[en] Polymerization of CR-39 plastic has been initiated with different concentrations of di-isopropyl peroxydicarbonate (IPP) ranging from 0.2 to 5.0- wt.%. The Brillouin spectra of the resulting plastics have been measured using a five-pass Fabry-Perot interferometer. A saturation phenomenon has been observed at practically the same IPP concentration in both the Brillouin shift and width although their dependence on IPP concentration exhibit opposite behaviour. The results are discussed in terms of incomplete polymerization. (orig.)

[en] This is with reference to Mater. Sci. Eng. B 234 (2017) 28–39, the journal publication entitled “Positron annihilation spectroscopy and photoluminescence investigation of LaOF:Tb3+ nanophosphor fabricated via ultrasound assisted sonochemical route”. The doi link of the publication is https://doi.org/10.1016/j.mseb.2017.07.001 which was published on October 2017. It is to be informed to all the readers and the journal officials that there has been inadvertent mistake in the authors list of this publication by leaving two important authors name who contributed significantly for the PALS and CDBS discussions. Hence in the authors list two important author names and their affiliations were included. Further, there is a change in one of the sentence of acknowledgement as noted below: K. Hareesh received an Australian Endeavour and India Council Postdoctoral Research Fellowship. The Australian Research Council and the University of Western Australia partially supported the research.” is to be included instead of “Authors thanks to Prof. J.F. Williams and Dr. K. Hareesh of University of Western Australia, Perth WA-6009, Australia for recording PALS and CDBS data. The authors would like to apologise for any inconvenience caused.

No abstract available

[en] Highlights: • The novel Ni-MWNTs-textile electrode is prepared by the facile “dipping and drying” and electrodeposition process. • The Ni-MWNTs-textile electrode exhibits a special three dimensional network structure. • The Ni-MWNTs-textile electrode exhibits excellent performance for N₂H₄ electrooxidation. - Abstract: A new composite Ni electrode is simply prepared by electrodeposition of nano-scaled Ni particles onto multi-walled carbon nanotubes (MWNTs)-enabled conductive textile fiber (cosmetic cotton) which owns an especial three-dimensional (3D) network structure. The morphology and phase structure of the Ni-MWNTs-textile electrode are characterized by scanning electron microscope, transmission electron microscope and X-ray diffraction spectrometer, and the catalytic performance for the N₂H₄ electrooxidation is tested by linear sweep voltammetry and chronoamperometry. The results show that the Ni-MWNTs-textile electrode exhibits a remarkably high catalytic activity and good stability for N₂H₄ electrooxidation. The onset potential stays at around −0.9 V and the oxidation current density reaches as high as 12 mA cm⁻² in the solution containing 1 mol dm⁻³ NaOH and 20 mmol dm⁻³ N₂H₄ at around −0.80 V, both of which outstrip the previous reports

[en] Graphical abstract: - Highlights: • Original investigation on an updated solid material for electronic/electrochemical, and optical applications. • Gathering conjoint classical and scientific analyses. • Outlining adequacy and accuracy through comparison of synthesis, processing and characterization patterns. - Abstract: Crystalline nickel oxide (NiO) thin films were obtained by simple spray pyrolysis technique using nickel chloride hexahydrate solutions onto glass substrates at different temperatures of 350, 400 and 450 °C. Structures of the as-deposited NiO thin films have been investigated by X-ray diffraction (XRD) and the surface topography was performed by the atomic force microscope (AFM). The results show that NiO films crystallize in cubic phase structure with a preferred orientation of the crystallites along (1 1 1) direction. Furthermore, a conjoint new and original set of opto-thermal and hydrophobic investigations has been carried out and discussed relatively to the classically investigated structural, optical, mechanical and thermal characteristics, in order to compare optimized geometrical and crystalline structures

[en] Graphical abstract: - Highlights: • Drying of Ni–P coated CNTs in ethanol under atm. conditions promotes GO formation. • Ball milling helps to disperse CNTs uniformly in matrix than ultrasonication. • Increase in vol% of coated CNTs higher than 1.5% reduces mechanical properties. • Addition of coated CNTs improves both ductility and strength unlike bare CNTs. • Spark plasma sintering helped to preserve the structural quality of CNTs. - Abstract: Fe–50Co matrix composites containing 1.5 and 3 vol% of electroless Ni–P plated carbon nanotubes (CNTs) were densified using spark plasma sintering. The powder mixtures for the composites were prepared by two different routes: (a) ultrasonication only; and (b) ultrasonication followed by dry ball milling. Drying of the Ni–P plated CNTs under atmospheric conditions in the presence of ethanol promoted the nucleation and growth of graphene oxide on the coating. The ball milling route was found to be the most efficient method to disperse the coated nanotubes uniformly in the matrix. The addition of coated CNTs, which formed Taenite phase with the matrix alloy, made the composites to exhibit: (a) higher ductility, higher flexural strength, lower coercivity (H_c) and lower saturation induction (B_sat) compared to the monolithic material; and (b) higher ductility, higher flexural strength, higher H_c and lower B_sat in relation to the material with similar amount of bare CNTs

[en] Highlights: • A new solid solution system of K_0.48Na_0.52NbO₃–Li_0.8Ni_0.2Nb_0.96O₃ was investigated. • Li_0.8Ni_0.2Nb_0.96O₃ was found to act as a sintering aid. • The Ni²⁺ ions were confirmed to enter the B-sites and lead to the formation of the secondary phase. • Q_m was improved significantly by increasing Li_0.8Ni_0.2Nb_0.96O₃ content. - Abstract: Lead-free K_0.48Na_0.52NbO₃ (KNN) ceramics doped with Li_0.8Ni_0.2Nb_0.96O₃ (LNN) were prepared by the mixed oxide method. The structure, microstructure, and electrical properties of the ceramics were investigated systematically. All the samples exhibited the main orthorhombic perovskite phase structure, and the secondary phase K_5.75Nb_10.85O₃₀ was detected when x ≥ 0.010. Our work revealed that the Ni²⁺ ions entered into the B-site and lead to the formation of small amounts of the secondary phase. Moreover, the addition of LNN increased the density of the KNN ceramics. With increasing addition of LNN, the T_C increased while the T_O-T decreased, respectively. The ceramic doped with 2 mol% LNN exhibited optimum electrical properties with P_r of 23.92 μC/cm², d₃₃ of 110 ± 3 pC/N, k_p of 27.15% and k_t of 27.75%. The Q_m increased significantly with increasing LNN content, and the maximum value of 195 is obtained at x = 0.035

[en] Graphical abstract: (i) TEM micrograph, displaying the distribution of frozen CuMoO₄ nanoparticles for x = 0.2; (j) SAED pattern for x = 0.2; (k) HR-TEM for x = 0.2 and (l) HR-TEM for x = 0.4. - Highlights: • Ionic conductivity of CuI doped molybdate glass-nanocomposite. • Coppermolybdate (CuMoO₄) nanoparticles. • Ac conductivity and power law model. • Mobile ion concentration. • Scaling of the conductivity spectra. - Abstract: We have studied the ionic conductivity of CuI doped molybdate glass-nanocomposite systems. X-ray diffraction (XRD) and high-resolution transmission electron microscopic (HR-TEM) studies have been carried out to obtain the particle size and the distribution of coppermolybdate (CuMoO₄) nanoparticles in glass matrix. We have investigated the electrical conductivity of these glass-nanocomposites in a wide frequency and temperature range. We have analyzed the ac conductivity data using a power law model. Dc conductivity and hopping frequency show thermally activated nature. The power law exponent is almost same for each composition. It has been observed that mobile ion concentration is slightly dependent upon composition, but independent of temperature. The scaling of the conductivity spectra shows temperature-independent electrical relaxation process

[en] Highlights: • Ru/ZrO₂, ZrO₂ promoted Co/SiO₂ for FTS were reduced by time resolved XANES. • Reduced catalysts resulted from XANES reduction showed the mixed phases of Co, CoO. • The highest percentages of CoO resulted from the high ZrO₂ promoted Co/SiO₂. • Product distributions of 1-alkenes, iso-alkanes indicated sites for FTS and the 2° reaction. • Alkene readsorption were high corresponding to the high CoO forming branched alkanes. - Abstract: Co/SiO₂ catalysts were promoted with 4% and 8% ZrO₂. Small amounts (0.07%) of Ru were impregnated onto 4%ZrO₂/Co/SiO₂. Catalysts resulting from time-resolved XANES reduction showed mixed phases of Co and CoO, with the highest percentages of Co resulting from Ru/4%ZrO₂/Co/SiO₂ and the highest percentages of CoO resulting from 8%ZrO₂/Co/SiO₂. Product distributions of n-alkanes, iso-alkanes and alkenes during Fischer–Tropsch Synthesis (FTS) were used to investigate the catalyst performance of 4%ZrO₂/Co/SiO₂ 8%ZrO₂/Co/SiO₂ and Ru/4%ZrO₂/Co/SiO₂. FTS steady state was studied by growth probabilities of n-alkane products. No 1-alkene was produced from Ru/4%ZrO₂/Co/SiO₂, indicating high availability of Fischer–Tropsch sites for long chain hydrocarbon growth, despite high methanation. Branched alkanes produced from the secondary reaction were related to the high CoO percentages on 8%ZrO₂/Co/SiO₂. Alkene readsorption sites were high, corresponding to the high CoO percentages, causing a high probability of forming branched alkane products

[en] Graphical abstract: - Highlights: • Description of recent in operando and in situ analysis methodology. • Surface science approach using photoemission for analysis of cathode surfaces and interfaces. • Ageing and fatigue of layered oxide Li-ion battery cathode materials from the atomistic point of view. • Defect formation and electronic structure evolution as causes for cathode degradation. • Significance of interfacial energy alignment and contact potential for side reactions. - Abstract: This overview addresses the atomistic aspects of degradation of layered LiMO₂ (M = Ni, Co, Mn) oxide Li-ion battery cathode materials, aiming to shed light on the fundamental degradation mechanisms especially inside active cathode materials and at their interfaces. It includes recent results obtained by novel in situ/in operando diffraction methods, modelling, and quasi in situ surface science analysis. Degradation of the active cathode material occurs upon overcharge, resulting from a positive potential shift of the anode. Oxygen loss and eventual phase transformation resulting in dead regions are ascribed to changes in electronic structure and defect formation. The anode potential shift results from loss of free lithium due to side reactions occurring at electrode/electrolyte interfaces. Such side reactions are caused by electron transfer, and depend on the electron energy level alignment at the interface. Side reactions at electrode/electrolyte interfaces and capacity fade may be overcome by the use of suitable solid-state electrolytes and Li-containing anodes