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Most oxidation studies involving interconnects are conducted in air under isothermal conditions, but during real-life solid oxide cell (SOC) operation, cells are also exposed a mixture of hydrogen and water vapor. For this study, an Fe–16Cr low-chromium ferritic stainless steel was coated with different reactive element oxides – Gd 2 O 3 , CeO 2 , Ce 0.9 Y 0.1 O 2 – using an array of methods: dip coating, electrodeposition and spray pyrolysis. The samples underwent oxidation experiments carried out over 100 h in three different atmospheres at 800 °C: air, an air/H 2 O mixture, and an Ar/H 2 /H 2 O mixture. The influence of different atmospheres on the corrosion of the Fe–16Cr steel was determined via oxidation kinetics studies; the corrosion product was evaluated using X-ray diffraction, scanning electron microscopy and area-specific resistance (ASR) measurements. All coated samples exhibited lower parabolic oxidation rate constants than bare steel and most also had lower ASR. The applied modifications were found to be sufficiently effective to allow the investigated low-chromium steel to be considered for application as an interconnect material for SOCs. [Display omitted] • Gd 2 O 3 -based thin layers improved corrosion resistance for all oxidation atmospheres. • Under some conditions RE perovskite phases were formed. • The thinnest scale was observed after oxidation in H 2 –H 2 O atmosphere. • Gd 2 O 3 -based thin layers significantly reduced ASR for all oxidation atmospheres. • Addition of Y to CeO 2 improves its electrical conductivity. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In the present study the authors' main goal is to avoid the corrosive attack of the chloride ions of 3.5% NaCl solution in saline medium on the mild steel (MS), by addition of small amount of a new derivative of the hydrazide called ligand (HL), as a corrosion inhibitor. This study had been achieved by employing different electrochemical measurements such as, open circuit potential (OCP), electrochemical impedance spectroscopy (EIS) and potentio-dynamic polarization (PDP) methods. The results of the electrochemical test (OCP), showed that, the open circuit potential of the mild steel in saline solution, was guided to more positive direction in presence of the ligand (HL), at its ideal concentration (1 × 10−3 M), compared to the (OCP), of the mild steel in absence of (HL). The results of the electrochemical methods, EIS and PDP presented that, the ligand (HL), was acted as a good corrosion inhibitor for hindering the corrosion process of the mild steel in 3.5% sodium chloride, as it was recorded a good percentage of the inhibition efficiency (77.45%, 53.41%, by EIS and PDP techniques respectively), at its optimum concentration (1 × 10−3 M). Also, the corrosion rate of the mild steel in the saline medium without (HL), was listed about (0.0017 mm/year), while in existence of (HL), was decreased to a value about (0.00061 mm/year). As well, some of electrical properties of (HL), and its derivative [Pd(II), Cr(III), and Ru(III)], complexes were investigated such as; the activation energy (Ea(ac)), which recorded values in the range of 0.02–0.44 (eV) range and electrical conductivity which listed values at room temperature in the range of 10−5–10−8 S.cm−1. The results of the AC and DC electrical conductivity measurements for (HL), and its derivative [Pd(II), Cr(III) and Ru(III)] complexes indicate semiconducting nature which suggests that these compounds could be used in electronic devices. Also, the complexes exhibited higher conductivity values than (HL). Photophysical studies showed good florescence properties of HL that indicated that it can be used to determine most of the drugs with no fluorescence properties by quenching and calculating quantum yield. Moreover, the hydrazide ligand (HL), has shown selectivity as an active anticancer candidate drug for both breast and colon cancer in humans. Density function theory demonstrated that, the frontier molecular orbital HOMOs of the complexes have exhibited similar behavior and the charge density has localized in the metallic region of all the studied complexes. Also, the values of the energy gap of the ligand (HL), and its complexes Pd(II), Cr(III) and Ru(III), had been arranged in this order HL > Cr(III) > Ru(III) > Pd(II). All characterization using different spectroscopic techniques were reported to elucidate the proposed structures such as; thermal analysis, elemental analysis of C, H, and N atoms, spectral analysis using IR, UV, 1H NMR techniques, scanning electron microscopy and energy dispersive X-ray analyses. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The electrical conductivity of the earth's mantle can provide important information about geodynamic phenomena. East Asia is associated with complex tectonics and geodynamic processes. Hence, it is necessary to better understand the deep structure beneath East Asia. In this study, geomagnetic data obtained from East Asian observatories are employed to image the conductivity structure of the mantle at depths ranging from 410 to 900 km. First, the data are processed using the modified bounded influence remote reference processing (BIRRP) method and the ratio method is used to correct for the ocean effect. Thereafter, the stable C-response curves at the 27 observatories are estimated, and 1D electrical conductivity models for these observatories are established using the L-BFGS method. The conductivity-depth profiles reveal a heterogeneous distribution of the electrical conductivity beneath East Asia. The mantle transition zone (MTZ) beneath East China and Japan is found to be more conductive, whereas the MTZ beneath central and southern regions of China is more resistive. In East China, the dehydration of the stagnant Pacific slab may lead to an increase in the conductivity of the mantle minerals. There is also the possibility of upwelling of the thermal material from the lower mantle beneath the Japanese Island arc. In Northwest China, there exists a large high-conductive body beneath the Tarim area, which could indicate an upwelling of the Tarim mantle plume. Our results provide insights into the deep structure of the earth at the mantle scale. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

A series of synthetic graphite was fabricated through metal oxide catalytic graphitization using purified anthracite (TYC). The effects of graphitization temperature, catalyst type and its addition methods on structure and properties of graphite products were investigated through the methods of XRD, Raman spectra, SEM, TEM, FTIR and resistivity tester. Increasing graphitization temperature favors the enhancement of order and size of graphite microcrystals, graphitization degree, and conductivity of graphitized products. TiO2 exhibited the best catalytic effects in catalytic graphitization. Compared to directly graphitized TYC at 2800°C (TYC-28), the graphite catalyzed by TiO2 added physically (TYC-28-TiO2) and added chemically (TYC-28-C-TiO2) demonstrated a 13.0 and 16.7% increase in graphitization degree, respectively. Meanwhile, chemical addition method (0.61 × 10−4 Ω·m) outperformed physical addition method (1.21 × 10−4 Ω·m) in improving the electrical conductivity of graphitized products. Moreover, at 2400°C, TYC catalyzed by TiO2 added physically and added chemically presented a graphitization degree of 73.7 and 77.6%, respectively, both exceeding that of TYC-28 (70.7%). Therefore, metallic oxides can enhance the graphitization degree while lowering the required graphitization temperature. This method holds promise for cost-effective and energy-efficient production of high-conductivity graphitized anthracite for batteries, supercapacitors, conductive coatings, and conductive adhesives. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This study centers on the synthesis and characterization of a novel double perovskite, termed Sr 2 TiZrO 6 (STZO), which was synthesized using the conventional solid-state reaction method and subsequently calcined at 1000 °C for 12 h. X-ray diffraction (XRD) pattern refinement confirmed the formation of the tetragonal phase Sr 2 TiZrO 6 (space group P 4 mm), while both XRD and scanning electron microscope (SEM) analyses revealed that the resulting STZO displaying spherical-like grains with nanometric diameters. Thermogravimetric analysis revealed a minor weight loss attributed to the emergence of the ZrO 2 phase and the formation of the STZO double perovskite. The diffuse reflectance spectroscopy (DRS) results demonstrated strong UV-light absorption, with an optical absorption onset below 400 nm. The obtained band gap for direct transitions of the STZO sample is equal to 3.26 eV. The conductance and impedance study of the STZO sample are investigated. The present properties provide crucial insights to enhance comprehension of the STZO double perovskite material, which holds promise as a viable candidate for a range of applications, such as solar cells and photodiodes. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

A series of Ba 0.75 Sr 0.25 Ti 1-x Zr x O 3 (x = 0, 0.01, 0.03, 0.05, and 0.1) ceramics were synthesized via a facile sol-gel route. The confirmation of a tetragonal structure was achieved through Rietveld refinement of the powder X-ray diffraction (XRD), and the finding was subsequently corroborated by Raman spectroscopy. The Scanning electron microscopy (SEM) confirmed the roughly cubical-shaped grains and average grain size is 0.31 μm for x = 0 and 0.70 μm for x = 0.05. The electrical properties such as dielectric constant, dielectric loss and ac/dc conductivity were investigated as a function of temperature and frequency. The Jonscher's universal power law (JPL) and Arrhenius equation have been used for the analysis of conductivity. The electrical conductivity variation at intermediate frequencies was explained using JPL. The Super-linear power law (SPL) explains the electrical response at higher frequencies. The temperature-dependent frequency exponents 's 1 ' and 's 2 ' were employed to predict the quantum mechanical tunneling (QMT), non-overlapping small polarons hopping (NSPT), and correlated barrier hopping (CBH) conduction mechanisms. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This study presents the synthesis and characterization of WS2/WO3 binary thin films with varying sulphur to tungsten (S/W) molar ratios ([S]/[W] = 6 and 18 at%) for gas-sensing applications. The films were obtained by annealing sprayed layers in a sulphur atmosphere. The structural, morphological, optical, electrical and gas-sensing properties of the films were investigated. X-ray diffraction analysis revealed that the as-deposited films exhibited an amorphous nature, while annealing in a sulphur atmosphere resulted in the formation of a mixed-phase WS2/WO3 structure. Surface morphology studies showed changes associated with the sulphur concentration in the spray solution. Electrical characterization indicated p-type conductivity for all films, with a decrease in electrical resistivity as the sulphur-to-tungsten molar ratio increased. Gas-sensing experiments were performed to evaluate the detection of methane (CH4) and hydrogen (H2) gases. The pressure changes of 1.5 and 12.37 kPa were taken into account for methane gas and hydrogen gas, respectively. These pressure changes are equivalent to a concentration of 10 ppm for each gas. The WS2/WO3 films exhibited high sensitivity, with the highest values observed at approximately 70% for CH4 and 85% for H2 gases. Overall, the successful synthesis and characterization of WS2/WO3 binary thin films with tunable properties and superior gas-sensing performance suggest their potential for various gas-sensing applications. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In the present study, NdFeO3 (NFO), Nd(0.9)Ba(0.1)FeO3 (NBFO), NdFe(0.9)Mn(0.1)O3 (NFMO) and Nd(0.9)Ba(0.1)Fe(0.9)Mn(0.1)O3 (NBFMO) were successfully synthesized using citrate sol–gel chemical route. X-ray diffraction (XRD) patterns confirm the formation of orthorhombic perovskite structure with space group Pbnm and are further complemented by the Rietveld refinement. Scherrer's formula as well as Williamson–Hall (W–H) plot was used to calculate average crystallite size of the prepared samples. Further, morphological investigations were carried out using SEM imaging and EDX spectroscopy. Dielectric properties including frequency dependence of dielectric permittivity (ε), tangent loss (tan δ) and electrical conductivity (σ) of all the samples were analysed at different temperature ranges from 300 to 623 K over a frequency range from 100 Hz to 1 MHz. It was found that the ε decreases with the increase in frequency. Optical properties were investigated using the UV–visible spectroscopy and the Tauc's plot was employed on the absorbance spectra for calculating the energy band gap. It was found that the band gap decreases as the dopants are inserted in the lattice of NFO. Magneto-dielectric properties were analysed by using varying magnetic field from 0 to 2 T. These samples could serve as the properties of materials with potential applications in logic gate, data storage, switches and sensors. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Biochar-based composites have proven to be the best solution to enhance the mechanical and thermal properties of polymeric composites. This paper presents the biochar produced from Anacardium occidentale nut shell (AONS) treated with alkaline materials. Composites were developed using the solution casting method at different weight proportions of untreated and alkali-treated AONS biochar/vinyl ester resin (VER). Thermal properties like thermogravimetric analyzer (TGA), differential scanning calorimetry (DSC), dynamic mechanical analyzer (DMA), and mechanical properties such as tensile, flexural, and impact. Electrical properties were carried out for the composites. DSC results showed the crystallization temperature of untreated and treated VER/15wt%. AONS composites are 13% and 19% higher than pure vinyl ester. Mechanical studies showed that treated and untreated AONS biochar/VER composite samples were increased significantly compared to the pure vinyl ester sample. More importantly, 15wt% of alkali-treated biochar-added composites obtained higher properties than the other composites. These make the AONS an exciting approach to developing a sustainable energy system. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In this research work, BaZr0.85Ho0.10Y0.025Nd0.025O3-δ (BZHYN) electrolyte ceramic was synthesized through a cost-effective flash pyrolysis route followed by conventional sintering for intermediate-temperature solid oxide fuel cells. The calcined powder and sintered pellet were characterized through various techniques like high-resolution X-ray diffraction (HRXRD), high-resolution transmission electron microscopy (HRTEM), field emission scanning electron microscopy (FESEM), energy-dispersive X-ray spectra (EDS), and Raman spectroscopy. The HRXRD pattern of calcined and sintered pellet shows the pure cubic phase with P m 3 ¯ m space group symmetry through the Rietveld refinement. The study of the electron-density distribution of calcined powder and sintered pellet calculated by the maximum entropy method reveals the presence of oxygen vacancies at the octahedral site in the sintered sample. The microstructure of the fracture surface of the sintered sample indicates two types of grain with a relative density of 93.7% through FESEM. The Raman analysis confirms the distortion along the c-axis and oxygen vacancies in the octahedral site of BZHYN ceramic. Impedance spectroscopy measurement was conducted in the temperature range of 50 to 700 °C and frequency range of 1 Hz to 10 MHz. The Nyquist plots obtained in the temperature range of 350–700 °C reveal three distinct relaxation processes attributed to grain, grain boundary, and electrode effect. The temperature-dependent exponent (n) associated with grain and grain boundary decreases with the increase in temperature, indicating that large polaron hopping is involved in the electrical conduction mechanism. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Efficient heat energy management during operation remains a critical challenge in Phase Change Memory (PCM) devices. Reducing the thermal conductivity of electrodes has emerged as a promising strategy to address this issue. Amorphous carbon (a-C) thin films present an attractive option for PCM electrodes due to their intrinsically low thermal conductivity and tunable electrical properties. This study focuses on the development of a-C thin films with optimized electrical and thermal characteristics by controlling the sputtering pressure and conducting post-annealing treatments. Various analytical techniques, including X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy, time-of-flight secondary ion mass spectrometry, and Raman spectroscopy, were employed to investigate the microstructure and composition of the a-C thin films. The results demonstrate that the optimal condition for achieving improved electrical and thermal properties is at the lowest sputtering pressure (2.5 mTorr), which is attributed to the reduced impurity content (specifically oxygen and hydrogen) and denser film structure. Furthermore, post-annealing treatment at 400 °C for 30 min resulted in further improvements in thermal and electrical properties due to the formation of sp2 clusters and the reduction of impurities within the film. Consequently, the post-annealed a-C thin film exhibited an outstanding low thermal conductivity of 1.34 W m−1 K−1 and an adequate electrical resistivity of 0.02 Ω cm. The findings of this work provide valuable insights into the underlying mechanisms governing the electrical and thermal properties of a-C thin films, paving the way for the development of energy-efficient PCM devices. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Carbon nanotube-based nanocomposites are most encouraging materials in the field of gas sensing. The nanocomposites with transition metals boost various properties of functionalized multiwalled carbon nanotubes (FMWCNTs), thus making them more appropriate for sensing applications. In this work, copper sulfide (CuS) nanoparticles prepared via a hydrothermal route were mixed with FMWCNTs by using a facile sonication method. The effect of CuS content in FMWCNTs/CuS nanocomposites was investigated using various characterization techniques. X-ray diffraction elucidated the formation of CuS nanoparticles along with the decrease in crystallite size of the nanocomposite. The optical behavior of the synthesized nanocomposite was studied using photoluminescence spectroscopy, which revealed an increase in the lifetime of the nanocomposite with the increase in CuS content. The absorption analysis shows an increase in the value of the bandgap with an increase in wt% of CuS in the nanocomposites. Electrical studies examined by I–V analysis confirmed the conducting nature of all three samples. The results reveal that FWMCNTs/CuS could be a potential material for sensing applications. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Transition metal compounds (TMCs) provide the benefits of vast reserves, affordability, non-toxicity, and environmental friendliness, making them highly sought-after in recent times. Integrating transition metal salts into polymers may result in substantial enhancements in optical and electrical characteristics, making them appealing for many applications. Transition metal ions may display a range of electronic transitions, which enables the adjustment of absorption and emission spectra. This characteristic has significant value in applications such as light-emitting devices (LEDs) and sensors. The photoluminescence of polymers may be improved by the addition of transition metal salts, which results in light emission that is both more brilliant and more efficient. On the other hand, this is advantageous for screens and optoelectronic devices. The presence of transition metal salts in polymers may help to improve their optical stability, hence lowering the probability that the polymers will degrade or change color over time. When it comes to the performance of optical devices over the long run, this is quite essential. Elevating the electrical conductivity of polymers is possible via the use of transition metal salts. This is very helpful in the process of developing conductive polymers for use in applications such as electronic fabrics, organic solar cells, and flexible electronic devices. Transition metal salts can affect the electrical band structure of polymers, which enables the band gap of the material to be tuned. This is very necessary in order to maximize the amount of light that is absorbed by photovoltaic devices. Through having all these benefits, we conducted a review to find out the effects on polymeric materials. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Sodium cobaltite (NaxCoO2) is one of the most renowned and thermoelectrically promising p‐type cobalt oxide materials, showing exceptional performance in this domain. Nonetheless, its thermal instability in air renders it unsuitable for high‐temperature applications such as energy harvesting from industrial waste heat. To utilize the beneficial properties of NaxCoO2, microscale NaxCoO2 template particles of significantly larger size were effectively embedded within a thermally stable Ca3Co4−yO9+δ–NaxCoO2–Bi2Ca2Co2O9 triple‐phase matrix. This approach additionally aimed to enhance the texture and boost the thermoelectric performance of the ceramic composite. Highly textured p‐type ceramic composites were fabricated via uniaxial cold‐pressing and pressureless sintering in air. The unique hexagonal NaxCoO2 template particles, produced through molten‐flux synthesis, allowed precise control over their shape and dimensions, while the matrix was synthesized via a sol–gel synthesis. The integrated NaxCoO2 particles of the textured composite exhibited increased thermal stability, showing no sign of decomposition at 1173 K in air, whereas the sole template particles decomposed at 1073 K during sintering. A 20 wt% template particle content in the textured composites resulted in a remarkably high and nearly temperature‐independent power factor of 8.8 µW cm−1 K2, corresponding to an improvement of 13% compared to that of the pure matrix material. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

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Glasses formed from transition metal oxides have shown tailorable electrical and optical properties depending on the valence state and individual element. Vanadate glasses have received specific attention for their high conductivities as compared to most glass families. In this study, the frequency‐dependent capacitance and direct current (dc) conductivity properties of alkaline earth vanadate glasses were investigated. Glasses in the xSrO–(100 − x)V2O5 and xBaO–(100 − x)V2O5 systems, where x = 30, 40, and 50 in mol%, were prepared via melt‐quench synthesis. Capacitance measurements were used to calculate dielectric constants, dielectric loss, and alternating current (ac) conductivity for each sample. Dielectric constants varied between 10–13 and 14–16 for SrO–V2O5 and BaO–V2O5 glasses, respectively, at 1 MHz. Current measurements were made as a function of temperature and voltage for each glass sample. A strong dependence on vanadate content was noted where temperature had a less strong effect. Activation energies were calculated to describe electrical transport mechanisms. All samples showed activation energies governed by electron hopping mechanisms. Such vanadate glasses have properties suitable for applications as cathode materials for batteries, solid state electrolytes, and conductive glass paste with potential for electro‐optic effects involving nonlinear processes. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

AbstractEnhanced electrical conductivity and pressure sensing functionalities of phytic acid-doped polyaniline ink (PPhyA) incorporated with SnO2 (PPhyAS) and graphite flakes (PPhyAG) as reported in our previous article, encouraged us to explore the electrical conduction mechanism and associated optical properties. In order to realize the enhanced electrical conduction in the reported inks, detailed studies were carried out in our research described here in comparison with normal HCl-doped polyaniline (PANI). This can be attributed to the formation of a highly ordered molecular arrangement with high crystallinity, a change in the hopping pathway between two adjacent molecules and the hopping activation energy of the PANI chain in the phytic acid-doped ink systems. Optical parameters, such as absorption edge, Urbach energy, refractive index, extinction coefficient, optical conductivity and optical dielectric constants, were estimated from the result of UV-Vis spectroscopy. The results of these studies showed enhancement of the optical properties of the phytic acid-doped ink systems (PPhyA, PPhyAS and PPhyAG) in the low photon energy range as compared to HCl-doped PANI. Phytic acid-doped ink systems are paintable on a variety of flexible surfaces, such as paper and plastics. Hence, we suggest that the phytic acid-doped ink systems have a great potential for developing flexible and foldable circuitry for infrared optics and remote sensing. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Electron transport in complex fluids, biology, and soft matter is a valuable characteristic in processes ranging from redox reactions to electrochemical energy storage. These processes often employ conductor-insulator composites in which electron transport properties are fundamentally linked to the microstructure and dynamics of the conductive phase. While microstructure and dynamics are well recognized as key determinants of the electrical properties, a unified description of their effect has yet to be determined, especially under flowing conditions. In this work, the conductivity and shear viscosity are measured for conductive colloidal suspensions to build a unified description by exploiting both recent quantification of the effect of flow-induced dynamics on electron transport and well-established relationships between electrical properties, microstructure, and flow. These model suspensions consist of conductive carbon black (CB) particles dispersed in fluids of varying viscosities and dielectric constants. In a stable, well-characterized shear rate regime where all suspensions undergo self-similar agglomerate breakup, competing relationships between conductivity and shear rate were observed. To account for the role of variable agglomerate size, equivalent microstructural states were identified using a dimensionless fluid Mason number, Mnf, which allowed for isolation of the role of dynamics on the flow-induced electron transport rate. At equivalent microstructural states, shear-enhanced particle-particle collisions are found to dominate the electron transport rate. This work rationalizes seemingly contradictory experimental observations in literature concerning the shear-dependent electrical properties of CB suspensions and can be extended to other flowing composite systems. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Power transmission and transformation are important parts of power distribution, which is increasingly necessary in modern society; this is particularly important due to the green transition. Consequently, increasing the efficiency of power transformers is a priority to improve the economic and environmental aspects of electrical transformation. Lightweight graphene coatings on transformer wire rods represent a valid solution improving thermoelectrical performances. In this work, a graphene coating was applied by electrophoretic deposition to copper wire rods through a sustainable deposition bath, studying the impact of the deposition current density. The morphology of the coated wire rods, the adhesion of the coating to the substrate, and their thermoelectric properties were evaluated. This work demonstrates the application of EPD to coat copper wire rods with graphene, resulting in a 5.58% reduction in electrical resistivity and an 88% enhancement in thermal performance. In addition, relationships between coating performances and deposition parameters were highlighted. An analysis of variation (ANOVA) confirmed the main role of the current density on the examined outputs. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Fundamental understanding of the interactions of nanoscale materials with molecules of interest is essential for the development of electronic devices, such as sensors. In particular, structures and molecular interaction properties of engineered graphenes are still largely unexplored, despite these materials' great potential to be used as molecular sensors. As an example of end user application, the detection of phosphorus in the form of phosphate in a soil environment is important for soil fertility and plant growth. However, due to the lack of an affordable technology, it is currently hard to measure the amount of phosphate directly in the soil; therefore, suitable sensor technologies need to be developed for phosphate sensors. In this work, pristine graphene and several modified graphene materials (oxygenated graphene, graphene with vacancies, and curved graphene) were studied as candidates for phosphate sensor materials using density functional theory (DFT) calculations. Our calculations showed that both pristine graphene and functionalized graphene were able to adsorb phosphate species strongly. In addition, these graphene nanomaterials showed selectivity of adsorption of phosphate with respect to nitrate, with stronger adsorption energies for phosphate. Furthermore, our calculations showed significant changes in electrical conductivities of pristine graphene and functionalized graphenes after phosphate species adsorption, in particular, on graphene with oxygen (hydroxyl and epoxide) functional groups. Experimental measurements of electrical resistivity of graphene before and after adsorption of dihydrogen phosphate showed an increase in resistivity upon adsorption of phosphate, consistent with the theoretical predictions. Our results recommend graphene and functionalized graphene-based nanomaterials as good candidates for the development of phosphate sensors. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Electrically conductive composites with film-forming properties based on polyaniline (PANI), polyvinyl alcohol (PVA), and polymethacrylic acid (PMAA) were obtained. The composites were synthesized mechanochemically by mixing calculated amounts of PANI and PVA or PMAA. The electrical conductivity increases with an increase in the content of the conductive component in the composite up to a PANI–PVA ratio of 50 to 50. Further increase of PVA in the composite leads to a decrease in the specific electrical conductivity. Similar patterns are observed for PANI–PMAA composites. The study of the effect of temperature on the electrical conductivity of composites made it possible to determine the activation energy of charge transfer (Ea). The numerical values of Ea lie in the range of 0.371 to 0.981 eV and depend on the ratio of PANI–PVA and PANI–PMAA polymers in the composites. The thermal decomposition of composites and starting components is complex. Several areas are observed on the mass change curves, which indicate a multi-stage thermal decomposition process. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Free-standing films based on conducting polymers, such as poly(3,4-ethylenedioxythiophene): poly(styrene sulfonate) (PEDOT:PSS), offer many benefits over traditional metal electrodes for applications in flexible electronics. However, to ensure structural integrity when contacting aqueous environments and high levels of electrical conductivity, solution-processed polymers require additives that act as crosslinking agents and conductivity enhancers. In this work, a new approach is presented to fabricate water-resistant free-standing films of PEDOT:PSS and simultaneously increase their conductivity, using an oxetane compound as an additive. It is shown that at moderate temperatures, oxetane polymerizes within the PEDOT:PSS acidic medium, forming hydroxymethyl-substituted polyether compounds that form a network upon crosslinking with PSS. The polymer composite films show self-sustainability, structural stability in aqueous environments, and enhanced conductivity. Finally, the potential of the free-standing films as health-monitoring electrodes, specifically for human electrocardiography, is explored. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Liquid metal‐elastomer composites have immense potential for emerging electronic applications due to their exceptional mechanical and functional properties. Underwater exploration is one area of interest for these composites, where divers or robots could benefit from wearable sensing, health monitoring, and energy harvesting. However, the influence of water submersion on liquid metal composites is not well understood. Here, the effect of underwater environments on the mechanical, thermal, and electrical properties of liquid metal composites exposed to month‐long aging is quantified. Under most conditions, liquid metal composites maintain their initial properties over the course of aging. However, for composites with high volume loadings of liquid metal (ϕ = 80%) exposed to saltwater conditions, a decrease up to 70% in tensile modulus and up to 44% in thermal conductivity can occur. The aging environments were not shown to have an effect on the electrical conductivity of the composites. Liquid metal composites are then shown to outperform traditional copper electrodes after saltwater aging, demonstrating these soft, multifunctional composites as strong candidates for wearable, water‐resistant devices and machines. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

PrBaFe 2 O 6–δ (PBF) is considered as a promising material for mixed ionic-electronic conductors used in high-temperature applications. In the present work, PBF was used as a basis for two chemical modification approaches, including doping with cobalt, nickel and copper, as well as composite design with the addition of a BaCe 0.8 Sm 0.2 O 3–δ phase. The single-phase and composite materials were successfully prepared and characterized in terms of their functional properties. The two approaches were found to synergistically affect the functional properties of PBF, allowing a trade-off between thermomechanical and transport properties to be achieved. As a result, the prepared 70 wt% PrBaFe 1.9 M 0.1 O 6–δ (M = Co, Ni, Cu) + 30 wt% BaCe 0.8 Sm 0.2 O 3–δ composites exhibit acceptable electrochemical activity in the intermediate-temperature range. The best electrochemical activity was found for the sample with M = Cu, whose polarization resistance at 700 °C reaches 1.7 Ω cm2. Therefore, the designed PBF-based composites can be considered as promising electrode materials for solid oxide fuel cell applications. [Display omitted] • Homogeneous and heterogeneous doping strategies were used for PrBaFe 2 O 6–δ (PBF). • A partial substitution of iron-ions in PBF with nickel, cobalt or copper is made. • The Cu- and Ni-containing PBF samples exhibit better conductivity and reduced TECs. • Further modification of doped PBF is performed to create composite materials. • The as-prepared composites show acceptable polarization resistance values. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Highly conducting undoped ZnO ceramics were fabricated by flash sintering using commercial pure ZnO powder as a model system. The flash-sintered samples with diameters of 15 mm and heights of 2 mm exhibited relative densities ranging from 93.6% to 97.1% and room-temperature electrical conductivities between 205 and 590 S/cm. X-ray diffraction and Raman spectra indicated a high concentration of oxygen vacancies and zinc interstitials in the flash-sintered samples, increasing the carrier concentration. Detailed microstructural analyses show that clean grain boundaries and the morphology and distribution of impurities in flash-sintered samples are favorable for improving carrier mobility. Additionally, flash sintering has the advantage of reducing conditions, which reduces acceptor defects at ZnO grain boundaries, lowers Schottky barriers, and increases carrier mobility. The results show that flash sintering can synergistically enhance the carrier concentration and mobility in ZnO ceramics, making it a promising technique for fabricating highly conducting ZnO ceramics. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Polypyrrole (PPy)/Yttrium Iron oxide (YIG) nanocomposite was synthesized by the chemical oxidation polymerization method. Yttrium iron oxide is also known as iron yttrium oxide or yttrium iron garnet denoted as YIG (Y3Fe5O12). YIG is a familiar material among the rare earth garnets and is also commonly used in electronic devices. Fourier transform infrared (FT-IR) spectroscopy analysis reveals the strong interaction between PPy and YIG nanoparticles. The crystal structure for the PPy and PPy nanocomposites is observed by X-ray Diffraction (XRD) and the average crystalline size calculated by Scherrer's formula for PPy/n-YIG is 27.47 nm. Surface morphology of the samples identified by scanning electron microscopy. Optical properties were studied by UV–Vis spectroscopy. From the 2-probe method, AC electrical conductivity for n-YIGPPy is found to be 1.05 × 10−5 S/cm, higher than that of the polypyrrole. The electrochemical performance of PPy and YIG/PPy nanocomposites was observed by cyclic voltammetry (CV). The combination of optical, electrical properties of YIG/PPy nanocomposites suits supercapacitor applications. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Highlights Acrylonitrile butadiene styrene (ABS) polymer has received considerable attention due to its high versatility for applications, including additive manufacturing. However, its electrical and thermal transport properties limit its application potential. One route to enhance electrical and thermal conductivities is the development of ABS‐based composites by using carbonaceous fillers, which have exceptional mechanical properties and remarkable functional properties. Here, we testing the presence of carbonaceous fillers with different dimensionalities on the electrical and thermal conductivity of ABS composites. In particular, one dimensional (1D) carbon nanotubes (CNT), two dimensional (2D) reduced graphene oxide (rGO), and three dimensional (3D) carbon black (CB) have been used to develop ABS‐based composites with different filler contents. A similar trend exist for the electrical and thermal conductivity results, where the highest conductivity values (electrical conductivity 0.0305 S·cm−1 and thermal conductivity 0.56 W·mK−1) being achieved for ABS‐based composites with 2D rGO filler, highlighting the relevance of specific characteristics of the 2D type filler. In addition, electromagnetic interference (EMI) shielding effectiveness (SE) of the ABS‐based composites containing rGO was superior to other 1D and 3D fillers. The stated correlation between electrical and thermal properties and their dependence on carbonaceous filler dimensionality are essential to be taken into account for properly tailoring functional properties of ABS‐based composites. Carbonaceous fillers are used to tailor several properties of ABS composites Significant differences are established between filler type or content Electrical percolation threshold strongly depends on the dimensionally 2D rGO more effective to improve electrical/thermal conductivities 1D CNT and 2D rGO fillers exhibit best EMI shielding properties [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

There is great interest in developing advanced electrical conductors with higher conductivity, lighter weight, and higher mechanical strength than copper (Cu). One promising candidate is copper‐graphene (Cu‐Gr) composite, which is hypothesized to have a higher electrical conductivity than Cu. In this work, it is shown that this is not true, supported by state‐of‐the‐art first‐principles calculations of electron transport. Particularly, contrary to the belief that graphene in the composite is more conductive than pristine Cu, it is less conductive due to increased scattering despite increased carrier concentration. On the other hand, it is found that compressive strain along the (111) plane increases the conductivity, which is confirmed experimentally, while tensile strain has little effect. The work offers new insights into understanding and developing advanced conductors. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

There is a need to find novel sources of fertilizers to meet the increasing food demands of a growing human population and alternatives to mined and synthetic fertilizers for the certified organic sector. Composting is a common method for processing and stabilizing organic residues for use in horticulture. To that end, a small-scale composting experiment with six combinations of dried and ground rockweed (Ascophyllum nodosum), algae fiber from chemically processed rockweed, ground bones and fishmeal from cod (Gadus morhua), and ground blue mussels (Mytilus edulis) was conducted in Dewar flasks to assess whether these residues are suitable for composting and have potential for use as fertilizers. Expanded clay aggregates were used as a bulking material. Physicochemical analyses were performed on the residues and their mixtures before and after composting, and the temperature in the flasks was monitored for 92 days. Suitability was determined by evaluating the temperature dynamics, changes in physiochemical parameters, and nutrient profiles. All treatments generated heat, with reductions in C/N ratio, weight, and volume, demonstrating suitability for composting. The treatments with algae fiber had a higher mean temperature (34.5 vs. 29.0 °C) and more degree days above the thermophilic range (mean = 176- vs. 19-degree days), the greatest reduction in volume (mean = 35% vs. 27%), and the lowest C/N ratios at the end of active composting (18 vs. 24) compared to the treatments with dried and ground seaweed. In terms of fertilizer value, none of the finished composts were balanced for use as fertilizers alone and, in some cases, contained too much Na, but contained sufficient concentrations of K, S, Mg, and Ca and could be a valuable source of these nutrients and organic matter in combination with other N- and P-rich sources. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The patterning of composites with carbon-based additives of nanometer or micrometer size was studied by the precise modification of material surfaces using laser technology. Initially, the composites are electrical insulators, but we can make them conductive by selective patterning; this process allows us to create conductive tracks within seconds, with a sheet resistance that can be adjusted over a wide range, from 108 Ω/sq down to 2.5 Ω/sq. The additives used include graphene nanoplatelets, graphene oxide nanosheets, and aramid fibers. By conducting microscopic and spectroscopic characterizations before and after laser treatment, we can distinguish between two different processes that lead to electrical conduction: (a) localized increase in the concentration of conductive additives or (b) localized reduction and pyrolysis of insulating additives. To demonstrate the versatility and usefulness of this technique in different fields of application, such as automotive, we fabricate three different devices on polyurethane: a heater, a proximity sensor, and an amperometric sensor for detecting biological analytes. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The combination of hydrogel and fertilizer as slow release fertilizer hydrogel (SRFH) has become one of the most promising materials to overcome the shortcomings of conventional fertilizer by decreasing fertilizer loss rate, supplying nutrients sustainably, and lowering the frequency of irrigation. The hydrogel based on carboxymethyl cellulose (CMC) and polyacrylic acid (PAA) (CMC/PAA) was synthesized. All materials, Vinasse, hydrogel (CMC/PAA) and (Vinasse/CMC-PAA) were characterized by FTIR, XRD, and SEM. The formed hydrogel was applied to control the salinity of Vinasse to use it as a cheap and economical fertilizer. The results showed that using the prepared hydrogel with Vinasse (V/CMC-PAA) as a slow-release organic fertilizer decreased the EC value through the first six hours from 1.77 to 0.35 mmohs/cm. Also, using V/CMC-PAA can control and keep the potassium as fertilizer for 50 days. The productivity per feddan from the sugar cane crop increased by about 15%, and the number of irrigations decreased from 5 to 4 times. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Bipolar plates are an important component of polymer electrolyte membrane fuel cell (PEMFC), and their production is crucial for the commercialization of PEMFCs. Therefore, phenolic resin/carbon black/graphite composite bipolar plates were prepared using different molding temperatures (150, 160, 170, 180 °C). The electrical conductivity, mechanical strength, corrosion resistance and mass loss of the composite bipolar plates were measured according to the applicable standards. Among the four composite plates, the composite bipolar plate prepared at 170 °C had a compressive strength of 68 MPa, a flexural strength of 45.3 MPa, an electrical conductivity of 331 S/cm, and the best properties. The electrical conductivity, flexural strength and mass loss of the composite plate prepared at 170 °C after being corroded in acid solution for 20 days are maintained in a relatively stable state. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Polyaniline (PANI) incorporating titanium dioxide (TiO2), silicon dioxide (SiO2) and zinc oxide (ZnO) were successfully synthesized via an ultrasonic-assisted in-situ chemical oxidative polymerization technique. This method significantly enhances the dispersion and interaction of metal oxides (MOs) within the PANI matrix. Detail analysis of the structural, morphological, thermal, and electrical properties of nanocomposites revealed substantial enhancements. XRD and FTIR results confirmed the successful incorporation of MOs into the PANI matrix, evidenced by the reduction in peak intensities. Morphological studies via FESEM highlighted the impact of MOs on the PANI microstructure, particularly the notable agglomeration of TiO2. DLS results demonstrated variations in particle size distributions, with SiO2 and ZnO contributing to reduced particle sizes, while TiO2 increased the average particle size due to aggregation. Thermal analysis via TGA and DSC revealed enhanced thermal stability of the nanocomposites compared to pure PANI, with SiO2/PANI exhibiting the highest stability. Electrical conductivity measurement demonstrated that the SiO2/PANI nanocomposite exhibited the highest performance, with a conductivity of 0.43 S/cm, attributed to the effective interaction between SiO2 and PANI which facilitates electron transfer. Electrochemical studies, including Cyclic Voltammetry (CV) and Electrochemical Impedance Spectroscopy (EIS), further confirmed the superior electrochemical performance of the SiO2/PANI nanocomposite, showing the highest current response and the lowest charge transfer resistance. These findings highlight the novel synthesis method and the enhanced properties of MO/PANI nanocomposites, presenting significant advancements for advanced technological applications. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This study was designed to investigate some physicochemical properties (color, electrical conductivity, ash, water-insoluble and mineral matter contents) of chestnut honey produced in the Ayancık, Türkeli and Erfelek regions of Sinop province, where chestnut forests are dense. The experimental data showed that most of the honey samples had different amber color tones. The electrical conductivity values and the amounts of water-insoluble matter for all chestnut honeys were determined above 0.8 mS/cm and below 0.1 g per 100 g, respectively. In addition, honey samples contained mainly potassium and calcium and other minerals such as magnesium, sodium, aluminum and iron. It has been demonstrated that these chestnut honeys are registered with Geographical Indication and meet the criteria required in the Turkish Food Codex Honey Communiqué of the Ministry of Agriculture and Forestry. These honeys have not been exposed to any external processing (heat treatment, etc.), have not been adulterated, do not contain impurities, and are pure and high quality. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In this work, we report Na-Fe(III) coordination polymer, Na[Fe(C10H12N2O8)(H2O)]·2H2O (1), derived from Ethylenediaminetetraacetic acid (EDTA) and the compound exhibits distorted octahedral coordination geometry. The polymeric structure is generated when octahedral sodium is connected with five oxygens comes from five EDTA molecules and one water molecule. The specific surface area (SBET) of the compound was measured by Brunauer-Emmett-Teller (BET) which is 1036.9653 m²/g that value is consider as impressive. Further, thermal stability, sorption properties of nitrogen, water and benzene were also examined. In addition, electrical conductivity, the amount of ions and Hirshfeld surface analysis were also studied. The N2 adsorption isotherm displays two distinct stages at low relative pressures (P/P0 = 0-0.02), indicating the presence of two distinct types of nanopores within the material structure. In case of adsorption of water molecules, the adsorption capacity, reaching nearly 29 mol/kg, and achieves saturation at water vapor pressure while the benzene primarily adsorbs onto the outer surface of the sorbent material at 1.38 mol/kg but its adsorption capacity is lower in comparsion to water. This observation indicates that delineating the adsorption texture of the adsorbent material. The cleavage of certain bonds between the polymerized metal and the ligand in the coordination compound is confirmed through electrical conductivity and the amount of ions. The Hirshfeld surface analysis provided information about various types of surfaces interactions in this compound. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The dependencies of the electrophysical characteristics of nanoporous carbon material (NCM) on the compaction degree of its particles have been investigated in the presented study. It has been found that the maximum value of the electrical conductivity is achieved at a pressure of 2.5 MPa. Furthermore, it has been revealed that the formation of O-compounds on the surface of the studied materials leads to a decrease in electrical conductivity. The correlation between structural-adsorption and electrical-conductive properties of NCMs has been established. Moreover, it has been demonstrated that an increase in the amount of potassium hydroxide results in a decrease in electrical conductivity due to the breakdown of small carbon particles and an increase in contact resistance, while the specific surface area enlarges due to the development of porosity and an increase in the total pore volume. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The remarkable stability, suitable thermomechanical characteristics, and acceptable electrical properties of donor-doped strontium titanates make them attractive materials for fuel electrodes, interconnects, and supports of solid oxide fuel and electrolysis cells (SOFC/SOEC). The present study addresses the impact of processing and thermochemical treatment conditions on the electrical conductivity of SrTiO3-derived ceramics with moderate acceptor-type substitution in a strontium sublattice. A-site-deficient Sr0.85La0.10TiO3−δ and cation-stoichiometric Sr0.85Pr0.15TiO3+δ ceramics with varying microstructures and levels of reduction have been prepared and characterized by XRD, SEM, TGA, and electrical conductivity measurements under reducing conditions. The analysis of the collected data suggested that the reduction process of dense donor-doped SrTiO3 ceramics is limited by sluggish oxygen diffusion in the crystal lattice even at temperatures as high as 1300 °C. A higher degree of reduction and higher electrical conductivity can be obtained for porous structures under similar thermochemical treatment conditions. Metallic-like conductivity in dense reduced Sr0.85La0.10TiO3−δ corresponds to the state quenched from the processing temperature and is proportional to the concentration of Ti3+ in the lattice. Due to poor oxygen diffusivity in the bulk, dense Sr0.85La0.10TiO3−δ ceramics remain redox inactive and maintain a high level of conductivity under reducing conditions at temperatures below 1000 °C. While the behavior and properties of dense reduced Sr0.85Pr0.15TiO3+δ ceramics with a large grain size (10–40 µm) were found to be similar, decreasing grain size down to 1–3 µm results in an increasing role of resistive grain boundaries which, regardless of the degree of reduction, determine the semiconducting behavior and lower total electrical conductivity of fine-grained Sr0.85Pr0.15TiO3+δ ceramics. Oxidized porous Sr0.85Pr0.15TiO3+δ ceramics exhibit faster kinetics of reduction compared to the Sr0.85La0.10TiO3−δ counterpart at temperatures below 1000 °C, whereas equilibration kinetics of porous Sr0.85La0.10TiO3−δ structures can be facilitated by reductive pre-treatments at elevated temperatures. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The necessity for high operational temperatures presents a considerable obstacle to the commercial viability of solid oxide fuel cells (SOFCs). The introduction of active co-dopant ions to polycrystalline solid structures can directly impact the physiochemical and electrical properties of the resulting composites including crystallite size, lattice parameters, ionic and electronic conductivity, sinterability, and mechanical strength. This study proposes cobalt–iron-substituted gadolinium-doped ceria (CoxFe1-xGDC) as an innovative, nickel-free anode composite for developing ceramic fuel cells. A new co-precipitation technique using ammonium tartrate as the precipitant in a multi-cationic solution with Co2+, Gd3+, Fe3+, and Ce3+ ions was utilized. The physicochemical and morphological characteristics of the synthesized samples were systematically analysed using a comprehensive set of techniques, including DSC/TGA for a thermal analysis, XRD for a crystallographic analysis, SEM/EDX for a morphological and elemental analysis, FT-IR for a chemical bonding analysis, and Raman spectroscopy for a vibrational analysis. The morphological analysis, SEM, showed the formation of nanoparticles (≤15 nm), which corresponded well with the crystal size determined by the XRD analysis, which was within the range of ≤10 nm. The fabrication of single SOFC bilayers occurred within an electrolyte-supported structure, with the use of the GDC as the electrolyte layer and the CoO–Fe2O3/GDC composite as the anode. SEM imaging and the EIS analysis were utilized to examine the fabricated symmetrical cells. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

La0.6Sr0.4CoO3 (LSC) coatings with a thickness of 50–100 µm were deposited on Fe-25Cr ferritic stainless steel (DIN 50049) via screen printing. The required suspension had been prepared using fine LSC powders synthesised using EDTA gel processes. In its bulk form, the LSC consisted entirely of the rhombohedral phase with space group R-3c, and it exhibited high electrical conductivity (~144 S·cm−1). LSC-coated steel was oxidised in air at 1073 K, i.e., under conditions corresponding to SOFC cathode operation, for times of up to 144 h. The in situ electrical resistance of the steel/La0.6Sr0.4CoO3 layered system during oxidation was measured. The products formed on the samples after the oxidation reaction resulting from exposure to the corrosive medium were investigated using XRD, SEM-EDS, and TEM-SAD. The microstructural, nanostructural, phase, and chemical analysis of films was performed with a focus on the film/substrate interface. It was determined that the LSC coating interacts with the oxidised steel in the applied conditions, and a multi-layer interfacial zone is formed. Detailed TEM-SAD observations indicated the formation of a main layer consisting of SrCrO4, which was the reaction product of (La,Sr)CoO3, and the Cr2O3 scale formed on the metal surface. The formation of the SrCrO4 phase resulted in improved electrical conductivity of the investigated metal/ceramics layered composite material, as demonstrated by the low area-specific resistance values of 5 mΩ·cm2, thus making it potentially useful as a SOFC interconnect material operating at the tested temperature. In addition, the evaporation rate of chromium measured for the uncoated steel and the steel/La0.6Sr0.4CoO3 layered system likewise indicates that the coating is capable of acting as an effective barrier against the formation of volatile compounds of chromium. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Amorphous ZrO2 thin films with increasing Mg content were deposited on quartz substrates, by dip coating method. The films are transparent in the visible domain and absorbent in UV, with an optical band gap that decreases with the increase of Mg content, from 5.42 eV to 4.12 eV. The temperature dependent conductivity measurements showed typical semiconductor comportment. The decrease of the electrical conductivity by Mg doping was related to the increase of the OH groups (37% to 63%) as seen from X-ray Photoelectron Spectroscopy. It was found out that the electrical conductivity obeys the Meyer-Neldel rule. This rule, previously reported for different disordered material systems is obtained for ZrO2 for the first time in the literature. Exploring novel aspects of Mg-doped ZrO2, the present study underscores the origin of the Meyer-Neldel rule explained by the small-polaron hopping model in the non-adiabatic hopping regime. Determination of the presence of such a conduction mechanism in the samples hold promise for comprehending the important aspects, which might be a concern in developing various devices based on Mg-doped ZrO2. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The COVID-19 pandemic highlighted the need to create and study new substances with improved lipophilicity and antimicrobial properties, such as ionic liquids (ILs), with easily tunable physicochemical properties. Most ILs possess strong antibacterial effects, but ILs containing the imidazolium cation are even more effective than the positive control. Thus, in this study, three ionic liquids with 1-butyl-3-methylimidazolium cation and various carboxylate anions (phenylacetate, benzoate, and 4-methoxyphenylacetate) were synthesized and fully characterized. The interactions between the cations and anions were discussed based on the experimental density, viscosity, and electrical conductivity. From the measured electrical conductivity and viscosity, the Walden plot is constructed and ionicity of the studied ILs is discussed. The similarities and dissimilarities among the studied ILs and their physicochemical properties are analyzed by applying the hierarchical cluster analysis and in silico calculated properties. The antimicrobial activity of the studied ionic liquids is tested on two bacterial (E. coli and P. aeruginosa) and three fungi (P. verrucosum, A. flavus, and A. parasiticus) strains, finding that they showed improved antimicrobial activity compared to the individual components. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This study proposes a new method to determine the particle size distribution (PSD) of soils by considering the electrical conductivity (EC) technique. A new EC probe was designed with a transparent thermoplastic, commonly known as acrylic, and brass electrodes. At first, the EC of a soil–water homogeneous suspension was calculated at different densities to obtain a calibration curve of each tested soil sample. During the PSD analysis, as the particles started to settle down in the basement due to gravity, the EC was measured at different time intervals, and the corresponding EC values were then matched with the calibrated EC values at different densities. The proposed method considered the conventional Stokes' law to determine the diameter of soil particles and the general percentage of passing mathematical expression to obtain the final PSD curve of each soil. The PSD analysis by the EC approach was later validated with that of hydrometer and laser diffraction methods, and in general, good agreements were obtained for identical soil samples at different classifications of soil particles such as clay, silt, and sand. Finally, reproducibility tests were also conducted and the new EC probe overperformed the hydrometer method in terms of both accuracy and precision. The finding from this study aimed to propose an alternative to determine the PSD of soils by using the EC technique with a high level of accuracy and efficiency. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In this study, we optimized the composition of the browning inhibitor for apples and established a prediction model for the browning inhibitor concentration in mass‐processed fresh‐cut apples based on electrical conductivity measurements. The "Fuji" apples that were harvested in Chungju, Korea, were used for this study. Vitamin C mixture (VCM) and trehalose (Tre) were used as browning inhibitors at a 4% ratio. The browning reaction under Δ3 of BI (browning index) for 5 days was defined as the target shelf‐life of the apple flesh. The ΔBI of VCM and Tre was lower than that of VCM by 4%. It is revealed that the electrical conductivity of the browning inhibitor was highly correlated with its concentration and the number of soaked apples. Finally, the regression of the conductivity was fitted as Y = −0.0024 (number of soaked apples) + 0.5111 (R2 = 0.9931). In the validation test, the conductivity must be maintained at 0.4373 S/m or higher to maintain the target anti‐browning level of Δ3 or less, which corresponded to ∼80% of the initial qualitative level after manufacture. The conductivity measurement of the browning inhibitor is suitable for monitoring and predicting its concentration in the mass processing of fresh‐cut apple production due to the convenience of this method. Practical Application: The conductivity measurement of browning inhibitors can be applied not only to the mass processing of apple production but also to the anti‐browning treatment of other fruits and vegetables, due to the convenience of this method. From these research results, it is expected to derive a formula that can predict the concentration of browning inhibitors through simple experiments for other fruits or vegetables. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Aspects of solid‐state processing of nascent disentangled ultra‐high‐molecular‐weight polyethylene (UHMWPE) powders of different syntheses mixed with electrically conductive carbon nanoparticles (NPs) of various types are studied. Effect of multiple parameters of the processing procedures on the electrophysical characteristics of the composite samples is investigated. Such parameters include time of preliminary ultrasonication (US) of NPs, time of US of UHMWPE/NPs mixtures, molding time, temperature, and pressure, deformation degree, etc. It is observed that by selecting optimal values of such parameters it is possible to obtain samples of composites with an extremely segregated structure made of the NPs, with NPs distributed evenly on the surfaces of the compacted UHMWPE powder particles. This ensures high levels of conductivity at very low values of NPs content. The segregated structure is retained when the composites are strengthened using the solid‐state uniaxial shear deformation process. While conductivity of most of the composites filled with various types of NPs monotonously decreases with the deformation ratio, conductivity of the composites filled with exceptionally long double‐walled carbon nanotubes is maintained. The processed oriented composites are also characterized by high EMR shielding properties, as well as interesting temperature dependencies of the electrical conductivity. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Currently, halide perovskites with exceptional properties are the most suitable candidates for RRAM devices. In the present study, a comprehensive investigation of structural, mechanical, optoelectronic and thermoelectric properties of Cs2BSnX6 (B = Mg, Cu; X = Cl, Br, I) has been conducted for the potential application in resistive switching random access memory (RRAM) devices. Mechanical properties display that studied perovskites exhibit mechanical stability and ductile behavior with an anisotropic character. A comparison of band structure using PBE-GGA, and TB-mBJ was also made. The band structure with TB-mBJ investigation disclosed that Cs2MgSnCl6, Cs2MgSnBr6, Cs2MgSnI6, Cs2CuSnCl6, Cs2CuSnBr6, and Cs2CuSnI6 have indirect bandgaps with value of 3.64 eV, 2.87 eV, 2.05 eV, 2.30 eV, 1.50 eV and 0.90 eV respectively. These values are found to be slightly more than PBE-GGA approximations. The optical investigation illustrates that Cs2CuSnI6 can absorb a wide range of electromagnetic radiation wavelengths from ultraviolet to infrared, making it the optimal candidate for RRAM devices. Thermoelectric properties show electrical conductivity values of the 1.65 × 1019, 1.61 × 1019, 1.58 × 1019, 1.95 × 1019, 2.35 × 1019, 2.40 × 1019 (Ω.m.s)−1 for Cs2MgSnCl6, Cs2MgSnBr6, Cs2MgSnI6, Cs2CuSnCl6, Cs2CuSnBr6, and Cs2CuSnI6 respectively at 1500 K. Furthermore, the calculated optical and thermoelectric properties of Cs2BSnX6 (B = Mg, Cu; X = Cl, Br, I) compared with previously studied Cs2CaSnX6 (X = Cl, Br, I), disclosing that Mg and Cu-based perovskites display better optical and thermoelectric properties. The vital findings of this study express that Cs2CuSnI6 is the most appropriate candidate for less-energy consuming RRAM devices among all studied perovskites. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Ionic thermoelectric effect based on thermal migration of ion in the pore solution is emerging as a new branch of research on the thermoelectric effect of cement-based materials. However, the dense and tortuous pore structure of the cementitious materials may limit the ionic electrical conductivity and reduce the ionic thermal migration in pore solutions. Therefore, improving the pore structure may be a promising direction to enhance the thermoelectric effect of pore solution in cementitious materials. In this study, the pure cement paste with three water-cement ratios (w / c ratio = 0.3, 0.4, 0.5) and two curing methods (sealed curing and wet curing) are used. The effects of the ion concentration of the pore solution on the electrical conductivity and the Seebeck coefficient are investigated by the treatment of the vacuum saturation and the leaching process of the cement pastes. In addition, the pore structure of the cement paste is measured by mercury intrusion porosimetry (MIP). The effect of pore structure on the ionic thermoelectric effect of the cement pastes is studied. The results show not only the porosity and pore connectivity, but also the higher specific surface area of cement matrix is an important parameter for improving the ionic Seebeck coefficient of cementitious materials. The finer pore distribution in the cement matrix will cause a larger thermoelectric voltage. By improving the pore structure, the power factor (PF) of cement paste has been improved by two orders of magnitude, from 0.0027 μWm−1K−2 to 0.178 μWm−1K−2. The findings of this study can guide further understanding of the ionic thermoelectric effect of cementitious materials and provide a method for enhancing the thermoelectric effect of high-efficiency ionic thermoelectric materials (such as polyelectrolytes and ionic liquid) in cement matrix, which can develop ultra-high performance ionic thermoelectric cement-based materials for zero energy buildings. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Mine tailings are generated during mineral extraction that greatly influence soil properties and provide a least opportunity for vegetation. In current study, accumulation of available nutrients and their effect on concentration of heavy metals were assessed from a chronosequence of manganese mine spoil (MBO0, MBO2, MBO4, MBO6, MBO8, MBO10) and compared it with native forest soil. In mine spoil, required level of nutrients were less than those in native forest soil. Heavy metal content was found to be high in fresh overburden spoil as compared to native forest soil. Fresh overburden mine spoil id acidic in nature due to high accumulation of Mn and Fe metals. However, in course of time, the acidic nature of mine spoil turns into basic due to the improvement in the soil physico-chemical characters. In chronosequence overburden spoil shows increasing trend in soil organic carbon, electrical conductivity and cation exchange capacity leading towards rapid reclamation. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The demands of cost‐driven industrial applications can be satisfied by manufacturing composites with a low volume fraction of carbon fibres as phenolic carbon fibre‐reinforced composites and C/C composites, both with acceptable performances, for low‐ or high‐temperature applications, respectively. Polymeric composites reinforced with a low volume fraction (7.5% v/v) of carbon fibres were fabricated using laboratory‐produced phenolic resins, novolac (N) and resole (R), as matrices after different curing/post‐curing temperature profiles. By optimising the manufacturing conditions, the N‐based polymeric composites exhibited higher flexural strength, whereas the R‐based composites showed higher shear strength. C/C composites, namely N‐based and R‐based, were manufactured by pyrolysis of the previously prepared polymeric composites up to 1000 °C. The pyrolysed composites were then densified by impregnation with an appropriate resin solution, followed by curing and new pyrolysis, and particularly by employing 1 up to 4 consecutive cycles of 'impregnation–curing/pyrolysis'. Weight changes resulting from the impregnation–curing and pyrolysis stages were determined. The curing of both resins was verified by Fourier Transform Infrared Analysis. The apparent density and X‐ray diffraction data of the C/C composites were used to calculate their total percent porosities. The morphology and elemental composition of the C/C composites at their failure region (after flexural testing) were examined by Scanning Electron Microscopy/Energy‐Dispersive X‐ray Analyses. In comparison to the N‐based C/C composites, the R‐based ones exhibited: higher shear strength, lower flexural strength, higher Shore D hardness, slightly higher surface conductivity and lower volume conductivity. The optimum conditions for the manufacture of C/C composites were achieved by applying two consecutive cycles of 'pyrolysis–impregnation–pyrolysis' to the polymeric composites. © 2024 The Authors. Polymer International published by John Wiley & Sons Ltd on behalf of Society of Industrial Chemistry. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Strength and electrical conductivity (EC) are key properties for heat-resistant Al-Zr-based alloy wires used as overhead transmission lines. Developing high-strength conductors with EC over 61.0% IACS has been a long-standing issue for heat-resistant Al conductive wires. In this work, a new design idea involving the coupling design of deformation and ageing was innovatively proposed to produce ultra-heat-resistant Al-0.2Zr-0.06Sc wires. The desired combination of high strength (195 ± 2 MPa) and good EC (61.2% IACS) was successfully achieved without annealing treatment. The strength residual rate of cold-drawn Al-0.2Zr-0.06Sc wire is as high as 94.0% after heat exposure of 280°C/1 h. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Abstract—The influence of various technological conditions of crystallization melting of corundum with cerium on its electrical conductivity and electroluminescence has been studied. The relation between the electrical conductivity of the samples and Ce4+ ions in the crystal lattice is discussed. The relation between electroluminescence of the samples and Ce3+ ions in electrically conducting samples is considered. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]