Ge{sub 1−x−y}Si{sub x}Sn{sub y} light emitting diodes on silicon for mid-infrared photonic applications

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

Gallagher, J. D.; Xu, C.; Menéndez, J.

This paper reports initial the demonstration of prototype Ge{sub 1−x−y}Si{sub x}Sn{sub y} light emitting diodes with distinct direct and indirect edges and high quality I-V characteristics. The devices are fabricated on Si (100) wafers in heterostructure pin geometry [n-Ge/i-Ge{sub 1−x−y}Si{sub x}Sn{sub y}/p-Ge(Sn/Si)] using ultra low-temperature (T < 300 °C) depositions of the highly reactive chemical sources Si{sub 4}H{sub 10}, Ge{sub 4}H{sub 10}, Ge{sub 3}H{sub 8}, and SnD{sub 4}. The Sn content in the i-Ge{sub 1−x−y}Si{sub x}Sn{sub y} layer was varied from ∼3.5% to 11%, while the Si content was kept constant near 3%. The Si/Sn amounts in the p-layer were selected to mitigatemore » the lattice mismatch so that the top interface grows defect-free, thereby reducing the deleterious effects of mismatch-induced dislocations on the optical/electrical properties. The spectral responsivity plots of the devices reveal sharp and well-defined absorption edges that systematically red-shift in the mid-IR from 1750 to 2100 nm with increasing Sn content from 3.5% to 11%. The electroluminescence spectra reveal strong direct-gap emission peaks and weak lower energy shoulders attributed to indirect gaps. Both peaks in a given spectrum red-shift with increasing Sn content and their separation decreases as the material approaches direct gap conditions in analogy with binary Ge{sub 1−y}Sn{sub y} counterparts. These findings-combined with the enhanced thermal stability of Ge{sub 1−x−y}Si{sub x}Sn{sub y} relative to Ge{sub 1−y}Sn{sub y} and the observation that ternary alloy disorder does not adversely affect the emission properties—indicate that Ge{sub 1−x−y}Si{sub x}Sn{sub y} may represent a practical target system for future generations of group-IV light sources on Si.« less

Evaluation on Dorsey Method in Surface Tension Measurement of Solder Liquids Containing Surfactants

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Zhao, Xingke; Xie, Feiming; Fan, Jinsheng; Liu, Dayong; Huang, Jihua; Chen, Shuhai

2018-06-01

With the purpose of developing a feasible approach for measuring the surface tension of solders containing surfactants, the surface tension of Sn-3Ag-0.5Cu-xP solder alloys, with various drop sizes as well as different phosphorus (P) content, was evaluated using the Dorsey method based on the sessile drop test. The results show that the accuracy of the surface tension calculations depends on both of sessile drop size and the liquid metal composition. With a proper drop size, in the range of 4.5 mm to 5.3 mm in equivalent spherical diameters, the deviation of the surface tension calculation can be limited to 1.43 mN·m-1 and 6.30 mN·m-1 for SnAgCu and SnAgCu-P, respectively. The surface tension of SnAgCu-xP solder alloys decreases quickly to a minimum value when the P content reaches 0.5 wt% and subsequently increases slowly with the P content further increasing. The formation of a P-enriched surface layer and Sn4P3 intermetallic phases is regarded to be responsible for the decreasing and subsequent increasing of surface tension, respectively.

Calorimetric study of tellurium rich Se-Te-Sn glasses

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

Heera, Pawan, E-mail: pawanheera@yahoo.com; Govt. College Amb, Himachal Pradesh 177203; Kumar, Anup

2016-05-23

We report the calorimetric study of amorphous Se{sub 30}Te{sub 70-x} Sn{sub x} alloys for x= 0, 1.5, 2.5, 4.5 in terms of kinetic parameters. The DSC curves recorded at four different heating rates are analyzed to determine the transition temperatures, activation energy, thermal stability, glass forming ability. The crystallization process has been investigated using Kissinger, Matusita, Augis and Bennett, and Gao and Wang models. Various kinetic parameters have been calculated for a better understanding of the growth mechanism. The glass transition temperatures T{sub g}, onset crystallization T{sub c}, peak crystallization T{sub p}, and melting temperature T{sub m} are found tomore » increase with the increase in Sn content. The system under investigation is found to be thermally stable for at lower at% of Sn. The values of parameters H{sub R}, H{sub w}, and S indicate that Glass forming ability (GFA) decays with an increase in Sn content.« less

Synthesis and first-principle calculations of the structural and electronic properties of Ge-substituted type-VIII Ba8Ga16Sn30 clathrate

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Shen, Lanxian; Li, Decong; Liu, Hongxia; Liu, Zuming; Deng, Shukang

2016-12-01

In this study, the structural and electronic structural properties of Ba8Ga16Sn30-xGex (0≤x≤30) are determined by the first-principle method on the basis of density functional theory. Consistent with experimental findings, calculated results reveal that Ge atoms preferentially occupy the 2a and 24g sites in these compounds. As the content of Ge in Ge-substituted clathrate is increased, the lattice parameter is decreased, and the structural stability is enhanced. The bandgaps of the compound at 1≤x≤10 are smaller than those of Ba8Ga16Sn30. By contrast, the bandgaps of the compound at x>10 are larger than those of Ba8Ga16Sn30. The substitution of Ge for Sn affects p-type conductivity but not n-type conductivity. As Ge content increases, the whole conduction band moves to the direction of high energy, and the density of states of valence-band top decreases. The calculated potential energy versus displacement of Ba indicates that the vibration energy of this atom increases as cage size decreases. Because Ge substitution also affects clathrate structural symmetry, the distance of Ba atom deviation from the center of the cage initially increases and subsequently decreases as the Ge content increases.

Growth of Cu2ZnSnSe4 Film under Controllable Se Vapor Composition and Impact of Low Cu Content on Solar Cell Efficiency.

PubMed

Li, Jianjun; Wang, Hongxia; Wu, Li; Chen, Cheng; Zhou, Zhiqiang; Liu, Fangfang; Sun, Yun; Han, Junbo; Zhang, Yi

2016-04-27

It is a challenge to fabricate high quality Cu2ZnSnSe4 (CZTSe) film with low Cu content (Cu/(Zn + Sn) < 0.8). In this work, the growth mechanisms of CZTSe films under different Se vapor composition are investigated by DC-sputtering and a postselenization approach. The composition of Se vapor has important influence on the compactability of the films and the diffusion of elements in the CZTSe films. By adjusting the composition of Se vapor during the selenization process, an optimized two step selenization process is proposed and highly crystallized CZTSe film with low Cu content (Cu/(Zn + Sn) = 0.75) is obtained. Further study of the effect of Cu content on the morphology and photovoltaic performance of the corresponding CZTSe solar cells has shown that the roughness of the CZTSe absorber film increases when Cu content decreases. As a consequence, the reflection loss of CZTSe solar cells reduces dramatically and the short circuit current density of the cells improve from 34.7 mA/cm(2) for Cu/(Zn + Sn) = 0.88 to 38.5 mA/cm(2) for Cu/(Zn + Sn) = 0.75. In addition, the CZTSe solar cells with low Cu content show longer minority carrier lifetime and higher open circuit voltage than the high Cu content devices. A champion performance CZTSe solar cell with 10.4% efficiency is fabricated with Cu/(Zn + Sn) = 0.75 in the CZTSe film without antireflection coating.

PHASE DIAGRAM FOR THE SYSTEM TITANIUM-TIN (in Russian)

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

Kornilov, I.I.; Nartova, T.T.

1960-03-01

Differential thermal analysis, microstructural analyses, and determinations of hardness values and electric resistance were used to construct a diagram of state for the binary system Ti-Sn up to the composition of the compound Ti/sub 3/Sn (from 0 to 25 at.% Sn). Analyses of the thermograms showed that all conversions proceeding with the absorption of heat could be detected on the heating curves. Tin lowers the temperature of conversion of titunium with 5.0 at.% tin first to a minimum at 860 tained C which then increases to 890 tained C at higher tin contents. A peritectoid reaction ( alpha / submore » 2/ were ob ore resistant t + ) takes place with a conversion temperature at 890 tained C. A HF-HNO/sub 3/-glycerin etch showed a single-phase homogeneous structure of an alpha -solid solution with alloys containing up to 9 at.% Q. The amount of a second -phase increases with increasing tin content until a single-phase structure of a -solid solution of the compound Ti/sub 3/Sn is noted with alloys containing 23 to 25 at.% Sn. Alloys containing 8 to 22.5 at.% Sn undergo a peritectoid reaction, at a temperature of 890 tained C as shown by thermal analyses and by microstructural analyses of samples quenched frorn above and below the conversion temperature. A study of the microstructure of quenched alloys showed that the solubility of tin in ore resistant t -titanium increases from 8 at.% Sn at 890 tained C to 10.5 at.% Sn at 1100 tained C. X-ray analyses of annealed samples of alloy showed only the lines of an alpha solid solution for 5, 8, 9 at.% Sn, a -solid solution for 23 at.% Sn (close to the composition Ti/sub 3/Sn), and an alpha and mixed phase for a 15 at.% Sn. Vickers hardness numbers were determined with a diamond pyramid at a loading of 10 kg. The hardness increases smoothly with increasing tin content to a maximum at the saturation solubility of the tin in the alpha - or ore resistant t -solid solution. The hardness decreases smoothly with the appearance of the -phase until it attains a minimum at the composition of the compound Ti/sub 3/Sn. The specific electric resistance increases with an increase of tin in the solid solution of alpha -titanium. The rate of increase of the specific electric resistance decreases markedly with the appearance of the -phase. The electric resistance of an alloy with 14.3 at.% Sn was studied as a function of temperature from room temperature to 1100 tained C in special vacuum equipment. A sharp drop in electric resistance a; 890 tained C confirmed the existence of a peritectoid reaction in the system Ti-Sn. (TTT)« less

Growth of high-Sn content (28%) GeSn alloy films by sputtering epitaxy

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Zheng, Jun; Liu, Zhi; Zhang, Yongwang; Zuo, Yuhua; Li, Chuanbo; Xue, Chunlai; Cheng, Buwen; Wang, Qiming

2018-06-01

Crystalline GeSn thin films with Sn content up to 0.28 were deposited on Sn graded GeSn buffer on a Ge substrate at low temperatures by sputtering epitaxy. The structural properties of the high-Sn content GeSn alloy films were characterized by high resolution transmission electron microscopy and X-ray diffraction. The effect of annealing on the segregation of Sn in the high-Sn content GeSn film was investigated, and both the Ge0.72Sn0.28 and the Ge0.8Sn0.2 films were found to be stable after annealing at temperatures below 400 °C, which meets the needs of thermal budget for future photonic devices fabrication. The present results indicate that sputtering epitaxy is cost-effective method for growing high-Sn GeSn films.

New multicomponent solder alloys of low melting pointfor low-cost commercial electronic assembly

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Al-Ganainy, G. S.; Sakr, M. S.

2003-09-01

The requirements of the telecommunications, automobile, electronics and aircraft industries for non-toxic solders with melting points close to that of near-eutectic Pb-Sn alloys has led to the development of new Sn-Zn-In solder alloys. Differential thermal analysis (DTA) shows melting points of 198, 195, 190 and 185 +/- 2 °C for the alloys Sn-9Zn, Sn-9Zn-2In, Sn-9Zn-4In and Sn-9Zn-6In, respectively. An equation that fits the data relating the melting point to the In content in the solders is derived. The X-ray diffraction patterns are analyzed to determine the phases that exist in each solder. The stress-strain curves are studied in the temperature range from 90 to 130 °C for all the solders except for those that contain 4 wt% of In, where the temperature range continues to 150 °C. The work-hardening parameters, y (the yield stress), f (the fracture stress), and the parabolic work-hardening coefficient X, increase with increasing indium content in the solders at all working temperatures. They decrease with increasing working temperature for each solder, and show two relaxation stages only for the Sn-9Zn-4In solder around a temperature of 120 °C. (

Effects of the copper content on the structural and electrical properties of Cu2ZnSnSe4 bulks

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Tsega, Moges; Dejene, F. B.; Koao, L. F.

2016-01-01

We have investigated the concept of defect in CuxZnSnSe4 (x=1.6-2.0) and Cuy(Zn0.9Sn1.1)Se4 (y= 1.6-2.0) bulks prepared by liquid-phase sintering at 600 °C for 2 h with soluble sintering aids of Sb2S3 and Te. All samples were found to exhibit p-type semiconductor for CuxZnSnSe4, while n-type of behavior obtained at y= 1.8-2.0 for Cuy(Zn0.9Sn1.1)Se4 pellets. The Cu vacancy acts as an acceptor point defect to form the p-type semiconductor, and Sn4+ acts as a donor to form the n-type behavior for the Sn-rich CZTSe. SEM images of pellets show dense surface morphology, and increase in grain size upon Cu inclusion. The largely increased Hall mobility and the slightly changed carrier concentration for Cuy(Zn0.9Sn1.1)Se4 with increasing the Cu content is related to the types of its defects. At y=2.0 with carrier concentration of 4.88×1017 cm-3 showed the highest mobility of around 58 cm2/V s. Based upon the proposed point defects, the CZTSe property can be consistently explained.

Ionic-Liquid-Assisted Microwave Synthesis of Solid Solutions of Sr 1–xBa xSnO 3 Perovskite for Photocatalytic Applications

DOE PAGES

Alammar, Tarek; Slowing, Igor I.; Anderegg, Jim; ...

2017-06-06

Nanocrystalline Sr 1–xBa xSnO 3 (x = 0, 0.2, 0.4, 0.8, 1) perovskite photocatalysts were prepared by microwave synthesis in an ionic liquid (IL) and subsequent heat-treatment. The influence of the Sr/Ba substitution on the structure, crystallization, morphology, and photocatalytic efficiency was investigated and the samples were fully characterized. On the basis of X-ray diffraction results, as the Ba content in the SrSnO 3 lattice increases, a symmetry increase was observed from the orthorhombic perovskite structure for SrSnO 3 to the cubic BaSnO 3 structure. The analysis of the sample morphology by SEM reveals that the Sr 1–xBa xSnO 3more » samples favor the formation of nanorods (500 nm–5 μm in diameter and several micrometers long). The photophysical properties were examined by UV/Vis diffuse reflectance spectroscopy. The band gap decreases from 3.85 to 3.19 eV with increasing Ba 2+ content. Furthermore, the photocatalytic properties were evaluated for the hydroxylation of terephthalic acid (TA). The order of the activities for TA hydroxylation was Sr 0.8Ba 0.2SnO 3 > SrSnO 3 > BaSnO 3 > Sr 0.6Ba 0.4SnO 3 > Sr 0.2Ba 0.8SnO 3. Here, the highest photocatalytic activity was observed for Sr 0.8Ba 0.2SnO 3, and this can be attributed to the synergistic impacts of the modification of the crystal structure and morphology, the relatively large surface area associated with the small crystallite size, and the suitable band gap and band-edge position.« less

Ionic‐Liquid‐Assisted Microwave Synthesis of Solid Solutions of Sr1−xBaxSnO3 Perovskite for Photocatalytic Applications

PubMed Central

Alammar, Tarek; Slowing, Igor I.; Anderegg, Jim

2017-01-01

Abstract Nanocrystalline Sr1−xBaxSnO3 (x=0, 0.2, 0.4, 0.8, 1) perovskite photocatalysts were prepared by microwave synthesis in an ionic liquid (IL) and subsequent heat‐treatment. The influence of the Sr/Ba substitution on the structure, crystallization, morphology, and photocatalytic efficiency was investigated and the samples were fully characterized. On the basis of X‐ray diffraction results, as the Ba content in the SrSnO3 lattice increases, a symmetry increase was observed from the orthorhombic perovskite structure for SrSnO3 to the cubic BaSnO3 structure. The analysis of the sample morphology by SEM reveals that the Sr1−xBaxSnO3 samples favor the formation of nanorods (500 nm–5 μm in diameter and several micrometers long). The photophysical properties were examined by UV/Vis diffuse reflectance spectroscopy. The band gap decreases from 3.85 to 3.19 eV with increasing Ba2+ content. Furthermore, the photocatalytic properties were evaluated for the hydroxylation of terephthalic acid (TA). The order of the activities for TA hydroxylation was Sr0.8Ba0.2SnO3>SrSnO3>BaSnO3>Sr0.6Ba0.4SnO3>Sr0.2Ba0.8SnO3. The highest photocatalytic activity was observed for Sr0.8Ba0.2SnO3, and this can be attributed to the synergistic impacts of the modification of the crystal structure and morphology, the relatively large surface area associated with the small crystallite size, and the suitable band gap and band‐edge position. PMID:28589568

Acetylcholine content and viability of cholinergic neurons are influenced by the activity of protein histidine phosphatase

PubMed Central

2012-01-01

Background The first mammalian protein histidine phosphatase (PHP) was discovered in the late 90s of the last century. One of the known substrates of PHP is ATP-citrate lyase (ACL), which is responsible - amongst other functions - for providing acetyl-CoA for acetylcholine synthesis in neuronal tissues. It has been shown in previous studies that PHP downregulates the activity of ACL by dephosphorylation. According to this our present work focused on the influence of PHP activity on the acetylcholine level in cholinergic neurons. Results The amount of PHP in SN56 cholinergic neuroblastoma cells was increased after overexpression of PHP by using pIRES2-AcGFP1-PHP as a vector. We demonstrated that PHP overexpression reduced the acetylcholine level and induced cell death. The acetylcholine content of SN56 cells was measured by fast liquid chromatography-tandem mass spectrometry method. Overexpression of the inactive H53A-PHP mutant also induced cell damage, but in a significantly reduced manner. However, this overexpression of the inactive PHP mutant did not change the acetylcholine content of SN56 cells significantly. In contrast, PHP downregulation, performed by RNAi-technique, did not induce cell death, but significantly increased the acetylcholine content in SN56 cells. Conclusions We could show for the first time that PHP downregulation increased the acetylcholine level in SN56 cells. This might be a potential therapeutic strategy for diseases involving cholinergic deficits like Alzheimer's disease. PMID:22436051

Controlling the Sn-C bonds content in SnO2@CNTs composite to form in situ pulverized structure for enhanced electrochemical kinetics.

PubMed

Cheng, Yayi; Huang, Jianfeng; Qi, Hui; Cao, Liyun; Luo, Xiaomin; Li, Jiayin; Xu, Zhanwei; Yang, Jun

2017-12-07

The Sn-C bonding content between the SnO 2 and CNTs interface was controlled by the hydrothermal method and subsequent heat treatment. Electrochemical analysis found that the SnO 2 @CNTs with high Sn-C bonding content exhibited much higher capacity contribution from alloying and conversion reaction compared with the low content of Sn-C bonding even after 200 cycles. The high Sn-C bonding content enabled the SnO 2 nanoparticles to stabilize on the CNTs surface, realizing an in situ pulverization process of SnO 2 . The in situ pulverized structure was beneficial to maintain the close electrochemical contact of the working electrode during the long-term cycling and provide ultrafast transfer paths for lithium ions and electrons, which promoted the alloying and conversion reaction kinetics greatly. Therefore, the SnO 2 @CNTs composite with high Sn-C bonding content displayed highly reversible alloying and conversion reaction. It is believed that the composite could be used as a reference for design chemically bonded metal oxide/carbon composite anode materials in lithium-ion batteries.

Sn - Induced decomposition of SiGeSn alloys grown on Si by molecular-beam epitaxy

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Talochkin, A. B.; Timofeev, V. A.; Gutakovskii, A. K.; Mashanov, V. I.

2017-11-01

Structural features of Si1-x-yGexSny alloy layers grown on Si by molecular-beam epitaxy are studied. These layers with the thickness of 2.0 nm, the nominal Ge composition of x0 ≈ 0.3, and the Sn-content of y ≈ 2-6 at.% have been grown at low temperatures (100-150 °C). We have used high-resolution transmission electron microscopy to analyze atomic structure of grown layers and Raman spectroscopy to evaluate the real Ge-content x from the observed optical phonon frequencies. It is found that the x value coincides with the nominal one at low Sn-content (2-3 at.%), and when it is increased (y ≥ 5 at.%), the decomposition of alloys into two fractions occurs. One of them is enriched by Ge with x up to 0.6 and the other fraction is Si-enriched. It is shown that the observed decomposition is Sn-induced and related to increase in Ge adatoms mobility in the growth process. This mechanism is similar to that theoretically predicted by Venezuela and Tersoff (Phys. Rev. 58, 10871 (1998)) for the case of high growth temperature.

The Low Temperature Epitaxy of Strained GeSn Layers Using RTCVD System

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Kil, Yeon-Ho; Yuk, Sim-Hoon; Jang, Han-Soo; Lee, Sang-Geul; Choi, Chel-Jong; Shim, Kyu-Hwan

2018-03-01

We have investigated the low temperature (LT) growth of GeSn-Ge-Si structures using rapid thermal chemical vapor deposition system utilizing Ge2H6 and SnCl4 as the reactive precursors. Due to inappropriate phenomena, such as, Ge etch and Sn segregation, it was hard to achieve high quality GeSn epitaxy at the temperature > 350 °C. On the contrary, we found that the SnCl4 promoted the reaction of Ge2H6 precursors in a certain process condition of LT, 240-360 °C. In return, we could perform the growth of GeSn epi layer with 7.7% of Sn and its remaining compressive strain of 71.7%. The surface propagated defects were increased with increasing the Sn content in the GeSn layer confirmed by TEM analysis. And we could calculate the activation energies at lower GeSn growth temperature regime using by Ge2H6 and SnCl4 precursors about 0.43 eV.

Evaporation of Cu, Sn, and S from Fe-C-Cu-Sn-S Liquid Alloys in the Temperature Range from 1513 K to 1873 K (1240 °C to 1600 °C)

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Tafwidli, Fahmi; Choi, Moo-Eob; Yi, Sang-Ho; Kang, Youn-Bae

2018-02-01

Evaporation of Cu or Sn from liquid iron alloys containing C and S was experimentally investigated. The initial C concentration, [pct C]0, in the liquid alloy was varied from zero to C saturation, and the evaporation temperature was varied from 1513 K to 1773 K (1240 °C to 1500 °C). Along with the report by one of the present authors, the evaporation mechanism of Cu and Sn from liquid Fe-C-S alloy is proposed, after a modification from the previous mechanism. It was proposed that Cu and Sn evaporate as Cu(g) and Sn(g) and also evaporate as CuS(g) and SnS(g), which are more volatile species. Therefore, availability of S in the alloy affects the overall evaporation rate of Cu and Sn. At the same time, C in the alloy also forms volatile carbosulfides CS(g) and CS2(g), thereby competing with Cu and Sn. Moreover, C increases the activity coefficients of Cu, Sn, and S. This increases the thermodynamic driving force for the formation of CuS(g) and SnS(g). Therefore, increasing [pct C] partly accelerates the evaporation rate of Cu and Sn by increasing the activity coefficient but partly decelerates the evaporation rate by lowering the available S content. S partly accelerates the evaporation rate by increasing the available S for the sulfide gas species but partly decelerates the evaporation rate due to the surface poisoning effect. Increasing the reaction temperature increases the overall evaporation rate. All these facts were taken into account in order to develop an evaporation rate model. This model was extended from the present authors' previous one by taking into account (1) CS(g), S(g), and CS2(g) (therefore, the following species were considered as dominant evaporating species: Cu(g), CuS(g), Sn(g), SnS(g), S(g), CS(g), and CS2(g)); (2) the effect of C and temperature on the activity coefficients of Cu, Sn, and S; (3) the effect of C and temperature on the density of the liquid alloy; and (4) the effect of temperature on the S adsorption coefficient. This revised evaporation model was used in order to explain the experimental data, and it showed good agreement. In particular, it was found that the temperature showed a significant effect on the evaporation rate, and the effect of temperature and C content on the activity coefficients of Cu, Sn, and S also significantly affected the evaporation rate. The chemical reaction rate constant of the individual evaporation reaction ( kiR ) and residual rate constant ( kir ) could be obtained as a function of temperature. The activation energy of each evaporation reaction was derived and discussed. The evaporation rate model can be applied in order to predict the content of Cu and Sn remaining in liquid iron under various conditions of temperature and [pct C].

Evaporation of Cu, Sn, and S from Fe-C-Cu-Sn-S Liquid Alloys in the Temperature Range from 1513 K to 1873 K (1240 °C to 1600 °C)

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Tafwidli, Fahmi; Choi, Moo-Eob; Yi, Sang-Ho; Kang, Youn-Bae

2018-06-01

Evaporation of Cu or Sn from liquid iron alloys containing C and S was experimentally investigated. The initial C concentration, [pct C]0, in the liquid alloy was varied from zero to C saturation, and the evaporation temperature was varied from 1513 K to 1773 K (1240 °C to 1500 °C). Along with the report by one of the present authors, the evaporation mechanism of Cu and Sn from liquid Fe-C-S alloy is proposed, after a modification from the previous mechanism. It was proposed that Cu and Sn evaporate as Cu(g) and Sn(g) and also evaporate as CuS(g) and SnS(g), which are more volatile species. Therefore, availability of S in the alloy affects the overall evaporation rate of Cu and Sn. At the same time, C in the alloy also forms volatile carbosulfides CS(g) and CS2(g), thereby competing with Cu and Sn. Moreover, C increases the activity coefficients of Cu, Sn, and S. This increases the thermodynamic driving force for the formation of CuS(g) and SnS(g). Therefore, increasing [pct C] partly accelerates the evaporation rate of Cu and Sn by increasing the activity coefficient but partly decelerates the evaporation rate by lowering the available S content. S partly accelerates the evaporation rate by increasing the available S for the sulfide gas species but partly decelerates the evaporation rate due to the surface poisoning effect. Increasing the reaction temperature increases the overall evaporation rate. All these facts were taken into account in order to develop an evaporation rate model. This model was extended from the present authors' previous one by taking into account (1) CS(g), S(g), and CS2(g) (therefore, the following species were considered as dominant evaporating species: Cu(g), CuS(g), Sn(g), SnS(g), S(g), CS(g), and CS2(g)); (2) the effect of C and temperature on the activity coefficients of Cu, Sn, and S; (3) the effect of C and temperature on the density of the liquid alloy; and (4) the effect of temperature on the S adsorption coefficient. This revised evaporation model was used in order to explain the experimental data, and it showed good agreement. In particular, it was found that the temperature showed a significant effect on the evaporation rate, and the effect of temperature and C content on the activity coefficients of Cu, Sn, and S also significantly affected the evaporation rate. The chemical reaction rate constant of the individual evaporation reaction ( kiR ) and residual rate constant ( kir ) could be obtained as a function of temperature. The activation energy of each evaporation reaction was derived and discussed. The evaporation rate model can be applied in order to predict the content of Cu and Sn remaining in liquid iron under various conditions of temperature and [pct C].

Interfacial reactions and compound formation of Sn-Ag-Cu solders by mechanical alloying on electroless Ni-P/Cu under bump metallization

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Kao, Szu-Tsung; Duh, Jenq-Gong

2005-08-01

Electroless Ni-P under bump metallization (UBM) has been widely used in electronic interconnections due to the good diffusion barrier between Cu and solder. In this study, the mechanical alloying (MA) process was applied to produce the SnAgCu lead-free solder pastes. Solder joints after annealing at 240°C for 15 min were employed to investigate the evolution of interfacial reaction between electroless Ni-P/Cu UBM and SnAgCu solder with various Cu concentrations ranging from 0.2 to 1.0 wt.%. After detailed quantitative analysis with an electron probe microanalyzer, the effect of Cu content on the formation of intermetallic compounds (IMCs) at SnAgCu solder/electroless Ni-P interface was evaluated. When the Cu concentration in the solder was 0.2 wt.%, only one (Ni, Cu)3Sn4 layer was observed at the solder/electroless Ni-P interface. As the Cu content increased to 0.5 wt.%, (Cu, Ni)6Sn5 formed along with (Ni, Cu)3Sn4. However, only one (Cu, Ni)6Sn5 layer was revealed, if the Cu content was up to 1 wt.%. With the aid of microstructure evolution, quantitative analysis, and elemental distribution by x-ray color mapping, the presence of the Ni-Sn-P phase and P-rich layer was evidenced.

Influence of Sn4+ on Structural and DC Electrical Resistivity of Ni-Zn Ferrite Thick Films

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Dalawai, S. P.; Shinde, T. J.; Gadkari, A. B.; Tarwal, N. L.; Jang, J. H.; Vasambekar, P. N.

2017-03-01

Among the soft ferrites, Ni-Zn ferrite is one of the most versatile ceramic materials because of their important electrical and magnetic properties. These properties were improved by substituting Sn4+ in Ni-Zn ferrites with chemical composition of Ni x Zn1+ y- x Fe2-2 y Sn y O4 ( x = 0, 0.2, 0.4, 0.6, 0.8, 1.0; y = 0.1, 0.2). To achieve homogenous ferrite powder at lower sintering temperature and smaller duration in nano-size form, the oxalate co-precipitation method was preferred as compared to other physical and chemical methods. Using this powder, ferrite thick films (FTFs) were prepared by the screen printing technique because of its low cost and easy use. To study structural behavior, the FTFs were characterized by different techniques. The x-ray diffraction and thermo-gravimetric and differential thermal analysis studies show the formation of cubic spinel structure and ferrite phase formation, respectively. There is no remarkable trend observed in lattice constants for the Sn4+ ( y = 0.1)- and Sn4+ ( y = 0.2)-substituted Ni-Zn ferrites. The bond lengths as well as ionic radii on the A-site of Ni-Zn-Sn ferrites were found to decrease with increasing nickel content. The bond length and ionic radii on the B-sites remained almost constant for Sn4+ ( y = 0.1, 0.2)-substituted Ni-Zn ferrites. The energy dispersive x-ray analysis confirms the elemental analysis of FTFs. The Fourier transform infrared spectra show two major absorption bands near 400 cm-1 and 600 cm-1 corresponding to octahedral and tetrahedral sites, respectively, which also confirms the formation of the ferrites. The field emission scanning electron microscopy images shows that the particles are highly porous in nature and located in loosely packed agglomerates. The average particle size of the FTFs lies in the range 20-60 nm. Direct current (DC) resistivity of Ni-Zn-Sn FTFs shows the semiconductor nature. The DC resistivity of Ni-Zn-Sn0.2FTFs is lower than Ni-Zn-Sn0.1 FTFs. The DC resistivity is found to decrease with the increase in Ni2+ content up to x = 0.6. It increases thereafter for a further increase in Ni2+ content up to x = 1.0, and a similar trend is observed for the variations of activation energy with Ni2+ content.

Selective growth of Ge1- x Sn x epitaxial layer on patterned SiO2/Si substrate by metal-organic chemical vapor deposition

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Takeuchi, Wakana; Washizu, Tomoya; Ike, Shinichi; Nakatsuka, Osamu; Zaima, Shigeaki

2018-01-01

We have investigated the selective growth of a Ge1- x Sn x epitaxial layer on a line/space-patterned SiO2/Si substrate by metal-organic chemical vapor deposition. We examined the behavior of a Sn precursor of tributyl(vinyl)tin (TBVSn) during the growth on Si and SiO2 substrates and investigated the effect of the Sn precursor on the selective growth. The selective growth of the Ge1- x Sn x epitaxial layer was performed under various total pressures and growth temperatures of 300 and 350 °C. The selective growth of the Ge1- x Sn x epitaxial layer on the patterned Si region is achieved at a low total pressure without Ge1- x Sn x growth on the SiO2 region. In addition, we found that the Sn content in the Ge1- x Sn x epitaxial layer increases with width of the SiO2 region for a fixed Si width even with low total pressure. To control the Sn content in the selective growth of the Ge1- x Sn x epitaxial layer, it is important to suppress the decomposition and migration of Sn and Ge precursors.

Iron and cell death in Parkinson's disease: a nuclear microscopic study into iron-rich granules in the parkinsonian substantia nigra of primate models

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Thong, P. S. P.; Watt, F.; Ponraj, D.; Leong, S. K.; He, Y.; Lee, T. K. Y.

1999-10-01

Parkinson's disease is a degenerative brain disease characterised by a loss of cells in the substantia nigra (SN) region of the brain and accompanying biochemical changes such as inhibition of mitochondrial function, increased iron concentrations and decreased glutathione levels in the parkinsonian SN. Though the aetiology of the disease is still unknown, the observed biochemical changes point to the involvement of oxidative stress. In particular, iron is suspected to play a role by promoting free radical production, leading to oxidative stress and cell death. The increase in iron in the parkinsonian SN has been confirmed by several research groups, both in human post-mortem brains and in brain tissue from parkinsonian animal models. However, the question remains as to whether the observed increase in iron is a cause or a consequence of the SN cell death process. Our previous study using unilaterally 1-methyl-4-phenyl-1,2,3,6-tetrahydro-pyridine (MPTP)-lesioned monkeys in a time sequence experiment has shown that the increase in bulk iron concentrations follow rather than precede dopaminergic cell death. However, changes in the localised iron concentrations, which may play a more direct role in SN cell death, may not be reflected at the bulk level. Indeed, we have observed iron-rich granules in parkinsonian SNs. From this time sequence study into the iron content of iron-rich granules in the SNs of an untreated control and unilaterally MPTP-lesioned parkinsonian models, we present the following observations: (1) Iron-rich granules are found in both control and parkinsonian SNs and are variable in size and iron content in any one model. (2) These iron-rich granules may be associated with neuromelanin granules found in the SN and are known to accumulate transition metal ions such as iron. (3) The early onset of bulk SN cell loss (35%) was accompanied by a significant elevation of iron in granules found in the MPTP-injected SN compared to the contra-lateral SN. This shows that localised iron increase may be an early event contributing to cell death. (4) The iron content in granules found in both the MPTP-injected and contra-lateral SNs is correlated with the degree of bulk SN cell loss (assessed by TH-immunohistochemistry) in individual models. This indicates a correlation between localised iron increase and cell loss, at least at the whole SN level. Our results are consistent with the observation that in Parkinson's disease (PD), neuronal cell death seems to be related to their neuromelanin content and support the proposal that iron-melanin interaction may play a role in oxidative neuronal cell death. Indeed, iron-saturated neuromelanin granules may act as centres of free radical production, contributing to localised cell death.

Valence-band offsets in strained SiGeSn/Si layers with different tin contents

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

Bloshkin, A. A., E-mail: bloshkin@isp.nsc.ru; Yakimov, A. I.; Timofeev, V. A.

Admittance spectroscopy is used to study hole states in Si{sub 0.7–y}Ge{sub 0.3}Sn{sub y}/Si quantum wells in the tin content range y = 0.04–0.1. It is found that the hole binding energy increases with tin content. The hole size-quantization energies in structures containing a pseudomorphic Si{sub 0.7–y}Ge{sub 0.3}Sn{sub y} layer in the Si matrix are determined using the 6-band kp method. The valence-band offset at the Si{sub 0.7–y}Ge{sub 0.3}Sn{sub y} heterointerface is determined by combining the numerical calculation results and experimental data. It is found that the dependence of the experimental values of the valence-band offsets between pseudomorphic Si{sub 0.7–y}Ge{sub 0.3}Sn{submore » y} layers and Si on the tin content is described by the expression ΔE{sub V}{sup exp} = (0.21 ± 0.01) + (3.35 ± 7.8 × 10{sup –4})y eV.« less

Properties of ternary Sn-Ag-Bi solder alloys. Part 2: Wettability and mechanical properties analyses

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

Vianco, P.T.; Rejent, J.A.

1999-10-01

Bismuth additions of 1% to 10% were made to the 96.5Sn-3.5Ag (wt.%) alloy in a study to develop a Sn-Ag-Bi ternary composition. Thermal properties and microstructural analyses of selected alloy compositions were reported in Part 1. Wettability and mechanical properties are described in this paper. Contact angle measurements demonstrated that Bi additions improved wetting/spreading performance on Cu; a minimum contact angle of 31 {+-} 4{degree} was observed with 4.83 wt.% Bi addition. Increasing the Bi content of the ternary alloy raised the Cu/solder/Cu solder joint shear strength to 81 MPa as determined by the ring-and-plug tests. TEM analysis of themore » 91.84Sn-3.33Ag-4.83Bi composition presented in Part 1 indicated that the strength improvement was attributed to solid-solution and precipitation strengthening effects by the Bi addition residing in the Sn-rich phase. Microhardness measurements of the Sn-Ag-Bi alloy, as a function of Bi content, reached maximum values of 30 (Knoop, 50 g) and 110 (Knoop, 5g) for Bi contents greater than approximately 4--5 wt.%.« less

Tin in granitic melts: The role of melting temperature and protolith composition

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Wolf, Mathias; Romer, Rolf L.; Franz, Leander; López-Moro, Francisco Javier

2018-06-01

Granite bound tin mineralization typically is seen as the result of extreme magmatic fractionation and late exsolution of magmatic fluids. Mineralization, however, also could be obtained at considerably less fractionation if initial melts already had enhanced Sn contents. We present chemical data and results from phase diagram modeling that illustrate the dominant roles of protolith composition, melting conditions, and melt extraction/evolution for the distribution of Sn between melt and restite and, thus, the Sn content of melts. We compare the element partitioning between leucosome and restite of low-temperature and high-temperature migmatites. During low-temperature melting, trace elements partition preferentially into the restite with the possible exception of Sr, Cd, Bi, and Pb, that may be enriched in the melt. In high-temperature melts, Ga, Y, Cd, Sn, REE, Pb, Bi, and U partition preferentially into the melt whereas Sc, V, Cr, Co, Ni, Mo, and Ba stay in the restite. This contrasting behavior is attributed to the stability of trace element sequestering minerals during melt generation. In particular muscovite, biotite, titanite, and rutile act as host phases for Sn and, therefore prevent Sn enrichment in the melt as long as they are stable phases in the restite. As protolith composition controls both the mineral assemblage and modal contents of the various minerals, protolith composition eventually also controls the fertility of a rock during anatexis, restite mineralogy, and partitioning behavior of trace metals. If a particular trace element is sequestered in a phase that is stable during partial melting, the resulting melt is depleted in this element whereas the restite becomes enriched. Melt generation at high temperature may release Sn when Sn-hosts become unstable. If melt has not been lost before the breakdown of Sn-hosts, Sn contents in the melt will increase but never will be high. In contrast, if melt has been lost before the decomposition of Sn-hosts, the small volume of the high-temperature melt will not be diluted by low-temperature, low-Sn melts and, therefore, could have high Sn-contents. The combination of multiple melt extractions and Sn-mobilization at high temperature results in strong Sn enrichment in late, high-temperature melts. Metal enrichment during partial melting becomes particularly efficient, if the sedimentary protolith had experienced intense chemical alteration as the loss of Na and Ca together with a relative enrichment of K favors muscovite-rich metamorphic mineral assemblages that produce large amounts of melt during muscovite dehydration melting.

Surface oxidation of tin chalcogenide nanocrystals revealed by 119Sn-Mössbauer spectroscopy.

PubMed

de Kergommeaux, Antoine; Faure-Vincent, Jérôme; Pron, Adam; de Bettignies, Rémi; Malaman, Bernard; Reiss, Peter

2012-07-18

Narrow band gap tin(II) chalcogenide (SnS, SnSe, SnTe) nanocrystals are of high interest for optoelectronic applications such as thin film solar cells or photodetectors. However, charge transfer and charge transport processes strongly depend on nanocrystals' surface quality. Using (119)Sn-Mössbauer spectroscopy, which is the most sensitive tool for probing the Sn oxidation state, we show that SnS nanocrystals exhibit a Sn((IV))/Sn((II)) ratio of around 20:80 before and 40:60 after five minutes exposure to air. Regardless of the tin or sulfur precursors used, similar results are obtained using six different synthesis protocols. The Sn((IV)) content before air exposure arises from surface related SnS(2) and Sn(2)S(3) species as well as from surface Sn atoms bound to oleic acid ligands. The increase of the Sn((IV)) content upon air exposure results from surface oxidation. Full oxidation of the SnS nanocrystals without size change is achieved by annealing at 500 °C in air. With the goal to prevent surface oxidation, SnS nanocrystals are capped with a cadmium-phosphonate complex. A broad photoluminescence signal centered at 600 nm indicates successful capping, which however does not reduce the air sensitivity. Finally we demonstrate that SnSe nanocrystals exhibit a very similar behavior with a Sn((IV))/Sn((II)) ratio of 43:57 after air exposure. In the case of SnTe nanocrystals, the ratio of 55:45 is evidence of a more pronounced tendency for oxidation. These results demonstrate that prior to their use in optoelectronics further surface engineering of tin chalcogenide nanocrystals is required, which otherwise have to be stored and processed under inert atmosphere.

Structural, optical and thermal characterization of PVC/SnO2 nanocomposites

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Taha, T. A.; Ismail, Z.; Elhawary, M. M.

2018-04-01

The structural, optical, and thermal properties of PVC/SnO2 nanocomposites were investigated. XRD patterns were used to explore the structures of these prepared samples. Optical UV-Vis measurements were analyzed to calculate the spectroscopic optical constants of the prepared PVC/SnO2 nanocomposites. Both direct and indirect optical band gaps decreased with increasing SnO2 content. The refractive index, high frequency dielectric constant, plasma frequency, and optical conductivity values increased with SnO2. The single oscillator energy increased from 5.64 to 10.97 eV and the dispersion energy increased from 6.35 to 19.80 eV with the addition of SnO2. The other optical parameters such as optical moments, single oscillator strength, volume energy loss, and surface energy loss were calculated for different SnO2 concentrations. Raman spectra of the PVC/SnO2 nanocomposite films revealed the characteristic vibrational modes of PVC and surface phonon modes of SnO2. The thermal stability of PVC/SnO2 nanocomposite films was studied using DTA and thermogravimetric analysis. The glass transition ( T g) values abruptly changed from 46 °C for PVC to an average value of 59 °C for the polymer films doped with 2.0, 4.0, and 6.0 wt% SnO2. The weight loss decreased as the SnO2 concentration increased in the temperature range of 350-500 °C, corresponding to enhanced thermal stability.

Selenium doping NaCl-type superconductor: SnAs1-xSex (x=0-0.13)

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

He, Jianqiao; Zhang, Xian; Lai, Xiaofang; Huang, Fuqiang

2017-08-01

Selenium doped NaCl-type superconductor SnAs1-xSex (x=0-0.13) were made through solid state reaction. EDS results show that Se content increases with Se doping until over doped in SnAs0.9Se0.1 and SnAs0.87Se0.13 (around 2.7%). PXRD patterns confirmed the main phase of the six doped samples are SnAs. The cell parameters of doped SnAs were calculated using Rietveld refinements. Their cell parameters increase almost linearly with x until x reaches 13%. Single crystal diffraction measurement results show that there are no interstitial atom in doped SnAs. We conclude that Se atoms are substitutional atoms in SnAs. The superconducting onset temperatures (Tconset, under a magnetic field of 10 Oe) of SnAs increased from 3.8 K to 4.5 K by 10% Se doping. ρ-T curves of 1%, 5% and 10% Se doped samples show that all the three samples are metallic. Upper critical field Hc2(0) of 1%, 5% and 10% Se doped samples are 294 Oe, 649 Oe and 1011 Oe, respectively.

Polyethylene glycol-assisted growth of Cu2SnS3 promising absorbers for thin film solar cell applications

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Kahraman, S.; Çetinkaya, S.; Yaşar, S.; Bilican, İ.

2014-09-01

In this paper, we report, for the first time, the results of the polyethylene glycol- (PEG) assisted preparation and characterization of high-quality and well-crystallized Cu2SnS3 (CTS) thin films obtained using sol-gel spin-coating method and a subsequent annealing in a sulphur atmosphere. Structural, morphological, compositional, electrical and optical investigations were carried out. The X-ray diffraction patterns of the samples proved the polycrystalline nature and preferred crystallization of the films. No peak referring to other binary or ternary phases were detected in the patterns. The intensity of the preferred orientation and crystallite size of the films increased with increasing PEG content. This trend yielded an improvement in photo-transient currents of the PEG-assisted growth of CTS films. The scanning electron microscopy images revealed that the CTS films have continuous, dense and agglomeration-like morphology. Through energy dispersive X-ray spectroscopy studies, it has been deduced that the samples consist of Cu, Sn and S of which atomic percentages were consistent with Cu/Sn and S/metal initial ratios. The agglomerated morphology of the samples has been attributed to increasing PEG content. A remarkable enhancement was observed in photo-transient currents of p-n junction of the produced films along with increasing PEG content. Through resistivity-temperature measurements, three impurity level electrical activation energy values for each film were found. Optical band gap values of the films were estimated via absorbance-wavelength behaviours and decreased with increasing PEG content. It has been revealed that PEG-assisted growth of CTS thin films is a promising way to improve its photovoltaic characteristics.

Enhanced B doping in CVD-grown GeSn:B using B δ-doping layers

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Kohen, David; Vohra, Anurag; Loo, Roger; Vandervorst, Wilfried; Bhargava, Nupur; Margetis, Joe; Tolle, John

2018-02-01

Highly doped GeSn material is interesting for both electronic and optical applications. GeSn:B is a candidate for source-drain material in future Ge pMOS device because Sn adds compressive strain with respect to pure Ge, and therefore can boost the Ge channel performances. A high B concentration is required to obtain low contact resistivity between the source-drain material and the metal contact. To achieve high performance, it is therefore highly desirable to maximize both the Sn content and the B concentration. However, it has been shown than CVD-grown GeSn:B shows a trade-off between the Sn incorporation and the B concentration (increasing B doping reduces Sn incorporation). Furthermore, the highest B concentration of CVD-grown GeSn:B process reported in the literature has been limited to below 1 × 1020 cm-3. Here, we demonstrate a CVD process where B δ-doping layers are inserted in the GeSn layer. We studied the influence of the thickness between each δ-doping layers and the δ-doping layers process conditions on the crystalline quality and the doping density of the GeSn:B layers. For the same Sn content, the δ-doping process results in a 4-times higher B doping than the co-flow process. In addition, a B doping concentration of 2 × 1021 cm-3 with an active concentration of 5 × 1020 cm-3 is achieved.

Constitutive Behavior of Mixed Sn-Pb/Sn-3.0Ag-0.5Cu Solder Alloys

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Tucker, J. P.; Chan, D. K.; Subbarayan, G.; Handwerker, C. A.

2012-03-01

During the transition from Pb-containing solders to Pb-free solders, joints composed of a mixture of Sn-Pb and Sn-Ag-Cu often result from either mixed assemblies or rework. Comprehensive characterization of the mechanical behavior of these mixed solder alloys resulting in a deformationally complete constitutive description is necessary to predict failure of mixed alloy solder joints. Three alloys with 1 wt.%, 5 wt.%, and 20 wt.% Pb were selected so as to represent reasonable ranges of Pb contamination expected from different 63Sn-37Pb components mixed with Sn-3.0Ag-0.5Cu. Creep and displacement-controlled tests were performed on specially designed assemblies at temperatures of 25°C, 75°C, and 125°C using a double lap shear test setup that ensures a nearly homogeneous state of plastic strain at the joint interface. The observed changes in creep and tensile behavior with Pb additions were related to phase equilibria and microstructure differences observed through differential scanning calorimetric and scanning electron microscopic cross-sectional analysis. As Pb content increased, the steady-state creep strain rates increased, and primary creep decreased. Even 1 wt.% Pb addition was sufficient to induce substantially large creep strains relative to the Sn-3.0Ag-0.5Cu alloy. We describe rate-dependent constitutive models for Pb-contaminated Sn-Ag-Cu solder alloys, ranging from the traditional time-hardening creep model to the viscoplastic Anand model. We illustrate the utility of these constitutive models by examining the inelastic response of a chip-scale package (CSP) under thermomechanical loading through finite-element analysis. The models predict that, as Pb content increases, total inelastic dissipation decreases.

Interfacial reaction and microstructure between the Sn3Ag0.5Cu solder and Cu-Co dual-phase substrate

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Li, Chao; Hu, Xiaowu; Jiang, Xiongxin; Li, Yulong

2018-07-01

In this study, interfacial reactions and microstructures of the Sn3Ag0.5Cu (SAC305)/Cu- xCo ( x = 0, 30 and 50 wt%) systems were investigated during reflowing at 290 °C and solid-state aging at 150 °C for various time. The effects of different contents of Co in substrate on interfacial reaction in SAC305/Cu- xCo system were discussed. It was found that the addition of Co into pure copper substrate to achieve alloying would effectively inhibit the growth of IMC layers. Comparison among the thickness of the intermetallic compound (IMC) in three kinds of SAC305/Cu-Co systems indicated that the IMC layer of SAC305/Cu joint was thicker than that of the other two types of solder joints. The composition of the SAC305/Cu IMC layers was Cu6Sn5 and Cu3Sn. Three kinds of reaction phases (Cu,Co)6Sn5, (Cu,Co)Sn2 and (Cu,Co)3Sn were found at the interfaces of the SAC305/Cu-30Co and SAC305/Cu-50Co joints. Remarkably the (Cu,Co)Sn2 phase was found adjacent to the Co-rich phase after soldering and eliminated after the aging treatment. While the (Cu,Co)3Sn phase accumulated increasingly adjacent to the substrate with the increased aging time. The results suggested that the Co content increased from 30 to 50 wt% in substrate lead to significant restraint of the growth of interfacial IMC. In addition, the thickness of the interfacial IMC layer was linear with the square root of the aging time during the aging process. The reaction rate between Sn atoms in solder and Cu, Co atoms in substrate was quite different, which lead to the fact that the interface of SAC305/Cu-Co is uneven on the side of substrate after reflowing and aging.

Ac Conduction in Mixed Oxides Al-In2O3-SnO2-Al Structure Deposited by Co-Evaporation

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Anwar, M.; Siddiqi, S. A.; Ghauri, I. M.

Conductivity-frequency and capacitance-frequency characteristics of mixed oxides Al-In2O3-SnO2-Al structure are examined to elicit any correlation with the conduction mechanisms most often observed in thin film work. The existence of Schottky barriers is believed to be due to a strong donor band in the insulator established during the vacuum evaporation when a layer of mixed oxides In2O3-SnO2 system is sandwiched between two metal electrodes. Low values of activation energy at low temperatures indicate that the transport of the carriers between localized states is mainly due to electronic hopping over the barrier separating the two nearest neighbor sites. The increase in the formation of ionized donors with increase in temperature during electrical measurements indicates that electronic part of the conductivity is higher than the ionic part. The initial increase in conductivity with increase in Sn content in In2O3 lattice is caused by the Sn atom substitution of In atom, giving out one extra electron. The decrease in electrical conductivity above the critical Sn content (10 mol% SnO2) is caused by the defects formed by Sn atoms, which act as carrier traps rather than electron donors. The increase in electrical conductivity with film thickness is caused by the increase in free carriers density, which is generated by oxygen vacancy acting as two electron donor. The increase in conductivity with substrate and annealing temperatures is due to either the severe deficiency of oxygen, which deteriorates the film properties and reduces the mobility of the carriers or to the diffusion of Sn atoms from interstitial locations into the In cation sites and formation of indium species of lower oxidation state (In2+). Calculations of C and σac from tan δ measurements suggest that there is some kind of space-charge polarization in the material, caused by the storage of carriers at the electrodes. Capacitance decreases not only with the rise of frequency but also with the lowering of temperature. At low temperatures the major contribution to capacitance arises from the ionic polarization, however, with the increase of temperature the contribution from orientation polarization would considerably increase. The decrease in capacitance with the increase in frequency may be attributed to interfacial polarization.

Sol–gel synthesis of SnO{sub 2}–MgO nanoparticles and their photocatalytic activity towards methylene blue degradation

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

Bayal, Nisha; Jeevanandam, P., E-mail: jeevafcy@iitr.ernet.in

2013-10-15

Graphical abstract: - Highlights: • A simple sol–gel method for the synthesis of SnO{sub 2}–MgO nanoparticles is reported. • Band gap of SnO{sub 2} can be tuned by varying the magnesium content in SnO{sub 2}–MgO. • SnO{sub 2}–MgO shows good photocatalytic activity towards degradation of methylene blue. - Abstract: SnO{sub 2}–MgO mixed metal oxide nanoparticles were prepared by a simple sol–gel method. The nanoparticles were characterized by power X-ray diffraction, scanning electron microscopy coupled with energy dispersive X-ray analysis, transmission electron microscopy and UV–vis diffuse reflectance spectroscopy. The XRD results indicate the formation of mixed metal oxide nanoparticles and alsomore » a decrease of SnO{sub 2} crystallite size in the mixed metal oxide nanoparticles with increasing magnesium oxide content. The reflectance spectroscopy results show a blue shift of the band gap of SnO{sub 2} in the mixed metal oxide nanoparticles. The photocatalytic activity of the SnO{sub 2}–MgO nanoparticles was tested using the photodegradation of aqueous methylene blue in the presence of sunlight. The results indicate that the mixed metal oxide nanoparticles possess higher efficiency for the photodegradation of methylene blue compared to pure SnO{sub 2} nanoparticles.« less

Effect of Sn Content in a CuSnZn Metal Precursor on Formation of MoSe2 Film during Selenization in Se+SnSe Vapor

PubMed Central

Yao, Liyong; Ao, Jianping; Jeng, Ming-Jer; Bi, Jinlian; Gao, Shoushuai; Sun, Guozhong; He, Qing; Zhou, Zhiqiang; Sun, Yun; Chang, Liann-Be

2016-01-01

The preparation of Cu2ZnSnSe4 (CZTSe) thin films by the selenization of an electrodeposited copper–tin–zinc (CuSnZn) precursor with various Sn contents in low-pressure Se+SnSex vapor was studied. Scanning electron microscope (SEM) and energy dispersive spectroscopy (EDS) measurements revealed that the Sn content of the precursor that is used in selenization in a low-pressure Se+SnSex vapor atmosphere only slightly affects the elemental composition of the formed CZTSe films. However, the Sn content of the precursor significantly affects the grain size and surface morphology of CZTSe films. A metal precursor with a very Sn-poor composition produces CZTSe films with large grains and a rough surface, while a metal precursor with a very Sn-rich composition procures CZTSe films with small grains and a compact surface. X-ray diffraction (XRD) and SEM revealed that the metal precursor with a Sn-rich composition can grow a thicker MoSe2 thin film at CZTSe/Mo interface than one with a Sn-poor composition, possibly because excess Sn in the precursor may catalyze the formation of MoSe2 thin film. A CZTSe solar cell with an efficiency of 7.94%was realized by using an electrodeposited metal precursor with a Sn/Cu ratio of 0.5 in selenization in a low-pressure Se+SnSex vapor. PMID:28773366

Mechanical Deformation Behavior of Sn-Ag-Cu Solders with Minor Addition of 0.05 wt.% Ni

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Hammad, A. E.; El-Taher, A. M.

2014-11-01

The aim of the present work is to develop a comparative evaluation of the microstructural and mechanical deformation behavior of Sn-Ag-Cu (SAC) solders with the minor addition of 0.05 wt.% Ni. Test results showed that, by adding 0.05Ni element into SAC solders, generated mainly small rod-shaped (Cu,Ni)6Sn5 intermetallic compounds (IMCs) inside the β-Sn phase. Moreover, increasing the Ag content and adding Ni could result in the change of the shape and size of the IMC precipitate. Hence, a significant improvement is observed in the mechanical properties of SAC solders with increasing Ag content and Ni addition. On the other hand, the tensile results of Ni-doped SAC solders showed that both the yield stress and ultimate tensile strengths decrease with increasing temperature and with decreasing strain rate. This behavior was attributed to the competing effects of work hardening and dynamic recovery processes. The Sn-2.0Ag-0.5Cu-0.05Ni solder displayed the highest mechanical properties due to the formation of hard (Cu,Ni)6Sn5 IMCs. Based on the obtained stress exponents and activation energies, it is suggested that the dominant deformation mechanism in SAC (205)-, SAC (0505)- and SAC (0505)-0.05Ni solders is pipe diffusion, and lattice self-diffusion in SAC (205)-0.05Ni solder. In view of these results, the Sn-2.0Ag-0.5Cu-0.05Ni alloy is a more reliable solder alloy with improved properties compared with other solder alloys tested in the present work.

The Mechanical and Microstructural Changes of Sn-Ag-Bi Solders with Cooling Rate and Bi Content Variations

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Abd El-Rehim, A. F.; Zahran, H. Y.; AlFaify, S.

2018-02-01

The purpose of this study is to investigate the influence of cooling rate and Bi addition on the microstructure evolution and mechanical properties of Sn-3.5Ag alloy. A series of Sn-3.5Ag-xBi solders has been fabricated with Bi content in the range of 0.5-3.5 wt.%. After solution heat treatment at 170 °C for 24 h and subsequent aging heat treatment at 100 °C for 2 h, samples were divided into two groups. One group was rapidly quenched into iced water (water quenching) for the fast cooling rate (20 °C/s), while the second group was slowly cooled (furnace cooling) in the furnace for the slow cooling rate (0.2 °C/s) after the furnace reflow. The microstructural evolutions of the present solders have been investigated using x-ray diffraction and scanning electron microscopy. The microhardness was measured to correlate the mechanical properties to alloy compositions and cooling rate. It was found that the microhardness of Sn-3.5Ag-xBi solders increased with increasing cooling rate. The indentation creep curves have been evaluated from the obtained microhardness values. Results revealed the steady-state creep rate decreased with increasing Bi content exhibiting an anomalous behavior at 2.5Bi. The reason for improved creep resistance of Sn-3.5Ag-xBi solders is the result of the combination of the solid solution strengthening and precipitation strengthening of Bi. The mean values of stress exponent indicated that the operative creep mechanism is dislocation climb.

Lead-Free, Two-Dimensional Mixed Germanium and Tin Perovskites.

PubMed

Cheng, Pengfei; Wu, Tao; Liu, Junxue; Deng, Wei-Qiao; Han, Keli

2018-05-17

Hybrid two-dimensional (2D) organic-inorganic perovskites continue to draw increased attention in view of their outstanding performance in optoelectronic devices such as solar cells and light-emitting devices. Herein, for the first time, we report the synthesis and characterization of lead-free, 2D mixed Ge-Sn halide perovskites, (PEA) 2 Ge 1- x Sn x I 4 (where PEA = C 6 H 5 CH 2 CH 2 NH 3 + ), and demonstrate that the bandgaps decrease linearly with increasing Sn content. Most importantly, among them, (PEA) 2 Ge 0.5 Sn 0.5 I 4 possesses the smallest bandgap of 1.95 eV. Density functional theory calculations confirm that Sn substitution induces a smaller bandgap and more dispersed band structure, which are desirable characteristics of light-absorbing materials. In addition, conductivity and stability of (PEA) 2 Ge 0.5 Sn 0.5 I 4 have also been assessed.

Quantitative characterization of brazing performance for Sn-plated silver alloy fillers

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Wang, Xingxing; Peng, Jin; Cui, Datian

2017-12-01

Two types of AgCuZnSn fillers were prepared based on BAg50CuZn and BAg34CuZnSn alloy through a combinative process of electroplating and thermal diffusion. The models of wetting entropy and joint strength entropy of AgCuZnSn filler metals were established. The wetting entropy of the Sn-plated silver brazing alloys are lower than the traditional fillers, and its joint strength entropy value is slightly higher than the latter. The wetting entropy value of the Sn-plated brazing alloys and traditional filler metal are similar to the change trend of the wetting area. The trend of the joint strength entropy value with those fillers are consisted with the tensile strength of the stainless steel joints with the increase of Sn content.

The effect of Sn addition on phase stability and phase evolution during aging heat treatment in Ti–Mo alloys employed as biomaterials

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

Mello, Mariana G. de, E-mail: marianagm@fem.unicamp.br; Salvador, Camilo F., E-mail: csalvador@fem.unicamp.br; Cremasco, Alessandra, E-mail: alessandra@fem.unicamp.br

Increases in life expectancy and improvements in necessary healthcare attach great importance to the development of biomaterials. Ti alloys containing β stabilizing elements are often used as biomaterials due to their high specific strength, high corrosion resistance, unusual biocompatibility and low elastic moduli, which benefit bone tissues close to an implant. This study deals with phase stability in β Ti–Mo–Sn alloys processed under different conditions and was performed according to the following steps: a study of the effect of Sn content (a) on phase stability in Ti–Mo alloys, (b) on the suppression of α″ and ω phase precipitation; (c) onmore » α-phase precipitation during aging heat treatments and (d) on mechanical properties, including the elastic modulus, as measured using tensile tests and acoustic techniques. The alloys were prepared by arc melting under a controlled atmosphere followed by homogenization heat treatment and hot rolling. Optical microscopy, scanning and transmission electron microscopy, X-ray diffraction and differential scanning calorimetry were employed for characterization purposes. Samples were also submitted to solution treatment above the β transus temperature and aging heat treatments under a controlled atmosphere. The results suggest that Sn suppresses the formation of the ω and α″ phases in Ti–Mo system. - Highlights: • Sn addition to Ti alloys decreases elastic modulus by suppressing ω phase precipitation. • Sn addition decreases the temperature of martensite decomposition. • Sn addition decreases the temperature of α phase precipitation and β transus. • Mechanical strength decreases with increasing Sn content.« less

Effect of Nb on the Growth Behavior of Co3Sn2 Phase in Undercooled Co-Sn Melts

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Kang, Jilong; Xu, Wanqiang; Wei, Xiuxun; Ferry, Michael; Li, Jinfu

2016-12-01

The growth behavior of the primary β-Co3Sn2 phase in (Co67Sn33)100- x Nb x ( x = 0, 0.5, 0.8, 1.0) hypereutectic alloys at different melt undercoolings was investigated systematically. The growth pattern of the β-Co3Sn2 phase at low undercooling changes with the Nb content from fractal seaweed ( x = 0, 0.5) into dendrite ( x = 0.8) and then returns to fractal seaweed ( x = 1.0) as a response to the changes in interface energy anisotropy and interface kinetic anisotropy. As undercooling increases, the dendritic growth of the β-Co3Sn2 phase in (Co67Sn33)99.2Nb0.8 alloy gives way to fractal seaweed growth at an undercooling of 32 K (-241 °C). At larger undercooling, the fractal seaweed growth is further replaced by compact seaweed growth, which occurred in the other three alloys investigated. The growth velocity of the β-Co3Sn2 phase slightly increases at low and intermediate undercooling but clearly decreases at larger undercooling due to the Nb addition. The growth velocity sharply increases as the growth pattern of the Co3Sn2 phase transits from fractal seaweed into compact seaweed.

Microstructure and Properties of Ternary Cu-Ti-Sn Alloy

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Wang, Xianhui; Chen, Chunyu; Guo, Tingting; Zou, Juntao; Yang, Xiaohong

2015-07-01

The effect of Sn addition and heat treatment on the microstructure and properties of Cu-3Ti and Cu-2Ti alloys was studied. The microstructure and phase constituents were characterized by an optical microscope, x-ray diffractometer, and transmission electron microscope, and the electrical conductivity and hardness were determined as well. The results show that the as-cast microstructure of Cu-Ti-Sn alloys consists of α-Cu(Ti,Sn) and primary CuSn3Ti5 intermetallic compound. CuSn3Ti5 phase has a hexagonal structure with the lattice parameters a = 0.81737 nm, b = 0.81737 nm, and c = 0.55773 nm. With the increase of aging time, the electrical conductivity progressively increases, while the hardness increases and then decreases. After aging at 450 °C for 8 h, Cu-3Ti-2Sn alloy has an electrical conductivity of 23.1 MS/m and a hardness of 134.5 HV, and the electrical conductivity and hardness of Cu-2Ti-2Sn alloy are 21.5 MS/m and 119.3 HV, respectively. An appropriate aging is beneficial for the precipitation of coherent metastable β'-Cu4Ti phase, which can strengthen Cu-3Ti-2Sn and Cu-2Ti-2Sn alloys. However, a prolonged aging time results in the decrease of hardness due to the formation of incoherent equilibrium β-Cu3Ti phase. The presence of CuSn3Ti5 phase reduces the solute Ti content in the copper matrix and, thus, gives rise to the increase of the electrical conductivity of Cu-Ti-Sn alloys.

Microstructure and Mechanical Properties of Stainless Steel/Brass Joints Brazed by Sn-Electroplated Ag Brazing Filler Metals

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Wang, Xingxing; Peng, Jin; Cui, Datian

2018-05-01

To develop a high-Sn-content AgCuZnSn brazing filler metal, the BAg50CuZn was used as the base filler metal and a Sn layer was electroplated upon it. Then, the 304 stainless steel and the H62 brass were induction-brazed with the Sn-plated brazing filler metals. The microstructures of the joints were examined with an optical microscope, a scanning electron microscope and an x-ray diffractometer. The corresponding mechanical properties were obtained with a universal tensile testing machine. The results indicated that the induction brazed joints consisted of the Ag phase, the Cu phase and the CuZn phase. When the content of Sn in the Sn-plated Ag brazing filler metal was 6.0 or 7.2 wt.%, the Cu5Zn8, the Cu41Sn11 and the Ag3Sn phases appeared in the brazed joint. The tensile strength of the joints brazed with the Sn-plated filler metal was higher compared to the joints with the base filler metal. When the content of Sn was 6.0 wt.%, the highest tensile strength of the joint reached to 395 MPa. The joint fractures presented a brittle mode, mixed with a low amount of ductile fracture, when the content of Sn exceeded 6.0 wt.%.

2,5-hexanedione (HD) treatment alters calmodulin, Ca{sup 2+}/calmodulin-dependent protein kinase II, and protein kinase C in rats' nerve tissues

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

Wang Qingshan; Hou Liyan; National Research Institute for Family Planning, Beijing 100081

2008-10-01

Calcium-dependent mechanisms, particularly those mediated by Ca{sup 2+}/calmodulin (CaM)-dependent protein kinase II (CaMKII), have been implicated in neurotoxicant-induced neuropathy. However, it is unknown whether similar mechanisms exist in 2,5-hexanedione (HD)-induced neuropathy. For that, we investigated the changes of CaM, CaMKII, protein kinase C (PKC) and polymerization ratios (PRs) of NF-L, NF-M and NF-H in cerebral cortex (CC, including total cortex and some gray), spinal cord (SC) and sciatic nerve (SN) of rats treated with HD at a dosage of 1.75 or 3.50 mmol/kg for 8 weeks (five times per week). The results showed that CaM contents in CC, SC andmore » SN were significantly increased, which indicated elevation of Ca{sup 2+} concentrations in nerve tissues. CaMKII contents and activities were also increased in CC and were positively correlated with gait abnormality, but it could not be found in SC and SN. The increases of PKC contents and activities were also observed in SN and were positively correlated with gait abnormality. Except for that of NF-M in CC, the PRs of NF-L, NF-M and NF-H were also elevated in nerve tissues, which was consistent with the activation of protein kinases. The results suggested that CaMKII might be partly (in CC but not in SC and SN) involved in HD-induced neuropathy. CaMKII and PKC might mediate the HD neurotoxicity by altering the NF phosphorylation status and PRs.« less

Shengjiang Xiexin Decoction Alters Pharmacokinetics of Irinotecan by Regulating Metabolic Enzymes and Transporters: A Multi-Target Therapy for Alleviating the Gastrointestinal Toxicity.

PubMed

Guan, Huan-Yu; Li, Peng-Fei; Wang, Xiao-Ming; Yue, Jia-Jing; He, Yang; Luo, Xiao-Mei; Su, Mei-Feng; Liao, Shang-Gao; Shi, Yue

2017-01-01

Shengjiang Xiexin decoction (SXD), a classic traditional Chinese medical formula chronicled in Shang Han Lun , is used in modern clinical practice to decrease gastrointestinal toxicity induced by the chemotherapeutic drug irinotecan (CPT-11). In this study, the effect of SXD on the pharmacokinetics of CPT-11 and its active metabolites (SN-38 and SN-38G), and the underlying mechanisms were further examined. An ultra-high-performance liquid chromatography-tandem mass spectrometry (UHPLC-MS/MS) method was developed and validated for the simultaneous quantification of CPT-11, SN-38, and SN-38G in the plasma, bile, liver, intestine, and intestinal contents of control and SXD-pre-treated rats after intravenous administration of CPT-11. SXD pretreatment increased the area under the curve (AUC) and the initial plasma concentration (C 0 ) of CPT-11 but decreased the plasma clearance (CL). The AUC and the maximum plasma concentration (C max ) of SN-38 decreased, whereas the C max of SN-38G increased. Compared with that of the control group, the biliary excretion of CPT-11, SN-38, and SN-38G was inhibited. The CPT-11, SN-38, and SN-38G concentrations in the liver, intestine, and intestinal contents were different between the two groups. Furthermore, the hepatic expression of multidrug resistance-associated protein-2 (Mrp-2), P-glycoprotein (P-gp), and carboxylesterase 2 (CES2) was significantly down-regulated by SXD, while the hepatic and jejunal uridine diphosphate (UDP)-glucuronosyltransferase 1A1 (UGT1A1) expression was elevated. The hydrolysis of CPT-11 to SN-38 by CES and the glucuronidation of SN-38 to SN-38G by UGT were affected by liver and jejunum S9 fractions from rats pre-treated with SXD. Therefore, this study demonstrated for the first time that SXD could alter the pharmacokinetics of CPT-11 and its metabolites to alleviate CPT-11-induced diarrhea. And the underlying mechanism of drug interaction between CPT-11 and SXD involves decreasing hepatic Mrp-2 and P-gp expression and altering the activities of CES and UGT.

Structure and Mechanical Properties of As-Cast Ti-5Sn-xMo Alloys.

PubMed

Yu, Hsing-Ning; Hsu, Hsueh-Chuan; Wu, Shih-Ching; Hsu, Shih-Kuang; Ho, Wen-Fu

2017-04-27

Ti-5Sn- x Mo ( x = 0, 1, 3, 5, 7.5, 10, 12.5, 15, 17.5, and 20 wt %) alloys were designed and prepared for application as implant materials with superior mechanical properties. The results demonstrated that the crystal structure and mechanical properties of Ti-5Sn- x Mo alloys are highly affected by their Mo content. The as-cast microstructures of Ti-5Sn- x Mo alloys transformed in the sequence of phases α' → α″ → β, and the morphologies of the alloys changed from a lath structure to an equiaxed structure as the Mo content increased. The α″-phase Ti-5Sn-7.5Mo (80 GPa) and β-phase Ti-5Sn-10Mo (85 GPa) exhibited relatively low elastic moduli and had excellent elastic recovery angles of 27.4° and 37.8°, respectively. Furthermore, they exhibited high ductility and moderate strength, as evaluated using the three-point bending test. Search for a more suitable implant material by this study, Ti-5Sn- x Mo alloys with 7.5 and 10 wt % Mo appear to be promising candidates because they demonstrate the optimal combined properties of microhardness, ductility, elastic modulus, and elastic recovery capability.

Influence of Sn on the thermoelectric properties of (Bi{sub x}Sb{sub 1-x}){sub 2}Te{sub 3} single crystals

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

Kulbachinskii, V.A., E-mail: kulb@mig.phys.msu.ru; Kytin, V.G.; Kudryashov, A.A.

2012-09-15

The influence of tin on the thermoelectric properties of p-(Bi{sub x}Sb{sub 1-x}){sub 2}Te{sub 3} single crystals (x=0; 0.25; 0.5) has been investigated. The temperature dependence of the Seebeck coefficient S, the electrical conductivity {sigma}, the heat conductivity k and the thermoelectric figure of merit of p-(Bi{sub x}Sb{sub 1-x}){sub 2}Te{sub 3} single crystals were measured in the temperature range 7-300 K. By an increase the Sn content, the hole concentration increases in p-(Bi{sub x}Sb{sub 1-x}){sub 2-y}Sn{sub y}Te{sub 3}. The heat conductivity k of the p-(Bi{sub x}Sb{sub 1-x}){sub 2-y}Sn{sub y}Te{sub 3} crystals decreases due to the Sn doping, while the electrical conductivitymore » {sigma} increases in the temperature interval about 200« less

Highly improved ethanol gas-sensing performance of mesoporous nickel oxides nanowires with the stannum donor doping.

PubMed

Wei, Junqi; Li, Xiaoqing; Han, Yanbing; Xu, Jingcai; Jin, Hongxiao; Jin, Dingfeng; Peng, Xiaoling; Hong, Bo; Li, Jing; Yang, Yanting; Ge, Hongliang; Wang, Xinqing

2018-06-15

Mesoporous nickel oxides (NiO) and stannum(Sn)-doped NiO nanowires (NWs) were synthesized by using SBA-15 templates with the nanocasting method. X-ray diffraction, transmission electron microscope, energy dispersive spectrometry, nitrogen adsorption/desorption isotherm and UV-vis spectrum were used to characterize the phase structure, components and microstructure of the as-prepared samples. The gas-sensing analysis indicated that the Sn-doping could greatly improve the ethanol sensitivity for mesoporous NiO NWs. With the increasing Sn content, the ethanol sensitivity increased from 2.16 for NiO NWs up to the maximum of 15.60 for Ni 0.962 Sn 0.038 O 1.038 , and then decreased to 12.24 for Ni 0.946 Sn 0.054 O 1.054 to 100 ppm ethanol gas at 340 °C. The high surface area from the Sn-doping improved the adsorption of oxygen on the surface of NiO NWs, resulting in the smaller surface resistance in air. Furthermore, owing to the recombination of the holes in hole-accumulation lay with the electrons from the donor impurity level and the increasing the body defects for Sn-doping, the total resistance in ethanol gas enhanced greatly. It was concluded that the sensitivity of Sn-doped NiO NWs based sensor could be greatly improved by the higher surface area and high-valence donor substitution from Sn-doping.

Highly improved ethanol gas-sensing performance of mesoporous nickel oxides nanowires with the stannum donor doping

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Wei, Junqi; Li, Xiaoqing; Han, Yanbing; Xu, Jingcai; Jin, Hongxiao; Jin, Dingfeng; Peng, Xiaoling; Hong, Bo; Li, Jing; Yang, Yanting; Ge, Hongliang; Wang, Xinqing

2018-06-01

Mesoporous nickel oxides (NiO) and stannum(Sn)-doped NiO nanowires (NWs) were synthesized by using SBA-15 templates with the nanocasting method. X-ray diffraction, transmission electron microscope, energy dispersive spectrometry, nitrogen adsorption/desorption isotherm and UV–vis spectrum were used to characterize the phase structure, components and microstructure of the as-prepared samples. The gas-sensing analysis indicated that the Sn-doping could greatly improve the ethanol sensitivity for mesoporous NiO NWs. With the increasing Sn content, the ethanol sensitivity increased from 2.16 for NiO NWs up to the maximum of 15.60 for Ni0.962Sn0.038O1.038, and then decreased to 12.24 for Ni0.946Sn0.054O1.054 to 100 ppm ethanol gas at 340 °C. The high surface area from the Sn-doping improved the adsorption of oxygen on the surface of NiO NWs, resulting in the smaller surface resistance in air. Furthermore, owing to the recombination of the holes in hole-accumulation lay with the electrons from the donor impurity level and the increasing the body defects for Sn-doping, the total resistance in ethanol gas enhanced greatly. It was concluded that the sensitivity of Sn-doped NiO NWs based sensor could be greatly improved by the higher surface area and high-valence donor substitution from Sn-doping.

Wetting reaction of Sn-Ag based solder systems on Cu substrates plated with Au and/or Pd layer

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Liu, C. Y.; Li, Jian; Vandentop, G. J.; Choi, W. J.; Tu, K. N.

2001-05-01

The wetting behavior of SnAg based Pb-free solders on Cu and Cu substrates plated with Au, Pd, and Au/Pd thin films have been studied. The wetting angle and kinetics of interfacial reaction were measured. The Au-plated substrates exhibit better wetting than the Pd-plated substrates. In the case of SnAg on Pd-plated Cu, SEM observation revealed that the solder cap was surrounded by an innerring of Cu-Sn compound and an outer ring of Pd-Sn compound. This implies that the molten SnAg solder had removed the Pd and wetted the Cu directly in the equilibrium state. The effects of pre-doping Cu in the SnAg solder on wetting behavior were also investigated. We found that wettability decreases with increasing Cu content in the solder. We also observed that the SnAgCu solders have a lower Cu consumption rate than the SnAg solder.

Zero added oxygen for high quality sputtered ITO. A data science investigation of reduced Sn-content and added Zr

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

Peshek, Timothy J.; Burst, James M.; Coutts, Timothy J.

Here, we demonstrate mobilities of >45 cm 2/V s for sputtered tin-doped indium oxide (ITO) films at zero added oxygen. All films were deposited with 5 wt. % SnO 2, instead of the more conventional 8–10 wt. %, and had varying ZrO 2 content from 0 to 3 wt. %, with a subsequent reduction in In 2O 3 content. Moreover, these films were deposited by radio-frequency magnetron sputtering from nominally stoichiometric targets with varying oxygen partial pressure in the sputter ambient. Anomalous behavior was discovered for films with no Zr-added, where a bimodality of high and low mobilities was discoveredmore » for nominally similar growth conditions. However, all films showed the lowest resistivity and highest mobilities when the oxygen partial pressure in the sputter ambient was zero. This result is contrasted with several other reports of ITO transport performance having a maximum for small but nonzero oxygen partial pressure. Our result is attributed to the reduced concentration of SnO 2. The addition of ZrO 2 yielded the highest mobilities at >55 cm 2/V s and the films showed a modest increase in optical transmission with increasing Zr-content.« less

Zero added oxygen for high quality sputtered ITO. A data science investigation of reduced Sn-content and added Zr

DOE PAGES

Peshek, Timothy J.; Burst, James M.; Coutts, Timothy J.; ...

2016-01-19

Here, we demonstrate mobilities of >45 cm 2/V s for sputtered tin-doped indium oxide (ITO) films at zero added oxygen. All films were deposited with 5 wt. % SnO 2, instead of the more conventional 8–10 wt. %, and had varying ZrO 2 content from 0 to 3 wt. %, with a subsequent reduction in In 2O 3 content. Moreover, these films were deposited by radio-frequency magnetron sputtering from nominally stoichiometric targets with varying oxygen partial pressure in the sputter ambient. Anomalous behavior was discovered for films with no Zr-added, where a bimodality of high and low mobilities was discoveredmore » for nominally similar growth conditions. However, all films showed the lowest resistivity and highest mobilities when the oxygen partial pressure in the sputter ambient was zero. This result is contrasted with several other reports of ITO transport performance having a maximum for small but nonzero oxygen partial pressure. Our result is attributed to the reduced concentration of SnO 2. The addition of ZrO 2 yielded the highest mobilities at >55 cm 2/V s and the films showed a modest increase in optical transmission with increasing Zr-content.« less

Influences of Silver and Zinc Contents in the Stannite Ag2ZnSnS4 Photoelectrodes on Their Photoelectrochemical Performances in the Salt-Water Solution.

PubMed

Cheng, Kong-Wei; Hong, Shu-Wei

2018-06-13

The multicomponent metal sulphide (stannite Ag2ZnSnS4) samples were grown onto the conductive metal oxide coated glass substrates by using the sulfurization of co-sputtering silver-zinc-tin precursors. Several [Ag]/[Zn+Sn] and [Zn]/[Sn] ratios were set in the metal precursors to investigate their influences on the crystal phases, microstructures and physical properties of the stannite Ag2ZnSnS4 samples. The results of the crystal phases and compositions of samples showed that the stannite Ag2ZnSnS4 phase can be obtained using the two-step sulfurization process, which maintained the silver-zinc-tin precursors at 160C for 1 hour and then kept them at 450oC for 30 minutes under sulfur/nitrogen atmosphere. N-type stannite Ag2ZnSnS4 samples with the carrier concentrations of 5.54x1012 - 9.11x1012 cm-3 can be obtained. High resistivities of Ag2ZnSnS4 samples were observed due to the low values of carrier concentration. Increasing the silver content in the sample can improve its PEC performance due to the decrease in the sample resistivity. The ratio of [Ag]/[Zn+Sn] kept at 0.8 and ratio of [Zn]/[Sn] set at 0.90 in the stannite Ag2ZnSnS4 sample had the highest photoelectrochemical performance of 0.31 mA.cm-2 with the potential set at 1.23 V vs. relative hydrogen electrode applied on the sample because of it having the lowest charge transfer resistance in electrolyte.

Defect-free high Sn-content GeSn on insulator grown by rapid melting growth.

PubMed

Liu, Zhi; Cong, Hui; Yang, Fan; Li, Chuanbo; Zheng, Jun; Xue, Chunlai; Zuo, Yuhua; Cheng, Buwen; Wang, Qiming

2016-12-12

GeSn is an attractive semiconductor material for Si-based photonics. However, large lattice mismatch between GeSn and Si and the low solubility of Sn in Ge limit its development. In order to obtain high Sn-content GeSn on Si, it is normally grown at low temperature, which would lead to inevitable dislocations. Here, we reported a single-crystal defect-free graded GeSn on insulator (GSOI) stripes laterally grown by rapid melting growth (RMG). The Sn-content reaches to 14.2% at the end of the GSOI stripe. Transmission electron microscopy observation shows the GSOI stripe without stacking fault and dislocations. P-channel pseudo metal-oxide-semiconductor field effect transistors (MOSFETs) and metal-semiconductor-metal (MSM) Schottky junction photodetectors were fabricated on these GSOIs. Good transistor performance with a low field peak hole mobility of 402 cm 2 /Vs is obtained, which indicates a high-quality of this GSOI structure. Strong near-infrared and short-wave infrared optical absorption of the MSM photodetectors at 1550 nm and 2000 nm were observed. Owing to high Sn-content and defect-free, responsivity of 236 mA/W@-1.5 V is achieved at 1550 nm wavelength. In addition, responsivity reaches 154 mA/W@-1.5 V at 2000 nm with the optical absorption layer only 200 nm-thick, which is the highest value reported for GeSn junction photodetectors until now.

Defect-free high Sn-content GeSn on insulator grown by rapid melting growth

PubMed Central

Liu, Zhi; Cong, Hui; Yang, Fan; Li, Chuanbo; Zheng, Jun; Xue, Chunlai; Zuo, Yuhua; Cheng, Buwen; Wang, Qiming

2016-01-01

GeSn is an attractive semiconductor material for Si-based photonics. However, large lattice mismatch between GeSn and Si and the low solubility of Sn in Ge limit its development. In order to obtain high Sn-content GeSn on Si, it is normally grown at low temperature, which would lead to inevitable dislocations. Here, we reported a single-crystal defect-free graded GeSn on insulator (GSOI) stripes laterally grown by rapid melting growth (RMG). The Sn-content reaches to 14.2% at the end of the GSOI stripe. Transmission electron microscopy observation shows the GSOI stripe without stacking fault and dislocations. P-channel pseudo metal-oxide-semiconductor field effect transistors (MOSFETs) and metal-semiconductor-metal (MSM) Schottky junction photodetectors were fabricated on these GSOIs. Good transistor performance with a low field peak hole mobility of 402 cm2/Vs is obtained, which indicates a high-quality of this GSOI structure. Strong near-infrared and short-wave infrared optical absorption of the MSM photodetectors at 1550 nm and 2000 nm were observed. Owing to high Sn-content and defect-free, responsivity of 236 mA/W@-1.5 V is achieved at 1550 nm wavelength. In addition, responsivity reaches 154 mA/W@-1.5 V at 2000 nm with the optical absorption layer only 200 nm-thick, which is the highest value reported for GeSn junction photodetectors until now. PMID:27941825

Defect-free high Sn-content GeSn on insulator grown by rapid melting growth

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Liu, Zhi; Cong, Hui; Yang, Fan; Li, Chuanbo; Zheng, Jun; Xue, Chunlai; Zuo, Yuhua; Cheng, Buwen; Wang, Qiming

2016-12-01

GeSn is an attractive semiconductor material for Si-based photonics. However, large lattice mismatch between GeSn and Si and the low solubility of Sn in Ge limit its development. In order to obtain high Sn-content GeSn on Si, it is normally grown at low temperature, which would lead to inevitable dislocations. Here, we reported a single-crystal defect-free graded GeSn on insulator (GSOI) stripes laterally grown by rapid melting growth (RMG). The Sn-content reaches to 14.2% at the end of the GSOI stripe. Transmission electron microscopy observation shows the GSOI stripe without stacking fault and dislocations. P-channel pseudo metal-oxide-semiconductor field effect transistors (MOSFETs) and metal-semiconductor-metal (MSM) Schottky junction photodetectors were fabricated on these GSOIs. Good transistor performance with a low field peak hole mobility of 402 cm2/Vs is obtained, which indicates a high-quality of this GSOI structure. Strong near-infrared and short-wave infrared optical absorption of the MSM photodetectors at 1550 nm and 2000 nm were observed. Owing to high Sn-content and defect-free, responsivity of 236 mA/W@-1.5 V is achieved at 1550 nm wavelength. In addition, responsivity reaches 154 mA/W@-1.5 V at 2000 nm with the optical absorption layer only 200 nm-thick, which is the highest value reported for GeSn junction photodetectors until now.

Preparation and Enhanced Thermoelectric Performance of Cu2Se-SnSe Composite Materials

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Peng, Zhi; He, Danqi; Mu, Xin; Zhou, Hongyu; Li, Cuncheng; Ma, Shifang; Ji, Pengxia; Hou, Weikang; Wei, Ping; Zhu, Wanting; Nie, Xiaolei; Zhao, Wenyu

2018-03-01

A series of p-type xCu2Se-SnSe (x = 0%, 0.10%, 0.15%, 0.20%, and 0.25%) composite thermoelectric materials have been prepared by the combination of ultrasonic dispersion and spark plasma sintering methods. The effects of secondary phase Cu2Se on the phase composition, microstructure, and thermoelectric properties of the composites were investigated. Microstructure characterization and elemental maps indicated Cu2Se grains uniformly distributed on the boundaries of the matrix. Transport measurements demonstrated that enhancement of the power factor and reduction of the thermal conductivity can be realized simultaneously by optimizing the adding content of Cu2Se. The highest ZT value of 0.51 at 773 K was achieved for the sample with x = 0.15%, increased by 24% compared with that of the SnSe matrix. These results demonstrate that optimizing the Cu2Se content can improve the thermoelectric performance of p-type SnSe polycrystalline materials.

Preparation and Enhanced Thermoelectric Performance of Cu2Se-SnSe Composite Materials

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Peng, Zhi; He, Danqi; Mu, Xin; Zhou, Hongyu; Li, Cuncheng; Ma, Shifang; Ji, Pengxia; Hou, Weikang; Wei, Ping; Zhu, Wanting; Nie, Xiaolei; Zhao, Wenyu

2018-06-01

A series of p-type xCu2Se-SnSe ( x = 0%, 0.10%, 0.15%, 0.20%, and 0.25%) composite thermoelectric materials have been prepared by the combination of ultrasonic dispersion and spark plasma sintering methods. The effects of secondary phase Cu2Se on the phase composition, microstructure, and thermoelectric properties of the composites were investigated. Microstructure characterization and elemental maps indicated Cu2Se grains uniformly distributed on the boundaries of the matrix. Transport measurements demonstrated that enhancement of the power factor and reduction of the thermal conductivity can be realized simultaneously by optimizing the adding content of Cu2Se. The highest ZT value of 0.51 at 773 K was achieved for the sample with x = 0.15%, increased by 24% compared with that of the SnSe matrix. These results demonstrate that optimizing the Cu2Se content can improve the thermoelectric performance of p-type SnSe polycrystalline materials.

Pulsed laser deposition of chalcogenide sulfides from multi- and single-component targets: the non-stoichiometric material transfer

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Schou, Jørgen; Gansukh, Mungunshagai; Ettlinger, Rebecca B.; Cazzaniga, Andrea; Grossberg, Maarja; Kauk-Kuusik, Marit; Canulescu, Stela

2018-01-01

The mass transfer from target to films is incongruent for chalcogenide sulfides in contrast to the expectations of pulsed laser deposition (PLD) as a stoichiometric film growth process. Films produced from a CZTS (Cu2ZnSnS4) multi-component target have no Cu below a fluence threshold of 0.2 J/cm2, and the Cu content is also very low at low fluence from a single-component target. Above this threshold, the Cu content in the films increases almost linearly up to a value above the stoichiometric value, while the ratio of the concentration of the other metals Zn to Sn (Zn/Sn) remains constant. Films of a similar material CTS (Cu2SnS3) have been produced by PLD from a CTS target and exhibits a similar trend in the same fluence region. The results are discussed on the basis of solid-state data and the existing data from the literature.

The role of iron and copper molecules in the neuronal vulnerability of locus coeruleus and substantia nigra during aging

PubMed Central

Zecca, Luigi; Stroppolo, Antonella; Gatti, Alberto; Tampellini, Davide; Toscani, Marco; Gallorini, Mario; Giaveri, Giuseppe; Arosio, Paolo; Santambrogio, Paolo; Fariello, Ruggero G.; Karatekin, Erdem; Kleinman, Mark H.; Turro, Nicholas; Hornykiewicz, Oleh; Zucca, Fabio A.

2004-01-01

In this study, a comparative analysis of metal-related neuronal vulnerability was performed in two brainstem nuclei, the locus coeruleus (LC) and substantia nigra (SN), known targets of the etiological noxae in Parkinson's disease and related disorders. LC and SN pars compacta neurons both degenerate in Parkinson's disease and other Parkinsonisms; however, LC neurons are comparatively less affected and with a variable degree of involvement. In this study, iron, copper, and their major molecular forms like ferritins, ceruloplasmin, neuromelanin (NM), manganese-superoxide dismutase (SOD), and copper/zinc-SOD were measured in LC and SN of normal subjects at different ages. Iron content in LC was much lower than that in SN, and the ratio heavy-chain ferritin/iron in LC was higher than in the SN. The NM concentration was similar in LC and SN, but the iron content in NM of LC was much lower than SN. In both regions, heavy- and light-chain ferritins were present only in glia and were not detectable in neurons. These data suggest that in LC neurons, the iron mobilization and toxicity is lower than that in SN and is efficiently buffered by NM. The bigger damage occurring in SN could be related to the higher content of iron. Ferritins accomplish the same function of buffering iron in glial cells. Ceruloplasmin levels were similar in LC and SN, but copper was higher in LC. However, the copper content in NM of LC was higher than that of SN, indicating a higher copper mobilization in LC neurons. Manganese-SOD and copper/zinc-SOD had similar age trend in LC and SN. These results may explain at least one of the reasons underlying lower vulnerability of LC compared to SN in Parkinsonian syndromes. PMID:15210960

Preparation of Chiral Triacylglycerols, sn-POO and sn-OOP, via Lipase-mediated Acidolysis Reaction.

PubMed

Yamamoto, Yukihiro; Yoshida, Hiroki; Nagai, Toshiharu; Hara, Setsuko

2018-02-01

It is well known that lipases are useful tools for preparing various structured triacylglycerols (TAGs). However, the lipase-mediated preparation of chiral TAGs has never been reported. This study aimed to prepare chiral TAGs (viz., 1-palmitoyl-2,3-dioleoyl-sn-glycerol (sn-POO) or 1,2-dioleoyl-3-palmitoyl-sn-glycerol (sn-OOP)) via lipase mediated acidolysis, using triolein (TO) and palmitic acid (P) as substrates. Three commercially available lipases (viz., Lipozyme RM-IM ® , Lipozyme TL-IM ® , and Lipase OF ® ) were used. Lipozyme RM-IM ® resulted in an increase 1P-2O (sn-POO + sn-OOP + 1,3-dioleoyl-2-palmitoyl-sn-glycerol) content with reaction time, which plateaued at 2~24 h (max. yield 47.1% at 4 h). The highest sn-POO/sn-OOP ratio of ca. 9 was obtained at 0.25 h, and the rate got close to 1 with reaction time (sn-POO/sn-OOP = 1.3 at 24 h). Lipozyme TL-IM ® resulted in a lower 1P-2O synthesis rate than Lipozyme RM-IM ® , where its highest sn-POO/sn-OOP ratio of ca. 2 was obtained at 0.25 h and did not vary much further with reaction time. In the case of Lipase OF ® , its reaction rate for 1P-2O synthesis was lower than that of the other two lipases, and the highest sn-POO/sn-OOP ratio of ca. 1.4 was obtained at 0.5 h, reaching closer to 1 with a longer reaction time. Reaction solvents (viz., hexane, acetone, and benzene) also affected the 1P-2O preparation, where the highest 1P-2O content was obtained with the solvent-free system. Furthermore, the solvent-free system showed a higher reaction rate for 1P-2O synthesis than did the hexane system, with no effect on chiral specificity of the lipase for the TAG molecules. These results suggested that among three types of commercial lipase, Lipozyme RM-IM ® is the most useful for the preparation of chiral TAGs by acidolysis reaction.

Effects of SnO2 on spectroscopic properties of borosilicate glasses before and after plasma treatment and its mechanical properties

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Abdel Wahab, E. A.; Shaaban, Kh S.

2018-02-01

B2O3-SiO2-Na2O-Al2O3-TiO2 glasses modified by SnO2 have prepared and characterized by UV-spectroscopy before and after plasma treatment and by ultrasonic techniques. Makishima-Mackenzie Model has been applied to determine the elastic moduli of glasses. The density and the elastic moduli either determined from the ultrasonic or that computed according to the Makishima-Mackenzie model increase as the SnO2 concentration increases. The values of the optical band gap E g before and after plasma treatment, and refractive index have been determined. It was found that these parameters are sensitive to the increase of SnO2 content. The vibration temperature of nitrogen glow discharge has been calculated using Boltzmann plots of second positive system N2 (C3Πu) → (B3 Πg). The obtained results of vibration temperature decrease with increasing of gas pressure at different discharge currents.

Optically stimulated luminescence in x-ray irradiated xSnO-(25-x)SrO-75B2O3 glass

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Nanto, H.; Nakagawa, R.; Takei, Y.; Hirasawa, K.; Miyamoto, Y.; Masai, H.; Kurobori, T.; Yanagida, T.; Fujimoto, Y.

2015-06-01

An intense optically stimulated luminescence (OSL) was observed, for the first time, in x-ray irradiated xSnO-(25-x)SrO-75B2O3 glass. It was found that the peak wavelength of OSL emission spectrum and its stimulation spectrum is about 400 nm and 600 nm, respectively. The OSL intensity is depended on the SnO contents (x=0.05-1.5) and the most intense OSL was observed in 1.0 mol% SnO doped glass. It was found that the OSL intensity is increased with increasing x-ray absorbed dose. Fairly good fading characteristics were observed in the x-ray irradiated glass, showing that this glass is useful as a candidate for OSL sensor materials for ionizing radiation monitoring.

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

Muir, Ryan D.; Sullivan, Shane Z.; Oglesbee, Robert A.

Digital lock-in amplification (LIA) with synchronous digitization (SD) is shown to provide significant signal to noise (S/N) and linear dynamic range advantages in beam-scanning microscopy measurements using pulsed laser sources. Direct comparisons between SD-LIA and conventional LIA in homodyne second harmonic generation measurements resulted in S/N enhancements consistent with theoretical models. SD-LIA provided notably larger S/N enhancements in the limit of low light intensities, through the smooth transition between photon counting and signal averaging developed in previous work. Rapid beam scanning instrumentation with up to video rate acquisition speeds minimized photo-induced sample damage. The corresponding increased allowance for higher lasermore » power without sample damage is advantageous for increasing the observed signal content.« less

Mechanical and transport properties of the poly(ethylene oxide)-poly(acrylic acid) double network hydrogel from molecular dynamic simulations.

PubMed

Jang, Seung Soon; Goddard, William A; Kalani, M Yashar S

2007-02-22

We used atomistic molecular dynamics (MD) simulations to investigate the mechanical and transport properties of the PEO-PAA double network (DN) hydrogel with 76 wt % water content. By analyzing the pair correlation functions for polymer-water pairs and for ion-water pairs and the solvent accessible surface area, we found that the solvation of polymer and ion in the DN hydrogel is enhanced in comparison with both PEO and PAA single network (SN) hydrogels. The effective mesh size of this DN hydrogel is smaller than that of the SN hydrogels with the same water content and the same molecular weight between the cross-linking points (Mc). Applying uniaxial extensions, we obtained the stress-strain curves for the hydrogels. This shows that the DN hydrogel has a sudden increase of stress above approximately 100% strain, much higher than the sum of the stresses of the two SN hydrogels at the same strain. This arises because PEO has a smaller Mc value than PAA, so that the PEO in the DN reaches fully stretched out at 100% strain that corresponds to 260% strain in the PEO SN (beyond this point, the bond stretching and the angle bending increase dramatically). We also calculated the diffusion coefficients of solutes such as D-glucose and ascorbic acid in the hydrogels, where we find that the diffusion coefficients of those solutes in the DN hydrogel are 60% of that in the PEO SN and 40% of that in the PAA SN due to its smaller effective mesh size.

Inhibition of intestinal microflora beta-glucuronidase modifies the distribution of the active metabolite of the antitumor agent, irinotecan hydrochloride (CPT-11) in rats.

PubMed

Takasuna, K; Hagiwara, T; Hirohashi, M; Kato, M; Nomura, M; Nagai, E; Yokoi, T; Kamataki, T

1998-01-01

SN-38, a metabolite of irinotecan hydrochloride (CPT-11), is considered to play a key role in the development of diarrhea as well as in the antitumor activity of CPT-11. We have previously found that the inhibition of beta-glucuronidase, which hydrolyzes detoxified SN-38 (SN-38 glucuronide) to reform SN-38, in the lumen by eliminating the intestinal microflora with antibiotics, markedly ameliorates the intestinal toxicity of CPT-11 in rats. In this study we compared the disposition of CPT-11 and its metabolites in rats treated with and without antibiotics. Rats were given drinking water containing 1 mg/ml penicillin and 2 mg/ml streptomycin from 5 days before the administration of CPT-11 (60 mg/kg i.v.) and throughout the experiment. CPT-11, SN-38 glucuronide and SN-38 concentrations in the blood, intestinal tissues and intestinal luminal contents were determined by HPLC. Antibiotics had little or no effect on the pharmacokinetics of CPT-11, SN-38 glucuronide or SN-38 in the blood, or in the tissues or contents of the small intestine, which has less beta-glucuronidase activity in its luminal contents. In contrast, antibiotics markedly reduced the AUC1-24 h of SN-38 (by about 85%) in the large intestine tissue without changing that of CPT-11, and this was accompanied by a complete inhibition of the deconjugation of SN-38 glucuronide in the luminal contents. These results suggest that SN-38, which results from the hydrolysis of SN-38 glucuronide by beta-glucuronidase in the intestinal microflora, contributes considerably to the distribution of SN-38 in the large intestine tissue, and that inhibition of the beta-glucuronidase activity by antibiotics results in decreased accumulation of SN-38 in the large intestine.

A New Class of Ternary Compound for Lithium-Ion Battery: from Composite to Solid Solution.

PubMed

Wang, Jiali; Wu, Hailong; Cui, Yanhua; Liu, Shengzhou; Tian, Xiaoqing; Cui, Yixiu; Liu, Xiaojiang; Yang, Yin

2018-02-14

Searching for high-performance cathode materials is a crucial task to develop advanced lithium-ion batteries (LIBs) with high-energy densities for electrical vehicles (EVs). As a promising lithium-rich material, Li 2 MnO 3 delivers high capacity over 200 mAh g -1 but suffers from poor structural stability and electronic conductivity. Replacing Mn 4+ ions by relatively larger Sn 4+ ions is regarded as a possible strategy to improve structural stability and thus cycling performance of Li 2 MnO 3 material. However, large difference in ionic radii of Mn 4+ and Sn 4+ ions leads to phase separation of Li 2 MnO 3 and Li 2 SnO 3 during high-temperature synthesis. To prepare solid-solution phase of Li 2 MnO 3 -Li 2 SnO 3 , a buffer agent of Ru 4+ , whose ionic radius is in between that of Mn 4+ and Sn 4+ ions, is introduced to assist the formation of a single solid-solution phase. The results show that the Li 2 RuO 3 -Li 2 MnO 3 -Li 2 SnO 3 ternary system evolves from mixed composite phases into a single solid-solution phase with increasing Ru content. Meanwhile, discharge capacity of this ternary system shows significantly increase at the transformation point which is ascribed to the improvement of Li + /e - transportation kinetics and anionic redox chemistry for solid-solution phase. The role of Mn/Sn molar ratio of Li 2 RuO 3 -Li 2 MnO 3 -Li 2 SnO 3 ternary system has also been studied. It is revealed that higher Sn content benefits cycling stability of the system because Sn 4+ ions with larger sizes could partially block the migration of Mn 4+ and Ru 4+ from transition metal layer to Li layer, thus suppressing structural transformation of the system from layered-to-spinel phase. These findings may enable a new route for exploring ternary or even quaternary lithium-rich cathode materials for LIBs.

Doped SnO₂ transparent conductive multilayer thin films explored by continuous composition spread.

PubMed

Lee, Jin Ju; Ha, Jong-Yoon; Choi, Won-Kook; Cho, Yong Soo; Choi, Ji-Won

2015-04-13

Mn-doped SnO₂ thin films were fabricated by a continuous composition spread (CCS) method on a glass substrate at room temperature to find optimized compositions. The fabricated materials were found to have a lower resistivity than pure SnO₂ thin films because of oxygen vacancies generated by Mn doping. As Mn content was increased, resistivity was found to decrease for limited doping concentrations. The minimum thin film resistivity was 0.29 Ω-cm for a composition of 2.59 wt % Mn-doped SnO₂. The Sn-O vibrational stretching frequency in FT-IR showed a blue shift, consistent with oxygen deficiency. Mn-doped SnO₂/Ag/Mn-doped SnO₂ multilayer structures were fabricated using this optimized composition deposited by an on-axis radio frequency (RF) sputter. The multilayer transparent conducting oxide film had a resistivity of 7.35 × 10⁻⁵ Ω-cm and an average transmittance above 86% in the 550 nm wavelength region.

Zero added oxygen for high quality sputtered ITO: A data science investigation of reduced Sn-content and added Zr

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

Peshek, Timothy J.; Burst, James M.; Coutts, Timothy J.

The authors demonstrate mobilities of >45 cm{sup 2}/V s for sputtered tin-doped indium oxide (ITO) films at zero added oxygen. All films were deposited with 5 wt. % SnO{sub 2}, instead of the more conventional 8–10 wt. %, and had varying ZrO{sub 2} content from 0 to 3 wt. %, with a subsequent reduction in In{sub 2}O{sub 3} content. These films were deposited by radio-frequency magnetron sputtering from nominally stoichiometric targets with varying oxygen partial pressure in the sputter ambient. Anomalous behavior was discovered for films with no Zr-added, where a bimodality of high and low mobilities was discovered for nominally similar growth conditions.more » However, all films showed the lowest resistivity and highest mobilities when the oxygen partial pressure in the sputter ambient was zero. This result is contrasted with several other reports of ITO transport performance having a maximum for small but nonzero oxygen partial pressure. This result is attributed to the reduced concentration of SnO{sub 2}. The addition of ZrO{sub 2} yielded the highest mobilities at >55 cm{sup 2}/V s and the films showed a modest increase in optical transmission with increasing Zr-content.« less

Behavior of Sn-0.7Cu-xZn lead free solder on physical properties and micro structure

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Siahaan, Erwin

2017-09-01

The issues to substitute Tin-Lead Solders is concerning the health and environmental hazards that is caused by lead, and also legislative actions around the world regarding lead toxicity, which has prompted the research community to attempt to replace solder alloys for the traditional Sn-Pb alloys lead which has been used by industrial worker throughout history because it is easily extracted and refined at a relatively low energy cost and also has a range of useful properties. Traditional industry lead has been used in soldering materials for electronic applications because it has low melting point and a soft, malleable nature, when combined with tin at the eutectic composition which causes the alloy to flow easily in the liquid state and solidifies over a very small range of temperature. One of the potential candidate to replace tin-lead solder is Sn-Cu-Zn eutectic alloy as it has a lower melting temperature. Consequently, it is of interest to determine what reactions can occur in ternary systems derived from the Sn-Cu-Zn eutectic. One such system is Sn-0.7Cu-xZn. The specimen was elaborated on physical properties. The chemical content was analyzed by using Shimadzu XRD and melting point was analyzed by using Differential Scanning Calorimeter ( DSC ). The results has shown that the highest addition of Zinc content (15%Zn) will decrease the melting temperatur to 189°C compared to Sn-Pb at 183°C Increasing the amount of Zn on Sn0.7Cu-xZn alloys will decrease Cu3Sn intermetallic coumpound.

Recent progress in GeSn growth and GeSn-based photonic devices

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Zheng, Jun; Liu, Zhi; Xue, Chunlai; Li, Chuanbo; Zuo, Yuhua; Cheng, Buwen; Wang, Qiming

2018-06-01

The GeSn binary alloy is a new group IV material that exhibits a direct bandgap when the Sn content exceeds 6%. It shows great potential for laser use in optoelectronic integration circuits (OEIC) on account of its low light emission efficiency arising from the indirect bandgap characteristics of Si and Ge. The bandgap of GeSn can be tuned from 0.6 to 0 eV by varying the Sn content, thus making this alloy suitable for use in near-infrared and mid-infrared detectors. In this paper, the growth of the GeSn alloy is first reviewed. Subsequently, GeSn photodetectors, light emitting diodes, and lasers are discussed. The GeSn alloy presents a promising pathway for the monolithic integration of Si photonic circuits by the complementary metal–oxide–semiconductor (CMOS) technology. Project supported by the Beijing Natural Science Foundation (No. 4162063) and the Youth Innovation Promotion Association of CAS (No. 2015091).

The electrocatalytic reduction of nitrate in water on Pd/Sn-modified activated carbon fiber electrode.

PubMed

Wang, Ying; Qu, Jiuhui; Wu, Rongcheng; Lei, Pengju

2006-03-01

The Pd/Sn-modified activated carbon fiber (ACF) electrodes were successfully prepared by the impregnation of Pd2+ and Sn2+ ions onto ACF, and their electrocatalytic reduction capacity for nitrate ions in water was evaluated in a batch experiment. The electrode was characterized by scanning electron microscope (SEM), transmission electron microscope (TEM), X-ray diffraction (XRD), X-ray photoelectron spectrum (XPS) and temperature programmed reduction (TPR). The capacity for nitrate reduction depending on Sn content on the electrode and the pH of electrolyte was discussed at length. The results showed that at an applied current density of 1.11 mA cm(-2), nitrate ions in water (solution volume: 400 mL) were reduced from 110 to 3.4 mg L(-1) after 240 min with consecutive change of intermediate nitrite. Ammonium ions and nitrogen were formed as the main final products. The amount of other possible gaseous products (including NO and N2O) was trace. With the increase of Sn content on the Pd/Sn-modified ACF electrode, the activity for nitrate reduction went up to reach a maximum (at Pd/Sn = 4) and then decreased, while the selectivity to N2 was depressed. Higher pH value of electrolyte exhibited more suppression effect on the reduction of nitrite than that of nitrate. However, no significant influence on the final ammonia formation was observed. Additionally, Cu ion in water was found to cover the active sites of the electrode to make the electrode deactivated.

Effects of Yttrium Addition on Microstructure and Mechanical Properties of AZ80-2Sn Magnesium Alloys

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Xue, Hansong; Yang, Gang; Li, Di; Xing, Zhihui; Pan, Fusheng

2015-12-01

The effects of Y on microstructure and mechanical properties of as-cast AZ80-2Sn magnesium alloys were investigated by optical microscopy, scanning electron microscopy and X-ray diffraction. Y addition not only changes the as-cast microstructure but also influences the mechanical properties of AZ80-2Sn alloy. Unmodified AZ80-2Sn alloys under casting state show that Mg17Al12 eutectic phase is semicontinuous and reticulated shape and distributes mainly at grain boundaries. Moreover, there are numerous Mg2Sn precipitate particles dispersing in Mg17Al12 eutectic phases. Y addition to as-cast AZ80-2Sn alloys has an important influence on the precipitation phase. But there has no obvious effect on grain refinement with Y addition. The results show that the AZ80-2Sn alloys with variable Y contents all contain Al2Y phase. By adding Y, the amount of Mg17Al12 is decreased and the dimension of that is reduced. Mg17Al12 eutectic phase turns to discontinuous, and the more disperse phases occur with the increase of Y content. The tensile tests indicate that a minor addition of Y can contribute to the formation of the dispersed small polygonal Al2Y particles and the improvement in the room-temperature strength. However, excessive Y addition leads to the coarsening of Al2Y phases, and thus results in the decline of strength and ductility.

Research on hardness and tensile properties of A390 alloy with tin addition

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Si, Yi

2018-03-01

The effect of tin content on hardness and tensile properties of A390 alloys has been discussed. The microstructure of the A390 alloy with tin addition has been surveyed by OM and investigated by SEM. Research showed that β-Sn in the alloy precipitation forms were mainly small blocks and thin strips, particles within the Al2Cu network or large blocks consisting of β-Sn and Al2Cu on Al/Si interfaces or α-Al grain boundaries. Spheroidization of the primary and eutectic silicon was improved due to Sn accretion. With the augment of element tin, hardness of casting alloy is much higher than that of alloy after heat treatment. The elongation and ultimate tensile strength (UTS) were increased in Sn addition from 0 to 1%, which is attributed to the multiple action of Sn.

Synchronous digitization for high dynamic range lock-in amplification in beam-scanning microscopy

PubMed Central

Muir, Ryan D.; Sullivan, Shane Z.; Oglesbee, Robert A.; Simpson, Garth J.

2014-01-01

Digital lock-in amplification (LIA) with synchronous digitization (SD) is shown to provide significant signal to noise (S/N) and linear dynamic range advantages in beam-scanning microscopy measurements using pulsed laser sources. Direct comparisons between SD-LIA and conventional LIA in homodyne second harmonic generation measurements resulted in S/N enhancements consistent with theoretical models. SD-LIA provided notably larger S/N enhancements in the limit of low light intensities, through the smooth transition between photon counting and signal averaging developed in previous work. Rapid beam scanning instrumentation with up to video rate acquisition speeds minimized photo-induced sample damage. The corresponding increased allowance for higher laser power without sample damage is advantageous for increasing the observed signal content. PMID:24689588

Possibility of Exciton Mediated Superconductivity in Nano-Sized Sn/Si Core-Shell Clusters: A Process Technology towards Heterogeneous Material in Nano-Scale

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Kurokawa, Yuichiro; Hihara, Takehiko; Ichinose, Ikuo; Sumiyama, Kenji

2012-07-01

We have produced Sn/Si core-shell cluster assemblies by a plasma-gas-condensation cluster beam deposition apparatus. For the sample with Si content = 12 at. %, the temperature dependence of electrical resistivity exhibits a metallic behavior above 10 K and the onset of superconducting transition below 6.1 K. With decreasing temperature, the thermomagnetic curve for the sample with Si content = 8 at. % begins to decrease steadily toward negative value below 7.7 K, indicating the Meissner effect. An increase in the transition temperature, TC is attributable to exciton-type superconductivity.

Tin doped PrBaFe 2O 5+δ anode material for solid oxide fuel cells

DOE PAGES

Dong, Guohui; Yang, Chunyang; He, Fei; ...

2017-04-25

Ceramic anodes have many advantages over cermet anodes for solid oxide fuel cells. We report the synthesis and characterization of Sn doped double perovskite PrBaFe (2-x)Sn xO 5+δ (x = 0–0.3) anode materials. Different crystal structures were observed depending on the Sn doping level and gas atmosphere. The materials demonstrated excellent stability in both reducing and redox atmospheres at elevated temperatures. The oxygen content in the as-prepared PrBaFe (2-x)Sn xO 5+δ was nonlinearly correlated to the Sn doping level and reached maximum values around x = 0.1. After the reducing treatment, the oxygen content linearly decreased with increasing Sn dopingmore » level. The electrical conductivity of bulk PrBaFe (2-x)Sn xO 5+δ (x = 0.1) reached 63.6 S cm -1 at 800 °C in humidified hydrogen. At 750 °C, the surface exchange coefficient and bulk diffusivity of PrBaFe (2-x)Sn xO 5+δ reached the maximum values of 4.42 × 10 -6 m s -1 and 6.04 × 10 -7 m 2 s -1, respectively, in the reducing process when the Sn doping level was x = 0.1. The activation energies of surface exchange coefficient and bulk diffusivity of PrBaFe (2-x)Sn xO 5+δ (x = 0.1) were 0.22 eV and 0.16 eV, respectively, in the reducing process. The area specific resistance of the PrBaFe (2-x)Sn xO 5+δ (x = 0.1) anode was 0.095–0.285 Ω cm 2 from 850–750 °C in humidified hydrogen, better than or comparable to the best ceramic anodes in the literature.« less

Electronic state and superconductivity of YBa2Cu3-xO7-y (M=Al,Zn and Sn) systems

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Zhao, Y.; Zhang, Q. R.; Zhang, H.

1990-01-01

A series of YBa2Cu(3-x)MxO(7-y) (M=Al,Zn and Sn) single phase samples were prepared, and the measurements of the crystal structure, oxygen content, electric resistivity, thermoelectric power, Mossbauer spectrum, XPS and superconductivity were performed. The experimental results of X ray powder diffraction, Mossbauer spectrum and oxygen content show that the Zn(2+) and the Al(3+) occupy the Cu(2) site in Cu-O planes and the Cu(1) site in Cu-O chains respectively, but the Sn(4+) occupies both the Cu(1) sites. As regards the properties in superconducting state, both the Zn(2+) and the Al(3+) depress T(sub c) strongly, but the Sn(4+) does not. As for the electronic transport properties in normal state, the system doped by Al(3+) displays a rapid increase of resistivity and some electron localization-like effects, and the thermoelectric power enhances obviously; the series contained Zn(2+) almost shows no changes of electric resistivity but the sign of the thermoelectric power is reversed. Other results are given and briefly discussed.

Synthesis of tin (II) oxide from tin (II) oxohydroxide

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Kuznetsova, Svetlana; Lisitsa, Konstantin

2017-11-01

Sufficiently limited use of tin (II) oxide is associated with the difficulties of its preparation without impurities of tin (IV) oxide. Understanding the cause of the oxidation process will make it possible to develop methods for obtaining SnO without impurities. The influence of ammonium chloride concentration in the suspension on the oxide composition was investigated. The temperature of oxidation (400 °C) on the air and temperature decomposition in the argon (350 °C) of Sn6O4(OH)4 in the solid phase were determined by the thermal analysis method. The decomposition temperature of the oxyhydroxide in the suspension of ammonium chloride does not exceed 100 °C. An increase in the content of ammonium chloride in an aqueous solution leads to an increase i n the solubility of oxohydroxide and leads to an increase in pH. The suspensions of Sn6O4(OH)4 were subjected to heat treatment on a sand bath and under microwave irradiation. Samples of tin oxide were obtained. The quantitative composition of the mixture of tin oxides was determined. The research also highlights emphasizes that the oxidation of tin (II) to tin (IV) is associated with the dissolved oxygen content in the suspension.

Effect of sodium ascorbate dose on the shelf life stability of reduced nitrite liver pâtés.

PubMed

Vossen, Els; Doolaege, Evelyne H A; Moges, Haile Demewez; De Meulenaer, Bruno; Szczepaniak, Slawomir; Raes, Katleen; De Smet, Stefaan

2012-05-01

The effect of sodium ascorbate (SA; 500, 750, 1000 mg/kg) and sodium nitrite (SN; 40, 80, 120 mg/kg) doses on the shelf-life stability of liver pâtés was investigated in a full factorial design. Clear dose-dependent responses of the added SN or SA were found for the concentrations of nitrite, ascorbic acid and dehydroascorbic acid in the raw batters and in the cooked pâtés before and after 48 h of chilled display. Decreasing the SN dose to 80 mg/kg had no negative impact on the colour stability (a* value) and lipid oxidation (TBARS), and no additional antioxidant effect of SA was noticed. Lowering SN to 40 mg/kg resulted in proper colour formation, but the colour stability was inferior and lipid oxidation increased. Yet, increasing the amount of SA, at this low SN dose, resulted in lower TBARS values. Decreasing the SN dose to 80 or 40 mg/kg had no distinct effect on protein oxidation, which was however only measured by carbonyl content. Copyright © 2011 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.

Low-temperature thermoelectric properties of Pb doped Cu2SnSe3

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Prasad K, Shyam; Rao, Ashok; Gahtori, Bhasker; Bathula, Sivaiah; Dhar, Ajay; Chang, Chia-Chi; Kuo, Yung-Kang

2017-09-01

A series of Cu2Sn1-xPbxSe3 (0 ≤ x ≤ 0.04) compounds was prepared by solid state synthesis technique. The electrical resistivity (ρ) decreased with increase in Pb content up to x = 0.01, thereafter it increased with further increase in x (till x = 0.03). However, the lowest value of electrical resistivity is observed for Cu2Sn0.96Pb0.04Se3. Analysis of electrical resistivity of all the samples suggests that small poloron hoping model is operative in the high temperature regime while variable range hopping is effective in the low temperature regime. The positive Seebeck coefficient (S) for pristine and doped samples in the entire temperature range indicates that the majority charge carriers are holes. The electronic thermal conductivity (κe) of the Cu2Sn1-xPbxSe3 compounds was estimated by the Wiedemann-Franz law and found that the contribution from κe is less than 1% of the total thermal conductivity (κ). The highest ZT 0.013 was achieved at 400 K for the sample Cu2Sn0.98Pb0.02Se3, about 30% enhancement as compared to the pristine sample.

Photo degradation of methyl orange by attapulgite-SnO2-TiO2 nanocomposites.

PubMed

Zhang, Lili; Lv, Fujian; Zhang, Weiguang; Li, Rongqing; Zhong, Hui; Zhao, Yijiang; Zhang, Yu; Wang, Xin

2009-11-15

Photocatalytic removal of methyl orange under ultraviolet radiation has been studied using attapulgite (ATT) composites, which were synthesized by depositing SnO(2)-TiO(2) hybrid oxides on the surface of ATT to form a composite photocatalyst (denoted ATT-SnO(2)-TiO(2)) using an in situ sol-gel technique. Results showed that SnO(2)-TiO(2) nanocomposite particles with average size of about 10nm were loaded successfully on to the surface of ATT fibers and were widely dispersed. Correspondingly, the photocatalytic activity of ATT was improved significantly by loading SnO(2)-TiO(2). The photoactivity of the composite photocatalyst decreased in the sequence ATT-SnO(2)-TiO(2)>ATT-SnO(2)>ATT-TiO(2)>ATT. In order to achieve the best photocatalyst, the molar ratio of SnO(2) and TiO(2) in the ATT-SnO(2)-TiO(2) composites was adjusted to give a series with proportions r=n(Ti)/(n(Ti)+n(Sn))=0.0, 0.25, 0.33, 0.50, 0.67, 0.75, 0.80, 0.82, 0.86, 1.0. Results indicated that the proportion of SnO(2) and TiO(2) had a critical effect on the photocatalytic activity, which increased as the content of TiO(2) increased to r0.82. The highest degradation rate of methyl orange was 99% within 30 min obtained by using ATT-SnO(2)-TiO(2) with r=0.82. The repeated use of the composite photocatalyst was also confirmed.

Remarkably Enhanced Room-Temperature Hydrogen Sensing of SnO₂ Nanoflowers via Vacuum Annealing Treatment.

PubMed

Liu, Gao; Wang, Zhao; Chen, Zihui; Yang, Shulin; Fu, Xingxing; Huang, Rui; Li, Xiaokang; Xiong, Juan; Hu, Yongming; Gu, Haoshuang

2018-03-23

In this work, SnO₂ nanoflowers synthesized by a hydrothermal method were employed as hydrogen sensing materials. The as-synthesized SnO₂ nanoflowers consisted of cuboid-like SnO₂ nanorods with tetragonal structures. A great increase in the relative content of surface-adsorbed oxygen was observed after the vacuum annealing treatment, and this increase could have been due to the increase in surface oxygen vacancies serving as preferential adsorption sites for oxygen species. Annealing treatment resulted in an 8% increase in the specific surface area of the samples. Moreover, the conductivity of the sensors decreased after the annealing treatment, which should be attributed to the increase in electron scattering around the defects and the compensated donor behavior of the oxygen vacancies due to the surface oxygen adsorption. The hydrogen sensors of the annealed samples, compared to those of the unannealed samples, exhibited a much higher sensitivity and faster response rate. The sensor response factor and response rate increased from 27.1% to 80.2% and 0.34%/s to 1.15%/s, respectively. This remarkable enhancement in sensing performance induced by the annealing treatment could be attributed to the larger specific surface areas and higher amount of surface-adsorbed oxygen, which provides a greater reaction space for hydrogen. Moreover, the sensors with annealed SnO₂ nanoflowers also exhibited high selectivity towards hydrogen against CH₄, CO, and ethanol.

Development of a Cu-Sn based brazing system with a low brazing and a high remelting temperature

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Schmieding, M.; Holländer, U.; Möhwald, K.

2017-03-01

Objective of the project presented is the development of a joining process for hot working steel components at low brazing temperatures leading to a bond with a much higher remelting temperature. This basically is achieved by the use of a Cu-Sn melt spinning foil combined with a pure Cu foil. During brazing, the Sn content of the foil is decreased by diffusion of Sn into the additional Cu resulting in a homogenious joint with a increased remelting temperature of the filler metal. Within this project specimens were brazed and diffusion annealed in a vacuum furnace at 850 °C varying the processing times (0 - 10 h). The samples prepared were studied metallographically and diffusion profiles of Sn were recorded using EDX line scans. The results are discussed in view of further investigations and envisaged applications.

Ubiquitin proteasome system in Parkinson's disease: a keeper or a witness?

PubMed

Martins-Branco, Diogo; Esteves, Ana R; Santos, Daniel; Arduino, Daniela M; Swerdlow, Russell H; Oliveira, Catarina R; Januario, Cristina; Cardoso, Sandra M

2012-12-01

The aim of this work was to evaluate the role of ubiquitin-proteasome system (UPS) on mitochondrial-driven alpha-synuclein (aSN) clearance in in vitro, ex vivo and in vivo Parkinson's disease (PD) cellular models. We used SH-SY5Y ndufa2 knock-down (KD) cells, PD cybrids and peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMC) from patients meeting the diagnostic criteria for PD. We quantified aSN aggregation, proteasome activity and protein ubiquitination levels. In PBMC of PD patient population we evaluated the aSN levels in the plasma and the influence of several demographic characteristics in the above mentioned determinations. We found that ubiquitin-independent proteasome activity was up-regulated in SH-SY5Y ndufa2 KD cells while a downregulation was observed in PD cybrids and PBMC. Moreover, we observed an increase in protein ubiquitination that correlates with a decrease in ubiquitin-dependent proteasome activity. Accordingly, proteasome inhibition prevented ubiquitin-dependent aSN clearance. Ubiquitin-independent proteasome activity was positively correlated with ubiquitination in PBMC. We also report a negative correlation of chymotrypsin-like activity with age in control and late-onset PD groups. Total ubiquitin content is positively correlated with aSN oligomer levels, which leads to an age-dependent increase of aSN ubiquitination in LOPD. Moreover, aSN levels are increased in the plasma of PD patients. aSN oligomers are ubiquitinated and we identified a ubiquitin-dependent clearance insufficiency with the accumulation of both aSN and ubiquitin. However, SH-SY5Y ndufa2 KD cells showed a significant up-regulation of ubiquitin-independent proteasomal enzymatic activity that could mean a cell rescue attempt. Moreover, we identified that UPS function is age-dependent in PBMC. Copyright © 2012 Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.

Ubiquitin Proteasome System in Parkinson Disease: a keeper or a witness?

PubMed Central

Martins-Branco, Diogo; Esteves, Ana R.; Santos, Daniel; Arduino, Daniela M.; Swerdlow, Russell H.; Oliveira, Catarina R.; Januario, Cristina; Cardoso, Sandra M.

2014-01-01

Objective The aim of this work was to evaluate the role of Ubiquitin-Proteasome System (UPS) on mitochondrial-driven alpha-synuclein (aSN) clearance in in vitro, ex vivo and in vivo Parkinson disease (PD) cellular models. Method We used SH-SY5Y ndufa2 knock-down (KD) cells, PD cybrids and peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMC) from patients meeting the diagnostic criteria for PD. We quantified aSN aggregation, proteasome activity and protein ubiquitination levels. In PBMC of PD patients population we evaluated aSN levels in plasma and the influence of several demographic characteristics in the above mentioned determinations. Results We found that ubiquitin-independent proteasome activity was up-regulated in SH-SY5Y ndufa2 KD cells while a down regulation was observed in PD cybrids and PBMC. Moreover, we observed an increase in protein ubiquitination that correlates with a decrease in ubiquitin-dependent proteasome activity. Accordingly, proteasome inhibition prevented ubiquitin-dependent aSN clearance. Ubiquitin-independent proteasome activity was positively correlated with ubiquitination in PBMC. We also report a negative correlation of chymotrypsin-like activity with age in control and late-onset PD groups. Total ubiquitin content is positively correlated with aSN oligomers levels, which leads to an age-dependent increase of aSN ubiquitination in LOPD. Moreover, aSN levels are increased in the plasma of PD patients. Interpretation aSN oligomers are ubiquitinated and we identified an ubiquitin-dependent clearance insufficiency with accumulation of both aSN and ubiquitin. However, SH-SY5Y ndufa2 KD cells showed a significant up-regulation of ubiquitin-independent proteasomal enzymatic activity that could mean a cell rescue attempt. Moreover, we identified that UPS function is age-dependent in PBMC. PMID:22921536

Influence of Sn ion doping on the photocatalytic performance of V2O5 nanorods prepared by hydrothermal method

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Rajeshwari, S.; Santhosh Kumar, J.; Rajendrakumar, R. T.; Ponpandian, N.; Thangadurai, P.

2018-02-01

Pure and different concentrations of Sn4+ doped V2O5 (Sn:V2O5) nanorods were synthesized by hydrothermal method. The Sn:V2O5 nanorods obtained were orthorhombic in structure. No secondary phase was observed up to 10% of Sn doping, but beyond that, there evolved a secondary phase of SnO2. Microstructural analysis revealed the morphology of V2O5 as nanorods and platelets like structure. Presence of V, O and Sn elements in the samples was confirmed by energy dispersive spectroscopy. The V2O5 nanorods have shown a strong absorption in the visible region and the band gap energy was obtained to be varying from 2.21 to 2.26 eV as a function of Sn ion doping. Photocatalytic studies on methylene blue (MB) under visible light irradiation showed that the 3% Sn:V2O5 had effectively degraded MB up to a maximum degradation of 96% and further increase in Sn content had decreased the photodegradation due to higher recombination rate of photogenerated electrons. The mechanism of photodegradation was completely understood and the OH· radicals have played a dominant role in the photodegradation of the organic dyes.

Cadmium effect on structural properties of Cu{sub 2}Zn{sub 1-x}Cd{sub x}SnS{sub 4} quinternary alloys nanostructures

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

Ibraheam, A. S.; Al-Douri, Y., E-mail: yaldouri@yahoo.com; Hashim, U.

The study report novel sensing plat of extended quinternart materials, Cu{sub 2}Zn{sub 1-x}d{sub x}SnS{sub 4} quinternary alloy nanostructures were fabricated onto oxidized silicon substrate by sol-gel method and characterized were synthesized by X-ray diffraction (XRD). The XRD peaks were shifted towered the lower angle side with increasing cadmium content. The practical size average of the Cu{sub 2}Zn{sub 1-x}d{sub x}SnS{sub 4} quinternary alloy nanostructures between 34.55 to 63.30 nm.

Crystal structure, Raman scattering and magnetic properties of CuCr2-xZrxSe4 and CuCr2-xSnxSe4 selenospinels

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Pinto, C.; Galdámez, A.; Barahona, P.; Moris, S.; Peña, O.

2018-06-01

Selenospinels, CuCr2-xMxSe4 (M = Zr and Sn), were synthesized via conventional solid-state reactions. The crystal structure of CuCr1.5Sn0.5Se4, CuCr1.7Sn0.3Se4, CuCr1.5Zr0.5Se4, and CuCr1.8Zr0.2Se4 were determined using single-crystal X-ray diffraction. All the phases crystallized in a cubic spinel-type structure. The chemical compositions of the single-crystals were examined using energy-dispersive X-ray analysis (EDS). Powder X-ray diffraction patterns of CuCr1.3Sn0.7Se4 and CuCr1.7Sn0.3Se4 were consistent with phases belonging to the Fd 3 bar m Space group. An analysis of the vibrational properties on the single-crystals was performed using Raman scattering measurements. The magnetic properties showed a spin glass behavior with increasing Sn content and ferromagnetic order for CuCr1.7Sn0.3Se4.

Photoreduction of Carbon Dioxide to Methane Over Sb1.5Sn8.5-x Ti x O19.0 with High Conductivity.

PubMed

Do, Jeong Yeon; Kwak, Byeong Sub; Kang, Misook

2018-09-01

In order to enhance the photoreduction of CO2 to CH4, a new type of photocatalyst, Sb1.5Sn8.5-xTixO19.0, with high conductivity and low bandgap was developed by partially incorporating Ti into the framework of Sb1.5Sn8.5O19.0 (antimony-doped tin oxide, ATO) using a controlled hydrothermal method. XRD and TEM analyses indicated that the Sb1.5Sn8.5-xTixO19.0 particles exhibited a tetragonal crystal structure and were approximately 20 nm in size. Furthermore, the bandgap and conductivity of these materials increased with increasing Ti content. A study of the photoreduction of CO2 with H2O revealed a remarkable increase in the generation of CH4 over the Sb1.5Sn8.5-xTixO19.0 catalysts. In particular, CH4 generation was the highest when Sb1.5Sn8.5Ti1.0O19.0 was used as the photocatalyst, and was three-fold higher than that achieved by using anatase TiO2. Photoluminescence studies showed that the enhanced photocatalytic activity of the Sb1.5Sn8.5-xTixO19.0 materials could be attributed to the interfacial transfer of photogenerated charges, which led to an effective charge separation and inhibition of the recombination of photogenerated electron-hole (e-/h+) pairs.

Electrical Transport Properties of Single-Crystalline β-Zn4Sb3 Prepared Through the Zn-Sn Mixed-Flux Method

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Liu, Hongxia; Deng, Shuping; Shen, Lanxian; Wang, Jinsong; Feng, Cheng; Deng, Shukang

2017-03-01

β-Zn4Sb3 is a promising p-type thermoelectric material for utilization in moderate temperatures. This study prepares a group of single-crystalline β-Zn4Sb3 samples using the Zn-Sn mixed-flux method based on the stoichiometric ratios of Zn4+ x Sb3Sn y . The effect of Zn-to-Sn proportion in the flux on the structure and electrical transport properties is investigated. All samples are strip-shaped single crystals of different sizes. The actual Zn content of the present samples is improved (>3.9) compared with that of the samples prepared through the Sn flux method. Larger lattice parameters are also obtained. The carrier concentration of all the samples is in the order of over 1019 cm-3. With increasing Sn rate in the flux, this carrier concentration decreases, whereas mobility is significantly enhanced. The electrical conductivity and Seebeck coefficients of all the samples exhibit a behavior that of a degenerate semiconductor transport. Electrical conductivity initially increases and then decreases as the Sn ratio in the flux increases. The electrical conductivity of the x: y = 5:1 sample reaches 6.45 × 104 S m-1 at 300 K. Benefitting from the electrical conductivity and Seebeck coefficient, the flux proportion of the x: y = 7:1 sample finally achieves the highest power factor value of 1.4 × 10-3 W m-1 K-2 at 598 K.

Thermoelectric Properties of Sr-Filled Ge-Based Type I Single-Crystal Clathrate Grown by Sn-Flux Method

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Deng, Shuping; Liu, Hongxia; Li, Decong; Wang, Jinsong; Cheng, Feng; Shen, Lanxian; Deng, Shukang

2017-05-01

Single-crystal samples of Sr-filled Ge-based type I clathrate have been prepared by the Sn-flux method, and their thermoelectric properties investigated. The obtained samples exhibited n-type conduction with carrier concentration varying from 2.8 × 1019/cm3 to 6.8 × 1019/cm3 as the carrier mobility changed from 23.9 cm2/V-s to 15.1 cm2/V-s at room temperature. Structural analysis indicated that all samples were type I clathrate in space group pm\\bar{it{3}}n . The total content of group IV (Ge + Sn) atoms in the crystalline structure increased with increasing x value (where x defines the atomic ratio of starting elements, Sr:Ga:Ge:Sn = 8:16: x:20), reaching a maximum value of 31.76 at.% for the sample with x = 30; consequently, the lattice parameters increased. The melting points for all samples were approximately 1012 K, being considerably lower than that of single-crystal Sr8Ga16Ge30 prepared by other methods. The electrical conductivity increased while the absolute value of α increased gradually with increasing temperature; the maximum value of α reached 193 μV/K at 750 K for the sample with x = 24. The sample with x = 30 exhibited lower lattice thermal conductivity of 0.80 W/m-K. As a result, among all the Sn-flux samples, single-crystal Sr7.92Ga15.04Sn0.35Ge30.69 had the largest ZT value of 1.0 at about 750 K.

Characterisation of Fecal Soap Fatty Acids, Calcium Contents, Bacterial Community and Short-Chain Fatty Acids in Sprague Dawley Rats Fed with Different sn-2 Palmitic Triacylglycerols Diets.

PubMed

Wan, Jianchun; Hu, Songyou; Ni, Kefeng; Chang, Guifang; Sun, Xiangjun; Yu, Liangli

2016-01-01

The structure of dietary triacylglycerols is thought to influence fatty acid and calcium absorption, as well as intestinal microbiota population of the host. In the present study, we investigated the impact of palmitic acid (PA) esterified at the sn-2 position on absorption of fatty acid and calcium and composition of intestinal microorganisms in rats fed high-fat diets containing either low sn-2 PA (12.1%), medium sn-2 PA (40.4%) or high sn-2 PA (56.3%), respectively. Fecal fatty acid profiles in the soaps were measured by gas chromatography (GC), while fecal calcium concentration was detected by ICP-MS. The fecal microbial composition was assessed using a 16S rRNA high-throughput sequencing technology and fecal short-chain fatty acids were detected by ion chromatograph. Dietary supplementation with a high sn-2 PA fat significantly reduced total fecal contents of fatty acids soap and calcium compared with the medium or low sn-2 PA fat groups. Diet supplementation with sn-2 PA fat did not change the entire profile of the gut microbiota community at phylum level and the difference at genera level also were minimal in the three treatment groups. However, high sn-2 PA fat diet could potentially improve total short-chain fatty acids content in the feces, suggesting that high dietary sn-2 PA fat might have a beneficial effect on host intestinal health.

Synthesis and enhanced acetone gas-sensing performance of ZnSnO3/SnO2 hollow urchin nanostructures

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Lian, Dandan; Shi, Bing; Dai, Rongrong; Jia, Xiaohua; Wu, Xiangyang

2017-12-01

A kind of novel ZnSnO3/SnO2 hollow urchin nanostructure was synthesized by a facile, eco-friendly two-step liquid-phase process. The structure, morphology, and composition of samples were characterized using X-ray diffraction (XRD), scanning electron microscopy (SEM), transmission electron microscopy (TEM), X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS), and nitrogen adsorption-desorption techniques. The results revealed that many tiny needle-like SnO2 nanowires with the average diameter of 5 nm uniformly grew on the surface of the ZnSnO3 hollow microspheres and the ZnSnO3/SnO2 hollow urchin nanostructures with different SnO2 content also were successfully prepared. In order to comprehend the evolution process of the ZnSnO3/SnO2 hollow urchin nanostructures, the possible growth mechanism of samples was illustrated via several experiments in different reaction conditions. Moreover, the gas-sensing performance of as-prepared samples was investigated. The results showed that ZnSnO3/SnO2 hollow urchin nanostructures with high response to various concentration levels of acetone enhanced selectivity, satisfying repeatability, and good long-term stability for acetone detection. Specially, the 10 wt% ZnSnO3/SnO2 hollow urchin nanostructure exhibited the best gas sensitivity (17.03 for 50 ppm acetone) may be a reliable biomarker for the diabetes patients, which could be ascribed to its large specific surface area, complete pore permeability, and increase of chemisorbed oxygen due to the doping of SnO2.

One-pot electrospinning and gas-sensing properties of LaMnO3 perovskite/SnO2 heterojunction nanofibers

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Chen, Dongdong; Yi, Jianxin

2018-03-01

Using nanostructured composite materials is an effective way to obtain high-performance gas sensors. This work used p-type LaMnO3 perovskite-structured semiconductor as a novel promoter for SnO2 nanofibers and studied the gas-sensing characteristics. Nanofibers of 0-2.5-mol% LaMnO3/SnO2 were synthesized via one-pot electrospinning. Compared with pristine SnO2, LaMnO3/SnO2 composite nanofibers exhibited smaller particle size (10-30 nm) and higher BET surface area. XPS revealed that oxygen surface absorption decreased with increasing LaMnO3 content. 0.3-mol% LaMnO3/SnO2 exhibited significantly enhanced ethanol sensitivity relative to pristine SnO2. A response of 20 was obtained at the optimum temperature of 260 °C for 100-ppm ethanol. Higher LaMnO3 loading led to decrease of the ethanol response. The impact of LaMnO3 loading on the sensing behavior of SnO2 nanofibers was discussed in terms of p-n heterojunction formation and changes in the microstructure and catalytic properties.

Dissociation between iron accumulation and ferritin upregulation in the aged substantia nigra: attenuation by dietary restriction

PubMed Central

Walker, Thomas; Michaelides, Christos; Ekonomou, Antigoni; Geraki, Kalotina; Parkes, Harold G; Suessmilch, Maria; Herlihy, Amy H; Crum, William R; So, Po-Wah

2016-01-01

Despite regulation, brain iron increases with aging and may enhance aging processes including neuroinflammation. Increases in magnetic resonance imaging transverse relaxation rates, R2 and R2*, in the brain have been observed during aging. We show R2 and R2* correlate well with iron content via direct correlation to semi-quantitative synchrotron-based X-ray fluorescence iron mapping, with age-associated R2 and R2* increases reflecting iron accumulation. Iron accumulation was concomitant with increased ferritin immunoreactivity in basal ganglia regions except in the substantia nigra (SN). The unexpected dissociation of iron accumulation from ferritin-upregulation in the SN suggests iron dyshomeostasis in the SN. Occurring alongside microgliosis and astrogliosis, iron dyshomeotasis may contribute to the particular vulnerability of the SN. Dietary restriction (DR) has long been touted to ameliorate brain aging and we show DR attenuated agerelated in vivo R2 increases in the SN over ages 7 – 19 months, concomitant with normal iron-induction of ferritin expression and decreased microgliosis. Iron is known to induce microgliosis and conversely, microgliosis can induce iron accumulation, which of these may be the initial pathological aging event warrants further investigation. We suggest iron chelation therapies and anti-inflammatory treatments may be putative ‘antibrain aging’ therapies and combining these strategies may be synergistic. PMID:27743512

Synthesis and magnetic properties of tin spinel ferrites doped manganese

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

El Moussaoui, H.; Mahfoud, T.; Habouti, S.; El Maalam, K.; Ben Ali, M.; Hamedoun, M.; Mounkachi, O.; Masrour, R.; Hlil, E. K.; Benyoussef, A.

2016-05-01

In this work we report the synthesis, the microstructural characterization and the magnetic properties of tin spinel ferrites doped manganese (Sn1-xMnxFe2O4 with x=0.25, 0.5, 0.75, and 1) nanoparticles prepared by co-precipitation method. The effect of annealing temperature on the structure, morphology and magnetic properties of Sn0.5Mn0.5Fe2O4 has been investigated. The synthesized nanoparticle sizes have been controlled between 4 and 9 nm, with uniform spherical morphology as confirmed by transmission electron microscopy (TEM). All the samples prepared possess single domain magnetic. The nanoparticles of Sn0.5Mn0.5Fe2O4 with 4 nm in diameter have a blocking temperature close to 100 K. In addition, the cation distribution obtained from the X-ray diffraction of this sample was confirmed by magnetic measurement. For the Sn1-xMnxFe2O4; (0≤x≤1) samples, the magnetization and coercive fields increase when the augmentation of Mn content increases. For x=0.5, such parameters decrease when the calcination temperature increases.

Transport and NMR characteristics of the skutterudite-related compound Ca3Rh4Sn13

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Tseng, C. W.; Kuo, C. N.; Li, B. S.; Wang, L. M.; Gippius, A. A.; Kuo, Y. K.; Lue, C. S.

2018-02-01

We report the electronic properties of the Yb3Rh4Sn13-type single crystalline Ca3Rh4Sn13 by means of the electrical resistivity, Hall coefficient, Seebeck coefficient, thermal conductivity, as well as 119Sn nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR) measurements. The negative sign of the Hall coefficient and Seebeck coefficient at low temperatures suggests that the n-type carriers dominate the electrical transport in Ca3Rh4Sn13, in contrast to the observations in Sr3Rh4Sn13 which has a p-type conduction. Such a finding indicates a significant difference in the electronic features between these two stannides. Furthermore, we analyzed the temperature-dependent 119Sn NMR spin-lattice relaxation rate for Ca3Rh4Sn13, (Sr0.7Ca0.3)3Rh4Sn13, and Sr3Rh4Sn13 to examine the change of the electronic Fermi-level density of states (DOS) in (Sr1-xCax)3Rh4Sn13. It indicates that the Sn 5s partial Fermi-level DOS enhances with increasing the Ca content, being consistent with the trend of the superconducting temperature. Since the total Fermi-level DOS usually obeys the same trend of the partial Fermi-level DOS, the NMR analysis provides microscopic evidence for the correlation between the electronic DOS and superconductivity of the (Sr1-xCax)3Rh4Sn13 system.

Mitochondrial Glycerol-3-Phosphate Acyltransferase-Deficient Mice Have Reduced Weight and Liver Triacylglycerol Content and Altered Glycerolipid Fatty Acid Composition

PubMed Central

Hammond, Linda E.; Gallagher, Patricia A.; Wang, Shuli; Hiller, Sylvia; Kluckman, Kimberly D.; Posey-Marcos, Eugenia L.; Maeda, Nobuyo; Coleman, Rosalind A.

2002-01-01

Microsomal and mitochondrial isoforms of glycerol-3-phosphate acyltransferase (GPAT; E.C. 2.3.1.15) catalyze the committed step in glycerolipid synthesis. The mitochondrial isoform, mtGPAT, was believed to control the positioning of saturated fatty acids at the sn-1 position of phospholipids, and nutritional, hormonal, and overexpression studies suggested that mtGPAT activity is important for the synthesis of triacylglycerol. To determine whether these purported functions were true, we constructed mice deficient in mtGPAT. mtGPAT−/− mice weighed less than controls and had reduced gonadal fat pad weights and lower hepatic triacylglycerol content, plasma triacylglycerol, and very low density lipoprotein triacylglycerol secretion. As predicted, in mtGPAT−/− liver, the palmitate content was lower in triacylglycerol, phosphatidylcholine, and phosphatidylethanolamine. Positional analysis revealed that mtGPAT−/− liver phosphatidylethanolamine and phosphatidylcholine had about 21% less palmitate in the sn-1 position and 36 and 40%, respectively, more arachidonate in the sn-2 position. These data confirm the important role of mtGPAT in the synthesis of triacylglycerol, in the fatty acid content of triacylglycerol and cholesterol esters, and in the positioning of specific fatty acids, particularly palmitate and arachidonate, in phospholipids. The increase in arachidonate may be functionally significant in terms of eicosanoid production. PMID:12417724

Synthesis of 1,3-dioleoyl-2-arachidonoylglycerol-rich structured lipids by lipase-catalyzed acidolysis of microbial oil from Mortierella alpina.

PubMed

Abed, Sherif M; Zou, Xiaoqiang; Ali, Abdelmoneim H; Jin, Qingzhe; Wang, Xingguo

2017-11-01

Microbial oils (MOs) have gained widespread attention due to their functional lipids and health promoting properties. In this study, 1,3-dioleoyl-2-arachidonoylglycerol-rich structured lipids (SLs) were produced from MO and oleic acid (OA) via solvent-free acidolysis catalyzed by Lipozyme RM IM. Under the optimal conditions, the content of unsaturated fatty acids (UFAs) increased from 60.63 to 84.00%, while the saturated fatty acids (SFAs) content decreased from 39.37 to 16.00% at sn-1,3 positions in SLs. Compared with MO, arachidonic acid (ARA) content at the sn-2 position of SLs accounted for 49.71%, whereas OA was predominantly located at sn-1,3 positions (47.05%). Meanwhile, the most abundant triacylglycerol (TAG) species in SLs were (18:1-20:4-18:1), (20:4-20:4-18:1), (18:1-18:2-18:1), (18:1-18:2-18:0) and (24:0-20:4-18:1) with a relative content of 18.79%, 11.94%, 6.07%, 5.75% and 4.84%, respectively. Such novel SLs with improved functional properties enriched with UFAs are highly desirable and have the potential to be used in infant formula. Copyright © 2017 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.

A detailed study on Sn4+ doped ZnO for enhanced photocatalytic degradation

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Beura, Rosalin; Pachaiappan, R.; Thangadurai, P.

2018-03-01

The samples of Sn4+ doped (1, 5, 10, 15, 20 & 30%) ZnO nanostructures were synthesized by a low temperature hydrothermal method. Structural analysis by XRD and Raman spectroscopy showed the hexagonal wurtzite phase of ZnO and the formation of a secondary phase Zn2SnO4 beyond 10% doping of Sn4+. Microstructural analysis by TEM also confirmed the wurtzite ZnO with rod as well as particle like structure. Presence of various functional groups (sbnd OH, sbnd CH, Znsbnd O) were confirmed by FTIR. Optical properties were studied by UV-vis absorption, photoluminescence emission spectroscopies and lifetime measurement. Band gap of the undoped and Sn4+ doped ZnO were analyzed by Tauc plot and it was observed that the band gap of the materials had slightly decreased from 3.2 to 3.16 eV and again increased to 3.23 eV with respect to the increase in the doping concentration from 1 to 30%. A significant change was also noticed in the photoluminescence emission properties of ZnO i.e. increase in the intensity of NBE emission and decrease in DLE, on subject to Sn4+ doping. Average PL lifetime had increased from 29.45 ns for ZnO to 30.62 ns upon 1% Sn ion doping in ZnO. Electrical properties studied by solid state impedance spectroscopy showed that the conductivity had increased by one order of magnitude (from 7.48×10-8 to 2.21×10-7 S/cm) on Sn4+ doping. Photocatalytic experiments were performed on methyl orange (MO) as a model industrial dye under UV light irradiation for different irradiation times. The optimum Sn4+ content in order to achieve highest photocatalytic activity was found to be 1% Sn 4+ doping. The enhancement was achieved due to a decrease in the band gap favoring the generation of electron-hole pairs and the enhanced PL life time that delays the recombination of these charge carrier formation. The third reason was that the increased electrical conductivity that indicated the faster charge transfer in this material to enhance the photocatalytic activity. The Sn doped ZnO was found to be more photostable than pure ZnO.

The Protein Kinase SmSnRK2.6 Positively Regulates Phenolic Acid Biosynthesis in Salvia miltiorrhiza by Interacting with SmAREB1

PubMed Central

Jia, Yanyan; Bai, Zhenqing; Pei, Tianlin; Ding, Kai; Liang, Zongsuo; Gong, Yuehua

2017-01-01

Subclass III members of the sucrose non-fermenting-1-related protein kinase 2 (SnRK2) play essential roles in both the abscisic acid signaling and abiotic stress responses of plants by phosphorylating the downstream ABA-responsive element (ABRE)-binding proteins (AREB/ABFs). This comprehensive study investigated the function of new candidate genes, namely SmSnRK2.3, SmSnRK2.6, and SmAREB1, with a view to breeding novel varieties of Salvia miltiorrhiza with improved stress tolerance stresses and more content of bioactive ingredients. Exogenous ABA strongly induced the expression of these genes. PlantCARE predicted several hormones and stress response cis-elements in their promoters. SmSnRK2.6 and SmAREB1 showed the highest expression levels in the leaves of S. miltiorrhiza seedlings, while SmSnRK2.3 exhibited a steady expression in their roots, stems, and leaves. A subcellular localization assay revealed that both SmSnRK2.3 and SmSnRK2.6 were located in the cell membrane, cytoplasm, and nucleus, whereas SmAREB1 was exclusive to the nucleus. Overexpressing SmSnRK2.3 did not significantly promote the accumulation of rosmarinic acid (RA) and salvianolic acid B (Sal B) in the transgenic S. miltiorrhiza hairy roots. However, overexpressing SmSnRK2.6 and SmAREB1 increased the contents of RA and Sal B, and regulated the expression levels of structural genes participating in the phenolic acid-branched and side-branched pathways, including SmPAL1, SmC4H, Sm4CL1, SmTAT, SmHPPR, SmRAS, SmCHS, SmCCR, SmCOMT, and SmHPPD. Furthermore, SmSnRK2.3 and SmSnRK2.6 interacted physically with SmAREB1. In summary, our results indicate that SmSnRK2.6 is involved in stress responses and can regulate structural gene transcripts to promote greater metabolic flux to the phenolic acid-branched pathway, via its interaction with SmAREB1, a transcription factor. In this way, SmSnRK2.6 contributes to the positive regulation of phenolic acids in S. miltiorrhiza hairy roots. PMID:28848585

The Protein Kinase SmSnRK2.6 Positively Regulates Phenolic Acid Biosynthesis in Salvia miltiorrhiza by Interacting with SmAREB1.

PubMed

Jia, Yanyan; Bai, Zhenqing; Pei, Tianlin; Ding, Kai; Liang, Zongsuo; Gong, Yuehua

2017-01-01

Subclass III members of the sucrose non-fermenting-1-related protein kinase 2 (SnRK2) play essential roles in both the abscisic acid signaling and abiotic stress responses of plants by phosphorylating the downstream ABA-responsive element (ABRE)-binding proteins (AREB/ABFs). This comprehensive study investigated the function of new candidate genes, namely SmSnRK2.3 , SmSnRK2.6 , and SmAREB1 , with a view to breeding novel varieties of Salvia miltiorrhiza with improved stress tolerance stresses and more content of bioactive ingredients. Exogenous ABA strongly induced the expression of these genes. PlantCARE predicted several hormones and stress response cis -elements in their promoters. SmSnRK2.6 and SmAREB1 showed the highest expression levels in the leaves of S. miltiorrhiza seedlings, while SmSnRK2.3 exhibited a steady expression in their roots, stems, and leaves. A subcellular localization assay revealed that both SmSnRK2.3 and SmSnRK2.6 were located in the cell membrane, cytoplasm, and nucleus, whereas SmAREB1 was exclusive to the nucleus. Overexpressing SmSnRK2.3 did not significantly promote the accumulation of rosmarinic acid (RA) and salvianolic acid B (Sal B) in the transgenic S. miltiorrhiza hairy roots. However, overexpressing SmSnRK2.6 and SmAREB1 increased the contents of RA and Sal B, and regulated the expression levels of structural genes participating in the phenolic acid-branched and side-branched pathways, including SmPAL1 , SmC4H , Sm4CL1 , SmTAT , SmHPPR , SmRAS , SmCHS , SmCCR , SmCOMT , and SmHPPD . Furthermore, SmSnRK2.3 and SmSnRK2.6 interacted physically with SmAREB1. In summary, our results indicate that SmSnRK2.6 is involved in stress responses and can regulate structural gene transcripts to promote greater metabolic flux to the phenolic acid-branched pathway, via its interaction with SmAREB1 , a transcription factor. In this way, SmSnRK2.6 contributes to the positive regulation of phenolic acids in S. miltiorrhiza hairy roots.

Why Sn doping significantly enhances the dielectric properties of Ba(Ti1-xSnx)O3

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Shi, Tao; Xie, Lin; Gu, Lin; Zhu, Jing

2015-02-01

Through appropriate doping, the properties of BaTiO3-based ferroelectrics can be significantly enhanced. To determine the physical process induced by the doping of Sn atoms in Ba(Ti0.8Sn0.2)O3, we performed high-resolution scanning transmission electron microscopy experiments and observed that the regions with low Sn content formed polar nano regions (PNRs) embedded in the matrix in Ba(Ti0.8Sn0.2)O3. The interactions among Sn, Ti, Ba and O atoms were determined using first principles calculations. Based on the characteristics of the electronic structure and crystal lattice strain fields, the effects of doping with Sn were investigated. The Sn doping not only changed the electronic structure of the crystal but also increased the dielectric properties of the PNRs. Moreover, the Sn doping was also responsible for the diffuse phase transition of the Ba(Ti1-xSnx)O3 material. The effects mentioned in this paper are universal in lead-free ferroelectrics, and similar elements such as Sb, Mg, and Zr may have the same functions in other systems. Thus, these results provide guidance for the design of the doping process and new systems of ferroelectric or relaxor materials.

Why Sn doping significantly enhances the dielectric properties of Ba(Ti1-xSnx)O3

PubMed Central

Shi, Tao; Xie, Lin; Gu, Lin; Zhu, Jing

2015-01-01

Through appropriate doping, the properties of BaTiO3-based ferroelectrics can be significantly enhanced. To determine the physical process induced by the doping of Sn atoms in Ba(Ti0.8Sn0.2)O3, we performed high-resolution scanning transmission electron microscopy experiments and observed that the regions with low Sn content formed polar nano regions (PNRs) embedded in the matrix in Ba(Ti0.8Sn0.2)O3. The interactions among Sn, Ti, Ba and O atoms were determined using first principles calculations. Based on the characteristics of the electronic structure and crystal lattice strain fields, the effects of doping with Sn were investigated. The Sn doping not only changed the electronic structure of the crystal but also increased the dielectric properties of the PNRs. Moreover, the Sn doping was also responsible for the diffuse phase transition of the Ba(Ti1-xSnx)O3 material. The effects mentioned in this paper are universal in lead-free ferroelectrics, and similar elements such as Sb, Mg, and Zr may have the same functions in other systems. Thus, these results provide guidance for the design of the doping process and new systems of ferroelectric or relaxor materials. PMID:25721479

Glycerolipid synthesis in Chlorella kessleri 11 h. II. Effect of the CO2 concentration during growth.

PubMed

Sato, Norihiro; Tsuzuki, Mikio; Kawaguchi, Akihiko

2003-07-04

In the accompanying paper, we demonstrated that Chlorella kessleri uses prokaryotic and eukaryotic pathways to synthesize sn-1-C18-sn-2-C16 (C18/C16, prokaryotic lipids) and sn-1-C18-sn-2-C18 (C18/C18, eukaryotic lipids) species, respectively, in chloroplast lipids such as monogalactosyl diacylglycerol (MGDG) and digalactosyl diacylglycerol (DGDG). In this study, to examine the effect of CO2 on lipid metabolism, we compared the fatty acid distributions at the sn-1 and sn-2 positions of each major lipid, i.e. MGDG, DGDG, phosphatidylcholine (PC), and phosphatidylethanolamine (PE), and the patterns of incorporation of [14C]acetate into fatty acids and lipids in vivo between cells of C. kessleri grown under ordinary air (low-CO2 cells) and ones grown under CO2-enriched air (high-CO2 cells). Low-CO2 cells, as compared with high-CO2 cells, showed elevated contents of 18:3(9,12,15), especially at both the sn-1 and sn-2 positions of MGDG and DGDG, and also at the sn-2 position of PC and PE. When the cells were labeled with [14C]acetate, slower rates of 18:3 synthesis in the respective major lipids with lower incorporation of 14C into total membrane lipids were observed in low-CO2 cells than in high-CO2 cells. These results thus indicate that the higher unsaturation levels in low-CO2 cells are at least partially due to repressed fatty acid synthesis, which promotes the desaturation of pre-existing fatty acids, rather than to up-regulation of desaturation activity. It was also noted that, in both MGDG and DGDG, the contents of eukaryotic lipids were higher at the expense of prokaryotic lipids in low-CO2 cells than in high-CO2 cells, suggesting relatively greater metabolic flow in the eukaryotic pathway compared to the prokaryotic pathway for galactolipid synthesis in low-CO2 cells. We propose that, together with the repression of fatty acid synthesis, the increased synthesis of C18/C18 species of galactolipids, which are suitable substrates for chloroplast desaturation, through the eukaryotic pathway, contributes to the higher contents of 18:3 in low-CO2 cells than in high-CO2 cells.

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

Merkulov, O.V., E-mail: merkulov@ihim.uran.ru; Samigullin, R.R.; Markov, A.A.

The electrical conductivity of SrFe{sub 1–x}Sn{sub x}O{sub 3–δ} (x=0.05, 0.10, 017) was measured by a four-probe dc technique in the partial oxygen pressure range of 10{sup –18}–0.5 atm at temperatures between 800 °Ð ÐŽ and 950 °Ð ÐŽ. The oxygen content in these oxides was measured under the same ambient conditions by means of coulometric titration. The thermodynamic analysis of oxygen nonstoichiometry data was carried out to determine the equilibrium constants for defect-formation reactions and to calculate the concentrations of ion and electron charge carriers. The partial contributions of oxygen ions, electrons and holes to charge transport were assessed, and the mobilitymore » of respective carriers was evaluated by an integral examination of the electrical conductivity and oxygen nonstoichiometry data. It has been found that the mobility of holes in SrFe{sub 1−x}Sn{sub x}O{sub 3−δ} varies in the range of ~0.005–0.04 cm{sup 2} V{sup −1} s{sup −1}, linearly increasing with the oxygen content and decreasing with increased tin concentration. The mobility of electron carriers was shown to be independent of the oxygen content. The average migration energy of an electron was estimated to be ~0.45 eV, with that of a hole being ~0.3 eV. - Highlights: • The conductivity and oxygen nonstoichiometry in SrFe{sub 1−x}Sn{sub x}O{sub 3−δ} were measured. • Tin substitution was found to affect insignificantly defect formation reactions. • The hole mobility was found to increase linearly with the oxygen content. • The hole mobility was found to be much higher than the electron mobility.« less

Band gap and mobility of epitaxial perovskite BaSn1 -xHfxO3 thin films

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Shin, Juyeon; Lim, Jinyoung; Ha, Taewoo; Kim, Young Mo; Park, Chulkwon; Yu, Jaejun; Kim, Jae Hoon; Char, Kookrin

2018-02-01

A wide band-gap perovskite oxide BaSn O3 is attracting much attention due to its high electron mobility and oxygen stability. On the other hand, BaHf O3 was recently reported to be an effective high-k gate oxide. Here, we investigate the band gap and mobility of solid solutions of BaS n1 -xH fxO3 (x =0 -1 ) (BSHO) as a basis to build advanced perovskite oxide heterostructures. All the films were epitaxially grown on MgO substrates using pulsed laser deposition. Density functional theory calculations confirmed that Hf substitution does not create midgap states while increasing the band gap. From x-ray diffraction and optical transmittance measurements, the lattice constants and the band-gap values are significantly modified by Hf substitution. We also measured the transport properties of n -type La-doped BSHO films [(Ba ,La ) (Sn ,Hf ) O3 ] , investigating the feasibility of modulation doping in the BaSn O3/BSHO heterostructures. The Hall measurement data revealed that, as the Hf content increases, the activation rate of the La dopant decreases and the scattering rate of the electrons sharply increases. These properties of BSHO films may be useful for applications in various heterostructures based on the BaSn O3 system.

Co-precipitation synthesis and characterization of tin-doped α-Fe2O3 nanoparticles with enhanced photocatalytic activities

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Mansour, Houda; Bargougui, Radhouane; Autret-Lambert, Cécile; Gadri, Abdellatif; Ammar, Salah

2018-03-01

In this study, Sn-doped hematite (α-Fe2O3) nanoparticles with various dopant concentrations ranging from 1 to 6 mol% were prepared successfully using a simple co-precipitation technique. The effects of Sn doping on the structural, morphological, optical, and magnetic properties were determined using X-ray diffraction (XRD), Raman spectroscopy, transmission electron microscopy (TEM), UV-visible diffuse reflectance spectroscopy, and a superconducting quantum interference device. XRD analysis showed that all of the samples had a typical hematite-type hexagonal structure of Fe2O3 without any additional peaks due to spurious phases. The cell parameters a and c decreased monotonically as the Sn content increased, thereby indicating that Sn ions were substituted into the α-Fe2O3 lattice. These results and the TEM analyses showed that the size of the nanoparticles decreased to 10 nm as the Sn doping concentration increased. UV-visible absorption measurements showed that the decrease in particle size was accompanied by a decrease in the band gap value from 2.07 eV for α-Fe2O3 to 1.87 eV with 6 mol% Sn doping. Furthermore, the magnetic properties demonstrated that all of the samples exhibited ferromagnetic behavior at room temperature. The photocatalytic activities of the samples were studied based on the degradation of methylene blue as a model compound, where the results showed that an appropriate amount of Sn dopant could greatly increase the amount of hydroxyl radicals generated by α-Fe2O3 nanoparticles, which were responsible for the obvious increase in the photocatalytic activity.

An electron tunneling study of superconductivity in amorphous Sn(sub 1-x)Cu(sub x) thin films

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Naugle, D. G.; Watson, P. W., III; Rathnayaka, K. D. D.

1995-01-01

The amorphous phase of Sn would have a superconducting transition temperature near 8 K, much higher than that of crystalline Sn with T(sub c) = 3.5 K. To obtain the amorphous phase, however, it is necessary to use a Sn alloy, usually Cu, and quench condense the alloy films onto a liquid He temperature substrate. Alloying with Cu reduces the superconducting transition temperature almost linearly with Cu concentration with an extrapolation of T(sub c) to zero for x = 0.85. Analysis of the tunneling characteristics between a normal metal electrode with an insulating barrier and superconducting amorphous Sn-Cu films provides detailed information on the changes in the electron-phonon coupling which determines T(sub c) in these alloys. The change from very strong electron-phonon coupling to weak-coupling with the increase in Cu content of amorphous Sn-Cu alloys for the range 0.08 is less than or equal to x is less than or equal to 0.41 is presented and discussed in terms of theories of electron-phonon coupling in disordered metals.

Effect of the Silver Content of SnAgCu Solder on the Interfacial Reaction and on the Reliability of Angle Joints Fabricated by Laser-Jet Soldering

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Ji, Hongjun; Ma, Yuyou; Li, Mingyu; Wang, Chunqing

2015-02-01

The silver content of lead-free solders affects their microstructure, the interfacial reaction, and the performance of the joints in reliability tests. In this study, Sn3.0Ag0.5Cu (wt.%, SAC305) and Sn1.0Ag0.5Cu (wt.%, SAC105) solder balls of diameter 55 μm were reflowed on gold surface pads by laser-jet soldering. It was found that four types of layered intermetallic compound (IMC) were formed at the interfaces; these were Au5Sn/AuSn, AuSn, AuSn2, and AuSn4 from the pad side to the solder matrix. The Au5Sn/AuSn eutectic region, thickness 400 nm, formed because of the high cooling rate induced by the laser-jet soldering. During high-temperature storage tests, the silver became segregated at the interfaces between the Au-Sn IMC and the solder matrix, resulting in inhibition of IMC growth in SAC305 joints, the shear strengths of which were higher than those of SAC105 joints. In mechanical drop tests, however, percentage failure of the SAC305 joints was twice that of the SAC105 joints.

Silver-tin alloys and amalgams: electrochemical considerations.

PubMed

Mueller, H J

1980-01-01

The corrosion potential and anodic polarization profiles of a representative number of silver-tin alloys and their corresponding amalgams in a physiological solution were determined and compared to their microstructures. For the alloys with tin-content greater than 27%(wt) and for all amalgams, the corrosion process is related to the attack of free tin for the alloys and to the gamma-2 tin for the amalgams. The gamma-2 concentration in the amalgams increases with an increase in tin-content. For alloys with tin-content less than 27%, the corrosion process is even more restricted than for the process observed with pure silver. From a developed theory based upon the potential-time and polarization results, association of the O2 reduction process on a SnO cathodic film to an intermediate specie of H2O2 is made. The rate of H2O2 decomposition on a SnO surface in a four electron process is thought to control the O2 reduction overvoltage. The O2 reduction overvoltage decreases with increases in the silver-content of the amalgam, particularily seen with the 8 and 12% tin compositions. Due to the polarization induced corrosion process, a phase with high silver and high mercury concentrations was observed over the unreacted particles.

Polaronic transport in Ag-based quaternary chalcogenides

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Wei, Kaya; Khabibullin, Artem R.; Stedman, Troy; Woods, Lilia M.; Nolas, George S.

2017-09-01

Low temperature resistivity measurements on dense polycrystalline quaternary chalcogenides Ag2+xZn1-xSnSe4, with x = 0, 0.1, and 0.3, indicate polaronic type transport which we analyze employing a two-component Holstein model based on itinerant and localized polaron contributions. Electronic structure property calculations via density functional theory simulations on Ag2ZnSnSe4 for both energetically similar kesterite and stannite structure types were also performed in order to compare our results to those of the compositionally similar but well known Cu2ZnSnSe4. This theoretical comparison is crucial in understanding the bonding that results in polaronic type transport for Ag2ZnSnSe4, as well as the structural and electronic properties of both crystal structure types. In addition to possessing this unique electronic transport, the thermal conductivity of Ag2ZnSnSe4 is low and decreases with increasing silver content. This work reveals unique structure-property relationships in materials that continue to be of interest for thermoelectric and photovoltaic applications.

Enhancement of Thermoelectric Properties in SnTe with (Ag, In) Co-Doping

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Li, J. Q.; Yang, N.; Li, S. M.; Li, Y.; Liu, F. S.; Ao, W. Q.

2018-01-01

A lead-free SnTe compound shows good electrical property but high thermal conductivity, resulting in a low figure-of-merit ZT. We present a significant enhancement of the thermoelectric properties of p-type SnTe with (Ag, In) co-doping. The Ag and In co-doped Sn1-2 x Ag x In x Te ( x = 0.00, 0.01, 0.02, 0.03, 0.04 and 0.05) are prepared by melting, quenching and spark plasma sintering. A homogeneous NaCl-type SnTe-based solid solution forms in the alloys at low Ag and In content ( x ≤ 0.02), while a AgInTe2 minor secondary phase precipitates for higher x. Similar to In doping, the introduction of Ag and In at Sn sites in SnTe considerably increases the Seebeck coefficient and power factor by creating resonant levels near the Fermi energy. In addition, the Ag and In solute atoms in the SnTe-based solid solution and the minor secondary phase AgInTe2 enhance phonon scattering and thus significantly reduce the carrier and lattice thermal conductivity. Ag and In co-doping shows a collective advantage on the overall thermoelectric performance of SnTe or In-doped SnTe. A maximum ZT of 1.23 at 873 K and average ZT of 0.58 can be obtained in the alloy Sn1-2 x Ag x In x Te with x = 0.03.

Effects of Sn addition on the microstructure and tensile properties of AX55 alloys

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Qiu, K. Q.; Huang, P.

2018-04-01

The microstructures and tensile properties at both room and elevated temperatures for both the as-cast and as-aged Mg-5Al-5Ca (AX55) alloy with 0–2 wt% Sn addition were studied. The results indicate that the α-Mg dendrite is gradually refined and the interdendritic Al2Ca and Mg2Ca intermetallics become more connected with Sn addition. The as-cast AX55-1Sn alloy shows optimal ultimate tensile strength (UTS) at testing temperature from 25 to 225 °C. After T61 and T62 heat treatment, the eutectic-lamellar microstructure of the as-cast alloys tends to be spheroidized and distributed uniformly along the grain boundaries. While the alloys with higher Sn content show higher density of granulated and needle-shaped Al2Ca phases precipitated into α-Mg matrix, which results in the increase of UTS, yield strength (YS), elongation and microhardness with Sn addition. The morphology of CaMgSn phase can be improved by T62 treatment, which makes as-aged AX55-2.0Sn alloy exhibit a smaller decrease rate of the UTS at temperature up to 225 °C. The heat resistance of different heat-resistant magnesium alloys were compared and discussed by using the decrease rate of the UTS.

A dislocation density based micromechanical constitutive model for Sn-Ag-Cu solder alloys

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Liu, Lu; Yao, Yao; Zeng, Tao; Keer, Leon M.

2017-10-01

Based on the dislocation density hardening law, a micromechanical model considering the effects of precipitates is developed for Sn-Ag-Cu solder alloys. According to the microstructure of the Sn-3.0Ag-0.5Cu thin films, intermetallic compounds (IMCs) are assumed as sphere particles embedded in the polycrystalline β-Sn matrix. The mechanical behavior of polycrystalline β-Sn matrix is determined by the elastic-plastic self-consistent method. The existence of IMCs not only impedes the motion of dislocations but also increases the overall stiffness. Thus, a dislocation density based hardening law considering non-shearable precipitates is adopted locally for single β-Sn crystal, and the Mori-Tanaka scheme is applied to describe the overall viscoplastic behavior of solder alloys. The proposed model is incorporated into finite element analysis and the corresponding numerical implementation method is presented. The model can describe the mechanical behavior of Sn-3.0Ag-0.5Cu and Sn-1.0Ag-0.5Cu alloys under high strain rates at a wide range of temperatures. Furthermore, the overall Young’s modulus changes due to different contents of IMCs is predicted and compared with experimental data. Results show that the proposed model can describe both elastic and inelastic behavior of solder alloys with reasonable accuracy.

The effect of Ge precursor on the heteroepitaxy of Ge1-x Sn x epilayers on a Si (001) substrate

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Jahandar, Pedram; Weisshaupt, David; Colston, Gerard; Allred, Phil; Schulze, Jorg; Myronov, Maksym

2018-03-01

The heteroepitaxial growth of Ge1-x Sn x on a Si (001) substrate, via a relaxed Ge buffer, has been studied using two commonly available commercial Ge precursors, Germane (GeH4) and Digermane (Ge2H6), by means of chemical vapour deposition at reduced pressures (RP-CVD). Both precursors demonstrate growth of strained and relaxed Ge1-x Sn x epilayers, however Sn incorporation is significantly higher when using the more reactive Ge2H6 precursor. As Ge2H6 is significantly more expensive, difficult to handle or store than GeH4, developing high Sn content epilayers using the latter precursor is of great interest. This study demonstrates the key differences between the two precursors and offers routes to process optimisation which will enable high Sn content alloys at relatively low cost.

Solder/Substrate Interfacial Reactions in the Sn-Cu-Ni Interconnection System

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Yu, H.; Vuorinen, V.; Kivilahti, J. K.

2007-02-01

In order to obtain a better understanding of the effects of interconnection microstructures on the reliability of soldered assemblies, one of the most important ternary systems used in electronics, the Sn-Cu-Ni system, has been assessed thermodynamically. Based on the data obtained, some recent experimental observations related to the formation of interfacial intermetallic compounds in solder interconnections have been studied analytically. First, the effect of Cu content on the formation of the interfacial intermetallic compounds between the SnAgCu solder alloys and Ni substrate was investigated. The critical Cu content for (Cu,Ni)6Sn5 formation was evaluated as a function of temperature. Second, we analyzed how the Ni dissolved in the Cu6Sn5 compound affects the driving forces for the diffusion of components and hence the growth kinetics of (Cu,Ni)6Sn5 and (Cu,Ni)3Sn reaction layers. With the thermodynamic description, other experimental observations related to the Sn-Cu-Ni system can be rationalized as well. The system can be used also as a subsystem for industrially important higher order solder systems.

Influences of carbon content and coating carbon thickness on properties of amorphous CoSnO3@C composites as anode materials for lithium-ion batteries

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Fan, Fuqiang; Fang, Guoqing; Zhang, Ruixue; Xu, Yanhui; Zheng, Junwei; Li, Decheng

2014-08-01

A series of core-shell carbon coated amorphous CoSnO3 (CoSnO3@C) with different carbon content are synthesized. Effects of carbon content and coating carbon thickness on the physical and electrochemical performances of the samples were studied in detail. The samples were analyzed by X-ray diffraction (XRD), transmission electron microscopy (TEM), thermal gravimetric analysis (TGA), galvanostatic charge-discharge and AC impedance spectroscopy, respectively. The results indicate that controlling the concentration of aqueous glucose solution influences the generation of in-situ carbon layer thickness. The optimal concentration of aqueous glucose solution, carbon content and carbon layer thickness are suggested as 0.25 M, 35.1% and 20 nm, respectively. CoSnO3@C composite prepared under the optimal conditions exhibits excellent cycling performance, whose reversible capacity could reach 491 mA h g-1 after 100 cycles.

Synthesis of Germanium-Tin Alloys by Ion Implantation and Pulsed Laser Melting: Towards a Group IV Direct Band Gap Semiconductor

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Tran, Tuan Thien

The germanium-tin (Ge1-xSnx) material system is expected to be a direct bandgap group IV semiconductor at a Sn content of 6.5-11 at.%. Hence there has been much interest in preparing such alloys since they are compatible with silicon and they raise the possibility of integrating photonics functionality into silicon circuitry. However, the maximum solid solubility of Sn in Ge is around 0.5 at.% and non-equilibrium deposition techniques such as molecular beam epitaxy or chemical vapour deposition have been used to achieve the desired high Sn concentrations. In this PhD work, the combination of ion implantation and pulsed laser melting (PLM) is demonstrated to be an alternative promising method to produce a highly Sn concentrated alloy with good crystal quality. In initial studies, it was shown that 100 keV Sn implants followed by PLM produced high quality alloys with up to 6.2 at.%Sn but above these Sn concentrations the crystal quality was poor. The structural properties of the ≤6.2 at.% alloys such as soluble Sn concentration, strain distribution and crystal quality have been characterised by Rutherford backscattering spectrometry (RBS), Raman spectroscopy, X-ray diffraction (XRD) and transmission electron microscopy (TEM). The optical properties and electronic band structure have been studied by spectroscopic ellipsometry. The introduction of substitutional Sn into Ge is shown to either induce a splitting between light and heavy hole subbands or lower the conduction band at the Gamma valley. However, at higher implant doses needed to achieve >6.2 at.% Sn, ion-beam-induced porosity in Ge starts to occur, which drastically reduces the retained amount of the implanted Sn and such microstructure also hinders good crystallisation of the material during PLM. To solve this problem, it was shown that a nanometer thick SiO2 layer deposited on the Ge substrate prior to the implantation can largely eliminate the formation of porosity. This capping SiO2 layer also helps to increase the retained Sn concentration up to 15 at.% after implantation, as well as significantly improving the crystal quality of the Ge-Sn layer after PLM. With the use of the capping layer, a good quality Ge-Sn layer with 9 at.% Sn has been achieved using Sn implants at an energy of 120 keV. However, the thin film alloys produced by 100 keV or 120 keV Sn implantation and PLM are shown to contain compressive strain as a result of the large lattice mismatch between Ge and high Sn content alloys. Such strain compromises the tendency towards a direct bandgap material and hence strain relaxation is highly desirable. A thermal stability study showed that the thin film strained material is metastable up to 400°C, but thereafter Sn comes out of solution and diffuses to the material surface. To investigate a possible pathway to the synthesis of strain-relaxed material, a higher Sn implant energy of 350 keV was used to produce thicker alloy layers. XRD/reciprocal space mapping showed that this thicker alloy material is largely relaxed after PLM, which is beneficial for the direct band gap transition and solves the trade-off between higher Sn concentration and compressive strain. However, RBS indicates a sub-surface band of disorder which suggested a possible mechanism for the strain relaxation. Indeed, TEM examination of such material showed the material relaxed via the generation of non-equilibrium threading defects. Despite such defects, a PL study of this relaxed material found photon emission at a wavelength of 2150 nm for 6-9 at.% Sn alloys. However, the intensity of the emission was variable across different Sn content alloys, presumably as a result of the threading defects. A possible pathway to removing such defects is given that may enable both photodetectors and lasers to be fabricated at wavelengths above 2mum.

GLAG theory for superconducting property variations with A15 composition in Nb3Sn wires.

PubMed

Li, Yingxu; Gao, Yuanwen

2017-04-25

We present a model for the variation of the upper critical field H c2 with Sn content in A15-type Nb-Sn wires, within the Ginzburg-Landau-Abrikosov-Gor'kov (GLAG) theory frame. H c2 at the vicinity of the critical temperature T c is related quantitatively to the electrical resistivity ρ, specific heat capacity coefficient γ and T c . H c2 versus tin content is theoretically formulated within the GLAG theory, and generally reproduces the experiment results. As Sn content gradually approaches the stoichiometry, A15-type Nb-Sn undergoes a transition from the dirty limit to clean limit, split by the phase transformation boundary. The H-T phase boundary and pinning force show different behaviors in the cubic and tetragonal phase. We dipict the dependence of the composition gradient on the superconducting properties variation in the A15 layer, as well as the curved tail at vicinity of H c2 in the Kramer plot of the Nb 3 Sn wire. This helps understanding of the inhomogeneous-composition inducing discrepancy between the results by the state-of-art scaling laws and experiments.

Photocatalytic degradation of diclofenac using TiO2-SnO2 mixed oxide catalysts.

PubMed

Mugunthan, E; Saidutta, M B; Jagadeeshbabu, P E

2017-12-26

The complex nature of diclofenac limits its biological degradation, posing a serious threat to aquatic organisms. Our present work aims to eliminate diclofenac from wastewater through photocatalytic degradation using TiO 2 -SnO 2 mixed-oxide catalysts under various operating conditions such as catalyst loading, initial diclofenac concentration and initial pH. Different molar ratios of Ti-Sn (1:1, 5:1, 10:1, 20:1 and 30:1) were prepared by the hydrothermal method and were characterized. The results indicated that addition of Sn in small quantity enhances the catalytic activity of TiO 2 . Energy Band gap of the TiO 2 -SnO 2 catalysts was found to increase with an increase in Tin content. TiO 2 -SnO 2 catalyst with a molar ratio of 20:1 was found to be the most effective when compared to other catalysts. The results suggested that initial drug concentration of 20 mg/L, catalyst loading of 0.8 g/L and pH 5 were the optimum operating conditions for complete degradation of diclofenac. Also, the TiO 2 -SnO 2 catalyst was effective in complete mineralization of diclofenac with a maximum total organic carbon removal of 90% achieved under ultraviolet irradiation. The repeatability and stability results showed that the TiO 2 -SnO 2 catalyst exhibited an excellent repeatability and better stability over the repeated reaction cycles. The photocatalytic degradation of diclofenac resulted in several photoproducts, which were identified through LC-MS.

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

Li, Jun, E-mail: lijun_yt@163.com; Key Laboratory of Advanced Display and System Applications, Ministry of Education, Shanghai University, Shanghai 200072; Huang, Chuan-Xin

Graphical abstract: This work reports the Ba content on thin film transistor based on a novel BaZnSnO semiconductor using solution process. - Highlights: • No reports about BaZnSnO thin film using solution process. • BaZnSnO thin film transistor (TFT) was firstly fabricated. • BaZnSnO-TFT shows a acceptable performace. • Influence of Ba content on BaZnSnO-TFT. - Abstract: A novel BaZnSnO semiconductor is fabricated using solution process and the influence of Ba addition on the structure, the chemical state of oxygen and electrical performance of BaZnSnO thin films are investigated. A high performance BaZnSnO-based thin film transistor with 15 mol% Bamore » is obtained, showing a saturation mobility of 1.94 cm{sup 2}/V s, a threshold voltage of 3.6 V, an on/off current ratio of 6.2 × 10{sup 6}, a subthreshold swing of 0.94 V/decade, and a good bias stability. Transistors with solution processed BaZnSnO films are promising candidates for the development of future large-area, low-cost and high-performance electronic devices.« less

SnRK1 activates autophagy via the TOR signaling pathway in Arabidopsis thaliana

DOE PAGES

Soto-Burgos, Junmarie; Bassham, Diane C.

2017-08-04

Autophagy is a degradation process in which cells break down and recycle their cytoplasmic contents when subjected to environmental stress or during cellular remodeling. The Arabidopsis thaliana SnRK1 complex is a protein kinase that senses changes in energy levels and triggers downstream responses to enable survival. Its mammalian ortholog, AMPK, and yeast ortholog, Snf-1, activate autophagy in response to low energy conditions. We therefore hypothesized that SnRK1 may play a role in the regulation of autophagy in response to nutrient or energy deficiency in Arabidopsis. To test this hypothesis, we determined the effect of overexpression or knockout of the SnRK1more » catalytic subunit KIN10 on autophagy activation by abiotic stresses, including nutrient deficiency, salt, osmotic, oxidative, and ER stress. While wild-type plants had low basal autophagy activity in control conditions, KIN10 overexpression lines had increased autophagy under these conditions, indicating activation of autophagy by SnRK1. A kin10 mutant had a basal level of autophagy under control conditions similar to wild-type plants, but activation of autophagy by most abiotic stresses was blocked, indicating that SnRK1 is required for autophagy induction by a wide variety of stress conditions. In mammals, TOR is a negative regulator of autophagy, and AMPK acts to activate autophagy both upstream of TOR, by inhibiting its activity, and in a parallel pathway. Inhibition of Arabidopsis TOR leads to activation of autophagy; inhibition of SnRK1 did not block this activation. Furthermore, an increase in SnRK1 activity was unable to induce autophagy when TOR was also activated. The results presented here demonstrate that SnRK1 acts upstream of TOR in the activation of autophagy in Arabidopsis.« less

SnRK1 activates autophagy via the TOR signaling pathway in Arabidopsis thaliana

PubMed Central

Soto-Burgos, Junmarie

2017-01-01

Autophagy is a degradation process in which cells break down and recycle their cytoplasmic contents when subjected to environmental stress or during cellular remodeling. The Arabidopsis thaliana SnRK1 complex is a protein kinase that senses changes in energy levels and triggers downstream responses to enable survival. Its mammalian ortholog, AMPK, and yeast ortholog, Snf-1, activate autophagy in response to low energy conditions. We therefore hypothesized that SnRK1 may play a role in the regulation of autophagy in response to nutrient or energy deficiency in Arabidopsis. To test this hypothesis, we determined the effect of overexpression or knockout of the SnRK1 catalytic subunit KIN10 on autophagy activation by abiotic stresses, including nutrient deficiency, salt, osmotic, oxidative, and ER stress. While wild-type plants had low basal autophagy activity in control conditions, KIN10 overexpression lines had increased autophagy under these conditions, indicating activation of autophagy by SnRK1. A kin10 mutant had a basal level of autophagy under control conditions similar to wild-type plants, but activation of autophagy by most abiotic stresses was blocked, indicating that SnRK1 is required for autophagy induction by a wide variety of stress conditions. In mammals, TOR is a negative regulator of autophagy, and AMPK acts to activate autophagy both upstream of TOR, by inhibiting its activity, and in a parallel pathway. Inhibition of Arabidopsis TOR leads to activation of autophagy; inhibition of SnRK1 did not block this activation. Furthermore, an increase in SnRK1 activity was unable to induce autophagy when TOR was also activated. These results demonstrate that SnRK1 acts upstream of TOR in the activation of autophagy in Arabidopsis. PMID:28783755

SnRK1 activates autophagy via the TOR signaling pathway in Arabidopsis thaliana

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

Soto-Burgos, Junmarie; Bassham, Diane C.

Autophagy is a degradation process in which cells break down and recycle their cytoplasmic contents when subjected to environmental stress or during cellular remodeling. The Arabidopsis thaliana SnRK1 complex is a protein kinase that senses changes in energy levels and triggers downstream responses to enable survival. Its mammalian ortholog, AMPK, and yeast ortholog, Snf-1, activate autophagy in response to low energy conditions. We therefore hypothesized that SnRK1 may play a role in the regulation of autophagy in response to nutrient or energy deficiency in Arabidopsis. To test this hypothesis, we determined the effect of overexpression or knockout of the SnRK1more » catalytic subunit KIN10 on autophagy activation by abiotic stresses, including nutrient deficiency, salt, osmotic, oxidative, and ER stress. While wild-type plants had low basal autophagy activity in control conditions, KIN10 overexpression lines had increased autophagy under these conditions, indicating activation of autophagy by SnRK1. A kin10 mutant had a basal level of autophagy under control conditions similar to wild-type plants, but activation of autophagy by most abiotic stresses was blocked, indicating that SnRK1 is required for autophagy induction by a wide variety of stress conditions. In mammals, TOR is a negative regulator of autophagy, and AMPK acts to activate autophagy both upstream of TOR, by inhibiting its activity, and in a parallel pathway. Inhibition of Arabidopsis TOR leads to activation of autophagy; inhibition of SnRK1 did not block this activation. Furthermore, an increase in SnRK1 activity was unable to induce autophagy when TOR was also activated. The results presented here demonstrate that SnRK1 acts upstream of TOR in the activation of autophagy in Arabidopsis.« less

Acrolein acts as a neurotoxin in the nigrostriatal dopaminergic system of rat: involvement of α-synuclein aggregation and programmed cell death

PubMed Central

Wang, Yi-Ting; Lin, Hui-Ching; Zhao, Wei-Zhong; Huang, Hui-Ju; Lo, Yu-Li; Wang, Hsiang-Tsui; Maan-Yuh Lin, Anya

2017-01-01

Clinical studies report significant increases in acrolein (an α,β-unsaturated aldehyde) in the substantia nigra (SN) of patients with Parkinson’s disease (PD). In the present study, acrolein-induced neurotoxicity in the nigrostriatal dopaminergic system was investigated by local infusion of acrolein (15, 50, 150 nmoles/0.5 μl) in the SN of Sprague-Dawley rats. Acrolein-induced neurodegeneration of nigrostriatal dopaminergic system was delineated by reductions in tyrosine hydroxylase (TH) levels, dopamine transporter levels and TH-positive neurons in the infused SN as well as in striatal dopamine content. At the same time, apomorphine-induced turning behavior was evident in rats subjected to a unilateral infusion of acrolein in SN. Acrolein was pro-oxidative by increasing 4-hydroxy-2-nonenal and heme oxygenase-1 levels. Furthermore, acrolein conjugated with proteins at lysine residue and induced α-synuclein aggregation in the infused SN. Acrolein was pro-inflammatory by activating astrocytes and microglia. In addition, acrolein activated caspase 1 in the infused SN, suggesting acrolein-induced inflammasome formation. The neurotoxic mechanisms underlying acrolein-induced neurotoxicity involved programmed cell death, including apoptosis and necroptosis. Compared with well-known Parkinsonian neurotoxins, including 1-methyl-4-phenyl-1,2,3,6-tetrahydropyridine and rotenone which do not exist in the SN of PD patients, our in vivo study shows that acrolein acts as a Parkinsonian neurotoxin in the nigrostriatal dopaminergic system of rat brain. PMID:28401906

Observation of amorphous to crystalline phase transformation in Te substituted Sn-Sb-Se thin films

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

Chander, Ravi, E-mail: rcohri@yahoo.com

2015-05-15

Thin films of Sn-Sb-Se-Te (8 ≤ x ≤ 14) chalcogenide system were prepared by thermal evaporation technique using melt quenched bulk samples. The as-prepared thin films were found amorphous as evidenced from X-ray diffraction studies. Resistivity measurement showed an exponential decrease with temperature upto critical temperature (transition temperature) beyond which a sharp decrease was observed and with further increase in temperature showed an exponential decrease in resistivity with different activation energy. The transition temperature showed a decreasing trend with tellurium content in the sample. The resistivity measurement during cooling run showed no abrupt change in resistivity. The resistivity measurements ofmore » annealed films did not show any abrupt change revealing the structural transformation occurring in the material. The transition width showed an increase with tellurium content in the sample. The resistivity ratio showed two order of magnitude improvements for sample with higher tellurium content. The observed transition temperature in this system was found quite less than already commercialized Ge-Sb-Te system for optical and electronic memories.« less

In-situ sulfuration synthesis of sandwiched spherical tin sulfide/sulfur-doped graphene composite with ultra-low sulfur content

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Zhao, Bing; Yang, Yaqing; Wang, Zhixuan; Huang, Shoushuang; Wang, Yanyan; Wang, Shanshan; Chen, Zhiwen; Jiang, Yong

2018-02-01

SnS is widely studied as anode materials since of its superior structural stability and physicochemical property comparing with other Sn-based composites. Nevertheless, the inconvenience of phase morphology control and excessive consumption of sulfur sources during synthesis hinder the scalable application of SnS nanocomposites. Herein, we report a facile in-situ sulfuration strategy to synthesize sandwiched spherical SnS/sulfur-doped graphene (SnS/S-SG) composite. An ultra-low sulfur content with approximately stoichiometric ratio of Sn:S can effectively promote the sulfuration reaction of SnO2 to SnS and simultaneous sulfur-doping of graphene. The as-prepared SnS/S-SG composite shows a three-dimensional interconnected spherical structure as a whole, in which SnS nanoparticles are sandwiched between the multilayers of graphene sheets forming a hollow sphere. The sandwiched sphere structure and high S doping amount can improve the binding force between SnS and graphene, as well as the structural stability and electrical conductivity of the composite. Thus, a high reversibility of conversion reaction, promising specific capacity (772 mAh g-1 after 100 cycles at 0.1 C) and excellent rate performance (705 and 411 mAh g-1 at 1 C and 10 C, respectively) are exhibited in the SnS/S-SG electrode, which are much higher than that of the SnS/spherical graphene synthesized by traditional post-sulfuration method.

Interaction of intermetallic compound formation in Cu/SnAgCu/NiAu sandwich solder joints

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Xia, Yanghua; Lu, Chuanyan; Chang, Junling; Xie, Xiaoming

2006-05-01

The interaction between Cu/solder interface and solder/Ni interface at a Cu/SnAgCu/NiAu sandwich solder joint with various surface finishes and solder heights was investigated. The interfacial microstructure and composition of intermetallic compounds (IMCs) were characterized by a scanning electron microscope (SEM) equipped with energy-dispersive x-ray spectroscopy (EDX). The phase structure of IMC was identified by x-ray diffraction (XRD). It is found that ternary (Cu,Ni)6Sn5 IMCs form at both interfaces. The composition, thickness, and morphology of the ternary IMCs depend not only on the interface itself, but also on the opposite interface. That is to say, strong coupling effects exist between the two interfaces. Lattice parameters of (Cu,Ni)6Sn5 shrink with increasing Ni content, in agreement with Vegard’s law. The mechanism of ternary IMC formation and interface coupling effects are discussed in this paper.

Structural, morphological and electrical properties of Sn-substituted Ni-Zn ferrites synthesized by double sintering technique

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Ali, M. A.; Uddin, M. M.; Khan, M. N. I.; Chowdhury, F.-U.-Z.; Haque, S. M.

2017-02-01

The Sn-substituted Ni-Zn ferrites, (0.0≤x≤0.30), have been synthesized by the standard double sintering technique from the oxide nanopowders of Ni, Zn, Fe and Sn. The structural and electrical properties have been investigated by the X-ray diffraction (XRD), scanning electron microscopy (SEM), DC resistivity and dielectric measurements. From XRD data, the single cubic spinel phase has been confirmed for x≤0.1, whereas for x>0.1 an extra intermediate phase has been detected along with the cubic spinel phase of Ni-Zn ferrite. The grain size is increased due to Sn substitution in Ni-Zn ferrites. DC resistivity as a function of temperature has been measured by two probe method. The semiconducting nature has been found operative in the samples. The DC resistivity was found to decrease whilst the dielectric constant increased with increasing Sn content in Ni-Zn ferrites. The unusual behavior of the dielectric loss factor of the ferrites was explained by the Rezlescu model. The electrical relaxation of the ferrites has been studied in terms of electric modulus formalism and the time for dielectric relaxation was calculated. The contribution of grain resistance has been studied from the Cole-Cole plot. The suitability to use the as prepared samples in the miniaturized memory devices based capacitive components or energy storage principles are confirmed from the values of dielectric constant.

Effect of both deposition temperature and indium doping on the properties of sol-gel dip-coated SnO2 films

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Caglar, Mujdat; Atar, Kadir Cemil

2012-10-01

Using indium chloride as an In source, In-doped SnO2 films were fabricated by sol-gel method through dip-coating on borofloat glass substrates. The undoped SnO2 films were deposited in air between 400 and 600 °C to get optimum deposition temperature in terms of crystal quality and hence In-doped SnO2 films were deposited in air at 600 °C. The effect of both deposition temperature and In content on structural, morphological, optical and electrical properties was investigated. The crystalline structure and orientation of the films were investigated by X-ray diffraction (XRD) and surface morphology was studied by a field emission scanning electron microscope (FESEM). The compositional analysis of the films was confirmed by energy dispersive X-ray spectrometer (EDS). The absorption band edge of the SnO2 films shifted from 3.88 to 3.66 eV with In content. The van der Pauw method was used to measure the sheet resistance of the films. The sheet resistance was affected significantly by deposition temperature and In content.

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

Moraes, Paulo E.L., E-mail: pauloeduardo.leitedemoraes@gmail.com; Contieri, Rodrigo J., E-mail: contieri@fem.unicamp.br; Lopes, Eder S.N., E-mail: ederlopes@fem.unicamp.br

Ti and Ti alloys are widely used in restorative surgery because of their good biocompatibility, enhanced mechanical behavior and high corrosion resistance in physiological media. The corrosion resistance of Ti-based materials is due to the spontaneous formation of the TiO{sub 2} oxide film on their surface, which exhibits elevated stability in biological fluids. Ti–Nb alloys, depending on the composition and the processing routes to which the alloys are subjected, have high mechanical strength combined with low elastic modulus. The addition of Sn to Ti–Nb alloys allows the phase transformations to be controlled, particularly the precipitation of ω phase. The aimmore » of this study is to discuss the microstructure, mechanical properties and corrosion behavior of cast Ti–Nb alloys to which Sn has been added. Samples were centrifugally cast in a copper mold, and the microstructure was characterized using optical microscopy, scanning electron microscopy and X-ray diffractometry. Mechanical behavior evaluation was performed using Berkovich nanoindentation, Vickers hardness and compression tests. The corrosion behavior was evaluated in Ringer's solution at room temperature using electrochemical techniques. The results obtained suggested that the physical, mechanical and chemical behaviors of the Ti–Nb–Sn alloys are directly dependent on the Sn content. - Graphical abstract: Effects of Sn addition to the Ti–30Nb alloy on the elastic modulus. - Highlights: • Sn addition causes reduction of the ω phase precipitation. • Minimum Vickers hardness and elastic modulus occurred for 6 wt.% Sn content. • Addition of 6 wt.% Sn resulted in maximum ductility and minimum compression strength. • All Ti–30Nb–XSn (X = 0, 2, 4, 6, 8 and 10%) alloys are passive in Ringer's solution. • Highest corrosion resistance was observed for 6 wt.% Sn content.« less

A facile one-pot self-assembly approach to incorporate SnOx nanoparticles in ordered mesoporous carbon with soft templating for fuel cells.

PubMed

Huang, Yingqiang; Zhai, Zhicheng; Luo, Zhigang; Liu, Yingju; Liang, Zhurong; Fang, Yueping

2014-04-04

Unique SnO(x) (x = 1,2)/ordered mesoporous carbon nanocomposites (denoted as SnO(x)/OMC) are firstly synthesized through a 'one-pot' synthesis together with the soft template self-assembly approach. The obtained SnO(x)/OMC nanocomposites with various SnO(x) contents exhibit uniform pore sizes between 3.9 and 4.2 nm, high specific surface areas between 497 and 595 m(2) g(-1), and high pore volumes between 0.39 and 0.48 cm(3) g(-1). With loading of Pt, Pt-SnO(x)/OMC with relatively low SnO(x) content exhibits superior electrocatalytic performance, long-term durability, and resistance to CO poisoning for methanol oxidation, as compared to Pt/OMC, PtRu/C and Pt-SnO(x)/C, which may be attributed not only to the synergetic effect of embedded SnO(x), but also to the highly ordered mesostructure with high specific surface areas and large pore volumes affording plenty of surface area for support of Pt nanoparticles. This work supplies an efficient way to synthesize novel ordered mesoporous carbon self-supported metallic oxide as catalyst support and its further potential application to reduce the cost of catalysts in direct methanol fuel cells.

A facile one-pot self-assembly approach to incorporate SnOx nanoparticles in ordered mesoporous carbon with soft templating for fuel cells

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Huang, Yingqiang; Zhai, Zhicheng; Luo, Zhigang; Liu, Yingju; Liang, Zhurong; Fang, Yueping

2014-04-01

Unique SnOx (x = 1,2)/ordered mesoporous carbon nanocomposites (denoted as SnOx/OMC) are firstly synthesized through a ‘one-pot’ synthesis together with the soft template self-assembly approach. The obtained SnOx/OMC nanocomposites with various SnOx contents exhibit uniform pore sizes between 3.9 and 4.2 nm, high specific surface areas between 497 and 595 m2 g-1, and high pore volumes between 0.39 and 0.48 cm3 g-1. With loading of Pt, Pt-SnOx/OMC with relatively low SnOx content exhibits superior electrocatalytic performance, long-term durability, and resistance to CO poisoning for methanol oxidation, as compared to Pt/OMC, PtRu/C and Pt-SnOx/C, which may be attributed not only to the synergetic effect of embedded SnOx, but also to the highly ordered mesostructure with high specific surface areas and large pore volumes affording plenty of surface area for support of Pt nanoparticles. This work supplies an efficient way to synthesize novel ordered mesoporous carbon self-supported metallic oxide as catalyst support and its further potential application to reduce the cost of catalysts in direct methanol fuel cells.

HPLC method for determination of SN-38 content and SN-38 entrapment efficiency in a novel liposome-based formulation, LE-SN38.

PubMed

Xuan, Tong; Zhang, J Allen; Ahmad, Imran

2006-05-03

A simple HPLC method was developed for quantification of SN-38, 7-ethyl-10-hydroxycamptothecin, in a novel liposome-based formulation (LE-SN38). The chromatographic separation was achieved on an Agilent Zorbax SB-C18 (4.6 mmx250 mm, 5 microm) analytical column using a mobile phase consisting of a mixture of NaH2PO4 (pH 3.1, 25 mM) and acetonitrile (50:50, v/v). SN-38 was detected at UV wavelength of 265 nm and quantitatively determined using an external calibration method. The limit of detection (LOD) and limit of quantitation (LOQ) were found to be 0.05 and 0.25 microg/mL, respectively. The individual spike recovery of SN-38 ranged from 100 to 101%. The percent of relative standard deviation (%R.S.D.) of intra-day and inter-day analyses were less than 1.6%. The method validation results confirmed that the method is specific, linear, accurate, precise, robust and sensitive for its intended use. The current method was successfully applied to the determination of SN-38 content and drug entrapment efficiency in liposome-based formulation, LE-SN38 during early stage formulation development.

LED Die-Bonded on the Ag/Cu Substrate by a Sn-BiZn-Sn Bonding System

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Tang, Y. K.; Hsu, Y. C.; Lin, E. J.; Hu, Y. J.; Liu, C. Y.

2016-12-01

In this study, light emitting diode (LED) chips were die-bonded on a Ag/Cu substrate by a Sn-BixZn-Sn bonding system. A high die-bonding strength is successfully achieved by using a Sn-BixZn-Sn ternary system. At the bonding interface, there is observed a Bi-segregation phenomenon. This Bi-segregation phenomenon solves the problems of the brittle layer-type Bi at the joint interface. Our shear test results show that the bonding interface with Bi-segregation enhances the shear strength of the LED die-bonding joints. The Bi-0.3Zn and Bi-0.5Zn die-bonding cases have the best shear strength among all die-bonding systems. In addition, we investigate the atomic depth profile of the deposited Bi-xZn layer by evaporating Bi-xZn E-gun alloy sources. The initial Zn content of the deposited Bi-Zn alloy layers are much higher than the average Zn content in the deposited Bi-Zn layers.

Investigation of the influence of the concentrations of Sn in electrochemically deposited CuSn alloy films on their mechanical properties

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Cherneva, S.; Iankov, R.; Stoychev, D.

2015-10-01

Mechanical properties of thin CuSn alloy films containing different content of Sn (0.06 - 67.5 wt.%) were investigated by means of nanoindentation experiments, using Nanoindenter G200 (Agilent Technologies), equipped with Berkovich indenter tip. The films were electrochemically deposited on screen-intermediate Ni film with thickness about 3 µm electrodeposited on Cu or brass (Cu66Zn34) substrates with thickness respectively 300 µm and 500 µm. The thicknesses of investigated CuSn films varied from 0.138 to 5.47 µm. Mechanical properties of the Cu and brass substrates were investigated too. As a result of nanoindentation experiments, load-displacement curves were obtained and two mechanical characteristics of the substrate and investigated films - indentation hardness (HIT) and indentation modulus (EIT) - were calculated using Oliver & Pharr approximation method. Dependence of indentation modulus and indentation hardness on the depth of indentation, content of Sn, structure and phase composition of the alloy films was investigated and discussed.

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

Ge, Zhen-Hua; Wei, Kaya; Lewis, Hutton

A hydrothermal approach was employed to efficiently synthesize SnSe nanorods. The nanorods were consolidated into polycrystalline SnSe by spark plasma sintering for low temperature electrical and thermal properties characterization. The low temperature transport properties indicate semiconducting behavior with a typical dielectric temperature dependence of the thermal conductivity. The transport properties are discussed in light of the recent interest in this material for thermoelectric applications. The nanorod growth mechanism is also discussed in detail. - Graphical abstract: SnSe nanorods were synthesized by a simple hydrothermal method through a bottom-up approach. Micron sized flower-like crystals changed to nanorods with increasing hydrothermal temperature.more » Low temperature transport properties of polycrystalline SnSe, after SPS densification, were reported for the first time. This bottom-up synthetic approach can be used to produce phase-pure dense polycrystalline materials for thermoelectrics applications. - Highlights: • SnSe nanorods were synthesized by a simple and efficient hydrothermal approach. • The role of temperature, time and NaOH content was investigated. • SPS densification allowed for low temperature transport properties measurements. • Transport measurements indicate semiconducting behavior.« less

Elemental Precursor Solution Processed (Cu1-xAgx)2ZnSn(S,Se)4 Photovoltaic Devices with over 10% Efficiency.

PubMed

Qi, Yafang; Tian, Qingwen; Meng, Yuena; Kou, Dongxing; Zhou, Zhengji; Zhou, Wenhui; Wu, Sixin

2017-06-28

The partial substitution of Cu + with Ag + into the host lattice of Cu 2 ZnSn(S,Se) 4 thin films can reduce the open-circuit voltage deficit (V oc,deficit ) of Cu 2 ZnSn(S,Se) 4 (CZTSSe) solar cells. In this paper, elemental Cu, Ag, Zn, Sn, S, and Se powders were dissolved in solvent mixture of 1,2-ethanedithiol (edtH 2 ) and 1,2-ethylenediamine (en) and used for the formation of (Cu 1-x Ag x ) 2 ZnSn(S,Se) 4 (CAZTSSe) thin films with different Ag/(Ag + Cu) ratios. The key feature of this approach is that the impurity atoms can be absolutely excluded. Further results indicate that the variations of grain size, band gap, and depletion width of the CAZTSSe layer are generally determined by Ag substitution content. Benefiting from the V oc enhancement (∼50 mV), the power conversion efficiency is successfully increased from 7.39% (x = 0) to 10.36% (x = 3%), which is the highest efficiency of Ag substituted devices so far.

Fluorescence properties of Yb3+-Er3+ co-doped phosphate glasses containing silver nanoparticles

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Martínez Gámez, Ma A.; Vallejo H, Miguel A.; Kiryanov, A. V.; Licea-Jiménez, L.; Lucio M, J. L.; Pérez-García, S. A.

2018-04-01

Er3+-Yb3+ co-doped phosphate glasses containing silver nitrate (SN), were fabricated. Transmission electron microscopy (TEM) and x-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS) analyses were used to evidence the nucleation and presence of silver nanoparticles (SNP). The basic parameters of the glasses were inspected by means of absorption and fluorescence spectra, and fluorescence lifetimes under excitation at 916 nm (in-band of Yb3+), and at 406 nm (in-band of surface plasmon resonance given by the presence of SNP). The spectra as well as estimates for the basic parameters defining the lasing/amplifying potential of the glasses were studied as a function of SN concentration. The experimental results indicate that by increasing the SN content an enhancement of Er3+/Yb3+ fluorescence takes place.

Trace element emissions from spontaneous combustion of gob piles in coal mines, Shanxi, China

USGS Publications Warehouse

Zhao, Y.; Zhang, Jiahua; Chou, C.-L.; Li, Y.; Wang, Z.; Ge, Y.; Zheng, C.

2008-01-01

The emissions of potentially hazardous trace elements from spontaneous combustion of gob piles from coal mining in Shanxi Province, China, have been studied. More than ninety samples of solid waste from gob piles in Shanxi were collected and the contents of twenty potentially hazardous trace elements (Be, F, V, Cr, Mn, Co, Ni, Cu, Zn, As, Se, Mo, Cd, Sn, Sb, Hg, Tl, Pb, Th, and U) in these samples were determined. Trace element contents in solid waste samples showed wide ranges. As compared with the upper continental crust, the solid waste samples are significantly enriched in Se (20x) and Tl (12x) and are moderately enriched in F, As, Mo, Sn, Sb, Hg, Th, and U (2-5x). The solid waste samples are depleted in V, Cr, Mn, Co, Ni, Cu, and Zn. The solid waste samples are enriched in F, V, Mn, Cr, Co, Ni, Cu, Zn, Sb, Th, and U as compared with the Shanxi coals. Most trace elements are higher in the clinker than in the unburnt solid waste except F, Sn, and Hg. Trace element abundances are related to the ash content and composition of the samples. The content of F is negatively correlated with the ash content, while Pb is positively correlated with the ash. The concentrations of As, Mn, Zn, and Cd are highly positively correlated with Fe2O3 in the solid waste. The As content increases with increasing sulfur content in the solid waste. The trace element emissions are calculated for mass balance. The emission factors of trace elements during the spontaneous combustion of the gobs are determined and the trace element concentrations in the flue gas from the spontaneous combustion of solid waste are calculated. More than a half of F, Se, Hg and Pb are released to the atmosphere during spontaneous combustion. Some trace element concentrations in flue gas are higher than the national emission standards. Thus, gob piles from coal mining pose a serious environmental problem. ?? 2007 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.

Effect of both deposition temperature and indium doping on the properties of sol-gel dip-coated SnO2 films.

PubMed

Caglar, Mujdat; Atar, Kadir Cemil

2012-10-01

Using indium chloride as an In source, In-doped SnO(2) films were fabricated by sol-gel method through dip-coating on borofloat glass substrates. The undoped SnO(2) films were deposited in air between 400 and 600 °C to get optimum deposition temperature in terms of crystal quality and hence In-doped SnO(2) films were deposited in air at 600 °C. The effect of both deposition temperature and In content on structural, morphological, optical and electrical properties was investigated. The crystalline structure and orientation of the films were investigated by X-ray diffraction (XRD) and surface morphology was studied by a field emission scanning electron microscope (FESEM). The compositional analysis of the films was confirmed by energy dispersive X-ray spectrometer (EDS). The absorption band edge of the SnO(2) films shifted from 3.88 to 3.66 eV with In content. The van der Pauw method was used to measure the sheet resistance of the films. The sheet resistance was affected significantly by deposition temperature and In content. Copyright © 2012 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.

Strained multilayer structures with pseudomorphic GeSiSn layers

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

Timofeev, V. A., E-mail: Vyacheslav.t@isp.nsc.ru; Nikiforov, A. I.; Tuktamyshev, A. R.

2016-12-15

The temperature and composition dependences of the critical thickness of the 2D–3D transition for a GeSiSn film on Si(100) have been studied. The regularities of the formation of multilayer structures with pseudomorphic GeSiSn layers directly on a Si substrate, without relaxed buffer layers, were investigated for the first time. The possibility of forming multilayer structures based on pseudomorphic GeSiSn layers has been shown and the lattice parameters have been determined using transmission electron microscopy. The grown structures demonstrate photoluminescence for Sn contents from 3.5 to 5% in GeSiSn layers.

Growth and characterization of PbSe and Pb{sub 1{minus}x}Sn{sub x}Se layers on Si (100)

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

Sachar, H.K.; Chao, I.; Fang, X.M.

1998-12-31

Crack-free layers of PbSe were grown on Si (100) by a combination of liquid phase epitaxy (LPE) and molecular beam epitaxy (MBE) techniques. The PbSe layer was grown by LPE on Si(100) using a MBE-grown PbSe/BaF{sub 2}/CaF{sub 2} buffer layer structure. Pb{sub 1{minus}x}Sn{sub x}Se layers with tin contents in the liquid growth solution equal to 3%, 5%, 6%, 7%, and 10%, respectively, were also grown by LPE on Si(100) substrates using similar buffer layer structures. The LPE-grown PbSe and Pb{sub 1{minus}x}Sn{sub x}Se layers were characterized by optical Nomarski microscopy, X-ray diffraction (XRD), Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR), and scanning electronmore » microscopy (SEM). Optical Nomarski characterization of the layers revealed their excellent surface morphologies and good growth solution wipe-offs. FTIR transmission experiments showed that the absorption edge of the Pb{sub 1{minus}x}Sn{sub x}Se layers shifted to lower energies with increasing tin contents. The PbSe epilayers were also lifted-off from the Si substrate by dissolving the MBE-grown BaF{sub 2} buffer layer. SEM micrographs of the cleaved edges revealed that the lifted-off layers formed structures suitable for laser fabrication.« less

Synthesis and Characterization of an Earth-Abundant Cu2BaSn(S,Se)4 Chalcogenide for Photoelectrochemical Cell Application.

PubMed

Shin, Donghyeop; Ngaboyamahina, Edgard; Zhou, Yihao; Glass, Jeffrey T; Mitzi, David B

2016-11-17

Cu 2 BaSnS 4-x Se x films consisting of earth-abundant metals have been examined for photocathode application. Films with different Se contents (i.e., Cu 2 BaSnS 4-x Se x with x ≤ 2.4) were synthesized using a cosputter system with post-deposition sulfurization/selenization annealing treatments. Each film adopts a trigonal P3 1 crystal structure, with progressively larger lattice constants and with band gaps shifting from 2.0 to 1.6 eV, as more Se substitutes for S in the parent compound Cu 2 BaSnS 4 . Given the suitable bandgap and earth-abundant elements, the Cu 2 BaSnS 4-x Se x films were studied as prospective photocathodes for water splitting. Greater than 6 mA/cm 2 was obtained under illumination at -0.4 V versus reversible hydrogen electrode for Pt/Cu 2 BaSnS 4-x Se x films with ∼60% Se content (i.e., x = 2.4), whereas a bare Cu 2 BaSnS 4-x Se x (x = 2.4) film yielded ∼3 mA/cm 2 at -0.4 V/RHE.

Effect of Ag and Pb Addition on Microstructural and Mechanical Properties of SAC 105 Solders

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Molnar, Aliz; Janovszky, Dora; Kardos, Ibolya; Molnar, Istvan; Gacsi, Zoltan

2015-10-01

Melting and crystallization processes of lead-free and lead-contaminated alloys in near-equilibrium state were investigated. In addition, the effect of silver content up to 4 wt.% on the microstructure of Sn-Ag-Cu alloys was studied. The volume fraction of β-Sn decreased by half owing to 4 wt.% Ag content. Furthermore, contamination by lead strongly influences the properties of the solidified microstructure. The Pb grains appear as a result of two processes when the Pb content is equal to 0.5 wt.% or higher: Pb phase solidifies in the quaternary eutectic at 176°C, and Pb grains precipitate from the primary β-Sn solid solution grain during a solid state reaction. The freezing range enlarges to 51°C due to 2 wt.% Pb content owing to quaternary eutectic. Above 1 wt.% Pb content, the mechanical properties also improve due to grains of quaternary eutectic Pb and precipitated Pb grains with a size <1 μm.

Composition dependence of structural and optical properties in epitaxial Sr(Sn1-xTix)O3 films

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Liu, Qinzhuang; Li, Bing; Li, Hong; Dai, Kai; Zhu, Guangping; Wang, Wei; Zhang, Yongxing; Gao, Guanyin; Dai, Jianming

2015-03-01

Epitaxial Sr(Sn1-xTix)O3 (SSTO, x = 0-1) thin films were grown on MgO substrates by a pulsed laser deposition technique. The effects of composition on the structural and optical properties of SSTO films were investigated. X-ray diffraction studies show that the lattice parameter decreases from 4.041 to 3.919 Å gradually with increasing Ti content from 0 to 1 in SSTO films. Optical spectra analysis reveals that the band gap energy Eg decreases continuously from 4.44 to 3.78 eV over the entire doping range, which is explained by the decreasing degree of octahedral tilting distortion and thus the increasing tolerance factor caused by the increasing small-Ti-ion doping concentration.

Cloning of Gossypium hirsutum Sucrose Non-Fermenting 1-Related Protein Kinase 2 Gene (GhSnRK2) and Its Overexpression in Transgenic Arabidopsis Escalates Drought and Low Temperature Tolerance

PubMed Central

Bello, Babatunde; Zhang, Xueyan; Liu, Chuanliang; Yang, Zhaoen; Yang, Zuoren; Wang, Qianhua; Zhao, Ge; Li, Fuguang

2014-01-01

The molecular mechanisms of stress tolerance and the use of modern genetics approaches for the improvement of drought stress tolerance have been major focuses of plant molecular biologists. In the present study, we cloned the Gossypium hirsutum sucrose non-fermenting 1-related protein kinase 2 (GhSnRK2) gene and investigated its functions in transgenic Arabidopsis. We further elucidated the function of this gene in transgenic cotton using virus-induced gene silencing (VIGS) techniques. We hypothesized that GhSnRK2 participates in the stress signaling pathway and elucidated its role in enhancing stress tolerance in plants via various stress-related pathways and stress-responsive genes. We determined that the subcellular localization of the GhSnRK2-green fluorescent protein (GFP) was localized in the nuclei and cytoplasm. In contrast to wild-type plants, transgenic plants overexpressing GhSnRK2 exhibited increased tolerance to drought, cold, abscisic acid and salt stresses, suggesting that GhSnRK2 acts as a positive regulator in response to cold and drought stresses. Plants overexpressing GhSnRK2 displayed evidence of reduced water loss, turgor regulation, elevated relative water content, biomass, and proline accumulation. qRT-PCR analysis of GhSnRK2 expression suggested that this gene may function in diverse tissues. Under normal and stress conditions, the expression levels of stress-inducible genes, such as AtRD29A, AtRD29B, AtP5CS1, AtABI3, AtCBF1, and AtABI5, were increased in the GhSnRK2-overexpressing plants compared to the wild-type plants. GhSnRK2 gene silencing alleviated drought tolerance in cotton plants, indicating that VIGS technique can certainly be used as an effective means to examine gene function by knocking down the expression of distinctly expressed genes. The results of this study suggested that the GhSnRK2 gene, when incorporated into Arabidopsis, functions in positive responses to drought stress and in low temperature tolerance. PMID:25393623

Comparative effects of simulated acid rain of different ratios of SO42- to NO3- on fine root in subtropical plantation of China.

PubMed

Liu, Xin; Zhao, Wenrui; Meng, Miaojing; Fu, Zhiyuan; Xu, Linhao; Zha, Yan; Yue, Jianmin; Zhang, Shuifeng; Zhang, Jinchi

2018-03-15

The influence of acid rain on forest trees includes direct effects on foliage as well as indirect soil-mediated effects that cause a reduction in fine-root growth. In addition, the concentration of NO 3 - in acid rain increases with the rapidly growing of nitrogen deposition. In this study, we investigated the impact of simulated acid rain with different SO 4 2- /NO 3 - (S/N) ratios, which were 5:1 (S), 1:1 (SN) and 1:5 (N), on fine-root growth from March 2015 to February 2016. Results showed that fine roots were more sensitive to the effects of acid rain than soils in the short-term. Both soil pH and fine root biomass (FRB) significantly decreased as acid rain pH decreased, and also decreased with the percentage of NO 3 - increased in acid rain. Acid rain pH significantly influenced soil total carbon and available potassium in summer. Higher acidity level (pH=2.5), especially of the N treatments, had the strongest inhibitory impact on soil microbial activity after summer. The structural equation modelling results showed that acid rain S/N ratio and pH had stronger direct effects on FRB than indirect effects via changed soil and fine root properties. Fine-root element contents and antioxidant enzymes activities were significantly affected by acid rain S/N ratio and pH during most seasons. Fine-root Al ion content, Ca/Al, Mg/Al ratios and catalase activity were used as better indicators than soil parameters for evaluating the effects of different acid rain S/N ratios and pH on forests. Our results suggest that the ratio of SO 4 2- to NO 3 - in acid rain is an important factor which could affect fine-root growth in subtropical forests of China. Copyright © 2017. Published by Elsevier B.V.

Substitution of Li for Cu in Cu2ZnSnS4: Toward Wide Band Gap Absorbers with Low Cation Disorder for Thin Film Solar Cells.

PubMed

Lafond, A; Guillot-Deudon, C; Vidal, J; Paris, M; La, C; Jobic, S

2017-03-06

The substitution of lithium for copper in Cu 2 ZnSnS 4 (CZTS) has been experimentally and theoretically investigated. Formally, the (Cu 1-x Li x )ZnSnS 4 system exhibits two well-defined solid solutions. Indeed, single crystal structural analyses demonstrate that the low (x < 0.4) and high (x > 0.6) lithium-content compounds adopt the kesterite structure and the wurtz-kesterite structure, respectively. For x between 0.4 and 0.6, the two aforementioned structure types coexist. Moreover, 119 Sn NMR analyses carried out on a (Cu 0.7 Li 0.3 ) 2 ZnSnS 4 sample clearly indicate that lithium replaces copper preferentially on two of the three available 2-fold crystallographic sites commonly occupied by Cu and Zn in disordered kesterite. Furthermore, the observed individual lines in the NMR spectrum suggest that the propensity of Cu and Zn atoms to be randomly distributed over the 2c and 2d crystallographic sites is lowered when lithium is partially substituted for copper. Additionally, the first-principles calculations provide insights into the arrangement of Li atoms as a function of the Cu/Zn disorder and its effect on the structural (lattice parameters) and optical properties of CZTS (band gap evolution). Those calculations agree with the experimental observations and account for the evolutions of the unit cell parameters as well as for the increase of band gap when the Li-content increases. The calculation of the formation enthalpy of point defect unambiguously indicates that Li modifies the Cu/Zn disorder in a manner similar to the change of Cu/Zn disorder induced by Ag alloying. Overall, it was found that Li alloying is a versatile way of tuning the optoelectronic properties of CZTS making it a good candidate as wide band gap materials for the top cells of tandem solar cells.

Rational Design of a Hierarchical Tin Dendrite Electrode for Efficient Electrochemical Reduction of CO2.

PubMed

Won, Da Hye; Choi, Chang Hyuck; Chung, Jaehoon; Chung, Min Wook; Kim, Eun-Hee; Woo, Seong Ihl

2015-09-21

Catalysis is a key technology for the synthesis of renewable fuels through electrochemical reduction of CO2 . However, successful CO2 reduction still suffers from the lack of affordable catalyst design and understanding the factors governing catalysis. Herein, we demonstrate that the CO2 conversion selectivity on Sn (or SnOx /Sn) electrodes is correlated to the native oxygen content at the subsurface. Electrochemical analyses show that the reduced Sn electrode with abundant oxygen species effectively stabilizes a CO2 (.-) intermediate rather than the clean Sn surface, and consequently results in enhanced formate production in the CO2 reduction. Based on this design strategy, a hierarchical Sn dendrite electrode with high oxygen content, consisting of a multi-branched conifer-like structure with an enlarged surface area, was synthesized. The electrode exhibits a superior formate production rate (228.6 μmol h(-1)  cm(-2) ) at -1.36 VRHE without any considerable catalytic degradation over 18 h of operation. © 2015 WILEY-VCH Verlag GmbH & Co. KGaA, Weinheim.

The reaction mechanism of SnSb and Sb thin film anodes for Na-ion batteries studied by X-ray diffraction, 119Sn and 121Sb Mössbauer spectroscopies

DOE PAGES

Baggetto, Loïc; Hah, Hien-Yoong; Jumas, Jean-Claude; ...

2014-06-01

The electrochemical reaction of Sb and SnSb anode materials with Na results in the formation of amorphous materials. To understand the resulting phases and electrochemical capacities we studied the reaction products local order using 119Sn and 121Sb Mössbauer spectroscopies in conjunction with measurements performed on model powder compounds of Na-Sn and Na-Sb to further clarify the reactions steps. For pure Sb the discharge (sodiation) starts with the formation of an amorphous phase composed of atomic environments similar to those found in NaSb, and proceeds further by the formation of environments similar to that present in Na 3Sb. The reversible reactionmore » takes place during a large portion of the charge process. At full charge the anode material still contains a substantial fraction of Na, which explains the lack of recrystallization into crystalline Sb. The reaction of SnSb yields Na 3Sb crystalline phase at full discharge at higher temperatures (65 and 95°C) while the room temperature reaction yields amorphous compounds. The electrochemically-driven, solid-state amorphization reaction occurring at room temperature is governed by the simultaneous formation of Na-coordinated Sn and Sb environments, as monitored by the decrease (increase) of the 119Sn ( 121Sb) Mössbauer isomer shifts. Overall, the monitoring of the hyperfine parameters enables to correlate the changes in Na content to the individual Sn and Sb local chemical environments.« less

Altering Trehalose-6-Phosphate Content in Transgenic Potato Tubers Affects Tuber Growth and Alters Responsiveness to Hormones during Sprouting1[C][W

PubMed Central

Debast, Stefan; Nunes-Nesi, Adriano; Hajirezaei, Mohammad R.; Hofmann, Jörg; Sonnewald, Uwe; Fernie, Alisdair R.; Börnke, Frederik

2011-01-01

Trehalose-6-phosphate (T6P) is a signaling metabolite that regulates carbon metabolism, developmental processes, and growth in plants. In Arabidopsis (Arabidopsis thaliana), T6P signaling is, at least in part, mediated through inhibition of the SNF1-related protein kinase SnRK1. To investigate the role of T6P signaling in a heterotrophic, starch-accumulating storage organ, transgenic potato (Solanum tuberosum) plants with altered T6P levels specifically in their tubers were generated. Transgenic lines with elevated T6P levels (B33-TPS, expressing Escherichia coli osmoregulatory trehalose synthesis A [OtsA], which encodes a T6P synthase) displayed reduced starch content, decreased ATP contents, and increased respiration rate diagnostic for high metabolic activity. On the other hand, lines with significantly reduced T6P (B33-TPP, expressing E. coli OtsB, which encodes a T6P phosphatase) showed accumulation of soluble carbohydrates, hexose phosphates, and ATP, no change in starch when calculated on a fresh weight basis, and a strongly reduced tuber yield. [14C]Glucose feeding to transgenic tubers indicated that carbon partitioning between starch and soluble carbohydrates was not altered. Transcriptional profiling of B33-TPP tubers revealed that target genes of SnRK1 were strongly up-regulated and that T6P inhibited potato tuber SnRK1 activity in vitro. Among the SnRK1 target genes in B33-TPP tubers, those involved in the promotion of cell proliferation and growth were down-regulated, while an inhibitor of cell cycle progression was up-regulated. T6P-accumulating tubers were strongly delayed in sprouting, while those with reduced T6P sprouted earlier than the wild type. Early sprouting of B33-TPP tubers correlated with a reduced abscisic acid content. Collectively, our data indicate that T6P plays an important role for potato tuber growth. PMID:21670224

The Effect of Eu Doping on Microstructure, Morphology and Methanal-Sensing Performance of Highly Ordered SnO2 Nanorods Array

PubMed Central

Zhao, Yanping; Li, Yuehua; Ren, Xingping; Gao, Fan; Zhao, Heyun

2017-01-01

Layered Eu-doped SnO2 ordered nanoarrays constructed by nanorods with 10 nm diameters and several hundred nanometers length were synthesized by a substrate-free hydrothermal route using alcohol and water mixed solvent of sodium stannate and sodium hydroxide at 200 °C. The Eu dopant acted as a crystal growth inhibitor to prevent the SnO2 nanorods growth up, resulting in tenuous SnO2 nanorods ordered arrays. The X-ray diffraction (XRD) revealed the tetragonal rutile-type structure with a systematic average size reduction and unit cell volume tumescence, while enhancing the residual strain as the Eu-doped content increases. The surface defects that were caused by the incorporation of Eu ions within the surface oxide matrix were observed by high-resolution transmission electron microscope (HRTEM). The results of the response properties of sensors based on the different levels of Eu-doped SnO2 layered nanoarrays demonstrated that the 0.5 at % Eu-doped SnO2 layered nanorods arrays exhibited an excellent sensing response to methanal at 278 °C. The reasons of the enhanced sensing performance were discussed from the complicated defect surface structure, the large specific surface area, and the excellent catalytic properties of Eu dopant. PMID:29168796

Thermophysical Properties of Sn-Ag-Cu Based Pb-Free Solders

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Kim, Sok Won; Lee, Jaeran; Jeon, Bo-Min; Jung, Eun; Lee, Sang Hyun; Kang, Kweon Ho; Lim, Kwon Taek

2009-06-01

Lead-tin (Pb-Sn) alloys are the dominant solders used for electronic packaging because of their low cost and superior properties required for interconnecting electronic components. However, increasing environmental and health concerns over the toxicity of lead, combined with global legislation to limit the use of Pb in manufactured products, have led to extensive research and development studies of lead-free solders. The Sn-Ag-Cu ternary eutectic alloy is considered to be one of the promising alternatives. Except for thermal properties, much research on several properties of Sn-Ag-Cu alloy has been performed. In this study, five Sn-xAg-0.5Cu alloys with variations of Ag content x of 1.0 mass%, 2.5 mass%, 3.0 mass%, 3.5 mass%, and 4.0 mass% were prepared, and their thermal diffusivity and specific heat were measured from room temperature to 150 °C, and the thermal conductivity was calculated using the measured thermal diffusivity, specific heat, and density values. Also, the linear thermal expansion was measured from room temperature to 170 °C. The results show that Sn-3.5Ag-0.5Cu is the best candidate because it has a maximum thermal conductivity and a low thermal expansion, which are the ideal conditions to be a proper packaging alloy for effective cooling and thermostability.

Development of High Strength Ni-Cu-Zr-Ti-Si-Sn In-Situ Bulk Metallic Glass Composites Reinforced by Hard B2 Phase

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Park, Hyo Jin; Hong, Sung Hwan; Park, Hae Jin; Kim, Young Seok; Kim, Jeong Tae; Na, Young Sang; Lim, Ka Ram; Wang, Wei-Min; Kim, Ki Buem

2018-03-01

In the present study, the influence of atomic ratio of Zr to Ti on the microstructure and mechanical properties of Ni-Cu-Zr-Ti-Si-Sn alloys is investigated. The alloys were designed by fine replacement of Ti for Zr from Ni39Cu20Zr36-xTixSi2Sn3. The increase of Ti content enhances glass forming ability of the alloy by suppression of formation of (Ni, Cu)10(Zr, Ti)7 phase during solidification. With further increasing Ti content up to 24 at.%, the B2 phase is introduced in the amorphous matrix with a small amount of B19' phase from alloy melt. The bulk metallic glass composite containing B2 phase with a volume fraction of 10 vol% exhibits higher fracture strength ( 2.5 GPa) than that of monolithic bulk metallic glass ( 2.3 GPa). This improvement is associated to the individual mechanical characteristics of the B2 phase and amorphous matrix. The B2 phase exhibits higher hardness and modulus than those of amorphous matrix as well as effective stress accommodation up to the higher stress level than the yield strength of amorphous matrix. The large stress accommodation capacity of the hard B2 phase plays an important factor to improve the mechanical properties of in situ Ni-based bulk metallic glass composites.

Surface tension and density of liquid In-Sn-Zn alloys

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Pstruś, Janusz

2013-01-01

Using the dilatometric method, measurements of the density of liquid alloys of the ternary system In-Sn-Zn in four sections with a constant ratio Sn:In = 24:1, 3:1, 1:1, 1:3, for various Zn additions (5, 10, 14, 20, 3 5, 50 and 75 at.% Zn) were performed at the temperature ranges of 500-1150 K. Density decreases linearly for all compositions. The molar volume calculated from density data exhibits close to ideal dependence on composition. Measurements of the surface tension of liquid alloys have been conducted using the method of maximum pressure in the gas bubbles. There were observed linear dependences on temperature with a negative gradients dσ/dT. Generally, with two exceptions, there was observed the increase of surface tension with increasing content of zinc. Using the Butler's model, the surface tension isotherms were calculated for temperatures T = 673 and 1073 K. Calculations show that only for high temperatures and for low content of zinc (up to about 35 at.%), the modeling is in very good agreement with experiment. Using the mentioned model, the composition of the surface phase was defined at two temperatures T = 673 and 973 K. Regardless of the temperature and of the defined section, the composition of the bulk is very different in comparison with the composition of the surface.

Band alignment at the Cu2ZnSn(SxSe1-x)4/CdS interface

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Haight, Richard; Barkhouse, Aaron; Gunawan, Oki; Shin, Byungha; Copel, Matt; Hopstaken, Marinus; Mitzi, David B.

2011-06-01

Energy band alignments between CdS and Cu2ZnSn(SxSe1-x)4 (CZTSSe) grown via solution-based and vacuum-based deposition routes were studied as a function of the [S]/[S+Se] ratio with femtosecond laser ultraviolet photoelectron spectroscopy, photoluminescence, medium energy ion scattering, and secondary ion mass spectrometry. Band bending in the underlying CZTSSe layer was measured via pump/probe photovoltage shifts of the photoelectron spectra and offsets were determined with photoemission under flat band conditions. Increasing the S content of the CZTSSe films produces a valence edge shift to higher binding energy and increases the CZTSSe band gap. In all cases, the CdS conduction band offsets were spikes.

Ge1-xSnx alloys synthesized by ion implantation and pulsed laser melting

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Gao, Kun; Prucnal, S.; Huebner, R.; Baehtz, C.; Skorupa, I.; Wang, Yutian; Skorupa, W.; Helm, M.; Zhou, Shengqiang

2014-07-01

The tunable bandgap and the high carrier mobility of Ge1-xSnx alloys stimulate a large effort for bandgap and strain engineering for Ge based materials using silicon compatible technology. In this Letter, we present the fabrication of highly mismatched Ge1-xSnx alloys by ion implantation and pulsed laser melting with Sn concentration ranging from 0.5 at. % up to 1.5 at. %. According to the structural investigations, the formed Ge1-xSnx alloys are monocrystalline with high Sn-incorporation rate. The shrinkage of the bandgap of Ge1-xSnx alloys with increasing Sn content is proven by the red-shift of the E1 and E1 + Δ1 critical points in spectroscopic ellipsometry. Our investigation provides a chip technology compatible route to prepare high quality monocrystalline Ge1-xSnx alloys.

Highly active carbon supported ternary PdSnPtx (x=0.1-0.7) catalysts for ethanol electro-oxidation in alkaline and acid media.

PubMed

Wang, Xiaoguang; Zhu, Fuchun; He, Yongwei; Wang, Mei; Zhang, Zhonghua; Ma, Zizai; Li, Ruixue

2016-04-15

A series of trimetallic PdSnPtx (x=0.1-0.7)/C catalysts with varied Pt content have been synthesized by co-reduction method using NaBH4 as a reducing agent. These catalysts were characterized using X-ray diffraction (XRD), transmission electron microscopy (TEM), high resolution transmission electron microscopy (HRTEM), energy dispersive X-ray spectroscopy (EDX), X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS), cyclic voltammetry (CV) and chronoamperometry (CA). The electrochemical results show that, after adding a minor amount of Pt dopant, the resultant PdSnPtx/C demonstrated more superior catalytic performance toward ethanol oxidation as compared with that of mono-/bi-metallic Pd/C or PdSn/C in alkaline solution and the PdSnPt0.2/C with optimal molar ratio reached the best. In acid solution, the PdSnPt0.2/C also depicted a superior catalytic activity relative to the commercial Pt/C catalyst. The possible enhanced synergistic effect between Pd, Sn/Sn(O) and Pt in an alloyed state should be responsible for the as-revealed superior ethanol electro-oxidation performance based upon the beneficial electronic effect and bi-functional mechanism. It implies the trimetallic PdSnPt0.2/C with a low Pt content has a promising prospect as anodic electrocatalyst in fields of alkali- and acid-type direct ethanol fuel cells. Copyright © 2016 Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.

Control of conduction type in ferromagnetic (Zn,Sn,Mn)As2 thin films by changing Mn content and effect of annealing on thin films with n-type conduction

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Minamizawa, Yuto; Kitazawa, Tomohiro; Hidaka, Shiro; Toyota, Hideyuki; Nakamura, Shin-ichi; Uchitomi, Naotaka

2018-04-01

The conduction type in (Zn,Sn,Mn)As2 thin films grown by molecular beam epitaxy (MBE) on InP substrates was found to be controllable from p-type to n-type as a function of Mn content. n-type (Zn,Sn,Mn)As2 thin films were obtained by Mn doping of more than approximately 11 cat.%. It is likely that Mn interstitials (MnI) incorporated by excess Mn doping are located at tetrahedral hollow spaces surrounded by Zn and Sn cation atoms and four As atoms, which are expected to act as donors in (Zn,Sn,Mn)As2, resulting in n-type conduction. The effect of annealing on the structural, electrical and magnetic properties of n-type (Zn,Sn,Mn)As2 thin films was investigated as functions of annealing temperature and time. It was revealed that even if the annealing temperature is considerably higher than the growth temperature of 320 °C, the magnetic properties of the thin films remain stable. This suggests that a MnI complex surrounded by Zn and Sn atoms is thermally stable during high-temperature annealing. The n-type (Zn,Sn,Mn)As2 thin films may be suitable for application as n-type spin-polarized injectors.

Comparative genomics reveals adaptation by Alteromonas sp. SN2 to marine tidal-flat conditions: cold tolerance and aromatic hydrocarbon metabolism.

PubMed

Math, Renukaradhya K; Jin, Hyun Mi; Kim, Jeong Myeong; Hahn, Yoonsoo; Park, Woojun; Madsen, Eugene L; Jeon, Che Ok

2012-01-01

Alteromonas species are globally distributed copiotrophic bacteria in marine habitats. Among these, sea-tidal flats are distinctive: undergoing seasonal temperature and oxygen-tension changes, plus periodic exposure to petroleum hydrocarbons. Strain SN2 of the genus Alteromonas was isolated from hydrocarbon-contaminated sea-tidal flat sediment and has been shown to metabolize aromatic hydrocarbons there. Strain SN2's genomic features were analyzed bioinformatically and compared to those of Alteromonas macleodii ecotypes: AltDE and ATCC 27126. Strain SN2's genome differs from that of the other two strains in: size, average nucleotide identity value, tRNA genes, noncoding RNAs, dioxygenase gene content, signal transduction genes, and the degree to which genes collected during the Global Ocean Sampling project are represented. Patterns in genetic characteristics (e.g., GC content, GC skew, Karlin signature, CRISPR gene homology) indicate that strain SN2's genome architecture has been altered via horizontal gene transfer (HGT). Experiments proved that strain SN2 was far more cold tolerant, especially at 5°C, than the other two strains. Consistent with the HGT hypothesis, a total of 15 genomic islands in strain SN2 likely confer ecological fitness traits (especially membrane transport, aromatic hydrocarbon metabolism, and fatty acid biosynthesis) specific to the adaptation of strain SN2 to its seasonally cold sea-tidal flat habitat.

Comparative Genomics Reveals Adaptation by Alteromonas sp. SN2 to Marine Tidal-Flat Conditions: Cold Tolerance and Aromatic Hydrocarbon Metabolism

PubMed Central

Math, Renukaradhya K.; Jin, Hyun Mi; Kim, Jeong Myeong; Hahn, Yoonsoo; Park, Woojun; Madsen, Eugene L.; Jeon, Che Ok

2012-01-01

Alteromonas species are globally distributed copiotrophic bacteria in marine habitats. Among these, sea-tidal flats are distinctive: undergoing seasonal temperature and oxygen-tension changes, plus periodic exposure to petroleum hydrocarbons. Strain SN2 of the genus Alteromonas was isolated from hydrocarbon-contaminated sea-tidal flat sediment and has been shown to metabolize aromatic hydrocarbons there. Strain SN2's genomic features were analyzed bioinformatically and compared to those of Alteromonas macleodii ecotypes: AltDE and ATCC 27126. Strain SN2's genome differs from that of the other two strains in: size, average nucleotide identity value, tRNA genes, noncoding RNAs, dioxygenase gene content, signal transduction genes, and the degree to which genes collected during the Global Ocean Sampling project are represented. Patterns in genetic characteristics (e.g., GC content, GC skew, Karlin signature, CRISPR gene homology) indicate that strain SN2's genome architecture has been altered via horizontal gene transfer (HGT). Experiments proved that strain SN2 was far more cold tolerant, especially at 5°C, than the other two strains. Consistent with the HGT hypothesis, a total of 15 genomic islands in strain SN2 likely confer ecological fitness traits (especially membrane transport, aromatic hydrocarbon metabolism, and fatty acid biosynthesis) specific to the adaptation of strain SN2 to its seasonally cold sea-tidal flat habitat. PMID:22563400

Enhancement of ferromagnetic properties in composites of BaSnO3 and CoFe2O4

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Manju, M. R.; Ajay, K. S.; D'Souza, Noel M.; Hunagund, Shivakumar; Hadimani, R. L.; Dayal, Vijaylakshmi

2018-04-01

In this paper, we report structural and magnetic properties of BaSnO3(BSO)(1-x)-CoFe2O4 (CFO)(x) composite (with x = 0%, 1% (C1), 2% (C2) and 5% (C3) in molar ratio) synthesized using nitrate precursor method. The X-ray diffraction (XRD) pattern of the composite powder confirmed presence of both BaSnO3 with the cubic perovskite structure and CoFe2O4 with the cubic spinel structure. No signature of any other phases in pure BaSnO3, CoFe2O4 and composites have been detected either in XRD or energy dispersive X-ray (EDS) analysis. The temperature dependent zero field cooled (ZFC) & field cooled (FC) magnetization and magnetic field dependence magnetization measurements have been carried at room temperature of the pure BaSnO3. We observe a weak ferromagnetic (FM) behavior at room temperature in pure BaSnO3 even though it is non-magnetic in nature. The room temperature Raman spectroscopy and electron spin resonance measurements of the sample confirm the presence of oxygen vacancy and formation of F-center, which is responsible for the FM behavior. The oxidation state and elemental analysis have been carried out using X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS). The magnetic field dependence of magnetization of the composite samples reveal increase of saturation magnetization (Ms), remanence magnetization (Mr) and coercivity (Hc) with increase in ferrite content in the composite. Significant enhancement in FM components is observed with lowering of temperature.

SN2-Palmitate Reduces Fatty Acid Excretion in Chinese Formula-fed Infants.

PubMed

Bar-Yoseph, Fabiana; Lifshitz, Yael; Cohen, Tzafra; Malard, Patrice; Xu, Chungdi

2016-02-01

Palmitic acid (PA) comprises 17% to 25% of human milk fatty acids, of which 70% to 75% are esterified to the SN2 position of the triglyceride (SN2-palmitate). In vegetable oils, which are commonly used in infant formulas, palmitate is primarily esterified to other positions, resulting in reduced calcium and fat absorption and hard stools. The aim of this study was to elucidate the effects of SN2-palmitate on nutrient excretion. In total, 171 Chinese infants were included (within 14 days of birth) in this multicenter study. Formula-fed infants were randomly assigned to receive either SN2-palmitate formula (INFAT, n = 57) or control formula (n = 57). The formulas (Biostime, China) differed only in their SN2 PA proportions. Stool was collected at 6 postnatal weeks. The stool dry weight and fat content of the SN2-palmitate group were lower compared with the control group (dry weight 4.25 g vs 7.28 g, P < 0.05; fat 0.8 g vs 1.2 g, P < 0.05). The lipid component was also significantly lower for the SN2-palmitate group (0.79 g vs 1.19 g, P < 0.05). PA, representing ∼50% of the saponified fatty acids, was significantly lower in the SN2-palmitate group compared with the control group (0.3 g vs 0.7 g, P < 0.01). Breast-fed infants had a significantly lower stool dry weight, fat content, and saponified fat excretion compared with formula-fed infants (P < 0.01). Similar to breast milk, the SN2-palmitate infant formula primarily reduced calcium-saponified fat excretion. The results of this study further emphasize the nutritional importance of SN2-palmitate structured fat for infants.

The role of fatty acids and triglycerides in the gonads of Paracentrotus lividus from Sardinia: Growth, reproduction and cold acclimatization.

PubMed

Sanna, Roberta; Siliani, Silvia; Melis, Riccardo; Loi, Barbara; Baroli, Maura; Roggio, Tonina; Uzzau, Sergio; Anedda, Roberto

2017-09-01

A detailed characterization of lipid extracts from gonads of P. lividus over a year has been performed combining GC and NMR measurements. For this purpose, sea urchins from two different Sardinian coastal areas were collected monthly. The results underlined a correlation between gonad fatty acids profiles and both water temperature and reproduction process. In particular, EPA and ARA appear to be the most altered fatty acids following seasonal changes. It is suggested that EPA could represent a biomarker of reproduction, reaching a content around 14% during gametogenesis, mainly due to an increase of the sn-1,3 position in TAGs. On the contrary, ARA seems to play a more important role in response to cold acclimatization, which is reflected in a modulation of ARA content in the sn-1,3 position in TAGs. Copyright © 2017 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.

A simulation study to improve the efficiency of ZnO1-xSx/Cu2ZnSn (Sy, Se1-y)4 solar cells by composition-ratio control

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Sharbati, S.; Norouzzadeh, E.; Mohammadi, S.

2018-04-01

This work investigates the impact of the conduction-band offset (CBO) and valence band offset (VBO) on the performance of Zn (O, S)/Cu2ZnSn (S, Se)4 solar cells by numerical simulations. The band gap alignment at the buffer-CZTS layer interface are controlled by the sulfur-to-oxygen and sulfur-to-selenium ratios. The simulation results show that the high sulfur content in the Zn (O, S) layer makes a big offset in the conduction band and high oxygen content in the in the Zn (O, S) layer eventuates in large valence band offset, that descends Cu2ZnSn (S, Se)4 solar cell performance. We established an initial device model based on an experimental device with world record efficiencies of 12.6%. This study shows that most suitable heterojunction for ZnO1-xSx/Cu2ZnSn (Sy, Se1-y)4 solar cells is when sulfur content ranging 19%-50% in the Zn (O, S) and 30%-50% in the CZTSSe. The efficiency of Cu2ZnSn (S, Se)4 solar cells will be achieved to 14.3%.

Liquid-liquid phase separation and core-shell structure of ternary Al-In-Sn immiscible alloys

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Zhao, Degang; Bo, Lin; Wang, Lin; Li, Shanshan

2018-04-01

In this study, the liquid-liquid phase separation of four kinds of ternary immiscible Al-In-Sn melts was investigated with resistivity and thermodynamics method. The nonlinear changes in ρ-T and DSC curves of Al-In-Sn immiscible alloys above monotectic reaction temperature revealed the occurrence of liquid-liquid phase separation of Al-In-Sn melts. The monotectic temperature, liquid phase separation temperature and immiscible gap of ternary Al-In-Sn alloys were lower than those of binary Al-In alloy. With the Al content decreasing, the immiscible gap of Al-In-Sn alloy decreased. The composition of Al80In10Sn10, Al70In15Sn15, Al60In20Sn20 and Al50In25Sn25 was located in the immiscible zone of Al-In-Sn system. Due to the differences of Stokes effect, Marangoni convection and immiscible gap, the solidification morphology of four kinds of Al-In-Sn monotectic alloy was different. The core–shell structure of Al-In-Sn monotectic alloy can form within a certain range of composition.

Fabrication of tensile-strained single-crystalline GeSn on transparent substrate by nucleation-controlled liquid-phase crystallization

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Oka, Hiroshi; Amamoto, Takashi; Koyama, Masahiro; Imai, Yasuhiko; Kimura, Shigeru; Hosoi, Takuji; Shimura, Takayoshi; Watanabe, Heiji

2017-01-01

We developed a method of forming single-crystalline germanium-tin (GeSn) alloy on transparent substrates that is based on liquid-phase crystallization. By controlling and designing nucleation during the melting growth process, a highly tensile-strained single-crystalline GeSn layer was grown on a quartz substrate without using any crystal-seeds or catalysts. The peak field-effect hole mobility of 423 cm2/V s was obtained for a top-gate single-crystalline GeSn MOSFET on a quartz substrate with a Sn content of 2.6%, indicating excellent crystal quality and mobility enhancement due to Sn incorporation and tensile strain.

Effect of process control agent on the porous structure and mechanical properties of a biomedical Ti-Sn-Nb alloy produced by powder metallurgy.

PubMed

Nouri, A; Hodgson, P D; Wen, C E

2010-04-01

The influence of different amounts and types of process control agent (PCA), i.e., stearic acid and ethylene bis-stearamide, on the porous structure and mechanical properties of a biomedical Ti-16Sn-4Nb (wt.%) alloy was investigated. Alloy synthesis was performed on elemental metal powders using high-energy ball milling for 5h. Results indicated that varying the PCA content during ball milling led to a drastic change in morphology and particle-size distribution of the ball-milled powders. Porous titanium alloy samples sintered from the powders ball milled with the addition of various amounts of PCA also revealed different pore morphology and porosity. The Vickers hardness of the sintered titanium alloy samples exhibited a considerable increase with increasing PCA content. Moreover, the addition of larger amounts of PCA in the powder mixture resulted in a significant increase in the elastic modulus and peak stress for the sintered porous titanium alloy samples under compression. It should also be mentioned that the addition of PCA introduced contamination (mainly carbon and oxygen) into the sintered porous product. Crown Copyright 2009. Published by Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.

Tin-decorated ruthenium nanoparticles: a way to tune selectivity in hydrogenation reaction

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Bonnefille, Eric; Novio, Fernando; Gutmann, Torsten; Poteau, Romuald; Lecante, Pierre; Jumas, Jean-Claude; Philippot, Karine; Chaudret, Bruno

2014-07-01

Two series of ruthenium nanoparticles stabilized either by a polymer (polyvinylpyrrolidone; Ru/PVP) or a ligand (bisdiphenylphosphinobutane; Ru/dppb) were reacted with tributyltin hydride [(n-C4H9)3SnH] leading to tin-decorated ruthenium nanoparticles, Ru/PVP/Sn and Ru/dppb/Sn. The Sn/Ru molar ratio was varied in order to study the influence of the surface tin content on the properties of these new nanoparticles, by comparison with Ru/PVP and Ru/dppb. Besides HRTEM and WAXS analyses, spectroscopic techniques (IR, NMR and Mössbauer) combined with theoretical calculations and a simple catalytic test (styrene hydrogenation) allowed us to evidence the formation of μ3-bridging ``SnR'' groups on the ruthenium surface as well as to rationalize their influence on surface chemistry and catalytic activity.Two series of ruthenium nanoparticles stabilized either by a polymer (polyvinylpyrrolidone; Ru/PVP) or a ligand (bisdiphenylphosphinobutane; Ru/dppb) were reacted with tributyltin hydride [(n-C4H9)3SnH] leading to tin-decorated ruthenium nanoparticles, Ru/PVP/Sn and Ru/dppb/Sn. The Sn/Ru molar ratio was varied in order to study the influence of the surface tin content on the properties of these new nanoparticles, by comparison with Ru/PVP and Ru/dppb. Besides HRTEM and WAXS analyses, spectroscopic techniques (IR, NMR and Mössbauer) combined with theoretical calculations and a simple catalytic test (styrene hydrogenation) allowed us to evidence the formation of μ3-bridging ``SnR'' groups on the ruthenium surface as well as to rationalize their influence on surface chemistry and catalytic activity. Electronic supplementary information (ESI) available. See DOI: 10.1039/c4nr00791c

Synergistic influence of Al, Ni, Bi and Sn addition to a zinc bath upon growth kinetics and the structure of coatings

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Kania, H.; Liberski, P.

2012-05-01

In this article the authors have analysed the current knowledge about the influence of alloy additions used in galvanizing baths. The optimum concentration of Al, Ni, Bi and Sn addition has been established. Some tests have been conducted to determine the synergistic effect of the addition of AlNiBiSn to a zinc bath upon the structure and growth kinetics of coatings. The structure of the coatings obtained on steel with low silicon contents and on Sandelin steel as well as their chemical composition have been revealed. It has been established that the addition of AlNiBiSn helps to reduce excessive growth of coating on Sandelin steel. The chemical composition and the structure of the coating on Sandelin steel are similar to the chemical composition and structure obtained on steel with regular silicon contents.

Abscisic Acid (ABA ) Promotes the Induction and Maintenance of Pear (Pyrus pyrifolia White Pear Group) Flower Bud Endodormancy

PubMed Central

Li, Jianzhao; Xu, Ying; Niu, Qingfeng; He, Lufang; Teng, Yuanwen; Bai, Songling

2018-01-01

Dormancy is an adaptive mechanism that allows temperate deciduous plants to survive unfavorable winter conditions. In the present work, we investigated the possible function of abscisic acid (ABA) on the endodormancy process in pear. The ABA content increased during pear flower bud endodormancy establishment and decreased towards endodormancy release. In total, 39 putative genes related to ABA metabolism and signal transductions were identified from pear genome. During the para- to endodormancy transition, PpNCED-2 and PpNCED-3 had high expression levels, while PpCYP707As expression levels were low. However, during endodormancy, the expression of PpCYP707A-3 sharply increased with increasing cold accumulation. At the same time, the ABA content of pear buds declined, and the percentage of bud breaks rapidly increased. On the other hand, the expression levels of PpPYLs, PpPP2Cs, PpSnRK2s, and PpABI4/ABI5s were also changed during the pear flower bud dormancy cycle. Furthermore, exogenous ABA application to para-dormant buds significantly reduced the bud breaks and accelerated the transition to endodormancy. During the whole treatment time, the expression level of PpPP2C-12 decreased to a greater extent in ABA-treated buds than in control. However, the expression levels of PpSnRK2-1, PpSnRK2-4, and PpABI5-1 were higher in ABA-treated buds. Our results indicated that PpCYP707A-3 and PpNCEDs play pivotal roles on the regulation of endodormancy release, while ABA signal transduction pathway also appears to be involved in the process. The present work provided the basic information about the function of ABA-related genes during pear flower bud dormancy process. PMID:29361708

Overexpression of a Common Wheat Gene TaSnRK2.8 Enhances Tolerance to Drought, Salt and Low Temperature in Arabidopsis

PubMed Central

Zhang, Hongying; Mao, Xinguo; Wang, Chengshe; Jing, Ruilian

2010-01-01

Drought, salinity and low temperatures are major factors limiting crop productivity and quality. Sucrose non-fermenting1-related protein kinase 2 (SnRK2) plays a key role in abiotic stress signaling in plants. In this study, TaSnRK2.8, a SnRK2 member in wheat, was cloned and its functions under multi-stress conditions were characterized. Subcellular localization showed the presence of TaSnRK2.8 in the cell membrane, cytoplasm and nucleus. Expression pattern analyses in wheat revealed that TaSnRK2.8 was involved in response to PEG, NaCl and cold stresses, and possibly participates in ABA-dependent signal transduction pathways. To investigate its role under various environmental stresses, TaSnRK2.8 was transferred to Arabidopsis under control of the CaMV-35S promoter. Overexpression of TaSnRK2.8 resulted in enhanced tolerance to drought, salt and cold stresses, further confirmed by longer primary roots and various physiological characteristics, including higher relative water content, strengthened cell membrane stability, significantly lower osmotic potential, more chlorophyll content, and enhanced PSII activity. Meanwhile, TaSnRK2.8 plants had significantly lower total soluble sugar levels under normal growing conditions, suggesting that TaSnRK2.8 might be involved in carbohydrate metabolism. Moreover, the transcript levels of ABA biosynthesis (ABA1, ABA2), ABA signaling (ABI3, ABI4, ABI5), stress-responsive genes, including two ABA-dependent genes (RD20A, RD29B) and three ABA-independent genes (CBF1, CBF2, CBF3), were generally higher in TaSnRK2.8 plants than in WT/GFP controls under normal/stress conditions. Our results suggest that TaSnRK2.8 may act as a regulatory factor involved in a multiple stress response pathways. PMID:21209856

Properties of Sn3.8Ag0.7Cu Solder Alloy with Trace Rare Earth Element Y Additions

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Hao, H.; Tian, J.; Shi, Y. W.; Lei, Y. P.; Xia, Z. D.

2007-07-01

In the current research, trace rare earth (RE) element Y was incorporated into a promising lead-free solder, Sn3.8Ag0.7Cu, in an effort to improve the comprehensive properties of Sn3.8Ag0.7Cu solder. The range of Y content in Sn3.8Ag0.7Cu solder alloys varied from 0 wt.% to 1.0 wt.%. As an illustration of the advantage of Y doping, the melting temperature, wettability, mechanical properties, and microstructures of Sn3.8Ag0.7CuY solder were studied. Trace Y additions had little influence on the melting behavior, but the solder showed better wettability and mechanical properties, as well as finer microstructures, than found in Y-free Sn3.8Ag0.7Cu solder. The Sn3.8Ag0.7Cu0.15Y solder alloy exhibited the best comprehensive properties compared to other solders with different Y content. Furthermore, interfacial and microstructural studies were conducted on Sn3.8Ag0.7Cu0.15Y solder alloys, and notable changes in microstructure were found compared to the Y-free alloy. The thickness of an intermetallic compound layer (IML) was decreased during soldering, and the growth of the IML was suppressed during aging. At the same time, the growth of intermetallic compounds (IMCs) inside the solder was reduced. In particular, some bigger IMC plates were replaced by fine, granular IMCs.

Hair chemical element contents and influence factors of reproductive-age women in the West Ujimqin Banner, Inner Mongolia, China.

PubMed

Zhou, Shanshan; Yuan, Haodong; Ma, Xiaoling; Liu, Ying

2017-01-01

Women have an increased risk for chemical element deficiencies during reproductive age, particularly due to higher chemical element requirements and poor diets. Twenty-one chemical elements (Al, B, Ba, Ca, Cd, Co, Cr, Cu, Fe, Mg, Mn, Mo, Ni, Pb, Se, Si, Sn, Sr, Ti, V and Zn) in hair samples, which were collected from 71 non-pregnant and 236 pregnant women living in the West Ujimqin Banner, central Inner Mongolia, China, were measured, and the environment, dietary habits and ethnic group influence factors associated with the biomarker were analyzed. The results indicated that the average values of the chemical element contents from hair were greatly different compared to those from other areas, especially the Al, Cd, Pb, Ca and Sr contents. There was no significant difference among the three ethnicities for any element except Mn and Ti in non-pregnant women. Compared to non-pregnant women, in the first trimester group, the levels of nine chemical elements (Ba, Cd, Cu, Pb, Se, Si, Sn and Ti) decreased, while the others increased, and the contents of all of the chemical elements decreased in the second trimester group, while in the third trimester, there was a slight increase. Three chemical elements (Cu, Mn and Zn) displayed a synergistic correlation between each other in the third trimester group, which may protect the placenta from some oxidant damage. The high levels of Cd and Pb in hair likely originate from house renovations and traffic pollution. This study provided basic and useful information on the levels of chemical elements in reproductive-age women, and the results of this study are helpful to control the contents and improve the health of pregnant and non-pregnant women. Copyright © 2016 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.

Expression of castor LPAT2 enhances ricinoleic acid content at the sn-2 position of triacylglycerols in lesquerella seed

USDA-ARS?s Scientific Manuscript database

Lesquerella (Physaria fendelri) is a potential crop for hydroxy fatty acid (HFA) production. Its seed triacylglcerols (TAGs) contain 55–60% lesquerolic acid (20:1OH), mostly at the sn-1 and the sn-3 positions of TAG. Castor (Ricinus communis) TAGs contain 90% of ricinoleic acid (18:1OH) which is est...

Effect of Magnesium Content and Processing Conditions on Phase Formation and Stability in Mg2+ δ Si0.3Sn0.7

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Goyal, Gagan K.; Dasgupta, T.

2018-03-01

Mg2+ δ Si0.3Sn0.7 compositions with nominal Mg content of δ = 0, 0.2 are synthesized using a single-step quartz tube reaction method with different heating rates and holding times. The resulting powders are sintered using a uniaxial induction hot press under similar conditions to produce near-dense compacts. The effect of Mg content and processing conditions on the phase formation and its stability are studied using x-ray diffraction measurements, scanning electron microscopy (SEM) with elemental mapping and compositional analysis using energy dispersive spectroscopy (EDS). Results indicate that with sufficient Mg content and shorter synthesis time, the powder remains single phasic; however, prolonged heat treatment during synthesis results in Mg loss and causes the system to become biphasic. Compaction results in single-phase formation in all the specimens. This is attributed to the removal of the low-melting secondary Sn-rich phases present in the system. The decomposition of the specimens depends on the Mg content after the compaction step with a δ around - 0.15 necessary to preserve the single phase. The decomposition also results in Mg enrichment of the matrix (due to formation of elemental Sn), thereby acting as a self-healing mechanism. Annealing the dense products at 773 K for 24 h in static vacuum is carried out. Progressive Mg loss is observed resulting in degradation of the specimen.

Effects of simulated acid rain, EDTA, or their combination, on migration and chemical fraction distribution of extraneous metals in Ferrosol.

PubMed

Wen, Fang; Hou, Hong; Yao, Na; Yan, Zengguang; Bai, Liping; Li, Fasheng

2013-01-01

A laboratory repacked soil-leaching column experiment was conducted to study the effects of simulated acid rain or EDTA by themselves or in combination, on migration and chemical speciation distribution of Pb and its alternative rare metals including Ag, Bi, In, Sb, and Sn. Experimental results demonstrate that leaching with simulated acid rain promoted the migration of Bi, In and Pb, and their migration reached down to 8 cm in the soil profile, no enhancement of Sb, Ag or Sn migration was observed. Addition of EDTA significantly enhanced the migration of all six metals, especially Bi, In and Pb. The migration of metals was in the order Pb>Bi>In>Sb>Sn>Ag. The individual and combined effects of acid rain and EDTA increased the environmental risk of metals, by increasing the soluble content of metals in soil solutions and the relative distribution of the exchangeable fraction. Leaching risks of Bi, In and Pb were higher than other three metals. Copyright © 2012 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.

Photoluminescence and electroluminescence from Ge/strained GeSn/Ge quantum wells

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

Lin, Chung-Yi; Chang, Chih-Chiang; Huang, Chih-Hsiung

2016-08-29

Ge/strained GeSn/Ge quantum wells are grown on a 300 mm Si substrate by chemical vapor deposition. The direct bandgap emission from strained GeSn is observed in the photoluminescence spectra and is enhanced by Al{sub 2}O{sub 3}/SiO{sub 2} passivation due to the field effect. The electroluminescence of the direct bandgap emission of strained GeSn is also observed from the Ni/Al{sub 2}O{sub 3}/GeSn metal-insulator-semiconductor tunneling diodes. Electroluminescence is a good indicator of GeSn material quality, since defects in GeSn layers degrade the electroluminescence intensity significantly. At the accumulation bias, the holes in the Ni gate electrode tunnel to the strained n-type GeSn layermore » through the ultrathin Al{sub 2}O{sub 3} and recombine radiatively with electrons. The emission wavelength of photoluminescence and electroluminescence can be tuned by the Sn content.« less

SN2-Palmitate Reduces Fatty Acid Excretion in Chinese Formula-fed Infants

PubMed Central

Bar-Yoseph, Fabiana; Lifshitz, Yael; Cohen, Tzafra; Malard, Patrice; Xu, Chungdi

2016-01-01

ABSTRACT Objectives: Palmitic acid (PA) comprises 17% to 25% of human milk fatty acids, of which 70% to 75% are esterified to the SN2 position of the triglyceride (SN2-palmitate). In vegetable oils, which are commonly used in infant formulas, palmitate is primarily esterified to other positions, resulting in reduced calcium and fat absorption and hard stools. The aim of this study was to elucidate the effects of SN2-palmitate on nutrient excretion. Methods: In total, 171 Chinese infants were included (within 14 days of birth) in this multicenter study. Formula-fed infants were randomly assigned to receive either SN2-palmitate formula (INFAT, n = 57) or control formula (n = 57). The formulas (Biostime, China) differed only in their SN2 PA proportions. Stool was collected at 6 postnatal weeks. Results: The stool dry weight and fat content of the SN2-palmitate group were lower compared with the control group (dry weight 4.25 g vs 7.28 g, P < 0.05; fat 0.8 g vs 1.2 g, P < 0.05). The lipid component was also significantly lower for the SN2-palmitate group (0.79 g vs 1.19 g, P < 0.05). PA, representing ∼50% of the saponified fatty acids, was significantly lower in the SN2-palmitate group compared with the control group (0.3 g vs 0.7 g, P < 0.01). Breast-fed infants had a significantly lower stool dry weight, fat content, and saponified fat excretion compared with formula-fed infants (P < 0.01). Conclusions: Similar to breast milk, the SN2-palmitate infant formula primarily reduced calcium-saponified fat excretion. The results of this study further emphasize the nutritional importance of SN2-palmitate structured fat for infants. PMID:26334255

Superconductivity in the Sn-Ba-Sr-Y-Cu-O system

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Aleksandrov, K. S.; Khrustalev, B. P.; Krivomazov, S. N.; Petrov, M. I.; Vasilyev, A. D.; Zwegintsev, S. A.

1991-01-01

After the discovery of high-T(sub c) superconductivity in the La-Ba-Cu-O compound, several families of superconducting oxides were synthesized. Here, researchers report the results of the search for superconductivity in the compounds based on tin which has a lone electron pair like Bi, Tl, and Pb. The following compounds were synthesized: Sn1Ba1Sr1Cu3O(sub x), Sn1Ba1Ca1Cu3O(sub x), Sn1Ba1Mg1Cu3O(sub x), Sn1Sr1Ca1Cu3O(sub x), Sn1Sr1Mg1Cu3O(sub x), and Sn1Ca1Mg1Cu3O(sub x). The initial components were oxides and carbonates of the appropriate elements. A standard firing-grinding procedure was used. Final heating was carried out at 960 C during 12 hours. Then the samples were cooled inside the furnace. All the synthesis cycles were carried out in air atmosphere. Among the synthesized compounds only Sn1Ba1Sr1Cu3O(sub x) showed remarkable conductivity. Other compounds were practically dielectrics. Presence of a possible superconductivity in Sn1Ba1Sr1Cu3O(sub x) was defined by using the Meissner effect. At low temperature a deviation from paramagnetic behavior is observed. The hysteresis loops obtained at lower temperature undoubtly testify to the presence of a superconductive phase in the sample. However, the part of the superconductive phase in the Sn1Ba1Sr1Cu3O(sub x) ceramic turned out to be small, less than 2 percent, which agrees with the estimation from magnetic data. In order to increase the content of the superconductive phase, two-valent cations Ba and Sr were partially substituted by univalent (K) and three-valent ones (Y).

Three NiAs-Ni 2In Type Structures in the Mn-Sn System

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Elding-Pontén, Margareta; Stenberg, Lars; Larsson, Ann-Kristin; Lidin, Sven; Ståhl, Kenny

1997-03-01

TheB8-type structure field of the Mn-Sn system has been investigated. Two high temperature phases (HTP1 and HTP2) and one low temperature phase (Mn3Sn2) were found. They all crystallize with the NiAs structure type with part of the trigonal bipyramidal interstices filled by manganese atoms in an ordered manner. The ordering as well as the manganese content is different for the three phases, giving rise to three different orthorhombic superstructures. Mn3Sn2seems to have the lowest manganese content, since the corresponding basal unit cell is smaller than for HTP1-2. Structural models of the phases are based on selected area electron diffraction, X-ray powder diffraction, and preliminary single crystal X-ray measurements. The ideal cell parameters found are (a=7ahex,b=3ahex,c=chex), (a=5ahex,b=3ahex,c=chex), and (a=2ahex,b=3ahex,c=chex) for HTP1, HTP2, and Mn3Sn2, respectively. The crystal structure of Mn3Sn2has been refined by means of the Rietveld method from X-ray powder diffraction data. Mn3Sn2is orthorhombic,Pnma,a=7.5547(2),b=5.4994(2),c=8.5842(2) Å,Z=4. (Pbnmin the setting above.) The compound is isostructural with Ni3Sn2andγ‧-Co3Sn2(H. Fjellvåg and A. Kjekshus,Acta Chem. Scand.A40, 23-30 (1986)). FinalRp=8.97%,Rwp=11.44%, GOF=2.86, andRBragg=4.11% using 43 parameters and 5701 observations and 330 Bragg reflections.

Effects of sulfuric, nitric, and mixed acid rain on Chinese fir sapling growth in Southern China.

PubMed

Liu, Xin; Fu, Zhiyuan; Zhang, Bo; Zhai, Lu; Meng, Miaojing; Lin, Jie; Zhuang, Jiayao; Wang, G Geoff; Zhang, Jinchi

2018-09-30

The influence of acid rain on plant growth includes direct effects on foliage as well as indirect soil-mediated effects that cause a reduction in root growth. In addition, the concentration of NO 3 - in acid rain increases along with the rapid growth of nitrogen deposition. In this study, we investigated the impact of simulated acid rain with different SO 4 2- /NO 3 - (S/N) ratios, which were 1:0, 5:1, 1:1, 1:5 and 0:1, on Chinese fir sapling growth from March 2015 to April 2016. Results showed that Chinese fir sapling height growth rate (HGR) and basal diameter growth rate (DGR) decreased as acid rain pH decreased, and also decreased as the percentage of NO 3 - increased in acid rain. Acid rain pH significantly decreased the Chlorophyll a (Chla) and Chlorophyll b (Chlb) content, and Chla and Chlb contents with acid rain S/N 1:5 were significantly lower than those with S/N 1:0 at pH 2.5. The chlorophyll fluorescence parameters, maximal efficiency of Photosystem II photochemistry (Fv/Fm) and non-photochemical quenching coefficient (NPQ), with most acid rain treatments were significantly lower than those with CK treatments. Root activities first increased and then decreased as acid rain pH decreased, when acid rain S/N ratios were 1:1, 1:5 and 0:1. Redundancy discriminant analysis (RDA) showed that the Chinese fir DGR and HGR had positive correlations with Chla, Chlb, Fv/Fm ratio, root activity, catalase and superoxide dismutase activities in roots under the stress of acid rain with different pH and S/N ratios. The structural equation modelling (SEM) results showed that acid rain NO 3 - concentration and pH had stronger direct effects on Chinese fir sapling HGR and DGR, and the direct effects of acid rain NO 3 - concentration and pH on HGR were lower than those on DGR. Our results suggest that the ratio of SO 4 2- to NO 3 - in acid rain is an important factor which could affect the sustainable development of monoculture Chinese fir plantations in southern China. Copyright © 2018. Published by Elsevier Inc.

The effect of interaction between surface plasmons of gold nanoparticles and optical active centers on luminescence of Eu3+- doped Zn2SnO4 nanocrystals

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Thien, Nguyen Duy; Vu, Le Van; Long, Nguyen Ngoc

2018-04-01

The enhancement and quenching of Eu3+ ion emission were investigated in Zn2SnO4:Eu3+@Au (ZTO:Eu3+@Au) nanocomposites. Under 361 nm excitation we revealed the extinction of the intrinsic defect emission and the enhancement of Eu3+ ion emission when Au content in samples is increased, but under excitation wavelength of 394 nm we observed only the suppression of Eu3+ ion emission. The cause of the observed PL behavior is related to the interaction between surface plasmon induced by gold nanoparticles and luminescence centers in the samples.

Development of thermosensitive poly(n-isopropylacrylamide-co-((2-dimethylamino) ethyl methacrylate))-based nanoparticles for controlled drug release

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Peng, Cheng-Liang; Tsai, Han-Min; Yang, Shu-Jyuan; Luo, Tsai-Yueh; Lin, Chia-Fu; Lin, Wuu-Jyh; Shieh, Ming-Jium

2011-07-01

Thermosensitive nanoparticles based on poly(N-isopropylacrylamide-co-((2-dimethylamino)ethylmethacrylate)) (poly(NIPA-co-DMAEMA)) copolymers were successfully fabricated by free radical polymerization. The lower critical solution temperature (LCST) of the synthesized nanoparticles was 41 °C and a temperature above which would cause the nanoparticles to undergo a volume phase transition from 140 to 100 nm, which could result in the expulsion of encapsulated drugs. Therefore, we used the poly(NIPA-co-DMAEMA) nanoparticles as a carrier for the controlled release of a hydrophobic anticancer agent, 7-ethyl-10-hydroxy-camptothecin (SN-38). The encapsulation efficiency and loading content of SN-38-loaded nanoparticles at an SN-38/poly(NIPA-co-DMAEMA) ratio of 1/10 (D/P = 1/10) were about 80% and 6.293%, respectively. Moreover, the release profile of SN-38-loaded nanoparticles revealed that the release rate at 42 °C (above LCST) was higher than that at 37 °C (below LCST), which demonstrated that the release of SN-38 could be controlled by increasing the temperature. The cytotoxicity of the SN-38-loaded poly(NIPA-co-DMAEMA) nanoparticles was investigated in human colon cancer cells (HT-29) to compare with the treatment of an anticancer drug, Irinotecan® (CPT-11). The antitumor efficacy evaluated in a C26 murine colon tumor model showed that the SN-38-loaded nanoparticles in combination with hyperthermia therapy efficiently suppressed tumor growth. The results indicate that these thermo-responsive nanoparticles are potential carriers for controlled drug delivery.

Superior Na-ion storage properties of high aspect ratio SnSe nanoplates prepared by a spray pyrolysis process

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Park, Gi Dae; Lee, Jong-Heun; Kang, Yun Chan

2016-06-01

SnSe nanoplates with thin and uniform morphology are prepared by one-pot spray pyrolysis, and are examined as anode materials for Na-ion batteries. During the spray pyrolysis process, metallic Se and Sn are prepared from SeO2 and SnO2, respectively, under a reducing atmosphere. Metallic Sn and metalloid Se, with melting points of 232 and 221 °C, respectively, form a melted Sn-Se mixture, which reacts exothermally to form SnSe nanocrystals. Several of these nanocrystals are grown simultaneously forming a micron-sized powder. Complete elimination of the excess amount of metalloid Se, by forming H2Se gas, results in aggregation-free SnSe nanoplates. The aspect ratio of these nanoplates is as high as 11.3. The discharge capacities for the SnSe nanoplates, prepared from spray solutions containing 100, 400, and 800% of the stoichiometric SeO2 content needed to form SnSe, are 407, 558, and 211 mA h g-1, respectively, after 50 cycles at a constant current density of 0.3 A g-1 their capacity retentions calculated from the second cycle onwards are 77, 100, and 60%, respectively. The phase pure SnSe nanoplates with a high aspect ratio show good cycling and rate performances for Na-ion storage.SnSe nanoplates with thin and uniform morphology are prepared by one-pot spray pyrolysis, and are examined as anode materials for Na-ion batteries. During the spray pyrolysis process, metallic Se and Sn are prepared from SeO2 and SnO2, respectively, under a reducing atmosphere. Metallic Sn and metalloid Se, with melting points of 232 and 221 °C, respectively, form a melted Sn-Se mixture, which reacts exothermally to form SnSe nanocrystals. Several of these nanocrystals are grown simultaneously forming a micron-sized powder. Complete elimination of the excess amount of metalloid Se, by forming H2Se gas, results in aggregation-free SnSe nanoplates. The aspect ratio of these nanoplates is as high as 11.3. The discharge capacities for the SnSe nanoplates, prepared from spray solutions containing 100, 400, and 800% of the stoichiometric SeO2 content needed to form SnSe, are 407, 558, and 211 mA h g-1, respectively, after 50 cycles at a constant current density of 0.3 A g-1 their capacity retentions calculated from the second cycle onwards are 77, 100, and 60%, respectively. The phase pure SnSe nanoplates with a high aspect ratio show good cycling and rate performances for Na-ion storage. Electronic supplementary information (ESI) available. See DOI: 10.1039/c6nr02983c

Immobilization, Regiospecificity Characterization and Application of Aspergillus oryzae Lipase in the Enzymatic Synthesis of the Structured Lipid 1,3-Dioleoyl-2-Palmitoylglycerol.

PubMed

Cai, Haiying; Li, Yang; Zhao, Minjie; Fu, Guanwen; Lai, Jia; Feng, Fengqin

2015-01-01

The enzymatic synthesis of 1,3-dioleoyl-2-palmitoylglycerol (OPO), one of the main components of human milk fats, has been hindered by the relatively high cost of sn-1,3-specific lipases and the deficiency in biocatalyst stability. The sn-1,3-specific lipase from Aspergillus oryzae (AOL) is highly and efficiently immobilized with the polystyrene-based hydrophobic resin D3520, with a significant 49.54-fold increase in specific lipase activity compared with the AOL powder in catalyzing the synthesis of OPO through the acidolysis between palm stearin and oleic acid (OA). The optimal immobilization conditions were investigated, including time course, initial protein concentration and solution pH. The sn-1,3 specificity of lipases under different immobilization conditions was evaluated and identified as positively associated with the lipase activity, and the pH of the immobilization solution influenced the regiospecificity and synthetic activity of these lipases. Immobilized AOL D3520, as the biocatalyst, was used for the enzymatic synthesis of the structured lipid OPO through the acidolysis between palm stearin and OA. The following conditions were optimized for the synthesis of structured lipid OPO: 65 °C temperature; 1:8 substrate molar ratio between palm stearin and OA; 8% (w/w) enzyme load; 3.5% water content of the immobilized lipase; and 1 h reaction time. Under these conditions, highly efficient C52 production (45.65%) was achieved, with a tripalmitin content of 2.75% and a sn-2 palmitic acid (PA) proportion of 55.08% in the system.

Study of Sn and SnAgCu Solders Wetting Reaction on Ni/Pd/Au Substrates

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Liu, C. Y.; Wei, Y. S.; Lin, E. J.; Hsu, Y. C.; Tang, Y. K.

2016-12-01

Wetting reactions of pure Sn and Sn-Ag-Cu solder balls on Au(100 Å and 1000 Å)/Pd(500 Å)/Ni substrates were investigated. The (Au, Pd)Sn4 phase formed in the initial interfacial reaction between pure Sn and Au(100 Å and 1000 Å)/Pd(500 Å)/Ni substrates. Then, the initially formed (Au, Pd)Sn4 compound layer either dissolved or spalled into the molten Sn solder with 3 s of reflowing. The exposed Ni under-layer reacted with Sn solder and formed an interfacial Ni3Sn4 compound. We did not observe spalling compound in the Sn-Ag-Cu case, either on the thin Au (100 Å) or the thick Au (1000 Å) substrates. This implies that the Cu content in the Sn-Ag-Cu solder can efficiently suppress the spalling effect and really stabilize the interfacial layer. Sn-Ag-Cu solder has a better wetting than that of the pure Sn solder, regardless of the Au thickness of the Au/Pd/Ni substrate. For both cases of pure Sn and Sn-Ag-Cu, the initial wetting (<3-s reflowing) on the thin Au (100 Å) substrate is better than that of the thick Au (1000 Å) substrate. Over 3-s reflowing, the wetting on the thicker Au layer (1000 Å) substrate becomes better than the wetting on the thinner Au layer (100 Å) substrate.

The inclusion of electroactive β-phase in Sn2+ incorporated PVDF composite film for improving dielectric properties and piezoelectric energy generation

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Alam, Md. Mehebub; Mandal, Dipankar

2018-04-01

Low content (0.5 wt. %) of dihydrate tin chloride (Sn2+) salt leads to inclusion of 98 % electroactive phase in poly(vinylidene fluoride) (PVDF), out of this a high yield of piezoelectric β-phase (˜ 49%) is found, which is most desirable for mechanical energy harvesting application. It is also found that Sn2+ salt can significantly enhanced the dielectric property of resulting Sn2+ incorporated PVDF composite film. Thus, the enhancement of β-phase in the PVDF/Sn2+ composite film owns to be a potential material for mechanical energy harvesting application. We have also demonstrated the mechanical energy harvesting capability of the nanogenerator (NG) made with PVDF/Sn2+ composite film under repeated human finger touch.

Strain engineering in epitaxial Ge1- x Sn x : a path towards low-defect and high Sn-content layers

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Margetis, Joe; Yu, Shui-Qing; Bhargava, Nupur; Li, Baohua; Du, Wei; Tolle, John

2017-12-01

The plastic strain relaxation of CVD-grown Ge1-x Sn x layers was investigated in x = 0.09 samples with thicknesses of 152, 180, 257, 570, and 865 nm. X-ray diffraction-reciprocal space mapping was used to determine the strain, composition, and the nature of defects in each layer. Secondary ion mass spectrometry was used to examine the evolution of the compositional profile. These results indicate that growth beyond the critical thickness results in the spontaneous formation of a relaxed and highly defective 9% Sn layer followed by a low defect 12% Sn secondary layer. We find that this growth method can be used to engineer thick, strain-relaxed, and low defect density layers. Furthermore we utilize this strain-dependent Sn incorporation behavior to achieve Sn compositions of 17.5%. Photoluminesence of these layers produces light emission at 3.1 μm.

Microstructural, Optical and Dielectric Properties of Al-Incorporated SnO2 Nanoparticles

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Ahmed, Ateeq; Tripathi, P.; Naseem Siddique, M.; Ali, Tinku

2017-08-01

In this work, Pure SnO2 and Al doped SnO2 nanoparticles with the composition Sn1-xAlxO2 (x = 0, and 0.05) have been successfully prepared using sol-gel technique. The effect of Al dopant on microstructural, optical and dielectric properties has been investigated by X-ray diffraction (XRD), Scanning electron microscopy (SEM), Ultraviolet (UV-Visible) absorption spectroscopy andImpedance spectroscopy (LCR meter)respectively. The XRD patterns indicated tetragonal rutile structure with single phase without any detectable impurity for all samples and incorporation of Al ions into the SnO2 lattice. Crystalline size decreased with aluminum content. The results of SEM confirm nanoparticles size decreases with Al dopant. UV-Visible results showed that optical band also decreases when Al is doped into pure SnO2 lattice. Frequency dependent dielectric properties of pure and doped SnO2 nanoparticles have been also studied.

Effect of Solder-Joint Geometry on the Low-Cycle Fatigue Behavior of Sn- xAg-0.7Cu

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Lee, Hwa-Teng; Huang, Kuo-Chen

2016-12-01

Low-cycle fatigue tests of Sn-Ag-Cu (SAC) Pb-free solder joints under fixed displacement were performed to evaluate the influence of Ag content (0-3 wt.%) and solder-joint geometry (barrel and hourglass types) on solder-joint fatigue behavior and reliability. The solder joints were composed of fine particles of Ag3Sn and Cu6Sn5, which aggregated as an eutectic constituent at grain boundaries of the primary β-Sn phase and formed a dense network structure. A decrease in the Ag content resulted in coarsening of the β-Sn and eutectic phases, which, in turn, decreased the strength of the joint and caused earlier failure. Solder joints in the hourglass form exhibited better fatigue performance with longer life than barrel-type joints. The sharp contact angle formed between the solder and the Cu substrate by the barrel-type joints concentrated stress, which compromised fatigue reliability. The addition of Ag to the solder, however, enhanced fatigue performance because of strengthening caused by Ag3Sn formation. The cracks of the barrel-type SAC solder joints originated mostly at the contact corner and propagated along the interfacial layer between the interfacial intermetallic compound (IMC) and solder matrix. Hourglass-type solder joints, however, demonstrated both crack initiation and propagation in the solder matrix (solder mode). The addition of 1.5-2.0 wt.% Ag to SAC solder appears to enhance the fatigue performance of solder joints while maintaining sufficient strength.

Impact of thickness on the structural properties of high tin content GeSn layers

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Aubin, J.; Hartmann, J. M.; Gassenq, A.; Milord, L.; Pauc, N.; Reboud, V.; Calvo, V.

2017-09-01

We have grown various thicknesses of GeSn layers in a 200 mm industrial Reduced Pressure - Chemical Vapor Deposition cluster tool using digermane (Ge2H6) and tin tetrachloride (SnCl4). The growth pressure (100 Torr) and the F(Ge2H6)/F(SnCl4) mass-flow ratio were kept constant, and incorporation of tin in the range of 10-15% was achieved with a reduction in temperature: 325 °C for 10% to 301 °C for 15% of Sn. The layers were grown on 2.5 μm thick Ge Strain Relaxed Buffers, themselves on Si(0 0 1) substrates. We used X-ray Diffraction, Atomic Force Microscopy, Raman spectroscopy and Scanning Electron Microscopy to measure the Sn concentration, the strain state, the surface roughness and thickness as a function of growth duration. A dramatic degradation of the film was seen when the Sn concentration and layer thickness were too high resulting in rough/milky surfaces and significant Sn segregation.

Copper-Zinc-Tin-Sulfur Thin Film Using Spin-Coating Technology

PubMed Central

Yeh, Min-Yen; Lei, Po-Hsun; Lin, Shao-Hsein; Yang, Chyi-Da

2016-01-01

Cu2ZnSnS4 (CZTS) thin films were deposited on glass substrates by using spin-coating and an annealing process, which can improve the crystallinity and morphology of the thin films. The grain size, optical gap, and atomic contents of copper (Cu), zinc (Zn), tin (Sn), and sulfur (S) in a CZTS thin film absorber relate to the concentrations of aqueous precursor solutions containing copper chloride (CuCl2), zinc chloride (ZnCl2), tin chloride (SnCl2), and thiourea (SC(NH2)2), whereas the electrical properties of CZTS thin films depend on the annealing temperature and the atomic content ratios of Cu/(Zn + Sn) and Zn/Sn. All of the CZTS films were characterized using X-ray diffraction (XRD), scanning electron microscopy (SEM), energy-dispersive X-ray spectroscopy (EDXS), Raman spectroscopy, and Hall measurements. Furthermore, CZTS thin film was deposited on an n-type silicon substrate by using spin-coating to form an Mo/p-CZTS/n-Si/Al heterostructured solar cell. The p-CZTS/n-Si heterostructured solar cell showed a conversion efficiency of 1.13% with Voc = 520 mV, Jsc = 3.28 mA/cm2, and fill-factor (FF) = 66%. PMID:28773647

Fabrication and characterization of SnO2/ZnO gas sensors for detecting toluene gas.

PubMed

Min, Byung-Sam; Park, Young-Ho; Lee, Chang-Seop

2014-11-01

This study investigates the use of SnO2, ZnO, Ag, Au, Cu, In, Pd, Ru and carbon black to improve the sensitivity of a gas sensor for detecting toluene gas. Metal-SnO2/ZnO thick films were screen-printed onto Al2O3 substrates with platinum electrodes. The physico-chemical properties of the sensor materials were characterized using SEM/EDS, XRD, and BET analyses. Measuring the electrical resistance of each sensor as a function of the gas concentration determined the sensing characteristics. The sensors were tested using toluene, benzene, xylene, ethanol, methanol, ammonia and trimethylamine vapors with concentrations of 1-2000 ppm. The gas sensing properties of metal-SnO2/ZnO thick films depended on the content and variety of metals and the content of carbon black. The optimum condition of sensor material for toluene gas detection is operation temperature 300 degrees C and when metal catalyst Cu and carbon black were added. The best sensitivity and selectivity for toluene gas at 300 degrees C resulted from doping with 5 wt.% carbon black, 1 wt.% Cu and 20 wt.% ZnO to SnO2.

Thermoelectric and Magnetic Properties of Sn1- x O2:Mn0.5 x Co0.5 x Nanoparticles Produced by the Microwave Technique

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Salah, Numan; Habib, Sami; Azam, Ameer

2017-02-01

Nanoparticles (NPs) of Sn1- x O2:Mn0.5 x Co0.5 x with x = 0.02, 0.04, 0.06, 0.08 and 0.1 were synthesized by the microwave-assisted route and characterized for their thermoelectric and magnetic properties. As a result of Mn and Co co-doping, a considerable increase in the values of energy band gap and lattice constant c of Sn1- x O2:Mn0.5 x Co0.5 x NPs was observed. The x-ray photoelectron spectroscopy spectra revealed that Mn and Co ions were incorporated in their 4+ and 2+ states, respectively. The resistivity and calculated activation energy of these NPs were found to decrease by increasing the Mn and Co contents. A negative Seebeck coefficient was observed, whose value was found to be significantly increased by increasing the value of x. The magnetic measurement results revealed that all the microwave-synthesized Sn1- x O2:Mn0.5 x Co0.5 x NPs including the pure SnO2 have distinctly wide hysteresis loops. This indicates that samples have room-temperature ferromagnetism. The optimum value for x to have maximum saturation magnetism was observed to be 0.04. Diamagnetic contributions from the core of these NPs were noticed at higher magnetic fields. The observed magnetism was attributed to the presence of defects at the NPs' interfacing sites, grain boundaries, atom vacancies and an optimum level of Mn and Co co-dopants. The observed wide hysteresis loops in these NPs might be useful for producing nanoscale magnets and magnetic memory devices. Moreover, the observed thermoelectric properties, i.e. Seebeck coefficient and power factor in these NPs, might be useful for the development of thermoelectric devices.

Density functional study for crystalline structures and electronic properties of Si1- x Sn x binary alloys

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Nagae, Yuki; Kurosawa, Masashi; Shibayama, Shigehisa; Araidai, Masaaki; Sakashita, Mitsuo; Nakatsuka, Osamu; Shiraishi, Kenji; Zaima, Shigeaki

2016-08-01

We have carried out density functional theory (DFT) calculation for Si1- x Sn x alloy and investigated the effect of the displacement of Si and Sn atoms with strain relaxation on the lattice constant and E- k dispersion. We calculated the formation probabilities for all atomic configurations of Si1- x Sn x according to the Boltzmann distribution. The average lattice constant and E- k dispersion were weighted by the formation probability of each configuration of Si1- x Sn x . We estimated the displacement of Si and Sn atoms from the initial tetrahedral site in the Si1- x Sn x unit cell considering structural relaxation under hydrostatic pressure, and we found that the breaking of the degenerated electronic levels of the valence band edge could be caused by the breaking of the tetrahedral symmetry. We also calculated the E- k dispersion of the Si1- x Sn x alloy by the DFT+U method and found that a Sn content above 50% would be required for the indirect-direct transition.

The effect of simultaneous substitution on the electronic band structure and thermoelectric properties of Se-doped Co3SnInS2 with the Kagome lattice

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Fujioka, Masaya; Shibuya, Taizo; Nakai, Junya; Yoshiyasu, Keigo; Sakai, Yuki; Takano, Yoshihiko; Kamihara, Yoichi; Matoba, Masanori

2014-12-01

The thermoelectric properties and electronic band structures for Se-doped Co3SnInS2 were examined. The parent compound of this material (Co3Sn2S2) has two kinds of Sn sites (Sn1 and Sn2 sites). The density functional theory (DFT) calculations show that the indium substitution at the Sn2 site induces a metallic band structure, on the other hand, a semiconducting band structure is obtained from substitution at the Sn1 site. However, according to the previous reports, since the indium atom prefers to replace the tin atom at the Sn1 site rather than the Sn2 site, the resistivity of Co3SnInS2 shows semiconducting-like behavior. In this study we have demonstrated that metallic behavior and a decrease in resistivity for Se-doped Co3SnInS2 occurs without suppression of the Seebeck coefficient. From the DFT calculations, when the selenium content is above 0.5, the total crystallographic energy shows that a higher indium occupancy at Sn2 site is more stable. Therefore, it is suggested that the selenium doping suppress the site preference for indium substitution. This is one of the possible explanations for the metallic conductivity observed in Se-doped Co3SnInS2

Large grain growth of Ge-rich Ge1-xSnx (x ≈ 0.02) on insulating surfaces using pulsed laser annealing in flowing water

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Kurosawa, Masashi; Taoka, Noriyuki; Ikenoue, Hiroshi; Nakatsuka, Osamu; Zaima, Shigeaki

2014-02-01

We investigate Sn incorporation effects on the growth characteristics of Ge-rich Ge1-xSnx (x < 0.02) on SiO2 crystallized by pulsed laser annealing (PLA) in air and water. Despite the very low Sn content of 2%, Sn atoms within the GeSn layers play a role in preventing ablation and aggregation of the layers during these PLA. Raman and electron backscatter diffraction measurements demonstrate achievement of large-grain (˜800 nmϕ) growth of Ge0.98Sn0.02 polycrystals by using PLA in water. These polycrystals also show a tensile-strain of ˜0.68%. This result opens up the possibility for developing GeSn-based devices fabricated on flexible substrates as well as Si platforms.

Post-growth annealing of germanium-tin alloys using pulsed excimer laser

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

Wang, Lanxiang; Wang, Wei; Zhou, Qian

2015-07-14

We investigate the impact of pulsed excimer laser anneal on fully strained germanium-tin alloys (Ge{sub 1−x}Sn{sub x}) epitaxially grown on Ge substrate by molecular beam epitaxy. Using atomic force microscopy, X-ray diffraction, transmission electron microscopy, and X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy, the morphological and compositional evolution of Ge{sub 1−x}Sn{sub x} with Sn content up to 17% after annealing using various conditions is studied. Ge{sub 0.83}Sn{sub 0.17} samples annealed at 80 mJ/cm{sup 2} or 150 mJ/cm{sup 2} have no observable changes with respect to the as-grown sample. However, Ge{sub 0.83}Sn{sub 0.17} samples annealed at 250 mJ/cm{sup 2} or 300 mJ/cm{sup 2} have Sn-richmore » islands on the surface, which is due to Sn segregation in the compressively strained epitaxial film. For Ge{sub 0.89}Sn{sub 0.11}, significant Sn redistribution occurs only when annealed at 300 mJ/cm{sup 2}, indicating that it has better thermal stability than Ge{sub 0.83}Sn{sub 0.17}. A mechanism is proposed to explain the formation of Sn-rich islands and Sn-depleted regions.« less

Structural variations in indium tin tellurides and their thermoelectric properties

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Neudert, Lukas; Schwarzmüller, Stefan; Schmitzer, Silvia; Schnick, Wolfgang; Oeckler, Oliver

2018-02-01

Indium-doped tin tellurides are promising and thoroughly investigated thermoelectric materials. Due to the low solubility of In2Te3 in SnTe and vice versa, samples with the nominal composition (SnTe)3-3x(In2Te3)x with 0.136 ≤ x ≤ 0.75 consist of a defect-rocksalt-type Sn-rich and a defect-sphalerite-type In-rich phase which are endotaxially intergrown and form nanoscale heterostructures. Such nanostructures are kinetically inert and become more pronounced with increasing overall In content. The vacancies often show short-range ordering. These phenomena are investigated by temperature-dependent X-ray diffraction and HRTEM as well as STEM with element mapping by X-ray spectroscopy. The combination of real-structure effects leads to very low lattice thermal conductivity from room temperature up to 500 °C. Thermoelectric figures of merit ZT of heterostructured materials with x = 0.136 reach ZT values up to 0.55 at 400 °C.

Effect of Sn Composition in Ge1- x Sn x Layers Grown by Using Rapid Thermal Chemical Vapor Deposition

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Kil, Yeon-Ho; Kang, Sukill; Jeong, Tae Soo; Shim, Kyu-Hwan; Kim, Dae-Jung; Choi, Yong-Dae; Kim, Mi Joung; Kim, Taek Sung

2018-05-01

The Ge1- x Sn x layers were grown by using rapid thermal chemical-vapor deposition (RTCVD) on boron-doped p-type Si (100) substrates with Sn compositions up to x = 0.83%. In order to obtain effect of the Sn composition on the structural and the optical characteristics, we utilized highresolution X-ray diffraction (HR-XRD), etch pit density (EPD), atomic force microscopy (AFM), Raman spectroscopy, and photocurrent (PC) spectra. The Sn compositions in the Ge1- x Sn x layers were found to be of x = 0.00%, 0.51%, 0.65%, and 0.83%. The root-mean-square (RMS) of the surface roughness of the Ge1- x Sn x layer increased from 2.02 nm to 3.40 nm as the Sn composition was increased from 0.51% to 0.83%, and EPD was on the order of 108 cm-2. The Raman spectra consist of only one strong peak near 300 cm-1, which is assigned to the Ge-Ge LO peaks and the Raman peaks shift to the wave number with increasing Sn composition. Photocurrent spectra show near energy band gap peaks and their peak energies decrease with increasing Sn composition due to band-gap bowing in the Ge1- x Sn x layer. An increase in the band gap bowing parameter was observed with increasing Sn composition.

Origin of high Coulombic loss during sodiation in Na-Sn battery

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Byeon, Young-Woon; Choi, Yong-Seok; Ahn, Jae-Pyoung; Lee, Jae-Chul

2017-03-01

Electrochemical sodiation is performed in crystalline Sn foil using in situ scanning electron microscopy (SEM) to simultaneously measure the changes in the electrical resistivity and volume of the Sn anode in a Na-Sn battery. We observe that sodiation causes an increase in the Sn anode resistivity by six orders of magnitude. Ab initio molecular dynamics simulations of the Na-Sn alloy system demonstrate that the increased resistivity of the anode is caused by the formation of an electrically resistive amorphous NaSn phase (a-NaSn) with a pseudogap. It is also observed that the formation of a-NaSn is always accompanied by a large volume expansion of ∼200%, causing the development of residual tensile stress. The residual stress in turn alters the electronic structure of the a-NaSn phase, further increasing the resistivity of a-NaSn and thus decreasing the energy efficiency of the Na-Sn battery.

Magnetic and electronic properties of the Cu-substituted Weyl semimetal candidate ZrCo₂Sn.

PubMed

Kushwaha, S K; Wang, Zhijun; Kong, Tai; Cava, Robert

2018-01-04

We report that the partial substitution of Cu for Co has a significant impact on the magnetic properties of the Heusler-phase Weyl fermion candidate ZrCo₂Sn. Polycrystalline samples of ZrCo_2-<i>x</i>Cu_<i>x</i>Sn (<i>x</i> = 0.0 to 1.0) exhibited a linearly decreasing ferromagnetic transition temperature and similarly decreasing saturated magnetic moment on increasing Cu substitution x. Materials with Cu contents near <i>x</i> = 1 and several other quaternary materials synthesized at the same <i>x</i> (ZrCo<i>T</i>'Sn (<i>T</i>' = Rh, Pd, Ni)) display what appears to be non-ferromagnetic magnetization behavior with spin glass characteristics. Electronic structure calculations suggest that the half-metallic nature of unsubstituted ZrCo₂Sn is disrupted significantly by the Cu substitutions, leading to the breakdown of the magnetization vs. electron count guidelines usually followed by Heusler phases, and a more typical metallic non-spin-polarized electronic structure at high <i>x</i>. © 2018 IOP Publishing Ltd.

Modified Back Contact Interface of CZTSe Thin Film Solar Cells: Elimination of Double Layer Distribution in Absorber Layer.

PubMed

Zhang, Zhaojing; Yao, Liyong; Zhang, Yi; Ao, Jianping; Bi, Jinlian; Gao, Shoushuai; Gao, Qing; Jeng, Ming-Jer; Sun, Guozhong; Zhou, Zhiqiang; He, Qing; Sun, Yun

2018-02-01

Double layer distribution exists in Cu 2 SnZnSe 4 (CZTSe) thin films prepared by selenizing the metallic precursors, which will degrade the back contact of Mo substrate to absorber layer and thus suppressing the performance of solar cell. In this work, the double-layer distribution of CZTSe film is eliminated entirely and the formation of MoSe 2 interfacial layer is inhibited successfully. CZTSe film is prepared by selenizing the precursor deposited by electrodeposition method under Se and SnSe x mixed atmosphere. It is found that the insufficient reaction between ZnSe and Cu-Sn-Se phases in the bottom of the film is the reason why the double layer distribution of CZTSe film is formed. By increasing Sn content in the metallic precursor, thus making up the loss of Sn because of the decomposition of CZTSe and facilitate the diffusion of liquid Cu 2 Se, the double layer distribution is eliminated entirely. The crystallization of the formed thin film is dense and the grains go through the entire film without voids. And there is no obvious MoSe 2 layer formed between CZTSe and Mo. As a consequence, the series resistance of the solar cell reduces significantly to 0.14 Ω cm 2 and a CZTSe solar cell with efficiency of 7.2% is fabricated.

Preparation and in vitro characterization of SN-38-loaded, self-forming polymeric depots as an injectable drug delivery system.

PubMed

Manaspon, Chawan; Hongeng, Suradej; Boongird, Atthaporn; Nasongkla, Norased

2012-10-01

This work describes the preparation and characterization of anticancer-loaded injectable polymeric depots that consisted of D,L-lactide (LA), ε-caprolactone (CL), and poly(ethylene glycol) (PEG) or [poly(ε-caprolactone)-random-poly(D,L-lactide)]-block-poly(ethylene glycol)-block-[poly(ε-caprolactone)-random-poly(D,L-lactide)] (PLEC) copolymers for malignant gliomas treatment. PLECs were polymerized with different percentages of LA to deliver 7-ethyl-10-hydroxycamptothecin (SN-38), a highly potent anticancer drug. SN-38-loaded depots could form directly in phosphate buffer saline with more than 98% encapsulation efficiency. The release rate of SN-38 from depots was found to depend on the amount of LA in PLECs, loading content of SN-38 in the depots, and depot weight. Encapsulation of SN-38 inside depots could enhance the stability of SN-38 where all of SN-38 released after 60 days was in an active form. Depots without SN-38 were evaluated as noncytotoxic against U-87MG, whereas SN-38-loaded depots showed cytotoxic effect as a function of concentration. Copyright © 2012 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.

Investigation on localized corrosion of 304 stainless steel joints brazed using Sn-plated Ag alloy filler in NaCl aqueous solution

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Wang, Xingxing; Li, Shuai; Peng, Jin

2018-03-01

Novel AgCuZnSn filler metal with high Sn contents was prepared from BAg50CuZn filler metal by a process of electroplating and thermal diffusion, and the prepared filler metal was applied to induction brazing of 304 stainless steel. The corrosion behavior of the brazed joints was evaluated based on localized corrosion analysis, the morphology of the joints were analyzed by SEM after immersion in a 3.5 vol% NaCl aqueous solution. The results indicated that corrosion groove occurred near the interface between the stainless steel base metal and the brazing seam. A wide range of defects such as holes and cracks appeared on the surface of the base metal, while the brazing seam zone almost no corrosion defects occur. With the increase of corrosion time, the corrosion rates of both the brazing seam and the base metal first exhibited an increasing trend, followed by a decreasing trend, and the corrosion rate of the base metal was slightly greater than that of the brazing seam. The corrosion potential of the brazing seam and 304 stainless steel were -0.7758 V and -0.7863 V, respectively.

The growth of intermetallic compounds at Sn-Ag-Cu solder/Cu and Sn-Ag-Cu solder/Ni interfaces and the associated evolution of the solder microstructure

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Zribi, A.; Clark, A.; Zavalij, L.; Borgesen, P.; Cotts, E. J.

2001-09-01

The evolution of intermetallics at and near SnAgCu/Cu and SnAgCu/Ni interfaces was examined, and compared to the behavior, near PbSn/metal and Sn/metal interfaces. Two different solder compositions were considered, Sn93.6Ag4.7Cu1.7 and Sn95.5Ag3.5Cu1.0 (Sn91.8Ag5.1 Cu3.1 and Sn94.35Ag3.8Cu1.85 in atomic percent). In both cases, phase formation and growth at interfaces with Cu were very similar to those commonly observed for eutectic SnPb solder. However, the evolution of intermetallics at SnAgCu/Ni interfaces proved much more complex. The presence of the Cu in the solder dramatically altered the phase selectivity at the solder/Ni interface and affected the growth kinetics of intermetallics. As long as sufficient Cu was available, it would combine with Ni and Sn to form (Cu,Ni)6)Sn5 which grew instead of the Ni3Sn4 usually observed in PbSn/Ni and Sn/Ni diffusion couples. This growing phase would, however, eventually consume essentially all of the available Cu in the solder. Because the mechanical properties of Sn-Ag-Cu alloys, depend upon the Cu content, this consumption can be expected to alter the mechanical properties of these Pb-free solderjoints. After depletion of the Cu from the solder, further annealing then gradually transformed the (Cu,Ni)6Sn5 phase into a (Ni,Cu)3Sn4 phase.

The fraction of α-linolenic acid present in the sn-2 position of structured triacylglycerols decreases in lymph chylomicrons and plasma triacylglycerols during the course of lipid absorption in rats.

PubMed

Couëdelo, Leslie; Vaysse, Carole; Vaique, Emilie; Guy, Alexandre; Gosse, Isabelle; Durand, Thierry; Pinet, Sandra; Cansell, Maud; Combe, Nicole

2012-01-01

Little is known about the ability of α-linolenic acid (Ln) to remain in the sn-2 position of TG during the absorption process. The goal of this study was to determine the Ln distribution in the lymph (Study 1) and plasma (Study 2) TG of rats fed a single i.g. load of structured TG [300 mg/rat of either oleic acid (O)/Ln/O TG (OLnO) or Ln/O/O TG (LnOO), n = 7 rats]. In an early fraction (3-4 h) of lymph (OLnO group; 100% Ln in the sn-2 position), 46 ± 2% Ln was maintained in this position in lymph TG. There was even less (29 ± 6%) in the last fraction (7-24 h) (P < 0.05). Ln was also found (9 ± 3%) in the sn-2 position of lymph TG in the LnOO group. The Ln content in lymph phospholipids was twice as high in rats when they were fed LnOO (4.2 ± 0.1%) than OLnO (2.3 ± 0.2%) (P < 0.005). Six hours postprandially (Study 2), 21 ± 3% of the Ln incorporated into plasma TG was located in the sn-2 position in the OLnO group compared to 13 ± 2% in the LnOO group (P < 0.001). Overall, these results indicate that the amount of Ln that moved from the sn-2 position of structured TG to the sn-1(3) position of lymph TG increased during absorption. This may account for a substantial hydrolysis of the 2-monolinolenylglycerols in enterocytes, leading to the intramolecular redistribution of Ln in lymph TG and, consequently, in plasma TG.

Silage fermentation and ruminal degradation of stylo prepared with lactic acid bacteria and cellulase.

PubMed

Li, Mao; Zhou, Hanlin; Zi, Xuejuan; Cai, Yimin

2017-10-01

In order to improve the silage fermentation of stylo (Stylosanthes guianensis) in tropical areas, stylo silages were prepared with commercial additives Lactobacillus plantarum Chikuso-1 (CH1), L. rhamnasus Snow Lact L (SN), Acremonium cellulase (CE) and their combination as SN+CE or CH1 + CE, and the fermentation quality, chemical composition and ruminal degradation of these silages were studied. Stylo silages treated with lactic acid bacteria (LAB) or cellulase, the pH value and NH 3 -N ⁄ total-N were significantly (P < 0.05) decreased while the ruminal degradability of dry matter (DM), crude protein (CP), neutral detergent fiber (aNDFom) and acid detergent fiber (ADFom) were significantly (P < 0.05) increased compared to control. Compared to LAB or cellulase-treated silages, the DM, CP contents and relative feed value (RFV), and the ruminal degradability in LAB plus cellulase-treated silages were significantly (P < 0.05) higher, but the aNDFom content was significantly (P < 0.05) lower. CH1 + CE treatment was more effective in silage fermentation and ruminal degradation than SN+CE treatment. The results confirmed that LAB or LAB plus cellulase treatment could improve the fermentation quality, chemical composition and ruminal degradation of stylo silage. Moreover, the combined treatment with LAB and cellulase may have beneficial synergistic effects on ruminal degradation. © 2017 Japanese Society of Animal Science.

Surface tension modelling of liquid Cd-Sn-Zn alloys

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Fima, Przemyslaw; Novakovic, Rada

2018-06-01

The thermodynamic model in conjunction with Butler equation and the geometric models were used for the surface tension calculation of Cd-Sn-Zn liquid alloys. Good agreement was found between the experimental data for limiting binaries and model calculations performed with Butler model. In the case of ternary alloys, the surface tension variation with Cd content is better reproduced in the case of alloys lying on vertical sections defined by high Sn to Zn molar fraction ratio. The calculated surface tension is in relatively good agreement with the available experimental data. In addition, the surface segregation of liquid ternary Cd-Sn-Zn and constituent binaries has also been calculated.

On the shift of the electroluminescence spectra of In{sub x}Ga{sub 1−x}N/GaN structures with various indium contents and various substrate materials caused by the stark effect and mechanical stresses

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

Veleschuk, V. P., E-mail: vvvit@ukr.nd; Vlasenko, A. I.; Kisselyuk, M. P.

2015-08-15

The shift between the maxima of the electroluminescence spectra of In{sub x}Ga{sub 1−x}N/GaN structures is measured at forward and reverse bias depending on the indium content x in the quantum well and on the substrate material (SiC, AuSn/Si, and Al{sub 2}O{sub 3}). It is established that this shift increases as the indium concentration in the In{sub x}Ga{sub 1−x}N layer and mechanical stresses from the substrate increase.

Effects of tin on microstructure and mechanical behavior of Inconel 718

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Dreshfield, R. L.; Johnson, W. A.; Maurer, G. A.

1984-01-01

Columbium, for which the United States is 100 percent import reliant, is of strategic importance to the U.S. aerospace industry. A major amount of the Cb is used in Inconel 718. Should Cb sources be disrupted, it may be desired to use a grade of Cb melting stock having greater Sn content then the preferred vacuum rade. Additions of Sn to Inconel 718 were varied from none added to 1 wt %. The Sn additions below 800 ppm had no detrimental effects on 650 C stress rupture behavior; however, 1-wt % Sn severely degraded both life and ductility. Additions of Sn in excess of 200 ppm were slightly detrimental to the 425 C tensile yield strength and ductility. The Sn additions had no effect on the microstructure of Inconel 718 even after stress rupture testing for over 6000 hr at 650 C.

Study of Magnetocaloric Cooling for Thermal Management

DTIC Science & Technology

2012-11-12

The AMR bed, made of stainless steel 304, encloses the magnetocaloric working substance. Each part of the refrigerator is controlled by the...prototype is composed of magnetic field, hydraulic circuit, stainless steel AMR bed and control system. There are various sensors for measuring...DSC and VSM results show that the martensitic transition temperatures of Ni-Co-Mn-Sn decreased with increasing Co content. Co substitution resulted in

The electrical, optical, structural and thermoelectrical characterization of n- and p-type cobalt-doped SnO 2 transparent semiconducting films prepared by spray pyrolysis technique

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Bagheri-Mohagheghi, Mohammad-Mehdi; Shokooh-Saremi, Mehrdad

2010-10-01

The electrical, optical and structural properties of Cobalt (Co) doped SnO 2 transparent semiconducting thin films, deposited by the spray pyrolysis technique, have been studied. The SnO 2:Co films, with different Co-content, were deposited on glass substrates using an aqueous-ethanol solution consisting of tin and cobalt chlorides. X-ray diffraction studies showed that the SnO 2:Co films were polycrystalline only with tin oxide phases and preferential orientations along (1 1 0) and (2 1 1) planes and grain sizes in the range 19-82 nm. Optical transmittance spectra of the films showed high transparency ∼75-90% in the visible region, decreasing with increase in Co-doping. The optical absorption edge for undoped SnO 2 films was found to be 3.76 eV, while for higher Co-doped films shifted toward higher energies (shorter wavelengths) in the range 3.76-4.04 eV and then slowly decreased again to 4.03 eV. A change in sign of the Hall voltage and Seebeck coefficient was observed for a specific acceptor dopant level ∼11.4 at% in film and interpreted as a conversion from n-type to p-type conductivity. The thermoelectric electro-motive force (e.m.f.) of the films was measured in the temperature range 300-500 K and Seebeck coefficients were found in the range from -62 to +499 μVK -1 for various Co-doped SnO 2 films.

Preparation of ternary Pt/Rh/SnO2 anode catalysts for use in direct ethanol fuel cells and their electrocatalytic activity for ethanol oxidation reaction

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Higuchi, Eiji; Takase, Tomonori; Chiku, Masanobu; Inoue, Hiroshi

2014-10-01

Pt, Rh and SnO2 nanoparticle-loaded carbon black (Pt/Rh/SnO2/CB) catalysts with different contents of Pt and Rh were prepared by the modified Bönnemann method. The mean size and size distribution of Pt, Rh and SnO2 for Pt-71/Rh-4/SnO2/CB (Pt : Rh : Sn = 71 at.%: 4 at.%: 25 at.%) were 3.8 ± 0.7, 3.2 ± 0.7 and 2.6 ± 0.5 nm, respectively, indicating that Pt, Rh and SnO2 were all nanoparticles. The onset potential of ethanol oxidation current for the Pt-65/Rh-10/SnO2/CB and Pt-56/Rh-19/SnO2/CB electrodes was ca. 0.2 V vs. RHE which was ca. 0.2 V less positive than that for the Pt/CB electrode. The oxidation current at 0.6 V for the Pt/Rh/SnO2/CB electrode (ca. 2% h-1) decayed more slowly than that at the Pt/SnO2/CB electrode (ca. 5% h-1), indicating that the former was superior in durability to the latter. The main product of EOR in potentiostatic electrolysis at 0.6 V for the Pt-71/Rh-4/SnO2/CB electrode was acetic acid.

Effects of external potassium (k) supply on drought tolerances of two contrasting winter wheat cultivars.

PubMed

Wei, Jiguang; Li, Caihong; Li, Yong; Jiang, Gaoming; Cheng, Guanglei; Zheng, Yanhai

2013-01-01

Drought is a common stress limiting crops growth and productivities worldwide. Water deficit may increase cellular membrane permeability, resulting in K outflow. Internal K starvation may disorder plant metabolism and limit plant growth. However, it is seldom reported about the effects of external K on drought tolerance of contrasting wheat cultivars. A hydroponics experiment was carried out in a non-controlled greenhouse. Seedlings of drought-tolerant SN16 and intolerant JM22 were simultaneously treated by five levels of K2CO3 (0, 2.5, 5, 7.5, 10 mM) and two levels of PEG6000 (0, 20%) for 7 days. External K2CO3 significantly increased shoot K(+) content, water potential, chlorophyll content as well as gas exchange, but decreased electrolyte leakage (EL) and MDA content in both cultivars under PEG6000 stress. Antioxidant enzymes activities were up-regulated by PEG6000 while external K2CO3 reduced those changes. Molecular basis was explained by measuring the expression levels of antioxidant enzymes related genes. Shoot and root biomass were also increased by K2CO3 supply under drought stress. Although adequate K2CO3 application enhanced plant growth for both cultivars under drought stress, SN16 was better than JM22 due to its high drought tolerance. Adequate external K may effectively protect winter wheat from drought injuries. We conclude that drought-tolerant wheat combined with adequate external K supply may be a promising strategy for better growth in arid and semi-arid regions.

Changes in fatty acid composition in plant tissues expressing a mammalian delta9 desaturase.

PubMed

Moon, H; Hazebroek, J; Hildebrand, D F

2000-05-01

Plant tissues expressing a mammalian stearoyl-CoA delta9 desaturase were reported to accumulate delta9 hexadecenoic acid (16:1), normally very minor in most plant tissues. The transgenic plants were thoroughly analyzed for alterations of individual lipids in different subcellular sites. Western blot analysis indicated that the animal desaturase was targeted to the microsomes. The delta9 16:1 was incorporated into both the sn-1 and sn-2 positions of all the major membrane lipids tested, indicating that the endoplasmic reticulum acyltransferases do not exclude unsaturated C16 fatty acids from the sn-2 position. In addition to increases in monounsaturated and decreases in saturated fatty acids, accumulation of 16:1 was accompanied by a reduction in 18:3 in all the lipids tested except phosphatidylglycerol, and increases in 18:2 in phospholipids. Total C16 fatty acid content in the galactolipids of the transgenics was significantly higher than that in the control, but those in the phospholipids were unchanged. In transgenics, delta11 18:1 was detected in the sn-1 position of the lipids tested except phosphatidylinositol and phosphatidylserine. Introduction of the animal desaturase, controlled by a seed-specific phaseolin promoter, into soybean somatic embryo resulted in a significant reduction in saturated fatty acids. Such effects were greater in cotyledons than hypocotyl-radicles. This study demonstrated that the animal desaturase can be used to decrease the levels of saturated fatty acids in a crop plant.

The Effects of Antimony Addition on the Microstructural, Mechanical, and Thermal Properties of Sn-3.0Ag-0.5Cu Solder Alloy

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Sungkhaphaitoon, Phairote; Plookphol, Thawatchai

2018-02-01

In this study, we investigated the effects produced by the addition of antimony (Sb) to Sn-3.0Ag-0.5Cu-based solder alloys. Our focus was the alloys' microstructural, mechanical, and thermal properties. We evaluated the effects by means of scanning electron microscopy (SEM), energy dispersive X-ray spectroscopy (EDX), differential scanning calorimetry (DSC), and a universal testing machine (UTM). The results showed that a part of the Sb was dissolved in the Sn matrix phase, and the remaining one participated in the formation of intermetallic compounds (IMCs) of Ag3(Sn,Sb) and Cu6(Sn,Sb)5. In the alloy containing the highest wt pct Sb, the added component resulted in the formation of SnSb compound and small particle pinning of Ag3(Sn,Sb) along the grain boundary of the IMCs. Our tests of the Sn-3.0Ag-0.5Cu solder alloys' mechanical properties showed that the effects produced by the addition of Sb varied as a function of the wt pct Sb content. The ultimate tensile strength (UTS) increased from 29.21 to a maximum value of 40.44 MPa, but the pct elongation (pct EL) decreased from 48.0 to a minimum 25.43 pct. Principally, the alloys containing Sb had higher UTS and lower pct EL than Sb-free solder alloys due to the strengthening effects of solid solution and second-phase dispersion. Thermal analysis showed that the alloys containing Sb had a slightly higher melting point and that the addition amount ranging from 0.5 to 3.0 wt pct Sb did not significantly change the solidus and liquidus temperatures compared with the Sb-free solder alloys. Thus, the optimal concentration of Sb in the alloys was 3.0 wt pct because the microstructure and the ultimate tensile strength of the SAC305 solder alloys were improved.

Development of Ag-Pd-Au-Cu alloy for multiple dental applications. Part 1. Effects of Pd and Cu contents, and addition of Ga or Sn on physical properties and bond with ultra-low fusing ceramic.

PubMed

Goto, S; Miyagawa, Y; Ogura, H

2000-09-01

Ag-Pd-Au-Cu quaternary alloys consisting of 30-50% Ag, 20-40% Pd, 10-20% Cu and 20% Au (mother alloys) were prepared. Then 5% Sn or 5% Ga was added to the mother alloy compositions, and another two alloy systems (Sn-added alloys and Ga-added alloys) were also prepared. The bond between the prepared alloys and an ultra-low fusing ceramic as well as their physical properties such as the solidus point, liquidus point and the coefficient of thermal expansion were evaluated. The solidus point and liquidus point of the prepared alloys ranged from 802 degrees C to 1142 degrees C and from 931 degrees C to 1223 degrees C, respectively. The coefficient of thermal expansion ranged from 14.6 to 17.1 x 10(-6)/degrees C for the Sn- and Ga-added alloys. In most cases, the Pd and Cu contents significantly influenced the solidus point, liquidus point and coefficient of thermal expansion. All Sn- and Ga-added alloys showed high area fractions of retained ceramic (92.1-100%), while the mother alloy showed relatively low area fractions (82.3%) with a high standard deviation (20.5%). Based on the evaluated properties, six Sn-added alloys and four Ga-added alloys among the prepared alloys were suitable for the application of the tested ultra-low fusing ceramic.

Electrochemical Behavior of Sn-9Zn-xTi Lead-Free Solders in Neutral 0.5M NaCl Solution

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Wang, Zhenghong; Chen, Chuantong; Jiu, Jinting; Nagao, Shijo; Nogi, Masaya; Koga, Hirotaka; Zhang, Hao; Zhang, Gong; Suganuma, Katsuaki

2018-03-01

Electrochemical techniques were employed to study the electrochemical corrosion behavior of Sn-9Zn-xTi (x = 0, 0.05, 0.1, 0.2 wt.%) lead-free solders in neutral 0.5M NaCl solution, aiming to figure out the effect of Ti content on the corrosion properties of Sn-9Zn, providing information for the composition design of Sn-Zn-based lead-free solders from the perspective of corrosion. EIS results reveal that Ti addition was involved in the corrosion product layer and changed electrochemical interface behavior from charge transfer control process to diffusion control process. The trace amount of Ti addition (0.05 wt.%) can refine the microstructure and improve the corrosion resistance of Sn-9Zn solder, evidenced by much lower corrosion current density (i corr) and much higher total resistance (R t). Excess Ti addition (over 0.1 wt.%) led to the formation of Ti-containing IMCs, which were confirmed as Sn3Ti2 and Sn5Ti6, deteriorating the corrosion resistance of Sn-9Zn-xTi solders. The main corrosion products were confirmed as Sn3O(OH)2Cl2 mixed with small amount of chlorine/oxide Sn compounds.

Electrochemical Behavior of Sn-9Zn- xTi Lead-Free Solders in Neutral 0.5M NaCl Solution

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Wang, Zhenghong; Chen, Chuantong; Jiu, Jinting; Nagao, Shijo; Nogi, Masaya; Koga, Hirotaka; Zhang, Hao; Zhang, Gong; Suganuma, Katsuaki

2018-05-01

Electrochemical techniques were employed to study the electrochemical corrosion behavior of Sn-9Zn- xTi ( x = 0, 0.05, 0.1, 0.2 wt.%) lead-free solders in neutral 0.5M NaCl solution, aiming to figure out the effect of Ti content on the corrosion properties of Sn-9Zn, providing information for the composition design of Sn-Zn-based lead-free solders from the perspective of corrosion. EIS results reveal that Ti addition was involved in the corrosion product layer and changed electrochemical interface behavior from charge transfer control process to diffusion control process. The trace amount of Ti addition (0.05 wt.%) can refine the microstructure and improve the corrosion resistance of Sn-9Zn solder, evidenced by much lower corrosion current density ( i corr) and much higher total resistance ( R t). Excess Ti addition (over 0.1 wt.%) led to the formation of Ti-containing IMCs, which were confirmed as Sn3Ti2 and Sn5Ti6, deteriorating the corrosion resistance of Sn-9Zn- xTi solders. The main corrosion products were confirmed as Sn3O(OH)2Cl2 mixed with small amount of chlorine/oxide Sn compounds.

Effects of the accumulated annealing parameter on the corrosion characteristics of a Zr-0.5Nb-1.0Sn-0.5Fe-0.25Cr alloy

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Baek, Jong Hyuk; Jeong, Yong Hwan; Kim, In Sup

2000-07-01

Corrosion behavior, hydrogen pickup, oxide microstructure, and precipitate characterization have been studied in order to investigate the effect of the accumulated annealing parameter on the corrosion characteristics in a Zr-Nb-Sn-Fe-Cr alloy. An autoclave corrosion test was carried out in 400°C steam for 300 days on the Zr-0.5Nb-1.0Sn-0.5Fe-0.25Cr alloy, which had been given 18 different accumulated annealing parameters. The corrosion rate increased with increasing the accumulated annealing parameter. To investigate the crystal structure of oxide layer, the corroded specimens were prepared to have an equal oxide thickness (˜1.6 μm) by controlling exposure time. The relative fraction of tetragonal ZrO 2 also decreased gradually with increasing accumulated annealing parameter. From the hydrogen analysis of the corroded samples for 300 days, it was observed that, with increasing the size of precipitates, the hydrogen pickup was enhanced. It was revealed from transmission electron microscope (TEM) observation of the oxide that the larger precipitates still remained to be oxidized in the oxide layer and had undergone a reduction of Fe/Cr ratio from 2.1 to 1.5. The oxidation of the precipitates in the oxide gave rise to a volume expansion at the precipitate-oxide interface. This volume change could lead to the transformation in the oxide phase from tetragonal ZrO 2 to monoclinic ZrO 2 and in oxide structure from columnar grain to equiaxed grain. The precipitate in a Zr-0.5Nb-1.0Sn-0.5Fe-0.25Cr alloy is composed of Nb, Fe, and Cr and the Nb content in the precipitate increase with increasing accumulated annealing parameter. Thus, it can be thought that Nb within precipitates plays a key role in the microstructural change of oxide.

Influence of anionic substitution on the electrolyte electroreflectance study of band edge transitions in single crystal Cu2ZnSn(SxSe1-x)4 solid solutions

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Levcenco, S.; Dumcenco, D.; Wang, Y. P.; Huang, Y. S.; Ho, C. H.; Arushanov, E.; Tezlevan, V.; Tiong, K. K.

2012-06-01

Single crystals of Cu2ZnSn(SxSe1-x)4 (CZTSSe) solid solutions were grown by chemical vapor transport technique using iodine trichloride as a transport agent. As confirmed by X-ray investigations, the as-grown CZTSSe solid solutions are single phase and crystallized in kesterite structure. The lattice parameters of CZTSSe were determined and the S contents of the obtained crystals were estimated by Vegard's law. The composition dependent band gaps of CZTSSe solid solutions were studied by electrolyte electroreflectance (EER) measurements at room temperature. From a detailed lineshape fit of the EER spectra, the band gaps of CZTSSe were determined accurately and were found to decrease almost linearly with the increase of Se content, which agreed well with the recent theoretical first-principle calculations by S. Chen, A. Walsh, J.H. Yang, X.G. Gong, L. Sun, P. X. Yang, J.H. Chu, S.H. Wei, Phys. Rev. B 83 (2011) 125201 (5pp).

The effect of intermetallic compound morphology on Cu diffusion in Sn-Ag and Sn-Pb solder bump on the Ni/Cu Under-bump metallization

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Jang, Guh-Yaw; Duh, Jenq-Gong

2005-01-01

The eutectic Sn-Ag solder alloy is one of the candidates for the Pb-free solder, and Sn-Pb solder alloys are still widely used in today’s electronic packages. In this tudy, the interfacial reaction in the eutectic Sn-Ag and Sn-Pb solder joints was investigated with an assembly of a solder/Ni/Cu/Ti/Si3N4/Si multilayer structures. In the Sn-3.5Ag solder joints reflowed at 260°C, only the (Ni1-x,Cux)3Sn4 intermetallic compound (IMC) formed at the solder/Ni interface. For the Sn-37Pb solder reflowed at 225°C for one to ten cycles, only the (Ni1-x,Cux)3Sn4 IMC formed between the solder and the Ni/Cu under-bump metallization (UBM). Nevertheless, the (Cu1-y,Niy)6Sn5 IMC was observed in joints reflowed at 245°C after five cycles and at 265°C after three cycles. With the aid of microstructure evolution, quantitative analysis, and elemental distribution between the solder and Ni/Cu UBM, it was revealed that Cu content in the solder near the solder/IMC interface played an important role in the formation of the (Cu1-y,Niy)6Sn5 IMC. In addition, the diffusion behavior of Cu in eutectic Sn-Ag and Sn-Pb solders with the Ni/Cu UBM were probed and discussed. The atomic flux of Cu diffused through Ni was evaluated by detailed quantitative analysis in an electron probe microanalyzer (EPMA). During reflow, the atomic flux of Cu was on the order of 1016-1017 atoms/cm2sec in both the eutectic Sn-Ag and Sn-Pb systems.

Controlling microstructure and mechanical properties of the new microelectronic interconnect alloys

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Mutuku, Francis M.

An in-depth understanding of the physics of solidification could lead to the optimization of the properties of micro-electronic interconnects. Sn is the base material in the billions of interconnects in devices such as smart phones. These interconnects are formed by melting and solidifying a solder alloy (e.g. SnAgCu) in situ. But Sn has a low symmetry structure, Sn nucleation from the solder melt is complex and the morphology of the Sn and Sn alloys precipitates that form during solidification can vary tremendously (along with resultant mechanical properties). The effect of processing parameters on the solidification behavior, microstructure, and properties must be carefully addressed. Strong evidence adduced in this study shows that under many conditions, when cooling near eutectic SnAgCu from the melt, Ag3Sn nucleates before beta-Sn. The difficulty in the nucleation of beta-Sn provides a window of time between the nucleation of Ag3Sn precipitates and of beta-Sn solidification within which the Ag3Sn precipitate morphology can be manipulated. Thus distinct variations in precipitate number density, and inter-particle spacing were observed for different thermal histories, e.g. for different cooling rates. The average number density of Ag3Sn particles and the area of the pseudo-eutectic phase were observed to increase with increase in the Ag concentration, and with increase in the cooling rate. The shear strength and shear fatigue life increased with increase in the area fraction of the pseudo-eutectic phase. Upon aging of SnAgCu solder joints at an elevated temperature, the Ag3Sn particles coarsened, and became less effective in impeding dislocation motion. Consequently, the shear strength and shear fatigue performance degraded. On the other hand, alloys with constituents that formed solid solutions in Sn, such as small concentrations of Bi or Sb registered less degradation in both shear strength and shear fatigue life upon aging.

Template-assisted fabrication of tin and antimony based nanowire arrays

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Zaraska, Leszek; Kurowska, Elżbieta; Sulka, Grzegorz D.; Jaskuła, Marian

2012-10-01

Antimony nanowires with diameters ranging from 35 nm to 320 nm were successfully prepared by simple, galvanostatic electrodeposition inside the pores of anodic alumina membranes from a citrate based electrolyte. The use of the potassium antimonyl tartrate electrolyte for electrodeposition results in the formation of Sb/Sb2O3 nanowires. The structural features of the nanowire arrays were investigated by FE-SEM, and the nanowire composition was confirmed by EDS and XRD measurements. A distinct peak at about 27.5° in the XRD pattern recorded for nanowires formed in the tartrate electrolyte was attributed to the presence of co-deposited Sb2O3. Three types of dense arrays of Sn-SnSb nanowires with diameters ranging from 82 nm to 325 nm were also synthesized by DC galvanostatic electrodeposition into the anodic aluminum oxide (AAO) membranes for the first time. Only Sn and SnSb peaks appeared in the XRD pattern and both phases seem to have a relatively high degree of crystallinity. The influence of current density applied during electrodeposition on the composition of nanowires was investigated. It was found that the Sb content in fabricated nanowires decreases with increasing current density. The diameters of all synthesized nanowires roughly correspond to the dimensions of the nanochannels of AAO templates used for electrodeposition.

Coral skeletal Tin and Copper Concentration at Pohnpei, Micronesia, as a potential proxy for marine pollution

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Inoue, M.; Suzuki, A.; Nohara, M.; Kan, H.; Edward, A.; Kawahata, H.

2002-12-01

Coral reefs are increasingly threatened by human activities such as industrialization, sewage discharge, dredging, deforestation and so on. The annually-banded coral (Porites sp.) collected from Pohnpei Island, Micronesia, recorded fluctuations of copper (Cu) and tin (Sn) contents in ambient seawater for about last 40 years. Both the elements are present in antifouling marine paints. Especially, Sn has often been used in the form of tributyltin (TBT) compound. In general, pretreatment of coral skeleton is conducted in order to remove contaminations due to coral coring and/or sample storage and then lattice-bound metals are determined as a potential proxy for marine pollution. We conducted a preliminary experimental treatment consisting of 9 cleaning steps. Based on a stepwise pretreatment examination, we found that skeletal Sn and Cu, not only inside but also outside of aragonite lattice, have potential for use as pollution indicators. High values of extra-skeletal Cu/Ca and Sn/Ca atomic ratios were found between late 1960s and late 1980s during a period of active use of TBT-based antifouling paints worldwide. However, significant decrease in both the ratios since the beginning of 1990s can be attributed to regulation of use of TBT on cargo ships by the developed countries such as the USA, Japan and Australia.

Quantification of Triacylglycerol Positional Isomers in Rat Milk.

PubMed

Watanabe, Natsuko; Nagai, Toshiharu; Mizobe, Hoyo; Yoshinaga, Kazuaki; Yoshida, Akihiko; Kitamura, Yohei; Shimizu, Takashi; Beppu, Fumiaki; Gotoh, Naohiro

2016-12-01

The absolute amount of triacylglycerol (TAG) positional isomers was analyzed in rat milk fat, a representative of non-ruminant milk fat, using a HPLC-UV-atmospheric pressure chemical ionization-MS/MS system equipped with an octacosyl silylation column or polymeric ODS column. TAGs consisting of two oleic acids (O) and one palmitic acid (P) were the most abundant. In particular, β-OPO, a TAG binding P at the β-position (sn-2) and two Os at the α-positions (sn-1/3), was prominent. The β-OPO content decreased over time, while a TAG consisting of two Ps and one capric acid, a medium-chain fatty acid, increased. TAGs consisting of two Ps and one docosahexaenoic acid were present in small amounts and decreased with time. These results indicated that the recombination of fatty acids in TAGs in milk fat occurs in the mother, and is thought to depend on the infant's stage of growth, in response to their nutritional needs. It was also demonstrated that medium-chain fatty acids were mainly located at the α-position (sn-3), while Ps were mainly located at the β-position (sn-2). Therefore, the combination and binding positions of fatty acids of TAG are considered very important in infant nutrition.

Segregation and microstructure evolution in chill cast and directionally solidified Ni-Mn-Sn metamagnetic shape memory alloys

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Czaja, P.; Wierzbicka-Miernik, A.; Rogal, Ł.

2018-06-01

A multiphase solidification behaviour is confirmed for a range of Ni-rich and Ni-deficient Ni-Mn-Sn induction cast and directionally solidified (Bridgman) alloys. The composition variation is primarily linked to the changing Mn/Sn ratio, whereas the content of Ni remains largely stable. The partitioning coefficients for the Ni50Mn37Sn13 and Ni46Mn41.5Sn12.5 Bridgman alloys were obtained according to the Scheil equation based on the composition distribution along the longitudinal cross section of the ingots. Homogenization heat treatment performed for 72 h at 1220 K turned out sufficient for ensuring chemical uniformity on the macro- and microscale. It is owed to a limited segregation length scale due to slow cooling rates adopted for the directional solidification process.

CO Sensing Performance of a Micro Thermoelectric Gas Sensor with AuPtPd/SnO₂ Catalyst and Effects of a Double Catalyst Structure with Pt/α-Al₂O₃.

PubMed

Goto, Tomoyo; Itoh, Toshio; Akamatsu, Takafumi; Shin, Woosuck

2015-12-15

The CO sensing properties of a micro thermoelectric gas sensor (micro-TGS) with a double AuPtPd/SnO₂ and Pt/α-Al₂O₃ catalyst were investigated. While several nanometer sized Pt and Pd particles were uniformly dispersed on SnO₂, the Au particles were aggregated as particles measuring >10 nm in diameter. In situ diffuse reflectance Fourier transform Infrared spectroscopy (DRIFT) analysis of the catalyst showed a CO adsorption peak on Pt and Pd, but no clear peak corresponding to the interaction between CO and Au was detected. Up to 200 °C, CO combustion was more temperature dependent than that of H₂, while H₂ combustion was activated by repeated exposure to H₂ gas during the periodic gas test. Selective CO sensing of the micro-TGS against H₂ was attempted using a double catalyst structure with 0.3-30 wt% Pt/α-Al₂O₃ as a counterpart combustion catalyst. The sensor output of the micro-TGS decreased with increasing Pt content in the Pt/α-Al₂O₃ catalyst, by cancelling out the combustion heat from the AuPtPd/SnO₂ catalyst. In addition, the AuPtPd/SnO₂ and 0.3 wt% Pt/α-Al₂O₃ double catalyst sensor showed good and selective CO detection. We therefore demonstrated that our micro-TGS with double catalyst structure is useful for controlling the gas selectivity of CO against H₂.

Superconductivity induced by In substitution into the topological crystalline insulator Pb0.5Sn0.5Te

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Zhong, R. D.; Schneeloch, J. A.; Liu, T. S.; Camino, F. E.; Tranquada, J. M.; Gu, G. D.

2014-07-01

Indium substitution turns the topological crystalline insulator (TCI) Pb0.5Sn0.5Te into a possible topological superconductor. To investigate the effect of the indium concentration on the crystal structure and superconducting properties of (Pb0.5Sn0.5)1-xInxTe, we have grown high-quality single crystals using a modified floating-zone method and have performed systematic studies for indium content in the range 0≤x≤0.35. We find that the single crystals retain the rocksalt structure up to the solubility limit of indium (x ˜0.30). Experimental dependencies of the superconducting transition temperature (Tc) and the upper critical magnetic field (Hc2) on the indium content x have been measured. The maximum Tc is determined to be 4.7 K at x =0.30, with μ0Hc2(T =0)≈5 T.

Understanding the electrocatalytic activity of Pt xSn y in direct ethanol fuel cells

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Wang, Yi; Song, Shuqin; Andreadis, George; Liu, Hong; Tsiakaras, Panagiotis

In the present work, the activity of Pt xSn y/C catalysts towards ethanol, acetaldehyde and acetic acid electrooxidation reactions is investigated for each one separately by means of cyclic voltammetry. To this purpose, a series of Pt xSn y/C catalysts with different atomic ratio (x: y = 2:1, 3:2, 1:1) and small particle size (∼3 nm) are fast synthesized by using the pulse microwave assisted polyol method. The catalysts are well dispersed over the carbon support based on the physicochemical characterization by means of XRD and TEM. Concerning the ethanol electrooxidation, it is found that the Sn addition strongly enhances Pt's electrocatalytic activity and the contributing effect of Sn depends on: (i) the Sn content and (ii) the operating temperature. More precisely, at lower temperatures, Sn-rich catalysts exhibit better ethanol electrooxidation performance while at higher temperatures Sn-poor catalysts give better performance. In the case of acetaldehyde electrooxidation, Pt 1Sn 1/C catalyst exhibits the highest activity at all the investigated temperatures; due to the role of Sn, which could effectively remove C 2 species and inhibit the poison formation by supplying oxygen-containing species. Finally, it is found that the Pt xSn y/C catalysts are almost inactive (little current was measured) towards the acetic acid electrooxidation. The above findings indicate that Sn cannot substantially promote the electrooxidation of acetic acid to C 1 species.

Suppression of nighttime sap flux with lower stem photosynthesis in Eucalyptus trees.

PubMed

Gao, Jianguo; Zhou, Juan; Sun, Zhenwei; Niu, Junfeng; Zhou, Cuiming; Gu, Daxing; Huang, Yuqing; Zhao, Ping

2016-04-01

It is widely accepted that substantial nighttime sap flux (J s,n) or transpiration (E) occurs in most plants, but the physiological implications are poorly known. It has been hypothesized that J s,n or E serves to enhance nitrogen uptake or deliver oxygen; however, no clear evidence is currently available. In this study, sap flux (J s) in Eucalyptus grandis × urophylla with apparent stem photosynthesis was measured, including control trees which were covered by aluminum foil (approximately 1/3 of tree height) to block stem photosynthesis. We hypothesized that the nighttime water flux would be suppressed in trees with lower stem photosynthesis. The results showed that the green tissue degraded after 3 months, demonstrating a decrease in stem photosynthesis. The daytime J s decreased by 21.47%, while J s,n decreased by 12.03% in covered trees as compared to that of control, and the difference was statistically significant (P < 0.01). The linear quantile regression model showed that J s,n decreased for a given daytime transpiration water loss, indicating that J s,n was suppressed by lower stem photosynthesis in covered trees. Predawn (ψ pd) of covered trees was marginally higher than that of control while lower at predawn stomatal conductance (g s), indicating a suppressed water flux in covered trees. There was no difference in leaf carbon content and δ(13)C between the two groups, while leaf nitrogen content and δ(15)N were significantly higher in covered trees than that of the control (P < 0.05), indicating that J s,n was not used for nitrogen uptake. These results suggest that J s,n may act as an oxygen pathway since green tissue has a higher respiration or oxygen demand than non-green tissue. Thus, this study demonstrated the physiological implications of J s,n and the possible benefits of nighttime water use or E by the tree.

Simultaneous Evaporation of Cu and Sn from Liquid Steel

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Jung, Sung-Hoon; Kang, Youn-Bae

2016-08-01

In order to understand evaporation refining of tramp elements in molten ferrous scrap, Cu and Sn, a series of experiments were carried out using liquid-gas reaction in a levitation melting equipment. Effect of S and C, which are abundant in hot metal from ironmaking process, was examined and analyzed by employing a comprehensive evaporation kinetic model developed by the present authors (Jung et al. in Metall Mater Trans B 46B:250-258, 2014; Jung et al. in Metall Mater Trans B 46B:259-266, 2014; Jung et al. in Metall Mater Trans B 46B:267-277, 2014; Jung and Kang in Metall Mater Trans B 10.1007/s11663-016-0601-5, 2016). Evaporation of Cu and Sn were treated by evaporation of individual species such as Cu(g), CuS(g), Sn(g), and SnS(g), along with CS2(g). Decrease of Cu and Sn content in liquid steel was in good agreement with the model prediction. Optimum conditions of steel composition for the rapid evaporation of Cu and Sn were proposed by utilizing the model predictions.

Critical thickness for strain relaxation of Ge{sub 1−x}Sn{sub x} (x ≤ 0.17) grown by molecular beam epitaxy on Ge(001)

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

Wang, Wei; Zhou, Qian; Dong, Yuan

We investigated the critical thickness (h{sub c}) for plastic relaxation of Ge{sub 1−x}Sn{sub x} grown by molecular beam epitaxy. Ge{sub 1−x}Sn{sub x} films with various Sn mole fraction x (x ≤ 0.17) and different thicknesses were grown on Ge(001). The strain relaxation of Ge{sub 1−x}Sn{sub x} films and the h{sub c} were investigated by high-resolution x-ray diffraction and reciprocal space mapping. It demonstrates that the measured h{sub c} values of Ge{sub 1−x}Sn{sub x} layers are as much as an order of magnitude larger than that predicted by the Matthews and Blakeslee (M-B) model. The People and Bean (P-B) model was also usedmore » to predict the h{sub c} values in Ge{sub 1−x}Sn{sub x}/Ge system. The measured h{sub c} values for various Sn content follow the trend, but slightly larger than that predicted by the P-B model.« less

Energy Regulated Nutritive and Antioxidant Properties during the Germination and Sprouting of Broccoli Sprouts ( Brassica oleracea var. italica).

PubMed

Chen, Lin; Tan, Glenna Jue Tong; Pang, Xinyi; Yuan, Wenqian; Lai, Shaojuan; Yang, Hongshun

2018-06-25

The role of energy status in germination and sprouting of broccoli seeds was investigated by exogenous ATP and DNP treatments. With the synthesis of adenylates from 38.82 to 142.69 mg·100 g -1 DW, the nutritive components (soluble sugar, proteins, pigments, and phenolics) and AAs were increased during germination and early sprouting (day 5). Elements of the BoSnRK2 pathway were down-regulated by more than 2 fold under the energy charge feedback inhibition. At the end of sprouting (day 7), energy depletion resulted in slowdown or reduced nutritional accumulation and antioxidant capacities. Exogenous ATP depressed the BoSnRK2 pathway by maintaining the energy status at high levels and further promoted the nutrition and antioxidant levels. It also prevented the energy depletion at day 7. On the contrary, DNP reduced the ATP contents (16.10-26.86%) and activated the BoSnRK2 pathway. It also notably suppressed the energy-consuming activities including germination, sprouts growth, and secondary metabolic synthesis.

Behavior of lanthanum containing barium stannate nanoparticles synthesized by cetyltriammonium bromide assisted wet chemistry route

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Kumar, Astakala Anil; Kumar, Ashok; Quamara, J. K.

2018-02-01

In present study, we report dielectric, ferroelectric and pyroelectric behavior of pristine and La3+ containing barium stannate nanoparticles synthesized via wet chemical route involving cetyltriammonium bromide assisted thermal decomposition of binary precursors. The X-ray diffraction patterns of pristine and La3+ (2, 4 and 6 at%) doped BaSnO3 nanoparticles showed the formation of cubic perovskite phase. On substitution of Ba2+ lattice sites by La3+ at the La content of 6 at%, the sample exhibited fourfold increase in conductivity in comparison to pristine BaSnO3. Polarization hysteresis (P-E) curves of La containing barium stannate nanoparticles showed anti-ferroelectric behavior. The pyroelectric coefficient of pristine and La (2, 4 and 6 at%) containing BaSnO3 nanoparticles at 473 K were found to be 7.8, 11.6, 14.1 and 17.2 μCm-2K-1, respectively. Further, the responsivity and detectivity values were higher in comparison to the materials, such as AlN, GaN, CdS and ZnO.

Accumulation of dislocation loops in the α phase of Zr Excel alloy under heavy ion irradiation

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Yu, Hongbing; Yao, Zhongwen; Idrees, Yasir; Zhang, He K.; Kirk, Mark A.; Daymond, Mark R.

2017-08-01

In-situ heavy ion irradiations were performed on the high Sn content Zr alloy 'Excel', measuring type dislocation loop accumulation up to irradiation damage doses of 10 dpa at a range of temperatures. The high content of Sn, which diffuses slowly, and the thin foil geometry of the sample provide a unique opportunity to study an extreme case where displacement cascades dominate the loop formation and evolution. The dynamic observation of dislocation loop evolution under irradiation at 200 °C reveals that type dislocation loops can form at very low dose (0.0025 dpa). The size of the dislocation loops increases slightly with irradiation damage dose. The mechanism controlling loop growth in this study is different from that in neutron irradiation; in this study, larger dislocation loops can condense directly from the interaction of displacement cascades and the high concentration of point defects in the matrix. The size of the dislocation loop is dependent on the point defect concentration in the matrix. A negative correlation between the irradiation temperature and the dislocation loop size was observed. A comparison between cascade dominated loop evolution (this study), diffusion dominated loop evolution (electron irradiation) and neutron irradiation suggests that heavy ion irradiation alone may not be enough to accurately reproduce neutron irradiation induced loop structures. An alternative method is proposed in this paper. The effects of Sn on the displacement cascades, defect yield, and the diffusion behavior of point defects are established.

Highly Efficient Perovskite Solar Cells with Substantial Reduction of Lead Content.

PubMed

Liu, Chong; Fan, Jiandong; Li, Hongliang; Zhang, Cuiling; Mai, Yaohua

2016-10-18

Despite organometal halide perovskite solar cells have recently exhibited a significant leap in efficiency, the Sn-based perovskite solar cells still suffer from low efficiency. Here, a series homogeneous CH 3 NH 3 Pb (1-x) Sn x I 3 (0 ≤ x ≤ 1) perovskite thin films with full coverage were obtained via solvent engineering. In particular, the intermediate complexes of PbI 2 /(SnI 2 )∙(DMSO) x were proved to retard the crystallization of CH 3 NH 3 SnI 3 , thus allowing the realization of high quality Sn-introduced perovskite thin films. The external quantum efficiency (EQE) of as-prepared solar cells were demonstrated to extend a broad absorption minimum over 50% in the wavelength range from 350 to 950 nm accompanied by a noteworthy absorption onset up to 1050 nm. The CH 3 NH 3 Pb 0.75 Sn 0.25 I 3 perovskite solar cells with inverted structure were consequently realized with maximum power conversion efficiency (PCE) of 14.12%.

Improved Thermoelectric Performance Achieved by Regulating Heterogeneous Phase in Half-Heusler TiNiSn-Based Materials

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Chen, Jun-Liang; Liu, Chengyan; Miao, Lei; Gao, Jie; Zheng, Yan-yan; Wang, Xiaoyang; Lu, Jiacai; Shu, Mingzheng

2018-06-01

With excellent high-temperature stability (up to 1000 K) and favorable electrical properties for thermoelectric application, TiNiSn-based half-Heusler (HH) alloys are expected to be promising thermoelectric materials for the recovery of waste heat in the temperature ranging from 700 K to 900 K. However, their thermal conductivity is always relatively high (5-10 W/mK), making it difficult to further enhance their thermoelectric figure-of-merit ( ZT). In the past decade, introducing nano-scale secondary phases into the HH alloy matrix has been proven to be feasible for optimizing the thermoelectric performance of TiNiSn. In this study, a series of TiNiSn-based alloys have been successfully synthesized by a simple solid-state reaction. The content and composition of the heterogeneous phase (TiNi2Sn and Sn) is accurately regulated and, as a result, the thermal conductivity successfully reduced from 4.9 W m-1 K-1 to 3.0 Wm-1 K-1 (750 K) due to multi-scale phonon scattering. Consequently, a ZT value of 0.49 is achieved at 750 K in our TiNiSn-based thermoelectric materials. Furthermore, the thermal stability of TiNiSn alloys is enhanced through reducing the Sn substance phase.

Improved Thermoelectric Performance Achieved by Regulating Heterogeneous Phase in Half-Heusler TiNiSn-Based Materials

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Chen, Jun-Liang; Liu, Chengyan; Miao, Lei; Gao, Jie; Zheng, Yan-yan; Wang, Xiaoyang; Lu, Jiacai; Shu, Mingzheng

2017-12-01

With excellent high-temperature stability (up to 1000 K) and favorable electrical properties for thermoelectric application, TiNiSn-based half-Heusler (HH) alloys are expected to be promising thermoelectric materials for the recovery of waste heat in the temperature ranging from 700 K to 900 K. However, their thermal conductivity is always relatively high (5-10 W/mK), making it difficult to further enhance their thermoelectric figure-of-merit (ZT). In the past decade, introducing nano-scale secondary phases into the HH alloy matrix has been proven to be feasible for optimizing the thermoelectric performance of TiNiSn. In this study, a series of TiNiSn-based alloys have been successfully synthesized by a simple solid-state reaction. The content and composition of the heterogeneous phase (TiNi2Sn and Sn) is accurately regulated and, as a result, the thermal conductivity successfully reduced from 4.9 W m-1 K-1 to 3.0 Wm-1 K-1 (750 K) due to multi-scale phonon scattering. Consequently, a ZT value of 0.49 is achieved at 750 K in our TiNiSn-based thermoelectric materials. Furthermore, the thermal stability of TiNiSn alloys is enhanced through reducing the Sn substance phase.

Effects of CuZnAl Particles on Properties and Microstructure of Sn-58Bi Solder

PubMed Central

Yang, Fan; Zhang, Liang; Liu, Zhi-quan; Zhong, Su Juan; Ma, Jia; Bao, Li

2017-01-01

With the purpose of improving the properties of the Sn-58Bi lead-free solder, micro-CuZnAl particles ranging from 0 to 0.4 wt % were added into the low temperature eutectic Sn-58Bi lead-free solder. After the experimental testing of micro-CuZnAl particles on the properties and microstructure of the Sn-58Bi solders, it was found that the wettability of the Sn-58Bi solders was obviously improved with addition of CuZnAl particles. When the addition of CuZnAl particles was 0.2 wt %, the wettability of the Sn-58Bi solder performed best. At the same time, excessive addition of CuZnAl particles led to poor wettability. However, the results showed that CuZnAl particles changed the melting point of the Sn-58Bi solder slightly. The microstructure of the Sn-58Bi solder was refined by adding CuZnAl particles. When the content of CuZnAl addition was between 0.1 and 0.2 wt %, the refinement was great. In addition, the interfacial IMC layer between new composite solder and Cu substrate was thinner than that between the Sn-58Bi solder and Cu substrate. PMID:28772917

Extreme IR absorption in group IV-SiGeSn core-shell nanowires

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Attiaoui, Anis; Wirth, Stephan; Blanchard-Dionne, André-Pierre; Meunier, Michel; Hartmann, J. M.; Buca, Dan; Moutanabbir, Oussama

2018-06-01

Sn-containing Si and Ge (Ge1-y-xSixSny) alloys are an emerging family of semiconductors with the potential to impact group IV material-based devices. These semiconductors provide the ability to independently engineer both the lattice parameter and bandgap, which holds the premise to develop enhanced or novel photonic and electronic devices. With this perspective, we present detailed investigations of the influence of Ge1-y-xSixSny layers on the optical properties of Si and Ge based heterostructures and nanowires. We found that by adding a thin Ge1-y-xSixSny capping layer on Si or Ge greatly enhances light absorption especially in the near infrared range, leading to an increase in short-circuit current density. For the Ge1-y-xSixSny structure at thicknesses below 30 nm, a 14-fold increase in the short-circuit current is observed with respect to bare Si. This enhancement decreases by reducing the capping layer thickness. Conversely, decreasing the shell thickness was found to improve the short-circuit current in Si/Ge1-y-xSixSny and Ge/Ge1-y-xSixSny core/shell nanowires. The optical absorption becomes very important by increasing the Sn content. Moreover, by exploiting an optical antenna effect, these nanowires show extreme light absorption, reaching an enhancement factor, with respect to Si or Ge nanowires, on the order of 104 in Si/Ge0.84Si0.04Sn0.12 and 12 in Ge/Ge0.84Si0.04Sn0.12. Furthermore, we analyzed the optical response after the addition of a dielectric layer of Si3N4 to the Si/Ge1-y-xSixSny core-shell nanowire and found approximatively a 50% increase in the short-circuit current density for a dielectric layer of thickness equal to 45 nm and both a core radius and a shell thickness greater than 40 nm. The core-shell optical antenna benefits from a multiplication of enhancements contributed by leaky mode resonances in the semiconductor part and antireflection effects in the dielectric part.

Synthesis and Raman analysis of SnS nanoparticles synthesized by PVP assisted polyol method

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

Baby, Benjamin Hudson; Mohan, D. Bharathi, E-mail: d.bharathimohan@gmail.com

2015-06-24

SnS film was prepared by a simple drop casting method after synthesizing SnS nanoparticles by using PVP assisted polyol method. Confocal Raman study was carried out for the as deposited and annealed (150, 300 and 400 °C) films at two different excitation wavelengths 514 and 785 nm. At the excitation wavelength of 514 nm, the Raman modes showed for a mixed phase of SnS and SnS{sub 2} up to 150 °C and then only a pure SnS phase was observed up to 400 °C due to the dissociation of SnS{sub 2} in to SnS by releasing S. The increase in intensity ofmore » Raman (A{sub g} and B{sub 3g}) as well as IR (B{sub 3u}) active modes of SnS are observed with increasing annealing temperature at excitation wavelength 785 nm due to the increased crystallinity and inactiveness of SnS{sub 2} modes. X-ray diffraction confirming the formation of a single phase of SnS while the greater homogeneity in both size and shape of SnS nanoparticles were confirmed through surface morphology from SEM.« less

Effects of Isothermal Aging on the Thermal Expansion of Several Sn-Based Lead-Free Solder Alloys

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Hasnine, M.; Bozack, M. J.

2018-03-01

In this paper, effects of high-temperature aging on the thermal expansion behavior of several lead-free alloys SAC305, SAC387, Sn-3.5Ag, SnCu, SN100C (SnCu-Ni-Ge) and SnCu-0.01Ge have been explored. The coefficients of thermal expansion (CTEs) of the alloys have been experimentally determined over the temperature range 30-150 °C after isothermal aging at 125 °C for up to 30 days (720 h). The CTE values of SAC305, SAC387 and Sn-3.5Ag increase by 8-16% after 30 days of aging, while the CTE values of SnCu, SnCu-Ge and SN100C solders increase by only 3-6%. The CTE evolution of lead-free solders can be explained by microstructural changes observed during isothermal aging, which causes coarsening of various phases of the solder. As the phases coarsen, dislocation movement proceeds with a consequent increase in the average interparticle distance. The observation of CTE increases during isothermal aging suggests potential reliability problems for lead-free solder joints subjected to long-term aging exposures at high temperatures.

Silver colloidal nanoparticles: effect on matrix composition and structure of Candida albicans and Candida glabrata biofilms.

PubMed

Monteiro, D R; Silva, S; Negri, M; Gorup, L F; de Camargo, E R; Oliveira, R; Barbosa, D B; Henriques, M

2013-04-01

The aim of this study was to assess the effect of different silver nanoparticles (SN) concentrations on the matrix composition and structure of Candida albicans and Candida glabrata biofilms. Candida biofilms were developed in 6-well microtiter plates during 48 h. After, these biofilms were exposed to 13.5 or 54 μg SN ml(-1) for 24 h. Then, extracellular matrices were extracted from biofilms and analysed chemically in terms of proteins, carbohydrates and DNA. To investigate the biofilm structure, scanning electron microscopy (SEM) and epifluorescence microscopy were used. SN interfered with the matrix composition of Candida biofilms tested in terms of protein, carbohydrate and DNA, except for the protein content of C. albicans biofilm. By SEM, Candida biofilms treated with SN revealed structural differences, when compared with the control groups. Further, SN showed a trend of agglomeration within the biofilms. Epifluorescence microscopy images suggest that SN induced damage on cell walls of the Candida isolates tested. In general, irrespective of concentration, SN affected the matrix composition and structure of Candida biofilms and these findings may be related to the mechanisms of biocide action of SN. This study reveals new insights about the behaviour of SN when in contact with Candida biofilms. SN may contribute to the development of therapies to prevent or control Candida infections. © 2012 The Society for Applied Microbiology.

A review and prospects for Nb3Sn superconductor development

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Xu, Xingchen

2017-09-01

Nb3Sn superconductors have significant applications in constructing high-field (>10 T) magnets. This article briefly reviews development of Nb3Sn superconductor and proposes prospects for further improvement. It is shown that significant improvement of critical current density (J c) is needed for future accelerator magnets. After a brief review of the development of Nb3Sn superconductors, the factors controlling J c are summarized and correlated with their microstructure and chemistry. The non-matrix J c of Nb3Sn conductors is mainly determined by three factors: the fraction of current-carrying Nb3Sn phase in the non-matrix area, the upper critical field B c2, and the flux line pinning capacity. Then prospects to improve the three factors are discussed respectively. An analytic model was developed to show how the ratios of precursors determine the phase fractions after heat treatment, based on which it is predicted that the limit of current-carrying Nb3Sn fraction in subelements is ∼65%. Then, since B c2 is largely determined by the Nb3Sn stoichiometry, a thermodynamic/kinetic theory is presented to show what essentially determines the Sn content of Nb3Sn conductors. This theory explains the influences of Sn sources and Ti addition on stoichiometry and growth rate of Nb3Sn layers. Next, to improve flux pinning, previous efforts in this community to introduce additional pinning centers to Nb3Sn wires are reviewed, and an internal oxidation technique is described. Finally, prospects for further improvement of non-matrix J c of Nb3Sn conductors are discussed, and it is seen that the only opportunity for further significantly improving J c lies in improving flux pinning.

A review and prospects for Nb 3Sn superconductor development

DOE PAGES

Xu, Xingchen

2017-08-03

Nb 3Sn superconductors have significant applications in constructing high-field (> 10 T) magnets. This article briefly reviews development of Nb 3Sn superconductor and proposes prospects for further improvement. It is shown that significant improvement of critical current density (J c) is needed for future accelerator magnets. After a brief review of the development of Nb 3Sn superconductors, the factors controlling J c are summarized and correlated with their microstructure and chemistry. The non-matrix J c of Nb 3Sn conductors is mainly determined by three factors: the fraction of current-carrying Nb 3Sn phase in the non-matrix area, the upper critical fieldmore » B c2, and the flux-line pinning capacity. Then prospects to improve the three factors are discussed respectively. An analytic model was developed to show how the ratios of precursors determine the phase fractions after heat treatment, based on which it is predicted that the limit of current-carrying Nb 3Sn fraction in subelements is ~65%. Then, since B c2 is largely determined by the Nb 3Sn stoichiometry, a thermodynamic/kinetic theory was presented to show what essentially determines the Sn content of Nb 3Sn conductors. This theory explains the influences of Sn sources and Ti addition on stoichiometry and growth rate of Nb 3Sn layers. Next, to improve flux pinning, previous efforts in this community to introduce additional pinning centers (APC) to Nb 3Sn wires are reviewed, and an internal oxidation technique is described. Lastly, prospects for further improvement of non-matrix J c of Nb 3Sn conductors are discussed, and it is seen that the only opportunity for further significantly improving J c lies in improving the flux pinning.« less

Spectroscopic ellipsometry characterization of ZnO:Sn thin films with various Sn composition deposited by remote-plasma reactive sputtering

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Janicek, Petr; Niang, Kham M.; Mistrik, Jan; Palka, Karel; Flewitt, Andrew J.

2017-11-01

ZnO:Sn thin films were deposited onto thermally oxidized silicon substrates using a remote plasma reactive sputtering. Their optical constants (refractive index n and extinction coefficient k) were determined from ellipsometric data recorded over a wide spectral range (0.05-6 eV). Parametrization of ZnO:Sn complex dielectric permittivity consists of a parameterized semiconductor oscillator function describing the short wavelength absorption edge, a Drude oscillator describing free carrier absorption in near-infrared part of spectra and a Lorentz oscillator describing the long wavelength absorption edge and intra-band absorption in the ultra-violet part of the spectra. Using a Mott-Davis model, the increase in local disorder with increasing Sn doping is quantified from the short wavelength absorption edge onset. Using the Wemple-DiDomenico single oscillator model for the transparent part of the optical constants spectra, an increase in the centroid distance of the valence and conduction bands with increasing Sn doping is shown and only slight increase in intensity of the inter-band optical transition due to Sn doping occurs. The Drude model applied in the near-infrared part of the spectra revealed the free carrier concentration and mobility of ZnO:Sn. Results show that the range of transparency of prepared ZnO:Sn layers is not dramatically affected by Sn doping whereas electrical conductivity could be controlled by Sn doping. Refractive index in the transparent part is comparable with amorphous Indium Gallium Zinc Oxide allowing utilization of prepared ZnO:Sn layers as an indium-free alternative.

Draft Genome Sequence of Escherichia coli Strain SN137, a Bacterium with Extracellular Proteolytic Activity on Immunoglobulins and Persistence in Human Tissue Blood

PubMed Central

Najera-Hernandez, Salustio; Sanchez-Alonso, Maria Patricia; Anastacio-Marcelino, Estela; Negrete-Abascal, Erasmo

2018-01-01

ABSTRACT The draft genome sequence of Escherichia coli strain SN137 is reported here. The genome comprises 172 contigs, corresponding to 4.9 Mb with 50% G+C content, and contains several genes related to pathogenicity that explain its survival in human hematic tissue. PMID:29348341

Effect of Mg incorporation on solution-processed kesterite solar cells

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Caballero, Raquel; Haass, Stefan G.; Andres, Christian; Arques, Laia; Oliva, Florian; Izquierdo-Roca, Victor; Romanyuk, Yaroslav E.

2018-01-01

The introduction of the alkaline-earth element Mg into Cu2ZnSn(S,Se)4 (CTZSSe) is explored in view of potential photovoltaic applications. Cu2Zn1-xMgxSn(S,Se)4 absorber layers with variable Mg content x=0…1 are deposited using the solution approach with dimethyl sulfoxide solvent followed by annealing in selenium atmosphere. For heavy Mg alloying with x = 0.55…1 the phase separation into Cu2SnSe3, MgSe2, MgSe and SnSe2 occurs in agreement with literature predictions. A lower Mg content of x=0.04 results in the kesterite phase as confirmed by XRD and Raman spectroscopy. A photoluminescence maximum is red-shifted by 0.02 eV as compared to the band-gap and a carrier concentration NCV of 1 x 1016 cm-3 is measured for a Mg-containing kesterite solar cell device. Raman spectroscopy indicates that structural defects can be reduced in Mg-containing absorbers as compared to the Mg-free reference samples, however the best device efficiency of 7.2% for a Mg-containing cell measured in this study is lower than those frequently reported for the conventional Na doping.

Age-related differences in hair trace elements: a cross-sectional study in Orenburg, Russia.

PubMed

Skalnaya, Margarita G; Tinkov, Alexey A; Demidov, Vasily A; Serebryansky, Eugeny P; Nikonorov, Alexandr A; Skalny, Anatoly V

2016-09-01

Age-related differences in the trace element content of hair have been reported. However, some discrepancies in the data exist. The primary objective of this study was to estimate the change in hair trace elements content in relation to age. Six hundred and eighteen women and 438 men aged from 10-59 years took part in the current cross-sectional study. Hair Cr, Mn, Ni, Si, Al, As, Be, Cd and Pb tended to decrease with age in the female sample, whereas hair Cu, Fe, I, Se, Li and Sn were characterised by an age-associated increase. Hair levels of Cr, Cu, I, Mn, Ni, Si and Al in men decreased with age, whereas hair Co, Fe, Se, Cd, Li and Pb content tended to increase. Hair mercury increased in association with age in men and in women, whereas hair vanadium was characterised by a significant decrease in both sexes. The difference in hair trace element content between men and women decreased with age. These data suggest that age-related differences in trace element status may have a direct implication in the ageing process.

Degradation behavior at elevated temperature of LaNisub5-xSnsubxHsubz for x between 0.20 and 0.25

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Bowman, R. C., Jr.; Lindensmith, C. A.; Luo, S.; Flanagan, T. B.; Vogt, T.

2000-01-01

Systematic studies of the hydriding behavior of LaNi(sub 5-x)Sn(sub x)H(sub z) alloys with tin contents in the range between 0.20 and 0.25 have revealed changes in the pressure-composition-temperature (PCT) isotherms measured after heating the hydrides above 450 K. These changes are indications of degradation processes and increased disorder within the alloy structure.

Etching of germanium-tin using ammonia peroxide mixture

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

Dong, Yuan; Ong, Bin Leong; Wang, Wei

The wet etching of germanium-tin (Ge{sub 1-x}Sn{sub x}) alloys (4.2% < x < 16.0%) in ammonia peroxide mixture (APM) is investigated. Empirical fitting of the data points indicates that the etch depth of Ge{sub 1-x}Sn{sub x} is proportional to the square root of the etch time t and decreases exponentially with increasing x for a given t. In addition, X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy results show that increasing t increases the intensity of the Sn oxide peak, whereas no obvious change is observed for the Ge oxide peak. This indicates that an accumulation of Sn oxide on the Ge{sub 1-x}Sn{sub x} surface decreases the amount ofmore » Ge atoms exposed to the etchant, which accounts for the decrease in etch rate with increasing etch time. Atomic force microscopy was used to examine the surface morphologies of the Ge{sub 0.918}Sn{sub 0.082} samples. Both root-mean-square roughness and undulation periods of the Ge{sub 1-x}Sn{sub x} surface were observed to increase with increasing t. This work provides further understanding of the wet etching of Ge{sub 1-x}Sn{sub x} using APM and may be used for the fabrication of Ge{sub 1-x}Sn{sub x}-based electronic and photonic devices.« less

Control of the electrical resistivity of Ni-Cr wires using low pressure chemical vapor deposition of tin

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Kim, Jun-Hyun; Bak, Jeong Geun; Lee, Kangtaek; Kim, Chang-Koo

2018-01-01

Control of the electrical resistivity of Ni-Cr wires is demonstrated using low pressure chemical vapor deposition (LPCVD) of tin on the surface of the wire, after which the effects of the deposition temperature on the structural, morphological, and compositional characteristics of the tin-deposited Ni-Cr wires are investigated. As the deposition temperature is increased, the resistivity of the Ni-Cr wires increases in the temperature range 300-400 °C; then remains nearly constant as the temperature increased to 700 °C. The increase in the resistivity of the Ni-Cr wires is attributed to formation of Ni3Sn2 particulates on the surface of the wire. Compositional analysis shows that the pattern of change in the tin content with the deposition temperature is similar to that of resistivity with temperature, implying that the atomic content of tin on Ni-Cr directly affects the electrical resistivity.

A Late Variscan Sn province: the Arburese region (SW Sardinia, Italy)

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Naitza, Stefano; Secchi, Francesco; Oggiano, Giacomo; Cuccuru, Stefano

2015-04-01

Late Variscan Sn - rich European provinces (e. g. Erzgebirge, Cornwall) are of particular relevance as they offer key insights into crustal evolution, intrusive processes and ore genesis. In Sardinia (Italy), small Sn deposits are only known in the Arburese historical mining region (SW Sardinia), hosted in low-grade metamorphics close to the contacts with intrusives. This region is characterised by two late variscan intrusions, which differ in age and composition: the Arbus and the Monte Linas pluton, aging 304 ± 1 Ma, and 289 ± 1 Ma respectively. They emplaced at shallow crustal levels and crosscut the basal thrust between the alloctonous prism and the foreland of the Variscan belt of Sardinia. The Arbus Pluton (AP) is a composite intrusion of piroxene- and amphibole- granodiorites hosting minor amounts of monzogabbroic rocks and cordierite-bearing granites with a wide core of leuco-monzogranites. Tourmaline greisens and pegmatites garnish the contact between the border facies and the host metamorphic rocks. The Monte Linas Pluton (MLP) has biotite monzogranite composition. The pluton is internally zoned, from medium grained monzogranite in the core to hololeucocratic fine-grained rock-types at the top, where often F-greisen, fayalite-pegmatite pods and sill are common. In both plutons the igneous associations are high-K ilmenite series, suggesting derivation from low- fO2 magmas possibly linked to a common crustal contribution; however, in the Linas Pluton magnetite in the fine-grained facies may indicate an increase in oxygen fugacity. The AP-related Sn ores consist of high-temperature As-Sn quartz veins. They are vertically zoned, from quartz-chlorite-cassiterite to large quartz-arsenopyrite veins. Ore microscopy and SEM-EDS analyses evidenced a vein texture made of thick idiomorphic and frequently twinned cassiterite crystals, alternated with several generations of banded/geodic quartz. Chlinoclore aggregates are included into the quartz. The arsenopyrite ore shows alternating bands of microgranular to crystalline millimetric arsenopyrite with quartz. Field and analytical data suggest genetic mechanisms dominated by mobilization of residual Sn by chloride and other complexes in reducing, As- and S- rich, low- fO2 juvenile fluids. Cassiterite and successive arsenopyrite precipitation occurred under changing physicochemical conditions (e.g. oxygen contents; temperature decrease; pH). The MLP Sn metallogeny include Sn- Pb-Zn-Cu veins (Canale Serci old mine). Cassiterite occurs as fine-grained corroded crystals. Optical and SEM-EDS analyses evidence a high-temperature oxide stage (quartz-chlorite- cassiterite) followed, after brecciation, by mesothermal sulfide stages, with progressive deposition of sphalerite, pyrite, chalcopyrite, tetrahedrite, galena, marcasite. Arsenopyrite is strikingly absent. These evidences indicate possible derivation of the ore from residual, reducing juvenile fluids, capable to carry Sn- complexes from monzogranite magmas from which cassiterite precipitated in consequence of an increasing in fO2. Despite their limited amount, the Sn ores of SW Sardinia have high metallogenic relevance, indicating the persistence, of geochemical conditions,which lasted 15 Ma, favorable to the genesis of a Sn metallogenic province.

MO-FG-CAMPUS-IeP1-01: Alternative K-Edge Filters for Low-Energy Image Acquisition in Contrast Enhanced Spectral Mammography

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

Shrestha, S; Vedantham, S; Karellas, A

Purpose: In Contrast Enhanced Spectral Mammography (CESM), Rh filter is often used during low-energy image acquisition. The potential for using Ag, In and Sn filters, which exhibit K-edge closer to, and just below that of Iodine, instead of the Rh filter, was investigated for the low-energy image acquisition. Methods: Analytical computations of the half-value thickness (HVT) and the photon fluence per mAs (photons/mm2/mAs) for 50µm Rh were compared with other potential K-edge filters (Ag, In and Sn), all with K-absorption edge below that of Iodine. Two strategies were investigated: fixed kVp and filter thickness (50µm for all filters) resulting inmore » HVT variation, and fixed kVp and HVT resulting in variation in Ag, In and Sn thickness. Monte Carlo simulations (GEANT4) were conducted to determine if the scatter-to-primary ratio (SPR) and the point spread function of scatter (scatter PSF) differed between Rh and other K-edge filters. Results: Ag, In and Sn filters (50µm thick) increased photon fluence/mAs by 1.3–1.4, 1.8–2, and 1.7–2 at 28-32 kVp compared to 50µm Rh, which could decrease exposure time. Additionally, the fraction of spectra closer to and just below Iodine’s K-edge increased with these filters, which could improve post-subtraction image contrast. For HVT matched to 50µm Rh filtered spectra, the thickness range for Ag, In, and Sn were (41,44)µm, (49,55)µm and (45,53)µm, and increased photon fluence/mAs by 1.5–1.7, 1.6–2, and 1.6–2.2, respectively. Monte Carlo simulations showed that neither the SPR nor the scatter PSF of Ag, In and Sn differed from Rh, indicating no additional detriment due to x-ray scatter. Conclusion: The use of Ag, In and Sn filters for low-energy image acquisition in CESM is potentially feasible and could decrease exposure time and may improve post-subtraction image contrast. Effect of these filters on radiation dose, contrast, noise and associated metrics are being investigated. Funding Support: Supported in part by NIH R01CA195512. The contents are solely the responsibility of the authors and do not reflect the official views of the NIH or NCI.« less

Enhanced magneto-caloric effect upon Co substitution in Ni-Mn-Sn thin films

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Modak, Rajkumar; Raja, M. Manivel; Srinivasan, A.

2018-02-01

Mn rich Ni-Mn-Sn and Ni-Mn-Co-Sn alloy films were deposited on Si (1 0 0) substrate by dc magnetron sputtering from Ni50Mn37Sn13 alloy target at 1.8 Pa Ar pressure with 70 W dc power. Co was introduced by placing Co chips on the Ni-Mn-Sn target. As-deposited films were vacuum annealed at 823 K for 1 h. X-ray diffraction patterns of the films revealed modulated 14 M structure of the martensite phase at room temperature. Magnetic entropy change (ΔSm) across the Curie temperature of the ferromagnetic films was estimated from initial isothermal magnetization curves using Maxwell's equation. ΔSm and refrigeration capacity (RC) of Ni-Mn-Sn and Ni-Mn-Co-Sn films increased with increasing film thickness. Upon Co substitution in Mn/Sn site(s), ΔSm and RC increased more remarkably. The change is more prominent in the case of 360 nm films, wherein a 3.8-fold increase in ΔSM and 8.9-fold increase in RC was observed. Introduction of Co increased the magnetic moment and broadened the magnetic transition. These factors increased ΔSm and RC in Co substituted Ni-Mn-Sn alloy. Since TC shifted to higher temperatures with Co substitution, operating temperature of these magnetic refrigerants also shifted to higher temperature. This study indicates the possibility of developing high temperature cooling devices and waste energy harvesters using these films.

Verbal collision avoidance messages during simulated driving: perceived urgency, alerting effectiveness and annoyance.

PubMed

Baldwin, Carryl L

2011-04-01

Matching the perceived urgency of an alert with the relative hazard level of the situation is critical for effective alarm response. Two experiments describe the impact of acoustic and semantic parameters on ratings of perceived urgency, annoyance and alerting effectiveness and on alarm response speed. Within a simulated driving context, participants rated and responded to collision avoidance system (CAS) messages spoken by a female or male voice (experiments 1 and 2, respectively). Results indicated greater perceived urgency and faster alarm response times as intensity increased from -2 dB signal to noise (S/N) ratio to +10 dB S/N, although annoyance ratings increased as well. CAS semantic content interacted with alarm intensity, indicating that at lower intensity levels participants paid more attention to the semantic content. Results indicate that both acoustic and semantic parameters independently and interactively impact CAS alert perceptions in divided attention conditions and this work can inform auditory alarm design for effective hazard matching. Matching the perceived urgency of an alert with the relative hazard level of the situation is critical for effective alarm response. Here, both acoustic and semantic parameters independently and interactively impacted CAS alert perceptions in divided attention conditions. This work can inform auditory alarm design for effective hazard matching. STATEMENT OF RELEVANCE: Results indicate that both acoustic parameters and semantic content can be used to design collision warnings with a range of urgency levels. Further, these results indicate that verbal warnings tailored to a specific hazard situation may improve hazard-matching capabilities without substantial trade-offs in perceived annoyance.

Performance analysis of GeSn-alloy-based multiple quantum well transistor laser

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Ranjan, Ravi; Pareek, Prakash; Anwer Askari, Syed Sadique; Das, Mukul K.

2018-02-01

The Group IV Photonics (GFP) which include an alloy of Si, Ge & Sn that gives a direct bandgap material (GeSn, SiGeSn) in near and mid-IR region used as an active material in photonics devices. The multiple quantum well SiGeSn/GeSn transistor laser structure is considered in this paper and performance parameters are evaluated for the same. The result shows that the threshold base current density (2.6 kA/cm2) for the proposed device initially decreases with increasing number of quantum well (QW) and later on it saturates. The current gain and output photon density of the device decreases and increases respectively, with increasing number of QW.

Magnetically Separable Fe3O4/SnO2/Graphene Adsorbent for Waste Water Removal

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Paramarta, V.; Taufik, A.; Saleh, R.

2017-05-01

Our previous study conducted the SnO2 and SnO2/graphene adsorption efficiency in Methylene Blue removal from aqueous solution, however, the difficulty of adsorbent separation from the methylene blue solution limits its efficiency. Therefore, in this work, SnO2 and SnO2/graphene was combined with Fe3O4 to improve the separation process and adsorption performance for removing the organic dyes. Fe3O4/SnO2/grapheme were synthesized by using the co-precipitation method. The graphene content was varied from 1, 3, and 5 weight percent (wt%). The crystalline phase and thermal stability of the samples were characterized by using X- ray Diffraction (XRD) and Thermal Gravimetric Analysis (TGA). The adsorption ability of the samples was investigated by using significant adsorption degradation of MB observed when the graphene in Fe3O4/SnO2 nanocomposite was added. The other parameters such as pH and initial concentration have also been investigated. The reusability was also investigated to study the stability of the samples. The fitting of equilibrium adsorption capacity result indicates that the adsorption mechanism of Fe3O4/SnO2 nanocomposite with graphene tends to follow the Langmuir adsorption isotherm model.

Development of glucose biosensors based on plasma polymerization-assisted nanocomposites of polyaniline, tin oxide, and three-dimensional reduced graphene oxide

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Wu, Shide; Su, Fangfang; Dong, Xiaodong; Ma, Chuang; Pang, Long; Peng, Donglai; Wang, Minghua; He, Linghao; Zhang, Zhihong

2017-04-01

A biosensor based on the plasma polyaniline (pPANI)-modified tin oxide and 3D reduced graphene oxide (SnO2@3D-rGO) nanocomposite was fabricated to detect glucose. The SnO2@3D-rGO nanocomposite was synthesized by simultaneously reducing 3D graphene oxide (3D-GO) and translating SnCl4 into SnO2, followed by pPANI modification. The content of amino groups in the SnO2@3D-rGO@pPANI nanocomposites depended on the plasma input powers used in plasma deposition. The SnO2@3D-rGO nanocomposite was important in the electrochemical biosensor to detect glucose. The fabricated biosensor exhibited a much higher sensitivity than that formed from individual components, namely, SnO2@3D-rGO and pPANI. This biosensor demonstrated a low detection limit of 0.047 ng mL-1 (0.26 nM) (S/N = 3) within the concentration range of 0.1 ng mL-1 to 5 μg mL-1. The selectivity, stability, and practicality of the SnO2@3D-rGO@pPANI-based biosensor were observed. In conclusion, the plasma surface-modified nanocomposite is a promising candidate as biosensor for glucose detection and biological diagnosis.

Draft Genome Sequence of Escherichia coli Strain SN137, a Bacterium with Extracellular Proteolytic Activity on Immunoglobulins and Persistence in Human Tissue Blood.

PubMed

Najera-Hernandez, Salustio; Sanchez-Alonso, Maria Patricia; Anastacio-Marcelino, Estela; Negrete-Abascal, Erasmo; Vazquez-Cruz, Candelario

2018-01-18

The draft genome sequence of Escherichia coli strain SN137 is reported here. The genome comprises 172 contigs, corresponding to 4.9 Mb with 50% G+C content, and contains several genes related to pathogenicity that explain its survival in human hematic tissue. Copyright © 2018 Najera-Hernandez et al.

Production of Selected Key Ductile Iron Castings Used in Large-Scale Windmills

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Pan, Yung-Ning; Lin, Hsuan-Te; Lin, Chi-Chia; Chang, Re-Mo

Both the optimal alloy design and microstructures that conform to the mechanical properties requirements of selected key components used in large-scale windmills have been established in this study. The target specifications in this study are EN-GJS-350-22U-LT, EN-GJS-350-22U-LT and EN-GJS-700-2U. In order to meet the impact requirement of spec. EN-GJS-350-22U-LT, the Si content should be kept below 1.97%, and also the maximum pearlite content shouldn't exceed 7.8%. On the other hand, Si content below 2.15% and pearlite content below 12.5% were registered for specification EN-GJS-400-18U-LT. On the other hand, the optimal alloy designs that can comply with specification EN-GJS-700-2U include 0.25%Mn+0.6%Cu+0.05%Sn, 0.25%Mn+0.8%Cu+0.01%Sn and 0.45%Mn+0.6%Cu+0.01%Sn. Furthermore, based upon the experimental results, multiple regression analyses have been performed to correlate the mechanical properties with chemical compositions and microstructures. The derived regression equations can be used to attain the optimal alloy design for castings with target specifications. Furthermore, by employing these regression equations, the mechanical properties can be predicted based upon the chemical compositions and microstructures of cast irons.

Strengthening Effect of Extruded Mg-8Sn-2Zn-2Al Alloy: Influence of Micro and Nano-Size Mg2Sn Precipitates

PubMed Central

Cheng, Weili; Bai, Yang; Wang, Lifei; Wang, Hongxia; Bian, Liping; Yu, Hui

2017-01-01

In this study, Mg-8Sn-2Zn-2Al (TZA822) alloys with varying Mg2Sn contents prior to extrusion were obtained by different pre-treatments (without and with T4), and the strengthening response related to micro and nano-size Mg2Sn precipitates in the extruded TZA822 alloys was reported. The results showed that the morphology of nano-size Mg2Sn precipitates exhibits a significant change in basal plane from rod-like to spherical, owing to the decrement in the fraction of micro-size particles before extrusion. Meanwhile, the spherical Mg2Sn precipitates provided a much stronger strengthening effect than did the rod-like ones, which was ascribed to uniform dispersion and refinement of spherical precipitates to effectively hinder basal dislocation slip. As a consequence, the extruded TZA822 alloy with T4 showed a higher tensile yield strength (TYS) of 245 MPa, ultimate tensile strength (UTS) of 320 MPa and elongation (EL) of 26.5%, as well as a lower degree of yield asymmetry than their counterpart without T4. Detailed reasons for the strengthening effect were given and analyzed. PMID:28773180

Strengthening Effect of Extruded Mg-8Sn-2Zn-2Al Alloy: Influence of Micro and Nano-Size Mg₂Sn Precipitates.

PubMed

Cheng, Weili; Bai, Yang; Wang, Lifei; Wang, Hongxia; Bian, Liping; Yu, Hui

2017-07-18

In this study, Mg-8Sn-2Zn-2Al (TZA822) alloys with varying Mg₂Sn contents prior to extrusion were obtained by different pre-treatments (without and with T4), and the strengthening response related to micro and nano-size Mg₂Sn precipitates in the extruded TZA822 alloys was reported. The results showed that the morphology of nano-size Mg₂Sn precipitates exhibits a significant change in basal plane from rod-like to spherical, owing to the decrement in the fraction of micro-size particles before extrusion. Meanwhile, the spherical Mg₂Sn precipitates provided a much stronger strengthening effect than did the rod-like ones, which was ascribed to uniform dispersion and refinement of spherical precipitates to effectively hinder basal dislocation slip. As a consequence, the extruded TZA822 alloy with T4 showed a higher tensile yield strength (TYS) of 245 MPa, ultimate tensile strength (UTS) of 320 MPa and elongation (EL) of 26.5%, as well as a lower degree of yield asymmetry than their counterpart without T4. Detailed reasons for the strengthening effect were given and analyzed.

Modified Back Contact Interface of CZTSe Thin Film Solar Cells: Elimination of Double Layer Distribution in Absorber Layer

PubMed Central

Zhang, Zhaojing; Yao, Liyong; Bi, Jinlian; Gao, Shoushuai; Gao, Qing; Jeng, Ming‐Jer; Sun, Guozhong; Zhou, Zhiqiang; He, Qing; Sun, Yun

2017-01-01

Abstract Double layer distribution exists in Cu2SnZnSe4 (CZTSe) thin films prepared by selenizing the metallic precursors, which will degrade the back contact of Mo substrate to absorber layer and thus suppressing the performance of solar cell. In this work, the double‐layer distribution of CZTSe film is eliminated entirely and the formation of MoSe2 interfacial layer is inhibited successfully. CZTSe film is prepared by selenizing the precursor deposited by electrodeposition method under Se and SnSex mixed atmosphere. It is found that the insufficient reaction between ZnSe and Cu‐Sn‐Se phases in the bottom of the film is the reason why the double layer distribution of CZTSe film is formed. By increasing Sn content in the metallic precursor, thus making up the loss of Sn because of the decomposition of CZTSe and facilitate the diffusion of liquid Cu2Se, the double layer distribution is eliminated entirely. The crystallization of the formed thin film is dense and the grains go through the entire film without voids. And there is no obvious MoSe2 layer formed between CZTSe and Mo. As a consequence, the series resistance of the solar cell reduces significantly to 0.14 Ω cm2 and a CZTSe solar cell with efficiency of 7.2% is fabricated. PMID:29610727

Effect of Joint Scale and Processing on the Fracture of Sn-3Ag-0.5Cu Solder Joints: Application to Micro-bumps in 3D Packages

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Talebanpour, B.; Huang, Z.; Chen, Z.; Dutta, I.

2016-01-01

In 3-dimensional (3D) packages, a stack of dies is vertically connected to each other using through-silicon vias and very thin solder micro-bumps. The thinness of the micro-bumps results in joints with a very high volumetric proportion of intermetallic compounds (IMCs), rendering them much more brittle compared to conventional joints. Because of this, the reliability of micro-bumps, and the dependence thereof on the proportion of IMC in the joint, is of substantial concern. In this paper, the growth kinetics of IMCs in thin Sn-3Ag-0.5Cu joints attached to Cu substrates were analyzed, and empirical kinetic laws for the growth of Cu6Sn5 and Cu3Sn in thin joints were obtained. Modified compact mixed mode fracture mechanics samples, with adhesive solder joints between massive Cu substrates, having similar thickness and IMC content as actual micro-bumps, were produced. The effects of IMC proportion and strain rate on fracture toughness and mechanisms were investigated. It was found that the fracture toughness G C decreased with decreasing joint thickness ( h Joint). In addition, the fracture toughness decreased with increasing strain rate. Aging also promoted alternation of the crack path between the two joint-substrate interfaces, possibly proffering a mechanism to enhance fracture toughness.

Optical and Electrical Properties of Sn-Doped Zinc Oxide Single Crystals

DOE PAGES

Haseman, M. S.; Saadatkia, Pooneh; Warfield, J. T.; ...

2017-11-28

Here, Sn dopant in ZnO may significantly improve the n-type conductivity of ZnO through a characteristic double effect. However, studies on bulk Sn-doped ZnO are rare, and the effect of Sn doping on the optoelectronic properties of bulk ZnO is not well understood. In this work, the effect of Sn doping on the optical and electrical properties of ZnO bulk single crystals was investigated through optical absorption spectroscopy, Hall-effect measurements, and thermoluminescence (TL) spectroscopy. Undoped and Sn-doped ZnO single crystals were grown by chemical vapor transport method and characterized by x-ray diffraction analysis. The Sn doping level in the crystalsmore » was evaluated by inductively coupled plasma mass spectroscopy measurements. Hall-effect measurements revealed an increase in conductivity and carrier concentration with increasing Sn doping, while TL measurements identified a few donor species in the crystals with donor ionization energy ranging from 35 meV to 118 meV. Increasing Sn doping was also associated with a color change of single crystals from colorless to dark blue.« less

Growth Behavior of Intermetallic Compounds at SnAgCu/Ni and Cu Interfaces

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Qi, Lihua; Huang, Jihua; Zhang, Hua; Zhao, Xingke; Wang, Haitao; Cheng, Donghai

2010-02-01

The growth behavior of reaction-formed intermetallic compounds (IMCs) at Sn3.5Ag0.5Cu/Ni and Cu interfaces under thermal-shear cycling conditions was investigated. The results show that the morphology of (Cu x Ni1- x )6Sn5 and Cu6Sn5 IMCs formed both at Sn3.5Ag0.5Cu/Ni and Cu interfaces gradually changed from scallop-like to chunk-like, and different IMC thicknesses developed with increasing thermal-shear cycling time. Furthermore, Cu6Sn5 IMC growth rate at the Sn3.5Ag0.5Cu/Cu interface was higher than that of (Cu x Ni1- x )6Sn5 IMC under thermal-shear cycling. Compared to isothermal aging, thermal-shear cycling led to only one Cu6Sn5 layer at the interface between SnAgCu solder and Cu substrate after 720 cycles. Moreover, Ag3Sn IMC was dispersed uniformly in the solder after reflow. The planar Ag3Sn formed near the interface changed remarkably and merged together to large platelets with increasing cycles. The mechanism of formation of Cu6Sn5, (Cu x Ni1- x )6Sn5 and Ag3Sn IMCs during thermal-shear cycling process was investigated.

Enhancing visible light photocatalytic activity of direct Z-scheme SnS{sub 2}/Ag{sub 3}PO{sub 4} heterojunction photocatalysts

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

Luo, Jin, E-mail: lj328520504@126.com; Zhou, Xiaosong; Ma, Lin

Highlights: • Novel direct Z-scheme SnS{sub 2}/Ag{sub 3}PO{sub 4} heterojunction photocatalysts are synthesized. • SnS{sub 2}/Ag{sub 3}PO{sub 4} exhibits much higher photocatalytic activity than pure SnS{sub 2} and Ag{sub 3}PO{sub 4}. • A possible photocatalytic mechanism was discussed in detail. - Abstract: Novel direct Z-scheme SnS{sub 2}/Ag{sub 3}PO{sub 4} heterojunction photocatalysts were successfully fabricated with SnS{sub 2} nanoplates hybridized by Ag{sub 3}PO{sub 4} nanoparticals via a facile hydrothermal and precipitation method and applied for the photocatalytic degradation of methyl orange in aqueous solution under visible light irradiation (λ > 420 nm). It was found that the photocatalytic performance of themore » SnS{sub 2} (2.0 wt%)/Ag{sub 3}PO{sub 4} heterojunction photocatalyst with 2.0 wt% SnS{sub 2} content was much higher than that of individual SnS{sub 2} and Ag{sub 3}PO{sub 4}. The enhanced photocatalytic activity could be ascribed to the efficient separation of photogenerated electrons and holes through the formation of direct Z-scheme system composed of SnS{sub 2} and Ag{sub 3}PO{sub 4}. Furthermore, the recycling experiments revealed that the photocorrosion behavior of Ag{sub 3}PO{sub 4} was strongly inhibited by SnS{sub 2}, it may be due to the photogenerated electrons of Ag{sub 3}PO{sub 4} would be quickly combined with the photogenerated holes of SnS{sub 2}. This work will be useful for the design of other direct Z-scheme visible-light-driven photocatalytic systems for application in energy conversion and environmental remediation.« less

Effect of Ni-P Plating Temperature on Growth of Interfacial Intermetallic Compound in Electroless Nickel Immersion Gold/Sn-Ag-Cu Solder Joints

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Seo, Wonil; Kim, Kyoung-Ho; Kim, Young-Ho; Yoo, Sehoon

2018-01-01

The growth of interfacial intermetallic compound and the brittle fracture behavior of Sn-3.0Ag-0.5-Cu solder (SAC305) joints on electroless nickel immersion gold (ENIG) surface finish have been investigated using Ni-P plating solution at temperatures from 75°C to 85°C and fixed pH of 4.5. SAC305 solder balls with diameter of 450 μm were mounted on the prepared ENIG-finished Cu pads and reflowed with peak temperature of 250°C. The interfacial intermetallic compound (IMC) thickness after reflow decreased with increasing Ni-P plating temperature. After 800 h of thermal aging, the IMC thickness of the sample prepared at 85°C was higher than for that prepared at 75°C. Scanning electron microscopy of the Ni-P surface after removal of the Au layer revealed a nodular structure on the Ni-P surface. The nodule size of the Ni-P decreased with increasing Ni-P plating temperature. The Cu content near the IMC layer increased to 0.6 wt.%, higher than the original Cu content of 0.5 wt.%, indicating that Cu diffused from the Cu pad to the solder ball through the Ni-P layer at a rate depending on the nodule size. The sample prepared at 75°C with thicker interfacial IMC showed greater high-speed shear strength than the sample prepared at 85°C. Brittle fracture increased with decreasing Ni-P plating temperature.

Thermoelectric properties of p-type Ag{sub 1−x}(Pb{sub 1−y}Sn{sub y}){sub m}Sb{sub 1−z}Te{sub m+2}

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

Ahn, Kyunghan; Center for Nanoparticle Research, Institute for Basic Science,; Kong, Huijun

The thermoelectric properties of Ag{sub 1−x}(Pb{sub 1−y}Sn{sub y}){sub m}Sb{sub 1−z}Te{sub m+2} (4≤m≤16, −0.1≤x≤0.3, 1/3≤y≤2/3, 0.2≤z≤0.4; Lead Antimony Silver Tellurium Tin, LASTT-m) compositions were investigated in the temperature range of 300 to ~670 K. All samples crystallize in the average NaCl-type structure without any noticeable second phase and exhibit very narrow bandgaps of <0.1 eV. We studied a range of m values, silver concentrations (x), Pb/Sn ratios (y), and antimony concentrations (z) to determine their effects on the thermoelectric properties. The samples were investigated as melt grown polycrystalline ingots. Varying the Ag contents, the Pb/Sn ratios, and the Sb contents off-stoichiometrymore » allowed us to control the electrical conductivity, the Seebeck coefficient, and the thermal conductivity. The electrical conductivity tends to decrease with decreasing m values. The highest ZT of ~1.1 was achieved at ~660 K for Ag{sub 0.9}Pb{sub 5}Sn{sub 5}Sb{sub 0.8}Te{sub 12} mainly due to the very low lattice thermal conductivity of ~0.4 W/(m K) around 660 K. Also, samples with charge-balanced stoichiometries, Ag(Pb{sub 1−y}Sn{sub y}){sub m}SbTe{sub m+2}, were studied and found to exhibit a lower power factor and higher lattice thermal conductivity than the Ag{sub 1−x}(Pb{sub 1−y}Sn{sub y}){sub m}Sb{sub 1−z}Te{sub m+2} compositions. - Graphical abstract: The Ag{sub 1−x}(Pb{sub 1−y}Sn{sub y}){sub m}Sb{sub 1−z}Te{sub m+2} system defines a complex and flexible class of tunable thermoelectric class of materials with high performance.« less

Thermoelectric properties and figure of merit of perovskite-type Ba1-xLaxSnO3 with x=0.002-0.008

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Yasukawa, Masahiro; Kono, Toshio; Ueda, Kazushige; Yanagi, Hiroshi; Wng Kim, Sung; Hosono, Hideo

2013-10-01

Thermoelectric properties and figure of merit were evaluated from the Seebeck coefficient S, electrical conductivity σ, and thermal conductivity κ measured at high temperatures for perovskite-type ceramics of Ba1-xLaxSnO3 with x=0.002, 0.005, and 0.008, which were prepared by a polymerized complex method and a subsequent spark plasma sintering technique. All the polycrystalline dense ceramics showed n-type degenerate semiconducting behavior in the temperature range of 373-1073 K. The La content dependence of the S values revealed successful increase in the electron carriers with the La doping in this x range. The κ values remained almost unchanged with x showing ~9.6 Wm-1 K-1 at room temperature and decreased with increasing temperature. The electronic thermal conductivities calculated by the Wiedemann-Franz law as well as the T-1 dependence of the κ values indicate that the phonon thermal conductivity was dominant. The dimensionless figure of merit ZT increased with increasing temperature for all the ceramics and showed ~0.1 at 1073 K for the ceramics with x=0.002 and 0.005.

Incorporation of trace elements in Portland cement clinker: Thresholds limits for Cu, Ni, Sn or Zn

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

Gineys, N., E-mail: nathalie.gineys@mines-douai.fr; EMDouai, LGCgE-MPE-GCE, F-59508 Douai; Aouad, G.

2011-11-15

This paper aims at defining precisely, the threshold limits for several trace elements (Cu, Ni, Sn or Zn) which correspond to the maximum amount that could be incorporated into a standard clinker whilst reaching the limit of solid solution of its four major phases (C{sub 3}S, C{sub 2}S, C{sub 3}A and C{sub 4}AF). These threshold limits were investigated through laboratory synthesised clinkers that were mainly studied by X-ray Diffraction and Scanning Electron Microscopy. The reference clinker was close to a typical Portland clinker (65% C{sub 3}S, 18% C{sub 2}S, 8% C{sub 3}A and 8% C{sub 4}AF). The threshold limits formore » Cu, Ni, Zn and Sn are quite high with respect to the current contents in clinker and were respectively equal to 0.35, 0.5, 0.7 and 1 wt.%. It appeared that beyond the defined threshold limits, trace elements had different behaviours. Ni was associated with Mg as a magnesium nickel oxide (MgNiO{sub 2}) and Sn reacted with lime to form a calcium stannate (Ca{sub 2}SnO{sub 4}). Cu changed the crystallisation process and affected therefore the formation of C{sub 3}S. Indeed a high content of Cu in clinker led to the decomposition of C{sub 3}S into C{sub 2}S and of free lime. Zn, in turn, affected the formation of C{sub 3}A. Ca{sub 6}Zn{sub 3}Al{sub 4}O{sub 15} was formed whilst a tremendous reduction of C{sub 3}A content was identified. The reactivity of cements made with the clinkers at the threshold limits was followed by calorimetry and compressive strength measurements on cement paste. The results revealed that the doped cements were at least as reactive as the reference cement.« less

Correlation between emission property and concentration of Sn2+ center in the SnO-ZnO-P2O5 glass.

PubMed

Masai, Hirokazu; Tanimoto, Toshiro; Fujiwara, Takumi; Matsumoto, Syuji; Tokuda, Yomei; Yoko, Toshinobu

2012-12-03

The authors report on the correlation between the photoluminescence (PL) property and the SnO amount in SnO-ZnO-P2O5 (SZP) glass. In the PL excitation (PLE) spectra of the SZP glass containing Sn2+ emission center, two S1 states, one of which is strongly affected by SnO amount, are assumed to exist. The PLE band closely correlates with the optical band edge originating from Sn2+ species, and they both largely red-shifts with increasing amount of SnO. The emission decay time of the SZP glass decreased with increasing amount of SnO and the internal quantum efficiencies of the SZP glasses containing 1~5 mol% of SnO are comparable to that of MgWO4. It is expected that the composition-dependent S1 state (the lower energy excitation band) governs the quantum efficiency of the SZP glasses.

Effect of Magnesium Incorporation on Solution-Processed Kesterite Solar Cells.

PubMed

Caballero, Raquel; Haass, Stefan G; Andres, Christian; Arques, Laia; Oliva, Florian; Izquierdo-Roca, Victor; Romanyuk, Yaroslav E

2018-01-01

The introduction of the alkaline-earth element Magnesium (Mg) into Cu 2 ZnSn(S,Se) 4 (CTZSSe) is explored in view of potential photovoltaic applications. Cu 2 Zn 1-x Mg x Sn(S,Se) 4 absorber layers with variable Mg content x = 0…1 are deposited using the solution approach with dimethyl sulfoxide solvent followed by annealing in selenium atmosphere. For heavy Mg alloying with x = 0.55…1 the phase separation into Cu 2 SnSe 3 , MgSe 2 , MgSe and SnSe 2 occurs in agreement with literature predictions. A lower Mg content of x = 0.04 results in the kesterite phase as confirmed by XRD and Raman spectroscopy. A photoluminescence maximum is red-shifted by 0.02 eV as compared to the band-gap and a carrier concentration N CV of 1 × 10 16 cm -3 is measured for a Mg-containing kesterite solar cell device. Raman spectroscopy indicates that structural defects can be reduced in Mg-containing absorbers as compared to the Mg-free reference samples, however the best device efficiency of 7.2% for a Mg-containing cell measured in this study is lower than those frequently reported for the conventional Na doping.

Magnetic properties of Mn3-xFexSn compounds with tuneable Curie temperature by Fe content for thermomagnetic motors

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Felez, Marissol R.; Coelho, Adelino A.; Gama, Sergio

2017-12-01

Mn3-xFexSn system (0.00 ≤ x ≤ 3.00 with Δx = 0.25) alloys present the Curie temperature (TC) or transition temperature (TT) tuneable by the Fe content. A piece-wise linear profile for TC,T as a function of x is observed in a two wide temperature ranges, between 155 K up to 759 K and 259 K up to 155 K. Their equations are TC,T = (59 ± 15) + (240 ± 7)·x and TC,T = (257 ± 1) - (206 ± 4)·x, respectively. The alloys are low cost and easy manufacturing, rare earth free, with second order magnetic transition (SOMT), and have good magnetic properties. These features suggest an immediate application of the material in cascade thermomagnetic motors that operate with a large temperature range between hot and cold sources. Furthermore, SOMT Mn-Fe-Sn system materials are also reported with advantages that could make alloys of the Mn3-xFexSn system, (0.88 ≤ x ≤ 1.20), promising candidate for magnetic refrigeration. The typical ferromagnetic behaviour is achieved only by samples with x ≥ 1. The samples with x between 0.00 and 0.75 do not show the saturation magnetization even using fields up to 13 T.

An EGFR inhibitor enhances the efficacy of SN38, an active metabolite of irinotecan, in SN38-refractory gastric carcinoma cells

PubMed Central

Yashiro, M; Qiu, H; Hasegawa, T; Zhang, X; Matsuzaki, T; Hirakawa, K

2011-01-01

Background: Acquired drug resistance to irinotecan is one of the significant obstacles in the treatment of advanced gastric cancer. This study was performed to clarify the effect of epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR) inhibitors in combination with SN38, an active metabolite of irinotecan, on the proliferation of irinotecan-refractory gastric cancer. Methods: Two irinotecan-resistant gastric cancer cell lines, OCUM-2M/SN38 and OCUM-8/SN38 were, respectively, established by stepwise exposure to SN38 from the parent gastric cancer cell lines OCUM-2M and OCUM-8. The combination effects of two EGFR inhibitors, gefitinib and lapatinib, with SN38 on proliferation, apoptosis, and cell cycle on gastric cancer cells were examined. Results: Gefitinib or lapatinib showed synergistic anti-tumour effects against OCUM-2M/SN38 and OCUM-8/SN38 cells when used in combination with SN38, but not against OCUM-2M or OCUM-8 cells. SN38 increased the expression of EGFR and HER2 in OCUM-2M/SN38 and OCUM-8/SN38 cells. The combination of an EGFR inhibitor and SN38 significantly increased the levels of apoptosis-related molecules, caspase-6, p53, and DAPK-2, and resulted in the induction of apoptosis of irinotecan-resistant cells. The EGFR inhibitors increased the S-phase and decreased the UGT1A1 and ABCG expression in irinotecan-resistant cells. The SN38 plus Lapatinib group more effectively suppressed in vivo tumour growth by OCUM-2M/SN38 cells than either alone group. Conclusion: The combination treatment with an EGFR inhibitor and irinotecan might produce synergistic anti-tumour effects for irinotecan-refractory gastric cancer cells. The regulation of SN38 metabolism-related genes and cell cycle by EGFR inhibitors might be responsible for the synergism. PMID:21997136

Hepatitis C seropositivity is not a risk factor for sensory neuropathy among patients with HIV

PubMed Central

Cherry, C.L.; Affandi, J.S.; Brew, B.J.; Creighton, J.; Djauzi, S.; Hooker, D.J.; Imran, D.; Kamarulzaman, A.; Kamerman, P.; McArthur, J.C.; Moore, R.D.; Price, P.; Smyth, K.; Tan, I.L.; Vanar, S.; Wadley, A.; Wesselingh, S.L.; Yunihastuti, E.

2010-01-01

Background: Sensory neuropathy (SN) is common in patients with HIV. Hepatitis C (HCV) coinfection is often cited as an HIV-SN risk factor, but data to support this are lacking. This collaboration aimed to examine the association between HCV serostatus and SN risk among ambulatory HIV-positive patients. Methods: Patients with HIV were assessed in cross-sectional studies in Baltimore, Jakarta, Johannesburg, Kuala Lumpur, Melbourne, and Sydney for SN (defined by both supportive symptoms and signs). HCV seropositivity was assessed as an SN risk using a χ2 test, followed by logistic regression modeling to correct for treatment exposures and demographics. Results: A total of 837 patients of African, Asian, and Caucasian descent were studied. HCV seroprevalence varied by site (Baltimore n = 104, 61% HCV+; Jakarta 96, 51%; Johannesburg 300, 1%; Kuala Lumpur 97, 10%; Melbourne 206, 16%; Sydney 34, 18%). HCV seropositivity was not associated with increased SN risk at any site, but was associated with reduced SN risk in Melbourne (p = 0.003). On multivariate analyses, the independent associations with SN were increasing age, height, and stavudine exposure. HCV seropositivity was not independently associated with an increased SN risk at any site, but associated independently with reduced SN risk in Baltimore (p = 0.04) and Melbourne (p = 0.06). Conclusions: Hepatitis C (HCV) seropositivity was not associated with increased sensory neuropathy risk among HIV-positive patients at any site. While we were unable to assess HCV RNA or liver damage, the data suggest that HCV coinfection is not a major contributor to HIV-SN. GLOSSARY HCV = hepatitis C; SN = sensory neuropathy. PMID:20458071

Morphological and Microstructural Evolution of Phosphorous-Rich Layer in SnAgCu/Ni-P UBM Solder Joint

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Lin, Yung-Chi; Shih, Toung-Yi; Tien, Shih-Kang; Duh, Jenq-Gong

2007-11-01

Interfacial morphologies and microstructure of Sn-3Ag-0.5Cu/Ni-P under bump metallization (UBM) with various phosphorous contents were investigated by transmission electron microscope (TEM) and field emission electron probe microanalyzer (FE-EPMA). It was revealed that as the Ni-Sn-P compound was formed between the solder matrix and Ni-P UBM, the conventionally so-called phosphorous-rich (P-rich) layer was transformed to a series of layer compounds, including Ni3P, Ni12P5 and Ni2P. The relationship between Ni-Sn-P formation and evolution of P-rich layers was probed by electron microscopic characterization with the aid of the phase diagram of Ni-P. On the basis of the TEM micrograph, the selected area diffraction (SAD) pattern, and the FE-EPMA results, the detailed phase evolution of P-rich layers in the SnAgCu/Ni-P joint was revealed and proposed.

Physicochemical characterization of point defects in fluorine doped tin oxide films

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Akkad, Fikry El; Joseph, Sudeep

2012-07-01

The physical and chemical properties of spray deposited FTO films are studied using FESEM, x-ray diffraction (XRD), x-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS), electrical and optical measurements. The results of XRD measurements showed that the films are polycrystalline (grain size 20-50 nm) with Rutile structure and mixed preferred orientation along the (200) and (110) planes. An angular shift of the XRD peaks after F-doping is observed and interpreted as being due to the formation of substitutional fluorine defects (FO) in presence of high concentration of oxygen vacancies (VO) that are electrically neutral. The electrical neutrality of oxygen vacancies is supported by the observation that the electron concentration n is two orders of magnitude lower than the VO concentration calculated from chemical analyses using XPS measurements. It is shown that an agreement between XPS, XRD, and Hall effect results is possible provided that the degree of deviation from stoichiometry is calculated with the assumption that the major part of the bulk carbon content is involved in O-C bonds. High temperature thermal annealing is found to cause an increase in the FO concentration and a decrease in both n and VO concentrations with the increase of the annealing temperature. These results could be interpreted in terms of a high temperature chemical exchange reaction between the SnO2 matrix and a precipitated fluoride phase. In this reaction, fluorine is released to the matrix and Sn is trapped by the fluoride phase, thus creating substitutional fluorine FO and tin vacancy VSn defects. The enthalpy of this reaction is determined to be approximately 2.4 eV while the energy of formation of a VSn through the migration of SnSn host atom to the fluoride phase is approximately 0.45 eV.

Facile synthesis of antimony-doped tin oxide nanoparticles by a polymer-pyrolysis method

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

Li, Yuan-Qing, E-mail: yqli@mail.ipc.ac.cn; Wang, Jian-Lei; Fu, Shao-Yun, E-mail: syfu@mail.ipc.ac.cn

2010-06-15

In this article, antimony-doped tin oxide (ATO) nanoparticles was synthesized by a facile polymer-pyrolysis method. The pyrolysis behaviors of the polymer precursors prepared via in situ polymerization of metal salts and acrylic acid were analyzed by simultaneous thermogravimetric and differential scanning calorimetry (TG-DSC). The structural and morphological characteristics of the products were studied by powder X-ray diffraction (XRD) and transmission electron microscope (TEM). The results reveal that the ATO nanoparticles calcined at 600 {sup o}C show good crystallinity with the cassiterite structure and cubic-spherical like morphology. The average particle size of ATO decreases from 200 to 15 nm as themore » Sb doping content increases from 5 mol% to 15 mol%. Electrical resistivity measurement shows that the resistivity for the 10-13 mol% Sb-doped SnO{sub 2} nanoparticles is reduced by more than three orders compared with the pure SnO{sub 2} nanoparticles. In addition, due to its versatility this polymer-pyrolysis method can be extended to facile synthesis of other doped n-type semiconductor, such as In, Ga, Al doped ZnO, Sn doped In{sub 2}O{sub 3}.« less

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

Emre, Baris; Bruno, Nickolaus M.; Yuce Emre, Suheyla

The effect of Nb substitution for Ni in Ni{sub 45}Co{sub 5}Mn{sub 40}Sn{sub 10} magnetic shape memory alloys on their magnetic properties, martensitic transformation characteristics, transformation hysteresis, and magnetocaloric properties was studied using wavelength-dispersive X-ray spectroscopy, differential scanning calorimetry, and the temperature and field dependence of the magnetization. Ni{sub 45}Co{sub 5}Mn{sub 40}Sn{sub 10} alloy has a very low transformation hysteresis; however, the martensitic transformation temperatures are notably above room temperature, which is not desirable for magnetic refrigeration applications. In this study, small quantities of Nb substitution were shown to drastically shift the transformation temperatures to lower temperatures, at a rate ofmore » 68 K/at. % Nb, which is needed for household refrigeration. The austenite Curie temperature also decreased with increasing Nb content. However, a decrease in the latent heat of the martensitic transition was observed, which negatively affects the magnetic field-induced adiabatic temperature change capability. Still, the relatively large transformation entropy and the low transformation hysteresis make the Nb-doped Ni{sub 45}Co{sub 5}Mn{sub 40}Sn{sub 10} alloys potential candidates for solid state refrigeration near room temperature.« less

Processing and Characterization of Fe-Mn-Cu-Sn-C Alloys Prepared by Ball Milling and Spark Plasma Sintering

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Bączek, Elżbieta; Konstanty, Janusz; Romański, Andrzej; Podsiadło, Marcin; Cyboroń, Jolanta

2018-03-01

In this work, Fe-Mn-Cu-Sn-C alloys were prepared by means of powder metallurgy (PM). Powder mixtures were ball-milled for 8, 30 and 120 h and densified to < 1% porosity using spark plasma sintering (SPS) at 900 °C and 35 MPa. After consolidation, all samples of the Fe alloys were characterized by x-ray diffraction (XRD), scanning electron microscopy (SEM), hardness and flexural strength tests. Resistance to abrasive wear was evaluated in both three-body abrasion and two-body abrasion tests. The SEM observations revealed an evident dependence of grain size and microstructural homogeneity on milling time. The XRD analysis showed a marked increase in austenite content in the as-sintered specimens with milling time. Although the proportion of deformation-induced martensite was small, the strengthening effect of abrasion on the subsurface layer of the investigated alloys was clearly indicated by Knoop hardness measurements.

Enhanced hydrogen storage capacity of Ni/Sn-coated MWCNT nanocomposites

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Varshoy, Shokufeh; Khoshnevisan, Bahram; Behpour, Mohsen

2018-02-01

The hydrogen storage capacity of Ni-Sn, Ni-Sn/multi-walled carbon nanotube (MWCNT) and Ni/Sn-coated MWCNT electrodes was investigated by using a chronopotentiometry method. The Sn layer was electrochemically deposited inside pores of nanoscale Ni foam. The MWCNTs were put on the Ni-Sn foam with nanoscale porosities using an electrophoretic deposition method and coated with Sn nanoparticles by an electroplating process. X-ray diffraction and energy dispersive spectroscopy results indicated that the Sn layer and MWCNTs are successfully deposited on the surface of Ni substrate. On the other hand, a field-emission scanning electron microscopy technique revealed the morphology of resulting Ni foam, Ni-Sn and Ni-Sn/MWCNT electrodes. In order to measure the hydrogen adsorption performed in a three electrode cell, the Ni-Sn, Ni-Sn/MWCNT and Ni/Sn-coated MWCNT electrodes were used as working electrodes whereas Pt and Ag/AgCl electrodes were employed as counter and reference electrodes, respectively. Our results on the discharge capacity in different electrodes represent that the Ni/Sn-coated MWCNT has a maximum discharge capacity of ˜30 000 mAh g-1 for 20 cycles compared to that of Ni-Sn/MWCNT electrodes for 15 cycles (˜9500 mAh g-1). By increasing the number of cycles in a constant current, the corresponding capacity increases, thereby reaching a constant amount for 20 cycles.

Control of Dielectric Constant and Anti-Bacterial Activity of PVA-PEG/x-SnO2 Nanofiber

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Diantoro, M.; Sari, L. A.; Istirohah, T.; Kusumawati, A. D.; Nasikhudin; Sunaryono

2018-05-01

Research in the utilization of organic natural materials for electronic devices and for the biological application becoming extensively studied. We report a comprehensive review of the role of SnO2 nanoparticle and the effect of light intensity on toxicity properties, antibacterial activity, microstructure and electrical properties of PVA-PEG nanofiber films. The PVA-PEG/SnO2 nanofiber structure has been successfully fabricated on the ITO-glass substrate. Characterization was performed on samples using FTIR, XRD, SEM, toxicity and antibacterial tests, as well as LCR measurement. The presence of various light intensities has also measured the dielectric constant. The addition of SnO2 nanoparticle influenced the structure of the PVA-PEG/SnO2 nanofiber bonding functional group indicated by the appearance of Sn-O-Sn peaks at 648.08 cm-1 and 958 cm-1 wavenumbers. The addition of SnO2 nanoparticles affects the grain size of SnO2. Addition of SnO2 nanoparticles increases the detected toxicity voltage but is still below the threshold. It means the compound is not toxic, or safe to use in the body. The film lacks the antibacterial power of S. Aurelius. The addition of nanoparticles SnO2 increases the dielectric constant but decreases with increasing frequency of input voltage and the intensity of light employed to PVA-PEG/SnO2 nanofiber. The application of the light intensity reduces the dielectric constant of the PVA-PEG/SnO2 nanofiber in all nanoparticle doping ranges.

Effect of Sn addition on the corrosion behavior of Ti-7Cu-Sn cast alloys for biomedical applications.

PubMed

Tsao, L C

2015-01-01

The aim of this study was to investigate the effects of Sn content on the microstructure and corrosion resistance of Ti7CuXSn (x=0-5 wt.%) samples. The corrosion tests were carried out in 0.9 wt.% NaCl solution at 25 °C. The electrochemical corrosion behavior of the Ti7CuXSn alloy samples was evaluated using potentiodynamic polarization curves, electrochemical impedance spectroscopy (EIS), and equivalent circuit analysis. The resulting impedance parameters and polarization curves showed that adding Sn improved the electrochemical corrosion behavior of the Ti7CuXSn alloy. The Ti7CuXSn alloy samples were composed of a dual-layer oxide consisting of an inner barrier layer and an outer porous layer. Copyright © 2014 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.

Compositional partitioning during the spinodal decomposition in Cu-Ni-Sn alloy

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Basak, C. B.; Poswal, A. K.

2018-05-01

Spinodal decomposition in Cu-9.4at%Ni-3.1at%Sn alloy was elucidated with the new insight from the experimental EXAFS analysis supported by ab initio total energy calculations suggesting the strong influence of the first near-neighbour atoms. Enthalpy of mixing was calculated for all crystallographically unique first near-neighbour configurations and finally an average positive enthalpy of mixing of 1604 J/mol was obtained. Combination of ab initio results, XRD and EXAFS analysis indicate that one of the daughter phase becomes rich in Ni and Sn than the other phase; in contrary to the earlier proposition that Cu/Ni ratio remains constant in both daughter phases. It is also shown that the present thermodynamic description requires further refinement to extend the miscibility gap towards lower Ni content in Cu-Ni-Sn system.

Confined lattice dynamics of single and quadruple SnSe bilayers in [(SnSe) 1.04 ] m [MoSe 2 ] n ferecrystals

DOE PAGES

Klobes, Benedikt; Hu, Michael Y.; Beekman, Matt; ...

2015-11-30

The Sn specific densities of phonon states in the SnSe subunits of [(SnSe) 1.04] m[MoSe 2] n ferecrystals with (m,n) = (1,1), (4,1) and in bulk SnSe were derived from nuclear inelastic scattering by the 119Sn M ssbauer resonance. When using different measurement configurations, phonons with polarization parallel and perpendicular to the ferecrystal plane were specifically probed. Vibrational properties and phonon spectral weight are found to strongly depend on the phonon polarization and layer count m. Moreover, a highly peculiar feature of these ferecrystal densities of phonon states is the emergence of rather sharp high energy vibrational modes polarized perpendicularmore » to the ferecrystal plane, which contrasts with usual findings in thin layered structures and nanostructured materials in general, and a depletion of modes with a gap appearing between acoustic and high energy modes. The spectral weight of these phonons depends on the overall SnSe content, m, but cannot be unambiguously attributed to SnSe MoSe 2 interfaces. Considering the low energy part of lattice dynamics, ferecrystals exhibit rather low average phonon group velocities as compared to the speed of sound in the long wavelength limit. For the (1,1) ferecrystal, this effect is most pronounced for vibrations polarized in the ferecrystal plane. Therefore, an experimental microscopic origin for the vibrational and bonding anisotropy in subunits of ferecrystals is provided.« less

Effect of Cu concentration on morphology of Sn-Ag-Cu solders by mechanical alloying

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Kao, Szu-Tsung; Duh, Jenq-Gong

2004-12-01

The mechanical alloying (MA) process is considered an alternative approach to produce solder materials. In this study, the effect of Cu concentration in the ternary Sn-3.5Ag-xCu (x=0.2, 0.7, and 1) solder by MA was investigated. The (Cu,Sn) solid solution was precipitated as the Cu6Sn5 intermetallic compound (IMC), which was distributed nonuniformly through the microstructure. The Cu6Sn5 IMC, which was present in the SnAgCu solder with high Cu composition, causes the as-milled MA particle to fracture to a smaller size. Appreciable distinction on morphology of as-milled MA powders with different Cu content was revealed. When the Cu concentration was low (x=0.2), MA particle aggregated to a spherical ingot with large particle size. For higher Cu concentration (x=0.7 and x=1), the MA particle turned to flakes with smaller particle size. The distinction of the milling mechanism of Sn-3.5Ag-xCu (x=0.2, 0.7, and 1) solder by the MA process was discussed. An effective approach was developed to reduce the particle size of the SnAgCu solder from 1 mm down to 10-100 µm by doping the Cu6Sn5 nanoparticle during the MA process. In addition, the differential scanning calorimetry (DSC) results also ensure the compatibility to apply the solder material for the reflow process.

Recent developments in the formation and structure of tin-iron oxides by laser pyrolysis

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Alexandrescu, R.; Morjan, I.; Dumitrache, F.; Birjega, R.; Fleaca, C.; Soare, I.; Gavrila, L.; Luculescu, C.; Prodan, G.; Kuncser, V.; Filoti, G.

2011-04-01

Complex oxides demonstrate specific electric and magnetic properties which make them suitable for a wide variety of applications, including dilute magnetic semiconductors for spin electronics. A tin-iron oxide Sn 1- xFe xO 2 nanoparticulate material has been successfully synthesized by using the laser pyrolysis of tetramethyl tin-iron pentacarbonyl-air mixtures. Fe doping of SnO 2 nanoparticles has been varied systematically in the 3-10 at% range. As determined by EDAX, the Fe/Sn ratio (in at%) in powders varied between 0.14 and 0.64. XRD studies of Sn 1- xFe xO 2 nanoscale powders, revealed only structurally modified SnO 2 due to the incorporation of Fe into the lattice mainly by substitutional changes. The substitution of Fe 3+ in the Sn 4+ positions (Fe 3+ has smaller ionic radius as compared to the ionic radius of 0.69 Å for Sn 4+) with the formation of a mixed oxide Sn 1- xFe xO 2 is suggested. A lattice contraction consistent with the determined Fe/Sn atomic ratios was observed. The nanoparticle size decreases with the Fe doping (about 7 nm for the highest Fe content). Temperature dependent 57Fe Mössbauer spectroscopy data point to the additional presence of defected Fe 3+-based oxide nanoclusters with blocking temperatures below 60 K. A new Fe phase presenting magnetic order at substantially higher temperatures was evidenced and assigned to a new type of magnetism relating to the dispersed Fe ions into the SnO 2 matrix.

Enhanced photo-, sono- and sonophotocatalysis of methylene blue via SnO2 nanoparticle supported on nanographene platelets (NGP)

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Paramarta, V.; Taufik, A.; Saleh, R.

2017-07-01

In our previous study, we have reported the catalytic (photo- and sono-) performance of SnO2 nanoparticles in methylene blue (MB) removal from aqueous solution. In this study, SnO2/nanographene platelets (NGP) composites were fabricated by depositing SnO2 nanoparticle onto nanographene platelets surface to develop photo-, sono-, and sonophotocatalysts, SnO2 nanoparticle, and SnO2/NGP composites were successfully synthesized using the sol-gel and coprecipitation method, respectively. The nanographene platelets (NGP) content was varied from 5, 10, and 15 weight percentages (wt.%). The optical properties and thermal stability of the samples were characterized using X-ray Diffraction (XRD), Fourier Transform Infrared (FTIR), and Thermal Gravimetric Analysis (TGA). The catalytic ability of the samples was investigated using photo-, sono-, and sonophoto degradation of MB which was observed when nanographene platelets (NGP) were added into SnO2 nanocomposite. The photo-, sono- and sonophotocatalytic activities of SnO2/NGP composites on dyes were analyzed by measuring the change in absorbance of dyes under UV-spectrophotometer. The degradation of the organic dyes has been calculated by monitoring the degradation in concentration of the dyes before and after irradiation of UV light, ultrasound, and both of them respectively. The influence of other parameters such as catalyst dosage, pH, and scavenger have also been investigated. The results showed that SnO2/NGP composite with 10 weight percent (wt.%) has better catalytic performance than pure SnO2 nanoparticle. The reusability tests have also been done to ensure the stability of the used catalysts.

Reactivation and reuse of TiO2-SnS2 composite catalyst for solar-driven water treatment.

PubMed

Kovacic, Marin; Kopcic, Nina; Kusic, Hrvoje; Stangar, Urska Lavrencic; Dionysiou, Dionysios D; Bozic, Ana Loncaric

2018-01-01

One of the most important features of photocatalytic materials intended to be used for water treatment is their long-term stability. The study is focused on the application of thermal and chemical treatments for the reactivation of TiO 2 -SnS 2 composite photocatalyst, prepared by hydrothermal synthesis and immobilized on the glass support using titania/silica binder. Such a catalytic system was applied in solar-driven treatment, solar/TiO 2 -SnS 2 /H 2 O 2 , for the purification of water contaminated with diclofenac (DCF). The effectiveness of studied reactivation methods for retaining TiO 2 -SnS 2 activity in consecutive cycles was evaluated on basis of DCF removal and conversion, and TOC removal and mineralization of organic content. Besides these water quality parameters, biodegradability changes in DCF aqueous solution treated by solar/TiO 2 -SnS 2 /H 2 O 2 process using simply reused (air-dried) and thermally and chemically reactivated composite photocatalyst through six consecutive cycles were monitored. It was established that both thermal and chemical reactivation retain TiO 2 -SnS 2 activity in the second cycle of its reuse. However, both treatments caused the alteration in the TiO 2 -SnS 2 morphology due to the partial transformation of visible-active SnS 2 into non-active SnO 2 . Such alteration, repeated through consecutive reactivation and reuse, was reflected through gradual activity loss of TiO 2 -SnS 2 composite in applied solar-driven water treatment.

Selective Improvement of NO2 Gas Sensing Behavior in SnO2 Nanowires by Ion-Beam Irradiation.

PubMed

Kwon, Yong Jung; Kang, Sung Yong; Wu, Ping; Peng, Yuan; Kim, Sang Sub; Kim, Hyoun Woo

2016-06-01

We irradiated SnO2 nanowires with He ions (45 MeV) with different ion fluences. Structure and morphology of the SnO2 nanowires did not undergo noticeable changes upon ion-beam irradiation. Chemical equilibrium in SnO2/gas systems was calculated from thermodynamic principles, which were used to study the sensing selectivity of the tested gases, demonstrating the selective sensitivity of the SnO2 surface to NO2 gas. Being different from other gases, including H2, ethanol, acetone, SO2, and NH3, the sensor response to NO2 gas significantly increases as the ion fluence increases, showing a maximum under an ion fluence of 1 × 10(16) ions/cm(2). Photoluminescence analysis shows that the relative intensity of the peak at 2.1 eV to the peak at 2.5 eV increases upon ion-beam irradiation, suggesting that structural defects and/or tin interstitials have been generated. X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy indicated that the ionic ratio of Sn(2+/)Sn(4+) increases by the ion-beam irradiation, supporting the formation of surface Sn interstitials. Using thermodynamic calculations, we explained the observed selective sensing behavior. A molecular level model was also established for the adsorption of NO2 on ion-irradiated SnO2 (110) surfaces. We propose that the adsorption of NO2-related species is considerably enhanced by the generation of surface defects that are comprised of Sn interstitials.

Calcination Method Synthesis of SnO2/g-C3N4 Composites for a High-Performance Ethanol Gas Sensing Application

PubMed Central

Cao, Jianliang; Qin, Cong; Wang, Yan; Zhang, Bo; Gong, Yuxiao; Zhang, Huoli; Sun, Guang; Bala, Hari; Zhang, Zhanying

2017-01-01

The SnO2/g-C3N4 composites were synthesized via a facile calcination method by using SnCl4·5H2O and urea as the precursor. The structure and morphology of the as-synthesized composites were characterized by the techniques of X-ray diffraction (XRD), the field-emission scanning electron microscopy and transmission electron microscopy (SEM and TEM), energy dispersive spectrometry (EDS), thermal gravity and differential thermal analysis (TG-DTA), and N2-sorption. The analysis results indicated that the as-synthesized samples possess the two dimensional structure. Additionally, the SnO2 nanoparticles were highly dispersed on the surface of the g-C3N4nanosheets. The gas-sensing performance of the as-synthesized composites for different gases was tested. Moreover, the composite with 7 wt % g-C3N4 content (SnO2/g-C3N4-7) SnO2/g-C3N4-7 exhibits an admirable gas-sensing property to ethanol, which possesses a higher response and better selectivity than that of the pure SnO2-based sensor. The high surface area of the SnO2/g-C3N4 composite and the good electronic characteristics of the two dimensional graphitic carbon nitride are in favor of the elevated gas-sensing property. PMID:28468245

Extended X-ray absorption fine structure investigation of Sn local environment in strained and relaxed epitaxial Ge{sub 1−x}Sn{sub x} films

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

Gencarelli, F., E-mail: federica.gencarelli@imec.be; Heyns, M.; Department of Metallurgy and Materials Engineering, KU Leuven, Kasteelpark Arenberg 44, B-3001 Leuven

2015-03-07

We present an extended X-ray absorption fine structure investigation of the local environment of Sn atoms in strained and relaxed Ge{sub 1−x}Sn{sub x} layers with different compositions. We show that the preferred configuration for the incorporation of Sn atoms in these Ge{sub 1−x}Sn{sub x} layers is that of a α-Sn defect, with each Sn atom covalently bonded to four Ge atoms in a classic tetrahedral configuration. Sn interstitials, Sn-split vacancy complexes, or Sn dimers, if present at all, are not expected to involve more than 2.5% of the total Sn atoms. This finding, along with a relative increase of Snmore » atoms in the second atomic shell around a central Sn atom in Ge{sub 1−x}Sn{sub x} layers with increasing Sn concentrations, suggests that the investigated materials are homogeneous random substitutional alloys. Within the accuracy of the measurements, the degree of strain relaxation of the Ge{sub 1−x}Sn{sub x} layers does not have a significant impact on the local atomic surrounding of the Sn atoms. Finally, the calculated topological rigidity parameter a** = 0.69 ± 0.29 indicates that the strain due to alloying in Ge{sub 1−x}Sn{sub x} is accommodated via bond stretching and bond bending, with a slight predominance of the latter, in agreement with ab initio calculations reported in literature.« less

Phase Composition and Disorder in La2(Sn,Ti)2O7 Ceramics: New Insights from NMR Crystallography.

PubMed

Fernandes, Arantxa; McKay, David; Sneddon, Scott; Dawson, Daniel M; Lawson, Sebastian; Veazey, Richard; Whittle, Karl R; Ashbrook, Sharon E

2016-09-15

An NMR crystallographic approach, involving the combination of 119 Sn NMR spectroscopy, XRD, and DFT calculations, is demonstrated for the characterization of La 2 Sn 2- x Ti x O 7 ceramics. A phase change from pyrochlore (La 2 Sn 2 O 7 ) to a layered perovskite phase (La 2 Ti 2 O 7 ) is predicted (by radius ratio rules) to occur when x ≈ 0.95. However, the sensitivity of NMR spectroscopy to the local environment is able to reveal a significant two-phase region is present, extending from x = 1.8 to ∼0.2, with limited solid solution at the two extremes, in broad agreement with powder XRD measurements. DFT calculations reveal that there is preferential site substitution of Sn in La 2 Ti 2 O 7 , with calculated shifts for Sn substitution onto Ti1 and Ti2 sites (in the "bulk" perovskite layers) in better agreement with experiment than those for Ti3 and Ti4 ("edge" sites). Substitution onto these two sites also produces structural models with lower relative enthalpy. As the Sn content decreases, there is a further preference for substitution onto Sn2. In contrast, the relative intensities of the spectral resonances suggest that Ti substitution into the pyrochlore phase is random, although only a limited solid solution is observed (up to ∼7% Ti). DFT calculations predict very similar 119 Sn shifts for Sn substitution into the two proposed models of La 2 Ti 2 O 7 (monoclinic ( P 2 1 ) and orthorhombic ( Pna 2 1 )), indicating it is not possible to distinguish between them. However, the relative energy of the Sn-substituted orthorhombic phase was higher than that of substituted monoclinic cells, suggesting that the latter is the more likely structure.

A model for phase evolution and volume expansion in tube type Nb3Sn conductors

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Xu, X.; Sumption, M. D.; Collings, E. W.

2013-12-01

In this work, an analytic model for phase formation and volume expansion during heat treatment in tube type Nb3Sn strands is presented. Tube type Nb3Sn conductors consist of Nb or Nb-Ta alloy tube with a simple Cu/Sn binary metal insert to form the basic subelement (filament). A number of these elements, each with an outer Cu jacket, are restacked to form a multifilamentary strand. The present tube type conductors, with 4.2 K, 12 T non-Cu critical current density (Jc) in the 2000-2500 A mm-2 range and effective subelement diameters (deff) in the 12-36 μm range, are of interest for a number of applications. During the reaction of typical tube type strands, the Sn-Cu becomes molten and reacts with the Nb tube first to form NbSn2, then Nb6Sn5. At later times in the reaction sequence, all of the NbSn2 and Nb6Sn5 is converted to Nb3Sn. Some of the Nb3Sn is formed by a Nb-Sn reaction and has a fine grain (FG) structure, while some is converted from Nb6Sn5, which results in a coarse grain (CG) region. The fractions of FG and CG A15 are important in determining the final conductor properties. In this work we develop an analytic model to predict the radial extents of the various phases, and in particular the final FG and CG fractions based on the starting Nb, Cu, and Sn amounts in the subelements. The model is then compared to experimental results and seen to give reasonable agreement. By virtue of this model we outline an approach to minimize the CG regions in tube type and PIT strands and maximize the final FG area fractions. Furthermore, the volume change during the various reaction stages was also studied. It is proposed that the Sn content in the Cu-Sn alloy has a crucial influence on the radial expansion.

Facile Synthesis of Nb3Sn Via a Hydrogen Reduction Process

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Zhu, Jun; Jiao, Shuqiang; Zhang, Long; Li, Yanxiang; Zhu, Hongmin

2017-02-01

A controllable and facile process for the preparation of Nb3Sn intermetallic compound nanopowders using NbCl5 and SnCl2 vapors reduced by hydrogen has been developed. The vaporizing rates of the two chlorides are controlled by measuring their mass loss as a function of carrier gas (argon) flow rate at certain vaporization temperatures, respectively. X-ray diffraction (XRD) patterns indicate that hydrogenous Nb3Sn products are obtained under the vaporizing rate of 0.155 g min-1 for NbCl5 and 0.036 g min-1 for SnCl2 with the hydrogen flow rate of 2100 ml min-1 at 1273 K (1000 °C). Results of semi-quantitative analysis by X-ray fluorescence (XRF) demonstrate that the atomic ratio of Nb to Sn in the as-synthesized products is 3.48:1, and the content of (Nb + Sn) is taken up to 89.61 wt pct from the total weight of the products. The products can be purified by vacuum heat treatment. Images of transmission electron microscopy (TEM) show that the products are homogenous particles with a mean diameter of 31 nm. In addition, the reaction ratio of the chlorides and the powder yield are controllable by hydrogen flow rate.

The intrinsic disorder related alloy scattering in ZrNiSn half-Heusler thermoelectric materials

PubMed Central

Xie, Hanhui; Wang, Heng; Fu, Chenguang; Liu, Yintu; Snyder, G. Jeffrey; Zhao, Xinbing; Zhu, Tiejun

2014-01-01

The intrinsic structural disorder dramatically affects the thermal and electronic transport in semiconductors. Although normally considered an ordered compound, the half-Heusler ZrNiSn displays many transport characteristics of a disordered alloy. Similar to the (Zr,Hf)NiSn based solid solutions, the unsubstituted ZrNiSn compound also exhibits charge transport dominated by alloy scattering, as demonstrated in this work. The unexpected charge transport, even in ZrNiSn which is normally considered fully ordered, can be explained by the Ni partially filling interstitial sites in this half-Heusler system. The influence of the disordering and defects in crystal structure on the electron transport process has also been quantitatively analyzed in ZrNiSn1-xSbx with carrier concentration nH ranging from 5.0×1019 to 2.3×1021 cm−3 by changing Sb dopant content. The optimized carrier concentration nH ≈ 3–4×1020 cm−2 results in ZT ≈ 0.8 at 875K. This work suggests that MNiSn (M = Hf, Zr, Ti) and perhaps most other half-Heusler thermoelectric materials should be considered highly disordered especially when trying to understand the electronic and phonon structure and transport features. PMID:25363573

Automated segmentation of midbrain structures with high iron content.

PubMed

Garzón, Benjamín; Sitnikov, Rouslan; Bäckman, Lars; Kalpouzos, Grégoria

2018-04-15

The substantia nigra (SN), the subthalamic nucleus (STN), and the red nucleus (RN) are midbrain structures of ample interest in many neuroimaging studies, which may benefit from the availability of automated segmentation methods. The high iron content of these structures awards them high contrast in quantitative susceptibility mapping (QSM) images. We present a novel segmentation method that leverages the information of these images to produce automated segmentations of the SN, STN, and RN. The algorithm builds a map of spatial priors for the structures by non-linearly registering a set of manually-traced training labels to the midbrain. The priors are used to inform a Gaussian mixture model of the image intensities, with smoothness constraints imposed to ensure anatomical plausibility. The method was validated on manual segmentations from a sample of 40 healthy younger and older subjects. Average Dice scores were 0.81 (0.05) for the SN, 0.66 (0.14) for the STN and 0.88 (0.04) for the RN in the left hemisphere, and similar values were obtained for the right hemisphere. In all structures, volumes of manual and automatically obtained segmentations were significantly correlated. The algorithm showed lower accuracy on R 2 * and T 2 -weighted Fluid Attenuated Inversion Recovery (FLAIR) images, which are also sensitive to iron content. To illustrate an application of the method, we show that the automated segmentations were comparable to the manual ones regarding detection of age-related differences to putative iron content. Copyright © 2017 Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.

CO Sensing Performance of a Micro Thermoelectric Gas Sensor with AuPtPd/SnO2 Catalyst and Effects of a Double Catalyst Structure with Pt/α-Al2O3

PubMed Central

Goto, Tomoyo; Itoh, Toshio; Akamatsu, Takafumi; Shin, Woosuck

2015-01-01

The CO sensing properties of a micro thermoelectric gas sensor (micro-TGS) with a double AuPtPd/SnO2 and Pt/α-Al2O3 catalyst were investigated. While several nanometer sized Pt and Pd particles were uniformly dispersed on SnO2, the Au particles were aggregated as particles measuring >10 nm in diameter. In situ diffuse reflectance Fourier transform Infrared spectroscopy (DRIFT) analysis of the catalyst showed a CO adsorption peak on Pt and Pd, but no clear peak corresponding to the interaction between CO and Au was detected. Up to 200 °C, CO combustion was more temperature dependent than that of H2, while H2 combustion was activated by repeated exposure to H2 gas during the periodic gas test. Selective CO sensing of the micro-TGS against H2 was attempted using a double catalyst structure with 0.3–30 wt% Pt/α-Al2O3 as a counterpart combustion catalyst. The sensor output of the micro-TGS decreased with increasing Pt content in the Pt/α-Al2O3 catalyst, by cancelling out the combustion heat from the AuPtPd/SnO2 catalyst. In addition, the AuPtPd/SnO2 and 0.3 wt% Pt/α-Al2O3 double catalyst sensor showed good and selective CO detection. We therefore demonstrated that our micro-TGS with double catalyst structure is useful for controlling the gas selectivity of CO against H2. PMID:26694397

The effects of glycogen synthase kinase-3beta in serotonin neurons.

PubMed

Zhou, Wenjun; Chen, Ligong; Paul, Jodi; Yang, Sufen; Li, Fuzeng; Sampson, Karen; Woodgett, Jim R; Beaulieu, Jean Martin; Gamble, Karen L; Li, Xiaohua

2012-01-01

Glycogen synthase kinase-3 (GSK3) is a constitutively active protein kinase in brain. Increasing evidence has shown that GSK3 acts as a modulator in the serotonin neurotransmission system, including direct interaction with serotonin 1B (5-HT1B) receptors in a highly selective manner and prominent modulating effect on 5-HT1B receptor activity. In this study, we utilized the serotonin neuron-selective GSK3β knockout (snGSK3β-KO) mice to test if GSK3β in serotonin neurons selectively modulates 5-HT1B autoreceptor activity and function. The snGSK3β-KO mice were generated by crossbreeding GSK3β-floxed mice and ePet1-Cre mice. These mice had normal growth and physiological characteristics, similar numbers of tryptophan hydroxylase-2 (TpH2)-expressing serotonin neurons, and the same brain serotonin content as in littermate wild type mice. However, the expression of GSK3β in snGSK3β-KO mice was diminished in TpH2-expressing serotonin neurons. Compared to littermate wild type mice, snGSK3β-KO mice had a reduced response to the 5-HT1B receptor agonist anpirtoline in the regulation of serotonergic neuron firing, cAMP production, and serotonin release, whereas these animals displayed a normal response to the 5-HT1A receptor agonist 8-OH-DPAT. The effect of anpirtoline on the horizontal, center, and vertical activities in the open field test was differentially affected by GSK3β depletion in serotonin neurons, wherein vertical activity, but not horizontal activity, was significantly altered in snGSK3β-KO mice. In addition, there was an enhanced anti-immobility response to anpirtoline in the tail suspension test in snGSK3β-KO mice. Therefore, results of this study demonstrated a serotonin neuron-targeting function of GSK3β by regulating 5-HT1B autoreceptors, which impacts serotonergic neuron firing, serotonin release, and serotonin-regulated behaviors.

Microstructural evolution and IMCs growth behavior of Sn-58Bi-0.25Mo solder joint during aging treatment

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Yang, Li; Zhu, Lu; Zhang, Yaocheng; Zhou, Shiyuan; Xiong, Yifeng; Wu, Pengcheng

2018-02-01

The microstructural evolution and IMCs growth behavior of Sn-58Bi and Sn-58Bi-0.25Mo solder joints were investigated. The results showed that the microstructure is coarsened, the IMCs layer thickness is increased and the tensile strength of Sn-58Bi and Sn-58Bi-0.25Mo solder joints is decreased with increasing aging time and temperature. Aging temperature is the key factor that causes the excessive IMCs growth of the solder joint compared with aging time, and the activation energy of IMCs layer growth of Sn-58Bi and Sn-58Bi-0.25Mo solder joints is 48.94 kJ mol-1 and 53.79 kJ mol-1, respectively. During the aging treatment, the microstructure of Sn-58Bi solder joint is refined by adding Mo nanoparticles, and the appropriate IMCs layer thickness and improved mechanical properties are obtained by Sn-58Bi-0.25Mo solder joint.

Control of Ge1-x-ySixSny layer lattice constant for energy band alignment in Ge1-xSnx/Ge1-x-ySixSny heterostructures

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Fukuda, Masahiro; Watanabe, Kazuhiro; Sakashita, Mitsuo; Kurosawa, Masashi; Nakatsuka, Osamu; Zaima, Shigeaki

2017-10-01

The energy band alignment of Ge1-xSnx/Ge1-x-ySixSny heterostructures was investigated, and control of the valence band offset at the Ge1-xSnx/Ge1-x-ySixSny heterointerface was achieved by controlling the Si and Sn contents in the Ge1-x-ySixSny layer. The valence band offset in the Ge0.902Sn0.098/Ge0.41Si0.50Sn0.09 heterostructure was evaluated to be as high as 330 meV, and its conduction band offset was estimated to be 150 meV by considering the energy bandgap calculated from the theoretical prediction. In addition, the formation of the strain-relaxed Ge1-x-ySixSny layer was examined and the crystalline structure was characterized. The epitaxial growth of a strain-relaxed Ge0.64Si0.21Sn0.15 layer with the degree of strain relaxation of 55% was examined using a virtual Ge substrate. Moreover, enhancement of the strain relaxation was demonstrated by post-deposition annealing, where a degree of strain relaxation of 70% was achieved after annealing at 400 °C. These results indicate the possibility for enhancing the indirect-direct crossover with a strained and high-Sn-content Ge1-xSnx layer on a strain-relaxed Ge1-x-ySixSny layer, realizing preferable carrier confinement by type-I energy band alignment with high conduction and valence band offsets.

Involvement of phosphatidate phosphatase in the biosynthesis of triacylglycerols in Chlamydomonas reinhardtii * #

PubMed Central

Deng, Xiao-dong; Cai, Jia-jia; Fei, Xiao-wen

2013-01-01

Lipid biosynthesis is essential for eukaryotic cells, but the mechanisms of the process in microalgae remain poorly understood. Phosphatidic acid phosphohydrolase or 3-sn-phosphatidate phosphohydrolase (PAP) catalyzes the dephosphorylation of phosphatidic acid to form diacylglycerols and inorganic orthophosphates. This reaction is integral in the synthesis of triacylglycerols. In this study, the mRNA level of the PAP isoform CrPAP2 in a species of Chlamydomonas was found to increase in nitrogen-free conditions. Silencing of the CrPAP2 gene using RNA interference resulted in the decline of lipid content by 2.4%–17.4%. By contrast, over-expression of the CrPAP2 gene resulted in an increase in lipid content by 7.5%–21.8%. These observations indicate that regulation of the CrPAP2 gene can control the lipid content of the algal cells. In vitro CrPAP2 enzyme activity assay indicated that the cloned CrPAP2 gene exhibited biological activities. PMID:24302712

Differential effects of lipopolysaccharide on energy metabolism in murine microglial N9 and cholinergic SN56 neuronal cells.

PubMed

Klimaszewska-Łata, Joanna; Gul-Hinc, Sylwia; Bielarczyk, Hanna; Ronowska, Anna; Zyśk, Marlena; Grużewska, Katarzyna; Pawełczyk, Tadeusz; Szutowicz, Andrzej

2015-04-01

There are significant differences between acetyl-CoA and ATP levels, enzymes of acetyl-CoA metabolism, and toll-like receptor 4 contents in non-activated microglial N9 and non-differentiated cholinergic SN56 neuroblastoma cells. Exposition of N9 cells to lipopolysaccharide caused concentration-dependent several-fold increases of nitrogen oxide synthesis, accompanied by inhibition of pyruvate dehydrogenase complex, aconitase, and α-ketoglutarate dehydrogenase complex activities, and by nearly proportional depletion of acetyl-CoA, but by relatively smaller losses in ATP content and cell viability (about 5%). On the contrary, SN56 cells appeared to be insensitive to direct exposition to high concentration of lipopolysaccharide. However, exogenous nitric oxide resulted in marked inhibition pyruvate dehydrogenase and aconitase activities, depletion of acetyl-CoA, along with respective loss of SN56 cells viability. These data indicate that these two common neurodegenerative signals may differentially affect energy-acetyl-CoA metabolism in microglial and cholinergic neuronal cell compartments in the brain. Moreover, microglial cells appeared to be more resistant than neuronal cells to acetyl-CoA and ATP depletion evoked by these neurodegenerative conditions. Together, these data indicate that differential susceptibility of microglia and cholinergic neuronal cells to neurotoxic signals may result from differences in densities of toll-like receptors and degree of disequilibrium between acetyl-CoA provision in mitochondria and its utilization for energy production and acetylation reactions in each particular group of cells. There are significant differences between acetyl-CoA and ATP levels and enzymes of acetyl-CoA metabolism in non-activated microglial N9 and non-differentiated cholinergic SN56 neuroblastoma cells. Pathological stimulation of microglial toll-like receptors (TLRs) triggered excessive synthesis of microglia-derived nitric oxide (NO)/NOO radicals that endogenously inhibited pyruvate dehydrogenase complex (PDHC), aconitase, and α-ketoglutarate dehydrogenase complex. However, it caused none or small suppressions of acetyl-CoA and microglial viability, respectively. Microglia-derived NO inhibited same enzymes in cholinergic neuronal cells causing marked viability loss because of acetyl-CoA deficits evoked by its competitive consumption by energy producing and acetylcholine/N-acetyl-l-aspartate (NAA) synthesizing pathways. © 2014 International Society for Neurochemistry.

Screen-printed SnO2/CNT quasi-solid-state gel-electrolyte supercapacitor

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Kuok, Fei-Hong; Liao, Chen-Yu; Chen, Chieh-Wen; Hao, Yu-Chuan; Yu, Ing-Song; Chen, Jian-Zhang

2017-11-01

This study investigates a quasi-solid-state gel-electrolyte supercapacitor fabricated with nanoporous SnO2/CNT nanocomposite electrodes and a polyvinyl alcohol/sulfuric acid (PVA/H2SO4) gel electrolyte. First, pastes containing SnO2 nanoparticles, CNTs, ethyl cellulose, and terpineol are screen-printed onto carbon cloth. A tube furnace is then used for calcining the SnO2/CNT electrodes on carbon cloth. After furnace-calcination, the wettability of SnO2/CNT significantly improved; furthermore, the XPS analysis shows that number of C-O bond and oxygen content significantly decrease after furnace-calcination owing to the burnout of the ethyl cellulose by the furnace calcination processes. The furnace-calcined SnO2/CNT electrodes sandwich the PVA/H2SO4 gel electrolyte to form a supercapacitor. The fabricated supercapacitor exhibits an areal capacitance of 5.61 mF cm-2 when flat and 5.68 mF cm-2 under bending with a bending radius (R) of 1.0 cm. After a 1000 cycle stability test, the capacitance retention rates of the supercapacitor are 96% and 97% when flat and under bending (R  =  1.0 cm), respectively.

Refinement of the β-Sn Grains in Ni-Doped Sn-3.0Ag-0.5Cu Solder Joints with Cu-Based and Ni-Based Substrates

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Chou, Tzu-Ting; Chen, Wei-Yu; Fleshman, Collin Jordon; Duh, Jenq-Gong

2018-03-01

A fine-grain structure with random orientations of lead-free solder joints was successfully obtained in this study. The Sn-Ag-Cu solder alloys doped with minor Ni were reflowed with Ni-based or Cu-based substrates to fabricate the joints containing different Ni content. Adding 0.1 wt.% Ni into the solder effectively promoted the formation of fine Sn grains, and reflowing with Ni-based substrates further enhanced the effects of β-Sn grain refinement. The crystallographic characteristics and the microstructures were analyzed to identify the solidification mechanism of different types of microstructure in the joints. The phase precipitating order in the joint altered as the solder composition were modified by elemental doping and changing substrate, which significantly affected the efficiency of grain refinement and the final grain structure. The formation mechanism of fine β-Sn grains in the Ni-doped joint with a Ni-based substrate is attributable to the heterogeneous nucleation by Ni, whereas the Ni in the joint using ChouCu-based substrate is consumed to form an intermetallic compound and thus retard the effect of grain refining.

SnO2@C@VO2 Composite Hollow Nanospheres as an Anode Material for Lithium-Ion Batteries.

PubMed

Guo, Wenbin; Wang, Yong; Li, Qingyuan; Wang, Dongxia; Zhang, Fanchao; Yang, Yiqing; Yu, Yang

2018-05-02

Porous SnO 2 @C@VO 2 composite hollow nanospheres were ingeniously constructed through the combination of layer-by-layer deposition and redox reaction. Moreover, to optimize the electrochemical properties, SnO 2 @C@VO 2 composite hollow nanospheres with different contents of the external VO 2 were also studied. On the one hand, the elastic and conductive carbon as interlayer in the SnO 2 @C@VO 2 composite can not only buffer the huge volume variation during repetitive cycling but also effectively improve electronic conductivity and enhance the utilizing rate of SnO 2 and VO 2 with high theoretical capacity. On the other hand, hollow nanostructures of the composite can be consolidated by the multilayered nanocomponents, resulting in outstanding cyclic stability. In virtue of the above synergetic contribution from individual components, SnO 2 @C@VO 2 composite hollow nanospheres exhibit a large initial discharge capacity (1305.6 mAhg -1 ) and outstanding cyclic stability (765.1 mAhg -1 after 100 cycles). This design of composite hollow nanospheres may be extended to the synthesis of other nanomaterials for electrochemical energy storage.

Probing cation and vacancy ordering in the dry and hydrated yttrium-substituted BaSnO3 perovskite by NMR spectroscopy and first principles calculations: implications for proton mobility.

PubMed

Buannic, Lucienne; Blanc, Frédéric; Middlemiss, Derek S; Grey, Clare P

2012-09-05

Hydrated BaSn(1-x)Y(x)O(3-x/2) is a protonic conductor that, unlike many other related perovskites, shows high conductivity even at high substitution levels. A joint multinuclear NMR spectroscopy and density functional theory (total energy and GIPAW NMR calculations) investigation of BaSn(1-x)Y(x)O(3-x/2) (0.10 ≤ x ≤ 0.50) was performed to investigate cation ordering and the location of the oxygen vacancies in the dry material. The DFT energetics show that Y doping on the Sn site is favored over doping on the Ba site. The (119)Sn chemical shifts are sensitive to the number of neighboring Sn and Y cations, an experimental observation that is supported by the GIPAW calculations and that allows clustering to be monitored: Y substitution on the Sn sublattice is close to random up to x = 0.20, while at higher substitution levels, Y-O-Y linkages are avoided, leading, at x = 0.50, to strict Y-O-Sn alternation of B-site cations. These results are confirmed by the absence of a "Y-O-Y" (17)O resonance and supported by the (17)O NMR shift calculations. Although resonances due to six-coordinate Y cations were observed by (89)Y NMR, the agreement between the experimental and calculated shifts was poor. Five-coordinate Sn and Y sites (i.e., sites next to the vacancy) were observed by (119)Sn and (89)Y NMR, respectively, these sites disappearing on hydration. More five-coordinated Sn than five-coordinated Y sites are seen, even at x = 0.50, which is ascribed to the presence of residual Sn-O-Sn defects in the cation-ordered material and their ability to accommodate O vacancies. High-temperature (119)Sn NMR reveals that the O ions are mobile above 400 °C, oxygen mobility being required to hydrate these materials. The high protonic mobility, even in the high Y-content materials, is ascribed to the Y-O-Sn cation ordering, which prevents proton trapping on the more basic Y-O-Y sites.

Learning Portfolio Analysis and Mining for SCORM Compliant Environment

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Su, Jun-Ming; Tseng, Shian-Shyong; Wang, Wei; Weng, Jui-Feng; Yang, Jin Tan David; Tsai, Wen-Nung

2006-01-01

With vigorous development of the Internet, e-learning system has become more and more popular. Sharable Content Object Reference Model (SCORM) 2004 provides the Sequencing and Navigation (SN) Specification to define the course sequencing behavior, control the sequencing, selecting and delivering of course, and organize the content into a…

Solid Liquid Interdiffusion Bonding of (Pb, Sn)Te Thermoelectric Modules with Cu Electrodes Using a Thin-Film Sn Interlayer

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Chuang, T. H.; Lin, H. J.; Chuang, C. H.; Yeh, W. T.; Hwang, J. D.; Chu, H. S.

2014-12-01

A (Pb, Sn)Te thermoelectric element plated with a Ni barrier layer and a Ag reaction layer has been joined with a Cu electrode coated with Ag and Sn thin films using a solid-liquid interdiffusion bonding method. This method allows the interfacial reaction between Ag and Sn such that Ag3Sn intermetallic compounds form at low temperature and are stable at high temperature. In this study, the bonding strength was about 6.6 MPa, and the specimens fractured along the interface between the (Pb, Sn)Te thermoelectric element and the Ni barrier layer. Pre-electroplating a film of Sn with a thickness of about 1 μm on the thermoelectric element and pre-heating at 250°C for 3 min ensures the adhesion between the thermoelectric material and the Ni barrier layer. The bonding strength is thus increased to a maximal value of 12.2 MPa, and most of the fractures occur inside the thermoelectric material. During the bonding process, not only the Ag3Sn intermetallics but also Cu6Sn5 forms at the Ag3Sn/Cu interface, which transforms into Cu3Sn with increases in the bonding temperature or bonding time.

Selective synthesis of human milk fat-style structured triglycerides from microalgal oil in a microfluidic reactor packed with immobilized lipase

DOE PAGES

Wang, Jun; Liu, Xi; Wang, Xu -Dong; ...

2016-08-18

Human milk fat-style structured triacylglycerols were produced from microalgal oil in a continuous microfluidic reactor packed with immobilized lipase for the first time. A remarkably high conversion efficiency was demonstrated in the microreactor with reaction time being reduced by 8 times, Michaelis constant decreased 10 times, the lipase reuse times increased 2.25-fold compared to those in a batch reactor. In addition, the content of palmitic acid at sn-2 position (89.0%) and polyunsaturated fatty acids at sn-1, 3 positions (81.3%) are slightly improved compared to the product in a batch reactor. The increase of melting points (1.7 °C) and decrease ofmore » crystallizing point (3 °C) implied higher quality product was produced using the microfluidic technology. The main cost can be reduced from 212.3 to 14.6 per batch with the microreactor. Altogether, the microfluidic bioconversion technology is promising for modified functional lipids production allowing for cost-effective approach to produce high-value microalgal coproducts.« less

Selective synthesis of human milk fat-style structured triglycerides from microalgal oil in a microfluidic reactor packed with immobilized lipase

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

Wang, Jun; Liu, Xi; Wang, Xu -Dong

Human milk fat-style structured triacylglycerols were produced from microalgal oil in a continuous microfluidic reactor packed with immobilized lipase for the first time. A remarkably high conversion efficiency was demonstrated in the microreactor with reaction time being reduced by 8 times, Michaelis constant decreased 10 times, the lipase reuse times increased 2.25-fold compared to those in a batch reactor. In addition, the content of palmitic acid at sn-2 position (89.0%) and polyunsaturated fatty acids at sn-1, 3 positions (81.3%) are slightly improved compared to the product in a batch reactor. The increase of melting points (1.7 °C) and decrease ofmore » crystallizing point (3 °C) implied higher quality product was produced using the microfluidic technology. The main cost can be reduced from 212.3 to 14.6 per batch with the microreactor. Altogether, the microfluidic bioconversion technology is promising for modified functional lipids production allowing for cost-effective approach to produce high-value microalgal coproducts.« less

Selective synthesis of human milk fat-style structured triglycerides from microalgal oil in a microfluidic reactor packed with immobilized lipase.

PubMed

Wang, Jun; Liu, Xi; Wang, Xu-Dong; Dong, Tao; Zhao, Xing-Yu; Zhu, Dan; Mei, Yi-Yuan; Wu, Guo-Hua

2016-11-01

Human milk fat-style structured triacylglycerols were produced from microalgal oil in a continuous microfluidic reactor packed with immobilized lipase for the first time. A remarkably high conversion efficiency was demonstrated in the microreactor with reaction time being reduced by 8 times, Michaelis constant decreased 10 times, the lipase reuse times increased 2.25-fold compared to those in a batch reactor. In addition, the content of palmitic acid at sn-2 position (89.0%) and polyunsaturated fatty acids at sn-1, 3 positions (81.3%) are slightly improved compared to the product in a batch reactor. The increase of melting points (1.7°C) and decrease of crystallizing point (3°C) implied higher quality product was produced using the microfluidic technology. The main cost can be reduced from $212.3 to $14.6 per batch with the microreactor. Overall, the microfluidic bioconversion technology is promising for modified functional lipids production allowing for cost-effective approach to produce high-value microalgal coproducts. Copyright © 2016 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.

Antioxidant role of heme oxygenase-1 in prehepatic portal hypertensive rats

PubMed Central

Gonzales, Soledad; Pérez, María Julia; Perazzo, Juan C; Tomaro, María Luján

2006-01-01

AIM: To study the effect of bilirubin on the oxidative liver status and the activity and expression of heme oxygenase-1 (HO-1) in rat liver injury induced by prehepatic portal hypertension. METHODS: Wistar male rats, weighing 200-250 g, were divided at random into two groups: one group with prehepatic portal hypertension (PH) induced by regulated prehepatic portal vein ligation (PPVL) and the other group corresponded to sham operated rats. Portal pressure, oxidative stress parameters, antioxidant enzymes, HO-1 activity and expression and hepatic sinusoidal vasodilatation were measured. RESULTS: In PPVL rats oxidative stress was evidenced by a marked increase in thiobarbituric acid reactive substances (TBARS) content and a decrease in reduced glutathione (GSH) levels. The activities of liver antioxidant enzymes, superoxide dismutase (SOD), catalase (CAT) and glutathione peroxidase (GSH-Px) were also diminished while activity and expression of HO-1 were enhanced. Administration of bilirubin (5 μmol/kg body weight) 24 h before the end of the experiment entirely prevented all these effects. Pretreatment with Sn-protoporphyrin IX (Sn-PPIX) (100 μg/kg body weight, i.p.), a potent inhibitor of HO, completely abolished the oxidative stress and provoked a slight decrease in liver GSH levels as well as an increase in lipid peroxidation. Besides, carbon monoxide, another heme catabolic product, induced a significant increase in sinusoidal hepatic areas in PPVL group. Pretreatment of PPVL rats with Sn-PPIX totally prevented this effect. CONCLUSION: These results suggest a beneficial role of HO-1 overexpression in prehepatic portal hypertensive rats. PMID:16830363

Systematics of Structural, Phase Stability, and Cohesive Properties of η'-Cu6(Sn,In)5 Compounds Occurring in In-Sn/Cu Solder Joints

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Ramos, S. B.; González Lemus, N. V.; Deluque Toro, C. E.; Cabeza, G. F.; Fernández Guillermet, A.

2017-07-01

Motivated by the high solubility of In in ( mC44) η'-Cu6Sn5 compound as well as the occurrence of an In-doped η'-intermetallic in the microstructure of Cu/In-Sn/Cu solder joints, a theoretical study has been carried out to investigate the various physical effects of incorporating In at Sn Wyckoff sites of the binary η'-phase. Systematic ab initio calculations using the projected augmented wave method and Vienna Ab initio Simulation Package were used to determine the composition dependence of the structural and cohesive properties of η'-Cu6(Sn,In)5 compounds, compared with those expected from the binary end-member compounds Cu6Sn5 and Cu6In5. The molar volume shows significant deviations from Vegard's law. The predicted composition dependence of the cohesive properties is discussed using two complementary approaches, viz. a valence-electron density approach as well as a bond-number approach, both accounting for the roughly linear dependence of the cohesive energy on the In content. A microscopic interpretation for this general trend is given in terms of the key contributions to chemical bonding in this class of compounds, namely Cu d-electron overlap and hybridization of Cu d-states with In and Sn p-electron states. Moreover, a crystallographic site approach is developed to accurately establish the phase-stabilizing effect of incorporating In at specific Wyckoff positions of the ( mC44) η'-Cu6Sn5 structure.

Electronegativity-dependent tin etching from thin films

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

Pachecka, M., E-mail: m.pachecka@utwente.nl; Sturm, J. M.; Kruijs, R. W. E. van de

2016-07-15

The influence of a thin film substrate material on the etching of a thin layer of deposited tin (Sn) by hydrogen radicals was studied. The amount of remaining Sn was quantified for materials that cover a range of electronegativities. We show that, for metals, etching depends on the relative electronegativity of the surface material and Sn. Tin is chemically etched from surfaces with an electronegativity smaller than Sn, while incomplete Sn etching is observed for materials with an electronegativity larger than Sn. Furthermore, the amount of remaining Sn increases as the electronegativity of the surface material increases. We speculate, that,more » due to Fermi level differences in the material’s electronic structure, the energy of the two conduction bands shift such that the availability of electrons for binding with hydrogen is significantly reduced.« less

Ultrathin Pt xSn 1–x Nanowires for Methanol and Ethanol Oxidation Reactions: Tuning Performance by Varying Chemical Composition

DOE PAGES

Li, Luyao; Liu, Haiqing; Qin, Chao; ...

2018-02-28

Pt-based alloys denote promising catalysts for the methanol oxidation reaction (MOR) and the ethanol oxidation reaction (EOR), due to their enhanced activity toward alcohol-oxidation reactions and reduced cost as compared with Pt alone. Among all of these binary systems, PtSn has been reported to exhibit superior methanol/ethanol oxidation activity. In this paper, we deliberatively tailor chemical composition, reduce size, and optimize morphology of the catalyst in an effort to understand structure–property correlations that can be used to improve upon the electrocatalytic activity of these systems. Previous work performed by our group suggested that Pt-based catalysts, possessing an ultrathin one-dimensional (1D)more » structure, dramatically promote both cathodic and anodic reactions with respect to their zero-dimensional (0D) counterparts. Herein, a novel set of ultrathin binary Pt–Sn 1D nanowire (NW) catalysts with rationally controlled chemical compositions, i.e., Pt 9Sn 1, Pt 8Sn 2, and Pt 7Sn 3, has been synthesized using a facile, room-temperature, wet-solution-based method. The crystallinity and chemical composition of these as-prepared samples were initially characterized using XRD, XPS, and EDX. Results revealed that this synthetic protocol could successfully generate PtSn alloys with purposely tunable chemical compositions. TEM and HRTEM verified the structural integrity of our ultrathin 1D NW morphology for our Pt 9Sn 1, Pt 8Sn 2, and Pt 7Sn 3 samples. The effects of varying Sn content within these alloy samples toward the electro-oxidation reaction of methanol and ethanol were probed using cyclic voltammetry (CV) in acidic media. Finally, within this series, we find that the optimized chemical composition for both the MOR and the EOR is Pt 7Sn 3.« less

Ultrathin Pt xSn 1–x Nanowires for Methanol and Ethanol Oxidation Reactions: Tuning Performance by Varying Chemical Composition

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

Li, Luyao; Liu, Haiqing; Qin, Chao

Pt-based alloys denote promising catalysts for the methanol oxidation reaction (MOR) and the ethanol oxidation reaction (EOR), due to their enhanced activity toward alcohol-oxidation reactions and reduced cost as compared with Pt alone. Among all of these binary systems, PtSn has been reported to exhibit superior methanol/ethanol oxidation activity. In this paper, we deliberatively tailor chemical composition, reduce size, and optimize morphology of the catalyst in an effort to understand structure–property correlations that can be used to improve upon the electrocatalytic activity of these systems. Previous work performed by our group suggested that Pt-based catalysts, possessing an ultrathin one-dimensional (1D)more » structure, dramatically promote both cathodic and anodic reactions with respect to their zero-dimensional (0D) counterparts. Herein, a novel set of ultrathin binary Pt–Sn 1D nanowire (NW) catalysts with rationally controlled chemical compositions, i.e., Pt 9Sn 1, Pt 8Sn 2, and Pt 7Sn 3, has been synthesized using a facile, room-temperature, wet-solution-based method. The crystallinity and chemical composition of these as-prepared samples were initially characterized using XRD, XPS, and EDX. Results revealed that this synthetic protocol could successfully generate PtSn alloys with purposely tunable chemical compositions. TEM and HRTEM verified the structural integrity of our ultrathin 1D NW morphology for our Pt 9Sn 1, Pt 8Sn 2, and Pt 7Sn 3 samples. The effects of varying Sn content within these alloy samples toward the electro-oxidation reaction of methanol and ethanol were probed using cyclic voltammetry (CV) in acidic media. Finally, within this series, we find that the optimized chemical composition for both the MOR and the EOR is Pt 7Sn 3.« less

Partitioning of Mo, P and other siderophile elements (Cu, Ga, Sn, Ni, Co, Cr, Mn, V, and W) between metal and silicate melt as a function of temperature and silicate melt composition

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Righter, K.; Pando, K. M.; Danielson, L.; Lee, Cin-Ty

2010-03-01

Metal-silicate partition coefficients can provide information about the earliest differentiation histories of terrestrial planets and asteroids. Systematic studies of the effects of key parameters such as temperature and melt composition are lacking for many elements. In particular, data for Mo is scarce, but given its refractory nature, is of great value in interpreting metal-silicate equilibrium. Two series of experiments have been carried out to study Mo and P partitioning between Fe metallic liquid and basaltic to peridotitic silicate melt, at 1 GPa and temperatures between 1500 and 1900 °C. Because the silicate melt utilized was natural basalt, there are also measurable quantities of 9 other siderophile elements (Ni, Co, W, Sn, Cu, Mn, V, Cr, Ga and Zn). The Ni and Co data can be used to assess consistency with previous studies. In addition, the new data also allow a first systematic look at the temperature dependence of Cu, Ga, Sn, Cr, Mn V and W for basaltic to peridotitic melts. Many elements exhibit an increase in siderophile behavior at higher temperature, contrary to popular belief, but consistent with predictions from thermodynamics. Using these new data we examine DMomet/sil and DPmet/sil in detail and show that increasing temperature causes a decrease in the former and an increase in the latter, whereas both increase with MgO content of the silicate melt. The depletions of Mo and P in the mantle of the Earth can be explained by metal-silicate equilibrium at magma ocean conditions — both elements are satisfied at PT conditions of an intermediate depth magma ocean for the Earth 22.5 GPa and 2400 °C.

Synthesis and Behavior of Cetyltrimethyl Ammonium Bromide Stabilized Zn1+xSnO3+x (0 ≤ x ≤1) Nano-Crystallites

PubMed Central

Placke, Astrid; Kumar, Ashok; Priya, Shashank

2016-01-01

We report synthesis of cetyltrimethyl ammonium bromide (CTAB) stabilized Zn1+xSnO3+x (0 ≤ x ≤1) nano-crystallites by facile cost-effective wet chemistry route. The X-ray diffraction patterns of as-synthesized powders at the Zn/Sn ratio of 1 exhibited formation of ZnSn(OH)6. Increasing the Zn/Sn ratio further resulted in the precipitation of an additional phase corresponding to Zn(OH)2. The decomposition of these powders at 650°C for 3h led to the formation of the orthorhombic phase of ZnSnO3 and tetragonal SnO2-type phase of Zn2SnO4 at the Zn/Sn ratio of 1 and 2, respectively, with the formation of their mixed phases at intermediate compositions, i.e., at Zn/Sn ratio of 1.25, 1.50 and 1.75, respectively. The lattice parameters of orthorhombic and tetragonal phases were a ~ 3.6203 Å, b ~ 4.2646 Å and c ~ 12.8291Å (for ZnSnO3) and a = b ~ 5.0136 Å and c ~ 3.3055Å (for Zn2SnO4). The transmission electron micrographs revealed the formation of nano-crystallites with aspect ratio ~ 2; the length and thickness being 24, 13 nm (for ZnSnO3) and 47, 22 nm (for Zn2SnO4), respectively. The estimated direct bandgap values for the ZnSnO3 and Zn2SnO4 were found to be 4.21 eV and 4.12 eV, respectively. The ac conductivity values at room temperature (at 10 kHz) for the ZnSnO3 and Zn2SnO4 samples were 8.02 × 10−8 Ω-1 cm-1 and 6.77 × 10−8 Ω-1 cm-1, respectively. The relative permittivity was found to increase with increase in temperature, the room temperature values being 14.24 and 25.22 for the samples ZnSnO3 and Zn2SnO4, respectively. Both the samples, i.e., ZnSnO3 and Zn2SnO4, exhibited low values of loss tangent up to 300 K, the room temperature values being 0.89 and 0.72, respectively. A dye-sensitized solar cell has been fabricated using the optimized sample of zinc stannate photo-anode, i.e., Zn2SnO4. The cyclic voltammetry revealed oxidation and reduction around 0.40 V (current density ~ 11.1 mA/cm2) and 0.57 V (current density– 11.7 mA/cm2) for Zn2SnO4 photo-anode in presence of light. PMID:27228102

Nucleation rates of Sn in undercooled Sn-Ag-Cu flip-chip solder joints

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Arfaei, B.; Benedict, M.; Cotts, E. J.

2013-11-01

The nucleation of Sn from the melt in commercial SnAgCu flip chip solder joints was monitored at a number of different temperatures. Nucleation rates were estimated from measurements of nucleation times for 440 solder balls after one reflow and were found to be well epitomized by the expression I = 2 × 109 exp[(-1.6 × 105)/(T × (ΔT)2)] m-3 s-1, as per classical nucleation theory. After an additional reflow, the nucleation rates of the same 440 samples were observed to increase to I = 2 × 109 exp[(-8.9 × 104)/(T × (ΔT)2)] m-3 s-1. Thus it was shown that the expressions of classical nucleation theory well characterize nucleation kinetics for this system. These changes in nucleation kinetics were correlated with continued dissolution of Al and Ni in to the SnAgCu melt. Such increases in nucleation rates meant increases in the average solidification temperatures of the solder balls after reflow. Variations in the Sn grain morphology of the solder joints were correlated with these changes in solidification temperature, with larger Sn grains (beach ball Sn grain morphology) observed at higher solidification temperatures.

Mo-doped SnO2 mesoporous hollow structured spheres as anode materials for high-performance lithium ion batteries

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Wang, Xuekun; Li, Zhaoqiang; Zhang, Zhiwei; Li, Qun; Guo, Enyan; Wang, Chengxiang; Yin, Longwei

2015-02-01

We designed a facile infiltration route to synthesize mesoporous hollow structured Mo doped SnO2 using silica spheres as templates. It is observed that Mo is uniformly incorporated into SnO2 lattice in the form of Mo6+. The as-prepared mesoporous Mo-doped SnO2 LIBs anodes exhibit a significantly improved electrochemical performance with good cycling stability, high specific capacity and high rate capability. The mesoporous hollow Mo-doped SnO2 sample with 14 at% Mo doping content displays a specific capacity of 801 mA h g-1 after 60 cycles at a current density of 100 mA g-1, about 1.66 times higher than that of the pure SnO2 hollow sample. In addition, even if the current density is as high as 1600 mA g-1 after 60 cycles, it could still retain a stable specific capacity of 530 mA h g-1, exhibiting an extraordinary rate capability. The greatly improved electrochemical performance of the Mo-doped mesoporous hollow SnO2 sample could be attributed to the following factors. The large surface area and hollow structure can significantly enhance structural integrity by acting as mechanical buffer, effectively alleviating the volume changes generated during the lithiation/delithiation process. The incorporation of Mo into the lattice of SnO2 improves charge transfer kinetics and results in a faster Li+ diffusion rate during the charge-discharge process.

Synthesis and characterization of binary ZnO-SnO2 (ZTO) thin films by e-beam evaporation technique

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Bibi, Shagufta; Shah, A.; Mahmood, Arshad; Ali, Zahid; Raza, Qaisar; Aziz, Uzma; Haneef; Waheed, Abdul; Shah, Ziaullah

2018-04-01

The binary ZnO-SnO2 (ZTO) thin films with varying SnO2 concentrations (5, 10, 15, and 20 wt%) were grown on glass substrate by e-beam evaporation technique. The prepared ZTO films were annealed at 400 °C in air. These films were then characterized to investigate their structural, optical, and electrical properties as a function of SnO2 concentration. XRD analysis reveals that the crystallinity of the film decreases with the addition of SnO2 and it transforms to an amorphous structure at a composition of 40% SnO2 and 60% ZnO. Morphology of the films was examined by atomic force microscopy which points out that surface roughness of the films decreases with the increasing of SnO2 in the film. Optical properties such as optical transparency, band-gap energy, and optical constants of these films were examined by spectrophotometer and spectroscopic Ellipsometer. It was observed that the average optical transmission of mixed films improves with incorporation of SnO2. In addition, the band-gap energy of the films was determined to be in the range of 3.37-3.7 eV. Furthermore, it was found that the optical constants (n and k) decrease with the addition of SnO2. Similarly, it is observed that the electrical resistivity increases nonlinearly with the increase in SnO2 in ZnO-SnO2 thin films. However, it is noteworthy that the highest figure of merit (FOM) value, i.e., 55.87 × 10-5 Ω-1, is obtained for ZnO-SnO2 (ZTO) thin film with 40 wt% of SnO2 composition. Here, we suggest that ZnO-SnO2 (ZTO) thin film with composition of 60:40 wt% can be used as an efficient TCO film due to the improved transmission, and reduced RMS value and highest FOM value.

Effect of Hydrostatic Pressure on the Structural, Electronic and Optical Properties of SnS2 with a Cubic Structure: The DFT Approach

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Bakhshayeshi, A.; Taghavi Mendi, R.; Majidiyan Sarmazdeh, M.

2018-02-01

Recently, a cubic structure of polymorphic SnS2 has been synthesized experimentally, which is stable at room temperature. In this paper, we calculated some structural, electronic and optical properties of the cubic SnS2 structure based on the full potential-linearized augmented plane waves method. We also studied the effect of hydrostatic pressure on the physical properties of the cubic SnS2 structure. Structural results show that the compressibility of the cubic SnS2 phase is greater than its trigonal phase and the compressibility decreases with increasing pressure. Investigations of the electronic properties indicate that pressure changes the density of states and the energy band gap increases with increasing pressure. The variation of energy band gap versus pressure is almost linear. We concluded that cubic SnS2 is a semiconductor with an indirect energy band gap, like its trigonal phase. The optical calculations revealed that the dielectric constant decreases with increasing pressure, and the width of the forbidden energy interval increases for electromagnetic wave propagation. Moreover, plasmonic energy and refractive index are changed with increasing pressure.

Characterization and properties of TiO2-SnO2 nanocomposites, obtained by hydrolysis method

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Kutuzova, Anastasiya S.; Dontsova, Tetiana A.

2018-04-01

The paper deals with the process of TiO2-SnO2 nanocomposites synthesis utilizing simple hydrolysis method with further calcination for photocatalytic applications. The obtained nanopowders contain 100, 90, 75, 65 and 25 wt% of TiO2. The synthesized nanocomposite samples were analyzed by X-ray diffraction method, scanning electron microscopy, transmission electron microscopy, Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy and N2 adsorption-desorption method. The correlation between structure and morphology of the obtained nanocrystalline composite powders and their sorption and photocatalytic activity towards methylene blue degradation was established. It was found that the presence of SnO2 in the nanocomposites stabilizes the anatase phase of TiO2. Furthermore, sorption and photocatalytic properties of the obtained composites are significantly influenced not only by specific surface area, but also by pore size distribution and mesopore volume of the samples. In our opinion, the results obtained in this study have shown that the TiO2-SnO2 composites with SnO2 content that does not exceed 10% are promising for photocatalytic applications.

Thickness-dependent structure and properties of SnS2 thin films prepared by atomic layer deposition

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Seo, Wondeok; Shin, Seokyoon; Ham, Giyul; Lee, Juhyun; Lee, Seungjin; Choi, Hyeongsu; Jeon, Hyeongtag

2017-03-01

Tin disulfide (SnS2) thin films were deposited by a thermal atomic layer deposition (ALD) method at low temperatures. The physical, chemical, and electrical characteristics of SnS2 were investigated as a function of the film thickness. SnS2 exhibited a (001) hexagonal plane peak at 14.9° in the X-ray diffraction (XRD) results and an A1g peak at 311 cm-1 in the Raman spectra. These results demonstrate that SnS2 thin films grown at 150 °C showed a crystalline phase at film thicknesses above 11.2 nm. The crystallinity of the SnS2 thin films was evaluated by a transmission electron microscope (TEM). The X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS) analysis revealed that SnS2 consisted of Sn4+ and S2- valence states. Both the optical band gap and the transmittance of SnS2 decreased as the film thickness increased. The band gap of SnS2 decreased from 3.0 to 2.4 eV and the transmittance decreased from 85 to 32% at a wavelength of 400 nm. In addition, the resistivity of the thin film SnS2 decreased from 1011 to 106 Ω·cm as the film thickness increased.

Intracranial dialysis measurement of oxytocin, monoamine and uric acid release from the olfactory bulb and substantia nigra of sheep during parturition, suckling, separation from lambs and eating.

PubMed

Kendrick, K M; Keverne, E B; Chapman, C; Baldwin, B A

1988-01-26

Intracranial dialysis was used to measure the release of oxytocin (OXY), monoamines and their metabolites and uric acid (UA) from the substantia nigra (SN) and olfactory bulb (OB) of sheep during parturition, suckling, separation from lambs and eating. Results showed that OXY concentrations increased significantly during parturition, suckling and eating in the SN and during parturition and suckling in the OB. Concentrations of dopamine (DA) increased significantly in the SN during suckling and eating and in the OB during parturition and suckling. The dopamine metabolite, homovanillic acid, also increased significantly in the SN during parturition. Concentrations of the noradrenaline metabolite, 4-hydroxy-3-methoxyphenylethan-1,2-diol (MHPG) and the purine metabolite, UA, were significantly raised during parturition, suckling and separation from the lambs in the SN and increased UA levels were also found during eating. In a separate experiment it was confirmed that OXY was detectable in homogenates of both the SN and the OB. These results show that, in the sheep, OXY and DA release in the SN is associated with maternal and ingestive behaviour whereas similar release in the OB may only be related to maternal behaviour. Release of MHPG in the SN may be associated with maternal behaviour and/or stress.

Effect of laser welding process on the microstructure, mechanical properties and residual stresses in Ti-5Al-2.5Sn alloy

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Junaid, Massab; Khan, Fahd Nawaz; Rahman, Khalid; Baig, Mirza Nadeem

2017-12-01

Pulsed Nd-YAG laser was employed in bead on plate configuration for welding of 1.6 mm thick Ti-5Al-2.5Sn alloy sheet. The effect of laser processing parameters on the weld pool shape, pulse overlap, oxide formation, and microstructure were studied using scanning electron and optical microscope. It was found out that laser peak power had a significant influence on the FZ oxygen contents and grain size whereas, both peak power and heat input per unit length were important in defining the weld pool shape. Processing parameters for full penetration welds with acceptable joint properties and low oxygen contents were selected for further study in terms of residual stresses and mechanical properties. Formation of acicular α and α‧ martensite in fusion and heat affected zone, led to an increase in microhardness by about 55 HV0.2 as compared to base metal. Induced residual stresses were found to be significantly less than the yield strength resulting in plate deformation less than 1 mm. Transverse residual stresses present at different depths below the surface tend to counter effect each other resulting in tensile strength of welded specimen becoming nearly equal to that of the base metal.

Short-range magnetic order, irreversibility and giant magnetoresistance near the triple points in the (x, T) magnetic phase diagram of ZrMn6Sn6-xGax

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Mazet, T.; Ihou-Mouko, H.; Marêché, J.-F.; Malaman, B.

2010-04-01

We have studied pseudo-layered ZrMn6Sn6-xGax intermetallics (0.55 ≤ x ≤ 0.81) using magnetic, magnetoresistivity and powder neutron diffraction measurements. All the alloys studied have magnetic ordering temperatures in the 450-490 K temperature range. They present complex temperature-dependent partially disordered magnetic structures whose ferromagnetic component develops upon increasing the Ga content. ZrMn6Sn6-xGax alloys with x ≤ 0.69 are essentially collinear antiferromagnets at high-temperature and adopt antifan-like arrangements at low temperature. For x ≥ 0.75, the alloys order ferromagnetically and evolve to a fan-like structure upon cooling. The intermediate compositions (x = 0.71 and 0.73) present a canted fan-like order at high temperature and another kind of antifan-like arrangement at low temperature. The degree of short-range order tends to increase upon approaching the intermediate compositions. The (x, T) phase diagram contains two triple points (x ~ 0.70; T ~ 460 K and x ~ 0.74; T ~ 455 K), where the paramagnetic, an incommensurate and a commensurate phases meet, which possess some of the features of Lifshitz point. Irreversibilities manifest in the low-temperature magnetization curves at the antifan-fan or fan-ferromagnetic boundaries as well as inside the fan region. Giant magnetoresistance is observed, even above room temperature.

Electrical stimulation reveals relatively ineffective sural nerve projections to dorsal horn neurons in the cat.

PubMed

Pubols, L M; Foglesong, M E; Vahle-Hinz, C

1986-04-16

Electrical stimulation of the sural nerve (SN) revealed input from sural nerve afferents to L6 and L7 dorsal horn neurons that were not apparent using natural mechanical stimuli, especially in cells with variable latency responses to SN stimulation. Nearly all (31/32) cells that had reliable, fixed latency responses to SN stimulation also had an excitatory receptive field (RF) in the region of skin innervated by the sural nerve (SN region). About one-third (20/57) of the cells with variable latency responses to SN stimulation, however, had an RF outside the SN region. Most (130/146) cells with no response to SN stimulation had RFs outside the SN region. There were no obvious differences between variable latency cells with RFs in the SN region vs those with RFs outside it in latency of response to SN stimulation, recording depth, RF sizes or modality properties. In a subsample of 31 postsynaptic dorsal column neurons all cells responding to SN stimulation also had an RF in the SN region. Strengthening of relatively ineffective projections from the sural nerve by lesions might be expected to lead to an increase in the proportion of cells responding with impulses to natural stimulation of the skin innervated by the sural nerve, and, hence, to an increase in average RF size.

Soldering Characteristics and Mechanical Properties of Sn-1.0Ag-0.5Cu Solder with Minor Aluminum Addition

PubMed Central

Leong, Yee Mei; Haseeb, A.S.M.A.

2016-01-01

Driven by the trends towards miniaturization in lead free electronic products, researchers are putting immense efforts to improve the properties and reliabilities of Sn based solders. Recently, much interest has been shown on low silver (Ag) content solder SAC105 (Sn-1.0Ag-0.5Cu) because of economic reasons and improvement of impact resistance as compared to SAC305 (Sn-3.0Ag-0.5Cu. The present work investigates the effect of minor aluminum (Al) addition (0.1–0.5 wt.%) to SAC105 on the interfacial structure between solder and copper substrate during reflow. The addition of minor Al promoted formation of small, equiaxed Cu-Al particle, which are identified as Cu3Al2. Cu3Al2 resided at the near surface/edges of the solder and exhibited higher hardness and modulus. Results show that the minor addition of Al does not alter the morphology of the interfacial intermetallic compounds, but they substantially suppress the growth of the interfacial Cu6Sn5 intermetallic compound (IMC) after reflow. During isothermal aging, minor alloying Al has reduced the thickness of interfacial Cu6Sn5 IMC but has no significant effect on the thickness of Cu3Sn. It is suggested that of atoms of Al exert their influence by hindering the flow of reacting species at the interface. PMID:28773645

Kinetics of photo-activated charge carriers in Sn:CdS

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

Patidar, Manju Mishra, E-mail: manjumishra.iuc@gmail.com; Gorli, V. R.; Gangrade, Mohan

2016-05-23

Kinetics of the photo-activated charge carriers has been investigated in Tin substituted Cadmium Sulphide, Cd{sub 1-x}Sn{sub x}S (x=0, 0.05, 0.10 and 0.15), thin films prepared by spray pyrolysis. X-Ray Diffraction shows an increase in strain that resulted in the decreased crystallite size upon Sn substitution. At the first sight, the photo current characteristics show a quenching effect on Sn substitution. However, survival of persistent photocurrents is seen even up to 15% of Sn substitution. Transient photo current decay could be explained with a 2τ relaxation model. CdS normally has an n-type character and the Sn doping expected to inject holemore » carriers. The two fold increase in τ{sub 1}, increase in activation energy and the decrease in photocurrents upon Sn substitution point towards a band gap cleaning scenario that include compensation and associated carrier injection dynamics. In addition Atomic Force Microscopy shows a drastic change in microstructure that modulates the carrier dynamics as a whole.« less

Physicochemical Analysis of Indicator Lichens as a Component of Conservation Area Baseline Monitoring

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Meysurova, A. F.; Notov, A. A.

2016-01-01

The gross and average contents of 15 metals (Al, As, Cd, Co, Cu, Ge, Fe, Mn, Mo, Ni, Pb, Sn, Ti, V, and Zn) in samples of Hypogymnia physodes collected from a reserve area in Tver Region were determined using inductively-coupled plasma atomic emission spectroscopy (ICP-AES). Apparently, most of these elements appeared as a result of transboundary transfer. Their concentration in lichens depended on the atmospheric humidity. An excess of moisture in ecotopes located near rivers and swamps increased the gross concentration of separate elements in the lichens. The average contents of most elements in the specimens were within permissible limits, which allowed possible baseline element concentration ranges for this region to be established.

Early thawing after snow removal and no straw mulching accelerates organic carbon cycling in a paddy soil in Northeast China.

PubMed

Zhang, Hao; Tang, Jie; Liang, Shuang; Li, Zhaoyang; Wang, Jingjing; Wang, Sining

2018-03-01

Variations in soil organic carbon (SOC) have implications for atmospheric CO 2 concentrations and the greenhouse effect. However, the effects of snow cover and straw mulching on the variations in SOC fractions across winter remain largely unknown. In this study, soil samples were collected during different stages of winter from an in situ experiment comprising three treatments: 1) snow removal with no straw mulching (Sn-SM-); 2) snow cover with no straw mulching (SC), and; 3) snow cover with straw mulching (SC + SM+). Results showed that labile organic carbon, semi-labile organic carbon, recalcitrant organic carbon (ROC), the light fraction of organic carbon (LFOC), and easily oxidized organic carbon (EOC) contents did not vary significantly (P > .05) during the unfrozen to hard frost stages. Compared to the unfrozen stage, microbial biomass carbon (MBC) contents decreased by 519.03 mg kg -1 , 325.21 mg kg -1 , and 244.09 mg kg -1 and dissolved organic carbon (DOC) contents increased by 473.36 mg kg -1 , 348.10 mg kg -1 , and 258.89 mg kg -1  at the hard frost stage in Sn-SM-, SC, and SC + SM + treatments, respectively. Throughout all thawing stages, > 61% and 59% of SOC and ROC accumulation, respectively in the three treatments were observed in thawing stage II, indicating that higher temperatures and microbial activities in thawing stage II accelerated the inputs of SOC and ROC. ROC accumulation accounted for >65% of the SOC accumulation and the proportions of ROC in SOC increased in the three treatments during the thawing stages. SC + SM + treatment maintained lower EOC contents during thawing stages than other treatments. The observation of lowest SOC and LFOC accumulation and contents in the SC + SM + treatment during thawing stages showed that SC + SM + experienced the least inputs of SOC in the soil. Copyright © 2018 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.

Studying Structural, Optical, Electrical, and Sensing Properties of Nanocrystalline SnO2:Cu Films Prepared by Sol-Gel Method for CO Gas Sensor Application at Low Temperature

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Al-Jawad, Selma M. H.; Elttayf, Abdulhussain K.; Saber, Amel S.

Nanocrystalline SnO2 and SnO2:Cu thin films derived from SnCl2ṡ2H2O precursors have been prepared on glass substrates using sol-gel dip-coating technique. The deposited film was 300±20nm thick and the films were annealed in air at 500∘C for 1h. Structural, optical and sensing properties of the films were studied under different preparation conditions, such as Cu-doping concentration of 2%, 4% and 6wt.%. X-ray diffraction studies show the polycrystalline nature with tetragonal rutile structure of SnO2 and Cu:SnO2 thin films. The films have highly preferred orientation along (110). The crystallite size of the prepared samples reduced with increasing Cu-doping concentrations and the addition of Cu as dopants changed the structural properties of the thin films. Surface morphology was determined through scanning electron microscopy and atomic force microscopy. Results show that the particle size decreased as doping concentration increased. The films have moderate optical transmission (up to 82.4% at 800nm), and the transmittance, absorption coefficient and energy gap at different Cu-doping concentration were measured and calculated. Results show that Cu-doping decreased the transmittance and energy gap whereas it increased the absorption coefficient. Two peaks were noted with Cu-doping concentration of 0-6wt.%; the first peak was positioned exactly at 320nm ultraviolet emission and the second was positioned at 430-480nm. Moreover, emission bands were noticed in the photoluminescence spectra of Cu:SnO2. The electrical properties of SnO2 films include DC electrical conductivity, showing that the films have two activation energies, namely, Ea1 and Ea2, which increase as Cu-doping concentration increases. Cudoped nanocrystalline SnO2 gas-sensing material has better sensitivity to CO gas compared with pure SnO2.

Mg2Sn heterostructures on Si(111) substrate

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Dózsa, L.; Galkin, N. G.; Pécz, B.; Osváth, Z.; Zolnai, Zs.; Németh, A.; Galkin, K. N.; Chernev, I. M.; Dotsenko, S. A.

2017-05-01

Thin un-doped and Al doped polycrystalline Mg-stannide films consisting mainly of Mg2Sn semiconductor phase have been grown by deposition of Sn-Mg multilayers on Si(111) p-type wafers at room temperature and annealing at 150 °C. Rutherford backscattering measurement spectroscopy (RBS) were used to determine the amount of Mg and Sn in the structures. Raman spectroscopy has shown the layers contain Mg2Sn phase. Cross sectional transmission electron microscopy (XTEM) measurements have identified Mg2Sn nanocrystallites in hexagonal and cubic phases without epitaxial orientation with respect to the Si(111) substrate. Significant oxygen concentration was found in the layer both by RBS and TEM. The electrical measurements have shown laterally homogeneous conductivity in the grown layer. The undoped Mg2Sn layers show increasing resistivity with increasing temperature indicating the scattering process dominates the resistance of the layers, i.e. large concentration of point defects was generated in the layer during the growth process. The Al doped layer shows increase of the resistance at low temperature caused by freeze out of free carriers in the Al doped Mg2Sn layer. The measurements indicate the necessity of protective layer grown over the Mg2Sn layers, and a short time delay between sample preparation and cross sectionalTEM analysis, since the unprotected layer is degraded by the interaction with the ambient.

Growth experiment of narrow band-gap semiconductor PbSnTe single crystals in space (M-1)

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Yamada, Tomoaki

1993-01-01

An experiment on crystal growth of Pb(1-x)Sn(x)Te in microgravity is planned. This material is an alloy of the compound semiconductors PbTe and SnTe. It is a promising material for infrared diode lasers and detectors in the wavelength region between 6 and 30 micron. Since the electrical properties of Pb(1-x)Sn(x)Te depend greatly on the Pb/Sn ratio and crystalline defects as well as impurity concentration, homogeneous, defect-free, high-quality crystals are anticipated. Although many growth methods, such as the pulling method, the Bridgman method, the vapor growth method, etc., have been applied to the growth of Pb(1-x)Sn(x)Te, large, homogeneous, low-defect-density crystals have not yet been grown on Earth. The unsuccessful results were caused by buoyancy-driven convection in the fluids induced by the specific gravity difference between heated and cooled fluids on Earth. A crystal is grown by cooling the melt from one end of the ampoule. In crystal growth from the melt, about 30 percent of the SnTe in the melt is rejected at the solid-liquid interface during solidification. On Earth, the rejected SnTe is completely mixed with the remaining melt by convection in the melt. Therefore, SnTe concentration in the melt, and accordingly in the crystal, increases as the crystal grows. In the microgravity environment, buoyancy-driven convection is suppressed because the specific gravity difference is negligible. In that case, the rejected SnTe remains at the solid-liquid interface and its concentration increases only at the interface. If the growth rate is higher than the PbTe-SnTe interdiffusion rate, the amount of SnTe which diffuses from the interface into the melt increases as SnTe piles up at the interface, and finally it balances the amount of rejected SnTe during solidification, resulting in steady-state SnTe transportation at the interface. By using this principle, compositionally homogeneous crystals can be grown. Furthermore, low-defect-density crystals will be grown in microgravity, because convection causes crystalline defects by mising hot and cold fluids and generating temperature fluctuations in them.

Effect of annealing temperature on optical and electrical properties of ZrO2-SnO2 based nanocomposite thin films

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Anitha, V. S.; Lekshmy, S. Sujatha; Berlin, I. John; Joy, K.

2014-01-01

Transparent nanocomposite ZrO2-SnO2 thin films were prepared by sol-gel dip-coating technique. Films were annealed at 500°C, 800°C and 1200°C respectively. X-ray diffraction(XRD) spectra showed a mixture of three phases: tetragonal ZrO2 and SnO2 and orthorhombic ZrSnO4. The grain size of all the three phases' increased with annealing temperature. An average transmittance greater than 85%(in UV-Visible region) is observed for all the films. The band gap for the films decreased from 4.79 eV to 4.62 eV with increase in annealing temperature from 500 to 1200 °C. The electrical resistivity increased with increase in annealing temperature. Such composite ZrO2-SnO2 films can be used in many applications and in optoelectronic devices.

SnO2 epitaxial films with varying thickness on c-sapphire: Structure evolution and optical band gap modulation

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Zhang, Mi; Xu, Maji; Li, Mingkai; Zhang, Qingfeng; Lu, Yinmei; Chen, Jingwen; Li, Ming; Dai, Jiangnan; Chen, Changqing; He, Yunbin

2017-11-01

A series of a-plane SnO2 films with thickness between 2.5 nm and 1436 nm were grown epitaxially on c-sapphire by pulsed laser deposition (PLD), to allow a detailed probe into the structure evolution and optical band gap modulation of SnO2 with growing thickness. All films exhibit excellent out-of-plane ordering (lowest (200) rocking-curve half width ∼0.01°) with an orientation of SnO2(100) || Al2O3(0001), while three equivalent domains that are rotated by 120° with one another coexist in-plane with SnO2[010] || Al2O3 [11-20]. Initially the SnO2(100) film assumes a two-dimensional (2D) layer-by-layer growth mode with atomically smooth surface (minimum root-mean-square roughness of 0.183 nm), and endures compressive strain along both c and a axes as well as mild tensile strain along the b-axis. With increasing thickness, transition from the 2D to 3D island growth mode takes place, leading to formation of various defects to allow relief of the stress and thus relaxation of the film towards bulk SnO2. More interestingly, with increasing thickness from nm to μm, the SnO2 films present a non-monotonic V-shaped variation in the optical band gap energy. While the band gap of SnO2 films thinner than 6.1 nm increases rapidly with decreasing film thickness due to the quantum size effect, the band gap of thicker SnO2 films broadens almost linearly with increasing film thickness up to 374 nm, as a result of the strain effect. The present work sheds light on future design of SnO2 films with desired band gap for particular applications by thickness control and strain engineering.

The upper critical field of filamentary Nb3Sn conductors

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Godeke, A.; Jewell, M. C.; Fischer, C. M.; Squitieri, A. A.; Lee, P. J.; Larbalestier, D. C.

2005-05-01

We have examined the upper critical field of a large and representative set of present multifilamentary Nb3Sn wires and one bulk sample over a temperature range from 1.4 K up to the zero-field critical temperature. Since all present wires use a solid-state diffusion reaction to form the A15 layers, inhomogeneities with respect to Sn content are inevitable, in contrast to some previously studied homogeneous samples. Our study emphasizes the effects that these inevitable inhomogeneities have on the field-temperature phase boundary. The property inhomogeneities are extracted from field-dependent resistive transitions which we find broaden with increasing inhomogeneity. The upper 90%-99% of the transitions clearly separates alloyed and binary wires but a pure, Cu-free binary bulk sample also exhibits a zero-temperature critical field that is comparable to the ternary wires. The highest μ0Hc2 detected in the ternary wires are remarkably constant: The highest zero-temperature upper critical fields and zero-field critical temperatures fall within 29.5±0.3 and 17.8±0.3K, respectively, independent of the wire layout. The complete field-temperature phase boundary can be described very well with the relatively simple Maki-DeGennes model using a two-parameter fit, independent of composition, strain state, sample layout, or applied critical state criterion.

Intragrain charge transport in kesterite thin films—Limits arising from carrier localization

DOE PAGES

Hempel, Hannes; Redinger, Alex; Repins, Ingrid; ...

2016-11-03

Intragrain charge carrier mobilities measured by time-resolved terahertz spectroscopy in state of the art Cu 2ZnSn(S,Se) 4 kesterite thin films are found to increase from 32 to 140 cm 2V -1s -1 with increasing Se content. The mobilities are limited by carrier localization on the nanometer-scale, which takes place within the first 2 ps after carrier excitation. The localization strength obtained from the Drude-Smith model is found to be independent of the excited photocarrier density. This is in accordance with bandgap fluctuations as a cause of the localized transport. Lastly, charge carrier localization is a general issue in the probedmore » kesterite thin films, which were deposited by coevaporation, colloidal inks, and sputtering followed by annealing with varying Se/S contents and yield 4.9%-10.0% efficiency in the completed device.« less

Beta-palmitate - a natural component of human milk in supplemental milk formulas.

PubMed

Havlicekova, Zuzana; Jesenak, Milos; Banovcin, Peter; Kuchta, Milan

2016-03-17

The composition and function of human milk is unique and gives a basis for the development of modern artificial milk formulas that can provide an appropriate substitute for non-breastfed infants. Although human milk is not fully substitutable, modern milk formulas are attempting to mimic human milk and partially substitute its complex biological positive effects on infants. Besides the immunomodulatory factors from human milk, research has been focused on the composition and structure of human milk fat with a high content of β-palmitic acid (sn-2 palmitic acid, β-palmitate). According to the available studies, increasing the content of β-palmitate added to milk formulas promotes several beneficial physiological functions. β-palmitate positively influences fatty acid metabolism, increases calcium absorption, improves bone matrix quality and the stool consistency, and has a positive effect on the development of the intestinal microbiome.

Enhanced photodegradation activity of methyl orange over Ag{sub 2}CrO{sub 4}/SnS{sub 2} composites under visible light irradiation

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

Luo, Jin, E-mail: lj328520504@126.com; Zhou, Xiaosong; Ma, Lin

Highlights: • Novel visible-light-driven Ag{sub 2}CrO{sub 4}/SnS{sub 2} composites are synthesized. • Ag{sub 2}CrO{sub 4}/SnS{sub 2} exhibits higher photocatalytic activity than pure Ag{sub 2}CrO{sub 4} and SnS{sub 2}. • Ag{sub 2}CrO{sub 4}/SnS{sub 2} exhibits excellent stability for the photodegradation of MO. • The possible photocatalytic mechanism was discussed in detail. - Abstract: Novel Ag{sub 2}CrO{sub 4}/SnS{sub 2} composites were prepared by a simple chemical precipitation method and characterized by scanning electron microscopy, transmission electron microscopy, X-ray diffraction, X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy, UV–vis diffuse reflectance spectroscopy and photoluminescence spectroscopy. The visible light photocatalytic tests showed that the Ag{sub 2}CrO{sub 4}/SnS{sub 2} compositesmore » enhanced photocatalytic activities for the photodegradation of methyl orange (MO) under visible light irradiation (λ > 420 nm), and the optimum rate constant of Ag{sub 2}CrO{sub 4}/SnS{sub 2} at a weight content of 1.0% Ag{sub 2}CrO{sub 4} for the degradation of MO was 2.2 and 1.5 times larger than that of pure Ag{sub 2}CrO{sub 4} and SnS{sub 2}, respectively. The improved activity could be attributed to high separation efficiency of photogenerated electrons-hole pairs on the interface of Ag{sub 2}CrO{sub 4} and SnS{sub 2}, which arised from the synergistic effect between Ag{sub 2}CrO{sub 4} and SnS{sub 2}. Moreover, the possible photocatalytic mechanism with superoxide radical anions and holes species as the main reactive species in photocatalysis process was proposed on the basis of experimental results.« less

Ultrasonic-assisted pyrolyzation fabrication of reduced SnO2–x /g-C3N4 heterojunctions: Enhance photoelectrochemical and photocatalytic activity under visible LED light irradiation

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

Li, Kai; Zeng, Xiaoqiao; Gao, Shanmin

Novel SnO 2–x/g-C 3N 4 heterojunction nanocomposites composed of reduced SnO 2–x nanoparticles and exfoliated g-C 3N 4 nanosheets were prepared by a convenient one-step pyrolysis method. The structural, morphological, and optical properties of the as-prepared nanocomposites were characterized in detail, indicating that the aggregation of g-C 3N 4 nanosheets was prevented by small, well-dispersed SnO 2–x nanoparticles. The ultraviolet–visible spectroscopy absorption bands of the nanocomposites were shifted to a longer wavelength region than those exhibited by pure SnO 2 or g-C 3N 4. The charge transfer and recombination processes occurring in the nanocomposites were investigated using linear scan voltammetrymore » and electrochemical impedance spectroscopy. Under 30-W visible-light-emitting diode irradiation, the heterojunction containing 27.4 wt.% SnO 2–x exhibited the highest photocurrent density of 0.0468 mA·cm–2, which is 33.43 and 5.64 times larger than that of pure SnO 2 and g-C 3N 4, respectively. The photocatalytic activity of the heterojunction material was investigated by degrading rhodamine B under irradiation from the same light source. Kinetic study revealed a promising degradation rate constant of 0.0226 min-1 for the heterojunction containing 27.4 wt.% SnO 2–x, which is 32.28 and 5.79 times higher than that of pure SnO 2 and g-C 3N 4, respectively. The enhanced photoelectrochemical and photocatalytic performances of the nanocomposite may be due to its appropriate SnO 2–x content and the compact structure of the junction between the SnO 2–x nanoparticles and the g-C 3N 4 nanosheets, which inhibits the recombination of photogenerated electrons and holes.« less

Preparation and electrical properties of electrospun tin-doped indium oxide nanowires

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Lin, Dandan; Wu, Hui; Zhang, Rui; Pan, Wei

2007-11-01

Well-aligned tin-doped indium (ITO) nanowires have been prepared using the electrospinning process. The Sn doping mechanism and microstructure have been characterized by x-ray diffraction (XRD) and x-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS). Devices for I-V measurement and field-effect transistors (FETs) were assembled using ITO nanowires with top contact configurations. The effect of Sn doping on the electrical conductivity was significant in that it enhanced the conductance by over 107 times, up to ~1 S cm-1 for ITO nanowires with an Sn content of 17.5 at.%. The nanowire FETs were operated in the depletion mode with an electron mobility of up to 0.45 cm2 V-1 s-1 and an on/off ratio of 103.

Structural and electromagnetic characterization of Co-Mn doped Ni-Sn ferrites fabricated via micro-emulsion route

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Ali, Rajjab; Azhar Khan, Muhammad; Manzoor, Alina; Shahid, Muhammad; Farooq Warsi, Muhammad

2017-11-01

Ni0.5Sn0.5CoxMnxFe2-2xO4 ferrites with x = 0.0-0.8 have been prepared by the micro-emulsion method, using CTAB as a surfactant material. X-ray diffraction (XRD), Fourier transformed infrared spectroscopy (FTIR) and vibrational sample magnetometer (VSM) were used to investigate the effects of Co and Mn substitutions on cationic distribution, crystallite size, lattice constant, spectral, magnetic and dielectric properties. Lattice constant and crystallite size were found to increase from 7.4 to 9.25 Å and from 11.8 to 19.7 nm respectively with increasing substitution of Co and Mn ions. Saturation magnetization (MS) gradually increased from 20.5 to 47.6 emu/g with increase in the value of x. However, Coercivity increased from 152.7 to 462.4 Oe up to x = 0.4 and then it decreased thereafter. The dielectric constant, complex dielectric constant and tan loss (tanδ) were observed to decrease with increase in frequency, depicting the semiconductor behavior of the ferrites. Dc resistivity was observed to decrease considerably upon addition of Co and Mn content. The outcome for the tunable magnetic properties and achieved modification of the synthesized nanocrystallites may be chosen for tremendous applications; such as miniaturized memory devices that are based on the energy storage principles and capacitive components.

Behavior of Sn atoms in GeSn thin films during thermal annealing: Ex-situ and in-situ observations

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Takase, Ryohei; Ishimaru, Manabu; Uchida, Noriyuki; Maeda, Tatsuro; Sato, Kazuhisa; Lieten, Ruben R.; Locquet, Jean-Pierre

2016-12-01

Thermally induced crystallization processes for amorphous GeSn thin films with Sn concentrations beyond the solubility limit of the bulk crystal Ge-Sn binary system have been examined by X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy, grazing incidence X-ray diffraction, and (scanning) transmission electron microscopy. We paid special attention to the behavior of Sn before and after recrystallization. In the as-deposited specimens, Sn atoms were homogeneously distributed in an amorphous matrix. Prior to crystallization, an amorphous-to-amorphous phase transformation associated with the rearrangement of Sn atoms was observed during heat treatment; this transformation is reversible with respect to temperature. Remarkable recrystallization occurred at temperatures above 400 °C, and Sn atoms were ejected from the crystallized GeSn matrix. The segregation of Sn became more pronounced with increasing annealing temperature, and the ejected Sn existed as a liquid phase. It was found that the molten Sn remains as a supercooled liquid below the eutectic temperature of the Ge-Sn binary system during the cooling process, and finally, β-Sn precipitates were formed at ambient temperature.

Study of metal whiskers growth and mitigation technique using additive manufacturing

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Gullapalli, Vikranth

For years, the alloy of choice for electroplating electronic components has been tin-lead (Sn-Pb) alloy. However, the legislation established in Europe on July 1, 2006, required significant lead (Pb) content reductions from electronic hardware due to its toxic nature. A popular alternative for coating electronic components is pure tin (Sn). However, pure tin has the tendency to spontaneously grow electrically conductive Sn whisker during storage. Sn whisker is usually a pure single crystal tin with filament or hair-like structures grown directly from the electroplated surfaces. Sn whisker is highly conductive, and can cause short circuits in electronic components, which is a very significant reliability problem. The damages caused by Sn whisker growth are reported in very critical applications such as aircraft, spacecraft, satellites, and military weapons systems. They are also naturally very strong and are believed to grow from compressive stresses developed in the Sn coating during deposition or over time. The new directive, even though environmentally friendly, has placed all lead-free electronic devices at risk because of whisker growth in pure tin. Additionally, interest has occurred about studying the nature of other metal whiskers such as zinc (Zn) whiskers and comparing their behavior to that of Sn whiskers. Zn whiskers can be found in flooring of data centers which can get inside electronic systems during equipment reorganization and movement and can also cause systems failure. Even though the topic of metal whiskers as reliability failure has been around for several decades to date, there is no successful method that can eliminate their growth. This thesis will give further insights towards the nature and behavior of Sn and Zn whiskers growth, and recommend a novel manufacturing technique that has potential to mitigate metal whiskers growth and extend life of many electronic devices.

Supergravity separation of Pb and Sn from waste printed circuit boards at different temperatures

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Meng, Long; Wang, Zhe; Zhong, Yi-wei; Chen, Kui-yuan; Guo, Zhan-cheng

2018-02-01

Printed circuit boards (PCBs) contain many toxic substances as well as valuable metals, e.g., lead (Pb) and tin (Sn). In this study, a novel technology, named supergravity, was used to separate different mass ratios of Pb and Sn from Pb-Sn alloys in PCBs. In a supergravity field, the liquid metal phase can permeate from solid particles. Hence, temperatures of 200, 280, and 400°C were chosen to separate Pb and Sn from PCBs. The results depicted that gravity coefficient only affected the recovery rates of Pb and Sn, whereas it had little effect on the mass ratios of Pb and Sn in the obtained alloys. With an increase in gravity coefficient, the recovery values of Pb and Sn in each step of the separation process increased. In the single-step separation process, the mass ratios of Pb and Sn in Pb-Sn alloys were 0.55, 0.40, and 0.64 at 200, 280, and 400°C, respectively. In the two-step separation process, the mass ratios were 0.12 and 0.55 at 280 and 400°C, respectively. Further, the mass ratio was observed to be 0.76 at 400°C in the three-step separation process. This process provides an innovative approach to the recycling mechanism of Pb and Sn from PCBs.

Amorphous nickel incorporated tin oxide thin film transistors

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Yang, Jianwen; Ren, Jinhua; Lin, Dong; Han, Yanbing; Qu, Mingyue; Pi, Shubin; Fu, Ruofan; Zhang, Qun

2017-09-01

Nickel as a dopant has been proposed to suppress excess carrier concentration in n-type tin oxide based thin film transistors (TFTs). The influences of Ni content on nickel doped tin oxide (TNO) thin films and their corresponding TFTs were investigated with experimental results showing that the TNO thin films are amorphous. Through the comparison of the transfer characteristic curves of the TNO TFTs with different Ni contents, it was observed that Ni doping is useful to improve the performance of SnO2-based TFTs by suppressing the off-state current and shifting the threshold voltage to 0 V. The amorphous TNO TFT with 3.3 at.% Ni content shows optimum performance, with field effect mobility of 8.4 cm2 V-1 s-1, saturation mobility of 6.8 cm2 V-1 s-1, subthreshold swing value of 0.8 V/decade, and an on-off current ratio of 2.1  ×  107. Nevertheless, the bias stress stability of SnO2-based TFTs deteriorate.

Macrosegregation and nucleation in undercooled Pb-Sn alloys

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Degroh, Henry C., III

1989-01-01

A technique resulting in large undercoolings in bulk samples (23g) of lead-tin alloys was developed. Samples of Pb-12.5 wt percent Sn, Pb-61 wt percent Sn, and Pb-77 wt percent Sn were processed with undercoolings ranging from 4 to 34 K and with cooling rates varying between 0.04 and 4 K/sec. The nucleation behavior of the Pb-Sn system was found to be nonreciprocal. The solid Sn phase effectively nucleated the Pb phase of the eutectic; however, large undercoolings developed in Sn-rich eutectic liquid in the presence of the solid Pb phase. This phenomenon is believed to be mainly the result of differences in interfacial energies between solid Sn-eutectic liquid, and solid Pb-eutectic liquid rather than lattice misfit between Pb and Sn. Large amounts of segregation developed in the highly undercooled eutectic ingots. This macrosegregation was found to increase as undercooling increases. Macrosegregation in these undercooled eutectic alloys was found to be primarily due to a sink/float mechanism and the nucleation behavior of the alloy. Lead-rich dendrites are the primary phase in the undercooled eutectic system. These dendrites grow rapidly into the undercooled bath and soon break apart due to recalescence and Sn enrichment of the liquid. These fragmented Pb dendrites are then free to settle to the bottom portion of the ingot causing the macrosegregation observed in this study. A eutectic Pb-Sn alloy undercooled 20 K and cooled at 4 K/sec had a composition of about Pb-72 wt percent Sn at the top and 55 percent Sn at the bottom.

Macrosegregation and nucleation in undercooled Pb-Sn alloys

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Degroh, Henry C., III

1989-01-01

A novel technique resulting in large undercoolings in bulk samples (23 g) of lead-tin alloys was developed. Samples of Pb-12.5 wt percent Sn, Pb-61.9 wt.% Sn, and Pb-77 wt.% Sn were processed with undercoolings ranging from 4 to 34 K and with cooling rates varying between 0.04 and 4 K/s. The nucleation behavior of the Pb-Sn system was found to be nonreciprocal. The solid Sn phase effectively nucleated the Pb phase of the eutectic; however, large undercoolings developed in Sn-rich eutectic liquid in the presence of the solid Pb phase. This phenomenon is believed to be mainly the result of differences in interfacial energies between solid Sn-eutectic liquid, and solid Pb-eutectic liquid rather than lattice misfit between Pb and Sn. Large amounts of segregation developed in the highly undercooled eutectic ingots. This macrosegregation was found to increase as undercooling increases. Macrosegregation in these undercooled eutectic alloys was found to be primarily due to a sink/float mechanism and the nucleation behavior of the alloy. Lead-rich dendrites are the primary phase in the undercooled eutectic system. These dendrites grow rapidly into the undercooled bath and soon break apart due to recalescence and Sn enrichment of the liquid. These fragmented Pb dendrites are then free to settle to the bottom portion of the ingot causing the macrosegregation observed in this study. A eutectic Pb-Sn alloy undercooled 20 K and cooled at 4 K/s had a composition of about Pb-72 wt.% Sn at the top and 55% Sn at the bottom.

Characterization and modeling of microstructural evolution of near-eutectic tin-silver-copper solder joints

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Zbrzezny, Adam R.

Near-eutectic Sn-Ag-Cu (SAC) solders are currently considered as major lead-free replacement candidates for Sn-Pb eutectic alloys in microelectronics applications. In this thesis, the microstructural thermal stability including recrystallization, grain growth behavior, Pb and Au contamination effects and interaction of the SAC solder with Cu and Ni substrates were investigated. The true eutectic composition of the Sn-Ag-Cu alloy was verified to be Sn3.5Ag0.9Cu wt.%, and the eutectic melting temperature was determined to be 217.4 +/- 0.8°C. The system was classified as belonging to faceting (Cu6Sn5)-faceting (Ag3Sn)-nonfaceting (Sn matrix) ternary eutectic. The most significant consequence of Pb contamination was the formation of a quaternary eutectic phase (Sn-Ag-Cu-Pb) with a melting point at 176°C. Similarly, the presence of gold in the SAC alloy led to a development of a new quaternary phase (Sn-Ag-Cu-Au) melting at 204°C. Prolonged aging of SAC-4 wt.% Au on nickel resulted in the deposition of a new, previously unreported, intermetallic (IMC) layer, ((Au1-xCUx)6Sn 5, 15 wt.% of Au) on top of the existing (Cu1-yNi y)6Sn5 layer. The interfacial products that formed during soldering to copper were Cu6Sn5 and Cu3Sn. Soldering to nickel resulted in the formation of one layer, (Cu1-yNiy) 6Sn5, which was different from the expected Ni3Sn 4 layer. A small copper content in the SAC solder (0.7 wt.%) was sufficient to promote this thermodynamic shift. Intermetallic growth on Cu during solid state aging was established to be bulk diffusion controlled. The IMC layers in the SAC system grew at a slower rate than in the Sn-Pb system. It was found that the reliability of SAC solder joints on copper was considerably better than on nickel due to copper enrichment during reflow and subsequent Cu6Sn5 intermetallic precipitation. Enhanced copper and silver diffusion followed by tin recrystallization and grain growth, cavity nucleation and subsequent micro-crack linkage formed the framework of a proposed microstructural model of solder degradation mechanisms under cyclic creep conditions. A multilayer diffusion model of the SAC/Cu couple was proposed and employed for predicting intermetallic layer growth kinetics. In general, the calculated IMC thicknesses for short and intermediate aging times were in reasonable agreement with the experimental data.

Adulthood Exposure to Lipopolysaccharide Exacerbates the Neurotoxic and Inflammatory Effects of Rotenone in the Substantia Nigra

PubMed Central

Huang, Chun; Zhu, Li; Li, Huan; Shi, Fu-Guo; Wang, Guo-Qing; Wei, Yi-Zheng; Liu, Jie; Zhang, Feng

2017-01-01

Parkinson’s disease (PD) is the second most neurodegenerative disorder with a regional decrease of dopamine (DA) neurons in the substantia nigra (SN). Despite intense exploration, the etiology of PD progressive process remains unclear. This study was to investigate the synergistic effects of systemic inflammation of lipopolysaccharide (LPS) and neurotoxicity of rotenone (ROT) on exacerbating DA neuron lesion. Male SD adulthood rats received a single intraperitoneal injection of LPS. Seven months later, rats were subcutaneously given ROT five times a week for consecutive 4 weeks. Rat behavior changes were assessed via rotarod and open-field tests. Brain SN was immunostained to evaluate DA neuronal loss and microglia activation. Striatum DA and its metabolites levels were determined by high performance liquid chromatography (HPLC) coupled with electrochemistry. The protein levels of α-synuclein (α-Syn), inflammatory factors and mitogen-activated protein kinase (MAPK) pathway activation were detected by western blotting analysis. Results indicated that no significant difference between the control and LPS alone groups was shown. Compared with ROT alone group, LPS combined with ROT significantly reduced motor activity and induced SN DA neurons loss accompanied by the decreased contents of striatum DA and its metabolites. Furthermore, LPS together with ROT enhanced microglia activation and the increased expressions of α-Syn and inflammatory factors and also MAPK signaling pathway activation. However, LPS alone had no significant effects on the above parameters. These findings suggest that adulthood exposure to LPS exacerbates the neurotoxic and inflammatory effects of ROT in the SN. PMID:28533741

Kinetics of plasma oxidation of germanium-tin (GeSn)

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Wang, Wei; Lei, Dian; Dong, Yuan; Zhang, Zheng; Pan, Jisheng; Gong, Xiao; Tok, Eng-Soon; Yeo, Yee-Chia

2017-12-01

The kinetics of plasma oxidation of GeSn at low temperature is investigated. The oxidation process is described by a power-law model where the oxidation rate decreases rapidly from the initial oxidation rate with increasing time. The oxidation rate of GeSn is higher than that of pure Ge, which can be explained by the higher chemical reaction rate at the GeSn-oxide/GeSn interface. In addition, the Sn atoms at the interface region exchange positions with the underlying Ge atoms during oxidation, leading to a SnO2-rich oxide near the interface. The bandgap of GeSn oxide is extracted to be 5.1 ± 0.2 eV by XPS, and the valence band offset at the GeSn-oxide/GeSn heterojunction is found to be 3.7 ± 0.2 eV. Controlled annealing experiments demonstrate that the GeSn oxide is stable with respect to annealing temperatures up to 400 °C. However, after annealing at 450 °C, the GeO2 is converted to GeO, and desorbs from the GeSn-oxide/GeSn, leaving behind Sn oxide.

The Effect of Copper Addition on the Properties of Sn-0.7Cu Solder Paste

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Said, R. M.; Mohamad Johari, F. H.; Salleh, M. A. A. Mohd; Sandu, A. V.

2018-03-01

The effect of copper addition on the properties of Sn-Cu based solder paste were investigate through this study. The Sn-0.7Cu solder paste doped with different concentration of Cu were prepared using solder paste mixture. The bulk solder microstructure of assolidified solder paste was studied. Besides that, intermetallic compound (IMC) formation on Cu substrate and hardness of all solder paste also being investigated. Results shows that increasing Cu concentration cause formation of large Cu6Sn5 IMC at bulk solder and the size of the IMC grew larger at high temperature. In addition, β-Sn area reduce when Cu concentration was high. The IMC morphology for all solder paste almost remain unchanged. However, there are large Cu6Sn5 IMC form near the interfacial IMC in Sn-Cu solder paste with high amount of Cu (Sn-10Cu). The hardness value was decrease when processing temperature at 250 °C due to present of small void in the microstructure while hardness of solder material increased at high temperature.

Aging Studies of Cu-Sn Intermetallics in Cu Micropillars Used in Flip Chip Attachment onto Cu Lead Frames

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Roma, Maria Penafrancia C.; Kudtarkar, Santosh; Kierse, Oliver; Sengupta, Dipak; Cho, Junghyun

2018-02-01

Copper micropillars plated onto a silicon die and soldered with Sn-Ag solder to a copper lead frame in a flip chip on lead package have been subjected to high-temperature storage at 150°C and 175°C for 500 h, 1000 h, and 1500 h. Cu6Sn5 and Cu3Sn intermetallic compounds were found on both sides of the solder, but the growth rates were not the same as evidenced by different values of the growth exponent n. Cu and Sn diffusion controlled the Cu3Sn growth in the Cu pillar interface ( n ≈ 0.5), while interface reactions controlled the growth in the Cu lead frame interface ( n ≈ 0.8). Increasing the aging temperature increased the growth of Cu3Sn as well as the presence of microvoids in the Cu lead frame side. Adding Ni as a barrier layer on the Cu pillar prevented the growth of Cu3Sn in the Cu pillar interface and reduced its growth rate on the lead frame side, even at higher aging temperatures.

Magnetic and conventional shape memory behavior of Mn-Ni-Sn and Mn-Ni-Sn(Fe) alloys

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Turabi, A. S.; Lázpita, P.; Sasmaz, M.; Karaca, H. E.; Chernenko, V. A.

2016-05-01

Magnetic and conventional shape memory properties of Mn49Ni42Sn9(at.%) and Mn49Ni39Sn9Fe3(at.%) polycrystalline alloys exhibiting martensitic transformation from ferromagnetic austenite into weakly magnetic martensite are characterized under compressive stress and magnetic field. Magnetization difference between transforming phases drastically increases, while transformation temperature decreases with the addition of Fe. Both Mn49Ni42Sn9 and Mn49Ni39Sn9Fe3 alloys show remarkable superelastic and shape memory properties with recoverable strain of 4% and 3.5% under compression at room temperature, respectively. These characteristics can be counted as extraordinary among the polycrystalline NiMn-based magnetic shape memory alloys. Critical stress for phase transformation was increased by 34 MPa in Mn49Ni39Sn9Fe3 and 21 MPa in Mn49Ni42Sn9 at 9 T, which can be qualitatively understood in terms of thermodynamic Clausius-Clapeyron relationships and in the framework of the suggested physical concept of a volume magnetostress.

Growth and metal uptake of energy sugarcane (Saccharum spp.) in different metal mine tailings with soil amendments.

PubMed

Zhang, Xin; Zhu, Yongguan; Zhang, Yuebin; Liu, Yunxia; Liu, Shaochun; Guo, Jiawen; Li, Rudan; Wu, Songlin; Chen, Baodong

2014-05-01

A pot experiment was conducted to investigate the feasibility of growing energy sugarcane (Saccharum spp.) in three different metal mine tailings (Cu, Sn and Pb/Zn tailings) amended with uncontaminated soil at different mixing ratios. The results indicated that sugarcane was highly tolerant to tailing environments. Amendments of 20% soil to Sn tailings and 30% soil to Cu tailings could increase the biomass of cane-stem for use as the raw material for bioethanol production. Heavy metals were mostly retained in roots, which indicated that sugarcane was useful for the stabilization of the tailings. Bagasse and juice, as the most valuable parts to produce bioethanol, only accounted for 0.6%-3% and 0.6%-7% of the total metal content. Our study supported the potential use of sugarcane for tailing phytostabilization and bioenergy production. Copyright © 2014 The Research Centre for Eco-Environmental Sciences, Chinese Academy of Sciences. Published by Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.

Dielectric and ferroelectric properties of Ba0.87Ca0.10La0.03Ti1-xSnxO3 lead-free ceramics

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Chen, Zhi-hui; Li, Zhi-wei; Fang, Chang; Qiu, Jian-hua; Ding, Jian-ning; Zhu, Wei-qin; Xu, Jiu-jun

2017-12-01

Ba0.87Ca0.10La0.03Ti1-xSnxO3 (BCLTS) piezoelectric lead-free ceramics were fabricated by conventional solid-state sintering process at 1480 °C. The effects of Sn4+ substitution on microstructure and electrical properties of the ceramics were researched. All samples show a pure perovskite structure with no secondary phase, and the coexistence of orthorhombic phase and tetragonal phase in the composition range of x = 0.06-0.10 is identified in the XRD pattern. Average grain size decreases with the increase of Sn content in the BCLTS samples. The BCLTS ceramics exhibit excellent piezoelectric properties and ferroelectric properties with d33 = 501pC/N and kp = 45.6% at x = 0.10, and Pr = 9.87 μC/cm2 at x = 0.06. The analysis on the temperature dependence of dielectric permittivity approved the diffuse relaxor ferroelectric feature for all the BCLTS samples.

The effect of noble metal additives on the optimum operating temperature of SnO2 gas sensors

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Mohammad-Yousefi, S.; Rahbarpour, S.; Ghafoorifard, H.

2017-12-01

The effect of Pd and Au additives on gas sensing properties of SnO2 was investigated. SnO2 pallets were fabricated and sintered at 900 °C for 90 minutes. Several nanometer layers of Pd and Au were deposited on separate SnO2 pallets and were intentionally dispersed into the SnO2 pallets by long heat treatment (400 °C for 1 Day). All metal loaded samples showed significant enhancement in response level and optimum operating temperature compare to pure SnO2 gas sensors. The amount of enhancement was strongly dependent on the material and the thickness of deposited metal layer. Studying butanol response showed that increasing the thickness of metal causes the response level to increase. Further thickness increase caused contrary effect and decreased the performance of sensors. Best results were achieved at 10 nm-thick Au and 7 nm-thick Pd. Generally, Pd-SnO2 samples demonstrated better performance than Au-SnO2 ones, however, Au-SnO2 samples were proved to be good candidate to sense reducing gases with lower hydrogen atoms in their formula. Given experimental results were also good evidence of chemical activity of gold and simply confirms the relation between chemical activity and gold particle size. Results were qualitatively described by gas diffusion theory and surface reactions take place on metal particles.The first section in your paper

Ni doping effect on the electronic and sensing properties of 2D SnO2

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Patel, Anjali; Roondhe, Basant; Jha, Prafulla K.

2018-05-01

In the present work using state of art first principles calculations under the frame work of density functional theory the effect of Nickel (Ni) doping on electronic as well as sensing properties of most stable two dimensional (2D) T-SnO2 phase towards ethanol (C2H5OH) has been observed. It has been found that Ni atom when dope on T-SnO2 causes prominent decrement in the band gap from 2.26 eV to 1.48 eV and improves the sensing phenomena of pristine T-SnO2 towards C2H5OH by increasing the binding energy from -0.18eV to -0.93eV. The comparative analysis of binding energy shows that Ni improves the binding of C2H5OH by 5.16 times the values for pristine T-SnO2. The doping of Ni into 2D T-SnO2 reduces the band gap through lowering of the conduction band minimum, thereby increasing the electron affinity which increases the sensing performance of T-SnO2. The variation in the electronic properties after and before the exposure of ethanol reinforced to use Ni:SnO2 nano structure for sensing applications. The results indicate that the Ni doped T-SnO2 can be utilized in improved optoelectronic as well as sensor devices in the future.

Effects of Cu and Ag as ternary and quaternary additions on some physical properties of SnSb7 bearing alloy

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

El-Bediwi, A. B.

2004-02-01

The structure, electrical resistivity, and elastic modulus of SnSb7 and SnSb7X (X = Cu , Ag, or Cu and Ag) rapidly solidified alloys have been investigated using X-ray diffractometer, double bridge, and dynamic resonance techniques. Copper and silver additions to SnSb result in the formation of a eutectic matrix containing embedded crystals (intermetallic phases) of SnCu, SnAg, and SnSb. The hard crystals SnCu, SnAg, and SnSb increase the overall hardness and wear resistance of SnSb bearing alloys. Addition of copper and silver improves internal friction, electrical conductivity, and elastic modulus values of SnSb rapidly solidified bearing alloys. The internal friction, elastic modulus, and electrical resistivity values are relatively sensitive to the composition of the intermediate phases in the matrix. The SbSb(7)Cu(2)g(2) has better properties (lowest internal friction, cost, adequate elastic modulus, and electrical resistivity) for bearing alloys as compared to cast iron and bronzes.

Effects of interlayer Sn-Sn lone pair interaction on the band gap of bulk and nanosheet SnO

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Umezawa, Naoto; Zhou, Wei

2015-03-01

Effects of interlayer lone-pair interactions on the electronic structure of SnO are firstly explored by the density-functional theory. Our comprehensive study reveals that the band gap of SnO opens as increase in the interlayer Sn-Sn distance. The effect is rationalized by the character of band edges which consists of bonding and anti-bonding states from interlayer lone pair interactions. The band edges for several nanosheets and strained double-layer SnO are estimated. We conclude that the double-layer SnO is a promising material for visible-light driven photocatalyst for hydrogen evolution. This work is supported by the Japan Science and Technology Agency (JST) Precursory Research for Embryonic Science and Technology (PRESTO) program.

Phase Equilibria of the Ternary Sn-Pb-Co System at 250°C and Interfacial Reactions of Co with Sn-Pb Alloys

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Wang, Chao-hong; Kuo, Chun-yi; Yang, Nian-cih

2015-11-01

The isothermal section of the ternary Sn-Pb-Co system at 250°C was experimentally determined through a series of the equilibrated Sn-Pb-Co alloys of various compositions. The equilibrium phases were identified on the basis of compositional analysis. For the Sn-Co intermetallic compounds (IMCs), CoSn3, CoSn2, CoSn and Co3Sn2, the Pb solubility was very limited. There exist five tie-triangle regions. The Co-Pb system involves one monotectic reaction, so the phase separation of liquid alloys near the Co-Pb side occurred prior to solidification. The immiscibility field was also determined. Additionally, interfacial reactions between Co and Sn-Pb alloys were conducted. The reaction phase for the Sn-48 at.%Pb and Sn-58 at.%Pb at 250°C was CoSn3 and CoSn2, respectively. Both of them were simultaneously formed in the Sn-53 at.%Pb/Co. The formed IMCs were closely associated to the phase equilibria relationship of the liquid-CoSn3-CoSn2 tie-triangle. Furthermore, with increasing temperatures, the phase formed in equilibrium with Sn-37 wt.%Pb was found to transit from CoSn3 to CoSn2 at 275°C. We propose a simple method of examining the phase transition temperature in the interfacial reactions to determine the boundaries of the liquid-CoSn3-CoSn2 tie-triangles at different temperatures.

Use of tin-117m to study the role of tin in the direct labeling of proteins with rhenium-188

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

Dadachova, E.; Mirzadeh, S.; Knapp, F.F. Jr.

1996-05-01

Sn-117m provided an opportunity to study the effect of [Sn(II)] on the complexation of carrier-free Re-188, radiolabeling efficiency and incorporation of Sn into reduced IgG. Endogenous thiols of the IgG were exposed using dithiothreitol. Reduction of Re-188 was achieved with SnCl{sub 2} [spiked with Sn-117m(II)] in either gluconate(Glu) or citrate(Cit) buffer at pH=4.2. Concentration of Sn(II) varied from 5x10{sup -4} to 1 mg per mg protein. Complexation of reduced Re-188 was monitored by ITLC-SG, and protein was monitored by HPLC. Complexation of Re-188 at [Sn(II)]=5x10{sup -4} mg was higher in Cit (20%) than in Glu (10%); at 5x10{sup -2} mgmore » - 50% in both buffers; and at 1 mg - higher in Glu (95%) than in Cit (60%). The efficiency of protein labeling was considerably higher in Glu than in Cit for the entire range of [Sn(II)]. Experiments with Sn-117m demonstrated that the absolute amount of Sn(II) associated with protein increased with increasing [Sn(II)], and distinct saturation levels were found for both Glu and Cit. Saturation levels were 6.4 and 33 {mu}g of Sn/mg of protein for Flu and Cit, respectively (19 and 48% incorporation). For all [Sn(II)] studied, the amount of Sn bound to the protein was 5-10 times higher in Cit than in Glu. In summary, Glu seems to release Re for transchelation to the protein more readily than Cit. Simultaneously, it complexes Sn(II) more efficiently than Cit thus preventing competition between Re and Sn for thiol groups. These data provide additional insights into the mechanism of direct labeling of proteins with carrier-free Re-188 as well as into the choice of supporting ligand for direct labeling.« less

The Melting Characteristics and Interfacial Reactions of Sn-ball/Sn-3.0Ag-0.5Cu-paste/Cu Joints During Reflow Soldering

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Huang, J. Q.; Zhou, M. B.; Zhang, X. P.

2017-03-01

In this work, the melting characteristics and interfacial reactions of Sn-ball/Sn-3.0Ag-0.5Cu-paste/Cu (Sn/SAC305-paste/Cu) structure joints were studied using differential scanning calorimetry, in order to gain a deeper and broader understanding of the interfacial behavior and metallurgical combination among the substrate (under-bump metallization), solder ball and solder paste in a board-level ball grid array (BGA) assembly process, which is often seen as a mixed assembly using solder balls and solder pastes. Results show that at the SAC305 melting temperature of 217°C, neither the SAC305-paste nor the Sn-ball coalesce, while an interfacial reaction occurs between the SAC305-paste and Cu. A slight increase in reflow temperature (from 217°C to 218°C) results in the coalescence of the SAC305-paste with the Sn-ball. The Sn-ball exhibits premelting behavior at reflow temperatures below its melting temperature, and the premelting direction is from the bottom to the top of the Sn-ball. Remarkably, at 227°C, which is nearly 5°C lower than the melting point of pure Sn, the Sn-ball melts completely, resulting from two eutectic reactions, i.e., the reaction between Sn and Cu and that between Sn and Ag. Furthermore, a large amount of bulk Cu6Sn5 phase forms in the solder due to the quick dissolution of Cu substrate when the reflow temperature is increased to 245°C. In addition, the growth of the interfacial Cu6Sn5 layer at the SAC305-paste/Cu interface is controlled mainly by grain boundary diffusion, while the growth of the interfacial Cu3Sn layer is controlled mainly by bulk diffusion.

Potential use of avocado oil on structured lipids MLM-type production catalysed by commercial immobilised lipases.

PubMed

Caballero, Eduardo; Soto, Carmen; Olivares, Araceli; Altamirano, Claudia

2014-01-01

Structured Lipids are generally constituents of functional foods. Growing demands for SL are based on a fuller understanding of nutritional requirements, lipid metabolism, and improved methods to produce them. Specifically, this work was aimed to add value to avocado oil by producing dietary triacylglycerols (TAG) containing medium-chain fatty acids (M) at positions sn-1,3 and long-chain fatty acids (L) at position sn-2. These MLM-type structured lipids (SL) were produced by interesterification of caprylic acid (CA) (C8:0) and avocado oil (content of C18:1). The regiospecific sn-1,3 commercial lipases Lipozyme RM IM and TL IM were used as biocatalysts to probe the potential of avocado oil to produce SL. Reactions were performed at 30-50°C for 24 h in solvent-free media with a substrate molar ratio of 1∶2 (TAG:CA) and 4-10% w/w enzyme content. The lowest incorporation of CA (1.1% mol) resulted from Lipozyme RM IM that was incubated at 50°C. The maximum incorporation of CA into sn-1,3 positions of TAG was 29.2% mol. This result was obtained at 30°C with 10% w/w Lipozyme TL IM, which is the highest values obtained in solvent-free medium until now for structured lipids of low-calories. This strategy opens a new market to added value products based on avocado oil.

Potential Use of Avocado Oil on Structured Lipids MLM-Type Production Catalysed by Commercial Immobilised Lipases

PubMed Central

Caballero, Eduardo; Soto, Carmen; Olivares, Araceli; Altamirano, Claudia

2014-01-01

Structured Lipids are generally constituents of functional foods. Growing demands for SL are based on a fuller understanding of nutritional requirements, lipid metabolism, and improved methods to produce them. Specifically, this work was aimed to add value to avocado oil by producing dietary triacylglycerols (TAG) containing medium-chain fatty acids (M) at positions sn-1,3 and long-chain fatty acids (L) at position sn-2. These MLM-type structured lipids (SL) were produced by interesterification of caprylic acid (CA) (C8:0) and avocado oil (content of C18:1). The regiospecific sn-1,3 commercial lipases Lipozyme RM IM and TL IM were used as biocatalysts to probe the potential of avocado oil to produce SL. Reactions were performed at 30–50°C for 24 h in solvent-free media with a substrate molar ratio of 1∶2 (TAG:CA) and 4–10% w/w enzyme content. The lowest incorporation of CA (1.1% mol) resulted from Lipozyme RM IM that was incubated at 50°C. The maximum incorporation of CA into sn-1,3 positions of TAG was 29.2% mol. This result was obtained at 30°C with 10% w/w Lipozyme TL IM, which is the highest values obtained in solvent-free medium until now for structured lipids of low-calories. This strategy opens a new market to added value products based on avocado oil. PMID:25248107

Effect of annealing on physical characteristics of the vacuum evaporated mixed phase Sn x S y thin films

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Banotra, A.; Padha, N.

2017-11-01

The mixed phase Sn x S y films of the thickness of 200 nm were obtained by annealing in an indigenously designed furnace at 473 K, 523 K, 573 K and 623 K for 1 h at each temperature. Prior to annealing, the precursor ‘Sn’ and ‘S’ materials were mixed up in a ball milling setup and thermally evaporated at the vacuum pressure ~2  ×  10-6 mbar on corning glass substrate. The increase in the annealing temperature influenced the reaction kinetics of ‘Sn’ and ‘S’ materials and led to the formation of SnS phase at 473 K. The SnS phase existed from 473 K to 573 K and transformed to Sn2S3 at temperatures between 573 K and 623 K. Besides this, the SnS2 phase co-existed in all undertaken temperatures where intensity of its most prominent peak increased with increase in annealing temperature. The transmittance (%) values of the undertaken films increased with increase in the annealing temperature in the wavelengths varying from 400 nm (visible) to 1600 nm (NIR). The absorption coefficient (α) values decreased with increase in annealing temperature from 1  ×  105 to 4  ×  104 cm-1 in the visible region and attained saturation values (~2  ×  104 cm-1) in the NIR region. The films possessed direct bandgap (E g) with values increasing from 1.90 eV to 2.82 eV with increase in the annealing temperature from 473 K to 623 K it also possessed indirect bandgaps with E g values varying from 0.82 eV to 1.52 eV with increase in annealing temperature in the same temperature range. The 473 K annealed samples provided irregular shaped SnS grains indicated by bright crystallites which reached to their stable position with enhanced crystallinity at the annealing temperatures of 523 K and 573 K. The SnS grains, however, reduced to lesser number at 623 K due to growth of Sn2S3 crystallites at the expense of SnS. The ‘S’ rich SnS phase (SnS2) crystallites were seen represented by darker crystallites appeared at 523 K, 573 K and 623 K. The current-voltage (I-V) study of the FTO/Film/Ag structure confirmed the schottky diode formation between Ag and film interface. There are variations in the I-V behaviour of diodes which resulted in random changes in the values of ‘ideality factor’ and ‘barrier heights’. The changes in diode parameters may be due to variation in the interface states, surface defects and barrier inhomogenities occurring due to compositional changes in Sn x S y films.

Leaf density explains variation in leaf mass per area in rice between cultivars and nitrogen treatments.

PubMed

Xiong, Dongliang; Wang, Dan; Liu, Xi; Peng, Shaobing; Huang, Jianliang; Li, Yong

2016-05-01

Leaf mass per area (LMA) is an important leaf trait; however, correlations between LMA and leaf anatomical features and photosynthesis have not been fully investigated, especially in cereal crops. The objectives of this study were (a) to investigate the correlations between LMA and leaf anatomical traits; and (b) to clarify the response of LMA to nitrogen supply and its effect on photosynthetic nitrogen use efficiency (PNUE). In the present study, 11 rice varieties were pot grown under sufficient nitrogen (SN) conditions, and four selected rice cultivars were grown under low nitrogen (LN) conditions. Leaf anatomical traits, gas exchange and leaf N content were measured. There was large variation in LMA across selected rice varieties. Regression analysis showed that the variation in LMA was more closely related to leaf density (LD) than to leaf thickness (LT). LMA was positively related to the percentage of mesophyll tissue area (%mesophyll), negatively related to the percentage of epidermis tissue area (%epidermis) and unrelated to the percentage of vascular tissue area (%vascular). The response of LMA to N supplementation was dependent on the variety and was also mainly determined by the response of LD to N. Compared with SN, photosynthesis was significantly decreased under LN, while PNUE was increased. The increase in PNUE was more critical in rice cultivars with a higher LMA under SN supply. Leaf density is the major cause of the variation in LMA across rice varieties and N treatments, and an increase in LMA under high N conditions would aggravate the decrease in PNUE. © The Author 2016. Published by Oxford University Press on behalf of the Annals of Botany Company. All rights reserved. For Permissions, please email: journals.permissions@oup.com.

Preparation of p-type GaN-doped SnO2 thin films by e-beam evaporation and their applications in p-n junction

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Lv, Shuliang; Zhou, Yawei; Xu, Wenwu; Mao, Wenfeng; Wang, Lingtao; Liu, Yong; He, Chunqing

2018-01-01

Various transparent GaN-doped SnO2 thin films were deposited on glass substrates by e-beam evaporation using GaN:SnO2 targets of different GaN weight ratios. It is interesting to find that carrier polarity of the thin films was converted from n-type to p-type with increasing GaN ratio higher than 15 wt.%. The n-p transition in GaN-doped SnO2 thin films was explained for the formation of GaSn and NO with increasing GaN doping level in the films, which was identified by Hall measurement and XPS analysis. A transparent thin film p-n junction was successfully fabricated by depositing p-type GaN:SnO2 thin film on SnO2 thin film, and a low leakage current (6.2 × 10-5 A at -4 V) and a low turn-on voltage of 1.69 V were obtained for the p-n junction.

Correlation between the oxide impedance and corrosion behavior of Zr-Nb-Sn-Fe-Cu alloys

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Park, Sang-Yoon; Lee, Myung-Ho; Jeong, Yong-Hwan; Jung, Youn-Ho

2004-12-01

The correlation between the oxide impedance and corrosion behavior of two series of Zr-Nb-Sn-Fe-Cu alloys was evaluated. Corrosion tests were performed in a 70 ppm LiOH aqueous solution at 360°C for 300 days. The results of the corrosion tests revealed that the corrosion behavior of the alloys depended on the Nb and Sn content. The impedance characteristics for the pre- and post-transition oxide layers formed on the surface of the alloys were investigated in sulfuric acid at room temperature. From the results, a pertinent equivalent circuit model was preferably established, explaining the properties of double oxide layers. The impedance of the oxide layers correlated with the corrosion behavior; better corrosion resistance always showed higher electric resistance for the inner layers. It is thus concluded that a pertinent equivalent circuit model would be useful for evaluating the long-term corrosion behavior of Zr-Nb-Sn-Fe-Cu alloys.

AISI/DOE Technology Roadmap Program: Removal of Residual Elements in The Steel Ladle by a Combination of Top Slag and Deep Injection Practice

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

S. Street; K.S. Coley; G.A. Iron

2001-08-31

The objective of this work was to determine if tin could be removed from liquid steel by a combination of deep injection of calcium and a reducing top-slag practice. The work was carried out in three stages: injection of Ca wire into 35 Kg heats in an induction furnace under laboratory condition; a fundamental study of the solubility of Sn in the slag as a function of oxygen potential, temperature and slag composition; and, two full-scale plant trials. During the first stage, it was found that 7 to 50% of the Sn was removed from initial Sn contents of 0.1%,more » using 8 to 16 Kg of calcium per tonne of steel. The Sn solubility study suggested that low oxygen potential, high basicity of the slag and lower temperature would aid Sn removal by deep injection of Ca in the bath. However, two full-scale trials at the LMF station in Dofasco's plant showed virtually no Sn removal, mainly because of very low Ca consumption rates used (0.5 to 1.1 Kg/tonne vs. 8 to 16 Kg/tonne used during the induction furnace study in the laboratory). Based on the current price of Ca, addition of 8 to 16 Kg/tonne of steel to remove Sn is too cost prohibitive, and therefore, it is not worthwhile to pursue this process further, even though it may be technically feasible.« less

On the tin impurity in the thermoelectric compound ZnSb: Charge-carrier generation and compensation

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

Prokofieva, L. V., E-mail: lprokofieva496@gmail.com; Konstantinov, P. P.; Shabaldin, A. A.

2016-06-15

The technique for measuring the Hall coefficient and electrical conductivity in the thermal cycling mode is used to study the effect of the Sn impurity on the microstructure and properties of pressed ZnSb samples. Tin was introduced as an excess component (0.1 and 0.2 at %) and as a substitutional impurity for Zn and Sb atoms in a concentration of (2–2.5) at % The temperature dependences of the parameters of lightly doped samples are fundamentally like similar curves for ZnSb with 0.1 at % of Cu. The highest Hall concentration, 1.4 × 10{sup 19} cm{sup –3} at 300 K, ismore » obtained upon the introduction of 0.1 at % of Sn; the dimensionless thermoelectric figure of merit attains its maximum value of 0.85 at 660 K. The experimental data are discussed under the assumption of two doping mechanisms, which are effective in different temperature ranges, with zinc vacancies playing the decisive role of acceptor centers. In two ZnSb samples with SnSb and ZnSn additives, the charge-carrier compensation effect is observed; this effect depends on temperature and markedly changes with doping type. As in p-type A{sup IV}–B{sup VI} materials with a low Sn content, hole compensation can be attributed to atomic recharging Sn{sup 2+} → Sn{sup 4+}. Types of compensating complexes are considered.« less

Fabrication of biodegradable micelles with sheddable poly(ethylene glycol) shells as the carrier of 7-ethyl-10-hydroxy-camptothecin.

PubMed

Guo, Qian; Luo, Ping; Luo, Yu; Du, Fang; Lu, Wei; Liu, Shiyuan; Huang, Jin; Yu, Jiahui

2012-12-01

Biodegradable micelles with sheddable poly(ethylene glycol) shells were fabricated based on poly(ethylene glycol)-block-poly(γ-benzyl L-glutamate) (mPEG-SS-PBLG) diblock copolymer and applied as the carrier of 7-ethyl-10-hydroxy-camptothecin (SN-38) in order to enhance its solubility and stability in aqueous media. The diblock polymer was designed to have the hydrophilic PEG moiety and hydrophobic PBLG moiety linked by biodegradable disulfide bond, so in reducing environment the PEG shells can be detached. The polymer was able to form the micelles of nano-scale in aqueous media, suggesting their passive targeting potential to tumor tissue. Water-insoluble antitumor drug, SN-38, was easily encapsulated into mPEG-SS-PBLG nanomicelles by lyophilization method. When setting theoretical drug loading content at 10 wt%, the drug encapsulation efficiency (EE) was assayed as 73.5%. Owing to the disulfide bond in mPEG-SS-PBLG, intense release of SN-38 occurred in the presence of dithiothreitol (DTT) at the concentration of simulating the intracellular condition, however, micelles showed gradual release of SN-38 in the absence of DTT. Also, the mPEG-SS-PBLG micelles effectively protected the active lactone ring of SN-38 from hydrolysis under physiological condition. Compared with free SN-38, SN-38-loaded nanomicelles showed essentially decreased cytotoxicity against L929 cell line in 24h, bare mPEG-SS-PBLG nanomicelles showed almost non-toxicity. Copyright © 2012 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.

SISGR-Fundamental Experimental and Theoretical Studies on a Novel Family of Oxide Catalyst Supports for Water Electrolysis

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

Kumta, Prashant

2014-10-03

Identification and development of non-noble metal based electro-catalysts or electro-catalysts with significant reduction of expensive noble metal contents (E.g. IrO2, Pt) with comparable electrochemical performance as the standard noble metal/metal oxide for proton exchange membrane (PEM) based water electrolysis would constitute a major breakthrough in the generation of hydrogen by water electrolysis. Accomplishing such a system would not only result reduction of the overall capital costs of PEM based water electrolyzers, but also help attain the targeted hydrogen production cost [< $ 3.0 / gallon gasoline equivalent (gge)] comparable to conventional liquid fuels. In line with these goals, it wasmore » demonstrated that fluorine doped IrO2 thin films and nanostructured high surface area powders display remarkably higher electrochemical activity, and comparable durability as pure IrO2 electro-catalyst for the oxygen evolution reaction (OER) in PEM based water electrolysis. Furthermore, corrosion resistant SnO2 and NbO2 support has been doped with F and coupled with IrO2 or RuO2 for use as an OER electro-catalyst. A solid solution of SnO2:F or NbO2:F with only 20 - 30 mol.% IrO2 or RuO2 yielding a rutile structure in the form of thin films and bulk nanoparticles displays similar electrochemical activity and stability as pure IrO2/RuO2. This would lead to more than 70 mol.% reduction in the noble metal oxide content. Novel nanostructured ternary (Ir,Sn,Nb)O2 thin films of different compositions FUNDAMENTAL STUDY OF NANOSTRUCTURED ELECTRO-CATALYSTS WITH REDUCED NOBLE METAL CONTENT FOR PEM BASED WATER ELECTROLYSIS 4 have also been studied. It has been shown that (Ir0.40Sn0.30Nb0.30)O2 shows similar electrochemical activity and enhanced chemical robustness as compared to pure IrO2. F doping of the ternary (Ir,Sn,Nb)O2 catalyst helps in further decreasing the noble metal oxide content of the catalyst. As a result, these reduced noble metal oxide catalyst systems would potentially be preferred as OER electro-catalysts for PEM electrolysis. The excellent performance of the catalysts coupled with its robustness would make them great candidates for contributing to significant reduction in the overall capital costs of PEM based water electrolyzers. This s.thesis provides a detailed fundamental study of the synthesis, materials, characterization, theoretical studies and detailed electrochemical response and potential mechanisms of these novel electro-catalysts for OER processes.« less

Mössbauer and X-ray Diffraction Investigations of Sn-containing Binary and Ternary Electrodeposited Alloys from a Gluconate Bath

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Kuzmann, E.; Stichleutner, S.; Doyle, O.; Chisholm, C. U.; El-Sharif, M.; Homonnay, Z.; Vértes, A.

2005-04-01

Constant current technique was applied to electrodeposit tin-containing coatings such as tin-cobalt (Sn-Co), tin-iron (Sn-Fe) and a novel tin-cobalt-iron (Sn-Co-Fe) from a gluconate bath. The effect of plating parameters (current density, deposition time at an electrolyte temperature of 60°C and pH=7.0) on phase composition, crystal structure and magnetic anisotropy of alloy deposits has been investigated mainly by 57Fe CEMS, 119Sn CEMS and transmission Mössbauer Spectroscopy as well as XRD. 57Fe and 119Sn CEM spectra and XRD reflect that the dominant phases of the deposits are orthorhombic Co3Sn2, tetragonal FeSn2 or amorphous Fe-Sn and amorphous Sn-Co-Fe in Sn-Co, Sn-Fe and Sn-Co-Fe coatings, respectively. Furthermore, the relative area of the 2nd and 5th lines of the sextets representing the magnetic iron containing phases decreases continuously with increasing current density in all Fe-containing deposits. At the same time, no essential change in the magnetic anisotropy can be found with the plating time. 119Sn spectra reveal the presence of small amount of β-Sn besides the main phases in Sn-Fe and in the Sn-Co coatings. Magnetically split 119Sn spectra reflecting transferred hyperfine field were observed in the case of Co-Sn-Fe coatings.

Electric properties and phase transition behavior in lead lanthanum zirconate stannate titanate ceramics with low zirconate content

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Zeng, Tao; Lou, Qi-Wei; Chen, Xue-Feng; Zhang, Hong-Ling; Dong, Xian-Lin; Wang, Gen-Shui

2015-11-01

The phase transitions, dielectric properties, and polarization versus electric field (P-E) hysteresis loops of Pb0.97La0.02(Zr0.42Sn0.58-xTix)O3 (0.13≤ x ≤0.18) (PLZST) bulk ceramics were systematically investigated. This study exhibited a sequence of phase transitions by analyzing the change of the P-E hysteresis loops with increasing temperature. The antiferroelectric (AFE) to ferroelectric (FE) phase boundary of PLZST with the Zr content of 0.42 was found to locate at the Ti content between 0.14 and 0.15. This work is aimed to improve the ternary phase diagram of lanthanum-doped PZST with the Zr content of 0.42 and will be a good reference for seeking high energy storage density in the PLZST system with low-Zr content. Project supported by the National Natural Science Foundation of China (Grant Nos. 51202273, 11204304, and 11304334) and the Science and Technology Commission of Shanghai Municipality, China (Grant No. 14DZ2261000).

The use of surfactants to enhance the solubility and stability of the water-insoluble anticancer drug SN38 into liquid crystalline phase nanoparticles.

PubMed

Ranneh, Abdul-Hackam; Iwao, Yasunori; Noguchi, Shuji; Oka, Toshihiko; Itai, Shigeru

2016-12-30

Cubosomes were used to increase the aqueous solubility of the water insoluble anticancer drug SN38. The results showed that the use of a common cubosome formulation consisting of phytantriol (PHYT) as the matrix amphiphile (PHYT-cubosome) led to a 6-fold increase in the solubility of SN38. However, mean hydrodynamic diameter (D H ) and polydispersity index (PDI) of these PHYT-cubosome particles were 345±49nm and 0.37±0.05, respectively, making them unsuitable for intravenous applications. Several additives were investigated to increase the solubility of SN38 and reduce the D H and PDI values of the resulting particles. Charged additives such as didodecyldimethyl ammonium bromide (DDAB) and sodium dodecyl sulfate (SDS) led to improvements in the physiochemical properties of the cubosomes. Notably, the PHYT-DDAB and PHT-SDS cubosomes led to 15- and 14-fold increases in the aqueous solubility of SN38, respectively. Moreover, the SN38 loaded into the PHYT-DDAB and PHYT-SDS cubosomes was found to be highly stable, with very little hydrolysis to its inactive acid form. In summary, the addition of DDAB and SDS to PHYT-cubosome nanoparticle drug delivery systems not only led to considerable improvements in their physiochemical properties, but also enhanced the aqueous solubility of SN38 and increased its chemical stability. Copyright © 2016 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.

Vibrational and elastic properties of Ln2Sn2O7 (Ln = La, Sm, Gd, Dy, Ho, Er, Yb, or Lu)

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Akbudak, S.; Kushwaha, A. K.

2018-04-01

In this study, an eight-parameter bond-bending force constant model was used to calculate the zone center phonon frequencies, elastic constants, and related properties of the stannate compounds Ln2Sn2O7 (Ln = La, Sm, Gd, Dy, Ho, Er, Yb, or Lu) with a pyrochlore structure. We found that the Snsbnd O bond strengths dominate the Ln-O and Osbnd O bonds. We also found that all of the materials are ductile and anisotropic in nature. The anisotropic nature of the compounds increases in the order of: La2Sn2O7 < Sm2Sn2O7 < Gd2Sn2O7 < Dy2Sn2O7 < Ho2Sn2O7 < Er2Sn2O7 < Yb2Sn2O7 < Lu2Sn2O7.

Qualitative and quantitative analysis of an additive element in metal oxide nanometer film using laser induced breakdown spectroscopy.

PubMed

Xiu, Junshan; Liu, Shiming; Sun, Meiling; Dong, Lili

2018-01-20

The photoelectric performance of metal ion-doped TiO 2 film will be improved with the changing of the compositions and concentrations of additive elements. In this work, the TiO 2 films doped with different Sn concentrations were obtained with the hydrothermal method. Qualitative and quantitative analysis of the Sn element in TiO 2 film was achieved with laser induced breakdown spectroscopy (LIBS) with the calibration curves plotted accordingly. The photoelectric characteristics of TiO 2 films doped with different Sn content were observed with UV visible absorption spectra and J-V curves. All results showed that Sn doping could improve the optical absorption to be red-shifted and advance the photoelectric properties of the TiO 2 films. We had obtained that when the concentration of Sn doping in TiO 2 films was 11.89  mmol/L, which was calculated by the LIBS calibration curves, the current density of the film was the largest, which indicated the best photoelectric performance. It indicated that LIBS was a potential and feasible measured method, which was applied to qualitative and quantitative analysis of the additive element in metal oxide nanometer film.

New SnO2/MgAl-layered double hydroxide composites as photocatalysts for cationic dyes bleaching.

PubMed

Dvininov, E; Ignat, M; Barvinschi, P; Smithers, M A; Popovici, E

2010-05-15

A new type of nanocomposite containing SnO(2) has been obtained by wet impregnation of dehydrated Mg/Al-hydrotalcite-type compounds with ethanolic solutions of SnCl(4).2H(2)O. Tin chloride hydrolysis was achieved using NaOH or NH(4)OH aqueous solutions, at pH around 9, followed by the conversion into corresponding hydroxides through calcinations. The powder X-ray diffraction (PXRD) and UV-Vis diffuse reflectance (UV-DR) methods confirmed the structure of as-synthesized solids. The chemical composition and morphology of the synthesized materials were investigated by energy dispersive X-ray analysis (EDX), scanning electron microscopy (SEM) and transmission electron microscopy (TEM). The as-synthesized materials were used for photocatalytic studies showing a good activity for methylene blue decolourization, which varies with SnO(2) content and used as a hydrolysing agent. The proposed mechanism is based on the shifting of flat band potential of SnO(2) due to the interaction with Mg/Al-LDH, this being energetically favourable to the formation of hydroxyl radicals responsible for methylene blue degradation. Copyright (c) 2009 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.

Crystal Structure Variations of Sn Nanoparticles upon Heating

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Mittal, Jagjiwan; Lin, Kwang-Lung

2018-04-01

Structural changes in Sn nanoparticles during heating below the melting point have been investigated using differential scanning calorimetry (DSC), x-ray diffraction (XRD) analysis, electron diffraction (ED), and high-resolution transmission electron microscopy (HRTEM). DSC revealed that the heat required to melt the nanoparticles (28.43 J/g) was about half compared with Sn metal (52.80 J/g), which was attributed to the large surface energy contribution for the nanoparticles. ED and XRD analyses of the Sn nanoparticles revealed increased intensity for crystal planes having large interplaner distances compared with regular crystal planes with increasing heat treatment temperature (HTT). HRTEM revealed an increase in interlayer spacing at the surface and near joints between nanoparticles with the HTT, leading to an amorphous structure of nanoparticles at the surface at 220°C. These results highlight the changes that occur in the morphology and crystal structure of Sn nanoparticles at the surface and in the interior with increase of the heat treatment temperature.

Direct gap Ge1-ySny alloys: Fabrication and design of mid-IR photodiodes

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Senaratne, C. L.; Wallace, P. M.; Gallagher, J. D.; Sims, P. E.; Kouvetakis, J.; Menéndez, J.

2016-07-01

Chemical vapor deposition methods were developed, using stoichiometric reactions of specialty Ge3H8 and SnD4 hydrides, to fabricate Ge1-ySny photodiodes with very high Sn concentrations in the 12%-16% range. A unique aspect of this approach is the compatible reactivity of the compounds at ultra-low temperatures, allowing efficient control and systematic tuning of the alloy composition beyond the direct gap threshold. This crucial property allows the formation of thick supersaturated layers with device-quality material properties. Diodes with composition up to 14% Sn were initially produced on Ge-buffered Si(100) featuring previously optimized n-Ge/i-Ge1-ySny/p-Ge1-zSnz type structures with a single defected interface. The devices exhibited sizable electroluminescence and good rectifying behavior as evidenced by the low dark currents in the I-V measurements. The formation of working diodes with higher Sn content up to 16% Sn was implemented by using more advanced n-Ge1-xSnx/i-Ge1-ySny/p-Ge1-zSnz architectures incorporating Ge1-xSnx intermediate layers (x ˜ 12% Sn) that served to mitigate the lattice mismatch with the Ge platform. This yielded fully coherent diode interfaces devoid of strain relaxation defects. The electrical measurements in this case revealed a sharp increase in reverse-bias dark currents by almost two orders of magnitude, in spite of the comparable crystallinity of the active layers. This observation is attributed to the enhancement of band-to-band tunneling when all the diode layers consist of direct gap materials and thus has implications for the design of light emitting diodes and lasers operating at desirable mid-IR wavelengths. Possible ways to engineer these diode characteristics and improve carrier confinement involve the incorporation of new barrier materials, in particular, ternary Ge1-x-ySixSny alloys. The possibility of achieving type-I structures using binary and ternary alloy combinations is discussed in detail, taking into account the latest experimental and theoretical work on band offsets involving such materials.

Plasma combined self-assembled monolayer pretreatment on electroplated-Cu surface for low temperature Cu-Sn bonding in 3D integration

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Wang, Junqiang; Wang, Qian; Wu, Zijian; Tan, Lin; Cai, Jian; Wang, Dejun

2017-05-01

A novel pretreatment of plasma combined self-assembled monolayer (PcSAM) was proposed to improve surface properties of electroplated Cu for low temperature Cu-Sn bonding in 3D integration. Measurement results revealed that self-assemble monolayer (SAM) would be easier absorbed on plasma-activated Cu surface and protect the clean surface from re-oxidation when storage. The absorbed SAM layer could be removed by thermal desorption during bonding process. With optimal PcSAM pretreatment, oxygen content of the Cu surface was reduced to as low as 1.39%. The followed Cu-Sn bonding was realized at low temperature of 200 °C. Finally, bonding interface exhibited a defect-free interconnection, and bonding strength has reached as high as 68.7 MPa.

Structural, optical and dielectric properties of Sn0.97Ce0.03O2 nanostructures

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Ahmed, Ateeq; Siddique, M. Naseem; Ali, Tinku; Tripathi, P.

2018-05-01

In present work, 3% cerium doped SnO2 (Sn0.97Ce0.03O2) nanoparticles (NPs) have been synthesized by sol-gel method. The prepared sample has been characterized by using various techniques such as XRD, UV-visible absorption spectroscopy and LCR meter measurements. Structural Rietveld refinement of XRD data reveals that (Sn0.97Ce0.03O2) sample has a pure single phase tetragonal structure with space group (P42/mnm) without creating any impurity phase such as cerium oxide. UV-visible spectroscopy determines band gap value 3.47 eV for (Sn0.97Ce0.03O2) NPs using Tauc's relation. Dielectric constant and loss decreased with increase in frequency while ac conductivity was found to increase with increase in frequency. The observed dielectric results has been explained in the light of Maxwell-Wagner model.

Functional connectivity and neuronal variability of resting state activity in bipolar disorder--reduction and decoupling in anterior cortical midline structures.

PubMed

Magioncalda, Paola; Martino, Matteo; Conio, Benedetta; Escelsior, Andrea; Piaggio, Niccolò; Presta, Andrea; Marozzi, Valentina; Rocchi, Giulio; Anastasio, Loris; Vassallo, Linda; Ferri, Francesca; Huang, Zirui; Roccatagliata, Luca; Pardini, Matteo; Northoff, Georg; Amore, Mario

2015-02-01

The cortical midline structures seem to be involved in the modulation of different resting state networks, such as the default mode network (DMN) and salience network (SN). Alterations in these systems, in particular in the perigenual anterior cingulate cortex (PACC), seem to play a central role in bipolar disorder (BD). However, the exact role of the PACC, and its functional connections to other midline regions (within and outside DMN) still remains unclear in BD. We investigated functional connectivity (FC), standard deviation (SD, as a measure of neuronal variability) and their correlation in bipolar patients (n = 40) versus healthy controls (n = 40), in the PACC and in its connections in different frequency bands (standard: 0.01-0.10 Hz; Slow-5: 0.01-0.027 Hz; Slow-4: 0.027-0.073 Hz). Finally, we studied the correlations between FC alterations and clinical-neuropsychological parameters and we explored whether subgroups of patients in different phases of the illness present different patterns of FC abnormalities. We found in BD decreased FC (especially in Slow-5) from the PACC to other regions located predominantly in the posterior DMN (such as the posterior cingulate cortex (PCC) and inferior temporal gyrus) and in the SN (such as the supragenual anterior cingulate cortex and ventrolateral prefrontal cortex). Second, we found in BD a decoupling between PACC-based FC and variability in the various target regions (without alteration in variability itself). Finally, in our subgroups explorative analysis, we found a decrease in FC between the PACC and supragenual ACC (in depressive phase) and between the PACC and PCC (in manic phase). These findings suggest that in BD the communication, that is, information transfer, between the different cortical midline regions within the cingulate gyrus does not seem to work properly. This may result in dysbalance between different resting state networks like the DMN and SN. A deficit in the anterior DMN-SN connectivity could lead to an abnormal shifting toward the DMN, while a deficit in the anterior DMN-posterior DMN connectivity could lead to an abnormal shifting toward the SN, resulting in excessive focusing on internal contents and reduced transition from idea to action or in excessive focusing on external contents and increased transition from idea to action, respectively, which could represent central dimensions of depression and mania. If confirmed, they could represent diagnostic markers in BD. © 2014 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.

[CH(3)(CH(2))(11)NH(3)]SnI(3): a hybrid semiconductor with MoO(3)-type tin(II) iodide layers.

PubMed

Xu, Zhengtao; Mitzi, David B

2003-10-20

The organic-inorganic hybrid [CH(3)(CH(2))(11)NH(3)]SnI(3) presents a lamellar structure with a Sn-I framework isotypic to that of MoO(3). The SnI(3)(-) layer consists of edge and corner-sharing SnI(6) octahedra in which one of the six Sn-I bonds is distinctly elongated (e.g., 3.62 A), indicating lone-pair stereoactivity for the Sn(II) atom. The overall electronic character remains comparable with that of the well-studied SnI(4)(2)(-)-based perovskite semiconductors, such as [CH(3)(CH(2))(11)NH(3)](2)SnI(4), with a red-shifted and broadened exciton peak associated with the band gap, apparently due to the increased dimensionality of the Sn-I framework. The title compound offers, aside from the hybrid perovskites, a new type of solution-processable Sn-I network for potential applications in semiconductive devices.

Developmental and genetic toxicity of stannous chloride in mouse dams and fetuses.

PubMed

El-Makawy, Aida I; Girgis, Shenouda M; Khalil, Wagdy K B

2008-12-08

Humans are exposed to stannous chloride (SnCl2) present in packaged food, soft drinks, biocides, dentifrices, etc. Health effects in children exposed to tin and tin compounds have not been investigated yet. Therefore, we evaluated the possible teratogenic and genotoxic effects of SnCl2 in pregnant female mice and their fetuses. Teratogenic effects including morphological malformation of the fetus and its skeleton were observed. Exposures to environmental stressors including toxic chemicals that have the potential of modulating the immune system can often be linked to ecologically relevant endpoints, such as reduced resistance to disease. Therefore, the semi-quantitative reverse-transcription PCR (RT-PCR) assay was used to evaluate the expression of immune-response genes in the liver of SnCl2-treated dams and their fetuses. Bone-marrow cells of dams and fetuses were investigated for the presence of aberrant chromosomes. Three oral doses of SnCl2 (2, 10 and 20 mg/kg bw) were tested. The results of the teratological study show that SnCl2 induced a significant decrease in the number of living fetuses and a significant increase in the number of post-implantation losses. The high dose of SnCl2 induced complete post-implantation loss. Furthermore, SnCl2 caused reduction in the ossification of the fetal skeleton. The RT-PCR assay showed that the immune-response genes GARP and SIMP were not expressed in the liver of dams and fetuses in the controls or in the group treated with SnCl2 at 2 mg/kg bw. However, the expression of these genes was up-regulated in the groups treated with the other doses of SnCl2. Regarding the chromosome analysis, SnCl2 induced a dose-dependent increase in the frequency of individual and total chromosomal aberrations (P

Investigation of the spin-lattice coupling in M n3G a1 -xS nxN antiperovskites

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Shi, Kewen; Sun, Ying; Colin, Claire V.; Wang, Lei; Yan, Jun; Deng, Sihao; Lu, Huiqing; Zhao, Wenjun; Kazunari, Yamaura; Bordet, Pierre; Wang, Cong

2018-02-01

The magnetovolume effects (MVEs) of M n3G a1 -xS nxN antiperovskite compounds have been investigated by means of neutron powder diffraction. Increasing the Sn-doping content at the Ga site leads to the broadening of the magnetic phase transition temperature range and the thermal expansion behavior changes from negative to positive. We establish the relationship between the square of the ordered magnetic moment m2 and the volume variation Δ ωm for the antiferromagnetic phase (Γ5 g magnetic structure with rhombohedral symmetry R 3 ¯m ). The temperature variations of Δ ωm(T ) , m2(T ) and the magnetoelastic coupling constant C (T ) are also quantitatively analyzed according to the itinerant-electron theory. Moreover, the increase of the phonon contribution to the thermal expansion induced by Sn doping and the corresponding decrease of dm/dT are revealed to be the key parameters for tuning the MVEs. Our results allow elucidating and quantifying the mechanism of the spin-lattice coupling and can be used to design magnetic functional materials with controlled thermal expansion behaviors for specific applications.

Nuclear microscopic investigations into the elemental changes in the substantia nigra of unilaterally MPTP-lesioned Parkinsonian monkeys

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Thong, P. S. P.; He, Y.; Lee, T.; Watt, F.

1997-07-01

Various transition metals, particularly iron, have been implicated in the aetiology of the neurodegenerative disease, Parkinson's disease, in which there is a characteristic loss of cells in the substantia nigra (SN) region of the brain. In this study, monkeys were unilaterally lesioned with the neurotoxin 1-methyl-4-phenyl-1,2,3,6-tetrahydro-pyridine (MPTP) to obtain primate models of parkinsonism, with the non-lesioned side of the brain serving as controls. The monkeys were sacrificed at one day, one week, two weeks, one month and one year after lesioning to investigate the time dependent elemental changes in the parkinsonian SN. Sections of the brain encompassing both the lesioned and non-lesioned SNs were analysed using the National University of Singapore nuclear microscope. Adjacent sections were tyrosine hydroxylase (TH) immunohistochemically stained to provide complementary information on dopaminergic cell loss and to facilitate definition of the SN boundaries during data analysis. In one-day and one-week monkeys (representing early stages of the disease), there were no changes in elemental concentrations within experimental errors and the adjacent TH-stained sections did not show apparent cell loss in the SN. At two weeks, cell loss was seen in the lesioned SN compared to the control SN. Although there was no bulk increase in SN iron, localised accumulation of iron in granules containing up to 15% by weight iron was observed in the lesioned SN of one of the two-week monkeys. An average 15% increase in nigral iron, significant at the 90% confidence level ( p < 0.1), was seen in the one-month monkeys. TH-stained sections for the one-month monkeys showed cell loss in the lesioned SN. In one-year samples (representing the advanced stage of the disease) there was a significant ( p < 0.05) 56% increase in iron, 14% increase in phosphorous and a 20% decrease in copper. Here an almost complete loss of cells in the lesioned SN was apparent from the adjacent TH-stained sections. These preliminary results suggest that while bulk increase in iron may seem to follow cell death, localised accumulation of SN iron in the early stages of the disease may play an important role in initiating and/or accelerating nigral cell death.

Enhanced photovoltaic performance of dye sensitized solar cell using SnO2 nanoflowers

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Arote, Sandeep A.; Tabhane, Vilas A.; Pathan, Habib M.

2018-01-01

The study highlighted enhanced performance of SnO2 based DSSC using photoanode with nanostructured morphology. The simple organic surfactant free hydrothermal synthesis method was used for preparation of SnO2 nanoflowers for dye sensitized solar cell (DSSC) application. The hydrothermal reaction time was varied to obtain different SnO2 nanostructures. The hydrothermal reaction time showed considerable effect on optical and structural properties of the prepared samples. The results indicated that the prepared samples were pure rutile SnO2. The band gap of prepared samples was greater than bulk SnO2 and varied from 3.64 to 3.81 eV with increase in hydrothermal reaction time. With increase in reaction time from 4 to 24 h, the microstructure of SnO2 changed from agglomerated nanoparticles to nanopetals and finally to self-assembled nanoflowers. Flower-like SnO2 nanostructures showed size around 300-700 nm, and composed of large numbers of 3 dimensional petals connected with each other forming 3D nanoflowers by self-assembly. Consequently, the DSSC with flower-like SnO2 nanostructures exhibited good photovoltaic performance with Voc, Jsc and η about 0.43 V, 4.36 mA/cm2 and 1.11%, respectively.

Extrinsic pseudocapacitve Li-ion storage of SnS anode via lithiation-induced structural optimization on cycling

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Lian, Qingwang; Zhou, Gang; Liu, Jiatu; Wu, Chen; Wei, Weifeng; Chen, Libao; Li, Chengchao

2017-10-01

Here, we report a new enhanced extrinsic pseudocapacitve Li-ion storage mechanism via lithiation-induced structural optimization strategy. The flower-like C@SnS and bulk SnS exhibit initial capacity decay and subsequent increase of capacity on cycling. After a long-term lithiation/delithiation process, flower-like C@SnS and bulk SnS exhibit improved rate performance and reversible capacity in comparison with those of initial state. Moreover, a high capacity of 530 mAh g-1 is still remained even after 1550 cycles at a high current density of 5.0 A g-1 for flower-like C@SnS after pre-lithiation of 350 cycles. According to the comprehensive analysis of structural evolution and electrochemical performance, it demonstrates that SnS electrodes experience crystal size reduction and further amorphization on cycling, which enhances the reversibility of conversion reaction for SnS, leading to increasing capacity. On the other hand, surface-dominated extrinsic pseudocapacitive contribution results in enhanced rate performance because electrodes expose a large fraction of Li+ sites on surface or near-surface region with structural optimization on cycling. This study reveals that extrinsic pseudocapacitance of SnS can be stimulated via lithiation-induced structural optimization, which gives rise to high-rate and long-lived performances.

Utility of single-energy and dual-energy computed tomography in clot characterization: An in-vitro study

PubMed Central

Michalak, Gregory; Kadirvel, Ramanathan; Dai, Daying; Gilvarry, Michael; Duffy, Sharon; Kallmes, David F; McCollough, Cynthia; Leng, Shuai

2017-01-01

Background and purpose Because computed tomography (CT) is the most commonly used imaging modality for the evaluation of acute ischemic stroke patients, developing CT-based techniques for improving clot characterization could prove useful. The purpose of this in-vitro study was to determine which single-energy or dual-energy CT techniques provided optimum discrimination between red blood cell (RBC) and fibrin-rich clots. Materials and methods Seven clot types with varying fibrin and RBC densities were made (90% RBC, 99% RBC, 63% RBC, 36% RBC, 18% RBC and 0% RBC with high and low fibrin density) and their composition was verified histologically. Ten of each clot type were created and scanned with a second generation dual source scanner using three single (80 kV, 100 kV, 120 kV) and two dual-energy protocols (80/Sn 140 kV and 100/Sn 140 kV). A region of interest (ROI) was placed over each clot and mean attenuation was measured. Receiver operating characteristic curves were calculated at each energy level to determine the accuracy at differentiating RBC-rich clots from fibrin-rich clots. Results Clot attenuation increased with RBC content at all energy levels. Single-energy at 80 kV and 120 kV and dual-energy 80/Sn 140 kV protocols allowed for distinguishing between all clot types, with the exception of 36% RBC and 18% RBC. On receiver operating characteristic curve analysis, the 80/Sn 140 kV dual-energy protocol had the highest area under the curve for distinguishing between fibrin-rich and RBC-rich clots (area under the curve 0.99). Conclusions Dual-energy CT with 80/Sn 140 kV had the highest accuracy for differentiating RBC-rich and fibrin-rich in-vitro thrombi. Further studies are needed to study the utility of non-contrast dual-energy CT in thrombus characterization in acute ischemic stroke. PMID:28604189

Transcriptional regulation of abscisic acid signal core components during cucumber seed germination and under Cu²⁺, Zn²⁺, NaCl and simulated acid rain stresses.

PubMed

Wang, Yanping; Wang, Ya; Kai, Wenbin; Zhao, Bo; Chen, Pei; Sun, Liang; Ji, Kai; Li, Qian; Dai, Shengjie; Sun, Yufei; Wang, Yidong; Pei, Yuelin; Leng, Ping

2014-03-01

Abscisic acid (ABA) is an important phytohormone that regulates lots of physiological and biochemical processes in plant life cycle, especially in seed germination and stress responses. For exploring the transcriptional regulation of ABA signal transduction during cucumber (Cucumis sativus L.) seed germination and under Cu(2+), Zn(2+), NaCl and simulated acid rain stresses, nine CsPYLs, three group A CsPP2Cs and two subclass III CsSnRK2s were identified from cucumber genome, which respectively showed high sequence similarities and highly conserved domains with homologous genes in Arabidopsis. Based on Real-time PCR analysis, most of the tested genes' expression decreased during cucumber seed germination, which was in accordance with the ABA level variation. In addition, according to the absolute expression, CsPYL1, CsPYL3, CsPP2C5, CsABI1, CsSnRK2.3 and CsSnRK2.4 were highly expressed, indicating that they may play more important roles in ABA signaling during cucumber seed germination. Moreover, most of these highly expressed genes, except CsPYL3, were up-regulated by ABA treatment. Meanwhile, most of the tested genes' expression dramatically changed at the initial water uptake phase, indicating that this period may be critical in the regulation of ABA on seed germination. Under Cu(2+), Zn(2+), NaCl and simulated acid rain stresses, cucumber seed germination percentage decreased and ABA content increased. Meanwhile, the expression of ABA signal transduction core components genes showed specific response to a particular stress and was not always consist with ABA variation. Generally, the expression of CsPYL1, CsPYL3, CsABI1, CsSnRK2.3 and CsSnRK2.4 was sensitive to 120 mM NaCl and 0.5 mM Cu(2+) treatments. Copyright © 2014 Elsevier Masson SAS. All rights reserved.

Metal accumulation in eggs of the red-eared slider (Trachemys scripta elegans) in the Lower Illinois River.

PubMed

Tryfonas, Anna E; Tucker, John K; Brunkow, Paul E; Johnson, Kevin A; Hussein, Hussein S; Lin, Zhi-Qing

2006-03-01

The Illinois River is a highly utilized navigable waterway in the US Midwest, and has historically been contaminated with metal toxicants from various industrial and municipal pollution sources. Little information on metal contamination is available in the Lower Illinois River, and in particular, in the habitat of the red-eared slider (Trachemys scripta elegans) at the southern end of the river near Grafton, IL. This study was conducted to determine current levels of metal contamination in water, sediment, soil, and plants in the habitat, as well as to reveal temporal and spatial variations of metal accumulation in eggs of the red-eared slider. Aluminum, Cd, Cr, Cu, Mn, Ni, Pb, V, Sn, and Zn were analyzed by inductively-coupled plasma spectroscopy. High concentrations of metals were observed in lake sediment, compared with the concentrations in water, soil, and plant tissues. Sediment Ni concentrations (mg kg(-1)) varied from 66 to 95 and Sn from 1100 to 1600. Five detectable metals in egg content were Zn (24.2 +/- 13), Al (2.2 +/- 1.2), Sn (1.8 +/- 1.1), Mn (1.1 +/- 0.6), and Cu (0.9 +/- 0.5); nine detectable metals in egg shell were Zn (6.8 +/- 3.9), Sn (3.7 +/- 3.1), Cu (1.9 +/- 1.3), Cr (1.6 +/- 1.5), V (1.6 +/- 1.4), Pb (1.3 +/- 0.7), Ni (1.3 +/- 0.9), Mn (1.0 +/- 0.8), and Cd (0.16 +/- 0.11). Zinc accumulation in egg content was significantly correlated with Zn in egg shell (r = 0.445, P < 0.002, n = 42). While significant spatial variation was observed in egg shell, metal accumulation in eggs (content and shell) collected from the same ground of turtles consecutively for 4 years did not show a significant temporal change.

Effect of Isothermal Aging and Thermal Cycling on Interfacial IMC Growth and Fracture Behavior of SnAgCu/Cu Joints

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Li, Xiaoyan; Li, Fenghui; Guo, Fu; Shi, Yaowu

2011-01-01

The growth behavior of interfacial intermetallic compounds (IMCs) of SnAgCu/Cu soldered joints was investigated during the reflow process, isothermal aging, and thermal cycling with a focus on the influence of these parameters on growth kinetics. The SnAgCu/Cu soldered joints were isothermally aged at 125°C, 150°C, and 175°C while the thermal cycling was performed within the temperature ranges from -25°C to 125°C and -40°C to 125°C. It was observed that a Cu6Sn5 layer formed, followed by rapid coarsening at the solder/Cu interface during reflowing. The grain size of the interfacial Cu6Sn5 was found to increase with aging time, and the morphology evolved from scallop-like to needle-like to rod-like and finally to particles. The rod-like Ag3Sn phase was formed on the solder side in front of the previously formed Cu6Sn5 layer. However, when subject to an increase of the aging time, the Cu3Sn phase was formed at the interface of the Cu6Sn5 layer and Cu substrate. The IMC growth rate increased with aging temperature for isothermally aged joints. During thermal cycling, the thickness of the IMC layer was found to increase with the number of thermal cycles, although the growth rate was slower than that for isothermal aging. The dwell time at the high-temperature end of the thermal cycles was found to significantly influence the growth rate of the IMCs. The growth of the IMCs, for both isothermal aging and thermal cycling, was found to be Arrhenius with aging temperature, and the corresponding diffusion factor and activation energy were obtained by data fitting. The tensile strength of the soldered joints decreased with increasing aging time. Consequently, the fracture site of the soldered joints migrated from the solder matrix to the interfacial Cu6Sn5 layer. Finally, the shear strength of the joints was found to decrease with both an increase in the number of thermal cycles and a decrease in the dwell temperature at the low end of the thermal cycle.

Enhanced superconductivity in SnSb under pressure: a first principles study

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Sreenivasa Reddy, P. V.; Kanchana, V.

2017-10-01

First principles electronic structure calculations reveal both SnP and SnSb to be stable in the NaCl structure. In SnSb, a first order phase transition from NaCl to CsCl type structure is observed at around 13 GPa, which is also confirmed from enthalpy calculations and agrees well with experimental and other theoretical reports. Calculations of the phonon spectra, and hence the electron-phonon coupling λep and superconducting transition temperature T c, were performed at zero pressure for both the compounds, and at high pressure for SnSb. These calculations report Tc of 0.614 K and 3.083 K for SnP and SnSb respectively, in the NaCl structure—in good agreement with experiment—whilst at the transition pressure, in the CsCl structure, a drastically increased value of T c around 9.18 K (9.74 K at 20 GPa) is found for SnSb, together with a dramatic increase in the electronic density of states at this pressure. The lowest energy acoustic phonon branches in each structure also demonstrate some softening effects, which are well addressed in this work.

Changes in intranuclear mobility of mature snRNPs provide a mechanism for splicing defects in spinal muscular atrophy

PubMed Central

Clelland, Allyson Kara; Bales, Alexandra Beatrice E.; Sleeman, Judith Elizabeth

2012-01-01

It is becoming increasingly clear that defects in RNA metabolism can lead to disease. Spinal muscular atrophy (SMA), a leading genetic cause of infant mortality, results from insufficient amounts of survival motor neuron (SMN) protein. SMN is required for the biogenesis of small nuclear ribonucleoproteins (snRNPs): essential components of the spliceosome. Splicing abnormalities have been detected in models of SMA but it is unclear how lowered SMN affects the fidelity of pre-mRNA splicing. We have examined the dynamics of mature snRNPs in cells depleted of SMN and demonstrated that SMN depletion increases the mobility of mature snRNPs within the nucleus. To dissect the molecular mechanism by which SMN deficiency affects intranuclear snRNP mobility, we employed a panel of inhibitors of different stages of pre-mRNA processing. This in vivo modelling demonstrates that snRNP mobility is altered directly as a result of impaired snRNP maturation. Current models of nuclear dynamics predict that subnuclear structures, including the spliceosome, form by self-organization mediated by stochastic interactions between their molecular components. Thus, alteration of the intranuclear mobility of snRNPs provides a molecular mechanism for splicing defects in SMA. PMID:22393244

Hydrothermal synthesis of nanostructured SnO particles through crystal growth in the presence of gelatin

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

Uchiyama, Hiroaki, E-mail: h_uchi@kansai-u.ac.jp; Nakanishi, Shunsuke; Kozuka, Hiromitsu

2014-09-15

Crystalline SnO particles were obtained from Sn{sub 6}O{sub 4}(OH){sub 4} by the hydrothermal treatment in aqueous solutions containing gelatin at 150 °C for 24 h, where the morphologies of the SnO products changed from blocks to layered disks, stacked plates and unshaped aggregates with increasing amount of gelatin in the solutions. Such morphological changes of SnO particles were thought to be attributed to the suppression of the growth of SnO crystals by the adsorbed gelatin. - Graphical abstract: Nanostructured SnO particles were obtained from Sn{sub 6}O{sub 4}(OH){sub 4} by the hydrothermal treatment in gelatin solutions. - Highlights: • SnO particlesmore » were prepared from Sn{sub 6}O{sub 4}(OH){sub 4} by the hydrothermal treatment. • The adsorption of gelatin suppressed the growth of SnO crystals. • The shape of SnO particles depends on the amount of gelatin. • Blocks, disks, stacked plates and unshaped aggregates were obtained.« less

Local atomic structure inheritance in Ag{sub 50}Sn{sub 50} melt

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

Bai, Yanwen; Bian, Xiufang, E-mail: xfbian@sdu.edu.cn; Qin, Jingyu

2014-01-28

Local structure inheritance signatures were observed during the alloying process of the Ag{sub 50}Sn{sub 50} melt, using high-temperature X-ray diffraction and ab initio molecular dynamics simulations. The coordination number N{sub m} around Ag atom is similar in the alloy and in pure Ag melts (N{sub m} ∼ 10), while, during the alloying process, the local structure around Sn atoms rearranges. Sn-Sn covalent bonds were substituted by Ag-Sn chemical bonds, and the total coordination number around Sn increases by about 70% as compared with those in the pure Sn melt. Changes in the electronic structure of the alloy have been studied by Agmore » and Sn K-edge X-ray absorption spectroscopy, as well as by calculations of the partial density of states. We propose that a leading mechanism for local structure inheritance in Ag{sub 50}Sn{sub 50} is due to s-p dehybridization of Sn and to the interplay between Sn-s and Ag-d electrons.« less

The Effect of SnCl2/AmF Pretreatment on Short- and Long-Term Bond Strength to Eroded Dentin

PubMed Central

Zumstein, Katrin; Peutzfeldt, Anne; Lussi, Adrian

2018-01-01

This study investigated the effect of SnCl2/AmF pretreatment on short- and long-term bond strength of resin composite to eroded dentin mediated by two self-etch, MDP-containing adhesive systems. 184 dentin specimens were produced from extracted human molars. Half the specimens (n = 92) were artificially eroded, and half were left untreated. For both substrates, half the specimens were pretreated with SnCl2/AmF, and half were left untreated. The specimens were treated with Clearfil SE Bond or Scotchbond Universal prior to application of resin composite. Microtensile bond strength (μTBS) was measured after 24 h or 1 year. Failure mode was detected and EDX was performed. μTBS results were statistically analyzed (α = 0.05). μTBS was significantly influenced by the dentin substrate (eroded < noneroded dentin) and storage time (24 h > 1 year; p < 0.0001) but not by pretreatment with SnCl2/AmF or adhesive system. The predominant failure mode was adhesive failure at the dentin-adhesive interface. The content of Sn was generally below detection limit. Pretreatment with SnCl2/AmF did not influence short- and long-term bond strength to eroded dentin. Bond strength was reduced after storage for one year, was lower to eroded dentin than to noneroded dentin, and was similar for the two adhesive systems.

Ternary electrocatalysts for oxidizing ethanol to carbon dioxide: making ir capable of splitting C-C bond.

PubMed

Li, Meng; Cullen, David A; Sasaki, Kotaro; Marinkovic, Nebojsa S; More, Karren; Adzic, Radoslav R

2013-01-09

Splitting the C-C bond is the main obstacle to electrooxidation of ethanol (EOR) to CO(2). We recently demonstrated that the ternary PtRhSnO(2) electrocatalyst can accomplish that reaction at room temperature with Rh having a unique capability to split the C-C bond. In this article, we report the finding that Ir can be induced to split the C-C bond as a component of the ternary catalyst. We characterized and compared the properties of several carbon-supported nanoparticle (NP) electrocatalysts comprising a SnO(2) NP core decorated with multimetallic nanoislands (MM' = PtIr, PtRh, IrRh, PtIrRh) prepared using a seeded growth approach. An array of characterization techniques were employed to establish the composition and architecture of the synthesized MM'/SnO(2) NPs, while electrochemical and in situ infrared reflection absorption spectroscopy studies elucidated trends in activity and the nature of the reaction intermediates and products. Both EOR reactivity and selectivity toward CO(2) formation of several of these MM'/SnO(2)/C electrocatalysts are significantly higher compared to conventional Pt/C and Pt/SnO(2)/C catalysts. We demonstrate that the PtIr/SnO(2)/C catalyst with high Ir content shows outstanding catalytic properties with the most negative EOR onset potential and reasonably good selectivity toward ethanol complete oxidation to CO(2).

Impediments to enhancement of CPT-11 anticancer activity by E. coli directed beta-glucuronidase therapy.

PubMed

Hsieh, Yuan-Ting; Chen, Kai-Chuan; Cheng, Chiu-Min; Cheng, Tian-Lu; Tao, Mi-Hua; Roffler, Steve R

2015-01-01

CPT-11 is a camptothecin analog used for the clinical treatment of colorectal adenocarcinoma. CPT-11 is converted into the therapeutic anti-cancer agent SN-38 by liver enzymes and can be further metabolized to a non-toxic glucuronide SN-38G, resulting in low SN-38 but high SN-38G concentrations in the circulation. We previously demonstrated that adenoviral expression of membrane-anchored beta-glucuronidase could promote conversion of SN-38G to SN-38 in tumors and increase the anticancer activity of CPT-11. Here, we identified impediments to effective tumor therapy with E. coli that were engineered to constitutively express highly active E. coli beta-glucuronidase intracellularly to enhance the anticancer activity of CPT-11. The engineered bacteria, E. coli (lux/βG), could hydrolyze SN-38G to SN-38, increased the sensitivity of cultured tumor cells to SN-38G by about 100 fold and selectively accumulated in tumors. However, E. coli (lux/βG) did not more effectively increase CPT-11 anticancer activity in human tumor xenografts as compared to non-engineered E. coli. SN-38G conversion to SN-38 by E. coli (lux/βG) appeared to be limited by slow uptake into bacteria as well as by segregation of E. coli in necrotic regions of tumors that may be relatively inaccessible to systemically-administered drug molecules. Studies using a fluorescent glucuronide probe showed that significantly greater glucuronide hydrolysis could be achieved in mice pretreated with E. coli (lux/βG) by direct intratumoral injection of the glucuronide probe or by intratumoral lysis of bacteria to release intracellular beta-glucuronidase. Our study suggests that the distribution of beta-glucuronidase, and possibly other therapeutic proteins, in the tumor microenvironment might be an important barrier for effective bacterial-based tumor therapy. Expression of secreted therapeutic proteins or induction of therapeutic protein release from bacteria might therefore be a promising strategy to enhance anti-tumor activity.

Impediments to Enhancement of CPT-11 Anticancer Activity by E. coli Directed Beta-Glucuronidase Therapy

PubMed Central

Hsieh, Yuan-Ting; Chen, Kai-Chuan; Cheng, Chiu-Min; Cheng, Tian-Lu; Tao, Mi-Hua; Roffler, Steve R.

2015-01-01

CPT-11 is a camptothecin analog used for the clinical treatment of colorectal adenocarcinoma. CPT-11 is converted into the therapeutic anti-cancer agent SN-38 by liver enzymes and can be further metabolized to a non-toxic glucuronide SN-38G, resulting in low SN-38 but high SN-38G concentrations in the circulation. We previously demonstrated that adenoviral expression of membrane-anchored beta-glucuronidase could promote conversion of SN-38G to SN-38 in tumors and increase the anticancer activity of CPT-11. Here, we identified impediments to effective tumor therapy with E. coli that were engineered to constitutively express highly active E. coli beta-glucuronidase intracellularly to enhance the anticancer activity of CPT-11. The engineered bacteria, E. coli (lux/βG), could hydrolyze SN-38G to SN-38, increased the sensitivity of cultured tumor cells to SN-38G by about 100 fold and selectively accumulated in tumors. However, E. coli (lux/βG) did not more effectively increase CPT-11 anticancer activity in human tumor xenografts as compared to non-engineered E. coli. SN-38G conversion to SN-38 by E. coli (lux/βG) appeared to be limited by slow uptake into bacteria as well as by segregation of E. coli in necrotic regions of tumors that may be relatively inaccessible to systemically-administered drug molecules. Studies using a fluorescent glucuronide probe showed that significantly greater glucuronide hydrolysis could be achieved in mice pretreated with E. coli (lux/βG) by direct intratumoral injection of the glucuronide probe or by intratumoral lysis of bacteria to release intracellular beta-glucuronidase. Our study suggests that the distribution of beta-glucuronidase, and possibly other therapeutic proteins, in the tumor microenvironment might be an important barrier for effective bacterial-based tumor therapy. Expression of secreted therapeutic proteins or induction of therapeutic protein release from bacteria might therefore be a promising strategy to enhance anti-tumor activity. PMID:25688562

Theoretical study of electronic structures and spectroscopic properties of Ga3Sn, GaSn3, and their ions.

PubMed

Zhu, Xiaolei

2007-01-01

Ground and excited states of mixed gallium stannide tetramers (Ga3Sn, Ga3Sn+, Ga3Sn-, GaSn3, GaSn3+, and GaSn3-) are investigated employing the complete active space self-consistent-field (CASSCF), density function theory (DFT), and the coupled-cluster single and double substitution (including triple excitations) (CCSD(T)) methods. The ground states of Ga3Sn, Ga3Sn+, and Ga3Sn- are found to be the 2A1, 3B1, and 1A1 states in C2v symmetry with a planar quadrilateral geometry, respectively. The ground states of GaSn3 and GaSn3- is predicted to be the 2A1 and 1A1 states in C2v point group with a planar quadrilateral structure, respectively, while the ground state of GaSn3+ is the 1A1 state with ideal triangular pyramid C3v geometry. Equilibrium geometries, vibrational frequencies, binding energies, electron affinities, ionization energies, and other properties of Ga3Sn and GaSn3 are computed and discussed. The anion photoelectron spectra of Ga3Sn- and GaSn3- are also predicted. It is interesting to find that the amount of charge transfer between Ga and Sn2 atoms in the 1A1 state of GaSn3+ greatly increases upon electron ionization from the 2A1 state of GaSn3, which may be caused by large geometry change. On the other hand, the results of the low-lying states of Ga3Sn and GaSn3 are compared with those of Ga3Si and GaSi3.

Theoretical study of electronic structures and spectroscopic properties of Ga 3Sn, GaSn 3, and their ions

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Zhu, Xiaolei

2007-01-01

Ground and excited states of mixed gallium stannide tetramers (Ga 3Sn, Ga 3Sn +, Ga 3Sn -, GaSn 3, GaSn 3+, and GaSn 3-) are investigated employing the complete active space self-consistent-field (CASSCF), density function theory (DFT), and the coupled-cluster single and double substitution (including triple excitations) (CCSD(T)) methods. The ground states of Ga 3Sn, Ga 3Sn +, and Ga 3Sn - are found to be the 2A 1, 3B 1, and 1A 1 states in C2v symmetry with a planar quadrilateral geometry, respectively. The ground states of GaSn 3 and GaSn 3- is predicted to be the 2A 1 and 1A 1 states in C2v point group with a planar quadrilateral structure, respectively, while the ground state of GaSn 3+ is the 1A 1 state with ideal triangular pyramid C3v geometry. Equilibrium geometries, vibrational frequencies, binding energies, electron affinities, ionization energies, and other properties of Ga 3Sn and GaSn 3 are computed and discussed. The anion photoelectron spectra of Ga 3Sn - and GaSn 3- are also predicted. It is interesting to find that the amount of charge transfer between Ga and Sn 2 atoms in the 1A 1 state of GaSn 3+ greatly increases upon electron ionization from the 2A 1 state of GaSn 3, which may be caused by large geometry change. On the other hand, the results of the low-lying states of Ga 3Sn and GaSn 3 are compared with those of Ga 3Si and GaSi 3.

Structural and Solar Cell Properties of a Ag-Containing Cu2ZnSnS4 Thin Film Derived from Spray Pyrolysis.

PubMed

Nguyen, Thi Hiep; Kawaguchi, Takato; Chantana, Jakapan; Minemoto, Takashi; Harada, Takashi; Nakanishi, Shuji; Ikeda, Shigeru

2018-02-14

A silver (Ag)-incorporated kesterite Cu 2 ZnSnS 4 (CZTS) thin film was fabricated by a facile spray pyrolysis method. Crystallographic analyses indicated successful incorporation of various amounts of Ag up to a Ag/(Ag + Cu) ratio of ca. 0.1 into the crystal lattice of CZTS in a homogeneous manner without formation of other impurity compounds. From the results of morphological investigations, Ag-incorporated films had larger crystal grains than the CZTS film. The sample with a relatively low Ag content (Ag/(Ag + Cu) of ca. 0.02) had a compact morphology without appreciable voids and pinholes. However, an increase in the Ag content in the CZTS film (Ag/(Ag + Cu) ca. 0.10) induced the formation of a large number of pinholes. As can be expected from these morphological properties, the best sunlight conversion efficiency was obtained by the solar cell based on the film with Ag/(Ag + Cu) of ca. 0.02. Electrostructural analyses of the devices suggested that the Ag-incorporated film in the device achieved reduction in the amounts of unfavorable copper on zinc antisite defects compared to the bare CZTS film. Moreover, the use of a Ag-incorporated film improved band alignment at the CdS(buffer)-CZTS interface. These alterations should also contribute to enhancement of device properties.

Ultrasonic synthesis of In-doped SnS nanoparticles and their physical properties

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Jamali-Sheini, Farid; Cheraghizade, Mohsen; Yousefi, Ramin

2018-05-01

Indium (In)-doped Tin (II) Sulfide (SnS) nanoparticles (NPs) were synthesized by an ultra-sonication method and their optical, electrical, dielectric and photocatalytic properties were investigated. XRD patterns of the obtained NPs indicated formation of orthorhombic polycrystalline SnS. Field emission scanning electron microscopy exhibited flower-like NPs with particle sizes below 100 nm for both SnS and In-doped SnS samples. Optical analysis showed a decrease in energy band gap of SnS NPs upon In doping. In addition, electrical results demonstrated p-type nature of the synthesized SnS NPs and enhanced electrical conductivity of the NPs due to increased tin vacancy. Dielectric experiments on SnS NPs suggested an electronic polarizations effect to be responsible for changing dielectric properties of the particles, in terms of frequency. Finally, photocatalytic experiments revealed that high degradation power can be obtained using In-doped SnS NPs.

Synthesis and Characterization of TiNi1+xSn Thermoelectric Alloys

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Young, Jacob Steele

Thermoelectric materials, a unique semiconductor-like class of materials, can convert waste heat into electricity and vice versa. An investigation into the synthesis and characterization of half-Heusler TiNi1+xSn alloys was conducted. An arc-melting and annealing procedure was conducted to achieve the desired phase equilibrium. Additional Ni was added as an interstitial dopant to form a small amount of full-Heusler TiNi2Sn phase, which has been seen to improve upon thermoelectric properties in the literature. Annealing time (0 to 21 days), annealing temperature (700 to 900 °C), and nickel content (x = 0, 0.15) were investigated as key synthesis parameters. Results illustrate that before annealing, many binary and ternary phases are present. The final phase distribution after annealing, a two-phase mixture containing TiNiSn and TiNi2Sn, was analyzed using XRD, SEM, EBSD, and EDS techniques. The electrical conductivity (1515 to 1618 S cm -1 from 30 to 340 °C), Seebeck coefficient (-25 to -53 microV K-1 from 30 to 414 °C), thermal conductivity (6.68 to 6.90 W m-1 K-1 from 318 to 414 °C), and thermoelectric figure of merit, ZT, (0.009 to 0.046 from 30 to 430 °C) of single phase TiNiSn using the arc-melting and annealing synthesis method was measured and compared to other methods found in literature. The lattice constants of TiNiSn and TiNi2Sn as a function of annealing time, annealing temperature, and composition were calculated based on XRD and deviated slightly from the ICDD standards due to Ni-defect behavior (TiNiSn: +0.04 to 0.47% deviation, TiNi2Sn: -0.09 to -0.40%). The activation energy for conduction (bandgap) of TiNiSn was derived from the measured electrical conductivity and was approximately 0 eV, implying a metallic conduction behavior. Optimum annealing conditions were determined in order to achieve phase equilibrium with minimum time (14 to 21 days) and temperature required (700 °C).

Effect of Sn-Ag-Cu on the Improvement of Electromigration Behavior in Sn-58Bi Solder Joint

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Wang, Fengjiang; Zhou, Lili; Zhang, Zhijie; Wang, Jiheng; Wang, Xiaojing; Wu, Mingfang

2017-10-01

Reliability issues caused by the formation of a Bi-rich layer at the anode interface usually occurs in the Sn-58Bi eutectic solder joint during electromigration (EM). To improve the EM performance of a Sn-58Bi solder joint, Sn-3.0Ag-0.5Cu solder was introduced into it to produce SnBi-SnAgCu structural or compositional composite joints, and their EM behaviors were investigated with the current density of 1.0 × 104 A/cm2 for different stressing times. The structure of the compositional composite solder joint was obtained by the occurrence of partial or full mixing between Sn-Bi and Sn-Ag-Cu solder with a suitable soldering temperature. In the structural composite joint, melted Sn-Bi was partially mixed with Sn-Ag-Cu solder to produce a Cu/Sn-Bi/Sn-Ag-Cu/Sn-Bi/Cu structure. In the compositional composite joint, full melting and mixing between these two solders occurred to produce a Cu/Sn-Ag-Cu-Bi/Cu structure, in which the solder matrix was a homogeneous structure including Sn, Bi phases, Cu6Sn5 and Ag3Sn IMCs. After current stressing, the EM performance of Sn-Bi solder was obviously improved with the structural or the compositional composite joint. In Sn-58Bi joints, a thick Bi-rich layer was easily produced at the anode interface, and obviously increased with stressing time. However, after current stressing on the structural composite joints, the existence of s Sn-3.0Ag-0.5Cu interlayer between the two Sn-58Bi solders effectively acted as a diffusion barrier and significantly slowed the formation of the Bi-rich layer at the anode side and the IMC thicknesses at the interfaces.

Second neoplasms in adult patients submitted to haematopoietic stem cell transplantation.

PubMed

Torrent, Anna; Ferrá, Christelle; Morgades, Mireia; Jiménez, María-José; Sancho, Juan-Manuel; Vives, Susana; Batlle, Montserrat; Moreno, Miriam; Xicoy, Blanca; Oriol, Albert; Ibarra, Gladys; Ribera, Josep-Maria

2018-06-08

Patients submitted to haematopoietic stem cell transplantation (HSCT) are at increased risk of late complications, such as second neoplasm (SN). The incidence and risk factors of SN in patients receiving HSCT at a single centre were analysed. The follow-up of adult patients who received a first HSCT (autologous [auto-HSCT] or allogeneic [allo-HSCT]) between January 2000 and December 2015 was reviewed. We collected their demographic characteristics, the primary disease and type of HSCT, and analysed the cumulative incidence of SN and their risk factors. Of 699 transplanted patients (auto-HSCT, n=451; allo-HSCT, n=248), 42 (6%) developed SN (17 haematological and 25 solid), 31 post-auto-HSCT and 11 post-allo-HSCT. Haematologic SN were more frequent after auto-HSCT than after allo-HSCT. The median time between HSCT and SN was 4.09 years [range 0.07-13.15], with no differences between auto-HSCT and allo-HSCT. The cumulative incidence of SN was 5% (95% CI 3-6) at 5 years, 7% (95% CI 5-10) at 10 years and 11% (95% CI 8-15) at 15 years, without differences according to the type of HSCT. Only the age over 40 years correlated with an increased risk of SN. In this series, the incidence of post-HSCT SN was similar to that previously described. Patients submitted to an auto-HSCT showed a higher frequency of haematologic SN. A higher incidence of SN was detected in patients older than 40 at the time of HSCT. Copyright © 2017 Elsevier España, S.L.U. All rights reserved.

High thermal behavior of a new glass ceramic developed from silica xerogel/SnO{sub 2} composite

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

Aripin, H., E-mail: aripin@unsil.ac.id; Mitsudo, Seitaro, E-mail: mitsudo@fir.u-fukui.ac.jp; Sudiana, I. Nyoman, E-mail: sudiana75@yahoo.com

2016-02-08

In this investigation, a new glass ceramics have been produced by mixing SnO{sub 2} and amorphous silica xerogel (ASX) extracted from sago waste ash. The composition has been prepared by adding 10 mol% of SnO{sub 2} into SX. The samples have been dry pressed and sintered in the temperature range between 800 °C and 1500 °C. The effects of temperature on the crystallization of silica xerogel after adding SnO{sub 2} and their relationship to bulk density have been studied. The crystallization process of the silica xerogel/SnO{sub 2} composite has been examined by an X-ray diffraction (XRD) and the bulk density hasmore » been characterized on the basis of the experimental data obtained using Archimedes′ principle. It has been found that an addition of SnO{sub 2} confers an appreciable effect on the grain and from the interpretation of XRD patterns allow one to explain the increase in the density by an increased crystallite size of SnO{sub 2} in the composite.« less

High thermal behavior of a new glass ceramic developed from silica xerogel/SnO2 composite

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Aripin, H.; Mitsudo, Seitaro; Sudiana, I. Nyoman; Priatna, Edvin; Sabchevski, Svilen

2016-02-01

In this investigation, a new glass ceramics have been produced by mixing SnO2 and amorphous silica xerogel (ASX) extracted from sago waste ash. The composition has been prepared by adding 10 mol% of SnO2 into SX. The samples have been dry pressed and sintered in the temperature range between 800 °C and 1500 °C. The effects of temperature on the crystallization of silica xerogel after adding SnO2 and their relationship to bulk density have been studied. The crystallization process of the silica xerogel/SnO2 composite has been examined by an X-ray diffraction (XRD) and the bulk density has been characterized on the basis of the experimental data obtained using Archimedes' principle. It has been found that an addition of SnO2 confers an appreciable effect on the grain and from the interpretation of XRD patterns allow one to explain the increase in the density by an increased crystallite size of SnO2 in the composite.

Microstructure, Tensile Properties, and Corrosion Behavior of Die-Cast Mg-7Al-1Ca- xSn Alloys

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Wang, Feng; Dong, Haikuo; Sun, Shijie; Wang, Zhi; Mao, Pingli; Liu, Zheng

2018-02-01

The microstructure, tensile properties, and corrosion behavior of die-cast Mg-7Al-1Ca- xSn ( x = 0, 0.5, 1.0, and 2.0 wt.%) alloys were studied using OM, SEM/EDS, tensile test, weight loss test, and electrochemical test. The experimental results showed that Sn addition effectively refined grains and intermetallic phases and increased the amount of intermetallic phases. Meanwhile, Sn addition to the alloys suppressed the formation of the (Mg,Al)2Ca phase and resulted in the formation of the ternary CaMgSn phase and the binary Mg2Sn phase. The Mg-7Al-1Ca-0.5Sn alloy exhibited best tensile properties at room temperature, while Mg-7Al-1Ca-1.0Sn alloy exhibited best tensile properties at elevated temperature. The corrosion resistance of studied alloys was improved by the Sn addition, and the Mg-7Al-1Ca-0.5Sn alloy presented the best corrosion resistance.

Synergetic effect of Sn addition and oxygen-deficient atmosphere to fabricate active hematite photoelectrodes for light-induced water splitting

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Freitas, Andre L. M.; Souza, Flavio L.

2017-11-01

This work describes the design of a microwave-assisted method using hydrothermal conditions to fabricate pure and Sn-doped hematite photoelectrodes with varied synthesis time and additional thermal treatment under air and N2 atmosphere. The hematite photoelectrode formed under N2 atmosphere, with Sn deposited on its surface—which is represented by material synthesized at 4 h —exhibits the highest performance. Hence, Sn addition followed by high temperature annealing conducted in an oxygen-deficient atmosphere seems to create oxygen vacancies, and to prevent the segregation of dopant to form the SnO2 phase at the hematite crystal surface, reducing its energy and suppressing the grain growth. The increased donor number density provided by the oxygen vacancies (confirmed by x-ray photoelectron data), and a possible reduction in the grain boundary energy or hematite crystal interface might favor charge separation, and increase the electron transfer through the hematite into the back contact (FTO substrate). In consequence, the light-induced water oxidation reaction efficiency of Sn-hematite photoelectrodes was significantly increased in comparison with pure ones, even though the vertical rod morphology was not preserved. This finding provides a novel insight into intentional Sn addition, revealing that dopant segregation at the hematite crystal surface (or at the grain boundaries) could—by increasing the electron mobility—be the more relevant factor in developing active hematite photoelectrodes than the control of columnar morphology.

SnO 2 nanowires decorated with forsythia-like TiO 2 for photoenergy conversion

DOE PAGES

Park, Ik Jae; Park, Sangbaek; Kim, Dong Hoe; ...

2017-05-17

Here, we report forsythia-like TiO 2-decorated SnO 2 nanowires on fluorine-doped SnO 2 electrode as a photoelectrode of dye-sensitized solar cells. When SnO 2 nanowires grown via vapor-liquid-solid reaction were soaked in TiCl 4 solution, leaf-shaped rutile TiO 2 was grown onto the surface of the nanowires. The TiO 2 decoration increases the short circuit current (J sc), open circuit voltage (V oc) and fill factor (FF) of dye-sensitized solar cells. Further, electron lifetime increased by employing an atomic-layer-deposited TiO 2 nanoshell between the TiO 2 leaves and the SnO 2 nanowire, due to preventing charge recombination at the nanowire/electrolytemore » interface.« less

SnO 2 nanowires decorated with forsythia-like TiO 2 for photoenergy conversion

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

Park, Ik Jae; Park, Sangbaek; Kim, Dong Hoe

Here, we report forsythia-like TiO 2-decorated SnO 2 nanowires on fluorine-doped SnO 2 electrode as a photoelectrode of dye-sensitized solar cells. When SnO 2 nanowires grown via vapor-liquid-solid reaction were soaked in TiCl 4 solution, leaf-shaped rutile TiO 2 was grown onto the surface of the nanowires. The TiO 2 decoration increases the short circuit current (J sc), open circuit voltage (V oc) and fill factor (FF) of dye-sensitized solar cells. Further, electron lifetime increased by employing an atomic-layer-deposited TiO 2 nanoshell between the TiO 2 leaves and the SnO 2 nanowire, due to preventing charge recombination at the nanowire/electrolytemore » interface.« less

Morphology and Shear Strength of Lead-Free Solder Joints with Sn3.0Ag0.5Cu Solder Paste Reinforced with Ceramic Nanoparticles

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Yakymovych, A.; Plevachuk, Yu.; Švec, P.; Švec, P.; Janičkovič, D.; Šebo, P.; Beronská, N.; Roshanghias, A.; Ipser, H.

2016-12-01

To date, additions of different oxide nanoparticles is one of the most widespread procedures to improve the mechanical properties of metals and metal alloys. This research deals with the effect of minor ceramic nanoparticle additions (SiO2, TiO2 and ZrO2) on the microstructure and mechanical properties of Cu/solder/Cu joints. The reinforced Sn3.0Ag0.5Cu (SAC305) solder alloy with 0.5 wt.% and 1.0 wt.% of ceramic nanoparticles was prepared through mechanically stirring. The microstructure of as-solidified Cu/solder/Cu joints was studied using scanning electron microscopy. The additions of ceramic nanoparticles suppressed the growth of the intermetallic compound layer Cu6Sn5 at the interface solder/Cu and improved the microstructure of the joints. Furthermore, measurements of mechanical properties showed improved shear strength of Cu/composite solder/Cu joints compared to joints with unreinforced solder. This fact related to all investigated ceramic nanoinclusions and should be attributed to the adsorption of nanoparticles on the grain surface during solidification. However, this effect is less pronounced on increasing the nanoinclusion content from 0.5 wt.% to 1.0 wt.% due to agglomeration of nanoparticles. Moreover, a comparison analysis showed that the most beneficial influence was obtained by minor additions of SiO2 nanoparticles into the SAC305 solder alloy.

Ultrasonic soldering of Cu alloy using Ni-foam/Sn composite interlayer.

PubMed

Xiao, Yong; Wang, Qiwei; Wang, Ling; Zeng, Xian; Li, Mingyu; Wang, Ziqi; Zhang, Xingyi; Zhu, Xiaomeng

2018-07-01

In this study, Cu alloy joints were fabricated with a Ni-foam reinforced Sn-based composite solder with the assistance of ultrasonic vibration. Effects of ultrasonic soldering time on the microstructure and mechanical properties of Cu/Ni-Sn/Cu joints were investigated. Results showed that exceptional metallurgic bonding could be acquired with the assistance of ultrasonic vibration using a self-developed Ni-foam/Sn composite solder. For joint soldered for 5 s, a (Cu,Ni) 6 Sn 5 intermetallic compound (IMC) layer was formed on the Cu substrate surface, Ni skeletons distributed randomly in the soldering seam and a serrated (Ni,Cu) 3 Sn 4 IMC layer was formed on the Ni skeleton surface. Increasing the soldering time to 20 s, the (Ni,Cu) 3 Sn 4 IMC layer grew significantly and exhibited a loose porous structure on the Ni skeleton surface. Further increase the soldering time to 30 s, Ni skeletons were largely dissolved in the Sn base solder, and micro-sized (Ni,Cu) 3 Sn 4 particles were formed and dispersed homogeneously in the soldering seam. The formation of (Ni,Cu) 3 Sn 4 particles was mainly ascribed to acoustic cavitations induced erosion and grain refining effects. The joint soldered for 30 s exhibited the highest shear strength of 64.9 ± 3.3 MPa, and the shearing failure mainly occurred at the soldering seam/Cu substrate interface. Copyright © 2018 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.

Influence of annealing temperature and Sn doping on the optical properties of hematite thin films determined by spectroscopic ellipsometry

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

Souza, Lígia P. de; Chaves, Rodrigo O. G.; Malachias, Angelo

2016-06-28

Hematite (α-Fe{sub 2}O{sub 3}) thin films were prepared by sol-gel route and investigated for application in H{sub 2} generation by photo-assisted water splitting. The photoelectrochemical (PEC) performance was shown to increase significantly for films deposited on SnO{sub 2}:F/glass subjected to high temperature (T) annealing (>750 °C). Strong correlation was found between photogenerated current, donor concentration, and Sn concentration as determined by Mott-Schottky analysis and X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy. The effects of thermal annealing and Sn addition in the resulting microstructure and optical properties of hematite films deposited on fused silica substrates were determined by a combination of structural characterization techniques and spectroscopicmore » ellipsometry. Thermal annealing (>600 °C) induces a higher optical absorption that is associated directly to film densification and grain growth; however, it promotes no changes in the energy positions of the main Fe{sub 2}O{sub 3} electronic transitions. The band gap energy was found to be 2.21 eV and independent of microstructure and of Sn concentration for all studied films. On the other hand, Sn can be incorporated in the Fe{sub 2}O{sub 3} lattice for concentration up to Sn/Fe ∼2%, leading to an increase in energy split of the main absorption peak, attributed to a distortion of the Fe{sub 2}O{sub 3} lattice. For higher concentrations, Sn incorporation leads to a reduction in absorption, associated with higher porosity and the formation of a secondary Sn-rich phase. In summary, the variation in the optical properties induced by thermal annealing and Sn addition cannot account for the order of magnitude increase of the current density generated by photoanodes annealed at high T (>750 °C); thus, it is concluded that the major contribution for the enhanced PEC performance comes from improved electronic properties induced by the n-type doping caused by Sn diffusion from the SnO{sub 2}:F substrate.« less

Ce-Sn binary oxide catalyst for the selective catalytic reduction of NOx by NH3

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Liu, Zhiming; Feng, Xu; Zhou, Zizheng; Feng, Yongjun; Li, Junhua

2018-01-01

Ce-Sn binary oxide catalysts prepared by the hydrothermal method have been investigated for the selective catalytic reduction (SCR) of NOx with NH3. Compared with pure CeO2 and SnO2, Ce-Sn binary oxide catalyst showed significantly higher NH3-SCR activity. Moreover, Ce-Sn catalyst showed high resistance against H2O and SO2. The high catalytic performance of Ce-Sn binary oxide is attributed to the synergetic effect between Ce and Sn species, which not only enhances the redox property of the catalyst but also increases the Lewis acidity, thus promoting the adsorption and activation of NH3 species, which contributes to improving the NH3-SCR performance.

Effects of Na and secondary phases on physical properties of SnS thin film after sulfurization process

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Kawano, Yu; Kodani, Yuto; Chantana, Jakapan; Minemoto, Takashi

2016-09-01

2.48%-efficient SnS thin film solar cell is obtained under thermal evaporation method by optimizing growth temperature. The method to fabricate SnS films is limited by growth temperature, which should not be over 200 °C to prevent re-evaporation of SnS. To further enhance SnS grains, SnS films were annealed in H2S gas from 200 to 500 °C, namely sulfurization process. SnS grain size was increased with sulfurization temperature of above 400 °C however, secondary phase grains on film’s surface were observed owing to the accumulated Na, diffused from soda-lime glass substrate into the film, thus deteriorating film’s quality, implied by Urbach energy.

Time-Resolved Optical Emission Spectroscopy Diagnosis of CO2 Laser-Produced SnO2 Plasma

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Lan, Hui; Wang, Xinbing; Zuo, Duluo

2016-09-01

The spectral emission and plasma parameters of SnO2 plasmas have been investigated. A planar ceramic SnO2 target was irradiated by a CO2 laser with a full width at half maximum of 80 ns. The temporal behavior of the specific emission lines from the SnO2 plasma was characterized. The intensities of Sn I and Sn II lines first increased, and then decreased with the delay time. The results also showed a faster decay of Sn I atoms than that of Sn II ionic species. The temporal evolutions of the SnO2 plasma parameters (electron temperature and density) were deduced. The measured temperature and density of SnO2 plasma are 4.38 eV to 0.5 eV and 11.38×1017 cm-3 to 1.1×1017 cm-3, for delay times between 0.1 μs and 2.2 μs. We also investigated the effect of the laser pulse energy on SnO2 plasma. supported by National Natural Science Foundation of China (No. 11304235) and the Director Fund of WNLO

Development of phase analysis methods of impurity elements in alloys based on iron and nickel

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Andreeva, N. A.; Anuchkin, S. N.; Volchenkova, V. A.; Kazenas, E. K.; Penkina, T. N.; Fomina, A. A.

2018-04-01

Using the method of AES with ICP, new methods have been developed for quantifying the content of various forms of existence of impurity elements: Al-Al2O3; Zr-ZrO2 in alloys based on iron (Fe-Sn) and nickel (Ni-Sn). Open systems were used to dissolve Al and Zr. To translate difficult-to-open aluminum oxides (corundum) and zirconium oxide (baddeleyite) into the solution, accelerated techniques were developed using the microwave system Mars 5. To confirm the completeness of the dissolution of oxides, a classical scheme of alloy fusion with alkali metal salts was used. Optimal analytical parameters for determining the elements: Al and Zr were chosen. The influence of matrix elements (iron and nickel) and methods of its elimination were studied. This made it possible to determine the elements in a wide concentration range from 1 • 10-3 to n% Al and from 1 • 10-4 to n% Zr without preliminary separation of the matrix with good metrological characteristics. The relative standard deviation (Sr) does not exceed 0,2. The separate determination of the contents of aluminum and aluminium oxide in the model melt of Fe-Sn-Al2O3 and zirconium and zirconium oxide in the Ni-Sn-ZrO2 model melt allowed us to estimate the number of nanoparticles participating in the heterophase interaction with tin and retired to the interface in the form of ensembles and the number of nanoparticles present in the melt and affecting the crystallization process and the structure of the metal.

Social but safe? Quality and safety of diabetes-related online social networks.

PubMed

Weitzman, Elissa R; Cole, Emily; Kaci, Liljana; Mandl, Kenneth D

2011-05-01

To foster informed decision-making about health social networking (SN) by patients and clinicians, the authors evaluated the quality/safety of SN sites' policies and practices. Multisite structured observation of diabetes-focused SN sites. Measurements 28 indicators of quality and safety covering: (1) alignment of content with diabetes science and clinical practice recommendations; (2) safety practices for auditing content, supporting transparency and moderation; (3) accessibility of privacy policies and the communication and control of privacy risks; and (4) centralized sharing of member data and member control over sharing. Quality was variable across n=10 sites: 50% were aligned with diabetes science/clinical practice recommendations with gaps in medical disclaimer use (30% have) and specification of relevant glycosylated hemoglobin levels (0% have). Safety was mixed with gaps in external review approaches (20% used audits and association links) and internal review approaches (70% use moderation). Internal safety review offers limited protection: misinformation about a diabetes 'cure' was found on four moderated sites. Of nine sites with advertising, transparency was missing on five; ads for unfounded 'cures' were present on three. Technological safety was poor with almost no use of procedures for secure data storage and transmission; only three sites support member controls over personal information. Privacy policies' poor readability impedes risk communication. Only three sites (30%) demonstrated better practice. Limitations English-language diabetes sites only. The quality/safety of diabetes SN is variable. Observed better practice suggests improvement is feasible. Mechanisms for improvement are recommended that engage key stakeholders to balance autonomy, community ownership, conditions for innovation, and consumer protection.

Fabrication of a transparent ultraviolet detector by using n-type Ga2O3 and p-type Ga-doped SnO2 core-shell nanowires.

PubMed

Hsu, Cheng-Liang; Lu, Ying-Ching

2012-09-21

This study investigates the feasibility of synthesizing high-density transparent Ga(2)O(3)/SnO(2):Ga core-shell nanowires on a sapphire substrate at 1000 °C by VLS. The doping Ga concentrations are 0.46, 1.07, 2.30 and 17.53 atomic%. The XRD spectrum and HR-TEM reveal Ga(2)O(3) and SnO(2) as having monoclinic and tetragonal rutile structures, respectively. Experimental results indicate that the XRD peak shift of SnO(2) to a larger angle increases with the increasing amount of Ga doping. According to the CL spectrum, SnO(2) and Ga(2)O(3) peak at approximately 528-568 nm and 422-424 nm, respectively. The maximum quantum efficiency of Ga(2)O(3)/SnO(2):Ga core-shell nanowires is around 0.362%. The UV light on-off current contrast ratio of Ga(2)O(3)/SnO(2):Ga core-shell nanowires is around 1066.7 at a bias of 5 V. Moreover, the dynamic response of Ga(2)O(3)/SnO(2):Ga core-shell nanowires has an on-off current contrast ratio of around 16. Furthermore, the Ga(2)O(3) region functions similar to a capacitor and continues to accumulate SnO(2):Ga excited electrons under UV light exposure.

Chalcogenide aerogels as sorbents for radioactive iodine

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

Subrahmanyam, Kota S.; Sarma, Debajit; Malliakas, Christos

Iodine (129I) is one of the radionuclides released in nuclear fuel reprocessing and poses risk to public safety due to its involvement in human metabolic processes. In order to prevent the leaching of hazardous radioactive iodine into the environment, its effective capture and sequestration is pivotal. In the context of finding a suitable matrix for capturing radioactive iodine the chalcogels, NiMoS4, CoMoS4, Sb4Sn4S12, Zn2Sn2S6, and CoSx (x = 4-5) were explored as iodine sorbents. All the chalcogels showed high uptake, reaching up to 225 mass% (2.25 g/g) of the final mass owing to strong chemical and physical iodine-chalcogen interactions. Analysismore » of the iodine-loaded specimens revealed that the iodine chemically reacted with Sb4Sn4S12, Zn2Sn2S6, and CoSx to form metal complexes SbI3, SnI4, and, KI respectively. The NiMoS4 and CoMoS4 chalcogels did not appear to undergo a chemical reaction with iodine since iodide complexes were not observed with these samples. Once heated, the iodine-loaded chalcogels released iodine in the temperature range of 75 °C to 220 °C, depending on the nature of iodine speciation. In the case of Sb4Sn4S12 and Zn2Sn2S6 iodine release was observed around 150 °C in the form of SnI4 and SbI3, respectively. The NiMoS4, CoMoS4, and CoSx released iodine at ~75 °C, which is consistent with physisorbed iodine. Preliminary investigations on consolidation of iodine-loaded Zn2Sn2S6 with Sb2S3 as a glass forming additive showed the content of iodine in consolidated glass ingots at around 25 mass%.« less

Modifying the Surface of γ-Al2 O3 with Y2 Sn2 O7 Pyrochlore: Monolayer Dispersion Behaviour of Composite Oxides.

PubMed

Xu, Xianglan; Liu, Fang; Tian, Jinshu; Peng, Honggen; Liu, Wenming; Fang, Xiuzhong; Zhang, Ning; Wang, Xiang

2017-06-20

To investigate the dispersion behaviour of composite oxides on supports, and to obtain better supports for Pd for CO oxidation, a series of Y 2 Sn 2 O 7 /Al 2 O 3 composite oxides with different Y 2 Sn 2 O 7 loadings were prepared by a deposition-precipitation method. XRD and X-ray photoelectron spectroscopic extrapolation methods revealed that, similar to single-component metal oxides, composite oxides can also disperse spontaneously on support surfaces to form a monolayer with a certain capacity. The monolayer dispersion capacity/threshold for Y 2 Sn 2 O 7 on the surface of γ-Al 2 O 3 is 0.109 mmol per 100 m 2 γ-Al 2 O 3 , corresponding to 7.2 wt % Y 2 Sn 2 O 7 loading. This is the first work to demonstrate monolayer dispersion of a composite oxide on a support. After combining Y 2 Sn 2 O 7 with γ-Al 2 O 3 , active oxygen species can be introduced onto the catalyst surfaces. Thus, the interaction between Pd and the support is strengthened, the dispersion of Pd is improved in comparison with the single-component Y 2 Sn 2 O 7 support, and a synergistic effect is induced between Pd and the composite support, which is beneficial to catalyst activity. By tuning the γ-Al 2 O 3 surface with different amounts of pyrochlore Y 2 Sn 2 O 7 , CO oxidation activity on 1 % Pd/Y 2 Sn 2 O 7 /Al 2 O 3 was improved. These findings may provide new insights into the design and preparation of effective supported noble metal catalysts with lower contents of noble metals. © 2017 Wiley-VCH Verlag GmbH & Co. KGaA, Weinheim.

Zr-doped SnO2 thin films synthesized by spray pyrolysis technique for barrier layers in solar cells

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Reddy, N. Nanda Kumar; Akkera, Harish Sharma; Sekhar, M. Chandra; Park, Si-Hyun

2017-12-01

In the present work, we investigated the effect of Zr doping (0-6 at%) on the structural, electrical, and optical properties of tin oxide (SnO2) thin films deposited onto glass substrates using a spray pyrolysis technique. The room-temperature X-ray diffraction pattern shows that all deposited films exhibit polycrystalline tetragonal structure. The pure SnO2 film is grown along a preferred (200) direction, whereas Zr-doped SnO2 (Zr:SnO2) films started growing along the (220) orientation along with a high intensity peak of (200). Scanning electron microscope (SEM) and atomic force microscope (AFM) images showed that the grains of the films are spherical in structure, and the grain size decreased with increasing of Zr concentration. The optical transmission spectra of deposited films as a function of wavelength confirm that the average optical transmittance is > 85% for Zr:SnO2 films. The value of the optical bandgap is significantly decreased from 3.94 to 3.68 eV with increasing Zr concentration. Furthermore, the electrical measurements found that the sheet resistance ( R sh) and resistivity ( ρ) values are decreased with increasing of Zr doping. The lowest values of R sh = 6.82 Ω and ρ = 0.4 × 10- 3 Ω cm are found in 6-at% Zr-doped SnO2 film. In addition, a good efficiency value of the figure of merit ( ɸ = 3.35 × 10- 3 Ω-1) is observed in 6-at% Zr-doped SnO2 film. These outstanding properties of Zr-doped SnO2 films make them useful for several optoelectronic device applications.

Dopant controlled photoinduced hydrophilicity and photocatalytic activity of SnO2 thin films

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Talinungsang; Dhar Purkayastha, Debarun; Krishna, M. Ghanashyam

2018-07-01

The influence of Fe and Ni (1 wt.%) doping on the wettability and photocatalytic activity of sol-gel derived SnO2 films is reported. X-ray diffraction studies revealed the presence of tetragonal phase for both pure and doped SnO2 thin films. The crystallite size was of the order of 8 nm indicating the nanocrystalline nature of the films. The pure SnO2 films which were hydrophilic with a contact angle of 11.8° showed increase in contact angle with doping (38.7° for Fe and 48.6° for Ni). This is accompanied by decrease in surface energy and root mean square roughness, with doping of SnO2 film. In order to further increase the water contact angle, the film surfaces were modified using a layer of stearic acid. As a consequence, the water contact angles increased to 108°, 110° and 111° for the pure, Fe and Ni doped SnO2 films respectively, rendering them hydrophobic. Significantly, the unmodified surfaces that did not exhibit any change under UV irradiation showed photoinduced hydrophilicity on modification with stearic acid. There was a red-shift in the optical band gap of SnO2 films from 3.8 to 3.5 eV with doping, indicating the possibility of dopant controlled photocatalytic activity. This was confirmed by observing the photocatalytic degradation of an aqueous solution of methylene blue under UV irradiation. There was, indeed, significant improvement in the photocatalytic efficiency of the metal doped SnO2 thin film in comparison to undoped film. The current work, thus, demonstrates a simple method to chemically engineer the wettability and photocatalytic activity of SnO2 thin film surfaces.

A highly stable (SnOx-Sn)@few layered graphene composite anode of sodium-ion batteries synthesized by oxygen plasma assisted milling

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Cheng, Deliang; Liu, Jiangwen; Li, Xiang; Hu, Renzong; Zeng, Meiqing; Yang, Lichun; Zhu, Min

2017-05-01

The (SnOx-Sn)@few layered graphene ((SnOx-Sn)@FLG) composite has been synthesized by oxygen plasma-assisted milling. Owing to the synergistic effect of rapid plasma heating and ball mill grinding, SnOx (1 ≤ x ≤ 2) nanoparticles generated from the reaction of Sn with oxygen are tightly wrapped by FLG nanosheets which are simultaneously exfoliated from expanded graphite, forming secondary micro granules. Inside the granules, the small size of the SnOx nanoparticles enables the fast kinetics for Na+ transfer. The in-situ formed FLG and residual Sn nanoparticles improve the electrical conductivity of the composite, meanwhile alleviate the aggregation of SnOx nanoparticles and relieve the volume change during the cycling, which is beneficial for the cyclic stability for the Na+ storage. As an anode material for sodium-ion batteries, the (SnOx-Sn)@FLG composite exhibits a high reversible capacity of 448 mAh g-1 at a current density of 100 mA g-1 in the first cycle, with 82.6% capacity retention after 250 cycles. Even when the current density increases to 1000 mA g-1, this composite retains 316.5 mAh g-1 after 250 cycles. With superior Na+ storage stability, the (SnOx-Sn)@FLG composite can be a promising anode material for high performance sodium-ion batteries.

Influence of defects on the thermoelectricity in SnSe: A comprehensive theoretical study

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Zhou, Yecheng; Li, Wei; Wu, Minghui; Zhao, Li-Dong; He, Jiaqing; Wei, Su-Huai; Huang, Li

2018-06-01

SnSe has emerged as an efficient and fascinating thermoelectric material. A fundamental understanding of the effects and nature of intrinsic defects and dopants in SnSe is crucial to optimize its thermoelectric performance. In this paper, we perform first-principles calculations to examine the native and extrinsic point-defect properties in SnSe. We show that the easy formation of acceptorlike Sn vacancy (VSn) is responsible for the p -type conductivity in intrinsic SnSe. We also propose a mechanism and explain the anomalous temperature dependence of the carrier concentration in intrinsic SnSe crystals. Concerning the extrinsic defects, we focus on the dopants used in experiments. We find that Na (Ag) substitution on Sn site, NaSn (AgSn), acts as acceptor, whereas, substitutional BrSe, ISe, and BiSn dopants act as donor. It is shown that for Ag doping, its carrier concentration will be saturated with increasing doping concentration due to the coexistence of compensated defects (Agi and AgSn). Furthermore, we analyze how this doping introduced carrier impact on their thermoelectric characteristics. It is found that the more efficient doping of Na, Br, and I can realize higher Z T .

Oxidation of Sn doped Cu cluster: A first principle study

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Parida, Ganesh; Majumder, Chiranjib

2017-05-01

Bimetallic clusters have immense potential to exhibit tunable properties in the emerging field of nano catalysis. Using plane wave based pseudopotential approach we have investigated the oxidation behavior of pure and Sn doped Cu13 clusters. The results showed significant modification of the cluster geometry upon interaction with oxygen molecule. The interaction of oxygen with Cu13, Cu12Sn1 and Cu11Sn2 clusters show dissociative chemisorption is more favorable than molecular adsorption. In addition, the adsorption energy is found to decrease with the increase in Sn concentration.

Evaluating print performance of Sn-Ag-Cu lead-free solder pastes used in electronics assembly process

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Mallik, S.; Bauer, R.; Hübner, F.; Ekere, N. N.

2011-01-01

Solder paste is the most widely used interconnection material in the electronic assembly process for attaching electronic components/devices directly onto the surface of printed circuit boards, using stencil printing process. This paper evaluates the performance of three different commercially available Sn-Ag-Cu solder pastes formulated with different particle size distributions (PSD), metal content and alloy composition. A series of stencil printing tests were carried out using a specially designed stencil of 75 μm thickness and apertures of 300×300 μm2 dimension and 500 μm pitch sizes. Solder paste printing behaviors were found related to attributes such as slumping and surface tension and printing performance was correlated with metal content and PSD. The results of the study should benefit paste manufacturers and SMT assemblers to improve their products and practices.

Surface reaction of SnII on goethite (α-FeOOH): surface complexation, redox reaction, reductive dissolution, and phase transformation.

PubMed

Dulnee, Siriwan; Scheinost, Andreas C

2014-08-19

To elucidate the potential risk of (126)Sn migration from nuclear waste repositories, we investigated the surface reactions of Sn(II) on goethite as a function of pH and Sn(II) loading under anoxic condition with O2 level < 2 ppmv. Tin redox state and surface structure were investigated by Sn K edge X-ray absorption spectroscopy (XAS), goethite phase transformations were investigated by high-resolution transmission electron microscopy and selected area electron diffraction. The results demonstrate the rapid and complete oxidation of Sn(II) by goethite and formation of Sn(IV) (1)E and (2)C surface complexes. The contribution of (2)C complexes increases with Sn loading. The Sn(II) oxidation leads to a quantitative release of Fe(II) from goethite at low pH, and to the precipitation of magnetite at higher pH. To predict Sn sorption, we applied surface complexation modeling using the charge distribution multisite complexation approach and the XAS-derived surface complexes. Log K values of 15.5 ± 1.4 for the (1)E complex and 19.2 ± 0.6 for the (2)C complex consistently predict Sn sorption across pH 2-12 and for two different Sn loadings and confirm the strong retention of Sn(II) even under anoxic conditions.

Soldering-induced Cu diffusion and intermetallic compound formation between Ni/Cu under bump metallization and SnPb flip-chip solder bumps

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Huang, Chien-Sheng; Jang, Guh-Yaw; Duh, Jenq-Gong

2004-04-01

Nickel-based under bump metallization (UBM) has been widely used as a diffusion barrier to prevent the rapid reaction between the Cu conductor and Sn-based solders. In this study, joints with and without solder after heat treatments were employed to evaluate the diffusion behavior of Cu in the 63Sn-37Pb/Ni/Cu/Ti/Si3N4/Si multilayer structure. The atomic flux of Cu diffused through Ni was evaluated from the concentration profiles of Cu in solder joints. During reflow, the atomic flux of Cu was on the order of 1015-1016 atoms/cm2s. However, in the assembly without solder, no Cu was detected on the surface of Ni even after ten cycles of reflow. The diffusion behavior of Cu during heat treatments was studied, and the soldering-process-induced Cu diffusion through Ni metallization was characterized. In addition, the effect of Cu content in the solder near the solder/intermetallic compound (IMC) interface on interfacial reactions between the solder and the Ni/Cu UBM was also discussed. It is evident that the (Cu,Ni)6Sn5 IMC might form as the concentration of Cu in the Sn-Cu-Ni alloy exceeds 0.6 wt.%.

Highly monodispersed tin oxide/mesoporous starbust carbon composite as high-performance Li-ion battery anode.

PubMed

Chen, Jiajun; Yano, Kazuhisa

2013-08-28

The widespread commercialization of today's plug-in hybrid and all electric vehicles will rely on improved lithium batteries with higher energy density, greater power, and durability.To take advantage of the high density of SnO2 anodes for Li ion batteries, we achieved a smart design of monodispersed SnO2/MSCS composite with very high content of SnO2 by a simple infiltration procedure. The synergistic effects of the unique nanoarchitecture of MSCS and the ultrafine size of SnO2 nanoparticle endowed the composite with superior electrochemical performance. Because of the high density of the composite resulting from its monodispersed submicrometer spherical morphology, an exceptionally high reversible lithium storage capacity (both gravimetric and volumetric), very close to the theoretical capacity (1491 mA h/g), can be achieved with good cyclability (capacity retention of 92.5% after 15 cycles). The SnO2/MSCS composite anode exhibited a high reversible average capacity of about 1200 mAh/g over 30 cycles at a current of 80 mAh/g, which corresponds to about 1440 mAh/cm(3) (practical volumetric capacity). In addition, a Coulombic efficiency close to 100% was achieved, and less than 25% first irreversible capacity loss was observed.

Production of human milk fat analogue containing docosahexaenoic and arachidonic acids.

PubMed

Turan, Dilek; Sahin Yeşilçubuk, Neşe; Akoh, Casimir C

2012-05-02

Human milk fat (HMF) analogue containing docosahexaenoic acid (DHA) and arachidonic acid (ARA) at sn-1,3 positions and palmitic acid (PA) at sn-2 position was produced. Novozym 435 lipase was used to produce palmitic acid-enriched hazelnut oil (EHO). EHO was then used to produce the final structured lipid (SL) through interesterification reactions using Lipozyme RM IM. Reaction variables for 3 h reactions were temperature, substrate mole ratio, and ARASCO/DHASCO (A:D) ratio. After statistical analysis of DHA, ARA, total PA, and PA content at sn-2 position, a large-scale production was performed at 60 °C, 3:2 A:D ratio, and 1:0.1 substrate mole ratio. For the SL, those results were determined as 57.3 ± 0.4%, 2.7 ± 0.0%, 2.4 ± 0.1%, and 66.1 ± 2.2%, respectively. Tocopherol contents were 84, 19, 85, and 23 μg/g oil for α-, β-, γ-, and δ-tocopherol. Melting range of SL was narrower than that of EHO. Oxidative stability index (OSI) value of SL (0.80 h) was similar to that of EHO (0.88 h). This SL can be used in infant formulas to provide the benefits of ARA and DHA.

Electrical transport property, thermal stability and oxidation resistance of single crystalline β-Zn4Sb3 prepared using the Bi-Sn mixed-flux method

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Deng, Shuping; Li, Decong; Chen, Zhong; Tang, Yu; Shen, Lanxian; Deng, Shukang

2017-12-01

Single crystal samples β-Zn4Sb3 have been prepared by using Bi-Sn mixed-flux method. The obtained crystals exhibit p-type conduction behavior with carrier concentration varying from 4.40 × 1019 to 18.12 × 1019 cm-3 as carrier mobility changes from 25.8 to 61.5 cm2 V-1 s-1 at room temperature. Electrical transport properties of the samples were optimized by Bi-Sn co-doped, which brought by Bi-Sn mixed-flux. And the maximal power factor of 1.45 × 10-3 W m-1 K-2 is achieved at 510 K for the sample with Bi flux content x = 0.5. Consequently, the oxidation resistance of the sample was determined by exploring the effects of heat treatment in air on electrical transport properties and thermal stability, which the single crystalline β-Zn4Sb3 still possess an excellent oxidation resistance and thermal stability after the heat treatment process.

The role of carbon dioxide in the transport and fractionation of metals by geological fluids

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Kokh, Maria A.; Akinfiev, Nikolay N.; Pokrovski, Gleb S.; Salvi, Stefano; Guillaume, Damien

2017-01-01

Although carbon dioxide is one of the major components of crustal fluids responsible for ore deposit formation, its effect on transport and precipitation of metals remains unknown, due to a lack of direct experimental data and physical-chemical models for CO2-rich fluids. To fill this gap, we combined laboratory experiments and thermodynamic modeling to systematically quantify the role played by CO2 for the solubility of economically important metals such as Fe, Cu, Zn, Au, Mo, Pt, Sn under hydrothermal conditions. Solubility measurements of common ore minerals of these metals (FeS2, CuFeS2, ZnS, Au, MoS2, PtS, SnO2) were performed, using a flexible-cell reactor equipped with a rapid sampling device, in a single-phase fluid (CO2-H2O-KCl) at 350-450 °C and 600-750 bar, buffered with iron sulfide and oxide and alkali-aluminosilicate mineral assemblages. In addition, another type of experiments was conducted to measure gold solubility in more sulfur-rich supercritical CO2-H2O-S-NaOH fluids at 450 °C and 700 bar using a batch reactor that allows fluid quenching. Our results show that the solubilities of Si, Au, Mo, Pt and Cu either decrease (within <1 log unit) or remain constant upon CO2 increase, whereas those of Fe, Zn and Sn increase significantly (>1 log unit) with CO2 contents in the fluid increasing from 0 to 50 wt%. These data were interpreted using a simple model that does not require any new adjustable parameters, and is based on the dielectric constant of the H2O-CO2 solvent and on the Born solvation parameter for the dominant metal-bearing species in an aqueous fluid. Our predictions using this model suggest that in a supercritical CO2-H2O-S-salt fluid typical of metamorphic Au deposits, in equilibrium with pyrite and chalcopyrite, the Cu/Fe ratio decreases by up to 2 orders of magnitude with an increase of CO2 content from 0 to 70 wt%. This effect is due to the decrease of the fluid dielectric constant in the presence of CO2, which favors the stability of neutral species (FeCl20) compared to charged ones (CuCl2-). Our results explain the Fe enrichment and Cu depletion in metamorphic gold deposits formed by CO2-rich fluids. The transport of gold is unfavorable in the presence of CO2 only in S-rich (>0.5 wt% S) fluids in which Au forms the negatively charged Au(HS)2- and Au(HS)S3- complexes. By contrast, it is only weakly affected in S-poor (<0.1 wt% S) acidic-to-neutral fluids in which the uncharged Au(HS)0 complex predominates. Thus, even at very high CO2 contents (>50 wt% CO2), the capacity of such fluids to transport gold (up to 100s ppb Au) remains comparable to that of aqueous fluids. These findings are in agreement with analyses of natural fluid inclusions in metamorphic deposits. In more saline oxidizing and S-rich fluids such as those in magmatic porphyry Cu-Au deposits, the Fe, Cu, and Au solubilities in the presence of CO2 decrease by ∼1 order of magnitude with CO2 increasing to 20-30 wt%, following the decrease in the stability of their dominant charged species (FeCl42-, CuCl2-, Au(HS)2- and Au(HS)S3-), but stay almost constant at higher CO2 contents (30-70 wt%) as controlled by the neutral species (FeCl20, Cu(HS)0 and Au(HS)0). Such solubility trends suggest a new potential trigger of ore precipitation in porphyry systems by CO2 pulses from the magmatic chamber, which may operate along with commonly admitted depositional mechanisms such as cooling, vapor-brine immiscibility, and water-rock interaction. The direct effect of CO2 on the mobility of Pt and Mo, metals that likely form hydrogen sulfide and oxy-hydroxide complexes, respectively, is expected to be weak in most settings. Among the studied elements, Sn is the only one whose solubility may be favored at high CO2 content (>20 wt%) due to carbonate complexing. This study demonstrates, for the first time, that, contrary to common belief, the presence of CO2 in a supercritical fluid may lead to enhanced mobility or, on contrary, to massive precipitation of some metals, depending on salinity and sulfur content, and, more generally, to significant fractionations between different metals.

Ductile fracture mechanism of low-temperature In-48Sn alloy joint under high strain rate loading.

PubMed

Kim, Jong-Woong; Jung, Seung-Boo

2012-04-01

The failure behaviors of In-48Sn solder ball joints under various strain rate loadings were investigated with both experimental and finite element modeling study. The bonding force of In-48Sn solder on an Ni plated Cu pad increased with increasing shear speed, mainly due to the high strain-rate sensitivity of the solder alloy. In contrast to the cases of Sn-based Pb-free solder joints, the transition of the fracture mode from a ductile mode to a brittle mode was not observed in this solder joint system due to the soft nature of the In-48Sn alloy. This result is discussed in terms of the relationship between the strain-rate of the solder alloy, the work-hardening effect and the resulting stress concentration at the interfacial regions.

Ambipolar SnOx thin-film transistors achieved at high sputtering power

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Li, Yunpeng; Yang, Jia; Qu, Yunxiu; Zhang, Jiawei; Zhou, Li; Yang, Zaixing; Lin, Zhaojun; Wang, Qingpu; Song, Aimin; Xin, Qian

2018-04-01

SnO is the only oxide semiconductor to date that has exhibited ambipolar behavior in thin-film transistors (TFTs). In this work, ambipolar behavior was observed in SnOx TFTs fabricated at a high sputtering power of 200 W and post-annealed at 150-250 °C in ambient air. X-ray-diffraction patterns showed polycrystallisation of SnO and Sn in the annealed SnOx films. Scanning-electron-microscopy images revealed that microgrooves appeared after the films were annealed. Clusters subsequently segregated along the microgrooves, and our experiments suggest that they were most likely Sn clusters. Atomic force microscopy images indicate an abrupt increase in film roughness due to the cluster segregations. An important implication of this work is that excess Sn in the film, which has generally been thought to be detrimental to the film quality, may promote the ambipolar conduction when it is segregated from the film to enhance the stoichiometric balance.

The function of Sn(II)-apatite as a Tc immobilizing agent

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Asmussen, R. Matthew; Neeway, James J.; Lawter, Amanda R.; Levitskaia, Tatiana G.; Lukens, Wayne W.; Qafoku, Nikolla P.

2016-11-01

At the U.S. Department of Energy Hanford Site, Tc-99 is a component of low-activity waste (LAW) fractions of the nuclear tank waste and removal of Tc from LAW streams would greatly benefit the site remediation process. In this study, we investigated the removal of Tc(VII), as pertechnetate, from deionized water (DIW) and a LAW simulant through batch sorption testing and solid phase characterization using tin (II) apatite (Sn-A) and SnCl2. Sn-A showed higher levels of Tc removal from both DIW and LAW simulant. Scanning electron microscopy/energy dispersive X-ray spectroscopy (SEM/XEDS) and X-ray absorption spectroscopy (XAS) of reacted Sn-A in DIW showed that TcO4- is reduced to Tc(IV) on the Sn-A surface. The performance of Sn-A in the LAW simulant was lowered due to a combined effect of the high alkalinity, which lead to an increased dissolution of Sn from the Sn-A, and a preference for the reduction of Cr(VI).

Theoretical Investigation of the Thermodynamic Properties of η'-(Cu, Co)6Sn5 Alloys

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Wu, Heng; Zhang, Xuechao; Zheng, Bing; Zhao, Xiuchen; Liu, Ying; Li, Hong; Cheng, Jingwei

2018-02-01

We perform theoretical investigations on the structures of η'-Cu6Sn5-based intermetallic compounds (IMCs) with different Co doping concentration (0-12.2 wt.%) based on density functional theory (DFT). The variations of the structural, elastic and thermodynamic properties of (Cu, Co)6Sn5 IMCs with pressure (0-18 GPa) and temperature (0-500 K) are obtained with the application of quasi-harmonic Debye model for the non-equilibrium Gibbs free energy. It is found that the volume of (Cu, Co)6Sn5 shrinks with Co concentration increasing in the range of imposed pressure and temperature. At the same time, the bulk modulus of Cu4Co2Sn5 is the largest among those of Cu6Sn5, Cu5Co1Sn5 and Cu4Co2Sn5. By calculating the Debye temperature of Cu6Sn5, we find that it is higher than that of Cu5Co1Sn5 and Cu4Co2Sn5 when the pressure is higher than 2 GPa. Meanwhile, heat capacities of all three Cu6Sn5, Cu5Co1Sn5, and Cu4Co2Sn5 converge to a near-constant value at about 1090 J/mol K in the range of the imposed pressures.

Electrical and optical properties of nitrogen doped SnO{sub 2} thin films deposited on flexible substrates by magnetron sputtering

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

Fang, Feng, E-mail: fangfeng@seu.edu.cn; Zhang, Yeyu; Wu, Xiaoqin

2015-08-15

Graphical abstract: The best SnO{sub 2}:N TCO film: about 80% transmittance and 9.1 × 10{sup −4} Ω cm. - Highlights: • Nitrogen-doped tin oxide film was deposited on PET by RF-magnetron sputtering. • Effects of oxygen partial pressure on the properties of thin films were investigated. • For SnO{sub 2}:N film, visible light transmittance was 80% and electrical resistivity was 9.1 × 10{sup −4} Ω cm. - Abstract: Nitrogen-doped tin oxide (SnO{sub 2}:N) thin films were deposited on flexible polyethylene terephthalate (PET) substrates at room temperature by RF-magnetron sputtering. Effects of oxygen partial pressure (0–4%) on electrical and optical propertiesmore » of thin films were investigated. Experimental results showed that SnO{sub 2}:N films were amorphous state, and O/Sn ratios of SnO{sub 2}:N films were deviated from the standard stoichiometry 2:1. Optical band gap of SnO{sub 2}:N films increased from approximately 3.10 eV to 3.42 eV as oxygen partial pressure increased from 0% to 4%. For SnO{sub 2}:N thin films deposited on PET, transmittance was about 80% in the visible light region. The best transparent conductive oxide (TCO) deposited on flexible PET substrates was SnO{sub 2}:N thin films preparing at 2% oxygen partial pressure, the transmittance was about 80% and electrical conductivity was about 9.1 × 10{sup −4} Ω cm.« less

From microalgae oil to produce novel structured triacylglycerols enriched with unsaturated fatty acids.

PubMed

Wang, Jun; Wang, Xu-Dong; Zhao, Xing-Yu; Liu, Xi; Dong, Tao; Wu, Fu-An

2015-05-01

Novel structured triacylglycerols (STAGs) enriched with unsaturated fatty acids (UFAs) and low palmitic acid (PA) content were firstly synthesized from Schizochytrium sp. oil and oleic acid (OA) via solvent-free acidolysis catalyzed by Lipozyme RM IM. The results indicated that, the PA content decreased from 24.49% to 6.95%, while the UFAs content increased from 70.20% to 90.9% at the sn-1,3 positions in the STAGs under the optimal condition (i.e., lipase load of 7%, molar ratio of microalgae oil TAGs to OA of 1:3, and temperature of 65 °C). The lipase Lipozyme RM IM could be reused 16 times without significant loss of activity. The improved plastic and storage ranges of STAGs are useful for infant formula formulations, by which a possible method is blending of this product and 1,3-dioleoyl-2-palmitoylglycerol enriched fats and minor lipids based on the corresponding chemical compositions of human milk fat. Copyright © 2014 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.

Self-amplification of nigral degeneration in Parkinson's disease: a hypothesis.

PubMed

Ionov, Ilya D

2008-12-01

This review analyzes current evidence regarding possible mechanisms of nigral damage in idiopathic Parkinson's disease (iPD). In normal brain, a specific interplay among the blood-brain barrier (BBB), substantia nigra (SN), and locus coeruleus (LC) creates the condition for a self-accelerating damage to the SN. Three vicious circles involving SN-BBB, LC-SN-BBB, and histamine-BBB-SN interactions are described. In iPD, a self-accelerating loss of nigral cells can be triggered by brain hypoperfusion and by an increased blood histamine level. iPD-associated factors such as decreased CSF levels of substance P, somatostatin, and glutamate can aggravate the vicious-circle-induced damage to the SN.

Novel microwave-assisted synthesis of porous g-C3N4/SnO2 nanocomposite for solar water-splitting

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Seza, A.; Soleimani, F.; Naseri, N.; Soltaninejad, M.; Montazeri, S. M.; Sadrnezhaad, S. K.; Mohammadi, M. R.; Moghadam, H. Asgari; Forouzandeh, M.; Amin, M. H.

2018-05-01

Highly porous nanocomposites of graphitic-carbon nitride and tin oxide (g-C3N4/SnO2) were prepared through simple pyrolysis of urea molecules under microwave irradiation. The initial amount of tin was varied in order to investigate the effect of SnO2 content on preparation and properties of the composites. The synthesized nanocomposites were well-characterized by XRD, FE-SEM, HR-TEM, BET, FTIR, XPS, DRS, and PL. A homogeneous distribution of SnO2 nanoparticles with the size of less than 10 nm on the porous C3N4 sheets could be obtained, suggesting that in-situ synthesis of SnO2 nanoparticles was responsible for the formation of g-C3N4. The process likely occurred by the aid of the large amounts of OH groups formed on the surfaces of SnO2 nanoparticles during the polycondensation reactions of tin derivatives which could facilitate the pyrolysis of urea to carbon nitride. The porous nanocomposite prepared with initial tin amount of 0.175 g had high specific surface area of 195 m2 g-1 which showed high efficiency photoelectrochemical water-splitting ability. A maximum photocurrent density of 33 μA cm-2 was achieved at an applied potential of 0.5 V when testing this nanocomposite as photo-anode in water-splitting reactions under simulated visible light irradiation, introducing it as a promising visible light photoactive material.

Simultaneous multi-species determination of trimethyllead, monomethylmercury and three butyltin compounds by species-specific isotope dilution GC-ICP-MS in biological samples.

PubMed

Poperechna, Nataliya; Heumann, Klaus G

2005-09-01

An accurate and sensitive multi-species species-specific isotope dilution GC-ICP-MS method was developed for the simultaneous determination of trimethyllead (Me3Pb+), monomethylmercury (MeHg+) and the three butyltin species Bu3Sn+, Bu2Sn2+, and BuSn3+ in biological samples. The method was validated by three biological reference materials (CRM 477, mussel tissue certified for butyltins; CRM 463, tuna fish certified for MeHg+; DORM 2, dogfish muscle certified for MeHg+). Under certain conditions, and with minor modifications of the sample pretreatment procedure, this method could also be transferred to environmental samples such as sediments, as demonstrated by analyzing sediment reference material BCR 646 (freshwater sediment, certified for butyltins). The detection limits of the multi-species GC-ICP-IDMS method for biological samples were 1.4 ng g(-1) for MeHg+, 0.06 ng g(-1) for Me3Pb+, 0.3 ng g(-1) for BuSn3+ and Bu3Sn+, and 1.2 ng g(-1) for Bu2Sn2+. Because of the high relevance of these heavy metal alkyl species to the quality assurance of seafood, the method was also applied to corresponding samples purchased from a supermarket. The methylated lead fraction in these samples, correlated to total lead, varied over a broad range (from 0.01% to 7.6%). On the other hand, the MeHg+ fraction was much higher, normally in the range of 80-100%. Considering that we may expect tighter legislative limitations on MeHg+ levels in seafood in the future, we found the highest methylmercury contents (up to 10.6 microg g(-1)) in two shark samples, an animal which is at the end of the marine food chain, whereas MeHg+ contents of less than 0.2 microg g(-1) were found in most other seafood samples; these results correlate with the idea that MeHg+ is usually of biological origin in the marine environment. The concentration of butyltins and the fraction of the total tin content that is from butyltins strongly depend on possible contamination, due to the exclusively anthropogenic character of these compounds. A broad variation in the butylated tin fraction (in the range of <0.3-49%) was therefore observed in different seafood samples. Corresponding isotope-labeled spike compounds (except for trimethyllead) are commercially available for all of these compounds, and since these can be used in the multi-species species-specific GC-ICP-IDMS method developed here, this technique shows great potential for routine analysis in the future.

Enhancement in Thermoelectric Properties of TiS2 by Sn Addition

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Ramakrishnan, Anbalagan; Raman, Sankar; Chen, Li-Chyong; Chen, Kuei-Hsien

2018-06-01

A series of Sn added TiS2 (TiS2:Sn x ; x = 0, 0.05, 0.075 and 0.1) were prepared by solid state synthesis with subsequent annealing. The Sn atoms interacted with sulfur atoms in TiS2 and formed a trace amount of misfit layer (SnS)1+m(TiS2-δ)n compound with sulfur deficiency. A significant reduction in electrical resistivity with moderate decrease in the Seebeck coefficient was observed in Sn added TiS2. Hence, a maximum power factor of 1.71 mW/m-K2 at 373 K was obtained in TiS2:Sn0.05. In addition, the thermal conductivity was decreased with Sn addition and reached a minimum value of 2.11 W/m-K at 623 K in TiS2:Sn0.075, due to the impurity phase (misfit phase) and defects (excess Ti) scattering. The zT values increased from 0.08 in pristine TiS2 to an optimized value of 0.46 K at 623 K in TiS2:Sn0.05.

Phase Equilibria of Sn-Co-Cu Ternary System

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Chen, Yu-Kai; Hsu, Chia-Ming; Chen, Sinn-Wen; Chen, Chih-Ming; Huang, Yu-Chih

2012-10-01

Sn-Co-Cu ternary alloys are promising lead-free solders, and isothermal sections of Sn-Co-Cu phase equilibria are fundamentally important for the alloys' development and applications. Sn-Co-Cu ternary alloys were prepared and equilibrated at 523 K, 1073 K, and 1273 K (250 °C, 800 °C, and 1000 °C), and the equilibrium phases were experimentally determined. In addition to the terminal solid solutions and binary intermetallic compounds, a new ternary compound, Sn3Co2Cu8, was found. The solubilities of Cu in the α-CoSn3 and CoSn2 phases at 523 K (250 °C) are 4.2 and 1.6 at. pct, respectively, while the Cu solubility in the α-Co3Sn2 phase is as high as 20.0 at. pct. The Cu solubility increases with temperature and is around 30.0 at. pct in the β-Co3Sn2 at 1073 K (800 °C). The Co solubility in the η-Cu6Sn5 phase is also significant and is 15.5 at. pct at 523 K (250 °C).

Relaxed germanium-tin P-channel tunneling field-effect transistors fabricated on Si: impacts of Sn composition and uniaxial tensile strain

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Han, Genquan; Wang, Yibo; Liu, Yan; Wang, Hongjuan; Liu, Mingshan; Zhang, Chunfu; Zhang, Jincheng; Cheng, Buwen; Hao, Yue

2015-05-01

In this work, relaxed GeSn p-channel tunneling field-effect transistors (pTFETs) with various Sn compositions are fabricated on Si. Enhancement of on-state current ION with the increase of Sn composition is observed in transistors, due to the reduction of direct bandgap EG. Ge0.93Sn0.07 and Ge0.95Sn0.05 pTFETs achieve 110% and 75% enhancement in ION, respectively, compared to Ge0.97Sn0.03 devices, at VGS - VTH = VDS = - 1.0 V. For the first time, ION enhancement in GeSn pTFET utilizing uniaxial tensile strain is reported. By applying 0.14% uniaxial tensile strain along [110] channel direction, Ge0.95Sn0.05 pTFETs achieve 12% ION improvement, over unstrained control devices at VGS - VTH = VDS = - 1.0 V. Theoretical study demonstrates that uniaxial tensile strain leads to the reduction of direct EG and affects the reduced tunneling mass, which bring the GBTBT rising, benefiting the tunneling current enhancement in GeSn TFETs.

Preparation, deformation, and failure of functional Al-Sn and Al-Sn-Pb nanocrystalline alloys

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Noskova, N. I.; Vil'Danova, N. F.; Filippov, Yu. I.; Churbaev, R. V.; Pereturina, I. A.; Korshunov, L. G.; Korznikov, A. V.

2006-12-01

Changes in the structure, hardness, mechanical properties, and friction coefficient of Al-30% Sn, Al-15% Sn-25% Pb, and Al-5% Sn-35% Pb (wt %) alloys subjected to severe plastic deformation by equal-channel angular pressing (with a force of 40 tonne) and by shear at a pressure of 5 GPa have been studied. The transition into the nanocrystalline state was shown to occur at different degrees of plastic deformation. The hardness exhibits nonmonotonic variations, namely, first it increases and subsequently decreases. The friction coefficient of the Al-30% Sn, Al-15% Sn-25% Pb, and Al-5% Sn-35% Pb alloys quenched from the melt was found to be 0.33; the friction coefficients of these alloys in the submicrocrystalline state (after equal-channel angular pressing) equal 0.24, 0.32, and 0.35, respectively. The effect of disintegration into nano-sized powders was found to occur in the Al-15% Sn-25% Pb, and Al-5% Sn-35% Pb alloys after severe plastic deformation to ɛ = 6.4 and subsequent short-time holding.

The effect of thin film morphology on the electrochemical performance of Cu-Sn anode for lithium rechargeable batteries.

PubMed

Polat, B D; Keleş, O

2014-05-01

We investigate the anode performance of non ordered and ordered nanostructured Cu-Sn thin films deposited via electron beam deposition technique. The ordered nanostructured Cu-Sn thin film having nano-porosities was fabricated using an oblique (co)deposition technique. Our results showed that the nano structured Cu-Sn thin film containing Cu-Sn nanorods had higher initial anodic capacity (790 mA h g(-)) than that of the non ordered thin film (330 mA h g(-)). But the capacity of the ordered nanostructured Cu-Sn thin film diminished after the first cycle and a steady state capacity value around 300 mA h g(-) is sustainable in following up to 80th cycle, which is attributed to the composition and morphology of the thin film. The presence of copper containing Sn nanorods leading to form nano-porosities as interstitial spaces among them, enhanced lithium ions movement within thin film and increased the thin film tolerance against the stress generated because of the drastic volume change occurred during lithiation-delithiation processes; hence, homogenously distributed porosities increased the cycle life of the thin film.

Assessment of 28 trace elements and 17 amino acid levels in muscular tissues of broiler chicken (Gallus gallus) suffering from arsenic trioxide.

PubMed

Li, Si-Wen; He, Ying; Zhao, Hong-Jing; Wang, Yu; Liu, Juan-Juan; Shao, Yi-Zhi; Li, Jing-Lun; Sun, Xiao; Zhang, Li-Na; Xing, Ming-Wei

2017-10-01

The contents of 28 trace elements, 17 amino acid were evaluated in muscular tissues (wings, crureus and pectoralis) of chickens in response to arsenic trioxide (As 2 O 3 ). A total of 200 one-day-old male Hy-line chickens were fed either a commercial diet (C-group) or an As 2 O 3 supplement diet containing 7.5mg/kg (L-group), 15mg/kg (M-group) or 30mg/kg (H-group) As 2 O 3 for 90 days. The elements content was analyzed by inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometry (ICP-MS). Under As 2 O 3 exposure, the concentration of As were elevated 8.87-15.76 fold, 7.93-15.63 fold and 5.94-12.45 fold in wings, crureus and pectoralis compared to the corresponding C-group, respectively. 19 element levels (lithium (Li), magnesium (Mg), aluminum (Al), silicon (Si), kalium (K), vanadium (V), chromium (Cr), manganese (Mn), nickel (Ni), copper (Cu), selenium (Se), strontium (Sr), molybdenum (Mo), cadmium (Cd), tin (Sn), antimony (Sb), barium (Ba), mercury (Hg) and lead (Pb), 9 element levels (K, Co, Ni, Cu, As, Se, Sr, Sn, Ba and Hg) and 4 element levels (Mn, cobalt (Co), As, Sr and Ba) were significantly increased (P < 0.05) in wing, crureus and pectoralis, respectively. 2 element levels (sodium (Na) and zinc (Zn)), 5 element levels (Li, Na, Si, titanium (Ti and Cr), 13 element levels (Li, Na, Mg, K, V, Cr, iron (Fe), Cu, Zn, Mo, Sn, Hg and Pb) were significantly decreased (P < 0.05) in wing muscle, crureus and pectoralis, respectively. Additionally, in crureus and pectoralis, the content of total amino acids (TAA) was no significant alterations in L and M-group and then increased approximately 10.2% and 7.6% in H-group, respectively (P < 0.05). In wings, the level of total amino acids increased approximately 10% in L-group, whereas it showed unchanged in M and H-group compared to the corresponding C-group. We also observed that significantly increased levels of proline, cysteine, aspartic acid, methionine along with decrease in the tyrosine levels in muscular tissues compared to the corresponding C-group. In conclusion, the residual of As in the muscular tissues of chickens were dose-dependent and disrupts trace element homeostasis, amino acids level in muscular tissues of chickens under As 2 O 3 exposure. Additionally, the response (trace elements and amino acids) were different in wing, thigh and pectoral of chick under As 2 O 3 exposure. This study provided references for further study of heavy metal poisoning and may be helpful to understanding the toxicological mechanism of As 2 O 3 exposure in muscular tissues of chickens. Copyright © 2017 Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.

Pure and Sn-doped ZnO films produced by pulsed laser deposition

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Holmelund, E.; Schou, J.; Tougaard, S.; Larsen, N. B.

2002-09-01

A new technique, metronome doping, has been used for doping of films during pulsed laser deposition (PLD). This technique makes it possible to dope continuously during film growth with different concentrations of a dopant in one deposition sequence. Films of pure and doped ZnO have been produced with Sn concentrations up to 16%. The specific resistivity is found to increase and the transmission of visible light to decrease with increasing Sn concentration.

Solution-Processed Gallium–Tin-Based Oxide Semiconductors for Thin-Film Transistors

PubMed Central

Zhang, Xue; Lee, Hyeonju; Kim, Jungwon; Kim, Eui-Jik; Park, Jaehoon

2017-01-01

We investigated the effects of gallium (Ga) and tin (Sn) compositions on the structural and chemical properties of Ga–Sn-mixed (Ga:Sn) oxide films and the electrical properties of Ga:Sn oxide thin-film transistors (TFTs). The thermogravimetric analysis results indicate that solution-processed oxide films can be produced via thermal annealing at 500 °C. The oxygen deficiency ratio in the Ga:Sn oxide film increased from 0.18 (Ga oxide) and 0.30 (Sn oxide) to 0.36, while the X-ray diffraction peaks corresponding to Sn oxide significantly reduced. The Ga:Sn oxide film exhibited smaller grains compared to the nanocrystalline Sn oxide film, while the Ga oxide film exhibited an amorphous morphology. We found that the electrical properties of TFTs significantly improve by mixing Ga and Sn. Here, the optimum weight ratio of the constituents in the mixture of Ga and Sn precursor sols was determined to be 1.0:0.9 (Ga precursor sol:Sn precursor sol) for application in the solution-processed Ga:Sn oxide TFTs. In addition, when the Ga(1.0):Sn(0.9) oxide film was thermally annealed at 900 °C, the field-effect mobility of the TFT was notably enhanced from 0.02 to 1.03 cm2/Vs. Therefore, the mixing concentration ratio and annealing temperature are crucial for the chemical and morphological properties of solution-processed Ga:Sn oxide films and for the TFT performance. PMID:29283408

Breakaway phenomenon of Zr-based alloys during a high-temperature oxidation

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Baek, Jong Hyuk; Jeong, Yong Hwan

2008-01-01

The breakaway oxidation phenomena in Zr-based alloys were studied in the temperature range of 950-1200 °C for up to 36 000 s by using a modified thermo-gravimetric analyzer. After the oxidation tests, the oxidation behaviors, breakaway oxidation time, hydrogen pick-up contents, and oxidation rate constants of the alloys were systematically evaluated in this study. The breakaway oxidation time was shortened with an increase of the Sn content in the Zr alloys. A breakaway oxidation phenomenon could be caused by the transition of a tetragonal oxide phase into a monoclinic one, and the oxide transition could lead to form the oxide cracks in both the lateral and radial directions. The cracks within the oxide layer could result in catastrophic increase in the weight gain rates and rapid increase the hydrogen pick-up within the oxygen-stabilized α-Zr and prior β-Zr layers. The oxidation rate constants calculated from the post-breakaway data in the Zr alloys with breakaway oxidation behaviors matched well with the values from both the Baker-Just and Cathcart-Pawel correlations.

Microstructural Evolution of Ni-Sn Transient Liquid Phase Sintering Bond during High-Temperature Aging

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Feng, Hongliang; Huang, Jihua; Peng, Xianwen; Lv, Zhiwei; Wang, Yue; Yang, Jian; Chen, Shuhai; Zhao, Xingke

2018-05-01

For high-temperature-resistant packaging of new generation power chip, a chip packaging simulation structure of Ni/Ni-Sn/Ni was bonded by a transient liquid-phase sintering process. High-temperature aging experiments were carried out to investigate joint heat stability. The microstructural evolution and mechanism during aging, and mechanical properties after aging were analyzed. The results show that the 30Ni-70Sn bonding layer as-bonded at 340°C for 240 min is mainly composed of Ni3Sn4 and residual Ni particles. When aged at 350°C, because of the difficulty of nucleation for Ni3Sn and quite slow growth of Ni3Sn2, the bonding layer is stable and the strength of that doesn't change obviously with aging time. When aging temperature increased to 500°C, however, the residual Ni particles were gradually dissolved and the bonding layer formed a stable structure with dominated Ni3Sn2 after 36 h. Meanwhile, due to the volume shrinkage (4.43%) from Ni3Sn2 formation, a number of voids were formed. The shear strength shows an increase, resulting from Ni3Sn2 formation, but then it decreases slightly caused by voids. After aging at 500°C for 100 h, shear strength is still maintained at 29.6 MPa. In addition, the mechanism of void formation was analyzed and microstructural evolution model was also established.

Effect of Sn addition on hot tearing susceptibility of AXJ530 alloy

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Hai-kuo, Dong; Feng, Wang; Zhi, Wang; Jin-kun, Liu; Zheng, Liu; Ping-li, Mao

2018-03-01

The effects of different Sn additions (0, 0.5, 1.0, and 2.0 wt%) on hot tearing susceptibility (HTS) of AXJ530 alloy were studied using ‘T-shaped’ hot tearing mold at a pouring temperature of 700 °C and a mold temperature of 200 °C and paraffin permeation method. The dendrite coherency temperature was obtained by means of differential thermal analysis (DTA), and phases evolution, microstructures and morphology of the crack zone of AXJ530-xSn alloys were also investigated by using x-ray diffraction (XRD), scanning electron microscope (SEM) and energy dispersive spectroscopy (EDS). The experimental results show that the HTS of AXJ530-xSn alloys increases with Sn additions up to 1.0 wt%, and then exhibits a slight decrease with further Sn additions up to 2.0 wt%. The Sn additions into AXJ530 alloy can first form CaMgSn phase with high melting point, reduce amount of α-Mg+(Mg,Al)2Ca eutectic phase, increase the dendrite coherency temperature, decrease the thickness of liquid film and the feeding ability at the end of solidification, resulting in the rise of the HTS. However, the improvement in hot tearing resistance for AXJ530-2.0Sn alloy can be attributed to the grain refinement, lower dendrite coherency temperature and formation of the Mg17Al12 phase with a low melting point to feed more readily at the end of solidification, which improves the state of dendrite and the feeding channel.

Fluorine incorporation into SnO2 nanoparticles by co-milling with polyvinylidene fluoride

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Senna, Mamoru; Turianicová, Erika; Šepelák, Vladimír; Bruns, Michael; Scholz, Gudrun; Lebedkin, Sergei; Kübel, Christian; Wang, Di; Kaňuchová, Mária; Kaus, Maximilian; Hahn, Horst

2014-04-01

Fluorine was incorporated into SnO2 nanoparticles from polyvinylidene fluoride (PVdF) by co-milling. The incorporation process was triggered by an oxidative partial decomposition of PVdF due to the abstraction of oxygen atoms, and began soon after milling with a simultaneous decrease in the crystallite size of SnO2 from 56 nm to 19 nm, and increase in the lattice strain by a factor 7. Appearance of D and G Raman peaks indicated that the decomposition of PVdF was accompanied by the formation of nanometric carbon species. Decomposing processes of PVdF were accompanied by the continuous change in the states of F, with a decrease of C-F in PVdF and increase in Sn-F. This indicates the gradual incorporation of F into SnO2, by replacing a part of oxygen in the oxide with fluorine. These serial mechanochemical reaction processes were discussed on the basis of X-ray diffractometry, FT-IR, Raman and UV-Vis diffuse reflectance spectroscopy, transmission electron microscopy, F1s, Sn3d and C1s X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy and Auger electron spectra, as well as magic angle spinning NMR spectroscopy of 19F and 119Sn. The present findings serve as an initial stage of incorporating fluorine into SnO2 via a solvent-free solid-state process, toward the rational fabrication of fluorine doped SnO2 powders.

Bentonite modification with pillarization method using metal stannum

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Widjaya, Robert R.; Juwono, Ariadne L.; Rinaldi, Nino

2017-11-01

Clay minerals have received considerable attention in the last years because of their environmental compatibility, low cost, high selectivity, and operational simplicity. Although clays are very useful for many application in the field of catalysis, they have main disadvantage: their lack of pore volume and spesific surface area. Porosity and stability of these materials are improved by pillaring the clay layers with SnCl4, which leads to materials known as pillared clays (PILC). This research aims were to characterize the Bentonite and Sn-Bentonite as catalysts for cracking and oligomerization. The Sn-Bentonite was prepared by pillarization method with a variation in metal ratio of 5 mmol dan 10 mmol.gr-1 of bentonit. The catalyst characterized by X-ray Diffraction, X-ray Fluorescence, Fourier Transform Infra Red, Brunauer Emmett Teller, Thermogravimetric Analysis. The results showed that the Sn-Bentonite catalyst had large basal spacing and good porous structure, and the specific surface areas increased. XRF detected the Sn in the Bentonite and TGA results showed the ability Sn-Bentonite in receiving heat. FTIR test showed two type of acidity, broansted and lewis acid. The characterized results indicated that Sn-Bentonite with metal ratio 5 mmol.gr-1 better than Sn-Bentonite with metal ratio 10 mmol.gr-1, in which there was a significant increase the basal spacings, specific surface area, and pore volume. The TGA results for Sn-Bentonite appeared to be more thermally stable than Bentonite.

Alloying and Properties of C14–NbCr2 and A15–Nb3X (X = Al, Ge, Si, Sn) in Nb–Silicide-Based Alloys

PubMed Central

Tsakiropoulos, Panos

2018-01-01

The oxidation of Nb–silicide-based alloys is improved with Al, Cr, Ge or Sn addition(s). Depending on addition(s) and its(their) concentration(s), alloyed C14-AB2 Laves and A15-A3X phases can be stable in the microstructures of the alloys. In both phases, A is the transition metal(s), and B and X respectively can be Cr, Al, Ge, Si or Sn, and Al, Ge, Si or Sn. The alloying, creep and hardness of these phases were studied using the composition weighted differences in electronegativity (∆χ), average valence electron concentrations (VEC) and atomic sizes. For the Laves phase (i) the VEC and ∆χ were in the ranges 4.976 < VEC < 5.358 and −0.503 < ∆χ < −0.107; (ii) the concentration of B (=Al + Cr + Ge + Si + Sn) varied from 50.9 to 64.5 at %; and (iii) the Cr concentration was in the range of 35.8 < Cr < 51.6 at %. Maps of ∆χ versus Cr, ∆χ versus VEC, and VEC versus atomic size separated the alloying behaviours of the elements. Compared with unalloyed NbCr2, the VEC decreased and ∆χ increased in Nb(Cr,Si)2, and the changes in both parameters increased when Nb was substituted by Ti, and Cr by Si and Al, or Si and Ge, or Si and Sn. For the A15 phase (i) the VEC and ∆χ were in the ranges 4.38 < VEC < 4.89 and 0.857 < ∆χ < 1.04, with no VEC values between 4.63 and 4.72 and (ii) the concentration of X (=Al + Ge + Si + Sn) varied from 16.3 to 22.7 at %. The VEC versus ∆χ map separated the alloying behaviours of elements. The hardness of A15-Nb3X was correlated with the parameters ∆χ and VEC. The hardness increased with increases in ∆χ and VEC. Compared with Nb3Sn, the ∆χ and hardness of Nb3(Si,Sn) increased. The substitution of Nb by Cr had the same effect on ∆χ and hardness as Hf or Ti. The ∆χ and hardness increased with Ti concentration. The addition of Al in Nb3(Si,Sn,Al) decreased the ∆χ and increased the hardness. When Ti and Hf, or Ti, Hf and Cr, were simultaneously present with Al, the ∆χ was decreased and the hardness was unchanged. The better creep of Nb(Cr,Si)2 compared with the unalloyed Laves phase was related to the decrease in the VEC and ∆χ parameters. PMID:29518920

Alloying and Properties of C14-NbCr₂ and A15-Nb₃X (X = Al, Ge, Si, Sn) in Nb-Silicide-Based Alloys.

PubMed

Tsakiropoulos, Panos

2018-03-07

The oxidation of Nb-silicide-based alloys is improved with Al, Cr, Ge or Sn addition(s). Depending on addition(s) and its(their) concentration(s), alloyed C14-AB₂ Laves and A15-A₃X phases can be stable in the microstructures of the alloys. In both phases, A is the transition metal(s), and B and X respectively can be Cr, Al, Ge, Si or Sn, and Al, Ge, Si or Sn. The alloying, creep and hardness of these phases were studied using the composition weighted differences in electronegativity (∆χ), average valence electron concentrations (VEC) and atomic sizes. For the Laves phase (i) the VEC and ∆χ were in the ranges 4.976 < VEC < 5.358 and -0.503 < ∆χ < -0.107; (ii) the concentration of B (=Al + Cr + Ge + Si + Sn) varied from 50.9 to 64.5 at %; and (iii) the Cr concentration was in the range of 35.8 < Cr < 51.6 at %. Maps of ∆χ versus Cr, ∆χ versus VEC, and VEC versus atomic size separated the alloying behaviours of the elements. Compared with unalloyed NbCr₂, the VEC decreased and ∆χ increased in Nb(Cr,Si)₂, and the changes in both parameters increased when Nb was substituted by Ti, and Cr by Si and Al, or Si and Ge, or Si and Sn. For the A15 phase (i) the VEC and ∆χ were in the ranges 4.38 < VEC < 4.89 and 0.857 < ∆χ < 1.04, with no VEC values between 4.63 and 4.72 and (ii) the concentration of X (=Al + Ge + Si + Sn) varied from 16.3 to 22.7 at %. The VEC versus ∆χ map separated the alloying behaviours of elements. The hardness of A15-Nb₃X was correlated with the parameters ∆χ and VEC. The hardness increased with increases in ∆χ and VEC. Compared with Nb₃Sn, the ∆χ and hardness of Nb₃(Si,Sn) increased. The substitution of Nb by Cr had the same effect on ∆χ and hardness as Hf or Ti. The ∆χ and hardness increased with Ti concentration. The addition of Al in Nb₃(Si,Sn,Al) decreased the ∆χ and increased the hardness. When Ti and Hf, or Ti, Hf and Cr, were simultaneously present with Al, the ∆χ was decreased and the hardness was unchanged. The better creep of Nb(Cr,Si)₂ compared with the unalloyed Laves phase was related to the decrease in the VEC and ∆χ parameters.

Synthesis and characterization of Sn-doped hematite as visible light photocatalyst

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

Cao, Zhiqin; School of Materials Science and Engineering, Pan Zhihua University, Pan Zhihua 617000; Qin, Mingli, E-mail: qinml@mater.ustb.edu.cn

2016-05-15

Highlights: • Sn-doped hematite nanoparticles are prepared by SCS in one step. • The Sn doping have the ability to inhibit particle growth of hematite. • Sn can enhance visible light harvesting and e{sup −}/h{sup +} separation. • Sn-doped hematite degrades MB under visible light effectively. • The products with 5 mol% Sn have the highest photocatalytic activity. - Abstract: Sn-doped hematite nanoparticles are prepared by solution combustion synthesis. The products are characterized with various analytical and spectroscopic techniques to determine their structural, morphological, light absorption and photocatalytic properties. The results reveal that all the samples consist of nanocrystalline hematitemore » with mesoporous structures, and Sn has the ability to inhibit the growth of hematite particle. Compared to pure hematite, the doped hematite samples with appropriate amount of Sn show better activities for degradation of methylene blue under visible light irradiation. The highest activity is observed for 5% Sn doped hematite and this product has long-term stability and no selectivity for dye degradation. The enhanced performance of 5% Sn doped hematite is ascribed to the smaller particle size, increased ability to absorb in visible light, efficient charge separation as well as improved e{sup −} transfer associated with the effects of appropriate amount of Sn doped sample.« less

Fast formation and growth of high-density Sn whiskers in Mg/Sn-based solder/Mg joints by ultrasonic-assisted soldering: Phenomena, mechanism and prevention.

PubMed

Li, M Y; Yang, H F; Zhang, Z H; Gu, J H; Yang, S H

2016-06-08

A universally applicable method for promoting the fast formation and growth of high-density Sn whiskers on solders was developed by fabricating Mg/Sn-based solder/Mg joints using ultrasonic-assisted soldering at 250 °C for 6 s and then subjected to thermal aging at 25 °C for 7 d. The results showed that the use of the ultrasonic-assisted soldering could produce the supersaturated dissolution of Mg in the liquid Sn and lead to the existence of two forms of Mg in Sn after solidification. Moreover, the formation and growth of the high-density whiskers were facilitated by the specific contributions of both of the Mg forms in the solid Sn. Specifically, interstitial Mg can provide the persistent driving force for Sn whisker growth, whereas the Mg2Sn phase can increase the formation probability of Sn whiskers. In addition, we presented that the formation and growth of Sn whiskers in the Sn-based solders can be significantly restricted by a small amount of Zn addition (≥3 wt.%), and the prevention mechanisms are attributed to the segregation of Zn atoms at grain or phase boundaries and the formation of the lamellar-type Zn-rich structures in the solder.

Pressure effects on topological crystalline insulator SnTe and derived superconductor Sn{sub 0.5}In{sub 0.5}Te

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

Maurya, V. K.; Shruti,; Patnaik, S., E-mail: spatnaik@mail.jnu.ac.in

2016-05-23

We are reporting decrease in superconducting transition temperature accompanied by increased metallicity in indium doped SnTe superconductor. SnTe is a topological crystalline insulator and superconductivity is achieved by indium substitution in place of tin. With application of hydrostatic pressure we find negative dT{sub c}/dP of ~ -0.6K/GPa upto 2.5 GPa. The overall phenomenon is ascribed to unconventional superconductivity. Decrease in resistivity is also seen in single crystal SnTe with application of pressure but no evidence of superconductivity is observed.

DC Magnetron Sputtered IZTO Thin Films for Organic Photovoltaic Application.

PubMed

Lee, Hye Ji; Noviyana, Imas; Putri, Maryane; Koo, Chang Young; Lee, Jung-A; Kim, Jeong-Joo; Jeong, Youngjun; Lee, Youngu; Lee, Hee Young

2018-02-01

IZTO20 (In0.6Zn0.2Sn0.2O1.5) ceramic target was prepared from oxide mixture of In2O3, ZnO, and SnO2 powders. IZTO20 thin films were then deposited onto glass substrate at 400 °C by DC magnetron sputtering. The average optical transmittance determined by ultraviolet-visible spectroscopy was higher than 85% for all films. The minimum resistivity of the annealed IZTO20 thin film was approximately 6.1×10-4 Ω·cm, which tended to increase with decreasing indium content. Substrate heating and annealing were found to be important parameters affecting the electrical and optical properties. An organic photovoltaic (OPV) cell was fabricated using the IZTO20 film deposited under the optimized condition as an anode electrode and the efficiency of up to 80% compared to that of a similar OPV cell using ITO film was observed. Reduction of surface roughness and electrical resistivity through annealing treatment was found to contribute to the improved efficiency of the OPV cell.

An ultraviolet spectrophotometric assay for the screening of sn-2-specific lipases using 1,3-O-dioleoyl-2-O-α-eleostearoyl-sn-glycerol as substrate

PubMed Central

Mendoza, Lilia D.; Rodriguez, Jorge A.; Leclaire, Julien; Buono, Gerard; Fotiadu, Frédéric; Carrière, Frédéric; Abousalham, Abdelkarim

2012-01-01

In the present study, we propose a continuous assay for the screening of sn-2 lipases by using triacylglycerols (TAGs) from Aleurites fordii seed (tung oil) and a synthetic TAG containing the α-eleostearic acid at the sn-2 position and the oleic acid (OA) at the sn-1 and sn-3 positions [1,3-O-dioleoyl-2-O-α-eleostearoyl-sn-glycerol (sn-OEO)]. Each TAG was coated into a microplate well, and the lipase activity was measured by optical density increase at 272 nm due to transition of α-eleostearic acid from the adsorbed to the soluble state. The sn-1,3-regioselective lipases human pancreatic lipase (HPL), LIP2 lipase from Yarrowia lipolytica (YLLIP2), and a known sn-2 lipase, Candida antarctica lipase A (CALA) were used to validate this method. TLC analysis of lipolysis products showed that the lipases tested were able to hydrolyze the sn-OEO and the tung oil TAGs, but only CALA hydrolyzed the sn-2 position. The ratio of initial velocities on sn-OEO and tung oil TAGs was used to estimate the sn-2 preference of lipases. CALA was the enzyme with the highest ratio (0.22 ± 0.015), whereas HPL and YLLIP2 showed much lower ratios (0.072 ± 0.026 and 0.038 ± 0.016, respectively). This continuous sn-2 lipase assay is compatible with a high sample throughput and thus can be applied to the screening of sn-2 lipases. PMID:22114038

Electronic structure and magnetic properties of Ni-doped SnO2 thin films

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Sharma, Mayuri; Kumar, Shalendra; Alvi, P. A.

2018-05-01

This paper reports the electronic structure and magnetic properties of Ni-doped SnO2 thin film which were grown on Si (100) substrate by PLD (pulse laser deposition) technique under oxygen partial pressure (PO2). For getting electronic structure and magnetic behavior, the films were characterized using near edge X-ray absorption fine structure spectroscopy (NEXAFS) and DC magnetization measurements. The NEXAFS study at Ni L3,2 edge has been done to understand the local environment of Ni and Sn ions within SnO2 lattice. DC magnetization measurement shows that the saturation magnetization increases with the increase in substitution of Ni2+ ions in the system.

On the Alloying and Properties of Tetragonal Nb₅Si₃ in Nb-Silicide Based Alloys.

PubMed

Tsakiropoulos, Panos

2018-01-04

The alloying of Nb₅Si₃ modifies its properties. Actual compositions of (Nb,TM)₅X₃ silicides in developmental alloys, where X = Al + B + Ge + Si + Sn and TM is a transition and/or refractory metal, were used to calculate the composition weighted differences in electronegativity (Δχ) and an average valence electron concentration (VEC) and the solubility range of X to study the alloying and properties of the silicide. The calculations gave 4.11 < VEC < 4.45, 0.103 < Δχ < 0.415 and 33.6 < X < 41.6 at.%. In the silicide in Nb-24Ti-18Si-5Al-5Cr alloys with single addition of 5 at.% B, Ge, Hf, Mo, Sn and Ta, the solubility range of X decreased compared with the unalloyed Nb₅Si₃ or exceeded 40.5 at.% when B was with Hf or Mo or Sn and the Δχ decreased with increasing X. The Ge concentration increased with increasing Ti and the Hf concentration increased and decreased with increasing Ti or Nb respectively. The B and Sn concentrations respectively decreased and increased with increasing Ti and also depended on other additions in the silicide. The concentration of Sn was related to VEC and the concentrations of B and Ge were related to Δχ. The alloying of Nb₅Si₃ was demonstrated in Δχ versus VEC maps. Effects of alloying on the coefficient of thermal expansion (CTE) anisotropy, Young's modulus, hardness and creep data were discussed. Compared with the hardness of binary Nb₅Si₃ (1360 HV), the hardness increased in silicides with Ge and dropped below 1360 HV when Al, B and Sn were present without Ge. The Al effect on hardness depended on other elements substituting Si. Sn reduced the hardness. Ti or Hf reduced the hardness more than Cr in Nb₅Si₃ without Ge. The (Nb,Hf)₅(Si,Al)₃ had the lowest hardness. VEC differentiated the effects of additions on the hardness of Nb₅Si₃ alloyed with Ge. Deterioration of the creep of alloyed Nb₅Si₃ was accompanied by decrease of VEC and increase or decrease of Δχ depending on alloying addition(s).

Interleukin-induced increase in Ia expression by normal mouse B cells.

PubMed

Roehm, N W; Leibson, H J; Zlotnik, A; Kappler, J; Marrack, P; Cambier, J C

1984-09-01

The constitutive culture supernatant (SN) of the macrophage tumor line P388D1 (P388 SN) and the concanavalin A (Con A)-induced culture supernatant of the T cell hybridoma FS6-14.13 (FS6 Con A SN) were shown to contain nonspecific factors capable of inducing increased Ia expression by normal resting B cells in a dose-dependent manner. In six consecutive experiments the relative increase in Ia expression induced by P388 SN was 4.9 +/- 0.9, with FS6 Con A SN 10.7 +/- 1.5, and with a combination of both preparations 13.0 +/- 1.7. This increase in Ia expression was observed to occur in virtually all the B cells, reaching maximum levels within 24 h of culture. The interleukin-induced increase in B cell Ia expression occurred in the absence of ancillary signals provided by ligand-receptor Ig cross-linking and despite the fact that virtually all the control B cells, cultured in the absence of factors, remained in G0. These results suggest that functional receptors for at least some interleukins are expressed on normal resting B cells and their effects can be manifest in the absence of additional activating signals. The increased Ia expression induced by the nonspecific factor preparations was shown to be correlated with enhanced antigen-presenting capacity by the B cells to T cell hybridomas. The nature of the interleukins responsible for these effects remains to be definitively determined, however, the activity of FS6 Con A SN was shown to correlate with B cell growth factor activity and increased B cell Ia expression was not observed using interleukin 2 (IL-2) or interferon-gamma, prepared by recombinant DNA technology.