Nanoscience and Nanotechnology Commons^™

Preparation And Optical Properties Of Highly Ordered Cds Nanowire Arrays, Lan Sun, Chang-Jian Lin

Journal of Electrochemistry

Highly ordered CdS nanowire arrays have been prepared by using dc electrodeposition in the porous anodic aluminum oxide template. Scanning electro microscopy (SEM) and transmission electron microscopy (TEM) reveal that the nanowires are uniform and highly ordered. The measurements of X-ray diffraction and high-resolved electron microscopy (HRTEM) show that the nanowires are hexagonal structure with the crystallographic c-axis preferentially oriented along the length of the pore. The UV-Vis absorption spectra of CdS nanowire arrays show that the absorption edges of the nanowire arrays shift towards short wavelength with the decrease of the nanowire size. The photoluminescence measurements show that the …

Electrochemical Lithium Insertion Of Nanosized Tio2, Ying Lan, Jian-Wen Liu, Xue-Ping Gao, Xing-Di Zhou, Jin-Qiu Qu, Feng Wu, De-Ying Song

Journal of Electrochemistry

The protonic titanate nanotubes with the diameter of 10～15 nm were synthesized via hydrothermal method in NaOH solution and the calcined nanotubes at 500 ℃ were transferred to anatase nanorods with the diameter of 12～20 nm due to dehydration.The electrochemical behavior of the anatase nanorods as lithium insertion materials was examined. The results showed that the nanorod electrode had the high initial discharge capacity of 232 mAh/g and second reversible capacity of 198 mAh/g. The capacity of nanorod electrode maintained 152mAh/g after 20 cycles.

Direct Electron Transfer Of Redox Proteins And Enzymes Promoted By Carbon Nanotube, Chen-Xin Cai, Jing Chen

Journal of Electrochemistry

The redox proteins (enzymes), such as hemoglobin (Hb), horseradish peroxidase (HRP) and glucose oxidase (GOx) were immobilized on the surface of the carbon nanotube modified with glassy carbon (CNT/GC) electrode, respectively. The experimental results showed that the redox proteins (enzymes) underwent effective and stable direct electron transfer reaction at the surface of CNT/GC electrode with a pair of nearly symmetrical redox peaks in phosphate buffer solution. The formal redox potential, E^0' , is almost independent on the scan rates, the average value of E^0'  for Hb, HRP and GOx is -0.343±0.001, -0.319±0.002 and -0.456±0.001 V (vs.SCE,pH 6.9), respectively. …

Study On Reduction Process Of Electrolyic Manganese Dioxide In Situ By Ultraviolet-Visible Absorption Spectroscopy, Li-Cai Zhu, Zhong-Zhi Yuan, Wei-Shan Li

Journal of Electrochemistry

The concentrationsof soluble Mn(Ⅲ) species, during the reduction ofelectrolytic MnO₂ (EMD) in alkaline solution,have been monitored in situ by UV-visible spectroscopy. The concentration of Mn(Ⅲ) ion in solution changes with discharge time. The first electron discharge process of EMD can be described by three different steps: 1) the reduction of Mn⁴⁺ ions on the surface of EMD particles and the structural defect regions within the EMD, 2) the reduction of Mn⁴⁺ ions in ramsdellite, 3)the reduction of Mn⁴⁺ ions in pyrolusite. During the second electron discharge of EMD, the soluble Mn(Ⅲ) is reduced to Mn(Ⅱ) , …

Development Of Nanostructure Based Corrosion-Barrier Coatings On Steel For Transmutation Applications, Biswajit Das

Transmutation Sciences Materials (TRP)

The objective of this project is to develop a novel nanostructure based coating technology that will provide significantly improved corrosion resistance for steel in LBE at elevated temperatures (500 - 600^oC), as well as provide long-term reliability under thermal cycling. The nanostructure based coatings will consist of a layer of nanoporous alumina with the pores filled with an oxidizing metal such as Cr, followed by a capping layer of alumina. Alumina, which is a robust anti-corrosion material, provides corrosion resistance at elevated temperatures. The Cr serves two purposes: (1) it acts as a solid filler material for the …

Highly Selective, Electrically Conductive Monolayer Of Nanoparticles On Live Bacteria, V Berry, Rangaswamy S, Ravi F. Saraf

Papers in Nanotechnology

Using specific peptide−bacteria affinity, a monolayer of 30 nm Au particle is selectively deposited on live bacteria surface to produce electrically conducting bridges spanning over 12 μm. The conductivity of the monolayer network is further improved by over 10-fold by “electric-field annealing”. The annealing process is explained by a percolation model.

Nanotube Magnetism, Yucheng Sui, Ralph Skomski, Kory D. Sorge, David J. Sellmyer

Nebraska Center for Materials and Nanoscience: Faculty Publications

FePt and Fe3O4 nanotubes are produced by hydrogen reduction in nanochannels of porous alumina templates and investigated by electron microscopy, x-ray diffraction analysis, and magnetic measurements. Loading the templates with a Fe chloride and Pt chloride mixture followed by hydrogen reduction at 560 °C leads to the formation of ferromagnetic FePt nanotubes in the alumina pores. Using a Fe nitrate solution, thermally decomposed at 250 °C and reduced in hydrogen for 2.5 h at the same temperature, yields Fe3O4 tubes. The length of the nanotubes is about 50 mm and their diameters range from about 150 to 220 nm, depending …

Humidity Effects On The Determination Of Elastic Properties By Atomic Force Acoustic Microscopy, D.C. Hurley, Joseph A. Turner

Nebraska Center for Materials and Nanoscience: Faculty Publications

We have investigated how ambient humidity can affect quantitative measurements of elastic properties on the nanoscale. Using an emerging technique called atomic force acoustic microscopy (AFAM), two samples were examined: a thin film of fluorosilicate glass and a section of borosilicate glass. When experimental results were analyzed using a simple model of the atomic force microscope cantilever dynamics, values of the tip–sample contact stiffness k* increased approximately linearly with relative humidity. The effect is believed to be due to the presence of a humidity-dependent layer of water on the sample. To account for this, the data analysis model was …

Preparation, Structure And Electrochemical Hydrogenation Of Carbon Nanotubes Supported Platinum Catalysts, Qing-Gang He, Xiao-Zi Yuan, Xian-Xia Yuan, Zi-Feng Ma

Journal of Electrochemistry

In this paper, Pt/CNTs catalyst was prepared and its electrocatalytic property was studied by obtaining cycling voltammetry curves (C-V) and Tafel curves. In addition, the XRD,XPS and TEM tests were carried out to determine the structure and composition of the catalysts. It can be found that the platinum loading has been increased significantly using a carbon nanotubes support. Dispersion of Platinum was better and gave more active sites. The electrochemical characteristic of Pt/CNTs was also more desirable than that of Pt/C catalys t(Johnson Matthey). In conclusion, carbon nanotubes can played a conspicuous role in "electrogenerative" processes of PEMFC hydrogenation reactor.

Study On The Electrochemical Impedance Spectroscopy (Eis) Of Al-Bronze At Different Anodic Potentials, Hui Yu, Sa-Ying Dong, Hai-Bo Xu, Ming-Xian Sun

Journal of Electrochemistry

The corrosion dissolution mechanism of Al-bronze has been investigated by Electrochemical Impedance Spectroscopy (EIS) at different anodic potentials. In the active region, the corrosion products are complex compounds of cupreous chloride and the diffusion of CuCl_2^- is the control process of electrochemical reaction. In the transition region, there exhibits two capacitance loops on EIS because CuCl and cupreous oxides films deposit on the electrode surface. In the limiting current region, an inductance loop appears on the EIS because the breakdown of the oxides film leads to serious pit corrosion.

Substrates Made By Electrodeposition For Measuring Electrical Properties Of One Dimensional Nanomaterials, Jin-Xuan Liu, Juan Xiang, Zhong-Qun Tian, Bing-Wei Mao

Journal of Electrochemistry

A method to prepare alternating conducting/insulating substrates by electrodeposition-oxidation was established to facilitate I-E measurements of one-dimensional nanomaterial by CT-AFM. The prepared Au/CuO and HOPG/CuO substrates showed low roughness as well as high uniformity of the alternating conducting/insulating structure, Qualitative I-E measurements were performed on a single carbon nanotube attached to the two above-mentioned substrates, both showing metallic characteristics at room temperature and in air.

Template Synthesis Of Highly Ordered Monocrystalline Metal Nanowire Arrays By A Two-Step Ac Electrodeposition, Juan Xiang, Jing-Hua Tian, Zi-Mian Ni, Zhi-Feng Huang, Bo Liu, Zhong-Qun Tian

Journal of Electrochemistry

The monocrystalline metal nanowire arrays were prepared by using a two-step AC electrodeposition in porous anodic aluminum oxide (AAO) template. The growth mechanism of nanowires was discussed. As a result, it has been found that the second voltage pulse has a considerable effect on the pore-filling ratio, the uniformity and the crystal structure, whereas the initial voltage pulse affects only the pore-filling ratio. Using the two-step AC electrodeposition, a highly ordered monocrystalline metal nanowire arrays with a pore-filling ration above 95% can be easily obtained.

Formation And Characterization Of Water-Repellent Nano Tio2 Coating And Studying Its Anticorrosion Property, Guang-Xia Shen, Yi-Cong Chen, Chang-Jian Lin

Journal of Electrochemistry

Using ethyl acetoacetate (EAcAc) as a chelating agent, ultra fine TiO₂ sol is prepared. Nano-TiO₂ coatings are deposited on the 316L stainless steel by the dip-coating. Hydrothermal post-treatment leads to crack-free coatings. Meanwhile, the surface struture and properties was optimized. Self-assembly of Hetadecafluorodecyltrimethoxysilane (FSA-13) fabricates hydrophobic layers on the surface of the nano-TiO₂ coatings. Particle sizes of TiO₂ sol was analysed by zeta pals potential analysis, and surface morphology, structure and properties was characterized by contract angle instrument, XRD, and SEM technologies. The results have shown that the surface of coatings is porous, with approx. 375 …

Electrodeposition Nanolaminated Growth Of Zinc, Ying Cao, Tian-Hui Shen, Jing-Yuan Yao, Gui-Fu Ding

Journal of Electrochemistry

Nanolaminated growth of the electrodeposition of zinc was studied. The structure and size of crystalline in zinc coatings were investigated by using FEG-TEM and XRD. The corrosion tests of the zinc deposition and the Coatings-Neutral salt spray test were performed, the capability in corrosion resistance of the nanolaminated growth was better than that of others.

Ultrasound Diffusion For Crack Depth Determination In Concrete, S.K. Ramamoorthy, Y. Kane, Joseph A. Turner

Nebraska Center for Materials and Nanoscience: Faculty Publications

The determination of the depth of surface-breaking cracks in concrete specimens using an ultrasound diffusion technique is discussed. Experiments were carried out on precracked concrete specimens of varying crack depths (0%–40% of the specimen thickness). Contact transducers were placed at the specimen surface with source and receiver separated by the crack. Tone-burst excitations over a frequency range of 400–600 kHz were used. At these frequencies, ultrasound is scattered considerably by the heterogeneities in the concrete. In the limit of many scattering events, the evolution of energy may be modeled as a diffusion process. The arrival of the peak diffuse energy …

Bar Clamp Having Ergonomic Handle, M. Susan Hallbeck, Myung-Chul Jung

Department of Mechanical and Materials Engineering: Faculty Publications

The present invention generally relates to a handle assembly for a hand operable bar clamp having a fixed jaw, a movable jaw and a drive for translating the movable jaw towards the fixed jaw. The assembly includes a handgrip and a trigger handle. The handgrip having an elongated rear portion has a generally rounded surface and being contoured to complement the natural transverse curve pf a human palm. The trigger handle is pivotal with respect to the handgrip. The trigger handle included an elongated front portion having a rounded front surface and being contoured to complement the natural palmer curve …

Interfaces, Volume 7, Issue 1 - Winter 2004

INTERFACES: Newsletter of the Nebraska Center for Materials and Nanoscience

Facility Focus (I): Multipurpose X-Ray System Zeng Named Guggenheim Fellow Sigma Xi Honors to CMRA Faculty, Staff and Students Best Paper Awards Degree of Doctor Honoris Causa Recent Patents Facility Focus(II): Equipment Upgrade in Electron Microscopy CMRA Welcomes Fereydoon Namavar Research Spotlight: Stephen Ducharme Spinning Continuous Fibers for Nanotechnology

Microstructural Analysis Of Varistors Prepared From Nanosize Zno, Suresh Pillai, Declan Mccormack, John Kelly, Ramesh Raghavendra

Articles

No abstract provided.

Quantum Mechanical Analysis Of Channel Access Geometry And Series Resistance In Nanoscale Transistors, R. Venugopal, S. Goasguen, S. Datta, M. S. Lundstrom

Other Nanotechnology Publications

We apply a two-dimensional quantum mechanical simulation scheme to study the effect of channel access geometries on device performance. This simulation scheme solves the nonequilibrium Green’s function equations self-consistently with Poisson’s equation and treats the effect of scattering using a simple approximation inspired by Bu ̈ttiker. It is based on an expansion of the device Hamiltonian in coupled mode space. Simulation results are used to highlight quantum effects and discuss the importance of scattering when examining the transport properties of nanoscale transistors with differing channel access geometries. Additionally, an efficient domain decomposition scheme for evaluating the performance of nanoscale transistors …

Jecp/Sp: A Computer Program For Generating Stereographic Projections, Applicable To Specimen Orientation Adjustment In Tem Experiments, Xingzhong Li

Nebraska Center for Materials and Nanoscience: Faculty Publications

In the present work, a computer program was written for generating stereographic projections and was also extended as an application for specimen orientation adjustment in TEM experiments. JECP/SP is a fully functional tool for generating stereographic projections in direct and reciprocal space. JECP/SP has been extended as an application for specimen orientation adjustment using a TEM holder. JECP/SP can be used as a teaching aid for students in crystallography as well as a practical tool for scientists performing TEM experiments.

Development Of Nanostructure Based Corrosion-Barrier Coatings On Steel For Transmutation Applications: Quaterly Report, Biswajit Das

Transmutation Sciences Materials (TRP)

During the past quarter, this project employed one graduate student and two undergraduate student researchers and made the following accomplishments :

• Acquisition of steel samples for experiments

• Design and fabrication of specialized anodization apparatus to accommodate steel samples

• Investigation of adhesiveness of aluminum on steel

• Investigation of effects of anodizing acids on steel to identify most appropriate acid and a suitable barrier material

Trailer Mounted Bursting Energy Absorption System, John D. Reid, John R. Rohde, Dean L. Sicking

Department of Mechanical and Materials Engineering: Faculty Publications

A portable crash attenuation System having a trailer frame and an energy absorption mechanism attached thereto. The absorption mechanism has a first Stage pivotably connected to a Second Stage and the Second Stage is pivotably connected to the frame. By pivoting the Stages about hinges the attenuation System may be folded from an extended, deployed position or mode to a shortened transit mode for easy relocation of the entire attenuation System.

Solid-Like Dynamics In Ultrathin Films Of Polymeric Liquids, Gaurav Singh, Ravi F. Saraf, Yves Martin

Papers in Nanotechnology

In this letter, we demonstrate that, at mesoscales, nonferroelectric liquid films of polydimethyl siloxane. exhibit significant electrostriction not present in the corresponding bulk state. Remarkably, the observed electrostrictive effect has a response time ,20 ms in contrast to .5 ms recorded in conventional bulk ~ferroelectric polymers. The emergence of this fast electrostrictive strain in thin films is explained in terms of the amalgamation of two contrasting dynamic features—the influence of a highly mobile, viscous layer ~at the air/film interface. on the less-mobile, but fast responding, solid-like layer at the film/substrate interface. The effect is observed for thickness below 200 nm.

Manufacturing Of Novel Continuous Nanocrystalline Ceramic Nanofibers With Superior Mechanical Properties, Yuris A. Dzenis, Ruqiang Feng, Gustavo F. Larsen, Joseph Turner, Xiao Cheng Zeng

Papers in Nanotechnology

This project is in the area of nanomanufacturing of advanced nanostructured materials. Nanostructured materials (NSMs) with unusual and extreme properties will play a key role in many emerging technologies. However, manufacturing of NSMs with the desired properties is highly complex and currently is over-reliant on empirical data. In this project, a novel manufacturing process producing a new class of ceramic materials, i.e. continuous ceramic nanofibers, is addressed. The novel sol-gel electrospinning technique (patents pending), invented recently by two of the PI’s (Dzenis and Larsen), produces ceramic fibers of submicron diameters with potentially extreme thermomechanical properties. This technique is being analyzed …

Preparation And Characterization Of Y-Type Carbon Nanotubes By Using Anodized Alumina Oxide (Aao) Template, Jing Zhang, Quan-Yong Gao, Yong Yang

Journal of Electrochemistry

In this work, potential-modulation method was used in two-step anodization process to make an AAO template with Y-type nanochannels. Then Y-type carbon nanotubes with controlled length and branch angle were prepared in the template based on chemical vapor decomposion (CVD) method with Co particles as catalyst and C₂H₂ as carbon source. The Y-type nanotube branches exhibit the angle distribution ranging from 20° to 120°. The results demonstrated that the oxidation potential should be responsible for the angles and length of the branches. Short pulse and high oxidation potential will result in the short and dense nanotube branches.

Study On Electrochemical Behavior Of Sus316l Stainless Steel After Surface Modification, Cheng-Hao Liang, Liang Guo, Wan Chen, Jing-Xiao Liu

Journal of Electrochemistry

The surface modification for SUS316L stainless steel was carried out by electroplating Rh, ion beam assisted deposition Ta₂O₅ and sol-gel-derived TiO₂. In Tyrode's stimulated body fluid, the surface modified samples had been investigated with electrochemical techniques. The results indicated that the electrochemical stability and dissolution were improved significantly after surface modification. Moreover, as to ion beam assisted deposition Ta₂O₅ and Sol-gel-derived TiO₂ film, the metal's d orbit electron holes filled up by the oxygen electrons made against the adsorption of hydrogen. Thus the cathode process, which is controlled by the hydrogen …

The Study On Carbon Nanotube-Loaded Pt Catalysts For Proton Exchange Membrane Fuel Cells, Hong Zhu, Feng-Juan Ge, Xiao-Hong Kang, Yu-Guo Yang, Yun-Hua Xu

Journal of Electrochemistry

Carbon nanotube-supported-platinum (Pt/CNTs) and carbon-supported-platinum (Pt/C) catalysts were synthesized by in-situ chemical reduction. They were analyzed using TEM and XRD, then made into electrodes to be part of assemable PEMFC for the performence tests. The resulted show that Pt clusters in both catalysts are of small particle size (about 4nm), and Pt/CNTs exhibits a higher catalytic activity than Pt/C.

The Current Fluctuations Of Carbon Steel In Nano2-Nacl Solutions, Yu-Ming Tang, Yu Zuo

Journal of Electrochemistry

The characteristics of current fluctuations of A3 carbon steel in NaNO₂-NaCl solutions were studied with potentiostatic and potentiodynamic polarization methods. The steel remained stable passivation in 0.1 mol/L NaNO₂ solution without Cl^-. After NaCl was added in to the solution, current fluctuations with a characteristic of quick increase and slow decrease occurred, indicating quick dissolution and slow re-passivation of the metastable pits. The metastable pitting may cause accumulated corrosion damage around certain area and result in observable pits. With the increase of chloride concentration, the occurring potential for metastable pits Em rised, and peak values …

Fabrication Of Scanning Micro Cl- Probe And In Situ Imaging Of Cl- At The Interface Of 2024 Al Aloy/Solution, Yu-Hua Lin, Min-Hua Shao, Rong-Gang Hu, Yan Li, Rong-Gui Du, Chang-Jian Lin

Journal of Electrochemistry

Micro combination Ag/AgCl electrode with a tip measuring tens micron in diameter was fabricated. The probe satisfied in situ imaging of Cl^- distribution at metal surface in chloride solution because of its excellent linearity between potential and Cl- concentration, rapid response, good stability and selectivity. With the aid of the home made Micro Electrode Scanning system and scanning Cl^- probe, the effect of the [Cl^-] at 2024-Al/solution interface on localized corrosion process was investigated. It was demonstated directly that Cl^- ion in solution immigrated toward, then adsorbed preferentially and accumulated at the junction between the …

Atomic Force Acoustic Microscopy Methods To Determine Thin-Film Elastic Properties, D.C. Hurley, K. Shen, N.M. Jennett, Joseph A. Turner

Nebraska Center for Materials and Nanoscience: Faculty Publications

We discuss atomic force acoustic microscopy (AFAM) methods to determine quantitative values for the elastic properties of thin films. The AFAM approach measures the frequencies of an AFM cantilever’s first two flexural resonances while in contact with a material. The indentation modulus M of an unknown or test material can be obtained by comparing the resonant spectrum of the test material to that of a reference material. We examined a niobium film (d=280±30 nm) with AFAM using two separate reference materials and two different cantilever geometries. Data were analyzed by two methods: an analytical model based on conventional …