoparticles, and flakes. Furthermore, using a low temperature process, we succeeded in remotely controlling a commercialized radio-controlled car by transmitting a 2.45 GHz signal via a silver nanowire antenna printed on a polyethylene terephthalate film.

  5. Electrophoretic deposition of thermites onto micro-engineered electrodes prepared by direct-ink writing.

    PubMed

    Sullivan, K T; Zhu, C; Tanaka, D J; Kuntz, J D; Duoss, E B; Gash, A E

    2013-02-14

    This work combines electrophoretic deposition (EPD) with direct-ink writing (DIW) to prepare thin films of Al/CuO thermites onto patterned two- and three-dimensional silver electrodes. DIW was used to write the electrodes using a silver nanoparticle ink, and EPD was performed in a subsequent step to deposit the thermite onto the conductive electrodes. Unlike conventional lithographic techniques, DIW is a low-cost and versatile alternative to print fine-featured electrodes, and adds the benefit of printing self-supported three-dimensional structures. EPD provides a method for depositing the composite thermite only onto the conductive electrodes, and with controlled thicknesses, which provides fine spatial and mass control, respectively. EPD has previously been shown to produce well-mixed thermite composites which can pack to reasonably high densities without the need for any postprocessing. Homogeneous mixing is particularly important in reactive composities, where good mixing can enhance the reaction kinetics by decreasing the transport distance between the components. Several two- and three-dimensional designs were investigated to highlight the versatility of using DIW and EPD together. In addition to energetic applications, we anticipate that this combination of techniques will have a variety of other applications, which would benefit from the controlled placement of a thin film of one material onto a conductive architecture of a second material.

  6. Potassium Sodium Niobate-Based Lead-Free Piezoelectric Multilayer Ceramics Co-Fired with Nickel Electrodes.

    PubMed

    Kawada, Shinichiro; Hayashi, Hiroyuki; Ishii, Hideki; Kimura, Masahiko; Ando, Akira; Omiya, Suetake; Kubodera, Noriyuki

    2015-11-03

    Although lead-free piezoelectric ceramics have been extensively studied, many problems must still be overcome before they are suitable for practical use. One of the main problems is fabricating a multilayer structure, and one solution attracting growing interest is the use of lead-free multilayer piezoelectric ceramics. The paper reviews work that has been done by the authors on lead-free alkali niobate-based multilayer piezoelectric ceramics co-fired with nickel inner electrodes. Nickel inner electrodes have many advantages, such as high electromigration resistance, high interfacial strength with ceramics, and greater cost effectiveness than silver palladium inner electrodes. However, widely used lead zirconate titanate-based ceramics cannot be co-fired with nickel inner electrodes, and silver palladium inner electrodes are usually used for lead zirconate titanate-based piezoelectric ceramics. A possible alternative is lead-free ceramics co-fired with nickel inner electrodes. We have thus been developing lead-free alkali niobate-based multilayer ceramics co-fired with nickel inner electrodes. The normalized electric-field-induced thickness strain ( S max / E max ) of a representative alkali niobate-based multilayer ceramic structure with nickel inner electrodes was 360 pm/V, where S max denotes the maximum strain and E max denotes the maximum electric field. This value is about half that for the lead zirconate titanate-based ceramics that are widely used. However, a comparable value can be obtained by stacking more ceramic layers with smaller thicknesses. In the paper, the compositional design and process used to co-fire lead-free ceramics with nickel inner electrodes are introduced, and their piezoelectric properties and reliabilities are shown. Recent advances are introduced, and future development is discussed.

  7. Potassium Sodium Niobate-Based Lead-Free Piezoelectric Multilayer Ceramics Co-Fired with Nickel Electrodes

    PubMed Central

    Kawada, Shinichiro; Hayashi, Hiroyuki; Ishii, Hideki; Kimura, Masahiko; Ando, Akira; Omiya, Suetake; Kubodera, Noriyuki

    2015-01-01

    Although lead-free piezoelectric ceramics have been extensively studied, many problems must still be overcome before they are suitable for practical use. One of the main problems is fabricating a multilayer structure, and one solution attracting growing interest is the use of lead-free multilayer piezoelectric ceramics. The paper reviews work that has been done by the authors on lead-free alkali niobate-based multilayer piezoelectric ceramics co-fired with nickel inner electrodes. Nickel inner electrodes have many advantages, such as high electromigration resistance, high interfacial strength with ceramics, and greater cost effectiveness than silver palladium inner electrodes. However, widely used lead zirconate titanate-based ceramics cannot be co-fired with nickel inner electrodes, and silver palladium inner electrodes are usually used for lead zirconate titanate-based piezoelectric ceramics. A possible alternative is lead-free ceramics co-fired with nickel inner electrodes. We have thus been developing lead-free alkali niobate-based multilayer ceramics co-fired with nickel inner electrodes. The normalized electric-field-induced thickness strain (Smax/Emax) of a representative alkali niobate-based multilayer ceramic structure with nickel inner electrodes was 360 pm/V, where Smax denotes the maximum strain and Emax denotes the maximum electric field. This value is about half that for the lead zirconate titanate-based ceramics that are widely used. However, a comparable value can be obtained by stacking more ceramic layers with smaller thicknesses. In the paper, the compositional design and process used to co-fire lead-free ceramics with nickel inner electrodes are introduced, and their piezoelectric properties and reliabilities are shown. Recent advances are introduced, and future development is discussed. PMID:28793646

  8. Roughening of surfaces under intense and rapid heating

    NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

    Andersen, Michael Louis

    The High Average Power Laser (HAPL) project is aimed at a chamber design with a solid first wall in pursuit of sustained Laser Inertial Confinement Fusion. The wall must be able to withstand cyclic high temperatures and the corresponding thermal stresses. Tungsten was proposed as a suitable armor for the wall, because as a refractory metal, it has a high melting temperature and can act as a stress dampener. The nature of the surface loading consists of x-rays, ions, and neutrons, which through mainly thermal loading, create a biaxial surface stress. This condition causes the surface to roughen as ridges and valleys form to relieve the elastic energy. As the valleys deepen they eventually become cracks and traditional fracture mechanics can be used to determine the life of the first wall. Beginning from the Asaro-Tiller-Grinfeld instability, sharp interface calculations can be performed to determine the surface profile as a result of the interplay between surface stress energy and mass transport mechanisms. One successful approach to determine interface evolution is phase field theory and its embodiment in the numerical level-set method. Applications of the method included problems of solid/liquid and solid/vapor interfaces. In the present method, however, we develop a numerical procedure for surface profile tracking directly without the need to develop partial differential equations for the phase field, which typically smooth out sharp interfaces. Surface roughening instabilities, which are driven by a competition between elastic and surface energy contributions, are shown to be significantly controlled by plastic energy dissipation. We consider here a general parametric description of the surface of a stressed solid and through a mechanical kinetic transport mechanism, follow the temporal evolution of the surface morphology. It is found that once a groove reaches a certain depth and curvature, an instability is created that cannot be followed through elasticity

  9. Early Stage Anodic Instability of Glassy Carbon Electrodes in Propylene Carbonate Solvent Containing Lithium Hexafluorophosphate.

    PubMed

    Carino, Emily V; Newman, Daniel J; Connell, Justin G; Kim, Chaerin; Brushett, Fikile R

    2017-10-31

    Irreversible changes to the morphology of glassy carbon (GC) electrodes at potentials between 3.5 and 4.5 V vs Li/Li + in propylene carbonate (PC) solvent containing lithium hexafluorophosphate (LiPF 6 ) are reported. Analysis of cyclic voltammetry (CV) experiments in the range of 3.0 to 6.0 V shows that the capacitance of the electrochemical double-layer increased irreversibly beginning at potentials as low as 3.5 V. These changes resulted from nonfaradaic interactions, and were not due to oxidative electrochemical decomposition of the electrode and electrolyte, anion intercalation, nor caused by the presence of water, a common impurity in organic electrolyte solutions. Atomic force microscopy (AFM) images revealed that increasing the potential of a bare GC surface from 3.0 to 4.5 V resulted in a 6× increase in roughness, in good agreement with the changes in double-layer capacitance. Treating the GC surface via exposure to trichloromethylsilane vapors resulted in a stable double-layer capacitance between 3.0 and 4.5 V, and this treatment also correlated with less roughening. These results inform future efforts aimed at controlling surface composition and morphology of carbon electrodes.

  10. Ni-BaTiO3-Based Base-Metal Electrode (BME) Ceramic Capacitors for Space Applications

    NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

    Liu, Donhang; Fetter, Lula; Meinhold, Bruce

    2015-01-01

    A multi-layer ceramic capacitor (MLCC) is a high-temperature (1350C typical) co-fired ceramic monolithic that is composed of many layers of alternately stacked oxide-based dielectric and internal metal electrodes. To make the dielectric layers insulating and the metal electrode layers conducting, only highly oxidation-resistant precious metals, such as platinum, palladium, and silver, can be used for the co-firing of insulating MLCCs in a regular air atmosphere. MLCCs made with precious metals as internal electrodes and terminations are called precious-metal electrode (PME) capacitors. Currently, all military and space-level applications only address the use of PME capacitors.

  11. In situ study on surface roughening in radiation-resistant Ag nanowires

    NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

    Shang, Z.; Li, Jin; Fan, C.; Chen, Y.; Li, Q.; Wang, H.; Shen, T. D.; Zhang, X.

    2018-05-01

    Metallic materials subjected to heavy ion irradiation experience significant radiation damage. Free surface is a type of effective defect sinks to improve the radiation resistance in metallic materials. However, the radiation resistance of metallic nanowires (NWs) is largely unknown. Here we show, via in situ Kr ion irradiations in a transmission electron microscope, Ag NWs exhibited much better radiation resistance than coarse-grained Ag. Irradiation-induced prominent surface roughening in Ag NWs provides direct evidence for interaction between defect clusters and free surface. Diameter dependent variation of the surface roughness in irradiated Ag NWs has also been observed. This study provides insight on mechanisms of enhanced radiation resistance via free surfaces in metallic NWs.

  12. In situ study on surface roughening in radiation-resistant Ag nanowires.

    PubMed

    Shang, Z; Li, Jin; Fan, C; Chen, Y; Li, Q; Wang, H; Shen, T D; Zhang, X

    2018-05-25

    Metallic materials subjected to heavy ion irradiation experience significant radiation damage. Free surface is a type of effective defect sinks to improve the radiation resistance in metallic materials. However, the radiation resistance of metallic nanowires (NWs) is largely unknown. Here we show, via in situ Kr ion irradiations in a transmission electron microscope, Ag NWs exhibited much better radiation resistance than coarse-grained Ag. Irradiation-induced prominent surface roughening in Ag NWs provides direct evidence for interaction between defect clusters and free surface. Diameter dependent variation of the surface roughness in irradiated Ag NWs has also been observed. This study provides insight on mechanisms of enhanced radiation resistance via free surfaces in metallic NWs.

  13. A comparative study of the reduction of silver and gold salts in water by a cathodic microplasma electrode

    NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

    De Vos, Caroline; Baneton, Joffrey; Witzke, Megan; Dille, Jean; Godet, Stéphane; Gordon, Michael J.; Mohan Sankaran, R.; Reniers, François

    2017-03-01

    A comparative study of the reduction of aqueous silver (Ag) and gold (Au) salts to colloidal Ag and Au nanoparticles, respectively, by a gaseous, cathodic, atmospheric-pressure microplasma electrode is presented. The resulting nanoparticles (NPs) were characterized by ultraviolet-visible (UV-vis) absorption spectroscopy and transmission electron microscopy (TEM), and the aqueous solution composition before and after experiments was determined by ionic conductivity, electrochemical potential, and/or UV-vis absorption measurements. TEM showed that Ag and Au NPs were spherical and non-agglomerated when synthesized in the presence of a stabilizer, polyvinyl alcohol. The charge injected by the plasma was correlated to the maximum intensity in the absorbance spectra which in turn depends on the nanoparticle concentration. Separately, the charge injected was correlated to the metal cation concentration. Ag and Au reduction rates were found to be directly proportional to the charge injected, independent of plasma current and process time. Differences in the mechanism for Ag and Au reduction were also observed, and solution species generated by the plasma and their role in the reduction process (e.g. H2O2, electrons) is discussed.

  14. Synthesis and applications of novel silver nanoparticle structures

    NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

    Dukes, Kyle

    template base self assembly. A 1.5 micron silica sphere is bound to poly(4-vinylpyridine) coated glass and used as a template. a mask of silica monoxide is vacuum deposited atop the spheres/glass leaving a ring just below the sphere untouched and able to bind silver nanoparticles. Optical microscopy reveal interesting results under depolarized light conditions, but ultimate structural analysis has proven elusive. Semiconducting p-type cuprous oxide was electrochemically deposited on both silver and indium tin oxide electrodes. Silver nanoparticles were incorporated into the architecture either atop the cuprous oxide or sandwiched between cuprous oxide and n-type material. Increases in photocurrent were observed in both cases and further work must be conducted to optimize a solid state device for photovoltaic applications.

  15. Short term serum pharmacokinetics of diammine silver fluoride after oral application.

    PubMed

    Vasquez, Elsa; Zegarra, Graciela; Chirinos, Edgar; Castillo, Jorge L; Taves, Donald R; Watson, Gene E; Dills, Russell; Mancl, Lloyd L; Milgrom, Peter

    2012-12-31

    There is growing interest in the use of diammine silver fluoride (DSF) as a topical agent to treat dentin hypersensitivity and dental caries as gauged by increasing published research from many parts of the world. While DSF has been available in various formulations for many years, most of its pharmacokinetic aspects within the therapeutic concentration range have never been fully characterized. This preliminary study determined the applied doses (3 teeth treated), maximum serum concentrations, and time to maximum serum concentration for fluoride and silver in 6 adults over 4 h. Fluoride was determined using the indirect diffusion method with a fluoride selective electrode, and silver was determined using inductively coupled plasma-mass spectrometry. The mean amount of DSF solution applied to the 3 teeth was 7.57 mg (6.04 μL). Over the 4 hour observation period, the mean maximum serum concentrations were 1.86 μmol/L for fluoride and 206 nmol/L for silver. These maximums were reached 3.0 h and 2.5 h for fluoride and silver, respectively. Fluoride exposure was below the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) oral reference dose. Silver exposure exceeded the EPA oral reference dose for cumulative daily exposure over a lifetime, but for occasional use was well below concentrations associated with toxicity. This preliminary study suggests that serum concentrations of fluoride and silver after topical application of DSF should pose little toxicity risk when used in adults. NCT01664871.

  16. A simple template method for hierarchical dendrites of silver nanorods and their applications in catalysis

    DOE Office of Scientific and Technical Information (OSTI.GOV)

    Gao Peng; Zhang Milin; Hou Hongwei

    2008-03-04

    A novel strategy has been put forward to prepare hierarchical dendrites of silver nanorods via a simple integration method using 'Devarda's template' as a reducing agent and architecture template with the assistance of ultrasonic waves, in which the template was firstly fabricated and employed. The individual silver dendrite is composed of a long central trunk with secondary branches, which preferentially grew in a parallel direction with a definite angle to the trunk. The results reveal that the dendrites are single crystalline in nature and interestingly prove that the silver single crystal has the preferential orientation in <1 1 1> directionmore » in normal conditions. The contrast experiments demonstrated that both 'Devarda's template' and the ultrasonic irradiation are necessary for building hierarchically silver dendrites in a water system. Moreover, the experimental results show that the dendrites of silver nanorods are the superior electrode materials for the electrochemical sensors to detect directly NO{sub 2}{sup -} in aqueous solution.« less

  17. Optimization of silver-dielectric-silver nanoshell for sensing applications

    DOE Office of Scientific and Technical Information (OSTI.GOV)

    Shirzaditabar, Farzad; Saliminasab, Maryam

    2013-08-15

    In this paper, resonance light scattering (RLS) properties of a silver-dielectric-silver nanoshell, based on quasi-static approach and plasmon hybridization theory, are investigated. Scattering spectrum of silver-dielectric-silver nanoshell has two intense and clearly separated RLS peaks and provides a potential for biosensing based on surface plasmon resonance and surface-enhanced Raman scattering. The two RLS peaks in silver-dielectric-silver nanoshell are optimized by tuning the geometrical dimensions. In addition, the optimal geometry is discussed to obtain the high sensitivity of silver-dielectric-silver nanoshell. As the silver core radius increases, the sensitivity of silver-dielectric-silver nanoshell decreases whereas increasing the middle dielectric thickness increases the sensitivitymore » of silver-dielectric-silver nanoshell.« less

  18. Extremely Robust and Patternable Electrodes for Copy-Paper-Based Electronics.

    PubMed

    Ahn, Jaeho; Seo, Ji-Won; Lee, Tae-Ik; Kwon, Donguk; Park, Inkyu; Kim, Taek-Soo; Lee, Jung-Yong

    2016-07-27

    We propose a fabrication process for extremely robust and easily patternable silver nanowire (AgNW) electrodes on paper. Using an auxiliary donor layer and a simple laminating process, AgNWs can be easily transferred to copy paper as well as various other substrates using a dry process. Intercalating a polymeric binder between the AgNWs and the substrate through a simple printing technique enhances adhesion, not only guaranteeing high foldability of the electrodes, but also facilitating selective patterning of the AgNWs. Using the proposed process, extremely crease-tolerant electronics based on copy paper can be fabricated, such as a printed circuit board for a 7-segment display, portable heater, and capacitive touch sensor, demonstrating the applicability of the AgNWs-based electrodes to paper electronics.

  19. Flexible Electrode Design: Fabrication of Freestanding Polyaniline-Based Composite Films for High-Performance Supercapacitors.

    PubMed

    Khosrozadeh, Ali; Darabi, Mohammad Ali; Xing, Malcolm; Wang, Quan

    2016-05-11

    Polyaniline (PANI) is a promising pseudocapacitance electrode material. However, its structural instability leads to low cyclic stability and limited rate capability which hinders its practical applications. In view of the limitations, flexible PANI-based composite films are developed to improve the electrochemical performance of electrode materials. We report in the research a facile and cost-effective approach for fabrication of a high-performance supercapacitor (SC) with excellent cyclic stability and tunable energy and power densities. SC electrode containing a very high mass loading of active materials is a flexible film of PANI, tissue wiper-based cellulose, graphite-based exfoliated graphite (ExG), and silver nanoparticles with potential applications in wearable electronics. The optimum preparation weight ratios of silver nitrate/aniline and ExG/aniline used in the research are estimated to be 0.18 and 0.65 (or higher), respectively. Our results show that an ultrahigh capacitance of 3.84 F/cm(2) (240.10 F/g) at a discharge rate of 5 mA can be achieved. In addition, our study shows that the power density can be increased from 1531.3 to 3000 W/kg by selecting the weight ratio of ExG/aniline to be more than 0.65, with a sacrifice in the energy density. The obtained promising electrochemical properties are found to be mainly attributed to an effective combination of PANI, ExG, cushiony cellulose scaffold, and silver as well as the porosity of the composite.

  20. Amperometric glucose sensor based on the Ni(OH)2/Al(OH)4- electrode obtained from a thin Ni3Al foil

    NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

    Jarosz, Magdalena; Socha, Robert P.; Jóźwik, Paweł; Sulka, Grzegorz D.

    2017-06-01

    In this report, we present a facile and relatively fast method to roughen the surface of Ni3Al-based intermetallic foil, and test it as an amperometric non-enzymatic glucose sensor. The alloy samples underwent chemical etching in a H3PO4:CH3COOH (HAc):HNO3:H2O (24:1:1:7 in volume) solution in order to achieve a high surface area with more electroactive sites. The Ni(OH)2/Al(OH)4- electrode was fabricated using potential cycling technique in a highly concentrated alkaline solution. The electrodes were tested electrochemically for oxidation of glucose. We have demonstrated that Ni(OH)2/Al(OH)4- electrodes exhibit high sensitivity towards glucose detection (796 μAmM-1cm-2) and short response time (3 s) upon successive addition of glucose. Moreover, as for a non-nanometric material, prepared electrodes show a relatively good linear correlation between current density and glucose concentration (0.025-0.45 mM) and limit of detection (47.6 μM). For more in-depth characterization of presented material, electrodes were examined using scanning electron microscopy (SEM) with energy-dispersive spectroscopy (EDS), X-ray diffraction (XRD) and X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS).

  1. Investigation on Low Firing Copper for Front Electrode of Si-Based Solar Cell Applications.

    PubMed

    Chiang, Chen-Su; Wu, Yia-Ming; Lee, Wen-Hsi

    2018-04-01

    Solar cell is one of the most popular alternative energies. The aim of this study is to construct an ohmic contact between front electrode and Si-based solar cell by a Newly-invented low-cost paste and low temperature sintering process. The core-shell of CucoreAgshell powders were prepared for making high solid content paste, then screen printing the fine line on laser-opening H-pattern silicon substrate and applying firing process. Because the silver coverage is more than 95% and silver nanoparticles start to melt at 200 °C. The shell of nanoparticles of silver not only is used to prevent copper from oxidized, but also connected core Cu particles for enhancing the conductivity of CucoreAgshell. TEM, EDS, SEM were used to examine the microstructure of CucoreAgshell. Fourpoint probe and transmission line model were employed to analyze the sheet resistance and the specific contact resistance. The lowest specific contact resistivity is 0.005 Ωcm2, sheet resistance is 0.0138 Ω/ and the lowest resistivity of front electrode measured is 2.65 × 10-5 Ωcm when CucoreAgshell paste with 94 wt% solid content was fired at 550 °C.

  2. Preliminary investigation of a sealed, remotely activated silver-zinc battery

    NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

    Wheat, C. G.

    1977-01-01

    Methods necessary to provide a remotely activated, silver zinc battery capable of an extended activated stand while in a sealed condition were investigated. These requirements were to be accomplished in a battery package demonstrating an energy density of at least 35 watt hours per pound. Several methods of gas suppression were considered in view of the primary nature of this unit and utilized the electroplated dendritic zinc electrode. Amalgamation of the electrode provided the greatest suppression of gas at the zinc electrode. The approach to extending the activated stand capability of the remotely activated battery was through evaluation of three basic methods of remote, multi-cell activation; 1) the electrolyte manifold, 2) the gas manifold and 3) the individual cell. All three methods of activation can be incorporated into units which will meet the minimum energy density requirement.

  3. Advanced silver zinc battery development for the SRB and ET range safety subsystems

    NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

    Adamedes, Zoe

    1994-01-01

    This document presents in viewgraph format the design and development of silver zinc (AgZn) batteries for the solid rocket booster (SRB) and external tank (ET) range safety subsystems. Various engineering techniques, including composite separator systems, new electrode processing techniques, and new restraint techniques, were used to meet difficult requirements.

  4. Large scale, highly conductive and patterned transparent films of silver nanowires on arbitrary substrates and their application in touch screens

    NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

    Madaria, Anuj R.; Kumar, Akshay; Zhou, Chongwu

    2011-06-01

    The application of silver nanowire films as transparent conductive electrodes has shown promising results recently. In this paper, we demonstrate the application of a simple spray coating technique to obtain large scale, highly uniform and conductive silver nanowire films on arbitrary substrates. We also integrated a polydimethylsiloxane (PDMS)-assisted contact transfer technique with spray coating, which allowed us to obtain large scale high quality patterned films of silver nanowires. The transparency and conductivity of the films was controlled by the volume of the dispersion used in spraying and the substrate area. We note that the optoelectrical property, σDC/σOp, for various films fabricated was in the range 75-350, which is extremely high for transparent thin film compared to other candidate alternatives to doped metal oxide film. Using this method, we obtain silver nanowire films on a flexible polyethylene terephthalate (PET) substrate with a transparency of 85% and sheet resistance of 33 Ω/sq, which is comparable to that of tin-doped indium oxide (ITO) on flexible substrates. In-depth analysis of the film shows a high performance using another commonly used figure-of-merit, ΦTE. Also, Ag nanowire film/PET shows good mechanical flexibility and the application of such a conductive silver nanowire film as an electrode in a touch panel has been demonstrated.

  5. A printed, dry electrode Frank configuration vest for ambulatory vectorcardiographic monitoring

    NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

    Paul, Gordon; Torah, Russel; Beeby, Steve; Tudor, John

    2017-02-01

    This paper describes the design and fabrication of a screen printed network of bio-potential measurement electrodes on a garment, in this case a vest. The electrodes are placed according to the Frank configuration, which allows monitoring of the electrical behavior of the heart in three spatial orientations. The vest is designed to provide stable contact pressure on the electrodes. The electrodes are fabricated from stencil printed carbon loaded rubber and are connected by screen printed silver polymer conductive tracks to an array of vias, which form an electrical connection to the other side of the textile. The vest is tested and compared to Frank configuration recordings that were obtained using standard self-adhesive ECG electrodes. The vest was successfully used to obtain Frank configuration recordings with minimal baseline drift. The vest is fabricated using only technologies found in standard textile production lines and can be used with a reduced setup effort compared to clinical 12-lead examinations.

  6. Short term serum pharmacokinetics of diammine silver fluoride after oral application

    PubMed Central

    2012-01-01

    Background There is growing interest in the use of diammine silver fluoride (DSF) as a topical agent to treat dentin hypersensitivity and dental caries as gauged by increasing published research from many parts of the world. While DSF has been available in various formulations for many years, most of its pharmacokinetic aspects within the therapeutic concentration range have never been fully characterized. Methods This preliminary study determined the applied doses (3 teeth treated), maximum serum concentrations, and time to maximum serum concentration for fluoride and silver in 6 adults over 4 h. Fluoride was determined using the indirect diffusion method with a fluoride selective electrode, and silver was determined using inductively coupled plasma-mass spectrometry. The mean amount of DSF solution applied to the 3 teeth was 7.57 mg (6.04 μL). Results Over the 4 hour observation period, the mean maximum serum concentrations were 1.86 μmol/L for fluoride and 206 nmol/L for silver. These maximums were reached 3.0 h and 2.5 h for fluoride and silver, respectively. Conclusions Fluoride exposure was below the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) oral reference dose. Silver exposure exceeded the EPA oral reference dose for cumulative daily exposure over a lifetime, but for occasional use was well below concentrations associated with toxicity. This preliminary study suggests that serum concentrations of fluoride and silver after topical application of DSF should pose little toxicity risk when used in adults. Clinical trials registration NCT01664871. PMID:23272643

  7. Early Stage Anodic Instability of Glassy Carbon Electrodes in Propylene Carbonate Solvent Containing Lithium Hexafluorophosphate

    DOE PAGES

    Carino, Emily V.; Newman, Daniel J.; Connell, Justin G.; ...

    2017-09-19

    In this paper, irreversible changes to the morphology of glassy carbon (GC) electrodes at potentials between 3.5 and 4.5 V vs Li/Li + in propylene carbonate (PC) solvent containing lithium hexafluorophosphate (LiPF 6) are reported. Analysis of cyclic voltammetry (CV) experiments in the range of 3.0 to 6.0 V shows that the capacitance of the electrochemical double -layer increased irreversibly beginning at potentials as low as 3.5 V. These changes resulted from nonfaradaic interactions, and were not due to oxidative electrochemical decomposition of the electrode and electrolyte, anion intercalation, nor caused by the presence of water, a common impurity inmore » organic electrolyte solutions. Atomic force microscopy (AFM) images revealed that increasing the potential of a bare GC surface from 3.0 to 4.5 V resulted in a 6X increase in roughness, in good agreement with the changes in double -layer capacitance. Treating the GC surface via exposure to trichloromethylsilane vapors resulted in a stable double -layer capacitance between 3.0 and 4.5 V, and this treatment also correlated with less roughening. Lastly, these results inform future efforts aimed at controlling surface composition and morphology of carbon electrodes.« less

  8. Biopolymer protected silver nanoparticles on the support of carbon nanotube as interface for electrocatalytic applications

    NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

    Satyanarayana, M.; Kumar, V. Sunil; Gobi, K. Vengatajalabathy

    2016-04-01

    In this research, silver nanoparticles (SNPs) are prepared on the surface of carbon nanotubes via chitosan, a biopolymer linkage. Here chitosan act as stabilizing agent for nanoparticles and forms a network on the surface of carbon nanotubes. Synthesized silver nanoparticles-MWCNT hybrid composite is characterized by UV-Visible spectroscopy, XRD analysis, and FESEM with EDS to evaluate the structural and chemical properties of the nanocomposite. The electrocatalytic activity of the fabricated SNP-MWCNT hybrid modified glassy carbon electrode has been evaluated by cyclic voltammetry and electrochemical impedance analysis. The silver nanoparticles are of size ˜35 nm and are well distributed on the surface of carbon nanotubes with chitosan linkage. The prepared nanocomposite shows efficient electrocatalytic properties with high active surface area and excellent electron transfer behaviour.

  9. Effect of deposition temperature on the properties of Al-doped ZnO films prepared by pulsed DC magnetron sputtering for transparent electrodes in thin-film solar cells

    NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

    Kim, Doo-Soo; Park, Ji-Hyeon; Shin, Beom-Ki; Moon, Kyeong-Ju; Son, Myoungwoo; Ham, Moon-Ho; Lee, Woong; Myoung, Jae-Min

    2012-10-01

    A simple but scalable approach to the production of surface-textured Al-doped ZnO(AZO) films for low-cost transparent electrode applications in thin-film solar cells is introduced in this study by combining pulsed dc magnetron sputtering (PDMS) with wet etching in sequence. First, structural, electrical, and optical properties of the AZO films prepared by a PDMS were investigated as functions of deposition temperature to obtain transparent electrode films that can be used as indium-free alternative to ITO electrodes. Increase in the deposition temperature to 230 °C accompanied the improvement in crystalline quality and doping efficiency, which enabled the lowest electrical resistivity of 4.16 × 10-4 Ω cm with the carrier concentration of 1.65 × 1021 cm-3 and Hall mobility of 11.3 cm2/V s. The wet etching of the films in a diluted HCl solution resulted in surface roughening via the formation of crater-like structures without significant degradation in the electrical properties, which is responsible for the enhanced light scattering capability required for anti-reflective electrodes in thin film solar cells.

  10. Silver(II) Oxide or Silver(I,III) Oxide?

    ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

    Tudela, David

    2008-01-01

    The often called silver peroxide and silver(II) oxide, AgO or Ag[subscript 2]O[subscript 2], is actually a mixed oxidation state silver(I,III) oxide. A thermochemical cycle, with lattice energies calculated within the "volume-based" thermodynamic approach, explain why the silver(I,III) oxide is more stable than the hypothetical silver(II) oxide.…

  11. Rapid synthesis of ultra-long silver nanowires for tailor-made transparent conductive electrodes: proof of concept in organic solar cells.

    PubMed

    José Andrés, Luis; Fe Menéndez, María; Gómez, David; Luisa Martínez, Ana; Bristow, Noel; Paul Kettle, Jeffrey; Menéndez, Armando; Ruiz, Bernardino

    2015-07-03

    Rapid synthesis of ultralong silver nanowires (AgNWs) has been obtained using a one-pot polyol-mediated synthetic procedure. The AgNWs have been prepared from the base materials in less than one hour with nanowire lengths reaching 195 μm, which represents the quickest synthesis and one of the highest reported aspect ratios to date. These results have been achieved through a joint analysis of all reaction parameters, which represents a clear progress beyond the state of the art. Dispersions of the AgNWs have been used to prepare thin, flexible, transparent and conducting films using spray coating. Due to the higher aspect ratio, an improved electrical percolation network is observed. This allows a low sheet resistance (RS = 20.2 Ω/sq), whilst maintaining high optical film transparency (T = 94.7%), driving to the highest reported figure-of-merit (FoM = 338). Owing to the light-scattering influence of the AgNWs, the density of the AgNW network can also be varied to enable controllability of the optical haze through the sample. Based on the identification of the optimal haze value, organic photovoltaics (OPVs) have been fabricated using the AgNWs as the transparent electrode and have been benchmarked against indium tin oxide (ITO) electrodes. Overall, the performance of OPVs made using AgNWs sees a small decrease in power conversion efficiency (PCE), primarily due to a fall in open-circuit voltage (50 mV). This work indicates that AgNWs can provide a low cost, rapid and roll-to-roll compatible alternative to ITO in OPVs, with only a small compromise in PCE needed.

  12. Rapid synthesis of ultra-long silver nanowires for tailor-made transparent conductive electrodes: proof of concept in organic solar cells

    NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

    José Andrés, Luis; Menéndez, María Fe; Gómez, David; Martínez, Ana Luisa; Bristow, Noel; Kettle, Jeffrey Paul; Menéndez, Armando; Ruiz, Bernardino

    2015-07-01

    Rapid synthesis of ultralong silver nanowires (AgNWs) has been obtained using a one-pot polyol-mediated synthetic procedure. The AgNWs have been prepared from the base materials in less than one hour with nanowire lengths reaching 195 μm, which represents the quickest synthesis and one of the highest reported aspect ratios to date. These results have been achieved through a joint analysis of all reaction parameters, which represents a clear progress beyond the state of the art. Dispersions of the AgNWs have been used to prepare thin, flexible, transparent and conducting films using spray coating. Due to the higher aspect ratio, an improved electrical percolation network is observed. This allows a low sheet resistance (RS = 20.2 Ω/sq), whilst maintaining high optical film transparency (T = 94.7%), driving to the highest reported figure-of-merit (FoM = 338). Owing to the light-scattering influence of the AgNWs, the density of the AgNW network can also be varied to enable controllability of the optical haze through the sample. Based on the identification of the optimal haze value, organic photovoltaics (OPVs) have been fabricated using the AgNWs as the transparent electrode and have been benchmarked against indium tin oxide (ITO) electrodes. Overall, the performance of OPVs made using AgNWs sees a small decrease in power conversion efficiency (PCE), primarily due to a fall in open-circuit voltage (50 mV). This work indicates that AgNWs can provide a low cost, rapid and roll-to-roll compatible alternative to ITO in OPVs, with only a small compromise in PCE needed.

  13. Bioinspired Hierarchical Nanofibrous Silver-Nanoparticle/Anatase-Rutile-Titania Composite as an Anode Material for Lithium-Ion Batteries.

    PubMed

    Luo, Yan; Li, Jiao; Huang, Jianguo

    2016-11-29

    A new bioinspired hierarchical nanofibrous silver-nanoparticle/anatase-rutile-titania (Ag-NP/A-R-titania) composite was fabricated by employing a natural cellulose substance (e.g., commercial laboratory cellulose filter paper) as the structural scaffold template, which was composed of anatase-phase titania (A-titania) nanotubes with rutile-phase titania (R-titania) nanoneedles grown on the surfaces and further silver nanoparticles (AgNPs) immobilized thereon. As it was employed as an anode material for lithium-ion batteries (LIBs), high reversible capacity, enhanced rate performance, and excellent cycling stability were achieved as compared with those of the corresponding cellulose-substance-derived nanotubular A-titania, R-titania, heterogeneous anatase/rutile titania (A-R-titania) composite, and commercial P25 powder. This benefited from its unique porous cross-linked three-dimensional structure inherited from the initial cellulose substance scaffold, which enhances the sufficient electrode/electrolyte contact, relieves the severe volume change upon cycling, and improves the amount of lithium-ion storage; moreover, the high loading content of the silver component in the composite improves the electrical conductivity of the electrode. The structural integrity of the composite was maintained upon long-term charge/discharge cycling, indicating its significant stability.

  14. Microwave-assisted synthesis of gold, silver, platinum and palladium nanostructures and their use in electrocatalytic applications.

    PubMed

    Safavi, Afsaneh; Tohidi, Maryam

    2014-09-01

    Microwave-assisted ionic liquid method was used for synthesis of various noble metals, such as gold, silver, platinum and palladium nanomaterials. This route does not employ any template agent, surface capping agents or reducing agents. The process is fast, simple and of high yield. Different metal precursors in various ionic liquids media (1-butyl-3-methylimidazolium tetrafluoroborate, octyl pyridinium hexaflurophosphate and 1-octyl-3-methylimidazolium hexaflurophosphate) were applied to produce metal nanomaterials. Silver, platinium and palladium nanoparticles exhibit spherical morphology while nanosheets with high aspect ratio were obtained for gold. These metal nanostructures were incorporated into a carbon ionic liquid electrode to investigate their electrocatalytic properties. It was found that synthesis in different ionic liquids result in different activity. Excellent electrocatalytic effects toward adenine, hydrazine, formaldehyde and ethanol were observed for the modified electrodes with different nanoparticles synthesized in 1-butyl-3-methylimidazolium tetrafluoroborate. The high conductivity, large surface-to-volume ratio and active sites of nanosized metal particles are responsible for their electrocatalytic activity. In contrast, the carbon ionic liquid electrode modified with synthesized metal nanoparticles in octyl pyridinium hexaflurophosphate and 1-octyl-3-methylimidazolium hexaflurophosphate showed negligible activity for detection of these probes.

  15. Electrocatalytic simultaneous determination of ascorbic acid, uric acid and L-Cysteine in real samples using quercetin silver nanoparticles-graphene nanosheets modified glassy carbon electrode

    NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

    Zare, Hamid R.; Jahangiri-Dehaghani, Fahime; Shekari, Zahra; Benvidi, Ali

    2016-07-01

    By immobilizing of quercetin at the surface of a glassy carbon electrode modified with silver nanoparticles and graphene nanosheets (Q-AgNPs-GNs-GCE) a new sensor has been fabricated. The cyclic voltammogram of Q-AgNPs-GNs-GCE shows a stable redox couple with surface confined characteristics. Q-AgNPs-GNs-GCE demonstrated a high catalytic activity for L-Cysteine (L-Cys) oxidation. Results indicated that L-Cys peak potential at Q-AgNPs-GNs-GCE shifted to less positive values compared to GNs-GCE or AgNPs-GCE. Also, the kinetic parameters such as the electron transfer coefficient,, and the heterogeneous electron transfer rate constant, k‧, for the oxidation of L-Cys at the Q-AgNPs-GNs-GCE surface were estimated. In differential pulse voltammetric determination, the detection limit of L-Cys was obtained 0.28 μM, and the calibration plots were linear within two ranges of 0.9-12.4 μM and 12.4-538.5 μM of L-Cys. Also, the proposed modified electrode is used for the simultaneous determinations of ascorbic acid (AA), uric acid (UA), and L-Cys. Finally, this study has demonstrated the practical analytical utility of the sensor for determination of AA in vitamin C tablet, L-Cys in a milk sample and UA in a human urine sample.

  16. Supercapacitive transport of pharmacologic agents using nanoporous gold electrodes.

    PubMed

    Gittard, Shaun D; Pierson, Bonnie E; Ha, Cindy M; Wu, Chung-An Max; Narayan, Roger J; Robinson, David B

    2010-02-01

    In this study, nanoporous gold supercapacitors were produced by electrochemical dealloying of gold-silver alloy. Scanning electron microscopy and energy dispersive X-ray spectroscopy confirmed completion of the dealloying process and generation of a porous gold material with approximately 10 nm diameter pores. Cyclic voltammetry and chronoamperometry of the nanoporous gold electrodes indicated that these materials exhibited supercapacitor behavior. The storage capacity of the electrodes measured by chronoamperometry was approximately 3 mC at 200 mV. Electrochemical storage and voltage-controlled delivery of two model pharmacologic agents, benzylammonium and salicylic acid, was demonstrated. These results suggest that capacitance-based storage and delivery of pharmacologic agents may serve as an alternative to conventional drug delivery methods.

  17. Photoresist-Free Patterning by Mechanical Abrasion of Water-Soluble Lift-Off Resists and Bare Substrates: Toward Green Fabrication of Transparent Electrodes

    PubMed Central

    Printz, Adam D.; Chan, Esther; Liong, Celine; Martinez, René S.; Lipomi, Darren J.

    2013-01-01

    This paper describes the fabrication of transparent electrodes based on grids of copper microwires using a non-photolithographic process. The process—“abrasion lithography”—takes two forms. In the first implementation (Method I), a water-soluble commodity polymer film is abraded with a sharp tool, coated with a conductive film, and developed by immersion in water. Water dissolves the polymer film and lifts off the conductive film in the unabraded areas. In the second implementation (Method II), the substrate is abraded directly by scratching with a sharp tool (i.e., no polymer film necessary). The abraded regions of the substrate are recessed and roughened. Following deposition of a conductive film, the lower profile and roughened topography in the abraded regions prevents mechanical exfoliation of the conductive film using adhesive tape, and thus the conductive film remains only where the substrate is scratched. As an application, conductive grids exhibit average sheet resistances of 17 Ω sq–1 and transparencies of 86% are fabricated and used as the anode in organic photovoltaic cells in concert with the conductive polymer, poly(3,4-ethylenedioxythiophene):poly(styrenesulfonate) (PEDOT:PSS). Compared to devices in which PEDOT:PSS alone serves as an anode, devices comprising grids of copper/nickel microwires and PEDOT:PSS exhibit lowered series resistance, which manifests in greater fill factor and power conversion efficiency. This simple method of forming micropatterns could find use in applications where cost and environmental impact should be minimized, especially as a potential replacement for the transparent electrode indium tin oxide (ITO) in thin-film electronics over large areas (i.e., solar cells) or as a method of rapid prototyping for laboratory-scale devices. PMID:24358321

  18. Photoresist-free patterning by mechanical abrasion of water-soluble lift-off resists and bare substrates: toward green fabrication of transparent electrodes.

    PubMed

    Printz, Adam D; Chan, Esther; Liong, Celine; Martinez, René S; Lipomi, Darren J

    2013-01-01

    This paper describes the fabrication of transparent electrodes based on grids of copper microwires using a non-photolithographic process. The process--"abrasion lithography"--takes two forms. In the first implementation (Method I), a water-soluble commodity polymer film is abraded with a sharp tool, coated with a conductive film, and developed by immersion in water. Water dissolves the polymer film and lifts off the conductive film in the unabraded areas. In the second implementation (Method II), the substrate is abraded directly by scratching with a sharp tool (i.e., no polymer film necessary). The abraded regions of the substrate are recessed and roughened. Following deposition of a conductive film, the lower profile and roughened topography in the abraded regions prevents mechanical exfoliation of the conductive film using adhesive tape, and thus the conductive film remains only where the substrate is scratched. As an application, conductive grids exhibit average sheet resistances of 17 Ω sq(-1) and transparencies of 86% are fabricated and used as the anode in organic photovoltaic cells in concert with the conductive polymer, poly(3,4-ethylenedioxythiophene):poly(styrenesulfonate) (PEDOT:PSS). Compared to devices in which PEDOT:PSS alone serves as an anode, devices comprising grids of copper/nickel microwires and PEDOT:PSS exhibit lowered series resistance, which manifests in greater fill factor and power conversion efficiency. This simple method of forming micropatterns could find use in applications where cost and environmental impact should be minimized, especially as a potential replacement for the transparent electrode indium tin oxide (ITO) in thin-film electronics over large areas (i.e., solar cells) or as a method of rapid prototyping for laboratory-scale devices.

  19. Method for the recovery of silver from silver zeolite

    DOEpatents

    Reimann, G.A.

    1985-03-05

    High purity silver is recovered from silver exchanged zeolite used to capture radioactive iodine from nuclear reactor and nuclear fuel reprocessing environments. The silver exchanged zeolite is heated with slag formers to melt and fluidize the zeolite and release the silver, the radioactivity removing with the slag. The silver containing metallic impurities is remelted and treated with oxygen and a flux to remove the metal impurities. About 98% of the silver in the silver exchanged zeolite having a purity of 99% or better is recoverable by the method.

  20. Method for the recovery of silver from silver zeolite

    DOEpatents

    Reimann, George A.

    1986-01-01

    High purity silver is recovered from silver exchanged zeolite used to capture radioactive iodine from nuclear reactor and nuclear fuel reprocessing environments. The silver exchanged zeolite is heated with slag formers to melt and fluidize the zeolite and release the silver, the radioactivity removing with the slag. The silver containing metallic impurities is remelted and treated with oxygen and a flux to remove the metal impurities. About 98% of the silver in the silver exchanged zeolite having a purity of 99% or better is recoverable by the method.

  1. Spectral induced polarization and electrodic potential monitoring of microbially mediated iron sulfide transformations

    DOE Office of Scientific and Technical Information (OSTI.GOV)

    Hubbard, Susan; Personna, Y.R.; Ntarlagiannis, D.

    2008-02-15

    Stimulated sulfate-reduction is a bioremediation technique utilized for the sequestration of heavy metals in the subsurface.We performed laboratory column experiments to investigate the geoelectrical response of iron sulfide transformations by Desulfo vibriovulgaris. Two geoelectrical methods, (1) spectral induced polarization (SIP), and (2) electrodic potential measurements, were investigated. Aqueous geochemistry (sulfate, lactate, sulfide, and acetate), observations of precipitates (identified from electron microscopy as iron sulfide), and electrodic potentials on bisulfide ion (HS) sensitive silver-silver chloride (Ag-AgCl) electrodes (630 mV) were diagnostic of induced transitions between an aerobic iron sulfide forming conditions and aerobic conditions promoting iron sulfide dissolution. The SIP datamore » showed 10m rad anomalies during iron sulfide mineralization accompanying microbial activity under an anaerobic transition. These anomalies disappeared during iron sulfide dissolution under the subsequent aerobic transition. SIP model parameters based on a Cole-Cole relaxation model of the polarization at the mineral-fluid interface were converted to (1) estimated biomineral surface area to pore volume (Sp), and (2) an equivalent polarizable sphere diameter (d) controlling the relaxation time. The temporal variation in these model parameters is consistent with filling and emptying of pores by iron sulfide biofilms, as the system transitions between anaerobic (pore filling) and aerobic (pore emptying) conditions. The results suggest that combined SIP and electrodic potential measurements might be used to monitor spatiotemporal variability in microbial iron sulfide transformations in the field.« less

  2. Cyclic voltammetry using silver as cathode material: a simple method for determining electro and chemical features and solubility values of CO2 in ionic liquids.

    PubMed

    Reche, Irene; Gallardo, Iluminada; Guirado, Gonzalo

    2015-01-28

    A report is presented on the use of cyclic voltammetry using silver as a working electrode. The combined electrocatalytic properties of silver and ionic liquids allow cyclic voltammetry to be turned into an ideal tool for the rapid and accurate access to diffusion coefficient values and solubility values of carbon dioxide in ionic liquids under standard conditions.

  3. Biopolymer protected silver nanoparticles on the support of carbon nanotube as interface for electrocatalytic applications

    DOE Office of Scientific and Technical Information (OSTI.GOV)

    Satyanarayana, M.; Kumar, V. Sunil; Gobi, K. Vengatajalabathy, E-mail: drkvgobi@gmail.com, E-mail: satyam.nitw@gmail.com

    In this research, silver nanoparticles (SNPs) are prepared on the surface of carbon nanotubes via chitosan, a biopolymer linkage. Here chitosan act as stabilizing agent for nanoparticles and forms a network on the surface of carbon nanotubes. Synthesized silver nanoparticles-MWCNT hybrid composite is characterized by UV-Visible spectroscopy, XRD analysis, and FESEM with EDS to evaluate the structural and chemical properties of the nanocomposite. The electrocatalytic activity of the fabricated SNP-MWCNT hybrid modified glassy carbon electrode has been evaluated by cyclic voltammetry and electrochemical impedance analysis. The silver nanoparticles are of size ∼35 nm and are well distributed on the surface ofmore » carbon nanotubes with chitosan linkage. The prepared nanocomposite shows efficient electrocatalytic properties with high active surface area and excellent electron transfer behaviour.« less

  4. Kinetic Roughening and Energetics of Tetragonal Lysozyme Crystal Growth: A Preliminary Atomic Force Microscopy Investigation

    NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

    Gorti, Sridhar; Forsythe, Elizabeth L.; Pusey, Marc L.

    2004-01-01

    We examined particulars of crystal growth from measurements obtained at both microscopic and molecular levels. The crystal growth measurements performed at the microscopic level are well characterized by a model that balances the flux of macromolecules towards the crystal surface with the flux of the crystal surface. Numerical evaluation of model with measurements of crystal growth, in time, provided accurate estimates for the average growth velocities. Growth velocities thus obtained were also interpreted using well-established phenomenological theories. Moreover, we find that microscopic measurements of growth velocity measurements obtained as a function of temperature best characterizes changes in crystal growth modes, when present. We also examined the possibility of detecting a change in crystal growth modes at the molecular level using atomic force microscopy, AFM. From preliminary AFM measurements performed at various supersaturations, we find that magnitude of surface height fluctuations, h(x), increases with supersaturation. Further examination of surface height fluctuations using methods established for fluctuation spectroscopy also enabled the discovery of the existence of a characteristic length, c, which may possibly determine the mode of crystal growth. Although the results are preliminary, we establish the non- critical divergence of 5 and the root-mean-square (rms) magnitude of height-height fluctuations as the kinetic roughening transition temperatures are approached. Moreover, we also examine approximate models for interpreting the non-critical behavior of both 6 and rms magnitude of height-height fluctuations, as the solution supersaturation is increased towards the kinetic roughening supersaturation.

  5. Conditioning of renewable silver amalgam film electrode for the characterization of clothianidin and its determination in selected samples by adsorptive square-wave voltammetry.

    PubMed

    Brycht, Mariola; Skrzypek, Sławomira; Guzsvány, Valéria; Berenji, Janoš

    2013-12-15

    A new square-wave adsorptive stripping voltammetric (SWAdSV) method was developed for the determination of the neonicotinoid insecticide clothianidin (Clo), based on its reduction at a renewable silver amalgam film electrode (Hg(Ag)FE). The key point of the procedure is the pretreatment of the Hg(Ag)FE by applying the appropriate conditioning potential (-1.70 V vs. Ag/AgCl reference electrode). Under the optimized voltammetric conditions, such pretreatment resulted in the peak for the Clo reduction in Britton-Robinson buffer pH 9.0 at about -0.60 V, which was used for the analytical purpose. The developed SWAdSV procedure made it possible to determine Clo in the concentration range of 6.0×10(-7)-7.0×10(-6) mol L(-1) (LOD=1.8×10(-7) mol L(-1), LOQ=6.0×10(-7) mol L(-1)) and 7.0×10(-6)-4.0×10(-5) mol L(-1) (LOD=1.3×10(-6) mol L(-1), LOQ=4.2×10(-6) mol L(-1)). The repeatability, precision, and the recovery of the method were determined. The effect of common interfering pesticides was also investigated. Standard addition method was successfully applied and validated for the determination of Clo in spiked Warta River water, corn seeds samples, and in corn seeds samples treated with the commercial formulation PONCHO 600 FS. © 2013 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.

  6. Transparent arrays of silver nanowire rings driven by evaporation of sessile droplets

    NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

    Wang, Xiaofeng; Kang, Giho; Seong, Baekhoon; Chae, Illkyeong; Teguh Yudistira, Hadi; Lee, Hyungdong; Kim, Hyunggun; Byun, Doyoung

    2017-11-01

    A coffee-ring pattern can be yielded on the three-phase contact line following evaporation of sessile droplets with suspended insoluble solutes, such as particles, DNA molecules, and mammalian cells. The formation of such coffee-ring, together with their suppression has been applied in printing and coating technologies. We present here an experimental study on the assembly of silver nanowires inside an evaporating droplet of a colloidal suspension. The effects of nanowire length and concentration on coffee-ring formation of the colloidal suspension were investigated. Several sizes of NWs with an aspect ratio between 50 and 1000 were systematically investigated to fabricate coffee-ring patterns. Larger droplets containing shorter nanowires formed clearer ring deposits after evaporation. An order-to-disorder transition of the nanowires’ alignment was found inside the rings. A printing technique with the evaporation process enabled fabrication of arrays of silver nanowire rings. We could manipulate the patterns silver nanowire rings, which might be applied to the transparent and flexible electrode.

  7. Interesting electrochemical properties of novel three-dimensional Ag3PO4 tetrapods as a new super capacitor electrode material

    NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

    Li, Shouguang; Teng, Fei; Chen, Mindong; Li, Na; Hua, Xia; Wang, Kai; Li, Min

    2014-05-01

    The novel three-dimensional (3D) silver phosphate tetrapods (TA) are synthesized and employed as a super capacitor electrode material. The electrochemical properties are investigated by cyclic voltammetry (CV), chronopotentiometry (CP) and electrochemical impedance spectroscopy (EIS). It is interesting that compared with irregular silver phosphate particles (IA), TA shows a higher capacitance (250 vs. 160 F g-1), and a higher coulombic efficiency (80% vs. 74%), which is mainly ascribed to the 3D microstructure and its high conductivity. To the best of our knowledge, this is the first report on silver phosphate as a super capacitor material.

  8. Silver deposition on polypyrrole films electrosynthesised onto Nitinol alloy. Corrosion protection and antibacterial activity.

    PubMed

    Saugo, M; Flamini, D O; Brugnoni, L I; Saidman, S B

    2015-11-01

    The electrosynthesis of polypyrrole films onto Nitinol from sodium salicylate solutions of different concentrations is reported. The morphology and corrosion protection properties of the resulting coatings were examined and they both depend on the sodium salicylate concentration. The immobilisation of silver species in PPy films constituted by hollow rectangular microtubes was studied as a function of the polymer oxidation degree. The highest amount of silver was deposited when the coated electrode was prepolarised at -1.00V (SCE) before silver deposition, suggesting an increase in the amount of non-oxidised segments in the polymer. Finally, the antibacterial activity of the coating against the Gram positive Staphylococcus aureus and Staphylococcus epidermidis bacteria was evaluated. Both strains resulted sensitive to the modified coatings, obtaining a slightly better result against S. aureus. Copyright © 2015 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.

  9. Graphene as a transparent electrode for amorphous silicon-based solar cells

    NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

    Vaianella, F.; Rosolen, G.; Maes, B.

    2015-06-01

    The properties of graphene in terms of transparency and conductivity make it an ideal candidate to replace indium tin oxide (ITO) in a transparent conducting electrode. However, graphene is not always as good as ITO for some applications, due to a non-negligible absorption. For amorphous silicon photovoltaics, we have identified a useful case with a graphene-silica front electrode that improves upon ITO. For both electrode technologies, we simulate the weighted absorption in the active layer of planar amorphous silicon-based solar cells with a silver back-reflector. The graphene device shows a significantly increased absorbance compared to ITO-based cells for a large range of silicon thicknesses (34.4% versus 30.9% for a 300 nm thick silicon layer), and this result persists over a wide range of incidence angles.

  10. Deliberately Designed Atomic-Level Silver-Containing Interface Results in Improved Rate Capability and Utilization of Silver Hollandite for Lithium-Ion Storage

    DOE Office of Scientific and Technical Information (OSTI.GOV)

    Smith, Paul F.; Brady, Alexander B.; Lee, Seung-Yong

    α-MnO 2-structured materials are generally classified as semiconductors, thus we present a strategy to increase electrochemical utilization through design of a conductive material interface. Surface treatment of silver hollandite (Ag xMn 8O 16) with Ag + (Ag 2O) provides significant benefit to the resultant electrochemistry, including a decreased charge transfer resistance, and a 2-fold increase in deliverable energy density at high rate. The improved function of this designed interface relative to conventional electrode fabrication strategies is further highlighted.

  11. Deliberately Designed Atomic-Level Silver-Containing Interface Results in Improved Rate Capability and Utilization of Silver Hollandite for Lithium-Ion Storage

    DOE PAGES

    Smith, Paul F.; Brady, Alexander B.; Lee, Seung-Yong; ...

    2017-12-11

    α-MnO 2-structured materials are generally classified as semiconductors, thus we present a strategy to increase electrochemical utilization through design of a conductive material interface. Surface treatment of silver hollandite (Ag xMn 8O 16) with Ag + (Ag 2O) provides significant benefit to the resultant electrochemistry, including a decreased charge transfer resistance, and a 2-fold increase in deliverable energy density at high rate. The improved function of this designed interface relative to conventional electrode fabrication strategies is further highlighted.

  12. Preparation of crosslinked amphiphilic silver nanogel as thin film corrosion protective layer for steel.

    PubMed

    Atta, Ayman M; El-Mahdy, Gamal A; Al-Lohedan, Hamad A; Ezzat, Abdelrahman O

    2014-07-17

    Monodisperse silver nanoparticles were synthesized by a new developed method via reaction of AgNO3 and oleic acid with the addition of a trace amount of Fe3+ ions. Emulsion polymerization at room temperature was employed to prepare a core-shell silver nanoparticle with controllable particle size. N,N'-methylenebisacrylamide (MBA) and potassium peroxydisulfate (KPS) were used as a crosslinker, and as redox initiator system, respectively for crosslinking polymerization. The structure and morphology of the silver nanogels were characterized by Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR), transmission and scanning electron microscopy (TEM and SEM). The effectiveness of the synthesized compounds as corrosion inhibitors for steel in 1 M HCl was investigated by various electrochemical techniques such as potentiodynamic polarization and electrochemical impedance spectroscopy (EIS). Monolayers of silver nanoparticle were self-assembled on the fresh active surface of the steel electrode and have been tested as a corrosion inhibitor for steel in 1 M HCl solution. The results of polarization measurements showed that nanogel particles act as a mixed type inhibitor.

  13. Fabrication of high aspect ratio nanogrid transparent electrodes via capillary assembly of Ag nanoparticles

    NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

    Kang, Juhoon; Park, Chang-Goo; Lee, Su-Han; Cho, Changsoon; Choi, Dae-Geun; Lee, Jung-Yong

    2016-05-01

    In this report, we describe the fabrication of periodic Ag nanogrid electrodes by capillary assembly of silver nanoparticles (AgNPs) along patterned nanogrid templates. By assembling the AgNPs into these high-aspect-ratio nanogrid patterns, we can obtain high-aspect-ratio nanogratings, which can overcome the inherent trade-off between the optical transmittance and the sheet resistance of transparent electrodes. The junction resistance between the AgNPs is effectively reduced by photochemical welding and post-annealing. The fabricated high-aspect-ratio nanogrid structure with a line width of 150 nm and a height of 450 nm has a sheet resistance of 15.2 Ω sq-1 and an optical transmittance of 85.4%.In this report, we describe the fabrication of periodic Ag nanogrid electrodes by capillary assembly of silver nanoparticles (AgNPs) along patterned nanogrid templates. By assembling the AgNPs into these high-aspect-ratio nanogrid patterns, we can obtain high-aspect-ratio nanogratings, which can overcome the inherent trade-off between the optical transmittance and the sheet resistance of transparent electrodes. The junction resistance between the AgNPs is effectively reduced by photochemical welding and post-annealing. The fabricated high-aspect-ratio nanogrid structure with a line width of 150 nm and a height of 450 nm has a sheet resistance of 15.2 Ω sq-1 and an optical transmittance of 85.4%. Electronic supplementary information (ESI) available. See DOI: 10.1039/c6nr01896c

  14. Improving light extraction of InGaN-based light emitting diodes with a roughened p-GaN surface using CsCl nano-islands.

    PubMed

    Wei, Tongbo; Kong, Qingfeng; Wang, Junxi; Li, Jing; Zeng, Yiping; Wang, Guohong; Li, Jinmin; Liao, Yuanxun; Yi, Futing

    2011-01-17

    InGaN-based light emitting diodes (LEDs) with a top nano-roughened p-GaN surface are fabricated using self-assembled CsCl nano-islands as etch masks. Following formation of hemispherical GaN nano-island arrays, electroluminescence (EL) spectra of roughened LEDs display an obvious redshift due to partial compression release in quantum wells through Inductively Coupled Plasma (ICP) etching. At a 350-mA current, the enhancement of light output power of LEDs subjected to ICP treatment with durations of 50, 150 and 250 sec compared with conventional LED have been determined to be 9.2, 70.6, and 42.3%, respectively. Additionally, the extraction enhancement factor can be further improved by increasing the size of CsCl nano-island. The economic and rapid method puts forward great potential for high performance lighting devices.

  15. Antibacterial activity and toxicity of silver - nanosilver versus ionic silver

    NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

    Kvitek, L.; Panacek, A.; Prucek, R.; Soukupova, J.; Vanickova, M.; Kolar, M.; Zboril, R.

    2011-07-01

    The in vitro study of antibacterial activity of silver nanoparticles (NPs), prepared via modified Tollens process, revealed high antibacterial activity even at very low concentrations around several units of mg/L. These concentrations are comparable with concentrations of ionic silver revealing same antibacterial effect. However, such low concentrations of silver NPs did not show acute cytotoxicity to mammalian cells - this occurs at concentrations higher than 60 mg/L of silver, while the cytotoxic level of ionic silver is much more lower (approx. 1 mg/L). Moreover, the silver NPs exhibit lower acute ecotoxicity against the eukaryotic organisms such as Paramecium caudatum, Monoraphidium sp. and D. melanogaster. The silver NPs are toxic to these organisms at the concentrations higher than 30 mg/L of silver. On contrary, ionic silver retains its cytoxicity and ecotoxicity even at the concentration equal to 1 mg/L. The performed experiments demonstrate significantly lower toxicity of silver NPs against the eukaryotic organisms than against the prokaryotic organisms.

  16. Polyacrylate microspheres composite for all-solid-state reference electrodes.

    PubMed

    Kisiel, Anna; Donten, Mikołaj; Mieczkowski, Józef; Rius-Ruiz, F Xavier; Maksymiuk, Krzysztof; Michalska, Agata

    2010-09-01

    A novel concept is proposed for the encapsulation of components within polyacrylate microspheres, prior to their incorporation into a membrane phase. Thus finer and better controlled dispersion of heterogeneous membrane components can be achieved. This concept was verified by using a poly(n-butyl acrylate) membrane-based reference electrode as an example. In this example the proper dispersion of solid constituents of the heterogeneous membrane and prevention of their leakage are both of primary importance. Potassium chloride-loaded poly(n-butyl acrylate) microspheres were prepared and then left in contact with silver nitrate to convert some of the KCl into AgCl. The material obtained was introduced into a poly(n-butyl acrylate) membrane. The reference electrode membranes obtained in this way were characterized with much more stable potential (both in different electrolytes and over time) compared with electrodes prepared by the direct introduction of KCl and AgCl to the membrane.

  17. Aptamer based label free thrombin assay based on the use of silver nanoparticles incorporated into self-polymerized dopamine.

    PubMed

    Xu, Qingjun; Wang, Guixiang; Zhang, Mingming; Xu, Guiyun; Lin, Jiehua; Luo, Xiliang

    2018-04-13

    The authors describe an electrochemical aptasensor for thrombin that is based on the use of a glassy carbon electrode (GCE) modified with polydopamine that is loaded with silver nanoparticles (PDA/AgNPs). The use of AgNPs improves the conductivity of the film and increases the surface area of the GCE. PDA was deposited on the GCE via self-polymerization, and the thrombin binding aptamer was grafted onto the PDA-modified GCE by a single step reaction. Residual electrode surface was blocked with 6-mercapto-1-hexanol. On exposure to thrombin, the electrochemical impedance of the modified electrode increases gradually. Response is linear in the 0.1 pM to 5.0 nM thrombin concentration range, and the limit of detection is as low as 36 fM. The method is selective and capable of detecting thrombin in diluted human serum. In our perception, such a GCE modified with AgNP in a PDA matrix may be applied to many other analytes for which appropriate aptamers are available. Graphical abstract Schematic of an electrochemical aptasensor for sensitive and selective thrombin detection based on the use of a self-polymerized polydopamine film loaded with silver nanoparticles.

  18. An experimental study of microwave scattering from rain- and wind-roughened seas

    NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

    Bliven, L. F.; Giovanangeli, J.-P.

    1993-01-01

    This paper investigates radar cross-section (RCS) characteristics of rain- and wind-roughened sea-surfaces. We conducted experiments in laboratory wind-wave tanks using artificial rain. The study includes light rain rates, light wind speeds, and combinations of these. A 36 Ghz scatterometer was operated at 30 deg incidence angle and with vertical polarization. RCS data were obtained not only with the scatterometer pointing up-wind but also as a function of azimuthal angle. We use a scatterometer rain and wind model SRWM-1, which relates the total average RCS in storms to the sum of the average RCS due to rain plus the average RCS due to wind. Implications of the study for operational monitoring of wind in rainy oceanic areas by satellite-borne instruments is discussed.

  19. Electrochemical quantification of iodide ions in synthetic urine using silver nanoparticles: a proof-of-concept.

    PubMed

    Toh, Her Shuang; Tschulik, Kristina; Batchelor-McAuley, Christopher; Compton, Richard G

    2014-08-21

    Typical urinary iodide concentrations range from 0.3 μM to 6.0 μM. The conventional analytical method is based on the Sandell-Kolthoff reaction. It involves the toxic reagent, arsenic acid, and a waiting time of 30 minutes for the iodide ions to reduce the cerium(iv) ions. In the presented work, an alternative fast electrochemical method based on a silver nanoparticle modified electrode is proposed. Cyclic voltammetry was performed with a freshly modified electrode in presence of iodide ions and the voltammetric peaks corresponding to the oxidation of silver to silver iodide and the reverse reaction were recorded. The peak height of the reduction signal of silver iodide was used to plot a calibration line for the iodide ions. Two calibration plots for the iodide ions were obtained, one in 0.1 M sodium nitrate (a chloride-ion free environment to circumvent any interference from the other halides) and another in synthetic urine (which contains 0.2 M KCl). In both of the calibration plots, linear relationships were found between the reduction peak height and the iodide ion concentration of 0.3 μM to 6.0 μM. A slope of 1.46 × 10(-2) A M(-1) and a R(2) value of 0.999 were obtained for the iodide detection in sodium nitrate. For the synthetic urine experiments, a slope of 3.58 × 10(-3) A M(-1) and a R(2) value of 0.942 were measured. A robust iodide sensor with the potential to be developed into a point-of-care system has been validated.

  20. Highly transparent and thermal-stable silver nanowire conductive film covered with ZnMgO by atomic-layer-deposition

    NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

    Wang, Lei; Huang, Dongchen; Li, Min; Xu, Hua; Zou, Jianhua; Tao, Hong; Peng, Junbiao; Xu, Miao

    2017-12-01

    Solution-processed silver nanowires (AgNWs) have been considered as a promising material for next generation flexible transparent conductive electrodes. However AgNWs films have several intrinsic drawbacks, such as thermal stability and storage stability. Herein, we demonstrate a laminated ZnO/MgO (ZnMgO, ZMO) as a protective layer on the AgNWs films using atomic layer deposition (ALD). The fabricated films exhibited a low sheet resistance of 16 Ω/sq with high transmittance of 91% at 550 nm, an excellent thermal stability and bending property. The ZMO film grows perpendicularly on the surface of the AgNWs, making a perfect coverage of bulk silver nanowires and junction, which can effectively prompt the electrical transport behavior and enhance stability of the silver nanowires network.

  1. Exploiting Sub-threshold and above-threshold characteristics in a silver-enhanced gold nanoparticle based biochip.

    PubMed

    Liu, Yang; Alocilja, Evangelyn; Chakrabartty, Shantanu

    2009-01-01

    Silver-enhanced labeling is a technique used in immunochromatographic assays for improving the sensitivity of pathogen detection. In this paper, we employ the silver enhancement approach for constructing a biomolecular transistor that uses a high-density interdigitated electrode to detect rabbit IgG. We show that the response of the biomolecular transistor comprises of: (a) a sub-threshold region where the conductance change is an exponential function of the enhancement time and; (b) an above-threshold region where the conductance change is a linear function with respect to the enhancement time. By exploiting both these regions of operation, it is shown that the silver enhancing time is a reliable indicator of the IgG concentration. The method provides a relatively straightforward alternative to biomolecular signal amplification techniques. The measured results using a biochip prototype fabricated in silicon show that 240 pg/mL rabbit IgG can be detected at the silver enhancing time of 42 min. Also, the biomolecular transistor is compatible with silicon based processing making it ideal for designing integrated CMOS biosensors.

  2. A Wearable Hydration Sensor with Conformal Nanowire Electrodes.

    PubMed

    Yao, Shanshan; Myers, Amanda; Malhotra, Abhishek; Lin, Feiyan; Bozkurt, Alper; Muth, John F; Zhu, Yong

    2017-03-01

    A wearable skin hydration sensor in the form of a capacitor is demonstrated based on skin impedance measurement. The capacitor consists of two interdigitated or parallel electrodes that are made of silver nanowires (AgNWs) in a polydimethylsiloxane (PDMS) matrix. The flexible and stretchable nature of the AgNW/PDMS electrode allows conformal contact to the skin. The hydration sensor is insensitive to the external humidity change and is calibrated against a commercial skin hydration system on an artificial skin over a wide hydration range. The hydration sensor is packaged into a flexible wristband, together with a network analyzer chip, a button cell battery, and an ultralow power microprocessor with Bluetooth. In addition, a chest patch consisting of a strain sensor, three electrocardiography electrodes, and a skin hydration sensor is developed for multimodal sensing. The wearable wristband and chest patch may be used for low-cost, wireless, and continuous monitoring of skin hydration and other health parameters. © 2017 WILEY-VCH Verlag GmbH & Co. KGaA, Weinheim.

  3. Oral toxicity of silver ions, silver nanoparticles and colloidal silver--a review.

    PubMed

    Hadrup, Niels; Lam, Henrik R

    2014-02-01

    Orally administered silver has been described to be absorbed in a range of 0.4-18% in mammals with a human value of 18%. Based on findings in animals, silver seems to be distributed to all of the organs investigated, with the highest levels being observed in the intestine and stomach. In the skin, silver induces a blue-grey discoloration termed argyria. Excretion occurs via the bile and urine. The following dose-dependent animal toxicity findings have been reported: death, weight loss, hypoactivity, altered neurotransmitter levels, altered liver enzymes, altered blood values, enlarged hearts and immunological effects. Substantial evidence exists suggesting that the effects induced by particulate silver are mediated via silver ions that are released from the particle surface. With the current data regarding toxicity and average human dietary exposure, a Margin of Safety calculation indicates at least a factor of five before a level of concern to the general population is reached. Copyright © 2013 Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.

  4. Study of oxygen gas production phenomenon during stand and discharge in silver-zinc batteries

    NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

    1973-01-01

    The effects of a number of cell process and performance variables upon the oxygen evolution rate of silver/silver oxide cathodes are studied to predict and measure the conditions which would result in the production of a minimum of oxygen. The following five tasks comprise the study: the design and fabrication of two pilot test cells to be used for electrode testing; the determination of the sensitivity and accuracy of the test cell; the determination of total volumes and rates of generation by cathodes of standard production procedures; the construction of a sequential test plan; and the construction of a series of positive formation cells in which formation process factors can be controlled.

  5. Electrochemical detection and degradation of ibuprofen from water on multi-walled carbon nanotubes-epoxy composite electrode.

    PubMed

    Motoc, Sorina; Remes, Adriana; Pop, Aniela; Manea, Florica; Schoonman, Joop

    2013-04-01

    This work describes the electrochemical behaviour of ibuprofen on two types of multi-walled carbon nanotubes based composite electrodes, i.e., multi-walled carbon nanotubes-epoxy (MWCNT) and silver-modified zeolite-multi-walled carbon nanotubes-epoxy (AgZMWCNT) composites electrodes. The composite electrodes were obtained using two-roll mill procedure. SEM images of surfaces of the composites revealed a homogeneous distribution of the composite components within the epoxy matrix. AgZMWCNT composite electrode exhibited the better electrical conductivity and larger electroactive surface area. The electrochemical determination of ibuprofen (IBP) was achieved using AgZMWCNT by cyclic voltammetry, differential-pulsed voltammetry, square-wave voltammetry and chronoamperometry. The IBP degradation occurred on both composite electrodes under controlled electrolysis at 1.2 and 1.75 V vs. Ag/AgCl, and IBP concentration was determined comparatively by differential-pulsed voltammetry, under optimized conditions using AgZMWCNT electrode and UV-Vis spectrophotometry methods to determine the IBP degradation performance for each electrode. AgZMWCNT electrode exhibited a dual character allowing a double application in IBP degradation process and its control.

  6. Highly Conductive Transparent and Flexible Electrodes Including Double-Stacked Thin Metal Films for Transparent Flexible Electronics.

    PubMed

    Han, Jun Hee; Kim, Do-Hong; Jeong, Eun Gyo; Lee, Tae-Woo; Lee, Myung Keun; Park, Jeong Woo; Lee, Hoseung; Choi, Kyung Cheol

    2017-05-17

    To keep pace with the era of transparent and deformable electronics, electrode functions should be improved. In this paper, an innovative structure is suggested to overcome the trade-off between optical and electrical properties that commonly arises with transparent electrodes. The structure of double-stacked metal films showed high conductivity (<3 Ω/sq) and high transparency (∼90%) simultaneously. A proper space between two metal films led to high transmittance by an optical phenomenon. The principle of parallel connection allowed the electrode to have high conductivity. In situ fabrication was possible because the only materials composing the electrode were silver and WO 3 , which can be deposited by thermal evaporation. The electrode was flexible enough to withstand 10 000 bending cycles with a 1 mm bending radius. Furthermore, a few μm scale patterning of the electrode was easily implemented by using photolithography, which is widely employed industrially for patterning. Flexible organic light-emitting diodes and a transparent flexible thin-film transistor were successfully fabricated with the proposed electrode. Various practical applications of this electrode to new transparent flexible electronics are expected.

  7. Transparent Electrochemical Gratings from a Patterned Bistable Silver Mirror.

    PubMed

    Park, Chihyun; Na, Jongbeom; Han, Minsu; Kim, Eunkyoung

    2017-07-25

    Silver mirror patterns were formed reversibly on a polystyrene (PS)-patterned electrode to produce gratings through the electrochemical reduction of silver ions. The electrochemical gratings exhibited high transparency (T > 95%), similar to a see-through window, by matching the refractive index of the grating pattern with the surrounding medium. The gratings switch to a diffractive state upon the formation of a mirror pattern (T < 5%) with a high diffraction efficiency up to 40%, providing reversible diffractive gratings. The diffraction state was maintained in the voltage-off state (V-off) for 40 min, which demonstrated bistable reversible electrochemical grating (BREG) behavior. By carefully combining the BREGs through period matching, dual-color switching was achieved within the full color region, which exhibited three distinct optical switching states between -2.5, 0, and +2.5 V. The wide range of light tenability using the metallic BREGs developed herein enabled IR modulation, NIR light reflection, and on-demand heat transfer.

  8. Silver deposition and tissue staining associated with wound dressings containing silver.

    PubMed

    Walker, Michael; Cochrane, Christine A; Bowler, Philip G; Parsons, David; Bradshaw, Peter

    2006-01-01

    Argyria is the general term used to denote a clinical condition in which excessive administration and deposition of silver causes a permanent irreversible gray-blue discoloration of the skin or mucous membranes. The amount of discoloration usually depends on the route of silver delivery (ie, oral or topical administration) along with the body's ability to absorb and excrete the administered silver compound. Argyria is accepted as a rare dermatosis but once silver particles are deposited, they remain immobile and may accumulate during the aging process. Topical application of silver salts (eg, silver nitrate solution) may lead to transient skin staining. To investigate their potential to cause skin staining, two silver-containing dressings (Hydrofiber and nanocrystalline) were applied to human skin samples taken from electively amputated lower limbs. The potential for skin discoloration was assayed using atomic absorption spectroscopy. When the dressings were hydrated with water, a significantly higher amount of silver was released from the nanocrystalline dressing compared to the Hydrofiber dressing (P <0.005), which resulted in approximately 30 times more silver deposition. In contrast, when saline was used as the hydration medium, the release rates were low for both dressings and not significantly different (silver deposition was minimal). Controlling the amount of silver released from silver-containing dressings should help reduce excessive deposition of silver into wound tissue and minimize skin staining.

  9. Fully solution-processed transparent electrodes based on silver nanowire composites for perovskite solar cells.

    PubMed

    Kim, Areum; Lee, Hongseuk; Kwon, Hyeok-Chan; Jung, Hyun Suk; Park, Nam-Gyu; Jeong, Sunho; Moon, Jooho

    2016-03-28

    We report all-solution-processed transparent conductive electrodes based on Ag nanowire (AgNW)-embedded metal oxide composite films for application in organometal halide perovskite solar cells. To address the thermal instability of Ag nanowires, we used combustive sol-gel derived thin films to construct ZnO/ITO/AgNW/ITO composite structures. The resulting composite configuration effectively prevented the AgNWs from undergoing undesirable side-reactions with halogen ions present in the perovskite precursor solutions that significantly deteriorate the optoelectrical properties of Ag nanowires in transparent conductive films. AgNW-based composite electrodes had a transmittance of ∼80% at 550 nm and sheet resistance of 18 Ω sq(-1). Perovskite solar cells fabricated using a fully solution-processed transparent conductive electrode, Au/spiro-OMeTAD/CH3NH3PbI3 + m-Al2O3/ZnO/ITO/AgNW/ITO, exhibited a power conversion efficiency of 8.44% (comparable to that of the FTO/glass-based counterpart at 10.81%) and were stable for 30 days in ambient air. Our results demonstrate the feasibility of using AgNWs as a transparent bottom electrode in perovskite solar cells produced by a fully printable process.

  10. Influence of aliphatic spacer group on adsorption mechanisms of phosphonate derivatives of L-phenylalanine: Surface-enhanced Raman, Raman, and infrared studies

    NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

    Podstawka, E.; Kudelski, A.; Kafarski, P.; Proniewicz, L. M.

    2007-10-01

    The nature of phosphonopeptides containing N-terminal L-phenylalanine ( L-Phe), namely L-Phe- DL-NH-CH(CH(CH 3) 2)-PO 3H 2 ( A), L-Phe- L-NH-CH(CH 3)-PO 3H 2 ( B), and L-Phe- DL-NH-CH(CH 2CH 2COOH)-PO 3H 2 ( C) ( Fig. 1 presents molecular structure of these molecules), adsorbed on electrochemically roughened and colloidal silver surfaces has been explored by surface-enhanced Raman spectroscopy (SERS). To reveal adsorption mechanism of these species on the basis of their SERS spectra at first Fourier-transform Raman (FT-RS) and absorption infrared (FT-IR) spectra of non-adsorbed molecules were measured. Examination of enhancement, frequency shifts, and changes in relative intensities of SERS bands due to adsorption and surface roughens variation reveals that the tilted compounds adsorb on the electrochemically roughened silver substrate in similar way, while they behave differently on the colloidal silver surface. A stronger enhancement of in-plane ring vibrations of the L-Phe ring, i.e., ν3 and ν18b (B 2), over these of the A 2 symmetry in all SERS spectra on the electrochemically roughened silver substrate suggests that the ring interacts with this surface adopting slightly deflect orientation from the perpendicular one. Also, enhancement of P dbnd O and -CH 2-/-CH 3 fragments vibrations points out that they are involved in adsorption process on this substrate. This conclusion was drawn on the basis of the enhancement of 1274-1279 and 1138-1152 ( ν(P dbnd O)), 1393-1400 ( δ(CH) + ρb(CNH 2) + ν(C-C dbnd O ) + δ(CH 3)), ˜1455 ( δ(CCH 3/CCH 2) + ρb(CH 3/CH 2), and 1505-1512 cm -1 ( δ(CH 2) + Phe( ν19a)) bands. Although a relative intensity ratio of these bands in the presented SERS spectra is different. On the other hand, on the colloidal silver nanoparticles, the aromatic ring of all molecules is lying flat or takes almost parallel orientation to this surface. Besides, A interacts also via P-terminal group (568, 765, 827, 1040, and 1150 cm -1), whereas B

  11. Improved light extraction efficiency in GaN-based light emitting diode by nano-scale roughening of p-GaN surface.

    PubMed

    Park, Sang Jae; Sadasivam, Karthikeyan Giri; Chung, Tae Hoon; Hong, Gi Cheol; Kim, Jin Bong; Kim, Sang Mook; Park, Si-Hyun; Jeon, Seong-Ran; Lee, June Key

    2008-10-01

    Improvement in light extraction efficiency of Ultra Violet-Light Emitting Diode (UV-LED) is achieved by nano-scale roughening of p-type Gallium Nitride (p-GaN) surface. The process of surface roughening is carried out by using self assembled gold (Au) nano-clusters with support of nano-size silicon-oxide (SiO2) pillars on p-GaN surface as a dry etching mask and by p-GaN regrowth in the regions not covered by the mask after dry etching. Au nano-clusters are formed by rapid thermal annealing (RTA) process carried out at 600 degrees C for 1 min using 15 nm thick Au layer on top of SiO2. The p-GaN roughness is controlled by p-GaN regrowth time. Four different time values of 15 sec, 30 sec, 60 sec and 120 sec are considered for p-GaN regrowth. Among the four different p-GaN regrowth time values 30 sec regrown p-GaN sample has the optimum roughness to increase the electroluminescence (EL) intensity to a value approximately 60% higher than the EL intensity of a conventional LED.

  12. Highly efficient flexible optoelectronic devices using metal nanowire-conducting polymer composite transparent electrode

    NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

    Jung, Eui Dae; Nam, Yun Seok; Seo, Houn; Lee, Bo Ram; Yu, Jae Choul; Lee, Sang Yun; Kim, Ju-Young; Park, Jang-Ung; Song, Myoung Hoon

    2015-09-01

    Here, we report a comprehensive analysis of the electrical, optical, mechanical, and surface morphological properties of composite nanostrutures based on silver nanowires (AgNW) and PEDOT:PSS conducting polymer for the use as flexible and transparent electrodes. Compared to ITO or the single material of AgNW or PEDOT:PSS, the AgNW/PEDOT:PSS composite electrode showed high electrical conductivity with a low sheet resistance of 26.8 Ω/sq at 91% transmittance (at 550 nm), improves surface smoothness, and enhances mechanical properties assisted by an amphiphilic fluoro-surfactant. The polymeric light-emitting diodes (PLEDs) and organic solar cells (OSCs) using the AgNW/PEDOT:PSS composite electrode showed higher device performances than those with AgNW and PEDOT:PSS electrodes and excellent flexibility under bending test. These results indicates that the AgNW/PEDOT:PSS composite presented is a good candidate as next-generation transparent elelctrodes for applications into flexible optoelectronic devices. [Figure not available: see fulltext.

  13. Classification of heavy metal ions present in multi-frequency multi-electrode potable water data using evolutionary algorithm

    NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

    Karkra, Rashmi; Kumar, Prashant; Bansod, Baban K. S.; Bagchi, Sudeshna; Sharma, Pooja; Krishna, C. Rama

    2017-11-01

    Access to potable water for the common people is one of the most challenging tasks in the present era. Contamination of drinking water has become a serious problem due to various anthropogenic and geogenic events. The paper demonstrates the application of evolutionary algorithms, viz., particle swan optimization and genetic algorithm to 24 water samples containing eight different heavy metal ions (Cd, Cu, Co, Pb, Zn, Ar, Cr and Ni) for the optimal estimation of electrode and frequency to classify the heavy metal ions. The work has been carried out on multi-variate data, viz., single electrode multi-frequency, single frequency multi-electrode and multi-frequency multi-electrode water samples. The electrodes used are platinum, gold, silver nanoparticles and glassy carbon electrodes. Various hazardous metal ions present in the water samples have been optimally classified and validated by the application of Davis Bouldin index. Such studies are useful in the segregation of hazardous heavy metal ions found in water resources, thereby quantifying the degree of water quality.

  14. Enhanced device performances of a new inverted top-emitting OLEDs with relatively thick Ag electrode.

    PubMed

    Park, So-Ra; Suh, Min Chul

    2018-02-19

    To improve the device performances of top-emitting organic light emitting diodes (TEOLEDs), we developed a new inverted TEOLEDs structure with silver (Ag) metal as a semi-transparent top electrode. Especially, we found that the use of relatively thick Ag electrode without using any carrier injection layer is beneficial to realize highly efficient device performances. Also, we could insert very thick overlying hole transport layer (HTL) on the emitting layer (EML) which could be very helpful to suppress the surface plasmon polariton (SPP) coupling if it is applied to the common bottom-emission OLEDs (BEOLEDs). As a result, we could realize noteworthy high current efficiency of approximately ~188.1 cd/A in our new inverted TEOLEDs with 25 nm thick Ag electrode.

  15. A surface plasmon model for laser ablation of Ag sup + ions from a roughened Ag surface

    DOE Office of Scientific and Technical Information (OSTI.GOV)

    Ritchie, R.H.; Manson, J.R.; Echenique, P.M.

    1991-01-01

    Experimental work by Shea and Compton suggests that Ag{sup +} ions emitted from a roughened Ag surface irradiated by a nanosecond or picosecond laser beam may absorb the full energy of the Ag surface plasmon. We have modeled this process under the assumption that it proceeds through an inverse bremsstrahlung-type absorption of the SP quantum by Ag{sup +} ion which also undergoes a small-impact parameter collision with another ion or atom in the vicinity of the surface. We give a quantitative estimate of the absorption probability and find reasonable agreement with the Shea-Compton results. 8 refs., 2 figs.

  16. Thermodynamic Properties and Transport Coefficients of Nitrogen, Hydrogen and Helium Plasma Mixed with Silver Vapor

    NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

    Zhou, Xue; Cui, Xinglei; Chen, Mo; Zhai, Guofu

    2016-05-01

    Species composites of Ag-N2, Ag-H2 and Ag-He plasmas in the temperature range of 3,000-20,000 K and at 1 atmospheric pressure were calculated by using the minimization of Gibbs free energy. Thermodynamic properties and transport coefficients of nitrogen, hydrogen and helium plasmas mixed with a variety of silver vapor were then calculated based on the equilibrium composites and collision integral data. The calculation procedure was verified by comparing the results obtained in this paper with the published transport coefficients on the case of pure nitrogen plasma. The influences of the silver vapor concentration on composites, thermodynamic properties and transport coefficients were finally analyzed and summarized for all the three types of plasmas. Those physical properties were important for theoretical study and numerical calculation on arc plasma generated by silver-based electrodes in those gases in sealed electromagnetic relays and contacts. supported by National Natural Science Foundation of China (Nos. 51277038 and 51307030)

  17. Roughened glass slides and a spectrophotometer for the detection of the wavelength-dependent refractive index of transparent liquids.

    PubMed

    Niskanen, Ilpo; Räty, Jukka; Myllylä, Risto; Sutinen, Veijo; Matsuda, Kiyofumi; Homma, Kazuhiro; Silfsten, Pertti; Peiponen, Kai-Erik

    2012-07-01

    We describe a method to determine the wavelength-dependent refractive index of liquids by measurement of light transmittance with a spectrophotometer. The method is based on using roughened glass slides with different a priori known refractive indices and immersing the slides into the transparent liquid with unknown refractive index. Using the dispersion data on the glass material it is possible to find the index match between the liquid and the glass slide, and hence the refractive index of the liquid.

  18. Exposure-related health effects of silver and silver compounds: a review.

    PubMed

    Drake, Pamela L; Hazelwood, Kyle J

    2005-10-01

    A critical review of studies examining exposures to the various forms of silver was conducted to determine if some silver species are more toxic than others. The impetus behind conducting this review is that several occupational exposure limits and guidelines exist for silver, but the values for each depend on the form of silver as well as the individual agency making the recommendations. For instance, the American Conference of Governmental Industrial Hygienists has established separate threshold limit values for metallic silver (0.1 mg/m3) and soluble compounds of silver (0.01 mg/m3). On the other hand, the permissible exposure limit (PEL) recommended by the Occupational Safety and Health Administration and the Mine Safety and Health Administration and the recommended exposure limit set by the National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health is 0.01 mg/m3 for all forms of silver. The adverse effects of chronic exposure to silver are a permanent bluish-gray discoloration of the skin (argyria) or eyes (argyrosis). Most studies discuss cases of argyria and argyrosis that have resulted primarily from exposure to the soluble forms of silver. Besides argyria and argyrosis, exposure to soluble silver compounds may produce other toxic effects, including liver and kidney damage, irritation of the eyes, skin, respiratory, and intestinal tract, and changes in blood cells. Metallic silver appears to pose minimal risk to health. The current occupational exposure limits do not reflect the apparent difference in toxicities between soluble and metallic silver; thus, many researchers have recommended that separate PELs be established.

  19. Investigation of Machine-ability of Inconel 800 in EDM with Coated Electrode

    NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

    Karunakaran, K.; Chandrasekaran, M.

    2017-03-01

    The Inconel 800 is a high temperature application alloy which is classified as a nickel based super alloy. It has wide scope in aerospace engineering, gas Turbine etc. The machine-ability studies were found limited on this material. Hence This research focuses on machine-ability studies on EDM of Inconel 800 with Silver Coated Electrolyte Copper Electrode. The purpose of coating on electrode is to reduce tool wear. The factors pulse on Time, Pulse off Time and Peck Current were considered to observe the responses of surface roughness, material removal rate, tool wear rate. Taguchi Full Factorial Design is employed for Design the experiment. Some specific findings were reported and the percentage of contribution of each parameter was furnished

  20. Raman mapping and in situ SERS spectroelectrochemical studies of 6-mercaptopurine SAMs on the gold electrode.

    PubMed

    Yang, Haifeng; Liu, Yanli; Liu, Zhimin; Yang, Yu; Jiang, Jianhui; Zhang, Zongrang; Shen, Guoli; Yu, Ruqin

    2005-02-24

    The self-assembled monolayers (SAMs) of 6-mercaptopurine (6MP) were formed at the roughened polycrystalline gold surfaces in acid and alkaline media. The time-dependent Raman mapping spectral analysis in conjunction with the quantum calculations for the vibrational modes using ab initio BLYP/6-31G method suggested that both of the resulted 6MP SAMs adopted the same adsorption mode through the S atom of pyrimidine moiety and the N7 atom of the imidazole moiety anchoring the gold surface in a vertical way. The in situ surface-enhanced Raman scattering spectroelectrochemical experiment was conducted to examine the stability of the SAMs at various bias potentials. It was found that the detaching process of the 6MP SAMs from the surface involved one electron reduction as the voltage was applied at ca. 0.7 V vs a standard calomel electrode.

  1. Engineered Escherichia coli Silver-Binding Periplasmic Protein That Promotes Silver Tolerance

    PubMed Central

    Hall Sedlak, Ruth; Hnilova, Marketa; Grosh, Carolynn; Fong, Hanson; Baneyx, Francois; Schwartz, Dan; Sarikaya, Mehmet; Tamerler, Candan

    2012-01-01

    Silver toxicity is a problem that microorganisms face in medical and environmental settings. Through exposure to silver compounds, some bacteria have adapted to growth in high concentrations of silver ions. Such adapted microbes may be dangerous as pathogens but, alternatively, could be potentially useful in nanomaterial-manufacturing applications. While naturally adapted isolates typically utilize efflux pumps to achieve metal resistance, we have engineered a silver-tolerant Escherichia coli strain by the use of a simple silver-binding peptide motif. A silver-binding peptide, AgBP2, was identified from a combinatorial display library and fused to the C terminus of the E. coli maltose-binding protein (MBP) to yield a silver-binding protein exhibiting nanomolar affinity for the metal. Growth experiments performed in the presence of silver nitrate showed that cells secreting MBP-AgBP2 into the periplasm exhibited silver tolerance in a batch culture, while those expressing a cytoplasmic version of the fusion protein or MBP alone did not. Transmission electron microscopy analysis of silver-tolerant cells revealed the presence of electron-dense silver nanoparticles. This is the first report of a specifically engineered metal-binding peptide exhibiting a strong in vivo phenotype, pointing toward a novel ability to manipulate bacterial interactions with heavy metals by the use of short and simple peptide motifs. Engineered metal-ion-tolerant microorganisms such as this E. coli strain could potentially be used in applications ranging from remediation to interrogation of biomolecule-metal interactions in vivo. PMID:22286990

  2. Silver Nanoparticles

    NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

    Khaydarov, R. R.; Khaydarov, R. A.; Estrin, Y.; Evgrafova, S.; Scheper, T.; Endres, C.; Cho, S. Y.

    The bactericidal effect of silver nanoparticles obtained by a novel electrochemical method on Escherichia coli, Staphylococcus aureus, Aspergillus niger and Penicillium phoeniceum cultures has been studied. The tests conducted have demonstrated that synthesized silver nanoparticles — when added to water paints or cotton fabrics — show a pronounced antibacterial/antifungal effect. It was shown that smaller silver nanoparticles have a greater antibacterial/antifungal efficacy. The paper also provides a review of scientific literature with regard to recent developments in the field of toxicity of silver nanoparticles and its effect on environment and human health.

  3. Fully Printed Halide Perovskite Light-Emitting Diodes with Silver Nanowire Electrodes.

    PubMed

    Bade, Sri Ganesh R; Li, Junqiang; Shan, Xin; Ling, Yichuan; Tian, Yu; Dilbeck, Tristan; Besara, Tiglet; Geske, Thomas; Gao, Hanwei; Ma, Biwu; Hanson, Kenneth; Siegrist, Theo; Xu, Chengying; Yu, Zhibin

    2016-02-23

    Printed organometal halide perovskite light-emitting diodes (LEDs) are reported that have indium tin oxide (ITO) or carbon nanotubes (CNTs) as the transparent anode, a printed composite film consisting of methylammonium lead tribromide (Br-Pero) and poly(ethylene oxide) (PEO) as the emissive layer, and printed silver nanowires as the cathode. The fabrication can be carried out in ambient air without humidity control. The devices on ITO/glass have a low turn-on voltage of 2.6 V, a maximum luminance intensity of 21014 cd m(-2), and a maximum external quantum efficiency (EQE) of 1.1%, surpassing previous reported perovskite LEDs. The devices on CNTs/polymer were able to be strained to 5 mm radius of curvature without affecting device properties.

  4. Determination of the wine preservative sulphur dioxide with cyclic voltammetry using inkjet printed electrodes.

    PubMed

    Schneider, Marion; Türke, Alexander; Fischer, Wolf-Joachim; Kilmartin, Paul A

    2014-09-15

    During winemaking sulphur dioxide is added to prevent undesirable reactions. However, concerns over the harmful effects of sulphites have led to legal limits being placed upon such additives. There is thus a need for simple and selective determinations of sulphur dioxide in wine, especially during winemaking. The simultaneous detection of polyphenols and sulphur dioxide, using cyclic voltammetry at inert electrodes is challenging due to close oxidation potentials. In the present study, inkjet printed electrodes were developed with a suitable voltammetric signal on which the polyphenol oxidation is suppressed and the oxidation peak height for sulphur dioxide corresponds linearly to the concentration. Different types of working electrodes were printed. Electrodes consisting of gold nanoparticles mixed with silver showed the highest sensitivity towards sulphur dioxide. Low cost production of the sensor elements and ultra fast determination of sulphur dioxide by cyclic voltammetry makes this technique very promising for the wine industry. Copyright © 2014 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.

  5. Kinetic Monte Carlo Simulations of Rod Eutectics and the Surface Roughening Transition in Binary Alloys

    NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

    Bentz, Daniel N.; Betush, William; Jackson, Kenneth A.

    2003-01-01

    In this paper we report on two related topics: Kinetic Monte Carlo simulations of the steady state growth of rod eutectics from the melt, and a study of the surface roughness of binary alloys. We have implemented a three dimensional kinetic Monte Carlo (kMC) simulation with diffusion by pair exchange only in the liquid phase. Entropies of fusion are first chosen to fit the surface roughness of the pure materials, and the bond energies are derived from the equilibrium phase diagram, by treating the solid and liquid as regular and ideal solutions respectively. A simple cubic lattice oriented in the {100} direction is used. Growth of the rods is initiated from columns of pure B material embedded in an A matrix, arranged in a close packed array with semi-periodic boundary conditions. The simulation cells typically have dimensions of 50 by 87 by 200 unit cells. Steady state growth is compliant with the Jackson-Hunt model. In the kMC simulations, using the spin-one Ising model, growth of each phase is faceted or nonfaceted phases depending on the entropy of fusion. There have been many studies of the surface roughening transition in single component systems, but none for binary alloy systems. The location of the surface roughening transition for the phases of a eutectic alloy determines whether the eutectic morphology will be regular or irregular. We have conducted a study of surface roughness on the spin-one Ising Model with diffusion using kMC. The surface roughness was found to scale with the melting temperature of the alloy as given by the liquidus line on the equilibrium phase diagram. The density of missing lateral bonds at the surface was used as a measure of surface roughness.

  6. Simple preparation and highly selective detection of silver ions using an electrochemical sensor based on sulfur-doped graphene and a 3,3',5,5'-tetramethylbenzidine composite modified electrode.

    PubMed

    Fu, Yang; Yang, Yajie; Tuersun, Tayierjiang; Yu, Yuan; Zhi, Jinfang

    2018-04-30

    A novel electrochemical sensor based on sulfur (S)-doped graphene (S-Gr) and a 3,3',5,5'-tetramethylbenzidine (TMB) composite (S-Gr-TMB) modified glassy carbon (GCE) electrode for highly selective quantitative detection of silver ions (Ag+) were fabricated. The S-Gr-TMB composite was first prepared via electrostatic interaction between TMB and S-Gr and then, the composite was coated on the surface of GCE. The resultant S-Gr-TMB/GCE electrode showed a significant voltammetric response to Ag+ at 0.3 V vs. Ag/AgCl due to the synergistic effect of S-Gr and TMB. The sensor showed good linearity from 50 μM to 400 μM with a detection limit of 2.15 μM towards the determination of Ag+. In addition, after the addition of Fe3+ and other metal ions, including Al3+, Ca2+, Cd2+, Co2+, Cu2+, K+, Mg2+, Na+, Ni2+, Pb2+ and Zn2+, in the same concentration, the current signal remained almost unchanged, revealing that the proposed electrochemical sensor exhibited a high selectivity for Ag+, which solves the nonselective problem of TMB as a spectral probe. This enhanced detection performance is attributed to two factors: (1) S-Gr has excellent electrical conductivity; (2) the coupling interactions between Ag-S are speculated to result in strengthened enrichment for Ag and good selective performance.

  7. Distribution of silver in rats following 28 days of repeated oral exposure to silver nanoparticles or silver acetate

    PubMed Central

    2011-01-01

    Background The study investigated the distribution of silver after 28 days repeated oral administration of silver nanoparticles (AgNPs) and silver acetate (AgAc) to rats. Oral administration is a relevant route of exposure because of the use of silver nanoparticles in products related to food and food contact materials. Results AgNPs were synthesized with a size distribution of 14 ± 4 nm in diameter (90% of the nanoparticle volume) and stabilized in aqueous suspension by the polymer polyvinylpyrrolidone (PVP). The AgNPs remained stable throughout the duration of the 28-day oral toxicity study in rats. The organ distribution pattern of silver following administration of AgNPs and AgAc was similar. However the absolute silver concentrations in tissues were lower following oral exposure to AgNPs. This was in agreement with an indication of a higher fecal excretion following administration of AgNPs. Besides the intestinal system, the largest silver concentrations were detected in the liver and kidneys. Silver was also found in the lungs and brain. Autometallographic (AMG) staining revealed a similar cellular localization of silver in ileum, liver, and kidney tissue in rats exposed to AgNPs or AgAc. Using transmission electron microscopy (TEM), nanosized granules were detected in the ileum of animals exposed to AgNPs or AgAc and were mainly located in the basal lamina of the ileal epithelium and in lysosomes of macrophages within the lamina propria. Using energy dispersive x-ray spectroscopy it was shown that the granules in lysosomes consisted of silver, selenium, and sulfur for both AgNP and AgAc exposed rats. The diameter of the deposited granules was in the same size range as that of the administered AgNPs. No silver granules were detected by TEM in the liver. Conclusions The results of the present study demonstrate that the organ distribution of silver was similar when AgNPs or AgAc were administered orally to rats. The presence of silver granules containing

  8. Leaching of Silver from Silver-Impregnated Food Storage Containers

    ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

    Hauri, James F.; Niece, Brian K.

    2011-01-01

    The use of silver in commercial products has proliferated in recent years owing to its antibacterial properties. Food containers impregnated with micro-sized silver promise long food life, but there is some concern because silver can leach out of the plastic and into the stored food. This laboratory experiment gives students the opportunity to…

  9. Convective Heat Transfer from Castings of Ice Roughened Surfaces in Horizontal Flight

    NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

    Dukhan, Nihad; Vanfossen, G. James, Jr.; Masiulaniec, K. Cyril; Dewitt, Kenneth J.

    1995-01-01

    A technique was developed to cast frozen ice shapes that had been grown on a metal surface. This technique was applied to a series of ice shapes that were grown in the NASA Lewis Icing Research Tunnel on flat plates. Eight different types of ice growths, characterizing different types of roughness, were obtained from these plates, from which aluminum castings were made. Test strips taken from these castings were outfitted with heat flux gages, such that when placed in a dry wind tunnel, they could be used to experimentally map out the convective heat transfer coefficient in the direction of flow from the roughened surfaces. The effects on the heat transfer coefficient for parallel flow, which simulates horizontal flight, were studied. The results of this investigation can be used to help size heaters for wings, helicopter rotor blades, jet engine intakes, etc., or de-icing for anti-icing applications where the flow is parallel to the iced surface.

  10. The effect of high anionomer loading with silver nanowire catalysts on the oxygen reduction reaction in alkaline environment

    NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

    Lemke, Adam J.; O'Toole, Alexander W.; Phillips, Richard S.; Eisenbraun, Eric T.

    2014-06-01

    The effect of ionomer content on the oxygen kinetics in fuel cells and metal-oxide batteries was investigated by varying ionomer loading with constant loadings of a silver nanowire catalyst. Silver nanowire inks were produced in which commercially available anionomer solution constituted 10, 25, 40, 50, and 75% of the total ink volume. Constant loadings of Ag nanowire catalyst were then deposited onto glassy carbon electrodes by varying the amount of ink deposited. These were then used in rotating disc electrode (RDE) experiments using a 0.1 M KOH electrolyte solution. From these experiments, using ORR polarization curves and Koutecky-Levich analysis, it was found that not only did the anionomer loading affect the total activity (given a constant Ag nanowire loading) but, that the anionomer content also had an impact upon the apparent kinetic limited current as well as whether the ORR proceeded through the 2e- or 4e- pathway. Although the total activity declined with very high anionomer loadings, the ORR appeared to proceed more through the 4e- pathway with increased anionomer content.

  11. Co-Percolating Graphene-Wrapped Silver Nanowire Network for High Performance, Highly Stable, Transparent Conducting Electrodes

    DOE Office of Scientific and Technical Information (OSTI.GOV)

    Chen, Ruiyi; Das, Suprem R.; Jeong, Changwook

    Transparent conducting electrodes (TCEs) require high transparency and low sheet resistance for applications in photovoltaics, photodetectors, flat panel displays, touch screen devices and imagers. Indium tin oxide (ITO), or other transparent conductive oxides, have typically been used, and provide a baseline sheet resistance (RS) vs. transparency (T) relationship. However, ITO is relatively expensive (due to limited abundance of Indium), brittle, unstable, and inflexible; moreover, ITO transparency drops rapidly for wavelengths above 1000 nm. Motivated by a need for transparent conductors with comparable (or better) RS at a given T, as well as flexible structures, several alternative material systems have beenmore » investigated. Single-layer graphene (SLG) or few-layer graphene provide sufficiently high transparency (≈97% per layer) to be a potential replacement for ITO. However, large-area synthesis approaches, including chemical vapor deposition (CVD), typically yield films with relatively high sheet resistance due to small grain sizes and high-resistance grain boundaries (HGBs). In this paper, we report a hybrid structure employing a CVD SLG film and a network of silver nanowires (AgNWs): RS as low as 22 Ω/ (stabilized to 13 Ω/ after 4 months) have been observed at high transparency (88% at λ = 550 nm) in hybrid structures employing relatively low-cost commercial graphene with a starting RS of 770 Ω/. This sheet resistance is superior to typical reported values for ITO, comparable to the best reported TCEs employing graphene and/or random nanowire networks, and the film properties exhibit impressive stability under mechanical pressure, mechanical bending and over time. The design is inspired by the theory of a co-percolating network where conduction bottlenecks of a 2D film (e.g., SLG, MoS2) are circumvented by a 1D network (e.g., AgNWs, CNTs) and vice versa. The development of these high-performance hybrid structures provides a route towards robust

  12. Effect of nano silver and silver nitrate on seed yield of (Ocimum basilicum L.)

    PubMed Central

    2014-01-01

    Background The aim of this study was to evaluate the effect of nano silver and silver nitrate on yield of seed in basil plant. The study was carried out in a randomized block design with three replications. Results Four levels of either silver nitrate (0, 100, 200 and 300 ppm) or nano silver (0, 20, 40, and 60 ppm) were sprayed on basil plant at seed growth stage. The results showed that there was no significant difference between 100 ppm of silver nitrate and 60 ppm concentration of nano silver on the shoot silver concentration. However, increasing the concentration of silver nitrate from 100 to 300 ppm caused a decrease in seed yield. In contrast, a raise in the concentration of nano silver from 20 to 60 ppm has led to an improvement in the seed yield. Additionally, the lowest amount of seed yield was found with control plants. Conclusions Finally, with increasing level of silver nitrate, the polyphenol compound content was raised but the enhancing level of nano silver resulting in the reduction of these components. In conclusion, nano silver can be used instead of other compounds of silver. PMID:25383311

  13. Synergy between Printex nano-carbons and silver nanoparticles for sensitive estimation of antioxidant activity.

    PubMed

    Raymundo-Pereira, Paulo A; Campos, Anderson M; Prado, Thiago M; Furini, Leonardo N; Boas, Naiza V; Calegaro, Marcelo L; Machado, Sergio A S

    2016-07-05

    We report on the synthesis, characterization and applications of a Printex L6 carbon-silver hybrid nanomaterial (PC-Ag), which was obtained using a polyol method. In addition, we also highlight the use of Printex L6 nano-carbon as a much cheaper alternative to the use of carbon nanotubes and graphene. The silver nanoparticles (AgNP) were prepared directly on the surface of the Printex 6L carbon "nanocarbon" material using ethylene glycol as the reducing agent. The hybrid nanomaterial was characterized by High-angle annular dark-field transmission electron microscopy (HAADF-TEM), energy-dispersive X-ray spectroscopy (EDX), selected area electron diffraction (SAED), Raman spectroscopy and cyclic voltammetry. Optimized electrocatalytic activity on glassy carbon electrode was reached for the architecture GC/PC-Ag, the silver nanoparticles with size ranging between 1 and 2 nm were well-distributed throughout the hybrid material. The synergy between PC nano-carbons and AgNPs was verified by detection of gallic acid (GA) at a low applied potential (0.091 V vs. Ag/AgCl). GA detection was performed in a concentration range between 5.0 × 10(-7) and 8.5 × 10(-6) mol L(-1), with a detection limit of 6.63 × 10(-8) mol L(-1) (66.3 nmol L(-1)), which is considerably lower than similar devices. The approach for fabricating the reproducible GC/PC-Ag electrodes is entirely generic and may be explored for other types of (bio)sensors and devices. Copyright © 2016 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.

  14. Giant dielectric permittivity in interrupted silver nanowires grown within mesoporous silica

    NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

    Maity, Anupam; Samanta, Subha; Chatterjee, Soumi; Maiti, Ramaprasad; Biswas, Debasish; Saha, Shyamal K.; Chakravorty, Dipankar

    2018-06-01

    Nanoglasses in the system Ag2O–SiO2 were formed within the pores of mesoporous silica SBA-15 (Santa Barbara Amorphous). Silver nanowires of diameter 5 nm were grown within SBA-15 by the process of electrodeposition. The nanowires were disrupted by applying a suitable voltage pulse. Detailed transmission and scanning electron microscopy studies were carried out. The disrupted silver strands were found to have an average length of 90 nm. The density of interrupted strands was estimated from the electron micrographs and found to have values in the range (10–20)  ×  1010 cm‑2. Dielectric constant and dielectric loss factors of the nanocomposites of disrupted silver strand—containing Ag2O–SiO2 glass and SBA-15 were found to have values in the range 200–300 and 0.014–0.008 respectively at frequencies in the range 10 kHz–2 MHz. These values were found to be in satisfactory agreement with the theoretical model of Rice and Bernasconi emanating from the theory of Gorkhov and Eliashberg. These nanocomposites are expected to be useful in the fabrication of supercapacitors, after developing suitable electrode system for the material.

  15. Nickel-silver alloy electrocatalysts for hydrogen evolution and oxidation in an alkaline electrolyte.

    PubMed

    Tang, Maureen H; Hahn, Christopher; Klobuchar, Aidan J; Ng, Jia Wei Desmond; Wellendorff, Jess; Bligaard, Thomas; Jaramillo, Thomas F

    2014-09-28

    The development of improved catalysts for the hydrogen evolution reaction (HER) and hydrogen oxidation reaction (HOR) in basic electrolytes remains a major technical obstacle to improved fuel cells, water electrolyzers, and other devices for electrochemical energy storage and conversion. Based on the free energy of adsorbed hydrogen intermediates, theory predicts that alloys of nickel and silver are active for these reactions. In this work, we synthesize binary nickel-silver bulk alloys across a range of compositions and show that nickel-silver alloys are indeed more active than pure nickel for hydrogen evolution and, possibly, hydrogen oxidation. To overcome the mutual insolubility of silver and nickel, we employ electron-beam physical vapor codeposition, a low-temperature synthetic route to metastable alloys. This method also produces flat and uniform films that facilitate the measurement of intrinsic catalytic activity with minimal variations in the surface area, ohmic contact, and pore transport. Rotating-disk-electrode measurements demonstrate that the hydrogen evolution activity per geometric area of the most active catalyst in this study, Ni0.75Ag0.25, is approximately twice that of pure nickel and has comparable stability and hydrogen oxidation activity. Our experimental results are supported by density functional theory calculations, which show that bulk alloying of Ni and Ag creates a variety of adsorption sites, some of which have near-optimal hydrogen binding energy.

  16. High-Performance Inkjet-Printed Indium-Gallium-Zinc-Oxide Transistors Enabled by Embedded, Chemically Stable Graphene Electrodes.

    PubMed

    Secor, Ethan B; Smith, Jeremy; Marks, Tobin J; Hersam, Mark C

    2016-07-13

    Recent developments in solution-processed amorphous oxide semiconductors have established indium-gallium-zinc-oxide (IGZO) as a promising candidate for printed electronics. A key challenge for this vision is the integration of IGZO thin-film transistor (TFT) channels with compatible source/drain electrodes using low-temperature, solution-phase patterning methods. Here we demonstrate the suitability of inkjet-printed graphene electrodes for this purpose. In contrast to common inkjet-printed silver-based conductive inks, graphene provides a chemically stable electrode-channel interface. Furthermore, by embedding the graphene electrode between two consecutive IGZO printing passes, high-performance IGZO TFTs are achieved with an electron mobility of ∼6 cm(2)/V·s and current on/off ratio of ∼10(5). The resulting printed devices exhibit robust stability to aging in ambient as well as excellent resilience to thermal stress, thereby offering a promising platform for future printed electronics applications.

  17. Electrically Conductive Silver Paste Obtained by Use of Silver Neodecanoate as Precursor

    NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

    Shen, Longguang; Liu, Jianguo; Zeng, Xiaoyan; Ren, Zhao

    2015-02-01

    An electrically conductive silver paste has been prepared from an organometallic compound, silver neodecanoate, as silver precursor. The precursor was highly soluble in organic solvents and decomposed into metallic silver at low sintering temperatures (<200°C). Thermogravimetric analysis showed the silver content of the paste was approximately 25 wt.%. Viscosity studies indicated the paste was a pseudoplastic liquid with viscosity in the range 6.5-9 Pa s. The paste was compatible with the micro-pen direct-writing process, enabling production of silver lines on a substrate. The electrical resistivity of the silver lines was 9 × 10-6 Ω cm after sintering at 115°C for 60 min, 5.8 × 10-6 Ω cm when sintered at 150°C for 60 min, and 3 × 10-6 Ω cm when sintered above 300°C, values which are similar to those of bulk silver. Hence, the prepared paste can be successfully used on flexible substrates such as polymers.

  18. Robust solder joint attachment of coaxial cable leads to piezoelectric ceramic electrodes.

    PubMed

    Vianco, P T

    1993-01-01

    A technique was developed for the solder attachment of coaxial cable leads to silver-bearing thick-film electrodes on piezoelectric ceramics. Soldering the cable leads directly to the thick film caused bonds with low mechanical strength due to poor solder joint geometry. A barrier coating of 1.5 mum Cu/1.5 mum Ni/1.0 mum Sn deposited on the thick-film layer improved the strength of the solder joints by eliminating the adsorption of Ag from the thick film, which was responsible for the improper solder joint geometry. The procedure does not require special preparation of the electrode surface and is cost effective due to the use of nonprecious metal films and the batch processing capabilities of the electron beam deposition technique.

  19. Evaluation of electrochemical, UV/VIS and Raman spectroelectrochemical detection of Naratriptan with screen-printed electrodes.

    PubMed

    Hernández, Carla Navarro; Martín-Yerga, Daniel; González-García, María Begoña; Hernández-Santos, David; Fanjul-Bolado, Pablo

    2018-02-01

    Naratriptan, active pharmaceutical ingredient with antimigraine activity was electrochemically detected in untreated screen-printed carbon electrodes (SPCEs). Cyclic voltammetry and differential pulse voltammetry were used to carry out quantitative analysis of this molecule (in a Britton-Robinson buffer solution at pH 3.0) through its irreversible oxidation (diffusion controlled) at a potential of +0.75V (vs. Ag pseudoreference electrode). Naratriptan oxidation product is an indole based dimer with a yellowish colour (maximum absorption at 320nm) so UV-VIS spectroelectrochemistry technique was used for the very first time as an in situ characterization and quantification technique for this molecule. A reflection configuration approach allowed its measurement over the untreated carbon based electrode. Finally, time resolved Raman Spectroelectrochemistry is used as a powerful technique to carry out qualitative and quantitative analysis of Naratriptan. Electrochemically treated silver screen-printed electrodes are shown as easy to use and cost-effective SERS substrates for the analysis of Naratriptan. Copyright © 2017 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.

  20. Early Onset of Kinetic Roughening due to a Finite Step Width in Hematin Crystallization

    NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

    Olafson, Katy N.; Rimer, Jeffrey D.; Vekilov, Peter G.

    2017-11-01

    The structure of the interface of a growing crystal with its nutrient phase largely determines the growth dynamics. We demonstrate that hematin crystals, crucial for the survival of malaria parasites, transition from faceted to rough growth interfaces at increasing thermodynamic supersaturation Δ μ . Contrary to theoretical predictions and previous observations, this transition occurs at moderate values of Δ μ . Moreover, surface roughness varies nonmonotonically with Δ μ , and the rate constant for rough growth is slower than that resulting from nucleation and spreading of layers. We attribute these unexpected behaviors to the dynamics of step growth dominated by surface diffusion and the loss of identity of nuclei separated by less than the step width w . We put forth a general criterion for the onset of kinetic roughening using w as a critical length scale.

  1. Electrical performance of PEDOT:PSS-based textile electrodes for wearable ECG monitoring: a comparative study.

    PubMed

    Castrillón, Reinel; Pérez, Jairo J; Andrade-Caicedo, Henry

    2018-04-02

    Wearable textile electrodes for the detection of biopotentials are a promising tool for the monitoring and early diagnosis of chronic diseases. We present a comparative study of the electrical characteristics of four textile electrodes manufactured from common fabrics treated with a conductive polymer, a commercial fabric, and disposable Ag/AgCl electrodes. These characteristics will allow identifying the performance of the materials when used as ECG electrodes. The electrodes were subjected to different electrical tests, and complemented with conductivity calculations and microscopic images to determine their feasibility in the detection of ECG signals. We evaluated four electrical characteristics: contact impedance, electrode polarization, noise, and long-term performance. We analyzed PEDOT:PSS treated fabrics based on cotton, cotton-polyester, lycra and polyester; also a commercial fabric made of silver-plated nylon Shielde® Med-Tex P130, and commercial Ag/AgCl electrodes. We calculated conductivity from the surface resistance and, analyzed their surface at a microscopic level. Rwizard was used in the statistical analysis. The results showed that textile electrodes treated with PEDOT:PSS are suitable for the detection of ECG signals. The error detecting features of the ECG signal was lower than 2% and the electrodes kept working properly after 36 h of continuous use. Even though the contact impedance and the polarization level in textile electrodes were greater than in commercial electrodes, these parameters did not affect the acquisition of the ECG signals. Fabrics conductivity calculations were consistent to the contact impedance.

  2. Electrochemical deposition of silver in room-temperature ionic liquids and its surface-enhanced Raman scattering effect.

    PubMed

    He, Ping; Liu, Hongtao; Li, Zhiying; Liu, Yang; Xu, Xiudong; Li, Jinghong

    2004-11-09

    The use of room-temperature ionic liquids (RTILs) as media for electrochemical application is very attractive. In this work, the electrochemical deposition of silver was investigated at a glassy carbon electrode in hydrophobic 1-n-butyl-3-methylimidazolium hexafluorophosphate (BMIMPF6) and hydrophilic 1-n-butyl-3-methylimidazolium tetrafluoroborate (BMIMBF4) RTILs and in KNO3 aqueous solution by cyclic voltammetric and potentiostatic transient techniques. The voltammograms showed the presence of reduction and oxidation peaks associated with the deposition and dissolution of silver from AgBF4 in both BMIMPF6 and BMIMBF(4), resembling the redox behavior of AgNO3 in KNO3 aqueous solution. A crossover loop was observed in all the cyclic voltammograms of these electrochemical systems, indicating a nucleation process. From the analysis of the experimental current transients, it was shown that the electrochemical deposition process of silver in these media was characteristic of 3D nucleation with diffusion-controlled hemispherical growth, and the silver nucleation closely followed the response predicted for progressive nucleation in BMIMPF6 and instantaneous nucleation in KNO3 aqueous solution, respectively. Compared with these two cases, the electrochemical deposition of silver in BMIMBF4 deviated from both the instantaneous and progressive nucleation models, which could be controlled by mixed kinetics and diffusion. On the basis of the experimental results, it was shown that parameters such as viscosity and water miscibility of RTILs would affect the electrodeposition behavior of silver. Atom force microscopy was employed to probe the surface morphology of the silver deposit, and it showed that the shining electrodeposit of silver was fairly dense and separate nanoclusters of <100 nm were in evidence, corresponding to an island growth model. The strongly enhanced Raman scattering from the monolayer film of 4-mercaptobenzoic acid demonstrated that as-prepared silver

  3. Electrochemical characterisation and anodic stripping voltammetry at mesoporous platinum rotating disc electrodes.

    PubMed

    Lozano-Sanchez, Pablo; Elliott, Joanne M

    2008-02-01

    Using the technique of liquid crystal templating a rotating disc electrode (RDE) was modified with a high surface area mesoporous platinum film. The surface area of the electrode was characterised by acid voltammetry, and found to be very high (ca. 86 cm(2)). Acid characterisation of the electrode produced distorted voltammograms was interpreted as being due to the extremely large surface area which produced a combination of effects such as localised pH change within the pore environment and also ohmic drop effects. Acid voltammetry in the presence of two different types of surfactant, namely Tween 20 and Triton X-100, suggested antifouling properties associated with the mesoporous deposit. Further analysis of the modified electrode using a redox couple in solution showed typical RDE behaviour although extra capacitive currents were observed due to the large surface area of the electrode. The phenomenon of underpotential deposition was exploited for the purpose of anodic stripping voltammetry and results were compared with data collected for microelectrodes. Underpotential deposition of metal ions at the mesoporous RDE was found to be similar to that at conventional platinum electrodes and mesoporous microelectrodes although the rate of surface coverage was found to be slower at a mesoporous RDE. It was found that a mesoporous RDE forms a suitable system for quantification of silver ions in solution.

  4. Silver-Coated Nylon Dressing Plus Active DC Microcurrent for Healing of Autogenous Skin Donor Sites

    DTIC Science & Technology

    2013-08-01

    of contact dermatitis induced by 1,2-dinitrochlorobenzene, Nadworny et al demonstrated that Acticoat induced apoptosis of inf lammatory cells in the...activity of nanocrys- talline silver in a porcine contact dermatitis model. Nanomedicine. 2008;4:241Y251. 14. Atiyeh BS, Costagliola M, Hayek SN, et...good skin contact , and these electrodes were replaced when necessary. The edges of the donor site were inspected for evidence of healing or infection

  5. Indirect potentiometric titration of ascorbic acid in pharmaceutical preparations using copper based mercury film electrode.

    PubMed

    Abdul Kamal Nazer, Meeran Mohideen; Hameed, Abdul Rahman Shahul; Riyazuddin, Patel

    2004-01-01

    A simple and rapid potentiometric method for the estimation of ascorbic acid in pharmaceutical dosage forms has been developed. The method is based on treating ascorbic acid with iodine and titration of the iodide produced equivalent to ascorbic acid with silver nitrate using Copper Based Mercury Film Electrode (CBMFE) as an indicator electrode. Interference study was carried to check possible interference of usual excipients and other vitamins. The precision and accuracy of the method was assessed by the application of lack-of-fit test and other statistical methods. The results of the proposed method and British Pharmacopoeia method were compared using F and t-statistical tests of significance.

  6. In vitro percutaneous penetration and characterization of silver from silver-containing textiles

    PubMed Central

    Bianco, Carlotta; Kezic, Sanja; Crosera, Matteo; Svetličić, Vesna; Šegota, Suzana; Maina, Giovanni; Romano, Canzio; Larese, Francesca; Adami, Gianpiero

    2015-01-01

    The objective of this study was to determine the in vitro percutaneous penetration of silver and characterize the silver species released from textiles in different layers of full thickness human skin. For this purpose, two different wound dressings and a garment soaked in artificial sweat were placed in the donor compartments of Franz cells for 24 hours. The concentration of silver in the donor phase and in the skin was determined by an electrothermal atomic absorption spectrometer (ET-AAS) and by inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometer (ICP-MS). The characterization of silver species in the textiles and in the skin layers was made by scanning electron microscopy with integrated energy dispersive X-ray spectroscopy (SEM-EDX). Additionally, the size distribution of silver nanoparticles in the textiles was performed by atomic force microscopy (AFM). On the surface of all investigated materials, silver nanoparticles of different size and morphology were found. Released silver concentrations in the soaking solutions (ie, exposure concentration) ranged from 0.7 to 4.7 μg/mL (0.6–4.0 μg/cm2), fitting the bactericidal range. Silver and silver chloride aggregates at sizes of up to 1 μm were identified both in the epidermis and dermis. The large size of these particles suggests that the aggregation occurred in the skin. The formation of these aggregates likely slowed down the systemic absorption of silver. Conversely, these aggregates may form a reservoir enabling prolonged release of silver ions, which might lead to local effects. PMID:25792824

  7. Photochemical Study of Silver Nanoparticles Formed from the Reduction of Silver Ions by Humic Acid

    NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

    Leslie, Renee M.

    This study focuses on the ability of silver ions and humic acid to form silver nanoparticles in the presence of UV and visible light. Silver nanoparticles have a number of industrial applications due primarily to their antimicrobial properties, but these properties pose an environmental threat. Silver nanoparticles can directly disrupt sensitive ecosystems by harming bacteria. Consumption of silver nanoparticles results in silver ions and silver nanoparticles entering waterways; the presence of silver ions raises the question of whether nanoparticles can reform in environmental waters. As our data show, silver nanoparticles can form from the reduction of silver ions by humic acid after irradiation with UV and visible light. In order to better understand the mechanism of these naturally synthesized silver nanoparticles, we investigated the effects of reactant concentration, experimental conditions and presence of ions/reactive species. We monitored silver nanoparticle growth with UV-visible spectroscopy. The evolution in time of nanoparticle size was monitored by dynamic light scattering (DLS).

  8. Evaluating Plasmonic Transport in Current-carrying Silver Nanowires

    PubMed Central

    Song, Mingxia; Stolz, Arnaud; Zhang, Douguo; Arocas, Juan; Markey, Laurent; Colas des Francs, Gérard; Dujardin, Erik; Bouhelier, Alexandre

    2013-01-01

    Plasmonics is an emerging technology capable of simultaneously transporting a plasmonic signal and an electronic signal on the same information support1,2,3. In this context, metal nanowires are especially desirable for realizing dense routing networks4. A prerequisite to operate such shared nanowire-based platform relies on our ability to electrically contact individual metal nanowires and efficiently excite surface plasmon polaritons5 in this information support. In this article, we describe a protocol to bring electrical terminals to chemically-synthesized silver nanowires6 randomly distributed on a glass substrate7. The positions of the nanowire ends with respect to predefined landmarks are precisely located using standard optical transmission microscopy before encapsulation in an electron-sensitive resist. Trenches representing the electrode layout are subsequently designed by electron-beam lithography. Metal electrodes are then fabricated by thermally evaporating a Cr/Au layer followed by a chemical lift-off. The contacted silver nanowires are finally transferred to a leakage radiation microscope for surface plasmon excitation and characterization8,9. Surface plasmons are launched in the nanowires by focusing a near infrared laser beam on a diffraction-limited spot overlapping one nanowire extremity5,9. For sufficiently large nanowires, the surface plasmon mode leaks into the glass substrate9,10. This leakage radiation is readily detected, imaged, and analyzed in the different conjugate planes in leakage radiation microscopy9,11. The electrical terminals do not affect the plasmon propagation. However, a current-induced morphological deterioration of the nanowire drastically degrades the flow of surface plasmons. The combination of surface plasmon leakage radiation microscopy with a simultaneous analysis of the nanowire electrical transport characteristics reveals the intrinsic limitations of such plasmonic circuitry. PMID:24378340

  9. Highly efficient and bendable organic solar cells using a three-dimensional transparent conducting electrode

    NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

    Wang, Wei; Bae, Tae-Sung; Park, Yeon Hyun; Kim, Dong Ho; Lee, Sunghun; Min, Guanghui; Lee, Gun-Hwan; Song, Myungkwan; Yun, Jungheum

    2014-05-01

    A three-dimensional (3D) transparent conducting electrode, consisting of a quasi-periodic array of discrete indium-tin-oxide (ITO) nanoparticles superimposed on a highly conducting oxide-metal-oxide multilayer using ITO and silver oxide (AgOx) as oxide and metal layers, respectively, is synthesized on a polymer substrate and used as an anode in highly flexible organic solar cells (OSCs). The 3D electrode is fabricated using vacuum sputtering sequences to achieve self-assembly of distinct ITO nanoparticles on a continuous ITO-AgOx-ITO multilayer at room-temperature without applying conventional high-temperature vapour-liquid-solid growth, solution-based nanoparticle coating, or complicated nanopatterning techniques. Since the 3D electrode enhances the hole-extraction rate in OSCs owing to its high surface area and low effective series resistance for hole transport, OSCs based on this 3D electrode exhibit a power conversion efficiency that is 11-22% higher than that achievable in OSCs by means of conventional planar ITO film-type electrodes. A record high efficiency of 6.74% can be achieved in a bendable OSC fabricated on a poly(ethylene terephthalate) substrate.A three-dimensional (3D) transparent conducting electrode, consisting of a quasi-periodic array of discrete indium-tin-oxide (ITO) nanoparticles superimposed on a highly conducting oxide-metal-oxide multilayer using ITO and silver oxide (AgOx) as oxide and metal layers, respectively, is synthesized on a polymer substrate and used as an anode in highly flexible organic solar cells (OSCs). The 3D electrode is fabricated using vacuum sputtering sequences to achieve self-assembly of distinct ITO nanoparticles on a continuous ITO-AgOx-ITO multilayer at room-temperature without applying conventional high-temperature vapour-liquid-solid growth, solution-based nanoparticle coating, or complicated nanopatterning techniques. Since the 3D electrode enhances the hole-extraction rate in OSCs owing to its high surface area

  10. Mineral commodity profiles: Silver

    USGS Publications Warehouse

    Butterman, W.C.; Hilliard, Henry E.

    2005-01-01

    Overview -- Silver is one of the eight precious, or noble, metals; the others are gold and the six platinum-group metals (PGM). World mine production in 2001 was 18,700 metric tons (t) and came from mines in 60 countries; the 10 leading producing countries accounted for 86 percent of the total. The largest producer was Mexico, followed by Peru, Australia, and the United States. About 25 percent of the silver mined in the world in 2001 came from silver ores; 15 percent, from gold ores and the remaining 60 percent, from copper, lead, and zinc ores. In the United States, 14 percent of the silver mined in 2001 came from silver ores; 39 percent, from gold ores; 10 percent, from copper and copper-molybdenum ores; and 37 percent, from lead, zinc, and lead-zinc ores. The precious metal ores (gold and silver) came from 30 lode mines and 10 placer mines; the base-metal ores (copper, lead, molybdenum, and zinc) came from 24 lode mines. Placer mines yielded less than 1 percent of the national silver production. Silver was mined in 12 States, of which Nevada was by far the largest producer; it accounted for nearly one-third of the national total. The production of silver at domestic mines generated employment for about 1,100 mine and mill workers. The value of mined domestic silver was estimated to be $290 million. Of the nearly 27,000 t of world silver that was fabricated in 2001, about one-third went into jewelry and silverware, one-fourth into the light-sensitive compounds used in photography, and nearly all the remainder went for industrial uses, of which there were 7 substantial uses and many other small-volume uses. By comparison, 85 percent of the silver used in the United States went to photography and industrial uses, 8 percent to jewelry and silverware, and 7 percent to coins and medals. The United States was the largest consumer of silver followed by India, Japan, and Italy; the 13 largest consuming countries accounted for nearly 90 percent of the world total. In the

  11. Soft actuator based on Kraton with GO/Ag/Pani composite electrodes for robotic applications

    NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

    Khan, Ajahar; Kant Jain, Ravi; Banerjee, Priyabrata; Inamuddin; Asiri, Abdullah M.

    2017-11-01

    In this work, electrochemically-driven Kraton/graphene oxide/Ag/polyaniline (Kraton/GO/Ag/Pani) polymer composite based ionic polymer metal composite (IPMC) was fabricated as a soft actuator. Silver nanopowder with polyaniline coating used as an electrode material is a novel approach in the fabrication of IPMC, which gives new opportunities for development of the electrode on ionic polymer actuator surfaces directly without electroless plating of Pt or Au metal. The Kraton/GO/Ag/Pani membrane showed much higher water-uptake (WU), ion exchange capacity (IEC), proton conductivity than those of several reported IPMC membranes. The enhanced actuation performance indicates that the Kraton/GO/Ag/Pani is a better alternative to the highly expensive commercialized IPMC actuator.

  12. Stability Enhancement of Silver Nanowire Networks with Conformal ZnO Coatings Deposited by Atmospheric Pressure Spatial Atomic Layer Deposition.

    PubMed

    Khan, Afzal; Nguyen, Viet Huong; Muñoz-Rojas, David; Aghazadehchors, Sara; Jiménez, Carmen; Nguyen, Ngoc Duy; Bellet, Daniel

    2018-06-06

    Silver nanowire (AgNW) networks offer excellent electrical and optical properties and have emerged as one of the most attractive alternatives to transparent conductive oxides to be used in flexible optoelectronic applications. However, AgNW networks still suffer from chemical, thermal, and electrical instabilities, which in some cases can hinder their efficient integration as transparent electrodes in devices such as solar cells, transparent heaters, touch screens, and organic light emitting diodes. We have used atmospheric pressure spatial atomic layer deposition (AP-SALD) to fabricate hybrid transparent electrode materials in which the AgNW network is protected by a conformal thin layer of zinc oxide. The choice of AP-SALD allows us to maintain the low-cost and scalable processing of AgNW-based transparent electrodes. The effects of the ZnO coating thickness on the physical properties of AgNW networks are presented. The composite electrodes show a drastic enhancement of both thermal and electrical stabilities. We found that bare AgNWs were stable only up to 300 °C when subjected to thermal ramps, whereas the ZnO coating improved the stability up to 500 °C. Similarly, ZnO-coated AgNWs exhibited an increase of 100% in electrical stability with respect to bare networks, withstanding up to 18 V. A simple physical model shows that the origin of the stability improvement is the result of hindered silver atomic diffusion thanks to the presence of the thin oxide layer and the quality of the interfaces of hybrid electrodes. The effects of ZnO coating on both the network adhesion and optical transparency are also discussed. Finally, we show that the AP-SALD ZnO-coated AgNW networks can be effectively used as very stable transparent heaters.

  13. Silver Flakes and Silver Dendrites for Hybrid Electrically Conductive Adhesives with Enhanced Conductivity

    NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

    Ma, Hongru; Li, Zhuo; Tian, Xun; Yan, Shaocun; Li, Zhe; Guo, Xuhong; Ma, Yanqing; Ma, Lei

    2018-03-01

    Silver dendrites were prepared by a facile replacement reaction between silver nitrate and zinc microparticles of 20 μm in size. The influence of reactant molar ratio, reaction solution volume, silver nitrate concentration, and reaction time on the morphology of dendrites was investigated systematically. It was found that uniform tree-like silver structures are synthesized under the optimal conditions. Their structure can be described as a trunk, symmetrical branches, and leaves, which length scales of 5-10, 1-2 μm, and 100-300 nm, respectively. All features were systematically characterized by scanning electron microscopy, transmission electron microscopy (TEM), high-resolution TEM, and x-ray powder diffraction. A hybrid fillers system using silver flakes and dendrites as electrically conductive adhesives (ECAs) exhibited excellent overall performance. This good conductivity can be attributed mainly to the synergy between the silver microflakes (5-20 μm sized irregular sheet structures) and dendrites, allowing more conductive pathways to be formed between the fillers. In order to further optimize the overall electrical conductivity, various mixtures of silver microflakes and silver dendrites were tested in ECAs, with results indicating that the highest conductivity was shown when the amounts of silver microflakes, silver dendrites and the polymer matrix were 69.4 wt.% (20.82 vol.%), 0.6 wt.% (0.18 vol.%), and 30.0 wt.% (79.00 vol.%), respectively. The corresponding mass ratio of silver flakes to silver dendrites was 347:3. The resistivity of ECAs reached as low as 1.7 × 10-4 Ω cm.

  14. Colored and semitransparent silver nanoparticle layers deposited by spin coating of silver nanoink

    NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

    Yoon, Hoi Jin; Jo, Yejin; Jeong, Sunho; Lim, Jung Wook; Lee, Seung-Yun

    2018-05-01

    In this letter, we report on the fabrication and characterization of colored and semitransparent silver nanoparticle layers. A spin coating of silver nanoink is used to deposit silver nanoparticle layers onto substrates. The transmittance and color of the silver nanoparticle layers are significantly dependent on the spin speed and nanoink concentration, owing to variations in the size and distribution of the nanoparticles. Both color variation and efficiency improvement are achieved with the application of silver nanoparticles to semitransparent Si thin-film solar cells, which is associated with the excitation of the dipole or quadruple plasmon modes of the silver nanoparticles.

  15. Role of Additives in Minimizing Zinc Electrode Shape Change: The Effect of Lead on the Kinetics of Zn(II) Reduction in Concentrated Alkaline Media.

    DTIC Science & Technology

    1985-07-01

    adherent, and showed excellent physical stability. U -12- 4. RESULTS AND DISCUSSION 4.1 CYCLIC VOLTAMETRY AT A SILVER DISK ELECTRODE Silver screens are...45% KOH containing 5.5% ZnO is shown in Figure 17A. Several sweeps are recorded at scan rates of 10, 20, 50, 100, 200, and 500 mV/s with the highest...voltammetry curves is difficult since the anodic peak depends on the amount of metal deposition in the previous cathodic sweep (16).) The peak currents versus

  16. In Situ Analysis of a Silver Nanoparticle-Precipitating Shewanella Biofilm by Surface Enhanced Confocal Raman Microscopy

    PubMed Central

    Schkolnik, Gal; Schmidt, Matthias; Mazza, Marco G.; Harnisch, Falk; Musat, Niculina

    2015-01-01

    Shewanella oneidensis MR-1 is an electroactive bacterium, capable of reducing extracellular insoluble electron acceptors, making it important for both nutrient cycling in nature and microbial electrochemical technologies, such as microbial fuel cells and microbial electrosynthesis. When allowed to anaerobically colonize an Ag/AgCl solid interface, S. oneidensis has precipitated silver nanoparticles (AgNp), thus providing the means for a surface enhanced confocal Raman microscopy (SECRaM) investigation of its biofilm. The result is the in-situ chemical mapping of the biofilm as it developed over time, where the distribution of cytochromes, reduced and oxidized flavins, polysaccharides and phosphate in the undisturbed biofilm is monitored. Utilizing AgNp bio-produced by the bacteria colonizing the Ag/AgCl interface, we could perform SECRaM while avoiding the use of a patterned or roughened support or the introduction of noble metal salts and reducing agents. This new method will allow a spatially and temporally resolved chemical investigation not only of Shewanella biofilms at an insoluble electron acceptor, but also of other noble metal nanoparticle-precipitating bacteria in laboratory cultures or in complex microbial communities in their natural habitats. PMID:26709923

  17. Li/Ag 2VO 2PO 4 batteries: the roles of composite electrode constituents on electrochemistry

    DOE PAGES

    Bock, David C.; Bruck, Andrea M.; Pelliccione, Christopher J.; ...

    2016-11-01

    In this study, we utilize silver vanadium phosphorous oxide, Ag 2VO 2PO 4, as a model system to systematically study the impact of the constituents of a composite electrode, including polymeric and conductive additives, on electrochemistry. Notably, although highly resistive, this bimetallic cathode can be discharged as a pure electroactive material in the absence of a conductive additive as it generates an in situ conductive matrix via a reduction displacement reaction resulting in the formation of silver metal nanoparticles. Also, three different electrode compositions were investigated: Ag 2VO 2PO 4 only, Ag 2VO 2PO 44 with binder, and Ag 2VOmore » 2PO 4 with binder and carbon. Constant current discharge, pulse testing and impedance spectroscopy measurements were used to characterize the electrochemical properties of the electrodes as a function of depth of discharge. In situ EDXRD was used to spatially resolve the discharge progression within the cathode by following the formation of Ag 0. Ex situ XRD and EXAFS modeling were used to quantify the amount of Ag 0 formed. Results indicate that the metal center reduced (V 5+ or Ag +) was highly dependent on composite composition (presence of PTFE, carbon), depth of discharge (Ag 0 nanoparticle formation), and spatial location within the cathode. The addition of a binder was found to increase cell polarization, and the percolation network provided by the carbon in the presence of PTFE was further increased with reduction and formation of Ag 0. Lastly, this study provides insight into the factors controlling the electrochemistry of resistive active materials in composite electrodes.« less

  18. Li/Ag 2VO 2PO 4 batteries: the roles of composite electrode constituents on electrochemistry

    DOE Office of Scientific and Technical Information (OSTI.GOV)

    Bock, David C.; Bruck, Andrea M.; Pelliccione, Christopher J.

    In this study, we utilize silver vanadium phosphorous oxide, Ag 2VO 2PO 4, as a model system to systematically study the impact of the constituents of a composite electrode, including polymeric and conductive additives, on electrochemistry. Notably, although highly resistive, this bimetallic cathode can be discharged as a pure electroactive material in the absence of a conductive additive as it generates an in situ conductive matrix via a reduction displacement reaction resulting in the formation of silver metal nanoparticles. Also, three different electrode compositions were investigated: Ag 2VO 2PO 4 only, Ag 2VO 2PO 44 with binder, and Ag 2VOmore » 2PO 4 with binder and carbon. Constant current discharge, pulse testing and impedance spectroscopy measurements were used to characterize the electrochemical properties of the electrodes as a function of depth of discharge. In situ EDXRD was used to spatially resolve the discharge progression within the cathode by following the formation of Ag 0. Ex situ XRD and EXAFS modeling were used to quantify the amount of Ag 0 formed. Results indicate that the metal center reduced (V 5+ or Ag +) was highly dependent on composite composition (presence of PTFE, carbon), depth of discharge (Ag 0 nanoparticle formation), and spatial location within the cathode. The addition of a binder was found to increase cell polarization, and the percolation network provided by the carbon in the presence of PTFE was further increased with reduction and formation of Ag 0. Lastly, this study provides insight into the factors controlling the electrochemistry of resistive active materials in composite electrodes.« less

  19. Hybrid Silver Mesh Electrode for ITO-Free Flexible Polymer Solar Cells with Good Mechanical Stability.

    PubMed

    Kim, Wanjung; Kim, Soyeon; Kang, Iljoong; Jung, Myung Sun; Kim, Sung June; Kim, Jung Kyu; Cho, Sung Min; Kim, Jung-Hyun; Park, Jong Hyeok

    2016-05-10

    Herein, we report a tailored Ag mesh electrode coated with poly(3,4-ethylenedioxythiophene) (PEDOT) polymer on a flexible polyethylene terephthalate (PET) substrate. The introduction of this highly conductive polymer solves the existing problems of Ag mesh-type transparent conductive electrodes, such as high pitch, roughness, current inhomogeneity, and adhesion problems between the Ag mesh grid and PEDOT polymer or PET substrate, to result in excellent electron spreading from the discrete Ag mesh onto the entire surface without sacrificing sheet conductivity and optical transparency. Based on this hybrid anode, we demonstrate highly efficient flexible polymer solar cells (PSCs) with a high fill factor of 67.11 %, which results in a power conversion efficiency (PCE) of 6.9 % based on a poly({4,8-bis[(2-ethylhexyl)oxy]benzo[1,2-b:4,5-b'] dithiophene-2,6-diyl}{3-fluoro-2-[(2-ethylhexyl) carbonyl]thieno[3,4-b]thiophenediyl}):[6,6]-phenyl-C71 -butyric acid methyl ester bulk heterojunction device. Furthermore, the PSC device with the Ag mesh electrode also exhibits a good mechanical bending stability, as indicated by a 70 % retention of the initial PCE after 500 bending cycles compared with the PSC device with a PET/indium tin oxide electrode, which retained 0 % of the initial PCE after 300 bending cycles. © 2016 WILEY-VCH Verlag GmbH & Co. KGaA, Weinheim.

  20. Synthesis and characterization of silver nanoparticles from (bis)alkylamine silver carboxylate precursors

    NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

    Uznanski, Pawel; Zakrzewska, Joanna; Favier, Frederic; Kazmierski, Slawomir; Bryszewska, Ewa

    2017-03-01

    A comparative study of amine and silver carboxylate adducts [R1COOAg-2(R2NH2)] (R1 = 1, 7, 11; R2 = 8, 12) as a key intermediate in NPs synthesis is carried out via differential scanning calorimetry, solid-state FT-infrared spectroscopy, 13C CP MAS NMR, powder X-ray diffraction and X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy, and various solution NMR spectroscopies (1H and 13C NMR, pulsed field gradient spin-echo NMR, and ROESY). It is proposed that carboxyl moieties in the presence of amine ligands are bound to silver ions via chelating bidentate type of coordination as opposed to bridging bidentate coordination of pure silver carboxylates resulting from the formation of dimeric units. All complexes are packed as lamellar bilayer structures. Silver carboxylate/amine complexes show one first-order melting transition. The evidence presented in this study shows that phase behavior of monovalent metal carboxylates are controlled, mainly, by head group bonding. In solution, insoluble silver salt is stabilized by amine molecules which exist in dynamic equilibrium. Using (bis)amine-silver carboxylate complex as precursor, silver nanoparticles were fabricated. During high-temperature thermolysis, the (bis)amine-carboxylate adduct decomposes to produce silver nanoparticles of small size. NPs are stabilized by strongly interacting carboxylate and trace amounts of amine derived from the silver precursor interacting with carboxylic acid. A corresponding aliphatic amide obtained from silver precursor at high-temperature reaction conditions is not taking part in the stabilization. Combining NMR techniques with FTIR, it was possible to follow an original stabilization mechanism.

  1. Carbon nanotube mat as mediator-less glucose sensor electrode.

    PubMed

    Ryu, Jongeun; Kim, Hansang; Lee, Sangeui; Hahn, H Thomas; Lashmore, David

    2010-02-01

    In this paper, the direct electron transfer of glucose oxidase (GOx) on carbon nanotube (CNT) mat electrode is demonstrated. Because of the electrical conductivity and mechanical strength of CNT mat, it can be used as an electrode as well as a catalyst support. Therefore, the preparation process for the CNT mat based sensor electrode is simpler than that of the conventional CNT dispersed sensor electrodes. GOx was covalently immobilized on the oxidized CNT mat, which is connected to a wire by using silver paste and epoxy glue. Attenuated Total Reflectance Fourier Transform-Infrared (ATR-FTIR) result shows transmittance peaks at 1637 cm(-1) and 1525 cm(-1) which are corresponding to the band I and II of amide. Cyclic voltammetric shows a pair of well-defined redox peaks with the average formal potential of -0.425 V (vs. Ag/AgCl reference electrode) in the phosphate buffered saline solution (1 x PBS, pH 7.4). Calculated electron transfer rate constant and the surface density of GOx were 1.71 s(-1) and (3.27 +/- 0.20) x 10(-13) mol/cm2, respectively. Cyclic voltammograms of GOx-CNT mat in glucose solution show that the immobilized GOx retains its catalytic activity to glucose. The amperometric sensor response showed a linear dependence on the glucose concentration in the range of 0.2 mM to 2.18 mM with a detection sensitivity of 4.05 microA mM(-1) cm(-2). The Michaelis-Menten constant of the immobilized GOx was calculated to be 2.18 mM.

  2. Synthesis and characterization of silver nanoparticles from (bis)alkylamine silver carboxylate precursors.

    PubMed

    Uznanski, Pawel; Zakrzewska, Joanna; Favier, Frederic; Kazmierski, Slawomir; Bryszewska, Ewa

    2017-01-01

    A comparative study of amine and silver carboxylate adducts [R 1 COOAg-2(R 2 NH 2 )] (R 1  = 1, 7, 11; R 2  = 8, 12) as a key intermediate in NPs synthesis is carried out via differential scanning calorimetry, solid-state FT-infrared spectroscopy, 13 C CP MAS NMR, powder X-ray diffraction and X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy, and various solution NMR spectroscopies ( 1 H and 13 C NMR, pulsed field gradient spin-echo NMR, and ROESY). It is proposed that carboxyl moieties in the presence of amine ligands are bound to silver ions via chelating bidentate type of coordination as opposed to bridging bidentate coordination of pure silver carboxylates resulting from the formation of dimeric units. All complexes are packed as lamellar bilayer structures. Silver carboxylate/amine complexes show one first-order melting transition. The evidence presented in this study shows that phase behavior of monovalent metal carboxylates are controlled, mainly, by head group bonding. In solution, insoluble silver salt is stabilized by amine molecules which exist in dynamic equilibrium. Using (bis)amine-silver carboxylate complex as precursor, silver nanoparticles were fabricated. During high-temperature thermolysis, the (bis)amine-carboxylate adduct decomposes to produce silver nanoparticles of small size. NPs are stabilized by strongly interacting carboxylate and trace amounts of amine derived from the silver precursor interacting with carboxylic acid. A corresponding aliphatic amide obtained from silver precursor at high-temperature reaction conditions is not taking part in the stabilization. Combining NMR techniques with FTIR, it was possible to follow an original stabilization mechanism. Graphical abstractThe synthesis of a series (bis)alkylamine silver(I) carboxylate complexes in nonpolar solvents were carried out and fully characterized both in the solid and solution. Carboxyl moieties in the presence of amine ligands are bound to silver ions via chelating bidentate type of

  3. Semitransparent organic photovoltaic modules with Ag nanowire top electrodes

    NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

    Guo, Fei; Kubis, Peter; Przybilla, Thomas; Spiecker, Erdmann; Forberich, Karen; Brabec, Christoph J.

    2014-10-01

    Semitransparent organic photovoltaic (OPV) cells are promising for applications in transparent architectures where their opaque counterparts are not suitable. Manufacturing of large-area modules without performance losses compared to their lab-scale devices is a key step towards practical applications of this PV technology. In this paper, we report the use of solution-processed silver nanowires as top electrodes and fabricate semitransparent OPV modules based on ultra-fast laser scribing. Through a rational choice of device architecture in combination with high-precision laser patterning, we demonstrate efficient semitransparent modules with comparable performance as compared to the reference devices.

  4. Similarities and Differences between Silver Ions and Silver in Nanoforms as Antibacterial Agents

    PubMed Central

    Kędziora, Anna; Speruda, Mateusz; Rybka, Jacek; Łukowiak, Anna; Bugla-Płoskońska, Gabriela

    2018-01-01

    Silver is considered as antibacterial agent with well-known mode of action and bacterial resistance against it is well described. The development of nanotechnology provided different methods for the modification of the chemical and physical structure of silver, which may increase its antibacterial potential. The physico-chemical properties of silver nanoparticles and their interaction with living cells differs substantially from those of silver ions. Moreover, the variety of the forms and characteristics of various silver nanoparticles are also responsible for differences in their antibacterial mode of action and probably bacterial mechanism of resistance. The paper discusses in details the aforementioned aspects of silver activity. PMID:29393866

  5. Silver distribution and release from an antimicrobial denture base resin containing silver colloidal nanoparticles.

    PubMed

    Monteiro, Douglas Roberto; Gorup, Luiz Fernando; Takamiya, Aline Satie; de Camargo, Emerson Rodrigues; Filho, Adhemar Colla Ruvolo; Barbosa, Debora Barros

    2012-01-01

    The aim of this study was to evaluate a denture base resin containing silver colloidal nanoparticles through morphological analysis to check the distribution and dispersion of these particles in the polymer and by testing the silver release in deionized water at different time periods. A Lucitone 550 denture resin was used, and silver nanoparticles were synthesized by reduction of silver nitrate with sodium citrate. The acrylic resin was prepared in accordance with the manufacturers' instructions, and silver nanoparticle suspension was added to the acrylic resin monomer in different concentrations (0.05, 0.5, and 5 vol% silver colloidal). Controls devoid of silver nanoparticles were included. The specimens were stored in deionized water at 37°C for 7, 15, 30, 60, and 120 days, and each solution was analyzed using atomic absorption spectroscopy. Silver was not detected in deionized water regardless of the silver nanoparticles added to the resin and of the storage period. Micrographs showed that with lower concentrations, the distribution of silver nanoparticles was reduced, whereas their dispersion was improved in the polymer. Moreover, after 120 days of storage, nanoparticles were mainly located on the surface of the nanocomposite specimens. Incorporation of silver nanoparticles in the acrylic resin was evidenced. Moreover, silver was not detected by the detection limit of the atomic absorption spectrophotometer used in this study, even after 120 days of storage in deionized water. Silver nanoparticles are incorporated in the PMMA denture resin to attain an effective antimicrobial material to help control common infections involving oral mucosal tissues in complete denture wearers. © 2011 by the American College of Prosthodontists.

  6. Green Silver Nanoparticles Based Dual Sensor for Toxic Hg (II) Ions.

    PubMed

    Sebastian, Maria; Aravind, Archana; Mathew, Beena

    2018-06-11

    The present study focuses on the utilization of green silver nanoparticles as they are more preferred for sensing applications due to their environment friendly nature. We have examined the optical and electrochemical sensing behavior of silver nanoparticles from Agaricus Bispores (AgNP-AB) towards Hg(II) ions. AgNP-AB was prepared by microwave reactor. The synthesized AgNPs have been used for the sensing of Hg(II) ions without the use of modifiers or further sophisticated instrumentation. The synthesized nanoparticles were successfully characterized by different techniques. AgNP-AB leads to aggregation with addition of Hg(II) ions in aqueous medium and developed a color change from brown to black which leads to the formation of AgNP-AB-Hg(II) complex. Moreover, the metal sensing ability of AgNPs has been explored using electrochemical studies. AgNP-AB modified platinum electrode (AgNP-AB/PE) was developed for the fast sensing of toxic Hg(II) ions. The sensor exhibits good limit of detection at 2.1x10-6M. The sensitivity of AgNP-AB/PE towards Hg(II) ion was analyzed with various metal ions. The sensing skill of developed system was successfully checked with real water sample from Vembanade Lake, Kumarakom, Kerala. The silver nanoparticles from Agaricus Bispoes are highly versatile and promising for different environmental applications. © 2018 IOP Publishing Ltd.

  7. Silver, gold, and alloyed silver-gold nanoparticles: characterization and comparative cell-biologic action

    NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

    Mahl, Dirk; Diendorf, Jörg; Ristig, Simon; Greulich, Christina; Li, Zi-An; Farle, Michael; Köller, Manfred; Epple, Matthias

    2012-10-01

    Silver, gold, and silver-gold-alloy nanoparticles were prepared by citrate reduction modified by the addition of tannin during the synthesis, leading to a reduction in particle size by a factor of three. Nanoparticles can be prepared by this easy water-based synthesis and subsequently functionalized by the addition of either tris(3-sulfonatophenyl)phosphine or poly( N-vinylpyrrolidone). The resulting nanoparticles of silver (diameter 15-25 nm), gold (5-6 nm), and silver-gold (50:50; 10-12 nm) were easily dispersable in water and also in cell culture media (RPMI + 10 % fetal calf serum), as shown by nanoparticle tracking analysis and differential centrifugal sedimentation. High-resolution transmission electron microscopy showed a polycrystalline nature of all nanoparticles. EDX on single silver-gold nanoparticles indicated that the concentration of gold is higher inside a nanoparticle. The biologic action of the nanoparticles toward human mesenchymal stem cells (hMSC) was different: Silver nanoparticles showed a significant concentration-dependent influence on the viability of hMSC. Gold nanoparticles showed only a small effect on the viability of hMSC after 7 days. Surprisingly, silver-gold nanoparticles had no significant influence on the viability of hMSC despite the silver content. Silver nanoparticles and silver-gold nanoparticles in the concentration range of 5-20 μg mL-1 induced the activation of hMSC as indicated by the release of IL-8. In contrast, gold nanoparticles led to a reduction of the release of IL-6 and IL-8.

  8. Electrode Reaction Mechanism of Ag 2VO 2PO 4 Cathode

    DOE Office of Scientific and Technical Information (OSTI.GOV)

    Zhang, Ruibo; Abtew, Tesfaye A.; Quackenbush, Nicholas F.

    In this study, the high capacity of primary lithium-ion cathode Ag 2VO 2PO 4 is facilitated by both displacement and insertion reaction mechanisms. Whether the Ag extrusion (specifically, Ag reduction with Ag metal displaced from the host crystal) and V reduction are sequential or concurrent remains unclear. A microscopic description of the reaction mechanism is required for developing design rules for new multimechanism cathodes, combining both displacement and insertion reactions. However, the amorphization of Ag 2VO 2PO 4 during lithiation makes the investigation of the electrode reaction mechanism difficult with conventional characterization tools. For addressing this issue, a combination ofmore » local probes of pair-distribution function and X-ray spectroscopy were used to obtain a description of the discharge reaction. We determine that the initial reaction is dominated by silver extrusion with vanadium playing a supporting role. In addition, once sufficient Ag has been displaced, the residual Ag + in the host can no longer stabilize the host structure and V–O environment (i.e., onset of amorphization). After amorphization, silver extrusion continues but the vanadium reduction dominates the reaction. As a result, the crossover from primarily silver reduction displacement to vanadium reduction is facilitated by the amorphization that makes vanadium reduction increasingly more favorable.« less

  9. Electrode Reaction Mechanism of Ag 2VO 2PO 4 Cathode

    DOE PAGES

    Zhang, Ruibo; Abtew, Tesfaye A.; Quackenbush, Nicholas F.; ...

    2016-05-09

    In this study, the high capacity of primary lithium-ion cathode Ag 2VO 2PO 4 is facilitated by both displacement and insertion reaction mechanisms. Whether the Ag extrusion (specifically, Ag reduction with Ag metal displaced from the host crystal) and V reduction are sequential or concurrent remains unclear. A microscopic description of the reaction mechanism is required for developing design rules for new multimechanism cathodes, combining both displacement and insertion reactions. However, the amorphization of Ag 2VO 2PO 4 during lithiation makes the investigation of the electrode reaction mechanism difficult with conventional characterization tools. For addressing this issue, a combination ofmore » local probes of pair-distribution function and X-ray spectroscopy were used to obtain a description of the discharge reaction. We determine that the initial reaction is dominated by silver extrusion with vanadium playing a supporting role. In addition, once sufficient Ag has been displaced, the residual Ag + in the host can no longer stabilize the host structure and V–O environment (i.e., onset of amorphization). After amorphization, silver extrusion continues but the vanadium reduction dominates the reaction. As a result, the crossover from primarily silver reduction displacement to vanadium reduction is facilitated by the amorphization that makes vanadium reduction increasingly more favorable.« less

  10. Enzyme-assisted cycling amplification and DNA-templated in-situ deposition of silver nanoparticles for the sensitive electrochemical detection of Hg(2.).

    PubMed

    Xie, Hua; Wang, Qin; Chai, Yaqin; Yuan, Yali; Yuan, Ruo

    2016-12-15

    In this work, a label-free electrochemical biosensor was developed for sensitive and selective detection of mercury (II) ions (Hg(2+)) based on in-situ deposition of silver nanoparticles (AgNPs) on terminal deoxynucleotidyl transferase (TdT) extended ssDNA for signal output and nicking endonuclease for cycling amplification. In the presence of target Hg(2+), the T-rich DNA (HP1) could partly fold into duplex-like structure (termed as output DNA) via T-Hg(2+)-T base pairs and thus exposed its sticky end. The sticky end of output DNA could then hybridize with 3'-PO4 terminated capture DNA (HP2) on electrode surface to form output DNA-HP2 hybridization complex with the sequence 5'-CCTCAGC-3'/3'-GGAGTCG-5' (the sequence could be recognized by nicking endonuclease Nt. BbvCI). With the introduction of Nt. BbvCI, output DNA existed in hybridization complex was released from electrode and participated in the next hybridization process, accompanying with the cleave of HP2 to expose substantial 3'-OH group, which could be extended into a long ssDNA nanotail with the aid of TdT and deoxyadenosine triphosphate (dATP). Since the long negatively charged ssDNA nanotail absorbed the positively charged silver ions on the DNA skeleton, the metallic silver could be in-situ deposited on electrode surface for electrochemical signal output upon addition of reduction regent sodium borohydride. Under optimal conditions, the developed electrochemical biosensor presented a good response to Hg(2+) with a detection limit of 3 pM (S/N=3). Furthermore, the biosensor exhibited good reproducibility and high selectivity towards other interfering ions. The proposed sensing system also showed a promising potential application in real sample analysis. Copyright © 2016 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.

  11. Plasmonic characterization of photo-induced silver nanoparticles extracted from silver halide based TEM film

    DOE Office of Scientific and Technical Information (OSTI.GOV)

    Sudheer,, E-mail: sudheer@rrcat.gov.in; Tiwari, P.; Rai, V. N.

    The plasmonic responses of silver nanoparticles extracted from silver halide based electron microscope film are investigated. Photo-reduction process is carried out to convert the silver halide grains into the metallic silver. The centrifuge technique is used for separating the silver nanoparticles from the residual solution. Morphological study performed by field emission scanning electron microscope (FESEM) shows that all the nanoparticles have an average diameter of ~120 nm with a high degree of mono dispersion in size. The localized surface plasmon resonance (LSPR) absorption peak at ~537 nm confirms the presence of large size silver nanoparticles.

  12. Use of Silver in the Prevention and Treatment of Infections: Silver Review

    PubMed Central

    Campbell, Kristin T.; Rosenberger, Laura H.; Sawyer, Robert G.

    2013-01-01

    Abstract Background The use of silver for the treatment of various maladies or to prevent the transmission of infection dates back to at least 4000 b.c.e. Medical applications are documented in the literature throughout the 17th and 18th centuries. The bactericidal activity of silver is well established. Silver nitrate was used topically throughout the 1800s for the treatment of burns, ulcerations, and infected wounds, and although its use declined after World War II and the advent of antibiotics, Fox revitalized its use in the form of silver sulfadiazine in 1968. Method Review of the pertinent English-language literature. Results Since Fox's work, the use of topical silver to reduce bacterial burden and promote healing has been investigated in the setting of chronic wounds and ulcers, post-operative incision dressings, blood and urinary catheter designs, endotracheal tubes, orthopedic devices, vascular prostheses, and the sewing ring of prosthetic heart valves. The beneficial effects of silver in reducing or preventing infection have been seen in the topical treatment of burns and chronic wounds and in its use as a coating for many medical devices. However, silver has been unsuccessful in certain applications, such as the Silzone heart valve. In other settings, such as orthopedic hardware coatings, its benefit remains unproved. Conclusion Silver remains a reasonable addition to the armamentarium against infection and has relatively few side effects. However, one should weigh the benefits of silver-containing products against the known side effects and the other options available for the intended purpose when selecting the most appropriate therapy. PMID:23448590

  13. High purity silver microcrystals recovered from silver wastes by eco-friendly process using hydrogen peroxide.

    PubMed

    Gatemala, Harnchana; Ekgasit, Sanong; Wongravee, Kanet

    2017-07-01

    A simple, rapid, and environmentally friendly process using hydrogen peroxide, was developed for recovering high purity silver directly from industry and laboratory wastes. Silver ammine complex, [Ag(NH 3 ) 2 ] + Cl - , derived from AgCl were generated and then directly reduced using H 2 O 2 to reliably turn into high purity microcrystalline silver (99.99%) examined by EDS and XRD. Morphology of the recovered silver microcrystals could be selectively tuned by an addition of poly(vinyl pyrrolidone). The main parameters in the recovering process including pH, concentration of Ag + and the mole ratio of H 2 O 2 :Ag + were carefully optimized though the central composite design (CCD). The optimized condition was employed for a trial recovery of 50 L silver ammine complex prepared from a collection of silver-wastes during 3-year research on industrial nanoparticle production. The recovered silver microcrystals >700 g could be recovered with 91.27%. The remaining solution after filtering of the recovered silver microcrystals can be used repeatedly (at least 8 cycles) without losing recovery efficiency. Matrix interferences including Pb 2+ and Cl - play a minimal role in our silver recovery process. Furthermore, the direct usage of the recovered silver microcrystals was demonstrated by using as a raw material of silver clay for creating a set of wearable silver jewelries. Copyright © 2017 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.

  14. Electrical Nanocontact Between Bismuth Nanowire Edges and Electrodes

    NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

    Murata, Masayuki; Nakamura, Daiki; Hasegawa, Yasuhiro; Komine, Takashi; Uematsu, Daisuke; Nakamura, Shinichiro; Taguchi, Takashi

    2010-09-01

    Three methods for attaching electrodes to a bismuth nanowire sample were investigated. In the first and second methods, thin layers of titanium and copper were deposited by ion plating under vacuum onto the edge surface of individual bismuth nanowire samples that were encapsulated in a quartz template. Good electrical contact between the electrodes and the nanowire was achieved using silver epoxy and conventional solder on the thin-film layers in the first and second methods, respectively. In the third method, a low-melting-point solder was utilized and was also successful in achieving good electrical contact in air atmosphere. The connection methods showed no difference in terms of resistivity temperature dependence or Seebeck coefficient. The third method has an advantage in that nanocontact is easily achieved; however, diffusion of the solder into the nanowire allows contamination near the melting point of the solder. In the first and second methods, the thin-film layer enabled electrical contact to be more safely achieved than the direct contact used in the third method, because the thin-film layer prevented diffusion of binder components.

  15. Exploiting both optical and electrical anisotropy in nanowire electrodes for higher transparency.

    PubMed

    Dong, Jianjin; Goldthorpe, Irene A

    2018-01-26

    Transparent electrodes such as indium tin oxide and random meshes of silver nanowires (AgNWs) have isotropic in-plane properties. However, we show that imparting some alignment to AgNWs can create anisotropic transparency and electrical conductivity characteristics that may benefit many applications. For example, liquid crystal displays and the touch sensors on top of them often only need to be transparent to one type of polarized light as well as predominantly conductive in only one direction. Herein, AgNWs are slightly preferentially aligned during their deposition by rod coating. Compared to randomly oriented AgNW films, the alignment boosts the transparency to perpendicularly polarized light, as well as achieves a higher transparency for a given sheet resistance in one direction compared to randomly oriented AgNWs films. These factors together increase the transparency of a 16 Ω/sq electrode by 7.3 percentage points. The alignment technique is cheap and scalable, compatible with roll-to-roll processes, and most importantly does not require extra processing steps, as rod coating is already a standard process for AgNW electrode fabrication.

  16. Exploiting both optical and electrical anisotropy in nanowire electrodes for higher transparency

    NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

    Dong, Jianjin; Goldthorpe, Irene A.

    2018-01-01

    Transparent electrodes such as indium tin oxide and random meshes of silver nanowires (AgNWs) have isotropic in-plane properties. However, we show that imparting some alignment to AgNWs can create anisotropic transparency and electrical conductivity characteristics that may benefit many applications. For example, liquid crystal displays and the touch sensors on top of them often only need to be transparent to one type of polarized light as well as predominantly conductive in only one direction. Herein, AgNWs are slightly preferentially aligned during their deposition by rod coating. Compared to randomly oriented AgNW films, the alignment boosts the transparency to perpendicularly polarized light, as well as achieves a higher transparency for a given sheet resistance in one direction compared to randomly oriented AgNWs films. These factors together increase the transparency of a 16 Ω/sq electrode by 7.3 percentage points. The alignment technique is cheap and scalable, compatible with roll-to-roll processes, and most importantly does not require extra processing steps, as rod coating is already a standard process for AgNW electrode fabrication.

  17. Room temperature synthesis of silver nanowires from tabular silver bromide crystals in the presence of gelatin

    NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

    Liu, Suwen; Wehmschulte, Rudolf J.; Lian, Guoda; Burba, Christopher M.

    2006-03-01

    Long silver nanowires were synthesized at room temperature by a simple and fast process derived from the development of photographic films. A film consisting of an emulsion of tabular silver bromide grains in gelatin was treated with a photographic developer (4-(methylamino)phenol sulfate (metol), citric acid) in the presence of additional aqueous silver nitrate. The silver nanowires have lengths of more than 50 μm, some even more than 100 μm, and average diameters of about 80 nm. Approximately, 70% of the metallic silver formed in the reduction consists of silver nanowires. Selected area electron diffraction (SAED) results indicate that the silver nanowires grow along the [111] direction. It was found that the presence of gelatin, tabular silver bromide crystals and silver ions in solution are essential for the formation of the silver nanowires. The nanowires appear to originate from the edges of the silver bromide crystals. They were characterized by transmission electron microscopy (TEM), SAED, scanning electron microscopy (SEM), and powder X-ray diffraction (XRD).

  18. Multispectral surface plasmon resonance approach for ultra-thin silver layer characterization: Application to top-emitting OLED cathode

    NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

    Taverne, S.; Caron, B.; Gétin, S.; Lartigue, O.; Lopez, C.; Meunier-Della-Gatta, S.; Gorge, V.; Reymermier, M.; Racine, B.; Maindron, T.; Quesnel, E.

    2018-01-01

    While dielectric/metal/dielectric (DMD) multilayer thin films have raised considerable interest as transparent and conductive electrodes in various optoelectronic devices, the knowledge of optical characteristics of thin metallic layers integrated in such structures is still rather approximate. The multispectral surface plasmon resonance characterization approach described in this work precisely aims at providing a rigorous methodology able to accurately determine the optical constants of ultra-thin metallic films. As a practical example, the refractive index and extinction dispersion curves of 8 to 25 nm-thick silver layers have been investigated. As a result, their extreme dependence on the layer thickness is highlighted, in particular in a thickness range close to the critical threshold value (˜10 nm) where the silver film becomes continuous and its electrical conductance/optical transmittance ratio particularly interesting. To check the validity of the revisited Ag layers constant dispersion curves deduced from this study, they were introduced into a commercial optical model software to simulate the behavior of various optoelectronic building blocks from the simplest ones (DMD electrodes) to much more complex structures [full organic light emitting device (OLED) stacks]. As a result, a much better prediction of the emission spectrum profile as well as the angular emission pattern of top-emitting OLEDs is obtained. On this basis, it is also shown how a redesign of the top encapsulation thin film of OLEDs is necessary to better take benefit from the advanced DMD electrode. These results should particularly interest the micro-OLED display field where bright and directive single color pixel emission is required.

  19. Polyimides Containing Silver Trifluoroacetylacetonate

    NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

    Stoakley, Diane M.; St. Clair, Anne K.; Rancourt, James D.; Taylor, Larry T.; Caplan, Maggie L.

    1994-01-01

    Mechanically strong, flexible, thermally stable, electrically conductive films and coatings suitable for use in electronics industry made by incorporating silver trifluoroacetylacetonate into linear aromatic condensation polyimides. In experimental films, most successful combinations of flexibility and conductivity obtained by use of 1:1, 1:1.74, and 1:2 mole ratios of silver trifluoroacetylacetonate per polyimide repeat unit. Other concentrations of silver trifluoroacetylacetonate used with different heat-treatment schedules to obtain conductive silver-impregnated films.

  20. Fractionation of silver isotopes in native silver explained by redox reactions

    NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

    Mathur, Ryan; Arribas, Antonio; Megaw, Peter; Wilson, Marc; Stroup, Steven; Meyer-Arrivillaga, Danilo; Arribas, Isabel

    2018-03-01

    Scant data exist on the silver isotope composition of native silver specimens because of the relative newness of the technique. This study increases the published dataset by an order of magnitude and presents 80 silver new isotope analyses from native silver originating from a diverse set of worldwide deposits (8 deposit types, 33 mining districts in five continents). The measured isotopic range (defined as δ109Ag/107Ag in per mil units compared to NIST 978 Ag isotope standard) is +2.1 to -0.86‰ (2σ errors less than 0.015); with no apparent systematic correlations to date with deposit type or even within districts. Importantly, the data centering on 0‰ all come from high temperature hypogene/primary deposits whereas flanking and overlapping data represent secondary supergene deposits. To investigate the causes for the more fractionated values, several laboratory experiments involving oxidation of silver from natural specimens of Ag-rich sulfides and precipitation and adsorption of silver onto reagent grade MnO2 and FeOOH were conducted. Simple leach experiments demonstrate little Ag isotope fractionation occurred through oxidation of Ag from native Ag (Δsolution-native109Ag = 0.12‰). In contrast, significant fractionation occurred through precipitation of native Ag onto MnO2 (up to Δsolution-MnO2109Ag = 0.68‰, or 0.3amu). Adsorption of silver onto the MnO2 and FeOOH did not produce as large fractionation as precipitation (mean value of Δsolution-MnO2109Ag = 0.10‰). The most likely cause for the isotopic variations seen relates to redox effects such as the reduction of silver from Ag (I) to Ag° that occurs during precipitation onto the mineral surface. Since many Ag deposits have halos dominated by MnO2 and FeOOH phases, potential may exist for the silver isotope composition of ores and surrounding geochemical haloes to be used to better understand ore genesis and potential exploration applications. Aside from the Mn oxides, surface fluid silver

  1. SERS and DFT study of water on metal cathodes of silver, gold and platinum nanoparticles.

    PubMed

    Li, Jian-Feng; Huang, Yi-Fan; Duan, Sai; Pang, Ran; Wu, De-Yin; Ren, Bin; Xu, Xin; Tian, Zhong-Qun

    2010-03-14

    The observed surface-enhanced Raman scattering (SERS) spectra of water adsorbed on metal film electrodes of silver, gold, and platinum nanoparticles were used to infer interfacial water structures on the basis of the change of the electrochemical vibrational Stark tuning rates and the relative Raman intensity of the stretching and bending modes. To explain the increase of the relative Raman intensity ratio of the bending and stretching vibrations at the very negative potential region, density functional theory calculations provide the conceptual model. The specific enhancement effect for the bending mode was closely associated with the water adsorption structure in a hydrogen bonded configuration through its H-end binding to surface sites with large polarizability due to strong cathodic polarization. The present results allow us to propose that interfacial water molecules exist on these metal cathodes with different hydrogen bonding interactions, i.e., the HO-HH-Pt dihydrogen bond for platinum and the HO-HAg(Au) for silver and gold. This dihydrogen bonding configuration on platinum is further supported from observation of the Pt-H stretching band. Furthermore, the influences of the pH effect on SERS intensity and vibrational Stark effect on the gold electrode indicate that the O-H stretching SERS signals are enhanced in the alkaline solutions because of the hydrated hydroxide surface species adsorbed on the gold cathode.

  2. Silver-Doping Effects and Photostructural Transformation in Evaporated AS2S3 Thin Films.

    DTIC Science & Technology

    1982-02-16

    ELECTROCHEMICAL STUDT OF THE SILVER INJECTION INTO As2S3 FILMS IN THE DARK . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 143 5.1 Voltametry Studies of The As2S3...experimental results. The modeling and analysis of experimental data will be given in the subsequent sections. 5.1 VOLTAMETRY STUDIES OF THE As S3 FILMS...and forth between -100 mv and +20 mv at a sweep rate of 2 mv/sec several times until a stable surface was reached. First the As2S3 electrode was

  3. Process for making silver metal filaments

    DOEpatents

    Bamberger, Carlos E.

    1997-01-01

    A process for making silver metal particles from silver salt particles having the same morphology. Precursor silver salt particles selected from the group consisting of silver acetate and silver sulfide having a selected morphology are contained in a reactor vessel having means for supporting the particles in an air suspension to prevent the agglomeration of the particles. Air is flowed through the reactor vessel at a flow rate sufficient to suspend the particles in the reactor vessel. The suspended precursor silver salt particles are heated to a processing temperature and at a heating rate below which the physical deterioration of the suspended precursor silver salt particles takes place. The suspended precursor silver salt particles are maintained at the processing temperature for a period of time sufficient to convert the particles into silver metal particles having the same morphology as the precursor silver salt particles.

  4. Room temperature synthesis of silver nanowires from tabular silver bromide crystals in the presence of gelatin

    DOE Office of Scientific and Technical Information (OSTI.GOV)

    Liu Suwen; Wehmschulte, Rudolf J.; Lian Guoda

    2006-03-15

    Long silver nanowires were synthesized at room temperature by a simple and fast process derived from the development of photographic films. A film consisting of an emulsion of tabular silver bromide grains in gelatin was treated with a photographic developer (4-(methylamino)phenol sulfate (metol), citric acid) in the presence of additional aqueous silver nitrate. The silver nanowires have lengths of more than 50 {mu}m, some even more than 100 {mu}m, and average diameters of about 80 nm. Approximately, 70% of the metallic silver formed in the reduction consists of silver nanowires. Selected area electron diffraction (SAED) results indicate that the silvermore » nanowires grow along the [111] direction. It was found that the presence of gelatin, tabular silver bromide crystals and silver ions in solution are essential for the formation of the silver nanowires. The nanowires appear to originate from the edges of the silver bromide crystals. They were characterized by transmission electron microscopy (TEM), SAED, scanning electron microscopy (SEM), and powder X-ray diffraction (XRD)« less

  5. A physiologically based pharmacokinetic model for ionic silver and silver nanoparticles

    PubMed Central

    Bachler, Gerald; von Goetz, Natalie; Hungerbühler, Konrad

    2013-01-01

    Silver is a strong antibiotic that is increasingly incorporated into consumer products as a bulk, salt, or nanosilver, thus potentially causing side-effects related to human exposure. However, the fate and behavior of (nano)silver in the human body is presently not well understood. In order to aggregate the existing experimental information, a physiologically based pharmacokinetic model (PBPK) was developed in this study for ionic silver and nanosilver. The structure of the model was established on the basis of toxicokinetic data from intravenous studies. The number of calibrated parameters was minimized in order to enhance the predictive capability of the model. We validated the model structure for both silver forms by reproducing exposure conditions (dermal, oral, and inhalation) of in vivo experiments and comparing simulated and experimentally assessed organ concentrations. Therefore, the percutaneous, intestinal, or pulmonary absorption fraction was estimated based on the blood silver concentration of the respective experimental data set. In all of the cases examined, the model could successfully predict the biodistribution of ionic silver and 15–150 nm silver nanoparticles, which were not coated with substances designed to prolong the circulatory time (eg, polyethylene glycol). Furthermore, the results of our model indicate that: (1) within the application domain of our model, the particle size and coating had a minor influence on the biodistribution; (2) in vivo, it is more likely that silver nanoparticles are directly stored as insoluble salt particles than dissolve into Ag+; and (3) compartments of the mononuclear phagocytic system play a minor role in exposure levels that are relevant for human consumers. We also give an example of how the model can be used in exposure and risk assessments based on five different exposure scenarios, namely dietary intake, use of three separate consumer products, and occupational exposure. PMID:24039420

  6. Smooth ZnO:Al-AgNWs Composite Electrode for Flexible Organic Light-Emitting Device.

    PubMed

    Wang, Hu; Li, Kun; Tao, Ye; Li, Jun; Li, Ye; Gao, Lan-Lan; Jin, Guang-Yong; Duan, Yu

    2017-12-01

    The high interest in organic light-emitting device (OLED) technology is largely due to their flexibility. Up to now, indium tin oxide (ITO) films have been widely used as transparent conductive electrodes (TCE) in organic opto-electronic devices. However, ITO films, typically deposited on glass are brittle and they make it difficult to produce flexible devices, restricting their use for flexible devices. In this study, we report on a nano-composite TCE, which is made of a silver nanowire (AgNW) network, combined with aluminum-doped zinc oxide (ZnO:Al, AZO) by atomic layer deposition. The AgNWs/AZO composite electrode on photopolymer substrate shows a low sheet resistance of only 8.6 Ω/sq and a high optical transmittance of about 83% at 550 nm. These values are even comparable to conventional ITO on glass. In addition, the electrodes also have a very smooth surface (0.31 nm root-mean-square roughness), which is flat enough to contact the OLED stack. Flexible OLED were built with AgNWs/AZO electrodes, which suggests that this approach can replace conventional ITO TCEs in organic electronic devices in the future.

  7. Smooth ZnO:Al-AgNWs Composite Electrode for Flexible Organic Light-Emitting Device

    NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

    Wang, Hu; Li, Kun; Tao, Ye; Li, Jun; Li, Ye; Gao, Lan-Lan; Jin, Guang-Yong; Duan, Yu

    2017-01-01

    The high interest in organic light-emitting device (OLED) technology is largely due to their flexibility. Up to now, indium tin oxide (ITO) films have been widely used as transparent conductive electrodes (TCE) in organic opto-electronic devices. However, ITO films, typically deposited on glass are brittle and they make it difficult to produce flexible devices, restricting their use for flexible devices. In this study, we report on a nano-composite TCE, which is made of a silver nanowire (AgNW) network, combined with aluminum-doped zinc oxide (ZnO:Al, AZO) by atomic layer deposition. The AgNWs/AZO composite electrode on photopolymer substrate shows a low sheet resistance of only 8.6 Ω/sq and a high optical transmittance of about 83% at 550 nm. These values are even comparable to conventional ITO on glass. In addition, the electrodes also have a very smooth surface (0.31 nm root-mean-square roughness), which is flat enough to contact the OLED stack. Flexible OLED were built with AgNWs/AZO electrodes, which suggests that this approach can replace conventional ITO TCEs in organic electronic devices in the future.

  8. Mechanical, electrical, and thermal expansion properties of carbon nanotube-based silver and silver-palladium alloy composites

    NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

    Pal, Hemant; Sharma, Vimal

    2014-11-01

    The mechanical, electrical, and thermal expansion properties of carbon nanotube (CNT)-based silver and silver-palladium (10:1, w/w) alloy nanocomposites are reported. To tailor the properties of silver, CNTs were incorporated into a silver matrix by a modified molecular level-mixing process. CNTs interact weakly with silver because of their non-reactive nature and lack of mutual solubility. Therefore, palladium was utilized as an alloying element to improve interfacial adhesion. Comparative microstructural characterizations and property evaluations of the nanocomposites were performed. The structural characterizations revealed that decorated type-CNTs were dispersed, embedded, and anchored into the silver matrix. The experimental results indicated that the modification of the silver and silver-palladium nanocomposite with CNT resulted in increases in the hardness and Young's modulus along with concomitant decreases in the electrical conductivity and the coefficient of thermal expansion (CTE). The hardness and Young's modulus of the nanocomposites were increased by 30%-40% whereas the CTE was decreased to 50%-60% of the CTE of silver. The significantly improved CTE and the mechanical properties of the CNT-reinforced silver and silver-palladium nanocomposites are correlated with the intriguing properties of CNTs and with good interfacial adhesion between the CNTs and silver as a result of the fabrication process and the contact action of palladium as an alloying element.

  9. Controlling the crack formation in inkjet-printed silver nanoparticle thin-films for high resolution patterning using intense pulsed light treatment

    NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

    Gokhale, Pritesh; Mitra, Dana; Sowade, Enrico; Yoti Mitra, Kalyan; Leonel Gomes, Henrique; Ramon, Eloi; Al-Hamry, Ammar; Kanoun, Olfa; Baumann, Reinhard R.

    2017-12-01

    During the last years, intense pulsed light (IPL) processing has been employed and studied intensively for the drying and sintering of metal nanoparticle layers deposited by means of printing methods on flexible polymer substrates. IPL was found to be a very fast and substrate-gentle approach qualified for the field of flexible and large-area printed electronics, i.e. manufactured via roll-to-roll processing. In this contribution, IPL is used for the fine-patterning of printed silver nanoparticle layers. The patterning is obtained by induced and controlled crack formation in the thin silver layer due to the intense exposure of IPL. The crack formation is controlled by selection of the substrate material, the fine-tuning of the morphology of the silver layer and an application of a dielectric layer on top of the silver layer that acts as a stress concentrator. Careful optimization of the IPL parameters allowed to adjust the lateral width of the crack. This novel approach turned out to be a fast and reproducible high-resolution patterning process for multiple applications, e.g. to pattern the source-drain electrodes for all-inkjet-printed thin-film transistors.

  10. Modeling Of Spontaneous Multiscale Roughening And Branching of Ruptures Propagating On A Slip-Weakening Frictional Fault

    NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

    Elbanna, A. E.

    2013-12-01

    Numerous field and experimental observations suggest that faults surfaces are rough at multiple scales and tend to produce a wide range of branch sizes ranging from micro-branching to large scale secondary faults. The development and evolution of fault roughness and branching is believed to play an important role in rupture dynamics and energy partitioning. Previous work by several groups has succeeded in determining conditions under which a main rupture may branch into a secondary fault. Recently, there great progress has been made in investigating rupture propagation on rough faults with and without off-fault plasticity. Nonetheless, in most of these models the heterogeneity, whether the roughness profile or the secondary faults orientation, was built into the system from the beginning and consequently the final outcome depends strongly on the initial conditions. Here we introduce an adaptive mesh technique for modeling mode-II crack propagation on slip weakening frictional interfaces. We use a Finite Element Framework with random mesh topology that adapts to crack dynamics through element splitting and sequential insertion of frictional interfaces dictated by the failure criterion. This allows the crack path to explore non-planar paths and develop the roughness profile that is most compatible with the dynamical constraints. It also enables crack branching at different scales. We quantify energy dissipation due to the roughening process and small scale branching. We compare the results of our model to a reference case for propagation on a planar fault. We show that the small scale processes of roughening and branching influence many characteristics of the rupture propagation including the energy partitioning, rupture speed and peak slip rates. We also estimate the fracture energy required for propagating a crack on a planar fault that will be required to produce comparable results. We anticipate that this modeling approach provides an attractive methodology that

  11. In vitro extracellular recording and stimulation performance of nanoporous gold-modified multi-electrode arrays.

    PubMed

    Kim, Yong Hee; Kim, Gook Hwa; Kim, Ah Young; Han, Young Hwan; Chung, Myung-Ae; Jung, Sang-Don

    2015-12-01

    Nanoporous gold (Au) structures can reduce the impedance and enhance the charge injection capability of multi-electrode arrays (MEAs) used for interfacing neuronal networks. Even though there are various nanoporous Au preparation techniques, fabrication of MEA based on low-cost electro-codeposition of Ag:Au has not been performed. In this work, we have modified a Au MEA via the electro-codeposition of Ag:Au alloy, followed by the chemical etching of Ag, and report on the in vitro extracellular recording and stimulation performance of the nanoporous Au-modified MEA. Ag:Au alloy was electro-codeposited on a bilayer lift-off resist sputter-deposition passivated Au MEA followed by chemical etching of Ag to form a porous Au structure. The porous Au structure was analyzed by scanning electron microscopy and tunneling electron microscopy and found to have an interconnected nanoporous Au structure. The impedance value of the nanoporous Au-modified MEA is 15.4 ± 0.55 kΩ at 1 kHz, accompanied by the base noise V rms of 2.4 ± 0.3 μV. The charge injection limit of the nanoporous Au-modified electrode estimated from voltage transient measurement is approximately 1 mC cm(-2), which is comparable to roughened platinum and carbon nanotube electrodes. The charge injection capability of the nanoporous Au-modified MEA was confirmed by observing stimulus-induced spikes at above 0.2 V. The nanoporous Au-modified MEA showed mechanical durability upon ultrasonic treatment for up to an hour. Electro-codeposition of Ag:Au alloy combined with chemical etching Ag is a low-cost process for fabricating nanoporous Au-modified MEA suitable for establishing the stimulus-response relationship of cultured neuronal networks.

  12. In vitro extracellular recording and stimulation performance of nanoporous gold-modified multi-electrode arrays

    NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

    Kim, Yong Hee; Kim, Gook Hwa; Kim, Ah Young; Han, Young Hwan; Chung, Myung-Ae; Jung, Sang-Don

    2015-12-01

    Objective. Nanoporous gold (Au) structures can reduce the impedance and enhance the charge injection capability of multi-electrode arrays (MEAs) used for interfacing neuronal networks. Even though there are various nanoporous Au preparation techniques, fabrication of MEA based on low-cost electro-codeposition of Ag:Au has not been performed. In this work, we have modified a Au MEA via the electro-codeposition of Ag:Au alloy, followed by the chemical etching of Ag, and report on the in vitro extracellular recording and stimulation performance of the nanoporous Au-modified MEA. Approach. Ag:Au alloy was electro-codeposited on a bilayer lift-off resist sputter-deposition passivated Au MEA followed by chemical etching of Ag to form a porous Au structure. Main results. The porous Au structure was analyzed by scanning electron microscopy and tunneling electron microscopy and found to have an interconnected nanoporous Au structure. The impedance value of the nanoporous Au-modified MEA is 15.4 ± 0.55 kΩ at 1 kHz, accompanied by the base noise V rms of 2.4 ± 0.3 μV. The charge injection limit of the nanoporous Au-modified electrode estimated from voltage transient measurement is approximately 1 mC cm-2, which is comparable to roughened platinum and carbon nanotube electrodes. The charge injection capability of the nanoporous Au-modified MEA was confirmed by observing stimulus-induced spikes at above 0.2 V. The nanoporous Au-modified MEA showed mechanical durability upon ultrasonic treatment for up to an hour. Significance. Electro-codeposition of Ag:Au alloy combined with chemical etching Ag is a low-cost process for fabricating nanoporous Au-modified MEA suitable for establishing the stimulus-response relationship of cultured neuronal networks.

  13. Kinetic roughening and porosity scaling in film growth with subsurface lateral aggregation.

    PubMed

    Reis, F D A Aarão

    2015-06-01

    We study surface and bulk properties of porous films produced by a model in which particles incide perpendicularly to a substrate, interact with deposited neighbors in its trajectory, and aggregate laterally with probability of order a at each position. The model generalizes ballisticlike models by allowing attachment to particles below the outer surface. For small values of a, a crossover from uncorrelated deposition (UD) to correlated growth is observed. Simulations are performed in 1+1 and 2+1 dimensions. Extrapolation of effective exponents and comparison of roughness distributions confirm Kardar-Parisi-Zhang roughening of the outer surface for a>0. A scaling approach for small a predicts crossover times as a(-2/3) and local height fluctuations as a(-1/3) at the crossover, independent of substrate dimension. These relations are different from all previously studied models with crossovers from UD to correlated growth due to subsurface aggregation, which reduces scaling exponents. The same approach predicts the porosity and average pore height scaling as a(1/3) and a(-1/3), respectively, in good agreement with simulation results in 1+1 and 2+1 dimensions. These results may be useful for modeling samples with desired porosity and long pores.

  14. Silver nanoparticles as a key feature of a plasma polymer composite layer in mitigation of charge injection into polyethylene under dc stress

    NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

    Milliere, L.; Maskasheva, K.; Laurent, C.; Despax, B.; Boudou, L.; Teyssedre, G.

    2016-01-01

    The aim of this work is to limit charge injection from a semi-conducting electrode into low density polyethylene (LDPE) under dc field by tailoring the polymer surface using a silver nanoparticles-containing layer. The layer is composed of a plane of silver nanoparticles embedded in a semi-insulating organosilicon matrix deposited on the polyethylene surface by a plasma process. Size, density and surface coverage of the nanoparticles are controlled through the plasma process. Space charge distribution in 300 μm thick LDPE samples is measured by the pulsed-electroacoustic technique following a short term (step-wise voltage increase up to 50 kV mm-1, 20 min in duration each, followed by a polarity inversion) and a longer term (up to 12 h under 40 kV mm-1) protocols for voltage application. A comparative study of space charge distribution between a reference polyethylene sample and the tailored samples is presented. It is shown that the barrier effect depends on the size distribution and the surface area covered by the nanoparticles: 15 nm (average size) silver nanoparticles with a high surface density but still not percolating form an efficient barrier layer that suppress charge injection. It is worthy to note that charge injection is detected for samples tailored with (i) percolating nanoparticles embedded in organosilicon layer; (ii) with organosilicon layer only, without nanoparticles and (iii) with smaller size silver particles (<10 nm) embedded in organosilicon layer. The amount of injected charges in the tailored samples increases gradually in the samples ranking given above. The mechanism of charge injection mitigation is discussed on the basis of complementary experiments carried out on the nanocomposite layer such as surface potential measurements. The ability of silver clusters to stabilize electrical charges close to the electrode thereby counterbalancing the applied field appears to be a key factor in explaining the charge injection

  15. Investigation of ITO free transparent conducting polymer based electrode

    NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

    Sharma, Vikas; Sapna, Sachdev, Kanupriya

    2016-05-01

    The last few decades have seen a significant improvement in organic semiconductor technology related to solar cell, light emitting diode and display panels. The material and structure of the transparent electrode is one of the major concerns for superior performance of devices such as OPV, OLED, touch screen and LCD display. Commonly used ITO is now restricted due to scarcity of indium, its poor mechanical properties and rigidity, and mismatch of energy levels with the active layer. Nowadays DMD (dielectric-metal-dielectric) structure is one of the prominent candidates as alternatives to ITO based electrode. We have used solution based spin coated polymer layer as the dielectric layer with silver thin film embedded in between to make a polymer-metal-polymer (PMP) structure for TCE applications. The PMP structure shows low resistivity (2.3 x 10-4Ω-cm), high carrier concentration (2.9 x 1021 cm-3) and moderate transparency. The multilayer PMP structure is characterized with XRD, AFM and Hall measurement to prove its suitability for opto-electronic device applications.

  16. Investigation of ITO free transparent conducting polymer based electrode

    DOE Office of Scientific and Technical Information (OSTI.GOV)

    Sharma, Vikas; Sapna,; Sachdev, Kanupriya

    2016-05-23

    The last few decades have seen a significant improvement in organic semiconductor technology related to solar cell, light emitting diode and display panels. The material and structure of the transparent electrode is one of the major concerns for superior performance of devices such as OPV, OLED, touch screen and LCD display. Commonly used ITO is now restricted due to scarcity of indium, its poor mechanical properties and rigidity, and mismatch of energy levels with the active layer. Nowadays DMD (dielectric-metal-dielectric) structure is one of the prominent candidates as alternatives to ITO based electrode. We have used solution based spin coatedmore » polymer layer as the dielectric layer with silver thin film embedded in between to make a polymer-metal-polymer (PMP) structure for TCE applications. The PMP structure shows low resistivity (2.3 x 10{sup −4}Ω-cm), high carrier concentration (2.9 x 10{sup 21} cm{sup −3}) and moderate transparency. The multilayer PMP structure is characterized with XRD, AFM and Hall measurement to prove its suitability for opto-electronic device applications.« less

  17. Silver-halide gelatin holograms

    NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

    Chang, B. J.; Winick, K.

    1980-05-01

    The use of a silver-halide gelatin for volume phase holograms having a wide spectral response and lower exposure requirements than alternatives and using commercially available silver salts, is proposed. The main difference between the dichromated gelatin and silver-halide processes is the creation of a hologram latent image, which is given in the form of a hardness differential between exposed and unexposed regions in the silver halide hologram; the differential is in turn created by the reaction products of either tanning development or tanning bleach, which harden the gelatin with link-bonds between molecules.

  18. Local heat/mass transfer and pressure drop in a two-pass rib-roughened channel for turbine airfoil cooling

    NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

    Han, J. C.; Chandra, P. R.

    1987-01-01

    The heat transfer characteristics of turbulent air flow in a multipass channel were studied via the naphthalene sublimation technique. The naphthalene-coated test section, consisting of two straight, square channels joined by a 180 deg turn, resembled the internal cooling passages of gas turbine airfoils. The top and bottom surfaces of the test channel were roughened by rib turbulators. The rib height-to-hydraulic diameter ratio (e/D) were 0.063 and 0.094, and the rib pitch-to-height ratio (P/e) were 10 and 20. The local heat/mass transfer coefficients on the roughened top wall and on the smooth divider and side walls of the test channel were determined for three Reynolds numbers of 15, 30, and 60, thousand, and for three angles of attack (alpha) of 90, 60, and 45 deg. Results showed that the local Sherwood numbers on the ribbed walls were 1.5 to 6.5 times those for a fully developed flow in a smooth square duct. The average ribbed-wall Sherwood numbers were 2.5 to 3.5 times higher than the fully developed values, depending on the rib angle of attack and the Reynolds number. The results also indicated that, before the turn, the heat/mass transfer coefficients in the cases of alpha = 60 and 45 deg were higher than those in the case of alpha=90 deg. However, after the turn, the heat/mass transfer coefficients in the oblique-rib cases were lower than those in the transverse rib case. Correlations for the average Sherwood number ratios for individual channel surfaces and for the overall Sherwood number ratios are reported. Correlations for the fully developed friction factors and for the loss coefficients are also provided.

  19. A perspective on the hemolytic activity of chemical and green-synthesized silver and silver oxide nanoparticles

    NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

    Ashokraja, C.; Sakar, M.; Balakumar, S.

    2017-10-01

    We report the hemolysis properties of silver and silver oxide nanoparticles (NPs) prepared by chemical and green-synthesis methods. The prepared silver and silver oxide NPs were analyzed using UV-vis spectroscopy to confirm their formation by characterizing their surface plasmon resonance (SPR) and absorption band peaks respectively. The Fourier transmission infrared (FTIR) spectra of the materials showed the characteristic functional groups corresponding to the molecules present in leaf extracts, which is proposed to be acted as reducing and capping agents that are also found on the surface of silver and silver oxide nanoparticles that synthesized via green-synthesis method. Zeta potential analysis revealed the surface charge and stability of the prepared NPs. HRTEM images showed almost spherical shape nanoparticles with an average size of 15.2 and 31.5 nm for wet chemical synthesized silver and silver oxide nanoparticles respectively. In the case of green synthesized silver and silver oxide nanoparticles, it was observed to be 19.4 and 30.4 nm respectively. The order of hemolysis efficacy of the materials is found to be as follows: chemically synthesized Ag2O>  chemically synthesized Ag NPs followed by green-synthesized Ag2O and green-synthesized Ag NPs which showed almost similar hemolysis with respect to concentration. The relatively stable nature of the silver NPs could be attributed to their lower hemolysis efficacy, while the increased lysis properties of silver oxide could be attributed due to reductive/oxidative processes that give rise to the hemolysis through interfacial charge interactions with RBCs.

  20. Effect of Silver Flakes in Silver Paste on the Joining Process and Properties of Sandwich Power Modules (IGBTs Chip/Silver Paste/Bare Cu)

    NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

    Zhao, Su-Yan; Li, Xin; Mei, Yun-Hui; Lu, Guo-Quan

    2016-11-01

    In this study, a silver paste has been introduced for attaching chips onto bare Cu substrates (without coating) without applying pressure. Small nano-thickness Ag flakes, measuring 1 μm-5 μm length, were embedded uniformly in Ag nanoparticles for improving the density of the material. The presence of silver flakes in the silver paste affected the joining process and its microstructure. Microstructure characterization revealed that densification of the silver layer was affected by the presence of silver flakes as the flakes coarsened and formed reactive in situ nanoparticles, which facilitated the sintering between the flakes and the incorporated nanoparticles. Coarsening of silver flakes depended on the sintering temperature, time, and the atmosphere, which affected the decomposition and burning out of organics presented on the surface of the flakes. A high-density silver layer was obtained due to the presence of compact silver flakes. With an increase in the microstructure density, a higher bonding strength and a lower thermal impedance of the sintered joints were achieved. On performing pressureless sintering at 270°C for 30 min under 99.99% N2 or 4% H2/N2, the bonding strength and thermal impedance for 11 × 11 mm2 chips were excellent, measuring approximately 21.9 MPa and 0.077°C/W, respectively.

  1. Preparation of flexible organic solar cells with highly conductive and transparent metal-oxide multilayer electrodes based on silver oxide.

    PubMed

    Yun, Jungheum; Wang, Wei; Bae, Tae Sung; Park, Yeon Hyun; Kang, Yong-Cheol; Kim, Dong-Ho; Lee, Sunghun; Lee, Gun-Hwan; Song, Myungkwan; Kang, Jae-Wook

    2013-10-23

    We report that significantly more transparent yet comparably conductive AgOx films, when compared to Ag films, are synthesized by the inclusion of a remarkably small amount of oxygen (i.e., 2 or 3 atom %) in thin Ag films. An 8 nm thick AgOx (O/Ag=2.4 atom %) film embedded between 30 nm thick ITO films (ITO/AgOx/ITO) achieves a transmittance improvement of 30% when compared to a conventional ITO/Ag/ITO electrode with the same configuration by retaining the sheet resistance in the range of 10-20 Ω sq(-1). The high transmittance provides an excellent opportunity to improve the power-conversion efficiency of organic solar cells (OSCs) by successfully matching the transmittance spectral range of the electrode to the optimal absorption region of low band gap photoactive polymers, which is highly limited in OSCs utilizing conventional ITO/Ag/ITO electrodes. An improvement of the power-conversion efficiency from 4.72 to 5.88% is achieved from highly flexible organic solar cells (OSCs) fabricated on poly(ethylene terephthalate) polymer substrates by replacing the conventional ITO/Ag/ITO electrode with the ITO/AgOx/ITO electrode. This novel transparent electrode can facilitate a cost-effective, high-throughput, room-temperature fabrication solution for producing large-area flexible OSCs on heat-sensitive polymer substrates with excellent power-conversion efficiencies.

  2. Characterization of Electrochemically Generated Silver

    NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

    Adam, Niklas; Martinez, James; Carrier, Chris

    2014-01-01

    Silver biocide offers a potential advantage over iodine, the current state of the art in US spacecraft disinfection technology, in that silver can be safely consumed by the crew. Low concentrations of silver (<500 ppb) have been shown to kill bacteria in water systems and keep it safe for potability. Silver does not require hardware to remove it from a water system, and therefore can provide a simpler means for disinfecting water. The Russian segment of the International Space Station has utilized an electrochemically generated silver solution, which is colloidal in nature. To be able to reliably provide a silver biocide to drinking water by electrochemical means would reduce mass required for removing another biocide such as iodine from the water. This would also aid in crew time required to replace iodine removal cartridges. Future long term missions would benefit from electrochemically produced silver as the biocide could be produced on demand and requires only a small concentration to be effective. Since it can also be consumed safely, there is less mass in removal hardware and little consumables required for production. The goal of this project initially is to understand the nature of the electrochemically produced silver, the particle sizes produced by the electrochemical cell and the effect that voltage adjustment has on the particle size. In literature, it has been documented that dissolved oxygen and pH have an effect on the ionization of the electrochemical silver so those parameters would be measured and possibly adjusted to understand their effect on the silver.

  3. A Solution Processed Flexible Nanocomposite Electrode with Efficient Light Extraction for Organic Light Emitting Diodes

    NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

    Li, Lu; Liang, Jiajie; Chou, Shu-Yu; Zhu, Xiaodan; Niu, Xiaofan; Zhibinyu; Pei, Qibing

    2014-03-01

    Highly efficient organic light emitting diodes (OLEDs) based on multiple layers of vapor evaporated small molecules, indium tin oxide transparent electrode, and glass substrate have been extensively investigated and are being commercialized. The light extraction from the exciton radiative decay is limited to less than 30% due to plasmonic quenching on the metallic cathode and the waveguide in the multi-layer sandwich structure. Here we report a flexible nanocomposite electrode comprising single-walled carbon nanotubes and silver nanowires stacked and embedded in the surface of a polymer substrate. Nanoparticles of barium strontium titanate are dispersed within the substrate to enhance light extraction efficiency. Green polymer OLED (PLEDs) fabricated on the nanocomposite electrode exhibit a maximum current efficiency of 118 cd/A at 10,000 cd/m2 with the calculated external quantum efficiency being 38.9%. The efficiencies of white PLEDs are 46.7 cd/A and 30.5%, respectively. The devices can be bent to 3 mm radius repeatedly without significant loss of electroluminescent performance. The nanocomposite electrode could pave the way to high-efficiency flexible OLEDs with simplified device structure and low fabrication cost.

  4. A solution processed flexible nanocomposite electrode with efficient light extraction for organic light emitting diodes.

    PubMed

    Li, Lu; Liang, Jiajie; Chou, Shu-Yu; Zhu, Xiaodan; Niu, Xiaofan; ZhibinYu; Pei, Qibing

    2014-03-17

    Highly efficient organic light emitting diodes (OLEDs) based on multiple layers of vapor evaporated small molecules, indium tin oxide transparent electrode, and glass substrate have been extensively investigated and are being commercialized. The light extraction from the exciton radiative decay is limited to less than 30% due to plasmonic quenching on the metallic cathode and the waveguide in the multi-layer sandwich structure. Here we report a flexible nanocomposite electrode comprising single-walled carbon nanotubes and silver nanowires stacked and embedded in the surface of a polymer substrate. Nanoparticles of barium strontium titanate are dispersed within the substrate to enhance light extraction efficiency. Green polymer OLED (PLEDs) fabricated on the nanocomposite electrode exhibit a maximum current efficiency of 118 cd/A at 10,000 cd/m(2) with the calculated external quantum efficiency being 38.9%. The efficiencies of white PLEDs are 46.7 cd/A and 30.5%, respectively. The devices can be bent to 3 mm radius repeatedly without significant loss of electroluminescent performance. The nanocomposite electrode could pave the way to high-efficiency flexible OLEDs with simplified device structure and low fabrication cost.

  5. A Solution Processed Flexible Nanocomposite Electrode with Efficient Light Extraction for Organic Light Emitting Diodes

    PubMed Central

    Li, Lu; Liang, Jiajie; Chou, Shu-Yu; Zhu, Xiaodan; Niu, Xiaofan; ZhibinYu; Pei, Qibing

    2014-01-01

    Highly efficient organic light emitting diodes (OLEDs) based on multiple layers of vapor evaporated small molecules, indium tin oxide transparent electrode, and glass substrate have been extensively investigated and are being commercialized. The light extraction from the exciton radiative decay is limited to less than 30% due to plasmonic quenching on the metallic cathode and the waveguide in the multi-layer sandwich structure. Here we report a flexible nanocomposite electrode comprising single-walled carbon nanotubes and silver nanowires stacked and embedded in the surface of a polymer substrate. Nanoparticles of barium strontium titanate are dispersed within the substrate to enhance light extraction efficiency. Green polymer OLED (PLEDs) fabricated on the nanocomposite electrode exhibit a maximum current efficiency of 118 cd/A at 10,000 cd/m2 with the calculated external quantum efficiency being 38.9%. The efficiencies of white PLEDs are 46.7 cd/A and 30.5%, respectively. The devices can be bent to 3 mm radius repeatedly without significant loss of electroluminescent performance. The nanocomposite electrode could pave the way to high-efficiency flexible OLEDs with simplified device structure and low fabrication cost. PMID:24632742

  6. Dosimetry using silver salts

    DOEpatents

    Warner, Benjamin P.

    2003-06-24

    The present invention provides a method for detecting ionizing radiation. Exposure of silver salt AgX to ionizing radiation results in the partial reduction of the salt to a mixture of silver salt and silver metal. The mixture is further reduced by a reducing agent, which causes the production of acid (HX) and the oxidized form of the reducing agent (R). Detection of HX indicates that the silver salt has been exposed to ionizing radiation. The oxidized form of the reducing agent (R) may also be detected. The invention also includes dosimeters employing the above method for detecting ionizing radiation.

  7. 3D Printed Microfluidic Devices with Integrated Versatile and Reusable Electrodes

    PubMed Central

    Erkal, Jayda L.; Selimovic, Asmira; Gross, Bethany C.; Lockwood, Sarah Y.; Walton, Eric L.; McNamara, Stephen; Martin, R. Scott; Spence, Dana M.

    2014-01-01

    We report two 3D printed devices that can be used for electrochemical detection. In both cases, the electrode is housed in commercially available, polymer-based fittings so that the various electrode materials (platinum, platinum black, carbon, gold, silver) can be easily added to a threaded receiving port printed on the device; this enables a module-like approach to the experimental design, where the electrodes are removable and can be easily repolished for reuse after exposure to biological samples. The first printed device represents a microfluidic platform with a 500 × 500 μm channel and a threaded receiving port to allow integration of either polyetheretherketone (PEEK) nut-encased glassy carbon or platinum black (Pt-black) electrodes for dopamine and nitric oxide (NO) detection, respectively. The embedded 1 mm glassy carbon electrode had a limit of detection (LOD) of 500 nM for dopamine and a linear response (R2= 0.99) for concentrations between 25-500 μM. When the glassy carbon electrode was coated with 0.05% Nafion, significant exclusion of nitrite was observed when compared to signal obtained from equimolar injections of dopamine. When using flow injection analysis with a Pt/Pt-black electrode and standards derived from NO gas, a linear correlation (R2 = 0.99) over a wide range of concentrations (7.6 - 190 μM) was obtained, with the LOD for NO being 1 μM. The second application showcases a 3D printed fluidic device that allows collection of the biologically relevant analyte adenosine triphosphate (ATP) while simultaneously measuring the release stimulus (reduced oxygen concentration). The hypoxic sample (4.76 ± 0.53 ppm oxygen) released 2.37 ± 0.37 times more ATP than the normoxic sample (8.22 ± 0.60 ppm oxygen). Importantly, the results reported here verify the reproducible and transferable nature of using 3D printing as a fabrication technique, as devices and electrodes were moved between labs multiple times during completion of the study. PMID

  8. Sensitive voltammetric determination of thymol in essential oil of Carum copticum seeds using boron-doped diamond electrode.

    PubMed

    Stanković, Dalibor M

    2015-10-01

    Essential oil of Carum copticum seeds, obtained from a local shop, was extracted and content of thymol was analyzed using square-wave voltammetry at boron-doped diamond electrode. The effect of various parameters, such as pH of supporting electrolyte and square-wave voltammetric parameters (modulation amplitude and frequency), was examined. In Britton-Robinson buffer solution (pH 4), thymol provided a single and oval-shaped irreversible oxidation peak at +1.13 V versus silver/silver chloride potassium electrode (3M). Under optimal experimental conditions, a plot of peak height against concentration of thymol was found to be linear over the range of 4 to 100μM consisting of two linear ranges: from 4 to 20μM (R(2)=0.9964) and from 20 to 100μM (R(2)=0.9993). The effect of potential interferences such as p-cymene and γ-terpinene (major components in essential oil of C. copticum seeds) was evaluated. Thus, the proposed method displays a sufficient selectivity toward thymol with a detection limit of 3.9μM, and it was successfully applied for the determination of thymol in essential oil of C. copticum seeds. The Prussian blue method was used for validation of the proposed electroanalytical method. Copyright © 2015 Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.

  9. Effect of preconditioning on silver leaching and bromide removal properties of silver-impregnated activated carbon (SIAC).

    PubMed

    Rajaeian, Babak; Allard, Sébastien; Joll, Cynthia; Heitz, Anna

    2018-07-01

    Silver impregnated activated carbon (SIAC) has been found to be effective in mitigating the formation of brominated-disinfection by products during drinking water treatment. However, there are still uncertainties regarding its silver leaching properties, and strategies for the prevention of silver leaching have remained elusive. This study focused on the evaluation of one type of commercially available SIAC for its ability to remove bromide while minimising silver leaching from the material. Both synthetic and real water matrices were tested. Depending on solution pH, it was found that changing the surface charge properties of SIAC, as measured by the point of zero charge pH, can result in additional bromide removal while minimising the extent of silver leaching. To better understand the mechanism of silver leaching from the SIAC, eight preconditioning environments, i.e. variable pH and ionic strength were tested for a fixed amount of SIAC and two preconditioning environments were selected for a more detailed investigation. Experiments carried out in synthetic water showed that preconditioning at pH 10.4 did not deteriorate the capacity of SIAC to remove bromide, but significantly decreased the release of silver in the form of ionic silver (Ag + ), silver bromide (AgBr) and silver chloride (AgCl) from 40% for the pristine to 3% for the treated SIAC. This was confirmed using a groundwater sample. These results suggest that preconditioned SIAC has the potential to be an effective method for bromide removal with minimised silver leaching in a long-term field application for drinking water production. Copyright © 2018 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.

  10. Ultralight Conductive Silver Nanowire Aerogels

    DOE Office of Scientific and Technical Information (OSTI.GOV)

    Qian, Fang; Lan, Pui Ching; Freyman, Megan C.

    Low-density metal foams have many potential applications in electronics, energy storage, catalytic supports, fuel cells, sensors, and medical devices. Here in this work, we report a new method for fabricating ultralight, conductive silver aerogel monoliths with predictable densities using silver nanowires. Silver nanowire building blocks were prepared by polyol synthesis and purified by selective precipitation. Silver aerogels were produced by freeze-casting nanowire aqueous suspensions followed by thermal sintering to weld the nanowire junctions. As-prepared silver aerogels have unique anisotropic microporous structures, with density precisely controlled by the nanowire concentration, down to 4.8 mg/cm 3 and an electrical conductivity up tomore » 51 000 S/m. Lastly, mechanical studies show that silver nanowire aerogels exhibit “elastic stiffening” behavior with a Young’s modulus up to 16 800 Pa.« less

  11. Ultralight Conductive Silver Nanowire Aerogels

    DOE PAGES

    Qian, Fang; Lan, Pui Ching; Freyman, Megan C.; ...

    2017-09-05

    Low-density metal foams have many potential applications in electronics, energy storage, catalytic supports, fuel cells, sensors, and medical devices. Here in this work, we report a new method for fabricating ultralight, conductive silver aerogel monoliths with predictable densities using silver nanowires. Silver nanowire building blocks were prepared by polyol synthesis and purified by selective precipitation. Silver aerogels were produced by freeze-casting nanowire aqueous suspensions followed by thermal sintering to weld the nanowire junctions. As-prepared silver aerogels have unique anisotropic microporous structures, with density precisely controlled by the nanowire concentration, down to 4.8 mg/cm 3 and an electrical conductivity up tomore » 51 000 S/m. Lastly, mechanical studies show that silver nanowire aerogels exhibit “elastic stiffening” behavior with a Young’s modulus up to 16 800 Pa.« less

  12. One-Pot Silver Nanoring Synthesis

    NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

    Drogat, Nicolas; Granet, Robert; Sol, Vincent; Krausz, Pierre

    2010-03-01

    Silver colloidal nanorings have been synthesized by reducing silver ions with NaBH4 in trisodium citrate buffers. pH increase, by addition of NaOH, was used to speed up reduction reaction. The UV-vis absorption spectra of resulting silver nanorings showed two peaks accounting for transverse and longitudinal surface plasmon resonance, at ≈400 nm, and between 600 and 700 nm, respectively. The shapes of these silver nanoparticles (nanorings) depended on AgNO3/NaBH4 ratio, pH and reaction temperature. Particles were analysed by transmission electron microscopy, scanning electron microscopy and X-ray diffraction. A reaction pathway is proposed to explain silver nanoring formation.

  13. One-pot silver nanoring synthesis.

    PubMed

    Drogat, Nicolas; Granet, Robert; Sol, Vincent; Krausz, Pierre

    2009-12-16

    Silver colloidal nanorings have been synthesized by reducing silver ions with NaBH4 in trisodium citrate buffers. pH increase, by addition of NaOH, was used to speed up reduction reaction. The UV-vis absorption spectra of resulting silver nanorings showed two peaks accounting for transverse and longitudinal surface plasmon resonance, at ≈400 nm, and between 600 and 700 nm, respectively. The shapes of these silver nanoparticles (nanorings) depended on AgNO3/NaBH4 ratio, pH and reaction temperature. Particles were analysed by transmission electron microscopy, scanning electron microscopy and X-ray diffraction. A reaction pathway is proposed to explain silver nanoring formation.

  14. One-Pot Silver Nanoring Synthesis

    PubMed Central

    2010-01-01

    Silver colloidal nanorings have been synthesized by reducing silver ions with NaBH4 in trisodium citrate buffers. pH increase, by addition of NaOH, was used to speed up reduction reaction. The UV–vis absorption spectra of resulting silver nanorings showed two peaks accounting for transverse and longitudinal surface plasmon resonance, at ≈400 nm, and between 600 and 700 nm, respectively. The shapes of these silver nanoparticles (nanorings) depended on AgNO3/NaBH4 ratio, pH and reaction temperature. Particles were analysed by transmission electron microscopy, scanning electron microscopy and X-ray diffraction. A reaction pathway is proposed to explain silver nanoring formation. PMID:20672109

  15. Effects of coupling between sample and electrode on the electrical resistivity measurements of conductive samples

    NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

    Lee, T. J.; Lee, S. K.

    2015-12-01

    A resistivity measurement system for conductive core samples has been setup using a high resolution nano-voltmeter. Using the system, in this study, various coupling effects between electrodes and the samples are discussed including contact resistance, lead resistance, temperature dependence, and heat produced within the samples by applied current. The lead resistance was over 10 times higher than the resistance of the conductive samples such as graphite or nichrome, even though the electrodes and lead lines were made of silver. Furthermore, lead resistance itself showed very strong temperature dependence, so that it is essential to subtract the lead resistance from the measured values at corresponding temperature. Minimization of contact resistance is very important, so that the axial loads are needed as big as possible unless the deformation of sample occurs.

  16. Silver deposition on stainless steel container surfaces in contact with disinfectant silver aqueous solutions

    NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

    Petala, M.; Tsiridis, V.; Mintsouli, I.; Pliatsikas, N.; Spanos, Th.; Rebeyre, P.; Darakas, E.; Patsalas, P.; Vourlias, G.; Kostoglou, M.; Sotiropoulos, S.; Karapantsios, Th.

    2017-02-01

    Silver is the preservative used on the Russian segment of the International Space Station (ISS) to prevent microbial proliferation within potable water supplies. Yet, in the frame of the European Automated Transfer Vehicle (ATV) missions to ISS, silver depletion from water has been detected during ground transportation of this water to launch site, thereby indicating a degradation of water quality. This study investigates the silver loss from water when in contact with stainless steel surfaces. Experiments are conducted with several types of stainless steel surfaces being exposed to water containing 10 or 0.5 mg/L silver ions. Results show that silver deposits on stainless steel surfaces even when a passivation layer protects the metallic surface. The highest protection to silver deposition is offered by acid passivated and electropolished SS 316L. SEM and XPS experiments were carried out at several locations of the sample area that was in contact with the Ag solution and found similar morphological (SEM) and compositional (sputter-etch XPS) results. The results reveal that silver deposits uniformly across the wetted surface to a thickness larger than 3 nm. Moreover, evidence is provided that silver deposits in its metallic form on all stainless steel surfaces, in line with a galvanic deposition mechanism. Combination of ICP-MS and XPS results suggests a mechanism for Ag deposition/reduction with simultaneous substrate oxidation resulting in oxide growth at the exposed stainless steel surface.

  17. Reflective Silvered Polyimide Films Via In Situ Thermal Reduction Silver (I) Complexes

    NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

    Southward, Robin E. (Inventor); Thompson, David W. (Inventor); St.Clair, Anne K. (Inventor); Stoakley, Diane M. (Inventor)

    2000-01-01

    Self-metallizing. flexible polyimide films with highly reflective surfaces are prepared by an in situ self-metallization procedure involving thermally initiated reduction of polymer-soluble silver(I) complexes. Polyamic acid solutions are doped with silver(I) acetate and solubilizing agents. Thermally curing the silver(I) doped resins leads to flexible. metallized films which have reflectivities as high as 100%. abrasion-resistant surfaces. thermal stability and, in some cases, electrical conductivity, rendering them useful for space applications.

  18. Measurements of the optical properties of thin films of silver and silver oxide

    NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

    Peters, Palmer N.; Sisk, Robert C.; Brown, Yolanda; Gregory, John C.; Nag, Pallob K.; Christl, Ligia

    1995-01-01

    The optical properties of silver films and their oxides are measured to better characterize such films for use as sensors for atomic oxygen. Good agreement between properties of measured pure silver films and reported optical constants is observed. Similar comparisons for silver oxide have not been possible because of a lack of reported constants, but self-consistencies and discrepancies in our measured results are described.

  19. Electrode-electrolyte interface model of tripolar concentric ring electrode and electrode paste.

    PubMed

    Nasrollaholhosseini, Seyed Hadi; Steele, Preston; Besio, Walter G

    2016-08-01

    Electrodes are used to transform ionic currents to electrical currents in biological systems. Modeling the electrode-electrolyte interface could help to optimize the performance of the electrode interface to achieve higher signal to noise ratios. There are previous reports of accurate models for single-element biomedical electrodes. In this paper we develop a model for the electrode-electrolyte interface for tripolar concentric ring electrodes (TCRE) that are used to record brain signals.

  20. Quantification of metal loading to Silver Creek through the Silver Maple Claims area, Park City, Utah, May 2002

    USGS Publications Warehouse

    Kimball, Briant A.; Johnson, Kevin K.; Runkel, Robert L.; Steiger, Judy I.

    2004-01-01

    The Silver Maple Claims area along Silver Creek, near Park City, Utah, is administered by the Bureau of Land Management. To quantify possible sources of elevated zinc concentrations in Silver Creek that exceed water-quality standards, the U.S. Geological Survey conducted a mass-loading study in May 2002 along a 1,400-meter reach of Silver Creek that included the Silver Maple Claims area. Additional samples were collected upstream and downstream from the injection reach to investigate other possible sources of zinc and other metals to the stream. Many metals were investigated in the study, but zinc is of particular concern for water-quality standards. The total loading of zinc along the study reach from Park City to Wanship, Utah, was about 49 kilograms per day. The Silver Maple Claims area contributed about 38 percent of this load. The Silver Creek tailings discharge pipe, which empties just inside the Silver Maple Claims area, contributed more than half the load of the Silver Maple Claims area. Substantial zinc loads also were added to Silver Creek downstream from the Silver Maple Claims area. Ground-water discharge upstream from the waste-water treatment plant contributed 20 percent of the total zinc load, and another 17 percent was contributed near the waste-water treatment plant. By identifying the specific areas where zinc and other metal loads are contributed to Silver Creek, it is possible to assess the needs of a remediation plan. For example, removing the tailings from the Silver Maple Claims area could contribute to lowering the zinc concentration in Silver Creek, but without also addressing the loading from the Silver Creek tailings discharge pipe and the ground-water discharge farther downstream, the zinc concentration could not be lowered enough to meet water-quality standards. Additional existing sources of zinc loading downstream from the Silver Maple Claims area could complicate the process of lowering zinc concentration to meet water

  1. Environmental Screening of Electrode Materials for a Rechargeable Aluminum Battery with an AlCl₃/EMIMCl Electrolyte.

    PubMed

    Ellingsen, Linda Ager-Wick; Holland, Alex; Drillet, Jean-Francois; Peters, Willi; Eckert, Martin; Concepcion, Carlos; Ruiz, Oscar; Colin, Jean-François; Knipping, Etienne; Pan, Qiaoyan; Wills, Richard G A; Majeau-Bettez, Guillaume

    2018-06-01

    Recently, rechargeable aluminum batteries have received much attention due to their low cost, easy operation, and high safety. As the research into rechargeable aluminum batteries with a room-temperature ionic liquid electrolyte is relatively new, research efforts have focused on finding suitable electrode materials. An understanding of the environmental aspects of electrode materials is essential to make informed and conscious decisions in aluminum battery development. The purpose of this study was to evaluate and compare the relative environmental performance of electrode material candidates for rechargeable aluminum batteries with an AlCl₃/EMIMCl (1-ethyl-3-methylimidazolium chloride) room-temperature ionic liquid electrolyte. To this end, we used a lifecycle environmental screening framework to evaluate 12 candidate electrode materials. We found that all of the studied materials are associated with one or more drawbacks and therefore do not represent a "silver bullet" for the aluminum battery. Even so, some materials appeared more promising than others did. We also found that aluminum battery technology is likely to face some of the same environmental challenges as Li-ion technology but also offers an opportunity to avoid others. The insights provided here can aid aluminum battery development in an environmentally sustainable direction.

  2. Effect of Inner Electrode on Reliability of (Zn,Mg)TiO3-Based Multilayer Ceramic Capacitor

    NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

    Lee, Wen‑His; Su, Chi‑Yi; Lee, Ying Chieh; Yang, Jackey; Yang, Tong; PinLin, Shih

    2006-07-01

    In this study, different proportions of silver-palladium alloy acting as the inner electrode were adopted to a (Zn,Mg)TiO3-based multilayer ceramic capacitor (MLCC) sintered at 925 °C for 2 h to evaluate the effect of the inner electrode on reliability. The main results show that the lifetime is inversely proportional to Ag content in the Pd/Ag inner electrode. Ag+1 diffusion into the (Zn,Mg)TiO3-based MLCC during cofiring at 925 °C for 2 h and Ag+1 migration at 140 °C against 200 V are both responsible for the short lifetime of the (Zn,Mg)TiO3-based MLCC, particularly the latter factor. A (Zn,Mg)TiO3-based MLCC with high Ag content in the inner electrode Ag/Pd=99/01 exhibits the shortest lifetime (13 h), and the effect of Ag+1 migration is markedly enhanced when the activation energy of the (Zn,Mg)TiO3 dielectric is greatly lowered due to the excessive formation of oxygen vacancies and the semiconducting Zn2TiO4 phase when Ag+ substitutes for Zn+2 during co-firing.

  3. Percutaneous penetration of silver from a silver containing garment in healthy volunteers and patients with atopic dermatitis.

    PubMed

    Pluut, Olivier A; Bianco, Carlotta; Jakasa, Ivone; Visser, Maaike J; Krystek, Petra; Larese-Filon, Francesca; Rustemeyer, Thomas; Kezic, Sanja

    2015-06-01

    Human data on dermal absorption of silver under "in use" scenario are scarce which hampers health risk assessment. The main objective of the present study was to determine percutaneous penetration of silver after dermal exposure to silver containing garment in healthy individuals and atopic dermatitis (AD) patients. Next to assess pro-inflammatory effect of silver in the skin. Healthy subjects (n=15) and patients with AD (n=15) wore a sleeve containing 3.6% (w/w) silver on their lower arms for 8h during 5 consecutive days. The percutaneous penetration parameters were deduced from the silver concentration-depth profiles in the stratum corneum (SC) collected by adhesive tapes. Furthermore, silver was measured in urine samples collected before and after exposure. Inflammatory response was assessed by measuring IL-1α and IL-1RA in the exposed and non-exposed skin sites. Dermal flux of silver in healthy subjects and AD patients was respectively 0.23 and 0.20 ng/cm(2)/h. The urine silver concentrations showed no increase after exposure. Furthermore, exposure to silver did not lead to the changes in the profiles of IL-1α and IL-1RA. Dermal absorption of silver under "real life scenario" was lower than the current reference dose. Furthermore, dermal exposure did not lead to altered expression of inflammatory IL-1 cytokines in the skin. Copyright © 2015. Published by Elsevier Ireland Ltd.

  4. Green synthesis of colloid silver nanoparticles and resulting biodegradable starch/silver nanocomposites.

    PubMed

    Cheviron, Perrine; Gouanvé, Fabrice; Espuche, Eliane

    2014-08-08

    Environmentally friendly silver nanocomposite films were prepared by an ex situ method consisting firstly in the preparation of colloidal silver dispersions and secondly in the dispersion of the as-prepared nanoparticles in a potato starch/glycerol matrix, keeping a green chemistry process all along the synthesis steps. In the first step concerned with the preparation of the colloidal silver dispersions, water, glucose and soluble starch were used as solvent, reducing agent and stabilizing agent, respectively. The influences of the glucose amount and reaction time were investigated on the size and size distribution of the silver nanoparticles. Two distinct silver nanoparticle populations in size (diameter around 5 nm size for the first one and from 20 to 50 nm for the second one) were distinguished and still highlighted in the potato starch/glycerol based nanocomposite films. It was remarkable that lower nanoparticle mean sizes were evidenced by both TEM and UV-vis analyses in the nanocomposites in comparison to the respective colloidal silver dispersions. A dispersion mechanism based on the potential interactions developed between the nanoparticles and the polymer matrix and on the polymer chain lengths was proposed to explain this morphology. These nanocomposite film series can be viewed as a promising candidate for many applications in antimicrobial packaging, biomedicines and sensors. Copyright © 2014 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.

  5. Printing Silver Nanogrids on Glass

    ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

    Sanders, Wesley C.; Valcarce, Ron; Iles, Peter; Smith, James S.; Glass, Gabe; Gomez, Jesus; Johnson, Glen; Johnston, Dan; Morham, Maclaine; Befus, Elliot; Oz, Aimee; Tomaraei, Mohammad

    2017-01-01

    This manuscript describes a laboratory experiment that provides students with an opportunity to create conductive silver nanogrids using polymeric templates. A microcontact-printed polyvinylpyrrolidone grid directs the citrate-induced reduction of silver ions for the fabrication of silver nanogrids on glass substrates. In addition to…

  6. 21 CFR 310.548 - Drug products containing colloidal silver ingredients or silver salts offered over-the-counter...

    Code of Federal Regulations, 2011 CFR

    2011-04-01

    ... ingredients or silver salts offered over-the-counter (OTC) for the treatment and/or prevention of disease. 310...) for the treatment and/or prevention of disease. (a) Colloidal silver ingredients and silver salts have... disease conditions. There are serious and complicating aspects to many of the diseases these silver...

  7. 21 CFR 310.548 - Drug products containing colloidal silver ingredients or silver salts offered over-the-counter...

    Code of Federal Regulations, 2010 CFR

    2010-04-01

    ... ingredients or silver salts offered over-the-counter (OTC) for the treatment and/or prevention of disease. 310...) for the treatment and/or prevention of disease. (a) Colloidal silver ingredients and silver salts have... disease conditions. There are serious and complicating aspects to many of the diseases these silver...

  8. 21 CFR 310.548 - Drug products containing colloidal silver ingredients or silver salts offered over-the-counter...

    Code of Federal Regulations, 2013 CFR

    2013-04-01

    ... ingredients or silver salts offered over-the-counter (OTC) for the treatment and/or prevention of disease. 310...) for the treatment and/or prevention of disease. (a) Colloidal silver ingredients and silver salts have... disease conditions. There are serious and complicating aspects to many of the diseases these silver...

  9. 21 CFR 310.548 - Drug products containing colloidal silver ingredients or silver salts offered over-the-counter...

    Code of Federal Regulations, 2012 CFR

    2012-04-01

    ... ingredients or silver salts offered over-the-counter (OTC) for the treatment and/or prevention of disease. 310...) for the treatment and/or prevention of disease. (a) Colloidal silver ingredients and silver salts have... disease conditions. There are serious and complicating aspects to many of the diseases these silver...

  10. 21 CFR 310.548 - Drug products containing colloidal silver ingredients or silver salts offered over-the-counter...

    Code of Federal Regulations, 2014 CFR

    2014-04-01

    ... ingredients or silver salts offered over-the-counter (OTC) for the treatment and/or prevention of disease. 310...) for the treatment and/or prevention of disease. (a) Colloidal silver ingredients and silver salts have... disease conditions. There are serious and complicating aspects to many of the diseases these silver...

  11. Sponge-like silver obtained by decomposition of silver nitrate hexamethylenetetramine complex

    DOE Office of Scientific and Technical Information (OSTI.GOV)

    Afanasiev, Pavel, E-mail: pavel.afanasiev@ircelyon.univ-lyon.fr

    2016-07-15

    Silver nitrate hexamethylenetetramine [Ag(NO{sub 3})·N{sub 4}(CH{sub 2}){sub 6}] coordination compound has been prepared via aqueous route and characterized by chemical analysis, XRD and electron microscopy. Decomposition of [Ag(NO{sub 3})·N{sub 4}(CH{sub 2}){sub 6}] under hydrogen and under inert has been studied by thermal analysis and mass spectrometry. Thermal decomposition of [Ag(NO{sub 3})·N{sub 4}(CH{sub 2}){sub 6}] proceeds in the range 200–250 °C as a self-propagating rapid redox process accompanied with the release of multiple gases. The decomposition leads to formation of sponge-like silver having hierarchical open pore system with pore size spanning from 10 µm to 10 nm. The as-obtained silver spongesmore » exhibited favorable activity toward H{sub 2}O{sub 2} electrochemical reduction, making them potentially interesting as non-enzyme hydrogen peroxide sensors. - Graphical abstract: Thermal decomposition of silver nitrate hexamethylenetetramine coordination compound [Ag(NO{sub 3})·N{sub 4}(CH{sub 2}){sub 6}] leads to sponge like silver that possesses open porous structure and demonstrates interesting properties as an electrochemical hydrogen peroxide sensor. Display Omitted - Highlights: • [Ag(NO{sub 3})·N{sub 4}(CH{sub 2}){sub 6}] orthorhombic phase prepared and characterized. • Decomposition of [Ag(NO{sub 3})·N{sub 4}(CH{sub 2}){sub 6}] leads to metallic silver sponge with opened porosity. • Ag sponge showed promising properties as a material for hydrogen peroxide sensors.« less

  12. Temperature dependence of the Haven ratio in silver beta-alumina

    DOE Office of Scientific and Technical Information (OSTI.GOV)

    Kim, K. K.; Chandrashekhar, G. V.; Chen, W. K.

    Measurements of Ag diffusivity (D) and ionic conductivity (sigma) have been made on the same single crystals of silver beta-alumina with composition 1.23 Ag/sub 2/0.11 Al/sub 2/O/sub 3/. The D values were obtained from the cation exchange rate of radiotracer /sup 110/Ag in molten AgNO/sub 3/ over 210/sup 0/ C approx. 400/sup 0/C. The sigma measurements were made using an impedance bridge with sputtered silver electrodes at a frequency of 3 x 10/sup 5/ Hz over R.T approx. 450/sup 0/C. Both D and sigma can be expressed in a simple Arrhenius form as: D = 1.47 x 10/sup -4/(cm/sup 2//sec)more » exp (-4.05(Kcal/mol)/RT); sigmaT = 1.58 x 10/sup 3/(ohm/sup -1/cm/sup -1/K) exp (-3.77(Kcal/mol)/RT). The Haven ratio varies from 0.51 at 200/sup 0/C to 0.56 at 400/sup 0/C. The magnitude of these values is very close to the theoretical value of 0.6 for interstitialcy mechanism. The temperature dependence is strikingly similar to the case of sodium beta-alumina.« less

  13. Five-minute synthesis of silver nanowires and their roll-to-roll processing for large-area organic light emitting diodes.

    PubMed

    Sim, Hwansu; Kim, Chanho; Bok, Shingyu; Kim, Min Ki; Oh, Hwisu; Lim, Guh-Hwan; Cho, Sung Min; Lim, Byungkwon

    2018-06-18

    Silver (Ag) nanowires (NWs) are promising building blocks for flexible transparent electrodes, which are key components in fabricating soft electronic devices such as flexible organic light emitting diodes (OLEDs). Typically, Ag NWs have been synthesized using a polyol method, but it still remains a challenge to produce high-aspect-ratio Ag NWs via a simple and rapid process. In this work, we developed a modified polyol method and newly found that the addition of propylene glycol to ethylene glycol-based polyol synthesis facilitated the growth of Ag NWs, allowing the rapid production of long Ag NWs with high aspect ratios of about 2000 in a high yield (∼90%) within 5 min. Transparent electrodes fabricated with our Ag NWs exhibited performance comparable to that of an indium tin oxide-based electrode. With these Ag NWs, we successfully demonstrated the fabrication of a large-area flexible OLED with dimensions of 30 cm × 15 cm using a roll-to-roll process.

  14. Selective recovery of silver from waste low-temperature co-fired ceramic and valorization through silver nanoparticle synthesis.

    PubMed

    Swain, Basudev; Shin, Dongyoon; Joo, So Yeong; Ahn, Nak Kyoon; Lee, Chan Gi; Yoon, Jin-Ho

    2017-11-01

    Considering the value of silver metal and silver nanoparticles, the waste generated during manufacturing of low temperature co-fired ceramic (LTCC) were recycled through the simple yet cost effective process by chemical-metallurgy. Followed by leaching optimization, silver was selectively recovered through precipitation. The precipitated silver chloride was valorized though silver nanoparticle synthesis by a simple one-pot greener synthesis route. Through leaching-precipitation optimization, quantitative selective recovery of silver chloride was achieved, followed by homogeneous pure silver nanoparticle about 100nm size were synthesized. The reported recycling process is a simple process, versatile, easy to implement, requires minimum facilities and no specialty chemicals, through which semiconductor manufacturing industry can treat the waste generated during manufacturing of LTCC and reutilize the valorized silver nanoparticles in manufacturing in a close loop process. Our reported process can address issues like; (i) waste disposal, as well as value-added silver recovery, (ii) brings back the material to production stream and address the circular economy, and (iii) can be part of lower the futuristic carbon economy and cradle-to-cradle technology management, simultaneously. Copyright © 2017 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.

  15. Formation of hybrid nanocomposites polymethylolacrylamide/silver

    NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

    Kolzunova, L. G.; Shchitovskaya, E. V.; Rodzik, I. G.

    2018-05-01

    In this study, polymethylolacrylamide/silver composites have been formed by incorporating silver nanoparticles into the pre-electrosynthesized polymer film. The composites were formed in a two-step process involving the sorption of silver nitrate by a polymer matrix followed by chemical reduction of Ag-ions. The presence of crystalline silver phase in the polymer was confirmed by X-ray phase analysis (XRD), plasmon resonance and scanning electron microscopy (SEM). The small-angle X-ray scattering (SAXS) method has obtained the distribution functions of silver particles over radii. It is established that the content of silver in composites without chitosan is 10-15 times higher than with its additive. The dependences of cyclic voltammetry in pure phosphate buffer (pH 6.86) and in the presence of hydrogen peroxide were obtained. It has been shown that polymer/silver composites exhibit selectivity to hydrogen peroxide.

  16. Absorbent silver (I) antimicrobial fabrics

    USDA-ARS?s Scientific Manuscript database

    In recent years, silver in form of silver ions, has been gaining importance in the wound management as an effective broad-spectrum antimicrobial agent. Silver has a long history as an antimicrobial agent, especially in the treatment of wounds. Alginates and carboxymethyl (CM) cotton contain carboxyl...

  17. Silver Recovery and Power Generation from Ammonia Chelated Silver Solution in a Bio-Electrochemical Reactor

    NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

    Ho, N. A. D.; Babel, S.

    2017-06-01

    Silver has valuable features and limited availability, and thus recovery from wastewater or aqueous solutions plays an important role in environmental protection and economic profits. In this study, silver recovery along with power generation and COD removal were investigated in a bio-electrochemical system (BES). The BES comprised of an anode and a cathode chamber which were separated by a cation exchange membrane to prevent the cross-over of electrolytes. During the biological oxidation of acetate as an electron donor in the anode chamber, the reduction of ammonia chelated silver ions as electron acceptors in the cathode side occurred spontaneously. Results showed that a silver recovery of 99% and COD removal efficiency of 60% were achieved at the initial silver concentration of 1,000 mg/L after 48 hours of operation. The power generation improved 4.66%, from 3,618 to 3,795 mW/m3, by adding NaNO3 of 850 mg/L to the catholyte containing 2,000 mg/L of silver ions. Deposits on the cathode surface were characterized using scanning electron microscope (SEM) and energy dispersive X-ray (EDX). Metallic silver with dendritic structures and high purity were detected. This study demonstrated that BES technology can be employed to recover silver from complex chelating solution, produce electricity, and treat wastewater.

  18. The silver lining: towards the responsible and limited usage of silver.

    PubMed

    Naik, K; Kowshik, M

    2017-11-01

    Silver has attracted a lot of attention as a powerful, broad spectrum and natural antimicrobial agent since the ancient times because of its nontoxic nature to the human body at low concentrations. It has been used in treatment of various infections and ulcers, storage of water and prevention of bacterial growth on the surfaces and within materials. However, there are numerous medical and health benefits of colloidal or nanosilver apart from its microbicidal ability which as yet has not been fully embraced by the medical community. These include antiplatelet activity, antioxidant effect, anticancer activity, wound healing and bone regeneration, enhancement of immunity, and increase in antibiotic efficiency. Additionally silver also provides protection against alcohol toxicity, upper respiratory tract infections and stomach ailments. Although nanosilver has been proposed for various topical applications, its usage by ingestion and inhalation remains controversial due to the lack of detailed and precise toxicity information. These beneficial properties of silver can be utilized by using silver at very low concentrations which are not harmful to the human body and environment. The following review discusses the diverse medical applications of silver and further recommends human clinical studies for its in vivo usage. #x00A9; 2017 The Society for Applied Microbiology.

  19. Ecological invasion, roughened fronts, and a competitor's extreme advance: integrating stochastic spatial-growth models.

    PubMed

    O'Malley, Lauren; Korniss, G; Caraco, Thomas

    2009-07-01

    Both community ecology and conservation biology seek further understanding of factors governing the advance of an invasive species. We model biological invasion as an individual-based, stochastic process on a two-dimensional landscape. An ecologically superior invader and a resident species compete for space preemptively. Our general model includes the basic contact process and a variant of the Eden model as special cases. We employ the concept of a "roughened" front to quantify effects of discreteness and stochasticity on invasion; we emphasize the probability distribution of the front-runner's relative position. That is, we analyze the location of the most advanced invader as the extreme deviation about the front's mean position. We find that a class of models with different assumptions about neighborhood interactions exhibits universal characteristics. That is, key features of the invasion dynamics span a class of models, independently of locally detailed demographic rules. Our results integrate theories of invasive spatial growth and generate novel hypotheses linking habitat or landscape size (length of the invading front) to invasion velocity, and to the relative position of the most advanced invader.

  20. Antimicrobial activity of biogenic silver nanoparticles, and silver chloride nanoparticles: an overview and comments.

    PubMed

    Durán, Nelson; Nakazato, Gerson; Seabra, Amedea B

    2016-08-01

    The antimicrobial impact of biogenic-synthesized silver-based nanoparticles has been the focus of increasing interest. As the antimicrobial activity of nanoparticles is highly dependent on their size and surface, the complete and adequate characterization of the nanoparticle is important. This review discusses the characterization and antimicrobial activity of biogenic synthesized silver nanoparticles and silver chloride nanoparticles. By revising the literature, there is confusion in the characterization of these two silver-based nanoparticles, which consequently affects the conclusion regarding to their antimicrobial activities. This review critically analyzes recent publications on the synthesis of biogenic silver nanoparticles and silver chloride nanoparticles by attempting to correlate the characterization of the nanoparticles with their antimicrobial activity. It was difficult to correlate the size of biogenic nanoparticles with their antimicrobial activity, since different techniques are employed for the characterization. Biogenic synthesized silver-based nanoparticles are not completely characterized, particularly the nature of capped proteins covering the nanomaterials. Moreover, the antimicrobial activity of theses nanoparticles is assayed by using different protocols and strains, which difficult the comparison among the published papers. It is important to select some bacteria as standards, by following international foundations (Pharmaceutical Microbiology Manual) and use the minimal inhibitory concentration by broth microdilution assays from Clinical and Laboratory Standards Institute, which is the most common assay used in antibiotic ones. Therefore, we conclude that to have relevant results on antimicrobial effects of biogenic silver-based nanoparticles, it is necessary to have a complete and adequate characterization of these nanostructures, followed by standard methodology in microbiology protocols.

  1. Silver-Nanowire-Embedded Transparent Metal-Oxide Heterojunction Schottky Photodetector.

    PubMed

    Abbas, Sohail; Kumar, Mohit; Kim, Hong-Sik; Kim, Joondong; Lee, Jung-Ho

    2018-05-02

    We report a self-biased and transparent Cu 4 O 3 /TiO 2 heterojunction for ultraviolet photodetection. The dynamic photoresponse improved 8.5 × 10 4 % by adding silver nanowires (AgNWs) Schottky contact and maintaining 39% transparency. The current density-voltage characteristics revealed a strong interfacial electric field, responsible for zero-bias operation. In addition, the dynamic photoresponse measurement endorsed the effective holes collection by embedded-AgNWs network, leading to fast rise and fall time of 0.439 and 0.423 ms, respectively. Similarly, a drastic improvement in responsivity and detectivity of 187.5 mAW -1 and of 5.13 × 10 9 Jones, is observed, respectively. The AgNWs employed as contact electrode can ensure high-performance for transparent and flexible optoelectronic applications.

  2. Silver electrodeposition on nanostructured gold: from nanodots to nanoripples.

    PubMed

    Dos Santos Claro, P C; Fonticelli, M; Benítez, G; Azzaroni, O; Schilardi, P L; Luque, N B; Leiva, E; Salvarezza, R C

    2006-07-28

    Silver nanodots and nanoripples have been grown on nanocavity-patterned polycrystalline Au templates by controlled electrodeposition. The initial step is the growth of a first continuous Ag monolayer followed by preferential deposition at nanocavities. The Ag-coated nanocavities act as preferred sites for instantaneous nucleation and growth of the three-dimensional metallic centres. By controlling the amount of deposited Ag, dots of approximately 50 nm average size and approximately 4 nm average height can be grown with spatial and size distributions dictated by the template. The dots are in a metastable state. Further Ag deposition drives the dot surface structure to nanoripple formation. Results show that electrodeposition on nanopatterned electrodes can be used to prepare a high density of nanostructures with a narrow size distribution and spatial order.

  3. Buried MoO x/Ag Electrode Enables High-Efficiency Organic/Silicon Heterojunction Solar Cells with a High Fill Factor.

    PubMed

    Xia, Zhouhui; Gao, Peng; Sun, Teng; Wu, Haihua; Tan, Yeshu; Song, Tao; Lee, Shuit-Tong; Sun, Baoquan

    2018-04-25

    Silicon (Si)/organic heterojunction solar cells based on poly(3,4-ethylenedioxythiophene):poly(styrenesulfonate) (PEDOT:PSS) and n-type Si have attracted wide interests because they promise cost-effectiveness and high-efficiency. However, the limited conductivity of PEDOT:PSS leads to an inefficient hole transport efficiency for the heterojunction device. Therefore, a high dense top-contact metal grid electrode is required to assure the efficient charge collection efficiency. Unfortunately, the large metal grid coverage ratio electrode would lead to undesirable optical loss. Here, we develop a strategy to balance PEDOT:PSS conductivity and grid optical transmittance via a buried molybdenum oxide/silver grid electrode. In addition, the grid electrode coverage ratio is optimized to reduce its light shading effect. The buried electrode dramatically reduces the device series resistance, which leads to a higher fill factor (FF). With the optimized buried electrode, a record FF of 80% is achieved for flat Si/PEDOT:PSS heterojunction devices. With further enhancement adhesion between the PEDOT:PSS film and Si substrate by a chemical cross-linkable silance, a power conversion efficiency of 16.3% for organic/textured Si heterojunction devices is achieved. Our results provide a path to overcome the inferior organic semiconductor property to enhance the organic/Si heterojunction solar cell.

  4. Laser Ablation Increases PEM/Catalyst Interfacial Area

    NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

    Whitacre, Jay; Yalisove, Steve

    2009-01-01

    An investigational method of improving the performance of a fuel cell that contains a polymer-electrolyte membrane (PEM) is based on the concept of roughening the surface of the PEM, prior to deposition of a thin layer of catalyst, in order to increase the PEM/catalyst interfacial area and thereby increase the degree of utilization of the catalyst. The roughening is done by means of laser ablation under carefully controlled conditions. Next, the roughened membrane surface is coated with the thin layer of catalyst (which is typically platinum), then sandwiched between two electrode/catalyst structures to form a membrane/ele c t - rode assembly. The feasibility of the roughening technique was demonstrated in experiments in which proton-conducting membranes made of a perfluorosulfonic acid-based hydrophilic, protonconducting polymer were ablated by use of femtosecond laser pulses. It was found that when proper combinations of the pulse intensity, pulse-repetition rate, and number of repetitions was chosen, the initially flat, smooth membrane surfaces became roughened to such an extent as to be converted to networks of nodules interconnected by filaments (see Figure 1). In further experiments, electrochemical impedance spectroscopy (EIS) was performed on a pristine (smooth) membrane and on two laser-roughened membranes after the membranes were coated with platinum on both sides. Some preliminary EIS data were interpreted as showing that notwithstanding the potential for laser-induced damage, the bulk conductivities of the membranes were not diminished in the roughening process. Other preliminary EIS data (see Figure 2) were interpreted as signifying that the surface areas of the laser-roughened membranes were significantly greater than those of the smooth membrane. Moreover, elemental analyses showed that the sulfur-containing molecular groups necessary for proton conduction remained intact, even near the laser-roughened surfaces. These preliminary results can be taken

  5. Point of zero potential of single-crystal electrode/inert electrolyte interface.

    PubMed

    Zarzycki, Piotr; Preočanin, Tajana

    2012-03-15

    Most of the environmentally important processes occur at the specific hydrated mineral faces. Their rates and mechanisms are in part controlled by the interfacial electrostatics, which can be quantitatively described by the point of zero potential (PZP). Unfortunately, the PZP value of specific crystal face is very difficult to be experimentally determined. Here we show that PZP can be extracted from a single-crystal electrode potentiometric titration, assuming the stable electrochemical cell resistivity and lack of specific electrolyte ions sorption. Our method is based on determining a common intersection point of the electrochemical cell electromotive force at various ionic strengths, and it is illustrated for a few selected surfaces of rutile, hematite, silver chloride, and bromide monocrystals. In the case of metal oxides, we have observed the higher PZP values than those theoretically predicted using the MultiSite Complexation Model (MUSIC), that is, 8.4 for (001) hematite (MUSIC-predicted ~6), 8.7 for (110) rutile (MUSIC-predicted ~6), and about 7 for (001) rutile (MUSIC-predicted 6.6). In the case of silver halides, the order of estimated PZP values (6.4 for AgCl<6.5 for AgBr) agrees well with sequence estimated from the silver halide solubility products; however, the halide anions (Cl(-), Br(-)) are attracted toward surface much stronger than the Ag(+) cations. The observed PZPs sequence and strong anions affinity toward silver halide surface can be correlated with ions hydration energies. Presented approach is the complementary one to the hysteresis method reported previously [P. Zarzycki, S. Chatman, T. Preočanin, K.M. Rosso, Langmuir 27 (2011) 7986-7990]. A unique experimental characterization of specific crystal faces provided by these two methods is essential in deeper understanding of environmentally important processes, including migration of heavy and radioactive ions in soils and groundwaters. Copyright © 2012 Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.

  6. Novel high volumetric energy density nanostructured electrode materials for biomedical applications

    NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

    Tong, Wei

    A definitive focus is being made to develop cathode materials of higher energy and good power for primary and rechargeable lithium batteries upon the development of implantable biomedical devices (cardiac defibrillators). In this thesis, novel electroactive nanostructured silver metal oxyfluoride perovskites, Ag1+3Mo6+(O3F 3) and Ag1+3Nb5+(O2F 4) have been successfully synthesized by a mechanochemical reaction. The formation of these perovskites was investigated throughout the Ag-Mo / Nb composition range with the use of either Ag1+ or Ag 2+ in the form of AgF and AgF2 as the reactant, respectively. The compositional study combined with XRD and extensive Raman investigation was utilized to determine structure and cation distribution and infer oxidation state. An electrochemical characterization of these silver metal oxyfluoride perovskite positive electrodes for Li batteries was investigated for the first time as a function of synthesis condition, stoichiometry and effect of Mo and Ag derived second phases. A detailed in-situ electrochemical study by XAS, Raman and XRD was performed, revealing a 3 electron silver displacement or conversion reaction at > 3 V and a 2 electron reduction of Mo6+ to Mo4+ in the region < 3 V. To further improve the rate capability of silver metal oxyfluorides, metallic Ag2F phase has been successfully synthesized through the mechanochemical reaction of Ag and AgF. Its unique metallic character within Ag layers lead to a very good electronic conductivity (7.89x10 -2 S/cm). The efficacy of SMOF composites consisting of conducting matrix (carbon black, Ag2F and Ag phase) for lithium battery was investigated through discharge rate studies. Results indicated that Ag 2F phase could be utilized as an alternative conductive additive with exceptional density.

  7. Residual water bactericide monitor development program

    NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

    1973-01-01

    A silver-ion bactericidal monitor is considered for the Space Shuttle Potable Water System. Potentiometric measurement using an ion-selective electrode is concluded to be the most feasible of available techniques. Four commercially available electrodes and a specially designed, solid-state, silver-sulfide electrode were evaluated for their response characteristics and suitability for space use. The configuration of the solid-state electrode with its Nernstian response of 10 to 10,000 ppb silver shows promise for use in space. A pressurized double-junction reference electrode with a quartz-fiber junction and a replaceable bellows electrolyte reservoir was designed verification-tested, and paired with a solid-state silver-sulfide electrode in a test fixture.

  8. 21 CFR 73.2500 - Silver.

    Code of Federal Regulations, 2011 CFR

    2011-04-01

    ... 21 Food and Drugs 1 2011-04-01 2011-04-01 false Silver. 73.2500 Section 73.2500 Food and Drugs FOOD AND DRUG ADMINISTRATION, DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH AND HUMAN SERVICES GENERAL LISTING OF COLOR ADDITIVES EXEMPT FROM CERTIFICATION Cosmetics § 73.2500 Silver. (a) Identity. (1) The color additive, silver...

  9. 21 CFR 73.2500 - Silver.

    Code of Federal Regulations, 2014 CFR

    2014-04-01

    ... 21 Food and Drugs 1 2014-04-01 2014-04-01 false Silver. 73.2500 Section 73.2500 Food and Drugs FOOD AND DRUG ADMINISTRATION, DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH AND HUMAN SERVICES GENERAL LISTING OF COLOR ADDITIVES EXEMPT FROM CERTIFICATION Cosmetics § 73.2500 Silver. (a) Identity. (1) The color additive, silver...

  10. 21 CFR 73.2500 - Silver.

    Code of Federal Regulations, 2012 CFR

    2012-04-01

    ... 21 Food and Drugs 1 2012-04-01 2012-04-01 false Silver. 73.2500 Section 73.2500 Food and Drugs FOOD AND DRUG ADMINISTRATION, DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH AND HUMAN SERVICES GENERAL LISTING OF COLOR ADDITIVES EXEMPT FROM CERTIFICATION Cosmetics § 73.2500 Silver. (a) Identity. (1) The color additive, silver...

  11. 21 CFR 73.2500 - Silver.

    Code of Federal Regulations, 2010 CFR

    2010-04-01

    ... 21 Food and Drugs 1 2010-04-01 2010-04-01 false Silver. 73.2500 Section 73.2500 Food and Drugs FOOD AND DRUG ADMINISTRATION, DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH AND HUMAN SERVICES GENERAL LISTING OF COLOR ADDITIVES EXEMPT FROM CERTIFICATION Cosmetics § 73.2500 Silver. (a) Identity. (1) The color additive, silver...

  12. 21 CFR 73.2500 - Silver.

    Code of Federal Regulations, 2013 CFR

    2013-04-01

    ... 21 Food and Drugs 1 2013-04-01 2013-04-01 false Silver. 73.2500 Section 73.2500 Food and Drugs FOOD AND DRUG ADMINISTRATION, DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH AND HUMAN SERVICES GENERAL LISTING OF COLOR ADDITIVES EXEMPT FROM CERTIFICATION Cosmetics § 73.2500 Silver. (a) Identity. (1) The color additive, silver...

  13. Multilayer Transparent Top Electrode for Solution Processed Perovskite/Cu(In,Ga)(Se,S)2 Four Terminal Tandem Solar Cells.

    PubMed

    Yang, Yang Michael; Chen, Qi; Hsieh, Yao-Tsung; Song, Tze-Bin; Marco, Nicholas De; Zhou, Huanping; Yang, Yang

    2015-07-28

    Halide perovskites (PVSK) have attracted much attention in recent years due to their high potential as a next generation solar cell material. To further improve perovskites progress toward a state-of-the-art technology, it is desirable to create a tandem structure in which perovskite may be stacked with a current prevailing solar cell such as silicon (Si) or Cu(In,Ga)(Se,S)2 (CIGS). The transparent top electrode is one of the key components as well as challenges to realize such tandem structure. Herein, we develop a multilayer transparent top electrode for perovskite photovoltaic devices delivering an 11.5% efficiency in top illumination mode. The transparent electrode is based on a dielectric/metal/dielectric structure, featuring an ultrathin gold seeded silver layer. A four terminal tandem solar cell employing solution processed CIGS and perovskite cells is also demonstrated with over 15% efficiency.

  14. A novel highly selective and sensitive detection of serotonin based on Ag/polypyrrole/Cu2O nanocomposite modified glassy carbon electrode.

    PubMed

    Selvarajan, S; Suganthi, A; Rajarajan, M

    2018-06-01

    A silver/polypyrrole/copper oxide (Ag/PPy/Cu 2 O) ternary nanocomposite was prepared by sonochemical and oxidative polymerization simple way, in which Cu 2 O was decorated with Ag nanoparticles, and covered by polyprrole (PPy) layer. The as prepared materials was characterized by UV-vis-spectroscopy (UV-vis), FT-IR, X-ray diffraction (XRD), thermo-gravimetric analysis (TGA), scanning electron microscopy (SEM) with EDX, high resolution transmission electron microscopy (HR-TEM) and X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS). Sensing of serotonin (5HT) was evaluated electrocatalyst using polypyrrole/glassy carbon electrode (PPy/GCE), polypyrrole/copper oxide/glassy carbon electrode (PPy/Cu 2 O/GCE) and silver/polypyrrole/copper oxide/glassy carbon electrode (Ag/PPy/Cu 2 O/GCE). The Ag/PPy/Cu 2 O/GCE was electrochemically treated in 0.1MPBS solution through cyclic voltammetry (CV) and differential pulse voltammetry (DPV). The peak current response increases linearly with 5-HT concentration from 0.01 to 250 µmol L -1 and the detection limit was found to be 0.0124 μmol L -1 . It exhibits high electrocatalytic activity, satisfactory repeatability, stability, fast response and good selectivity against potentially interfering species, which suggests its potential in the development of sensitive, selective, easy-operation and low-cost serotonin sensor for practical routine analyses. The proposed method is potential to expand the possible applied range of the nanocomposite material for detection of various concerned electro active substances. Copyright © 2018 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.

  15. Mineral resource of the month: silver

    USGS Publications Warehouse

    Brooks, William E.

    2007-01-01

    Silver has been used for thousands of years as ornaments and utensils, for trade and as the basis of many monetary systems. The metal has played an important part in world history. Silver from the mines at Laurion, Greece, for example, financed the Greek victory over the Persians in 480 B.C. Silver from Potosi, Bolivia, helped Spain become a world power in the 16th and 17th centuries. And silver from the gold-silver ores at the Comstock Lode in Virginia City, Nev., helped keep the Union solvent during the Civil War.

  16. Electrostatic-Force-Assisted Dispensing Printing to Construct High-Aspect-Ratio of 0.79 Electrodes on a Textured Surface with Improved Adhesion and Contact Resistivity

    PubMed Central

    Shin, Dong-Youn; Yoo, Sung-Soo; Song, Hee-eun; Tak, Hyowon; Byun, Doyoung

    2015-01-01

    As a novel route to construct fine and abnormally high-aspect-ratio electrodes with excellent adhesion and reduced contact resistivity on a textured surface, an electrostatic-force-assisted dispensing printing technique is reported and compared with conventional dispensing and electrohydrodynamic jet printing techniques. The electrostatic force applied between a silver paste and the textured surface of a crystalline silicon solar cell wafer significantly improves the physical adhesion of the electrodes, whereas those fabricated using a conventional dispensing printing technique peel off with a silver paste containing 2 wt% of a fluorosurfactant. Moreover, the contact resistivity and dimensionless deviation of total resistance are significantly reduced from 2.19 ± 1.53 mΩ·cm2 to 0.98 ± 0.92 mΩ·cm2 and from 0.10 to 0.03, respectively. By utilizing electrodes with an abnormally high-aspect-ratio of 0.79 (the measured thickness and width are 30.4 μm and 38.3 μm, respectively), the cell efficiency is 17.2% on a polycrystalline silicon solar cell with an emitter sheet resistance of 60 Ω/sq. This cell efficiency is considerably higher than previously reported values obtained using a conventional electrohydrodynamic jet printing technique, by +0.48–3.5%p. PMID:26576857

  17. Highly transparent, low-haze, hybrid cellulose nanopaper as electrodes for flexible electronics.

    PubMed

    Xu, Xuezhu; Zhou, Jian; Jiang, Long; Lubineau, Gilles; Ng, Tienkhee; Ooi, Boon S; Liao, Hsien-Yu; Shen, Chao; Chen, Long; Zhu, J Y

    2016-06-16

    Paper is an excellent candidate to replace plastics as a substrate for flexible electronics due to its low cost, renewability and flexibility. Cellulose nanopaper (CNP), a new type of paper made of nanosized cellulose fibers, is a promising substrate material for transparent and flexible electrodes due to its potentially high transparency and high mechanical strength. Although CNP substrates can achieve high transparency, they are still characterized by high diffuse transmittance and small direct transmittance, resulting in high optical haze of the substrates. In this study, we proposed a simple methodology for large-scale production of high-transparency, low-haze CNP comprising both long cellulose nanofibrils (CNFs) and short cellulose nanocrystals (CNCs). By varying the CNC/CNF ratio in the hybrid CNP, we could tailor its total transmittance, direct transmittance and diffuse transmittance. By increasing the CNC content, the optical haze of the hybrid CNP could be decreased and its transparency could be increased. The direct transmittance and optical haze of the CNP were 75.1% and 10.0%, respectively, greatly improved from the values of previously reported CNP (31.1% and 62.0%, respectively). Transparent, flexible electrodes were fabricated by coating the hybrid CNP with silver nanowires (AgNWs). The electrodes showed a low sheet resistance (minimum 1.2 Ω sq(-1)) and a high total transmittance (maximum of 82.5%). The electrodes were used to make a light emitting diode (LED) assembly to demonstrate their potential use in flexible displays.

  18. Genetics Home Reference: Russell-Silver syndrome

    MedlinePlus

    ... Facebook Twitter Home Health Conditions Russell-Silver syndrome Russell-Silver syndrome Printable PDF Open All Close All ... Javascript to view the expand/collapse boxes. Description Russell-Silver syndrome is a growth disorder characterized by ...

  19. Virtual electrodes for high-density electrode arrays

    DOEpatents

    Cela, Carlos J.; Lazzi, Gianluca

    2015-10-13

    The present embodiments are directed to implantable electrode arrays having virtual electrodes. The virtual electrodes may improve the resolution of the implantable electrode array without the burden of corresponding complexity of electronic circuitry and wiring. In a particular embodiment, a virtual electrode may include one or more passive elements to help steer current to a specific location between the active electrodes. For example, a passive element may be a metalized layer on a substrate that is adjacent to, but not directly connected to an active electrode. In certain embodiments, an active electrode may be directly coupled to a power source via a conductive connection. Beneficially, the passive elements may help to increase the overall resolution of the implantable array by providing additional stimulation points without requiring additional wiring or driver circuitry for the passive elements.

  20. Nucleic acid nanomaterials: Silver-wired DNA

    NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

    Auffinger, Pascal; Ennifar, Eric

    2017-10-01

    DNA double helical structures are supramolecular assemblies that are typically held together by classical Watson-Crick pairing. Now, nucleotide chelation of silver ions supports an extended silver-DNA hybrid duplex featuring an uninterrupted silver array.

  1. MOD silver metallization for photovoltaics

    NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

    Vest, G. M.; Vest, R. W.

    1984-01-01

    The development of flat plate solar arrays is reported. Photovoltaic cells require back side metallization and a collector grid system on the front surface. Metallo-organic decomposition (MOD) silver films can eliminate most of the present problems with silver conductors. The objectives are to: (1) identify and characterize suitable MO compounds; (2) develop generic synthesis procedures for the MO compounds; (3) develop generic fabrication procedures to screen printable MOD silver inks; (4) optimize processing conditions to produce grid patterns and photovoltaic cells; and (5) develop a model which describes the adhesion between the fired silver film and the silicon surface.

  2. Speciation Matters: Bioavailability of Silver and Silver Sulfide Nanoparticles to Alfalfa (Medicago sativa).

    PubMed

    Stegemeier, John P; Schwab, Fabienne; Colman, Benjamin P; Webb, Samuel M; Newville, Matthew; Lanzirotti, Antonio; Winkler, Christopher; Wiesner, Mark R; Lowry, Gregory V

    2015-07-21

    Terrestrial crops are directly exposed to silver nanoparticles (Ag-NPs) and their environmentally transformed analog silver sulfide nanoparticles (Ag2S-NPs) when wastewater treatment biosolids are applied as fertilizer to agricultural soils. This leads to a need to understand their bioavailability to plants. In the present study, the mechanisms of uptake and distribution of silver in alfalfa (Medicago sativa) were quantified and visualized upon hydroponic exposure to Ag-NPs, Ag2S-NPs, and AgNO3 at 3 mg total Ag/L. Total silver uptake was measured in dried roots and shoots, and the spatial distribution of elements was investigated using transmission electron microscopy (TEM) and synchrotron-based X-ray imaging techniques. Despite large differences in release of Ag(+) ions from the particles, Ag-NPs, Ag2S-NPs, and Ag(+) became associated with plant roots to a similar degree, and exhibited similarly limited (<1%) amounts of translocation of silver into the shoot system. X-ray fluorescence (XRF) mapping revealed differences in the distribution of Ag into roots for each treatment. Silver nanoparticles mainly accumulated in the (columella) border cells and elongation zone, whereas Ag(+) accumulated more uniformly throughout the root. In contrast, Ag2S-NPs remained largely adhered to the root exterior, and the presence of cytoplasmic nano-SixOy aggregates was observed. Exclusively in roots exposed to particulate silver, NPs smaller than the originally dosed NPs were identified by TEM in the cell walls. The apparent accumulation of Ag in the root apoplast determined by XRF, and the presence of small NPs in root cell walls suggests uptake of partially dissolved NPs and translocation along the apoplast.

  3. Critical Role of Diels-Adler Adducts to Realise Stretchable Transparent Electrodes Based on Silver Nanowires and Silicone Elastomer

    NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

    Heo, Gaeun; Pyo, Kyoung-Hee; Lee, Da Hee; Kim, Youngmin; Kim, Jong-Woong

    2016-05-01

    This paper presents the successful fabrication of a transparent electrode comprising a sandwich structure of silicone/Ag nanowires (AgNWs)/silicone equipped with Diels-Alder (DA) adducts as crosslinkers to realise highly stable stretchability. Because of the reversible DA reaction, the crosslinked silicone successfully bonds with the silicone overcoat, which should completely seal the electrode. Thus, any surrounding liquid cannot leak through the interfaces among the constituents. Furthermore, the nanowires are protected by the silicone cover when they are stressed by mechanical loads such as bending, folding, and stretching. After delicate optimisation of the layered silicone/AgNW/silicone sandwich structure, a stretchable transparent electrode which can withstand 1000 cycles of 50% stretching-releasing with an exceptionally high stability and reversibility was fabricated. This structure can be used as a transparent strain sensor; it possesses a strong piezoresistivity with a gauge factor greater than 11.

  4. Improved performance of inkjet-printed Ag source/drain electrodes for organic thin-film transistors by overcoming the coffee ring effects

    NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

    Liu, Cheng-Fang; Lin, Yan; Lai, Wen-Yong; Huang, Wei

    2017-11-01

    Inkjet printing is a promising technology for the scalable fabrication of organic electronics because of the material conservation and facile patterning as compared with other solution processing techniques. In this study, we have systematically investigated the cross-sectional profile control of silver (Ag) electrode via inkjet printing. A facile methodology for achieving inkjet-printed Ag source/drain with improved profiles is developed. It is demonstrated that the printing conditions such as substrate temperature, drop spacing and printing layers affect the magnitude of the droplet deposition and the rate of evaporation, which can be optimized to greatly reduce the coffee ring effects for improving the inkjet-printed electrode profiles. Ag source/drain electrodes with uniform profiles were successfully inkjet-printed and incorporated into organic thin-film transistors (OTFTs). The resulting devices showed superior electrical performance than those without special treatments. It is noted to mention that the strategy for modulating the inkjet-printed Ag electrodes in this work does not demand the ink formulation or complicated steps, which is beneficial for scaling up the printing techniques for potential large-area/mass manufacturing.

  5. A view of aqueous electrochemical carbon dioxide reduction to formate at indium electrodes, and the reversible electrodeposition of silver in ionic liquids through the lens of fundamental surface science

    NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

    Detweiler, Zachary M.

    Two systems were studied using in situ measurement techniques, demonstrating the importance of creative experimental design. The electroreduction of CO2 at heterogeneous indium electrodes in aqueous solution was analyzed by cyclic voltammetry. Bulk electrolyses showed that increased indium oxide presence prior to electrolysis improved the Faradaic efficiency of CO 2 reduction to formate in 0.5 M K2SO2 aqueous solutions at a pH of 4.4. In order to more accurately assign speciation at the electrode surface ex situ O2 and H2O dosing of metallic indium under UHV was studied with XPS, HREELS and TPD. Ambient pressure XPS showed that the ratio of oxide to hydroxide at the indium interface is strongly dependent on the partial pressure of water; decreasing as P(H2O) increases. Using this information, a qualitative picture of the indium interface could be generated. In situ ATR-FTIR with an indium thin film as the working electrode showed that bulk oxide quickly reduces with applied potential, but an interfacial oxide is still present at high reductive overpotential. Additionally, an adsorbed carbonate at the thin film interface was observed upon introducing CO 2 to the cell. The implication of a surface bound carbonate as the CO 2 reduction intermediate draws on a mechanism that has not previously been discussed in the electrochemical reduction of CO2. The previous study of this mechanism from Ficscher-Tropsch literature helps to predict the further reduced products found at more electropositive metals, such as copper or magnesium, the latter of which is described here. Additionaly described here is a series of ILs that were employed as electrolyte for reversible silver deposition. BMIM N(TfO)2 was found to be the most promising of those studied, intrinsically giving a more uniform deposit that was bright and reversible. Deposit formation was studied using SEM and EDX as a function of deposition potential and deposition time. In situ reflectometry was employed to get a

  6. TiO2-NT electrodes modified with Ag and diamond like carbon (DLC) for hydrogen production by alkaline water electrolysis

    NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

    Baran, Evrim; Baz, Zeynep; Esen, Ramazan; Yazici Devrim, Birgül

    2017-10-01

    In present work, the two-step anodization technique was applied for synthesis of TiO2 nanotube (NT). Silver and diamond like carbon (DLC) were coated on the surface of as prepared TiO2-NT using chemical reduction method and MW ECR plasma system. The morphology, composition and structure of the electrodes were examined by field emission scanning electron microscopy (FE-SEM), energy dispersive X-ray spectroscopy (EDX) and X-ray diffraction (XRD). The results showed that Ag nanoparticles, having size in the range of 48-115 nm, are evenly distributed on the top, inside and outside surface of TiO2-NT and when DLC was coated on the surface of TiO2-NT and TiO2-NT-Ag, the top of nanotubes were partially open and the pore diameter of hexagonal structure decreased from 165 nm to of 38-80 nm. On the other hand, the microhardness test and contact angle measurements revealed that additions of Ag and diamond like carbon have a positive effect on the mechanical properties of TiO2-NT film. The electrocatalytic properties of the electrodes towards the hydrogen evolution reaction (HER) were investigated by the electrochemical measurements recorded in 1 M KOH solution. In addition, long-term durability of electrodes towards HER and the energy consumption of alkaline electrolysis were investigated. The energy requirement showed that while the deposition of silver provides approximately 14.95% savings of the energy consumption, the DLC coating causes increase in energy consumption.

  7. Fluorescent DNA-templated silver nanoclusters

    NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

    Lin, Ruoqian

    Because of the ultra-small size and biocompatibility of silver nanoclusters, they have attracted much research interest for their applications in biolabeling. Among the many ways of synthesizing silver nanoclusters, DNA templated method is particularly attractive---the high tunability of DNA sequences provides another degree of freedom for controlling the chemical and photophysical properties. However, systematic studies about how DNA sequences and concentrations are controlling the photophysical properties are still lacking. The aim of this thesis is to investigate the binding mechanisms of silver clusters binding and single stranded DNAs. Here in this thesis, we report synthesis and characterization of DNA-templated silver nanoclusters and provide a systematic interrogation of the effects of DNA concentrations and sequences, including lengths and secondary structures. We performed a series of syntheses utilizing five different sequences to explore the optimal synthesis condition. By characterizing samples with UV-vis and fluorescence spectroscopy, we achieved the most proper reactants ratio and synthesis conditions. Two of them were chosen for further concentration dependence studies and sequence dependence studies. We found that cytosine-rich sequences are more likely to produce silver nanoclusters with stronger fluorescence signals; however, sequences with hairpin secondary structures are more capable in stabilizing silver nanoclusters. In addition, the fluorescence peak emission intensities and wavelengths of the DNA templated silver clusters have sequence dependent fingerprints. This potentially can be applied to sequence sensing in the future. However all the current conclusions are not warranted; there is still difficulty in formulating general rules in DNA strand design and silver nanocluster production. Further investigation of more sequences could solve these questions in the future.

  8. Boron-doped diamond semiconductor electrodes: Efficient photoelectrochemical CO2 reduction through surface modification

    NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

    Roy, Nitish; Hirano, Yuiri; Kuriyama, Haruo; Sudhagar, Pitchaimuthu; Suzuki, Norihiro; Katsumata, Ken-Ichi; Nakata, Kazuya; Kondo, Takeshi; Yuasa, Makoto; Serizawa, Izumi; Takayama, Tomoaki; Kudo, Akihiko; Fujishima, Akira; Terashima, Chiaki

    2016-11-01

    Competitive hydrogen evolution and multiple proton-coupled electron transfer reactions limit photoelectrochemical CO2 reduction in aqueous electrolyte. Here, oxygen-terminated lightly boron-doped diamond (BDDL) thin films were synthesized as a semiconductor electron source to accelerate CO2 reduction. However, BDDL alone could not stabilize the intermediates of CO2 reduction, yielding a negligible amount of reduction products. Silver nanoparticles were then deposited on BDDL because of their selective electrochemical CO2 reduction ability. Excellent selectivity (estimated CO:H2 mass ratio of 318:1) and recyclability (stable for five cycles of 3 h each) for photoelectrochemical CO2 reduction were obtained for the optimum silver nanoparticle-modified BDDL electrode at -1.1 V vs. RHE under 222-nm irradiation. The high efficiency and stability of this catalyst are ascribed to the in situ photoactivation of the BDDL surface during the photoelectrochemical reaction. The present work reveals the potential of BDDL as a high-energy electron source for use with co-catalysts in photochemical conversion.

  9. Synthesis and characterization of monodispersed silver nanoparticles

    NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

    Jegatha Christy, A.; Umadevi, M.

    2012-09-01

    Synthesis of silver nanoparticles (NPs) has become a fascinating and important field of applied chemical research. In this paper silver NPs were prepared using silver nitrate (AgNO3), gelatin, and cetyl trimethyl ammonium bromide (CTAB). The prepared silver NPs were exposed under the laser ablation. In our photochemical procedure, gelatin acts as a biopolymer and CTAB acts as a reducing agent. The appearance of surface plasmon band around 410 nm indicates the formation of silver NPs. The nature of the prepared silver NPs in the face-centered cubic (fcc) structure are confirmed by the peaks in the x-ray diffraction (XRD) pattern corresponding to (111), (200), (220) and (311) planes. Monodispersed, stable, spherical silver NPs with diameter about 10 nm were obtained and confirmed by high-resolution transmission electron microscope (HRTEM).

  10. Silver Ink For Jet Printing

    NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

    Vest, R. W.; Singaram, Saraswathi

    1989-01-01

    Metallo-organic ink containing silver (with some bismuth as adhesion agent) applied to printed-circuit boards and pyrolized in air to form electrically conductive patterns. Ink contains no particles of silver, does not have to be mixed during use to maintain homogeneity, and applied to boards by ink-jet printing heads. Consists of silver neodecanoate and bismuth 2-ethylhexanoate dissolved in xylene and/or toluene.

  11. Impedimetric detection of bacteria by using a microfluidic chip and silver nanoparticle based signal enhancement.

    PubMed

    Wang, Renjie; Xu, Yi; Sors, Thomas; Irudayaraj, Joseph; Ren, Wen; Wang, Rong

    2018-02-19

    The authors describe a method that can significantly improve the performance of impedimetric detection of bacteria. A multifunctional microfluidic chip was designed consisting of interdigitated microelectrodes and a micro-mixing zone with a Tesla structure. This maximizes the coating of bacterial surfaces with nanoparticles and results in improved impedimetric detection. The method was applied to the detection of Escherichia coli O157:H7 (E. coli). Silver enhancement was accomplished by coating E.coli with the cationic polymer diallyldimethylammonium chloride (PDDA) to form positively charged E. coli/PDDA complexes. Then, gold nanoparticles (AuNPs) were added, and the resulting E. coli/PDDA/AuNPs complexes were collected at interdigitated electrodes via positive dielectrophoresis (pDEP). A silver adduct was then formed on the E. coli/PDDA/AuNP complexes by using silver enhancement solutions and by using the AuNPs as catalysts. The combination of pDEP based capture and of using silver adducts reduces impedance by increasing the conductivity of the solution and the double layer capacitance around the microelectrodes. Impedance decreases linearly in the 2 × 10 3 -2 × 10 5  cfu·mL -1 E. coli concentration range, with a 500 cfu·mL -1 detection limit. Egg shell wash samples and tap water spiked with E. coli were successfully used for validation, and this demonstrates the practical application of this method. Graphical abstract Schematic representation of the AuNP@Ag enhancement method integrated with multifunctional microfluidic chip platform for impedimetric quantitation of bacteria. The method significantly improves the performance of impedimetric detection of bacteria.

  12. Uptake and Distribution of Silver in the Aquatic Plant Landoltia punctata (Duckweed) Exposed to Silver and Silver Sulfide Nanoparticles.

    PubMed

    Stegemeier, John P; Colman, Benjamin P; Schwab, Fabienne; Wiesner, Mark R; Lowry, Gregory V

    2017-05-02

    Aquatic ecosystems are expected to receive Ag 0 and Ag 2 S nanoparticles (NPs) through anthropogenic waste streams. The speciation of silver in Ag-NPs affects their fate in ecosystems, but its influence on interactions with aquatic plants is still unclear. Here, the Ag speciation and distribution was measured in an aquatic plant, duckweed (Landoltia punctata), exposed to Ag 0 or Ag 2 S NPs, or to AgNO 3 . The silver distribution in duckweed roots was visualized using synchrotron-based micro X-ray fluorescence (XRF) mapping and Ag speciation was determined using extended X-ray absorption fine structure (EXAFS) spectroscopy. Duckweed exposed to Ag 2 S-NPs or Ag 0 -NPs accumulated similar Ag concentrations despite an order of magnitude smaller dissolved Ag fraction measured in the exposure medium for Ag 2 S-NPs compared to Ag 0 -NPs. By 24 h after exposure, all three forms of silver had accumulated on and partially in the roots regardless of the form of Ag exposed to the plants. Once associated with duckweed tissue, Ag 0 -NPs had transformed primarily into silver sulfide and silver thiol species. This suggests that plant defenses were active within or at the root surface. The Ag 2 S-NPs remained as Ag 2 S, while AgNO 3 exposure led to Ag 0 and sulfur-associated Ag species in plant tissue. Thus, regardless of initial speciation, Ag was readily available to duckweed.

  13. Is Cu a stable electrode material in hybrid perovskite solar cells for a 30-year lifetime?

    DOE PAGES

    Zhao, Jingjing; Zheng, Xiaopeng; Deng, Yehao; ...

    2016-10-28

    One grand challenge for long-lived perovskite solar cells is that the common electrode materials in solar cells, such as silver and aluminum or even gold, strongly react with hybrid perovskites. Here we report the evaluation of the potential of copper (Cu) as the electrode material in perovskite solar cells for long-term stability. In encapsulated devices which limit exposure to oxygen and moisture, Cu in direct contact with CH 3NH 3PbI 3 showed no reaction at laboratory time scales, and is predicted to be stable for almost 170 years at room temperature and over 22 years at the nominal operating cellmore » temperature of 40 °C. No diffusion of Cu into CH 3NH 3PbI 3 has been observed after thermal annealing for over 100 hours at 80 °C, nor does Cu cause charge trap states in direct contact with CH 3NH 3PbI 3 after long-term thermal annealing or illumination. High performance devices with efficiency above 20% with Cu electrode retains 98% of the initial efficiency after 816 hours storage in ambient environment without encapsulation. Finally, the results indicate Cu is a promising low-cost electrode material for perovskite solar cells for long-term operation.« less

  14. Carboxylate and amino group coated silver nanoparticles as joining materials for copper-to-copper silver joints.

    PubMed

    Oestreicher, A; Röhrich, T; Lerch, M

    2012-12-01

    Organic silver complexes are introduced where silver is linked either with a carboxyl group or with an amino group. Upon heating, nanoparticles are generated if the respective ligands are long enough to act as stabilizing agents in the nanoparticulate regime. With decomposition and volatilization of the organic material, the sintering of silver occurs. The thermal characteristics of the carboxylates silver-n-octanoate, silver-n-decanoate, and AgOOC(CH2OCH2)2CH2OCH3 are compared with silver-n-alkylamines (n = 8, 9, and 12), and their thermal behavior is discussed based on thermogravimetry (TG) measurements. The consecutive stages of a metallization process are addressed based on the properties of AgOOC(CH2OCH2)2CH2OCH3, and the usable effects of the individual phases of this metal organic compound are analyzed by cross-sectional scanning electron microscope (SEM) images of silver joints. Selection criteria are addressed based on the thermal behavior. A mechanism for the joining process is proposed, considering formation and sintering of the nanoparticles. It was found that the bulk material can be used for low-temperature joining processes. Strong adherence to copper as a basic material can be achieved.

  15. Current at domain walls, roughly speaking: nanoscales studies of disorder roughening and conduction

    NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

    Paruch, Patrycja

    2013-03-01

    Domain walls in (multi)ferroic materials are the thin elastic interfaces separating regions with different orientations of magnetisation, electric polarisation, or spontaneous strain. Understanding their behaviour, and controlling domain size and stability, is key for their integration into applications, while fundamentally, domain walls provide an excellent model system in which the rich physics of disordered elastic interfaces can be accesses. In addition, domain walls can present novel properties, quite different from those of their parent materials, making them potentially useful as active components in future nano-devices. Here, we present our atomic force microscopy studies of ferroelectric domain walls in epitaxial Pb(Zr0.2Ti0.8)O3 and BiFeO3 thin films, in which we use piezorespose force microscopy to show unusual domain wall roughening behaviour, with very localised disorder regions in the sample leading to a complex, multi-affine scaling of the domain wall shape. We also show the effects of temperature, environmental conditions, and defects on switching dynamics and domain wall roughness. We combine these observations with parallel conductive-tip atomic force microscopy current measurements, which also show highly localised variations in conduction, and highlight the key role played by oxygen vacancies in the observed domain wall conduction.

  16. Silver ion-mediated killing of a food pathogen: Melting curve analysis data of silver resistance genes and growth curve data.

    PubMed

    Gokulan, Kuppan; Williams, Katherine; Khare, Sangeeta

    2017-04-01

    Limited antibacterial activity of silver ions leached from silver-impregnated food contact materials could be due to: 1) the presence of silver resistance genes in tested bacteria ; or 2) lack of susceptibility to silver ion-mediated killing in the bacterial strain (K. Williams, L. Valencia, K. Gokulan, R. Trbojevich, S. Khare, 2016 [1]). This study contains data to address the specificity of silver resistance genes in Salmonella Typhimurium during the real time PCR using melting curve analysis and an assessment of the minimum inhibitory concentration of silver ions for Salmonella .

  17. Rethinking Schools and the Power of Silver

    ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

    Sleeter, Christine

    2011-01-01

    This 25th anniversary of "Rethinking Schools" can be thought of as its silver anniversary. Silver itself must be considered through contrasting lenses. On the one hand, as lessons in "Rethinking Globalization" teach, silver and gold were the basis of Europe's horrendous exploitation of Latin America. On the other hand, silver is often associated…

  18. Scale growth of structures in the turbulent boundary layer with a rod-roughened wall

    NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

    Lee, Jin; Kim, Jung Hoon; Lee, Jae Hwa

    2016-01-01

    Direct numerical simulation of a turbulent boundary layer over a rod-roughened wall is performed with a long streamwise domain to examine the streamwise-scale growth mechanism of streamwise velocity fluctuating structures in the presence of two-dimensional (2-D) surface roughness. An instantaneous analysis shows that there is a slightly larger population of long structures with a small helix angle (spanwise inclinations relative to streamwise) and a large spanwise width over the rough-wall compared to that over a smooth-wall. Further inspection of time-evolving instantaneous fields clearly exhibits that adjacent long structures combine to form a longer structure through a spanwise merging process over the rough-wall; moreover, spanwise merging for streamwise scale growth is expected to occur frequently over the rough-wall due to the large spanwise scales generated by the 2-D roughness. Finally, we examine the influence of a large width and a small helix angle of the structures over the rough-wall with regard to spatial two-point correlation. The results show that these factors can increase the streamwise coherence of the structures in a statistical sense.

  19. Silver nanoparticles decorated lipase-sensitive polyurethane micelles for on-demand release of silver nanoparticles.

    PubMed

    Su, Yuling; Zhao, Lili; Meng, Fancui; Wang, Quanxin; Yao, Yongchao; Luo, Jianbin

    2017-04-01

    In order to improve the antibacterial activities while decrease the cytotoxity of silver nanoparticles, we prepared a novel nanocomposites composed of silver nanoparticles decorated lipase-sensitive polyurethane micelles (PUM-Ag) with MPEG brush on the surface. The nanocomposite was characterized by UV-vis, TEM and DLS. UV-vis and TEM demonstrated the formation of silver nanoparticles on PU micelles and the nanoassembly remained intact without the presence of lipase. The silver nanoparticles were protected by the polymer matrix and PEG brush which show good cytocompatibility to HUVEC cells and low hemolysis. Moreover, at the presence of lipase, the polymer matrix of nanocomposites is subject to degradation and the small silver nanoparticles were released as is shown by DLS and TEM. The MIC and MBC studies showed an enhanced toxicity of the nanocomposites to both gram negative and gram positive bacteria, i.e. E. coli and S. aureus, as the result of the degradation of polymer matrix by bacterial lipase. Therefore, the nanocomposites are biocompatible to mammalian cells cells which can also lead to activated smaller silver nanoparticles release at the presence of bacteria and subsequently enhanced inhibition of bacteria growth. The satisfactory selectivity for bacteria compared to HUVEC and RBCs make PUM-Ag a promising antibacterial nanomedicine in biomedical field. Copyright © 2017 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.

  20. Graphene-Decorated Nanocomposites for Printable Electrodes in Thin Wafer Devices

    NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

    Bakhshizadeh, N.; Sivoththaman, S.

    2017-12-01

    Printable electrodes that induce less stress and require lower curing temperatures compared to traditional screen-printed metal pastes are needed in thin wafer devices such as future solar cells, and in flexible electronics. The synthesis of nanocomposites by incorporating graphene nanopowders as well as silver nanowires into epoxy-based electrically conductive adhesives (ECA) is examined to improve electrical conductivity and to develop alternate printable electrode materials that induce less stress on the wafer. For the synthesized graphene and Ag nanowire-decorated ECA nanocomposites, the curing kinetics were studied by dynamic and isothermal differential scanning calorimetry measurements. Thermogravimetric analysis on ECA, ECA-AG and ECA/graphene nanopowder nanocomposites showed that the temperatures for onset of decomposition are higher than their corresponding glass transition temperature ( T g) indicating an excellent thermal resistance. Printed ECA/Ag nanowire nanocomposites showed 90% higher electrical conductivity than ECA films, whereas the ECA/graphene nanocomposites increased the conductivity by over two orders of magnitude. Scanning electron microscopy results also revealed the effect of fillers morphology on the conductivity improvement and current transfer mechanisms in nanocomposites. Residual stress analysis performed on Si wafers showed that the ECA and nanocomposite printed wafers are subjected to much lower stress compared to those printed with metallic pastes. The observed parameters of low curing temperature, good thermal resistance, reasonably high conductivity, and low residual stress in the ECA/graphene nanocomposite makes this material a promising alternative in screen-printed electrode formation in thin substrates.

  1. Effect of silver nanoparticles on concentration of silver heavy element and growth indexes in cucumber ( Cucumis sativus L . negeen)

    NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

    Shams, Gholamabbas; Ranjbar, Morteza; Amiri, Aliasghar

    2013-05-01

    The tremendous progress on nanoparticle research area has been made significant effects on the economy, society, and the environment. Silver nanoparticle is one of the most important particles in these categories. Silver nanoparticles can be converted to the heavy silver metal in water by oxidation. Moreover, in the high amounts of silver concentration, they will be accumulated in different parts of the plant. However, by changing the morphology of the plant, the production will be harmful for human consumptions. In this study, nano-powders with average 50 nm silver particles are mixed with deionized distilled water in a completely randomized design. Seven treatments with various concentrations of suspension silver nanoparticles were prepared and repeated in four different parts of the plant in a regular program of spraying. Samples were analyzed to study the growth indexes and concentration of silver in different parts of the plant. It was observed that with increasing concentration of silver nanoparticles on cucumber, the growth indexes (except pH fruit), and the concentration of silver heavy metal are increased significantly. The incremental concentration had the linear relationship with correlation coefficient 0.95 and an average of 0.617 PPM by increasing of each unit in one thousand concentration of nanosilver. Although, by increasing concentration of silver nanoparticles as spraying form, the plant morphological characteristics were improved, the concentration of silver heavy metal in various plant organs was increased. These results open a new pathway to consider the effect of nanoparticles on plant's productions for human consumptions.

  2. Silver Dissolution and Release from Ceramic Water Filters.

    PubMed

    Mittelman, Anjuliee M; Lantagne, Daniele S; Rayner, Justine; Pennell, Kurt D

    2015-07-21

    Application of silver nanoparticles (nAg) or silver nitrate (AgNO3) has been shown to improve the microbiological efficacy of ceramic water filters used for household water treatment. Silver release, however, can lead to undesirable health effects and reduced filter effectiveness over time. The objectives of this study were to evaluate the contribution of nanoparticle detachment, dissolution, and cation exchange to silver elution, and to estimate silver retention under different influent water chemistries. Dissolved silver (Ag(+)) and nAg release from filter disks painted with 0.03 mg/g casein-coated nAg or AgNO3 were measured as a function of pH (5-9), ionic strength (1-50 mM), and cation species (Na(+), Ca(2+), Mg(2+)). Silver elution was controlled by dissolution as Ag(+) and subsequent cation exchange reactions regardless of the applied silver form. Effluent silver levels fell below the drinking water standard (0.1 mg/L) after flushing with 30-42 pore volumes of pH 7, 10 mM NaNO3 at pH 7. When the influent water was at pH 5, contained divalent cations or 50 mM NaNO3, silver concentrations were 5-10 times above the standard. Our findings support regular filter replacement and indicate that saline, hard, or acidic waters should be avoided to minimize effluent silver concentrations and preserve silver treatment integrity.

  3. Crossed asymmetry in Russell-Silver syndrome.

    PubMed Central

    Qazi, Q H; Kassner, E G; Ganapathy, C

    1977-01-01

    Since the initial report by Silver et al (1953), more than 50 examples of the Russell-Silver syndrome have been reported. Unilateral congenital asymmetry of the extremities has been considered one of the major features of this disorder (Silver, 1964). We recently observed a child with otherwise typical features of the Russell-Silver syndrome who had enlargement of the right hand and of the left lower extremity. We know of no other recorded example of crossed asymmetry in this clinical entity. Images PMID:839508

  4. Metal-oxide thin-film transistor-based pH sensor with a silver nanowire top gate electrode

    NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

    Yoo, Tae-Hee; Sang, Byoung-In; Wang, Byung-Yong; Lim, Dae-Soon; Kang, Hyun Wook; Choi, Won Kook; Lee, Young Tack; Oh, Young-Jei; Hwang, Do Kyung

    2016-04-01

    Amorphous InGaZnO (IGZO) metal-oxide-semiconductor thin-film transistors (TFTs) are one of the most promising technologies to replace amorphous and polycrystalline Si TFTs. Recently, TFT-based sensing platforms have been gaining significant interests. Here, we report on IGZO transistor-based pH sensors in aqueous medium. In order to achieve stable operation in aqueous environment and enhance sensitivity, we used Al2O3 grown by using atomic layer deposition (ALD) and a porous Ag nanowire (NW) mesh as the top gate dielectric and electrode layers, respectively. Such devices with a Ag NW mesh at the top gate electrode rapidly respond to the pH of solutions by shifting the turn-on voltage. Furthermore, the output voltage signals induced by the voltage shifts can be directly extracted by implantation of a resistive load inverter.

  5. Silver sub-nanoclusters electrocatalyze ethanol oxidation and provide protection against ethanol toxicity in cultured mammalian cells.

    PubMed

    Selva, Javier; Martínez, Susana E; Buceta, David; Rodríguez-Vázquez, María J; Blanco, M Carmen; López-Quintela, M Arturo; Egea, Gustavo

    2010-05-26

    Silver atomic quantum clusters (AgAQCs), with two or three silver atoms, show electrocatalytic activities that are not found in nanoparticles or in bulk silver. AgAQCs supported on glassy carbon electrodes oxidize ethanol and other alcohols in macroscopic electrochemical cells in acidic and basic media. This electrocatalysis occurs at very low potentials (from approximately +200 mV vs RHE), at physiological pH, and at ethanol concentrations that are found in alcoholic patients. When mammalian cells are co-exposed to ethanol and AgAQCs, alcohol-induced alterations such as rounded cell morphology, disorganization of the actin cytoskeleton, and activation of caspase-3 are all prevented. This cytoprotective effect of AgAQCs is also observed in primary cultures of newborn rat astrocytes exposed to ethanol, which is a cellular model of fetal alcohol syndrome. AgAQCs oxidize ethanol from the culture medium only when ethanol and AgAQCs are added to cells simultaneously, which suggests that cytoprotection by AgAQCs is provided by the ethanol electro-oxidation mediated by the combined action of AgAQCs and cells. Overall, these findings not only show that AgAQCs are efficient electrocatalysts at physiological pH and prevent ethanol toxicity in cultured mammalian cells, but also suggest that AgAQCs could be used to modify redox reactions and in this way promote or inhibit biological reactions.

  6. Silver Recycling in the United States in 2000

    USGS Publications Warehouse

    Hilliard, Henry E.

    2003-01-01

    In 2000, the global silver supply deficit (the difference between mine and scrap supply and silver demand) was more than 3,000 metric tons. U.S. silver demand for photographic applications alone was nearly equal to annual U.S. silver production. Until 1968, the U.S. silver deficit was filled by withdrawals from the U.S. Treasury reserves. In 2000, the deficit was filled by destocking, imports, and recycling. Photographic wastes, spent catalysts, and electronic scrap are the major sources of materials for silver recycling. Nearly 1,800 tons of silver contained in these materials were available for recycling in 2000. Other recyclable silver-bearing materials include dental alloys, jewelry, and silverware. In 2000, an estimated 1,700 tons of silver were recovered from secondary sources in the United States. The U.S. recycling efficiency for old scrap was calculated to have been 97 percent in 2000; the recycling rate was estimated to be 32 percent.

  7. Silver recycling in the United States in 2000

    USGS Publications Warehouse

    Hilliard, Henry E.

    2003-01-01

    In 2000, the global silver supply deficit (the difference between mine and scrap supply and silver demand) was more than 3,000 metric tons. U.S. silver demand for photographic applications alone was nearly equal to annual U.S. silver production. Until 1968, the U.S. silver deficit was filled by withdrawals from the U.S. Treasury reserves. In 2000, the deficit was filled by destocking, imports, and recycling. Photographic wastes, spent catalysts, and electronic scrap are the major sources of materials for silver recycling. Nearly 1,800 metric tons of silver contained in these materials were available for recycling in 2000. Other recyclable silver-bearing materials include dental alloys, jewelry, and silverware. In 2000, an estimated 1,700 tons of silver were recovered from secondary sources in the United States. The U.S. recycling efficiency for old scrap was calculated to have been 97 percent in 2000; the recycling rate was estimated to be 32 percent.

  8. Separation of silver ions and starch modified silver nanoparticles using high performance liquid chromatography with ultraviolet and inductively coupled mass spectrometric detection

    NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

    Hanley, Traci A.; Saadawi, Ryan; Zhang, Peng; Caruso, Joseph A.; Landero-Figueroa, Julio

    2014-10-01

    The production of commercially available products marketed to contain silver nanoparticles is rapidly increasing. Species-specific toxicity is a phenomenon associated with many elements, including silver, making it imperative to develop a method to identify and quantify the various forms of silver (namely, silver ions vs. silver nanoparticles) possibly present in these products. In this study a method was developed using high performance liquid chromatography (HPLC) with ultraviolet (UV-VIS) and inductively coupled mass spectrometric (ICP-MS) detection to separate starch stabilized silver nanoparticles (AgNPs) and silver ions (Ag+) by cation exchange chromatography with 0.5 M nitric acid mobile phase. The silver nanoparticles and ions were baseline resolved with an ICP-MS response linear over four orders of magnitude, 0.04 mg kg- 1 detection limit, and 90% chromatographic recovery for silver solutions containing ions and starch stabilized silver nanoparticles smaller than 100 nm.

  9. Application of CTLM method combining interfacial structure characterization to investigate contact formation of silver paste metallization on crystalline silicon solar cells

    NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

    Xiong, Shenghu; Yuan, Xiao; Tong, Hua; Yang, Yunxia; Liu, Cui; Ye, Xiaojun; Li, Yongsheng; Wang, Xianhao; Luo, Lan

    2018-04-01

    Circular transmission line model (CTLM) measurements were applied to study the contact formation mechanism of the silver paste metallization on n-type emitter of crystalline silicon solar cells. The electrical performance parameters ρc,Rsk , and Lt , which are related to the physical and chemical states of the multiphase materials at the interface, were extracted from the CTLM measurements, and were found to be sensitive to sintering temperature. As the temperature increased from 585 °C to 780 °C, initially the ρc value decreased rapidly, then flattened out and increased slightly. The order of resistivity magnitude was restricted by the SiNx passivation layer in the early sintering stages, and relied on the carrier tunneling probability affected by the precipitated silver crystallites or colloids, emitter doping concentration and molten glass layer. Based on the calculations that the sheet resistance underneath the electrode was reduced form 110 Ω / □ to 0.186 Ω / □ , it could be inferred that there was formation of a highly conductive layer of silver crystallites and colloids contained glass on the emitter. The transfer length Lt exhibited a U-shaped variation along with the temperature, reflecting the variation of the interfacial electrical properties. Overall, this article shows that the CTLM method can become a new powerful tool for researchers to meet the challenges of silver paste metallization innovation for manufacturing high-efficiency silicon solar cells.

  10. A novel cetyltrimethyl ammonium silver bromide complex and silver bromide nanoparticles obtained by the surfactant counterion.

    PubMed

    Liu, Xian-Hao; Luo, Xiao-Hong; Lu, Shu-Xia; Zhang, Jing-Chang; Cao, Wei-Liang

    2007-03-01

    A novel cetyltrimethyl ammonium silver bromide (CTASB) complex has been prepared simply through the reaction of silver nitrate with cetyltrimethyl ammonium bromide (CTAB) in aqueous solution at room temperature by controlling the concentration of CTAB and the molar ratio of CTAB to silver nitrate in the reaction solution, in which halogen in CTAB is used as surfactant counterion. The structure and thermal behavior of cetyltrimethyl ammonium silver bromide have been investigated by using X-ray diffraction (XRD), infrared spectroscopy (IR), X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS), UV/vis spectroscopy, thermal analysis (TG-DTA), transmission electron microscopy (TEM), and scanning electron microscopy (SEM). The results show that the complex possesses a metastable layered structure. Upon heating the CTASB aqueous dispersion to above 80 degrees C, the structure change of the complex took place and CTAB-capped nanosized silver bromide particles further formed.

  11. Step-reduced synthesis of starch-silver nanoparticles.

    PubMed

    Raghavendra, Gownolla Malegowd; Jung, Jeyoung; Kim, Dowan; Seo, Jongchul

    2016-05-01

    In the present process, silver nanoparticles were directly synthesized in a single step by microwave irradiation of a mixture of starch, silver nitrate, and deionized water. This is different from the commonly adopted procedure for starch-silver nanoparticle synthesis in which silver nanoparticles are synthesized by preparing a starch solution as a reaction medium first. Thus, the additional step associated with the preparation of the starch solution was eliminated. In addition, no additional reducing agent was utilized. The adopted method was facile and straight forward, affording spherical silver nanoparticles with diameter below 10nm that exhibited good antibacterial activity. Further, influence of starch on the size of the silver nanoparticles was noticed. Copyright © 2016 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.

  12. Preparation of silver nanoparticles at low temperature

    DOE Office of Scientific and Technical Information (OSTI.GOV)

    Mishra, Mini, E-mail: mishramini5@gmail.com; Chauhan, Pratima, E-mail: mangu167@yahoo.co.in

    Silver from ancient time is used as antimicrobial agent in the bulk form but now with the advancement in nanotechnology silver in the form of nanoparticles shown potential effect against microbes which make us easy to fight with many diseases plants and animals. In this work silver nanoparticles were synthesized by chemical routes using sodium borohydride as reducing agent at low temperature. The particles were characterized through UV-Visible spectroscopy as well as X-Ray Diffraction. The UV-visible spectra of silver nanoparticles exhibited absorption at 425 cm; the crystallite size of the particles is between 19nm to 39nm. EDAX graph shows two peaksmore » of silver and oxygen. Water absorbed by silver nanoparticles was removed by the calcinations.« less

  13. In situ reduction of antibacterial silver ions to metallic silver nanoparticles on bioactive glasses functionalized with polyphenols

    NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

    Ferraris, S.; Miola, M.; Cochis, A.; Azzimonti, B.; Rimondini, L.; Prenesti, E.; Vernè, E.

    2017-02-01

    The realization of surfaces with antibacterial properties due to silver nanoparticles loaded through a green approach is a promising research challenge of the biomaterial field. In this research work, two bioactive glasses have been doubly surface functionalized with polyphenols (gallic acid or natural polyphenols extracted from red grape skins and green tea leaves) and silver nanoparticles deposited by in situ reduction from a silver nitrate aqueous solution. The presence of biomolecules - showing reducing ability to directly obtain in situ metallic silver - and silver nanoparticles was investigated by means of UV-vis spectroscopy, X-Ray Photoelectron Spectroscopy (XPS) and Field Emission Scanning Electron Microscopy (FESEM). The antibacterial activity of the modified surfaces was tested against a multidrug resistant Staphylococcus aureus bacterial strain.

  14. Aligned Layers of Silver Nano-Fibers.

    PubMed

    Golovin, Andrii B; Stromer, Jeremy; Kreminska, Liubov

    2012-02-01

    We describe a new dichroic polarizers made by ordering silver nano-fibers to aligned layers. The aligned layers consist of nano-fibers and self-assembled molecular aggregates of lyotropic liquid crystals. Unidirectional alignment of the layers is achieved by means of mechanical shearing. Aligned layers of silver nano-fibers are partially transparent to a linearly polarized electromagnetic radiation. The unidirectional alignment and density of the silver nano-fibers determine degree of polarization of transmitted light. The aligned layers of silver nano-fibers might be used in optics, microwave applications, and organic electronics.

  15. Transfer printed silver nanowire transparent conductors for PbS-ZnO heterojunction quantum dot solar cells.

    PubMed

    Hjerrild, Natasha E; Neo, Darren C J; Kasdi, Assia; Assender, Hazel E; Warner, Jamie H; Watt, Andrew A R

    2015-04-01

    Transfer-printed silver nanowire transparent conducting electrodes are demonstrated in lead sulfide-zinc oxide quantum dot solar cells. Advantages of using this transparent conductor technology are increased junction surface energy, solution processing, and the potential cost reduction of low temperature processing. Joule heating, device aging, and film thickness effects are investigated to understand shunt pathways created by nanowires protruding perpendicular to the film. A V(oc) of 0.39 ± 0.07 V, J(sc) of 16.2 ± 0.2 mA/cm(2), and power conversion efficiencies of 2.8 ± 0.4% are presented.

  16. The Silver Bullet Syndrome.

    ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

    Dehne, George C.

    1995-01-01

    Many colleges address complex problems with a single "silver bullet" strategy. Because value shifts according to the consumer's situation or goal, private colleges should become more aware of their "situational value" and exploit it. This requires an understanding of how students choose colleges. In contrast, popular silver bullets target…

  17. Low-Temperature Properties of Silver

    PubMed Central

    Smith, David R.; Fickett, F. R.

    1995-01-01

    Pure silver is used extensively in the preparation of high-temperature superconductor wires, tapes, films, and other configurations in which the silver not only shields the superconducting material from the surrounding materials, but also provides a degree of flexibility and strain relief, as well as stabilization and low-resistance electrical contact. Silver is relatively expensive, but at this stage of superconductor development, its unique combination of properties seems to offer the only reasonable means of achieving usable lengths of conductor. In this role, the low-temperature physical (electrical, thermal, magnetic, optical) and mechanical properties of the silver all become important. Here we present a collection of properties data extracted from the cryogenic literature and, to the extent possible, selected for reliability. PMID:29151733

  18. Argyria secondary to ingestion of homemade silver solution.

    PubMed

    Brandt, Douglas; Park, Betty; Hoang, Mai; Jacobe, Heidi T

    2005-08-01

    Argyria is a rare skin disease caused by cutaneous deposition of silver granules in the skin as a result of exposure to silver substrate or ingestion of silver salt. This report describes a patient with generalized argyria caused by ingestion of homemade colloidal silver solution. The patient learned about the uses of the silver solution and its preparation at a convention for "natural medicine."

  19. Photosensitized synthesis of silver nanoparticles using Withania somnifera leaf powder and silver nitrate.

    PubMed

    Raut, Rajesh Warluji; Mendhulkar, Vijay Damodhar; Kashid, Sahebrao Balaso

    2014-03-05

    The metal nanoparticle synthesis is highly explored field of nanotechnology. The biological methods seem to be more effective; however, due to slow reduction rate and polydispersity of the resulting products, they are less preferred. In the present study, we report rapid and facile synthesis of silver nanoparticles at room temperature. The exposure of reaction mixtures containing silver nitrate and dried leaf powder of Withania somnifera Linn to direct sunlight resulted in reduction of metal ions within five minutes whereas, the dark exposure took almost 12h. Further studies using different light filters reveal the role of blue light in reduction of silver ions. The synthesized silver nanoparticles were characterized by UV-Vis, Infrared spectroscopy (IR), Transmission Electron Microscopy (TEM), X-ray Diffraction studies (XRD), Nanoparticle Tracking Analysis (NTA), Energy Dispersive Spectroscopy (EDS), and Cyclic Voltammetry (CV). The Antibacterial and antifungal studies showed significant activity as compared to their respective standards. Copyright © 2014 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.

  20. Etched Colloidal LiFePO4 Nanoplatelets toward High-Rate Capable Li-Ion Battery Electrodes

    PubMed Central

    2014-01-01

    LiFePO4 has been intensively investigated as a cathode material in Li-ion batteries, as it can in principle enable the development of high power electrodes. LiFePO4, on the other hand, is inherently “plagued” by poor electronic and ionic conductivity. While the problems with low electron conductivity are partially solved by carbon coating and further by doping or by downsizing the active particles to nanoscale dimensions, poor ionic conductivity is still an issue. To develop colloidally synthesized LiFePO4 nanocrystals (NCs) optimized for high rate applications, we propose here a surface treatment of the NCs. The particles as delivered from the synthesis have a surface passivated with long chain organic surfactants, and therefore can be dispersed only in aprotic solvents such as chloroform or toluene. Glucose that is commonly used as carbon source for carbon-coating procedure is not soluble in these solvents, but it can be dissolved in water. In order to make the NCs hydrophilic, we treated them with lithium hexafluorophosphate (LiPF6), which removes the surfactant ligand shell while preserving the structural and morphological properties of the NCs. Only a roughening of the edges of NCs was observed due to a partial etching of their surface. Electrodes prepared from these platelet NCs (after carbon coating) delivered a capacity of ∼155 mAh/g, ∼135 mAh/g, and ∼125 mAh/g, at 1 C, 5 C, and 10 C, respectively, with significant capacity retention and remarkable rate capability. For example, at 61 C (10.3 A/g), a capacity of ∼70 mAh/g was obtained, and at 122 C (20.7 A/g), the capacity was ∼30 mAh/g. The rate capability and the ease of scalability in the preparation of these surface-treated nanoplatelets make them highly suitable as electrodes in Li-ion batteries. PMID:25372361