Materials Science and Engineering Commons^™

Photodegradation Of Malachite Green Using 2d G-C3n5 Nanosheet: A Promising Metal Free Catalyst, Sonali Biswal, Swayam Aryam Behera, Asima Subhadarshini, P. Ganga Raju Achary, Binita Nanda

Journal of Metals, Materials and Minerals

Environmental issues have become more serious these days due to the growth of modern industries. The paper and textile industries, in particular, were heavily dependent on the printing and discharge of dye, which constantly leaked into the water ecology and constituted a serious risk to public health. Organic wastewater treatment and remediation for its associated risks have received a lot of attention lately. This work explored the potential of the g-C3N5 nanostructure as a novel photocatalyst for malachite green degradation in aqueous solution while exposed to visible light. The nanocomposite was fabricated through an ultrasonicate-assisted technique. A number of analysis …

Antibacterial, Self-Adhesive Guar Gum/Polyvinyl Alcohol/Tannic Acid Conductive Hydrogels For Flexible Strain Sensors, Noppanan Putdon, Somnuk Theerakulpistut, Rawit Jittham, Pornnapa Kasemsiri

Journal of Metals, Materials and Minerals

In this research, a multifunctional strain sensor with antibacterial properties and self-adhesion capabilities was developed using guar gum (GG), polyvinyl alcohol (PVA), and tannic acid (TA). The incorporation of TA into GG-PVA hydrogel-based strain sensors was investigated to evaluate its effects on mechanical and electrical properties, self-adhesion, and antibacterial activities. The anti-bacterial activities against Escherichia coli (E. coli) and Staphylococcus aureus (S. aureus) were enhanced with the increasing content of TA. The adhesive strength was observed in the range of 1.20 ± 0.10 kPa to 5.05 ± 0.23 kPa, and the values tended to increase as TA content increased. The …

Mechanochemical Synthesis Of Ni(Ii)-Tptz Complexes With Co-Ligands: Spectroscopy, Dft, And Biological Studies, Deepak Senapati, Anulipsa Priyadarshini, Debadutta Samal, P. Ramesh Babu, Satyanarayan Sahoo, Narayan Chandra Bera, Raghabendra Samantaray, Jagannath Panda, Rojalin Sahu

Journal of Metals, Materials and Minerals

New mixed-ligand Ni(II) complexes [Ni(tptz)(1,10-phen)] (1), [Ni(tptz)(2-Mimd)2] (2), and [Ni(tptz)Imd)2] (3) were synthesized via a green, solvent-free mechanochemical approach using ball milling. The primary ligand used was 2,4,6-tris(2-pyridyl)-1,3,5-triazine (tptz), with secondary ligands being 1,10-phenanthroline, 2-methyl imidazole, and imidazole, respectively. Structural characterization by IR, UV-Visible, photoluminescence spectroscopy, and powder X-ray diffraction, supported by DFT calculations, revealed a distorted square planar geometry for complex 1 and distorted tetrahedral geometries for complex-2 and complex-3. Notably, bathochromic shifts in the UV-Vis spectra confirm metal-ligand charge transfer transitions and extended π-delocalization. Powder XRD analysis determined average crystallite sizes of 17.86 nm (1), 25 nm (2), …

Regulating Copx/Co Heterostructures For Enhanced Electrocatalytic Activity Toward Hydrazine Oxidation Reaction, Qinquan Lin, Rui Zhang, Changli Yan, Qizhao Hu, Shangbin Sang, Qiumei Wu, Kaiyu Liu, Hongtao Liu

Journal of Metals, Materials and Minerals

Hydrazine hydrate (N2H4∙H2O) is considered an ideal fuel for fuel cells. Constructing a cobalt phosphide/cobalt (CoPx/Co) heterostructure can achieve efficient electrocatalytic activity for hydrazine oxidation reaction. Traditional strategies for constructing CoPx/Co heterostructures took less consideration on the exposure of the active sites. In this study, 3D nanoflower-like nano CoPx/Co heterostructures with highly exposed active sites were obtained on a nickel foam (NF) through a dual-component phosphating strategy, i.e., regulating the relative content of Co and Co(OH)2 with cathodic current density and utilizing the differences in their phosphating behaviors. The potential at 100 mA∙cm‒2 and Tafel slope of the optimized CoPx/Co(375)@NF …

Oxidation Of Sn-1 Wt.% Bi In Air And In Oxygen Deprived Environment, Pakawat Polmanee, Benjie Fernandez, Patama Visuttipitukul, Ittipon Cheowanish, Tachai Luangvaranunt

Journal of Metals, Materials and Minerals

Oxidation of Sn-1wt% Bi in air and in oxygen deprived environment is studied in this research. Electrochemical process with SERA technique was used to determine oxide film thickness and rate of oxidation of tin alloy. The thickness of oxide film at 72 hours of the specimens that is tested in air, in vacuum, in argon environment, and wrapped with plastic film are 16, 10, 18, and 13 Å respectively. XPS was used to determine the type of oxides in the oxide layer. Result after signals deconvolution shows that SnO and SnO2 compounds were formed on the Sn-1wt% Bi surface.

Solar Radiation Assisted Photocatalytic Degradation Of Congo Red Using Ce Doped Lacoo3, Rishabh Kamal, Rasmirekha Pattanaik, Debapriya Pradhan, Suresh Kumar Dash

Journal of Metals, Materials and Minerals

A viable sol-gel synthesis technique was used to synthesize LaCoO3 and Ce doped LaCoO3 for degradation of congo red dye taking a renewable source of light i.e solar radiation. The crystalline structure, morphology, and optical properties of the synthesized catalysts were characterized by X-ray diffraction (XRD), X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS) analysis of Ce-doped LaCoO₃ confirmed the presence of La (3d), Ce (3d), Co (2p), C (1s), and O (1s) and their valence states in the perovskite matrix, Fourier-transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR), scanning electron microscopy (SEM), and ultraviolet diffuse reflectance spectroscopy (UV-DRS). The XRD analysis with a prominent diffraction peak detected …

Facile Synthesis Of Bamno3-Zro2 Composite: A Step Towards The Photocatalytic Degradation Of Organic Dye, Kirttimayee Mohanta, Swayam Aryam Behera, Binita Nanda, P. Ganga Raju Achary

Journal of Metals, Materials and Minerals

Environmental contamination by synthetic dyes, particularly Methylene Blue (MB), presents a significant threat to aquatic ecosystems and human health due to their chemical stability and toxicity. This study investigates the photocatalytic degradation of MB using a BaMnO3:ZrO2 composite synthesized in a 1:2 ratio via a straightforward wet-chemical method. Structural and optical characterizations were performed using X-ray diffraction (XRD), Scanning electron microscopy (SEM), Fourier-transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR), and Ultraviolet-visible diffuse reflectance spectroscopy (UV-DRS). The composite exhibited a reduced bandgap of 2.88 eV and uniform nanoscale morphology, both favorable for visible-light-driven photocatalysis. Under visible-light irradiation, the catalyst achieved 89% degradation efficiency within …

Optimization And Characterization Of Carrageenan/Alginate Ratio And Seaweed Waste To Develop Composite Bioplastics From Kappaphycus Alvarezii, Ali Ridlo, Retno Hartati, Agus Sabdono

Journal of Metals, Materials and Minerals

Carrageenan and alginate, derived from seaweed, offer potential as alternatives to traditional plastics. This study aims to assess the properties of biodegradable bioplastics made from a composite of carrageenan, alginate, and waste from K. alvarezii seaweed carrageenan extraction. A mixture of carrageenan and alginate was added with a ratio of 4:6 and K. alvarezii extraction waste 0, 20, 40, 60, and 80 % waste concentration,  in the carrageenan-alginate-waste mixture. The process involves blending carrageenan, alginate, waste, glycerol, and distilled water until uniform at 90o C and 1000 rpm for 45 minutes, followed by molding, immersion in a 4% CaCl2 solution, …

Liquid-Liquid Extraction Of Nd(Iii) Using [P66614][Cy272] Ionic Liquid, Prasanjit Das, Kali Sanjay, Niharbala Devi

Journal of Metals, Materials and Minerals

This study explores the extraction of Nd(III) from synthetic solutions using the ionic liquid [P66614] [Cy272]. Key extraction parameters, including the effect of phase contact time, initial pH, salting-out agents, extractant concentration, and temperature, were systematically optimized. Results revealed that a phase contact time of 15 min, an initial pH of 2.14, and 0.2 mol∙L‒1 NaCl as a salting-out agent and extractant concentration of 0.015 mol∙L‒1 [P66614][Cy272], achieved maximum extraction efficiency of 99.7%. Thermodynamic analysis confirmed the process is to be exothermic, spontaneous, and entropy-driven, highlighting the strong complexation between Nd(III) and the ionic liquid [P66614][Cy272]. Stripping tests revealed that …

Green-Synthesized Yttrium-Doped Cerium Oxide Nanoparticles: A Promising Optical Material, Sasmita Sarangi, Nibedita Nayak, Binita Nanda, Tapas Sahoo

Journal of Metals, Materials and Minerals

This work focuses on the green synthesis, characterization, and optical properties of yttrium-doped cerium dioxide (CeO2) nanoparticles. A green approach was adopted using Acacia concinna fruit extract as surfactant and stabilizing agent. Their structural, morphological, and physical-chemical properties were characterized using different analytical techniques, like XRD, FE-SEM, FTIR, PL, Raman, UV-Visible Spectroscopy. XRD study validated the structure of cubic fluorite-type structure of CeO2 nanoparticles, with the average crystallite size ranging between 7-15 nm. Raman spectroscopy validated this structure with F2g band observed at 463 cm−1. FESEM images showed irregular spherical morphologies with grain sizes in the range of 50-60 nm. …

Pyrolysis And Modification Of Coconut Shell Into Sulfonated Biochar And Its Catalytic Activity On Cellobiose Conversion, Addy Rachmat, Yessi Eka Wahyu, Poedji Loekitowati Hariani, Fahma Riyanti, Fatma Fatma

Journal of Metals, Materials and Minerals

Coconut shell was successfully valorized into sulfonated biochar through carbonization in various temperatures and duration. This work aims to provide suitable solid acid carbonaceous catalyst for cellobiose conversion into valuable product. Sulfonated biochar is characterized to evaluate its crystallinity, sulfonate, and oxygenated functional groups by XRD method and FTIR spectroscopy. The resulting solid acid carbonaceous material was tested toward cellobiose hydrolysis to assess its catalytic activity in various time, temperature, and catalyst weight. FTIR spectra reveals some of the biochar product has sulfonate group as indicated by absorbance band at 1234 cm‒1, 1070 cm‒1 and 1180 cm‒1, which belongs to …

The Effects Of Graphene Nanoplatelets And Microcrystalline Cellulose On The Mechanical Properties Of Fiberglass And Carbon Fiber Composites, Duangjai Srisamut, Nathawat Poopakdee, Warut Thammawichai

Journal of Metals, Materials and Minerals

This study investigated how graphene nanoplatelets (GNP) and microcrystalline cellulose (MCC) affect the mechanical properties of epoxy (EP), carbon fiber (CF), and fiberglass (FG) composites. The tensile and flexural properties of GNP-EP and MCC-EP of  varying reinforcement concentrations were examined. Results indicated significant improvements on tensile and flexural properties by GNP and MCC. At 0.1 wt% GNP, tensile and flexural strengths increased by 10% and 21%, while 2.0 wt% improved flexural modulus by 65%. Similarly, 2.0 wt% MCC improved tensile strength, modulus, and flexural modulus by 11%, 11%, and 46%, respectively, and a 26% increase in flexural strength at 1.0 …

Mxenes In Biosensing: Enhancing Sensitivity And Flexibility - A Review Of Properties, Applications, And Future Directions, Ali Mohammad Amani, Lobat Tayebi, Ehsan Vafa, Alireza Jahanbin, Milad Abbasi, Ahmed Vaez, Hesam Kamyab, Lalitha Gnanasekaran, Shreeshivadasan Chelliapan

Electrical & Computer Engineering Faculty Publications

MXenes are a novel type of nanostructured material that has received a lot of attention for their potential applications in bioanalysis owing to their unique features. These materials, made from transition metal nitrides, carbides, or carbonitrides, have a number of advantages, including high hydrophilicity, a large surface area, strong metallic conductivity, superior ion transport capabilities, biocompatibility, and low diffusion barriers. Their surfaces are easily manipulated, making them more adaptable for a variety of applications, including biosensing. The outstanding properties of MXenes have attracted researchers of different fields, including renewable energy, fuel cells, supercapacitors, electronics, and catalysis. In the context of …

Mxene-Based Materials For Enhanced Water Quality: Advances In Remediation Strategies, Ali Mohammad Amani, Milad Abbasi, Atena Najdian, Farzaneh Mohamadpour, Seyed Reza Kasaee, Hesam Kamyab, Shreeshivadasan Chelliapan, Mostafa Shafiee, Lobat Tayebi, Ahmad Vaez, Atefeh Najafian, Ehsan Vafa, Sareh Mosleh-Shirazi

Electrical & Computer Engineering Faculty Publications

Two-dimensional MXenes are promising candidates for water treatment because of their large surface area (e.g., exceeding 1000 m²/g for certain structures), high electrical conductivity (e.g., >1000 S/m), hydrophilicity, and chemical stability. Their strong sorption selectivity and effective reduction capacity, exemplified by heavy metal adsorption efficiencies exceeding 95 % in several studies, coupled with facile surface modification, make them suitable for removing diverse contaminants. Applications include the removal of heavy metals (e.g., achieving >90 % removal of Pb(II)), dye removal (e.g., demonstrating >80 % removal of methylene blue), and radioactive waste elimination. Furthermore, 3D MXene architecture exhibit enhanced performance in antibacterial …

A Fast Framework For Generating Radioactive Mixture Spectra And Its Application To Remote High-Performance Mixture Identification, Chiman Kwan, Bulent Ayhan, Adam Stavola, Kazi Aminul Islam, Hongfang Zhang, Jiang Li

Electrical & Computer Engineering Faculty Publications

Remote detection of radioactive materials in mixtures using handheld or portal detectors remains a challenge because of factors such as low concentration, environmental interference, sensor noise, and other complications. This work introduces a fast framework for generating realistic mixture spectra. Moreover, we present mixture isotope identification using data generated by the fast framework. Researchers have examined a range of conventional and recent algorithms within the fields of machine learning and deep learning. An application to uranium enrichment-level prediction has been included. Extensive simulation experiments validated the efficacy of the proposed framework.

Optimizing Superconducting Nb Film Cavities By Mitigating Medium-Field Q-Slope Through Annealing, B. Abdisatarov, G. Eremeev, H. E. Elsayed-Ali, D. Bafia, A. Murthy, Z. Sung, A. Netepenko, A. Romanenko, C. P.A. Carlos, G. J. Rosaz, S. Calatroni, S. Leith, A. Grassellino

Electrical & Computer Engineering Faculty Publications

Niobium films are of interest in applications in various superconducting devices, such as superconducting radiofrequency cavities for particle accelerators and superconducting qubits for quantum computing. In this study, we address the persistent medium-field Q-slope issue in Nb film cavities, which, despite their high-quality factor at low RF fields, exhibit a significant Q-slope at medium RF fields compared to bulk Nb cavities. Traditional heat treatments, effective in reducing surface resistance and mitigating the Q-slope in bulk Nb cavities, are challenging for Nb-coated copper cavities. To overcome this challenge, we employed DC bias high-power impulse magnetron sputtering to deposit …

The Impact Of Chromium Ion Implantation On Ald Lead Chalcogenide Thin Films, Haifeng Cong, Charlotte Poterie, Jean Francois Barbot, Helmut Baumgart

Electrical & Computer Engineering Faculty Publications

Inherently the synthesis of semiconducting materials by Atomic Layer Deposition ALD produces only intrinsic undoped films which require the introduction of small amounts of impurities for doping to change them into extrinsic semiconductors. Apart from various in-situ diffusion doping techniques like delta doping during the ALD process, post deposition doping by ion implantation affords the best control of dose and doping profile. The present study investigates the impact of 180 keV Cr⁺ ion implantation on the properties of semiconducting ALD lead chalcogenide thin films to improve their thermoelectric figure of merit. The implantation was accomplished with 180 keV Chromium …

Potential Of Lidar And Hyperspectral Sensing For Overcoming Challenges In Current Maritime Ballast Tank Corrosion Inspection, Sergio Pallas Enguita, Jiajun Jiang, Chung-Hao Chen, Samuel Kovacic, Richard Lebel

Electrical & Computer Engineering Faculty Publications

Corrosion in maritime ballast tanks is a major driver of maintenance costs and operational risks for maritime assets. Inspections are hampered by complex geometries, hazardous conditions, and the limitations of conventional methods, particularly visual assessment, which struggles with subjectivity, accessibility, and early detection, especially under coatings. This paper critically examines these challenges and explores the potential of Light Detection and Ranging (LiDAR) and Hyperspectral Imaging (HSI) to form the basis of improved inspection approaches. We discuss LiDAR’s utility for accurate 3D mapping and providing a spatial framework and HSI’s potential for objective material identification and surface characterization based on spectral …

Quantifying Trapped Magnetic Vortex Losses In Niobium Resonators At Mk Temperatures, D. Bafia, B. Abdisatarov, R. Pilipenko, Y. Lu, G. Eremeev, A. Romanenko, A. Grassellino

Electrical & Computer Engineering Faculty Publications

Trapped magnetic vortices in niobium introduce microwave losses that degrade the performance of superconducting resonators. While such losses have been extensively studied above 1 K, we report here their direct quantification in the millikelvin and low-photon regime relevant to quantum devices. Using a high-quality factor 3D niobium cavity cooled through its superconducting transition in controlled magnetic fields, we isolate vortex-induced losses and find the resistive component of the sensitivity to trapped flux S to be approximately 2 n Ω/mG at 10 mK and 6 GHz. The decay rate is initially dominated by two-level system (TLS) losses from the native niobium …

Development, Synthesis And Characterization Of Advanced Low- Cobalt And High-Nickel Cathode Materials For Lithium-Ion Batteries, Arjun Patel

Theses and Dissertations

This dissertation focuses on the improvement of structural and electrochemical stability of active materials for lithium-ion batteries. It explores the modification strategies to mitigate the issues related to Ni-rich cathode materials, along with the continuous production of cathode precursors using a slug flow reactor to improve the quality of the product.

The First part of the dissertation examines the effect of substitution of cobalt with aluminum and iron on the electrochemical stability of Ni-rich lithium nickel cobalt manganese oxide (NCM) materials. This study investigates how Al and Fe doping work and how they impact the performance and stability of these …

Hafnium Oxide-Based Nanoheterostructures For Catalytic Radiosensitization And Enhanced X-Ray Radiotherapy, Marlen Dariela Calix Quezada

Theses and Dissertations

Orthovoltage X-ray beams are attractive for surface and intra-operative radiotherapy. Yet, their clinical utility is constrained by rapid attenuation and the limited dose that can be delivered without harming healthy tissue. High-Z hafnium oxide (HfO₂) nanoparticles can boost local energy deposition through the photoelectric effect, while catalytic surface defects accelerate water radiolysis. Harnessing both mechanisms in a single nano-heterostructure could enable potent radiosensitization at diagnostic-range energies.

This thesis develops and evaluates HfO₂-based nanoheterostructures, both bare and Au-decorated, as catalytic radiosensitizers.

Two types of HfO₂ were evaluated, one was synthesized following a specific route and the …

Advanced Air Preheater Sealing Systems For Enhanced Efficiency And Reliability In Thermal Power Plants, Pavan Kumar Ravulaparthy

Theses and Dissertations

Global electricity generation still relies heavily on thermal power plants, which consume vast amounts of fuel and emit significant amounts of carbon dioxide. A major but often overlooked source of inefficiency in these plants lies within the rotary regenerative air preheater (RAPH), a critical heat-exchange component where air leakage can exceed 20% in aging units. This leakage increases fuel consumption, parasitic fan power, and CO₂ emissions, while degrading boiler reliability.

This research introduces advanced adaptive sealing systems designed to mitigate these losses by dynamically compensating for rotor eccentricity, thermal distortion, and wear under harsh operating conditions. Brush seals, composed of …

Laser Ablation-Induced Corrosion Resistance For Molten Salt Equipment Materials Evaluated Utilizing Electrochemical And Spectroscopic Analysis, Peggy Milota

Theses and Dissertations

Advanced reactors and used nuclear fuel separation (i.e. pyroprocessing technology) utilize high temperature salt as a thermal storage medium as well as an ionic solution for electrochemical processes. The use of these aggressive molten chloride and fluoride mediums requires specific materials or additional system alterations to extend the lifetime and structural integrity of equipment due to corrosion. Some materials, in the presence of inherently impure salt, will corrode and form oxide films in a specific formation that decreases corrosion rate by electrochemically and physically preventing elemental movement to the material surface. This is referred to as a passivation layer. However, …

Exploration And Synthesis Of Tin Intermetallic Single Crystals, Jared L. Shortt

Graduate Theses/Dissertations

This thesis presents the synthesis and characterization of two tin-based intermetallic compounds: Mn₄.₁₂Sn and Ni₆Sn₈Ge₀.₄₇. Single crystals were grown using a high-temperature self-flux method, allowing for the formation of phase-pure samples suitable for structural and physical property analysis. The crystalline phases were identified and refined using powder and single-crystal X-ray diffraction (XRD), while scanning electron microscopy combined with energy-dispersive X-ray spectroscopy (SEM/EDS) was employed to verify stoichiometry and homogeneity. Magnetization measurements performed using a superconducting quantum interference device (SQUID) magnetometer revealed distinct magnetic behavior in the manganese-rich compound, while the nickel-based compound was explored for potential magnetic features arising from …

Semi-Quantitative Elemental Imaging Of Corrosion Products From Bioabsorbable Mg Vascular Implants In Vivo, Weilue He, Keith W. Macrenaris, Adam Griebel, Maria P. Kwesiga, Erico Freitas, Amani Gillette, Jeremy Schaffer, Thomas V. O'Halloran, Roger J. Guillory Ii

Michigan Tech Publications

While metal materials historically have served as permanent implants and were designed to avoid degradation, next generation bioabsorbable metals for medical devices such as vascular stents are under development, which would elute metal ions and corrosion byproducts into tissues. The fate of these eluted products and their local distribution in vascular tissue largely under studied. In this study, we employ a high spatial resolution spectrometric imaging modality, laser ablation inductively coupled plasma time-of-flight mass spectrometry (LA-ICP-TOF-MS) to map the metal distribution, (herein refered to as laser ablation mapping, or LAM) from Mg alloys within the mouse vascular system and approximate …

Linking Molecular Structure Evolution To Mechanical Degradation During Environmental Aging In Conventional And Recyclable Epoxy Systems, Ben T. Jewell

Dissertations, Master's Theses and Master's Reports

The long-term performance of polymeric materials in extreme environments is governed by complex chemical and physical aging processes that alter their molecular structure and mechanical integrity. Conventional thermoset epoxies, while widely used in structural applications, are particularly susceptible to oxidative degradation at elevated temperatures, leading to embrittlement and loss of structural integrity. In the first part of this work, diffusion-limited oxidation (DLO) in a bulk structural epoxy was systematically investigated to establish the link between heterogeneous microstructural evolution and macroscopic mechanical degradation. High-temperature oxidation experiments were conducted in a controlled environmental chamber, and the resulting chemical, thermal, and mechanical changes …

Degradation Of Polymers And Polymer Composites In Extreme Environments, Ben T. Jewell

Dissertations, Master's Theses and Master's Reports

Polymeric materials are widely used in engineering applications due to their high strength-to-weight ratio, easy manufacturability, and cost-effectiveness. When incorporated into composites, they provide further performance enhancements, enabling use in demanding structural applications. However, long-term exposure to harsh environments including elevated temperatures, UV radiation, harsh chemicals, and radiation, can drive degradation processes that alter the material’s network structure, and in turn, degrade its mechanical performance. Exposure to thermo-oxidative conditions is one of the most common environments driving polymer degradation, leading to chain scission and crosslinking events, with the resulting oxidative products causing discoloration, reduced ductility, and changes in glass transition …

Development Of Bio-Based Coating Materials For Environmentally Friendly Controlled-Release Nitrogen Fertilizer Applications, Anne Carolyne Mendonca Cidreira

Electronic Theses and Dissertations

No abstract provided.

A Pyrrole Modified 3,4-Propylenedioxythiophene Conjugated Polymer As Hole Transport Layer For Efficient And Stable Perovskite Solar Cells, Yuanhao Tang, Ke Ma, Wenhao Shao, Yoon Ho Lee, Ashkan Abtahi, Jiaonan Sun, Hanjun Yang, Aidan H. Coffey, Harindi R. Atapattu, Mustafa Ahmed, Qixuan Hu, Wenzhan Xu, Raunak Dani, Limei Wang, Chenhui Zhu, Kenneth R. Graham, Jianguo Mei, Letian Dou

Chemical and Materials Engineering Faculty Publications

Despite the outstanding electric properties and cost-effectiveness of poly- (3,4-ethylenedioxythiophene) (PEDOT) and its derivatives, their performance as hole transport layer (HTL) materials in conventional perovskite solar cells (PSCs) has lagged behind that of widely used spirobifluorene-based molecules or poly(triaryl amine). This gap is mainly from their poor solubility and energy alignment mismatch. In this work, the design and synthesis of a pyrrole-modified HTL (PPr) based on 3,4-propylenedioxythiophene (ProDOT) are presented for efficient and stable PSCs. As a result of the superior defects passivation ability, excellent contact with perovskite, enhanced hole extraction, and high hydrophobicity, the unencapsulated PPr-based PSCs showed the …

Analysis Of Tar And Oil Derived From Pyrolysis And Copyrolysis Of Waste Plastics And Biomass, Anitha Shankaralinge Gowda, Dimitrios Karadimas, Jeffrey Seay

Chemical and Materials Engineering Faculty Publications

Pyrolysis has been proposed as a potential technology for managing the growing volume of plastic waste generated worldwide. Co-pyrolysis of plastic waste with biomass is a promising technology for generating fuel and chemical products. However, this process generates tar as a waste product. The chemical properties of this tar have yet to be thoroughly analyzed. This study presents the results of gas chromatography–mass spectrometry (GC–MS), Fourier-transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR), and thermogravimetric analysis (TGA) of oil and tar obtained from the pyrolysis of pure plastics including high-density polyethylene (HDPE), low-density polyethylene (LDPE), polyethylene (PE), polystyrene (PS), and plastic-biomass mixtures. GC–MS analysis …