Search results for " characterization"
showing 10 items of 310 documents
Passivation-Induced Physicochemical Alterations of the Native Surface Oxide Film on 316L Austenitic Stainless Steel
2019
Time of Flight Secondary Ion Mass Spectroscopy, X-Ray Photoelectron Spectroscopy, in situ Photo-Current Spectroscopy and electrochemical analysis were combined to characterize the physicochemical alterations induced by electrochemical passivation of the surface oxide film providing corrosion resistance to 316L stainless steel. The as-prepared surface is covered by a ~2 nm thick, mixed (Cr(III)-Fe(III)) and bi-layered hydroxylated oxide. The inner layer is highly enriched in Cr(III) and the outer layer less so. Molybdenum is concentrated, mostly as Mo(VI), in the outer layer. Nickel is only present at trace level. These inner and outer layers have band gap values of 3.0 and 2.6-2.7 eV, respe…
Enhanced operational stability through interfacial modification by active encapsulation of perovskite solar cells
2020
Encapsulates are, in general, the passive components of any photovoltaic device that provides the required shielding from the externally stimulated degradation. Here we provide comprehensive physical insight depicting a rather non-trivial active nature, in contrast to the supposedly passive, atomic layer deposition (ALD) grown Al2O3 encapsulate layer on the hybrid perovskite [(FA0.83MA0.17)0.95Cs0.05PbI2.5Br0.5] photovoltaic device having the configuration: glass/FTO/SnO2/perovskite/spiro-OMeTAD/Au/(±) Al2O3. By combining various electrical characterization techniques, our experimental observations indicate that the ALD chemistry produces considerable enhancement of the electronic conductiv…
Low melting Metal Catalysed Growth of Tin Disulfide Nanotubes
2009
AbstractWe report here the synthesis of tin disulfide nanotubes by a vapour liquid solid growth using bismuth, a low melting metal, as a catalyst. The reaction was carried out in a single step process by heating SnS2 and bismuth in a horizontal tube furnace at 800oC. TEM analysis allowed proposing a plausible mechanism for the formation of SnS2 nanotubes. Pure material could be obtained by optimizing the reaction based on a product analysis using powder X-ray diffraction (XRD) and high-resolution transmission electron microscopy (HRTEM) combined with energy dispersive X-ray spectroscopy (EDX).
Characterization of blends with polyamide 6 and ethylene acrylic acid copolymers at different acrylic acid content
2002
In this work the morphological, calorimetric, rheological and mechanical behaviour and fourier transmission infrared analysis of blends made with polyamide 6 (PA6) and ethylene acrylic acid copolymers (EAA) containing different amount of acrylic acid were investigated. The results observed from the sample characterizations evidenced as acrylic acid cause a compatibilizing effect between polyethylene and polyamide components with modifications of blends morphology and mechanical behaviour. These effects are enhanced with increase of the acrylic acid content in the copolymer and they were attributed generally to hydrogen bond interactions among the acrylic acid group and the functional groups…
Structure analysis of side chain liquid crystal polymer films by means of electron microscopy
1987
Abstract Using the combined techniques of electron diffraction, bright and dark field electron microscopy as well as light microscopy, it has been possible to obtain detailed structural information about the arrangement of the smectic layers in a polymethacrylate side chain liquid crystal polymer with a biphenylester as the mesogenic group.
Growth and Characterization of Anodic Films on Scandium
2013
The anodic behavior of Sc in a slightly alkaline aqueous solution is studied. Electrochemical and capacitance measurements suggest that passive films can be formed on the scandium surface under a high electric field. The formation of these layers occurs at low faradaic efficiency due to oxygen evolution. Photoelectrochemical experiments suggest the formation of a barrier layer with a thickness high enough to hinder external electron photoemission processes and allow the estimation of the bandgap of the films as a function of their formation voltage. The estimated bandgap values were lower than that reported for Sc2O3, suggesting the formation of hydrated phases and/or of a strongly oxygen d…
On the hydro-mechanical behaviour of a lime-treated embankment during wetting and drying cycles
2018
Abstract The paper presents some experimental results obtained on samples extracted from a full-scale embankment obtained by compacting a lime-treated clayey soil. A comprehensive test programme was carried out in order to highlight the improvement of mechanical behaviour induced by lime treatment as well as to assess the durability of the improved material, which may be affected by severe seasonal wetting and drying cycles. Direct shear tests, triaxial compression tests, swelling potential measurement and oedometric tests were performed on samples cured in controlled environmental conditions for at least 18 months. Wetting and drying cycles were applied in a very wide range of suction valu…
Anodic Electro Deposition of CeO2 and Co-Doped CeO2 Thin Films
2013
CeO2 and Co containing CeO2 thin films were deposited on indium tin oxide and stainless steel by anodic electrodeposition. Scanning electron microscopy showed that the films are flat and show globular morphology and cracks resulting from volume shrinking. According to XRD and Raman Spectroscopy pure ceria layers are crystalline, while the presence of Co induces the formation of amorphous films. The good adhesion and the compactness allowed the photoelectrochemical characterization of the films. A band gap value of 2.9 eV was estimated for CeO2, while slightly higher values (̃3.0 eV) were estimated for Co containing films. A mechanism for ceria anodic electrodeposition is proposed and discus…
Nanotribological, nanomechanical and interfacial characterization of atomic layer deposited TiO2 on a silicon substrate
2015
Abstract For every coating it is critical that the coatings are sufficiently durable to withstand practical applications and that the films adhere well enough to the substrate. In this paper the nanotribological, nanomechanical and interfacial properties of 15–100 nm thick atomic layer deposited (ALD) TiO 2 coatings deposited at 110–300 °C were studied using a novel combination of nanoscratch and scanning nanowear testing. Thin film wear increased linearly with increasing scanning nanowear load. The film deposited at 300 °C was up to 58±11 %-points more wear-resistant compared to the films deposited at lower temperatures due to higher hardness and crystallinity of the film. Amorphous/nanocr…
INDUCED MODIFICATION OF FLEXURAL TOUGHNESS OF BIO-LIME BASED MORTARS BY ADDITION OF GIANT REED FIBERS
2019
Fibers are often used as reinforcement of brittle materials, like mortars, in order to modify their mechanical behavior; particularly the modification in post-cracking toughness, induced by low elasticity modulus fibers in the artificial stone material, is the main goal in natural fibers mortar manufacturing. In this work Arundo donax L. fibers are used to reinforce lime mortars according to the characteristics of this plant, very commonly available and with high mechanical properties, similar to bamboo, traditionally used in buildings in Spain. Influence of fibers’ length and weight ratio is studied. Particularly, three different fibers’ lengths, 4, 8 and 12 centimeters, and three weight r…