3D spatial distribution of ore mineral phases using high resolution synchrotron micro-computed tomography (μCT) combined with optical microscopy

Ore minerals in dolomites and Graphite Mica Schist (GMS) were studied by synchrotron radiation micro-computed tomography (SR-μCT) and optical microscopy. High resolution μCT images of ore minerals were obtained at Imaging Beamline (BL-4), Indus-2 synchrotron radiation source for the comprehensive volume characterization of minerals. Optical microscopy was used for mineral identification, mineral/rock characterization and quantification of ore mineral assemblages was also confirmed by XRD. 3D images from SR-μCT have shown spatial distribution of major minerals and crystals of different minerals in the volume of samples. The results obtained shows that the GMS and dolomitic hosted rocks mined from region near Udaipur, Rajasthan contains sulfide mineral phases. SR-μCT facilitates visualization of the association of the various metallic minerals with the host rock. The presence of economically important metallic minerals galena, sphalerite and pyrite found in the samples through SR-μCT has implications on exploration and processing of ores.

Dip-coated PbS/PVP nanocomposite films with tunable band gap

PbS/PVP nanocomposite films with tunable band gap from 0.8 to 1.92 eV.

Synchrotron-based phase-sensitive imaging of leaves grown from magneto-primed seeds of soybean

Experiments were conducted to study the effects of static magnetic fields (SMFs) on the venation network of soybean leaves using the synchrotron-based X-ray micro-imaging technique. The seeds of soybean (Glycine max, variety JS-335) were pretreated with different SMFs from 50 to 300 mT in steps of 50 mT for 1 h. The phase-contrast images obtained showed that, as the strength of the SMF increased, the area, width of the midrib, area of the midrib and minor vein of the middle leaflets of third trifoliate leaves also increased up to the SMF strength of 200 mT (1 h) and decreased thereafter. Quantification of the major conducting vein also showed the differences in the major and minor vein structures of the soybean leaves as compared with control leaves. Further, the phase-retrieval technique has been applied to make the segmentation process easy and to quantify the major and minor veins in the venation network. The width and area of midrib enhancement by pre-treatment with SMF implies an enhancement in the uptake of water, which in turn causes an increased rate of photosynthesis and stomatal conductance.

Effect of gamma irradiation on X-ray absorption and photoelectron spectroscopy of Nd-doped phosphate glass

X-ray absorption near-edge structure (XANES) and X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS) of Nd-doped phosphate glasses have been studied before and after gamma irradiation. The intensity and the location of the white line peak of the L₃-edge XANES of Nd are found to be dependent on the ratio O/Nd in the glass matrix. Gamma irradiation changes the elemental concentration of atoms in the glass matrix, which affects the peak intensity of the white line due to changes in the covalence of the chemical bonds with Nd atoms in the glass (structural changes). Sharpening of the Nd 3d_5/2 peak profile in XPS spectra indicates a deficiency of oxygen in the glasses after gamma irradiation, which is supported by energy-dispersive X-ray spectroscopy measurements. The ratio of non-bridging oxygen to total oxygen in the glass after gamma radiation has been found to be correlated to the concentration of defects in the glass samples, which are responsible for its radiation resistance as well as for its coloration.

Electrochemical Synthesis of Novel Zn-Doped TiO2 Nanotube/ZnO Nanoflake Heterostructure with Enhanced DSSC Efficiency

ABSTRACT

The paper reports the fabrication of Zn-doped TiO2 nanotubes (Zn-TONT)/ZnO nanoflakes heterostructure for the first time, which shows improved performance as a photoanode in dye-sensitized solar cell (DSSC). The layered structure of this novel nanoporous structure has been analyzed unambiguously by Rutherford backscattering spectroscopy, scanning electron microscopy, and X-ray diffractometer. The cell using the heterostructure as photoanode manifests an enhancement of about an order in the magnitude of the short circuit current and a seven-fold increase in efficiency, over pure TiO2 photoanodes. Characterizations further reveal that the Zn-TONT is preferentially oriented in [001] direction and there is a Ti metal-depleted interface layer which leads to better band alignment in DSSC.

GRAPHICAL ABSTRACT

Synchrotron X-ray phase contrast imaging of leaf venation in soybean (Glycine max) after exclusion of solar UV (280-400 nm) radiation

The hydraulic efficiency of a leaf depends on its vascular structure as this is responsible for transport activities. To investigate the effect of exclusion of UVAB and UVB radiation from the solar spectrum on the micro-structure of leaves of soybean (Glycine max, variety JS-335), a field experiment was conducted using synchrotron-based phase contrast imaging (PCI). Plants were grown in specially designed UV exclusion chambers, and wrapped with filters that excluded UVB (280-315 nm) or UVAB (280-400 nm), or transmitted all the ambient solar UV (280-400 nm) radiation (filter control). Qualitative observation of high-resolution X-ray PCI images obtained at 10 keV has shown the differences in major and minor vein structures of the leaves. The mid-rib width of the middle leaflet of third trifoliate leaves, for all treatments, were obtained using quantitative image analysis. The width of the mid-rib of the middle leaflet of third trifoliate leaves of UVB excluded plants was found to be more compared to leaves of filter control plants, which are exposed to ambient UV. The mid-rib or the main conducting vein transports water and sugars to the whole plant; therefore, mid-rib enhancement by the exclusion of solar UV radiation possibly implies enhancement in the leaf area which in turn causes an increased rate of photosynthesis.

Layered double hydroxides as effective carrier for anticancer drugs and tailoring of release rate through interlayer anions

Hydrophobic anticancer drug, raloxifene hydrochloride (RH) is intercalated into a series of magnesium aluminum layered double hydroxides (LDHs) with various charge density anions through ion exchange technique for controlled drug delivery. The particle nature of the LDH in presence of drug is determined through electron microscopy and surface morphology. The release of drug from the RH intercalated LDHs was made very fast or sustained by altering the exchangeable anions followed by the modified Freundlich and parabolic diffusion models. The drug release rate is explained from the interactions between the drug and LDHs along with order-disorder structure of drug intercalated LDHs. Nitrate bound LDH exhibits greater interaction with drug and sustained drug delivery against the loosely interacted phosphate bound LDH-drug, which shows fast release. Cell viability through MTT assay suggests drug intercalated LDHs as better drug delivery vehicle for cancer cell line against poor bioavailability of the pure drug. In vivo study with mice indicates the differential tumor healing which becomes fast for greater drug release system but the body weight index clearly hints at damaged organ in the case of fast release system. Histopathological experiment confirms the damaged liver of the mice treated either with pure drug or phosphate bound LDH-drug, fast release system, vis-à-vis normal liver cell morphology for sluggish drug release system with steady healing rate of tumor. These observations clearly demonstrate that nitrate bound LDH nanoparticle is a potential drug delivery vehicle for anticancer drugs without any side effect.

Non-destructive evaluation of teeth restored with different composite resins using synchrotron based micro-imaging

BACKGROUND

Application of high resolution synchrotron micro-imaging in microdefects studies of restored dental samples.

OBJECTIVE

The purpose of this study was to identify and compare the defects in restorations done by two different resin systems on teeth samples using synchrotron based micro-imaging techniques namely Phase Contrast Imaging (PCI) and micro-computed tomography (MCT). With this aim acquired image quality was also compared with routinely used RVG (Radiovisiograph).

METHODS

Crowns of human teeth samples were fractured mechanically involving only enamel and dentin, without exposure of pulp chamber and were divided into two groups depending on the restorative composite materials used. Group A samples were restored using a submicron Hybrid composite material and Group B samples were restored using a Nano-Hybrid restorative composite material. Synchrotron based PCI and MCT was performed with the aim of visualization of tooth structure, composite resin and their interface.

RESULTS

The quantitative and qualitative comparison of phase contrast and absorption contrast images along with MCT on the restored teeth samples shows comparatively large number of voids in Group A samples.

CONCLUSIONS

Quality assessment of dental restorations using synchrotron based micro-imaging suggests Nano-Hybrid resin restorations (Group B) are better than Group A.

A study on the synthesis, pair distribution function and diverse properties of cobalt doped ZnS nanowires

The fundamental atomic structure of pure and Co doped ZnS nanowires has been studied using pair distribution function (PDF) analysis. It was confirmed that samples have hexagonal (wurtzite) structure. The interatomic distance was calculated using PDF analysis. It was observed that the energy band gap decreases as Co content increases.

Magnetically separable core–shell iron oxide@nickel nanoparticles as high-performance recyclable catalysts for chemoselective reduction of nitroaromatics

A magnetically separable core–shell iron oxide@nickel nanocatalyst was synthesized, characterized and applied for the aromatic nitro group reduction.

Kondo-like electronic transport and ferromagnetic cluster-glass behavior in La0.7Sr0.3MnO3 nanostructures

We have studied the electronic transport and magnetic properties of a nanocrystalline La_0.7Sr_0.3MnO₃ system. We observed low temperature Kondo effect with magnetic cluster behavior.

Development of fast heating electron beam annealing setup for ultra high vacuum chamber

We report the design and development of a simple, electrically low powered and fast heating versatile electron beam annealing setup (up to 1000 °C) working with ultra high vacuum (UHV) chamber for annealing thin films and multilayer structures. The important features of the system are constant temperature control in UHV conditions for the temperature range from room temperature to 1000 ºC with sufficient power of 330 W, at constant vacuum during annealing treatment. It takes approximately 6 min to reach 1000 °C from room temperature (∼10(-6) mbar) and 45 min to cool down without any extra cooling. The annealing setup consists of a UHV chamber, sample holder, heating arrangement mounted on suitable UHV electrical feed-through and electronic control and feedback systems to control the temperature within ±1 ºC of set value. The outside of the vacuum chamber is cooled by cold air of 20 °C of air conditioning machine used for the laboratory, so that chamber temperature does not go beyond 50 °C when target temperature is maximum. The probability of surface oxidation or surface contamination during annealing is examined by means of x-ray photoelectron spectroscopy of virgin Cu sample annealed at 1000 °C.

Note: development of fast heating inert gas annealing apparatus operated at atmospheric pressure

Here, we report the development of a simple, small, fast heating, and portable, homemade, inert gas (Ar) atmospheric annealing setup. Instead of using a conventional heating element, a commercial soldering rod having an encapsulated fast heating heater is used here. The sample holder is made of a block of stainless steel. It takes 200 s to reach 700 °C, and 10 min to cool down. The probability of oxidation or surface contamination has been examined by means of x ray photoelectron spectroscopy of virgin Cu sample after annealing at 600 °C. In addition, we compare the annealing of a hydrogenated carbon nitride film (HCN(x)) in both a conventional vacuum and our newly developed ambient Ar atmosphere setup.

Nanoparticle induced piezoelectric, super toughened, radiation resistant, multi-functional nanohybrids

We have developed multifunctional nanohybrids of poly(vinylidene fluoride-co-chlorotrifluoroethylene) (CTFE) with a small percentage of surface modified inorganic layered silicate showing dramatic improvement in toughness, radiation resistant and piezoelectric properties vis-à-vis pristine polymer. Massive intercalation (d(001) 1.8 → 3.9 nm) of polymer inside the nanoclay galleries and unique crystallization behavior of the fluoropolymer on the surface of individual silicate layer has been reported. Toughness in the nanohybrid increases more than three orders of magnitude as compared to pure CTFE. High energy radiation (80 MeV Si(+7)) causes chain session, amorphization and creates olefinic bonds in the pure polymer while the nanohybrids are radiation resistant at a similar dose. Nanoclay induces the metastable piezoelectric β-phase in CTFE, suitable for sensor and actuator application. Molecular level changes after irradiation and controlled morphology for smart membrane have been confirmed by using spectroscopy, sol-gel technique, surface morphology studies and in situ residual gas analysis.

High coercive field and magnetization reversal in core-shell cum nanotwin driven Ni/NiO nanospheres

We report here nanotwin-core-shell Ni(core)NiO(shell) spheres of average size 25 nm prepared through polyol method. They exhibit high coercive field at 2 K, sharp peak at approximately 20 K in magnetization curve and magnetization reversal. Interestingly, exchange bias due to antiferromagnetic NiO shell is absent. Among other possibilities, anisotropy variations due to particle size distribution and twinning associated with disorder appear to play an important role. Further, magnetic interactions of twinned bigger spheres, which may also act as superferrimagnetic-like Ni multilayer cores, with superparamagnetic Ni of smaller spheres, might be the additional causes. These nanostructures therefore seem to have potential interest in memory effect.

Effect of Growth Temperature on Bamboo-shaped Carbon-Nitrogen (C-N) Nanotubes Synthesized Using Ferrocene Acetonitrile Precursor

This investigation deals with the effect of growth temperature on the microstructure, nitrogen content, and crystallinity of C-N nanotubes. The X-ray photoelectron spectroscopic (XPS) study reveals that the atomic percentage of nitrogen content in nanotubes decreases with an increase in growth temperature. Transmission electron microscopic investigations indicate that the bamboo compartment distance increases with an increase in growth temperature. The diameter of the nanotubes also increases with increasing growth temperature. Raman modes sharpen while the normalized intensity of the defect mode decreases almost linearly with increasing growth temperature. These changes are attributed to the reduction of defect concentration due to an increase in crystal planar domain sizes in graphite sheets with increasing temperature. Both XPS and Raman spectral observations indicate that the C-N nanotubes grown at lower temperatures possess higher degree of disorder and higher N incorporation.

Structural influence on the magnetic and electronic properties of annealed Fe/Al multilayers

Temperature dependent magnetic and electronic properties of electron beam evaporated Fe/Al multilayer samples (MLS) with an average composition of Fe0.70A1(0.30) (MLS-A) and Fe0.50Al0.50 (MLS-B) have been investigated. A ferromagnetic behaviour in MLS-A and nonmagnetic behaviour in MLS-B is obtained after annealing the multilayers at 400 degrees C. The different magnetic behaviours can be interpreted in terms of constant increase of Fe-3d and Al-3sp hybridization accompanied by an increased de-localization of the d-electrons participating in the strong bonding of Fe with Al leading to formation of different Fe-Al phases (Fe3Al in MLS-A) and (FeAl in MLS-B) as suggested from valence band photoemission and X-ray diffraction measurements.

Thickness dependent structural, electronic, and optical properties of Ge nanostructures

In the present paper, we have investigated structural, optical as well as electronic properties of electron beam evaporated Ge thin films having layer thicknesses ranging from ultra-thin (5 nm) to thick (200 nm). The Raman spectra show that all peaks are shifted towards lower wave number as compared to their bulk counterparts and are considered as a signature of nanostructure formation and quantum confinement effect. The Raman line exhibits transformation from nanocrystalline to microcrystalline phase with a reduction in blue shift of peak position with increase in Ge film thickness (>5 nm). Similarly, the optical absorption spectra corresponding to these films also show reduction in blue shift effect, although Ge 5 nm film shows the absorption behaviour quite different from higher thickness films. The corresponding band gap values obtained from absorption measurements are much larger than bulk Ge and are mainly attributed to the effect of quantum confinement as expected for small size particles calculated from GIXRD patterns. AFM data in each case are correlated and discussed with structural as well as optical results to support the effect of growth morphology on the above-mentioned observations. The results are further supported by photoelectron spectroscopy (PES), photoluminescence (PL) and resistivity measurements and are interpreted in terms of crystallinity and quantum confinement effect.

Thickness dependent structural, magnetic and transport properties of nanostructured cobalt thin films

This paper presents structural, magnetic, and transport properties measurements carried out on Co thin film as a function of thickness. The structure of the Co thin film changes from amorphous to nano-crystalline with the increase in film thickness. The corresponding magnetic and transport measurements show drastic changes in coercivity, saturation field and resistivity value as a function of Co film thickness. Observed magnetization and resistivity behaviour is mainly attributed to the (i) Change in crystal structure, (ii) stress relaxation, (iii) grain growth as revealed by X-ray diffraction (XRD), and atomic force microscopy (AFM) measurements.

Effect of ferrocene concentration on the synthesis of bamboo-shaped carbon-nitrogen nanotube bundles

We have investigated the effect of ferrocene concentration on the synthesis of carbon-nitrogen (C-N) nanotubes. The bamboo-shaped carbon-nitrogen nanotubes were synthesized by spray pyrolysis of Fe(C5H5)2 and CH3CN solution using argon as a carrier gas at the optimum temperature of approximately 900 degrees C. The effect of ferrocene concentration on the length and concentration of nitrogen in nanotubes was studied. Micro-structural features of the nanotubes were monitored employing scanning and transmission electron microscopic techniques. SEM studies reveal that with decreasing ferrocene concentration from 25 mg ml(-1) to 5 mg ml(-1), the length of the nanotubes vary from 80 microm to 430 microm. A feasible growth model has been described and discussed. X-ray photoelectron spectroscopic studies have confirmed the formation of nitrogen-doped carbon nanotubes. These studies reveal that the nitrogen concentration in the nanotubes decreases with the increase of ferrocene concentration. The present synthesis route also provides means of producing carbon nanotubes with different concentrations of nitrogen.