Low temperature assisted chemical coprecipitation synthesis of 8YSZ plasma sprayable powder for solid oxide fuel cells

Plasma spraying is one of the potential manufacturing technologies widely used in tubular solid oxide fuel cells (SOFC) fabrication. The plasma spray technology requires powders with good flowability and large particle size (5-200 μm). A simple, low temperature assisted chemical process was used for the preparation of plasma grade yttria stabilized zirconia powder without any agglomeration process. The powder was characterized by X-ray diffractometry, particle size analysis, scanning electron microscopy and Raman spectroscopy. The powder exhibited cubic phase, good flowability and blocky angular shape. The 8YSZ powder was plasma sprayed and the coatings after sintering showed gas tightness (gas leak rate ∼ 1 × 10⁻⁶ mbar l s⁻¹ cm²). This was substantiated by the presence of densely packed grains as seen in the surface FESEM image of the sintered plasma sprayed 8YSZ free form. Conductivity values in par with the values reported in literature were obtained for plasma sprayed 8YSZ coating.     

A review of urban energy system models: Approaches,challenges and opportunities

Energy use in cities has attracted significant research in recent years. However such a broad topic inevitably results in number of alternative interpretations of the problem domain and the modelling tools used in its study. This paper seeks to pull together these strands by proposing a theoretical definition of an urban energy system model and then evaluating the state of current practice. Drawing on a review of 219 papers, five key areas of practice were identified – technology design, building design, urban climate, systems design, and policy assessment – each with distinct and incomplete interpretations of the problem domain. We also highlight a sixth field, land use and transportation modelling, which has direct relevance to the use of energy in cities but has been somewhat overlooked by the literature to date. Despite their diversity, these approaches to urban energy system modelling share four common challenges in understanding model complexity, data quality and uncertainty, model integration, and policy relevance. We then examine the opportunities for improving current practice in urban energy systems modelling, focusing on the potential of sensitivity analysis and cloud computing, data collection and integration techniques, and the use of activity-based modelling as an integrating framework. The results indicate that there is significant potential for urban energy systems modelling to move beyond single disciplinary approaches towards a sophisticated integrated perspective that more fully captures the theoretical intricacy of urban energy systems.     

Twinning Models in Self‐Consistent Texture Simulations of TWIP Steels

The high work hardening rate and ductility of high manganese austenitic steels is mainly attributed to the strong twinning induced plasticity (TWIP) effect found in the material. With a low stacking fault energy, mechanical twinning acts as a competitive mechanism to the more common dislocation glide. In order to understand the micromechanical behaviour of such steels, especially with respect to texture and anisotropy, constitutive models for twinning which account for the TWIP effect both in orientation changes and plastic behaviour are required. Using a self‐consistent texture model, we evaluate two twin modelling approaches in view of prediction of crystallographic texture. Tension experiments were carried out on a rolled TWIP sheet and the textures compared with the simulated results. The evolution of twin volume fractions from the two models is also evaluated.     

Photochromic polyacylsemicarbazides based on azobenzene containing dihydrazide

Polyacylsemicarbazides exhibiting photochromic behaviour were synthesised by solution polymerisation of azobenzene chromophore containing dihydrazide and various diisocyanates (aliphatic, cycloaliphatic and aromatic). A model compound was also prepared from o‐tolylene isocyanate and dihydrazide. The structures were confirmed by ¹H NMR and FTIR techniques. The polymers were found to exhibit λ_max values around 330 nm corresponding to the trans isomer which reduced with irradiation of the solutions of polymers in DMAc due to trans→cis isomerisation as observed by UV‐VIS spectrometry. The reverse reaction (cis→trans isomerisation) was found to take place photochemically when irradiated with visible light or when kept in the dark. The rates of isomerisation reactions were found to be independent of the chromophore concentration and the nature of the polymer backbone. The inherent viscosity of the solutions of polymers in DMAc reduced upon irradiation with UV light and was regained in the dark. Thermal studies showed that the polymer degradation started with the simultaneous cleavage of imino (N? N) and aromatic azo (? N?N? ) bond and that recrystallisation occurred on heating the samples. Copyright © 2004 Society of Chemical Industry     

Multifaceted activities of plant gum synthesised platinum nanoparticles: catalytic,peroxidase, PCR enhancing and antioxidant activities

A single pot, green method for platinum nanoparticles (Pt NP) production was devised with gum ghatti (Anogeissus latifolia). Analytical tools: ultraviolet–visible (UV‐vis), dynamic light scattering, zeta potential, transmission electron microscope, X‐ray diffraction (XRD), and Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy were employed. Wide continuous UV‐vis absorption and black solution colouration proved Pt NP formation. Face‐centred cubic crystalline structure of NP was evidenced from XRD. NPs formed were nearly spherical with a mean particle size of 3 nm. NP demonstrated a myriad of properties including catalytic, peroxidase, polymerase chain reaction (PCR) enhancing and antioxidant activities. Catalytic action of NP was probed via NaBH₄ reduction of arsenazo‐III dye. NP displayed considerable peroxidase activity via catalysis of 3, 3′, 5, 5′‐tetramethylbenzidine oxidation by H₂ O₂. NP showed exceptional stability towards varying pH (3–11), temperature (25–100°C), salt concentration (0–100 mM) and storage time duration (0–12 months). In comparison with horse radish peroxidase, its applicability as an artificial peroxidase is advantageous. NP caused a two‐fold enhancement in PCR yield at 0.4 nM. Also showed significant 1′, 1′ diphenyl picryl‐hydrazyle scavenging (80.1%) at 15 µg/mL. Author envisages that the biogenic Pt NP can be used in a range of biological and environmental applications.Inspec keywords: nanofabrication, ultraviolet spectra, catalysis, molecular biophysics, enzymes, dyes, platinum, electrokinetic effects, transmission electron microscopy, particle size, X‐ray diffraction, visible spectra, pH, nanomedicine, nanoparticles, biochemistry, light scattering, scanning electron microscopy, Fourier transform infrared spectra, reduction (chemical), oxidationOther keywords: antioxidant activities, catalytic action, salt concentration, artificial peroxidase, two‐fold enhancement, PCR yield, multifaceted activities, plant gum synthesised platinum nanoparticles, gum ghatti, anogeissus latifolia, analytical characterisation tools, dynamic light scattering, zeta potential, X‐ray diffraction, XRD, black solution colouration, Pt NP formation, face‐centred cubic crystalline structure, peroxidase activity, ultraviolet‐visible spectroscopy, transmission electron microscopy, Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy, particle size, catalytic activity, PCR enhancing activity, single pot green method, wide continuous UV‐visible absorption, polymerase chain reaction enhancing activity, arsenazo‐III, azo dye decolourisation, 3, 3′, 5, 5′‐tetramethylbenzidine oxidation, pH, environmental conditions, 1′,1′ diphenyl picryl‐hydrazyle scavenging, time 0.0 month to 12.0 month, temperature 25.0 degC to 100.0 degC, Pt     

Synthesis,Characterization and Properties of New Semifluorinated Poly(arylene ether phosphine oxide)s

Bis(4‐fluoro‐3‐trifluoromethylphenyl)phenylphosphine oxide is synthesized and six new poly(arylene ether)s are prepared by nucleophilic displacement of the fluorine atom on the benzene ring by several diphenols under basic conditions. The products show very high glass transition temperatures of up to 252 °C and very good thermal stabilities of up to 490 °C for 5% weight loss. The polymers display very low heat release rates in the microscale combustion calorimeter test, suggesting good flame retardance. All polymers are soluble in a wide range of organic solvents. Transparent thin films cast from dichloromethane exhibit tensile strengths up to 54 MPa, a modulus of elasticity up to 0.97 GPa and elongation at break up to 47% depending on their exact repeating unit structures.

     

Multiple Linear Correlation Analysis of Daily Reference Evapotranspiration

An accurate estimation of reference evapotranspiration (ET₀) is of paramount importance for many studies such as hydrologic water balance, irrigation system design and management, crop yield simulation, and water resources planning and management. Simple regression techniques, may sometimes, provide adequate estimation of ET₀. Implementation of regression methods considering all the predictor variables may, however, lead to overfit and consequent reduction in the predictive capability. The regression models for ET₀ have been developed in the present study for Tirupati, Nellore, Rajahmundry, Anakapalli and Rajendranagar regions of Andhra Pradesh, India by following step-wise procedure, eliminating superfluous predictor variables based on statistical criteria. The sunshine hours, wind velocity, temperature and relative humidity influenced ET₀ in the study area. The linear regression models developed in terms of predictor variables may conveniently be applied in the regions selected for the present study and, in the regions with similar climatic conditions for satisfactory ET₀ estimation.     

Synthesis and properties of electrodeposited Ni/ceria nanocomposite coatings

Composite plating is a method of co-depositing fine particles of metallic or non-metallic compounds or polymers in the plated layer to improve material properties such as lubrication, wear resistance and corrosion resistance. In the present study, Ni was chosen as the matrix material and ceria nanoparticles were chosen as the distributed phase. Nanocrystalline ceria powder was synthesized by the solution combustion process and characterized by powder X-ray diffractometry (XRD), scanning electron microscopy (SEM) and transmission electron microscopy (TEM). The nanosize ceria particles were co-deposited with nickel from a nickel sulfamate bath using conventional electrodeposition method. The electrodeposition was carried out at current densities of 0.23, 0.77, 1.55, 3.1 and 5.4 A/dm². The microhardness of the Ni matrix was enhanced by the incorporation of ceria particles. Potentiodynamic polarization, electrochemical impedance spectroscopy and SEM were used to characterize the corrosion behaviour of Ni and Ni/CeO₂ coatings. These studies showed improved corrosion resistance for Ni/CeO₂ when compared to Ni. The microhardness, corrosion resistance and wear resistance of Ni and Ni/CeO₂ were compared.     

Optical absorption spectrum of Cr3 ions in sodium ammonium sulphate dihydrate single crystal

Optical absorption spectrum of Cr³⁺ ions doped in sodium ammonium sulphate dihydrate single crystal has been studied both at room and liquid nitrogen temperatures. The observed bands were explained satisfactorily assuming octahedral symmetry for the Cr³⁺ ion in the crystal. The crystal field parameters Dq = 1750 cm^-1, B = 735 cm^-1 and C = 3220 cm^-1 are found to give a good fit to the observed band positions.