Bulk and surface modification of TiO2 with sulfur and silver: Synergetic effects of dual surface modification in the enhancement of photocatalytic activity

Sulfur ion (S6+) was incorporated into the TiO2 lattice (Ti0.85S0.15O2) using sulfur powder as precursor. 0.05​% of silver was deposited on the surface of Ti0.85S0.15O2 by photoinduced deposition method. The photocatalytic reactivity of TiO2, Ag-​TiO2, Ti0.85S0.15O2 and Ag-​Ti0.85S0.15O2 photocatalysts were probed for the degrdn. of a model compd. congo red (CR) dye under UV​/solar light illumination. FTIR and XPS results suggested that the dopant sulfur ion (S6+) was incorporated into the TiO2 crystal lattice at Ti4+ lattice site and the sulfur ions on the surface were modified as SO42-​ active sites serving as electron withdrawing group. TEM and XPS anal. of Ag-​Ti0.85S0.15O2 has confirmed the deposition of silver in the Ag0 state. Ag-​Ti0.85S0.15O2 shows better photoactivty under solar light irradn. when compared to all the other photocatalysts. The enhanced photocatalytic activity of this catalyst is attributed to the synergetic effects of the incorporated dopant electronic energy level with the dual surface modifications of the type SO42-​ active centers and Schottky junctions created by metallic Ag0. Further the deposited Ag particles plays a dual role one as a sensitizer due to the Surface Plasmon Resonance (SPR) effect and also acts as an electron trapper under solar light illumination reducing the recombination of photogenerated charge carriers

Synergistic Effect between Carbon Dopant in Titania Lattice and Surface Carbonaceous Species for Enhancing the Visible Light Photocatalysis

Visible light-sensitive carbon doped titanium dioxide (C-TiO2) was prepared by grinding anatase TiO2 with anhydrous D-glucose solution as carbon source followed by calcination. The catalysts were characterized by X-ray diffraction (XRD), X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS), BET surface area measurements, scanning electron microscopy (SEM), diffuse reflectance spectroscopy (DRS), FTIR analysis and photoluminescence (PL) techniques. The results confirmed the interstitial incorporation of carbon atoms in the TiO2 lattice via Osingle bondTisingle bondC and Tisingle bondOsingle bondC surface states. The calculation of valence band (VB) edge position of C-TiO2 by using electronegativity values shows cathodic shift with increase in the carbon concentration and this renders high oxidative power for photogenerated holes. The observed new electronic state above the VB edge was responsible for the electronic origin of band gap narrowing and visible light photoactivity of C-TiO2. The carbon atom was also present as carbonaceous species on the surface which acts as sensitizer. The photocatalytic activity of C-TiO2 was evaluated for the degradation of 4-chlorophenol under both UV and solar irradiation. The undoped TiO2 showed better activity under UV light whereas C-TiO2 showed higher photocatalytic activity under visible light. The pretreatment of C-TiO2 with UV light reduced the visible light activity due to the removal of surface carbonaceous species. The synergistic effect of surface carbonaceous species along with interstitial carbon is discussed in detail and accounted for visible light activity

Stoichiometry control of sputtered CuCl thin films: Influence on ultraviolet emission properties

We demonstrate that the chemical composition of the sputtered CuCl thin films could be finely controlled by adjusting the bias to the substrate. The films deposited without any intentional bias were Cl rich (CuCl1+x), a bias of −22 V yielded stoichiometric CuCl, and a further increase in the negative bias resulted in Cl deficient films (CuCl1−x). The crystalline and optical properties were found to be associated with the chemical composition. Cl rich films showed a deep level green emission at around 515 nm in addition to ultraviolet (UV) excitonic emission. The stoichiometric films have higher optical quality, exhibiting a sharp UV emission at around 385 nm at room temperature, compared to nonstoichiometric samples. Visible luminescence related to deep level defects was not observed in the stoichiometric films. Changes in energy of the flux from the target and the subsequent ion bombardment on the substrate surface are correlated with the variations in chemical composition and their impact on the film microstructure and UV emission

Design and Analysis of Pattern Reconfigurable Dual Band MIMO Antenna using 5G Smartphone Application

Double band MIMO radio wire for the 5G correspondence is proposed in this paper. The proposed radio wire comprises of four radio wire, it working at 3300-3600 MHz and 4800-5000 MHz. The radio wire planned in this letter are extraordinary from conventional 5G radio wires, the reception apparatus of this paper is opposite to the edge of the framework circuit board, it tends to be connected to the well known full-screen cell phone. As indicated by the recreation results, reflection coefficient of the modulus is less than - 6 dB, and the separation is superior to 12 dB over the band frequency of 3300-3600 MHz and 4800-5000 MHz, it will met the necessities of future 5G applications. &nbsp

Application of Core Vector Machine for Prediction of Day-Ahead Electricity Prices

This paper presents Core Vector Machine (CVM) applied for short term electricity price forecasting in an Indian energy market. The accuracy in electricity price forecasting is very crucial for the power producers and consumers. With the accurate price forecasting, power producers can maximize their profit and manage short term operation. Meanwhile, consumers can maximize their utilities efficiently. The objective of this research is to develop models for day-ahead price forecasting using CVM during various seasons. A feature selection technique is used along with the CVM to reduce the variables for accurate price forecasting. Simulation results reveal that the CVM along with feature selection gives better results when compared with other machine learning techniques

Growth of CuCl thin films by magnetron sputtering for ultraviolet optoelectronic applications

Copper (I) chloride (CuCl) is a potential candidate for ultraviolet (UV) optoelectronics due to its close lattice match with Si (mismatch less than 0.4%) and a high UV excitonic emission at room temperature. CuCl thin films were deposited using radio frequency magnetron sputtering technique. The influence of target to substrate distance (dts) and sputtering pressure on the composition, microstructure, and UV emission properties of the films were analyzed. The films deposited with shorter target to substrate spacing (dts=3 cm) were found to be nonstoichiometric, and the film stoichiometry improves when the substrate is moved away from the target (dts=4.5 and 6 cm). A further increase in the spacing results in poor crystalline quality. The grain interface area increases when the sputtering pressure is increased from 1.1×10–³ to 1×10–² mbar at dts=6 cm. Room temperature cathodoluminescence spectrum shows an intense and sharp UV exciton (Z₃) emission at ~385 nm with a full width at half maximum of 16 nm for the films deposited at the optimum dts of 6 cm and a pressure of 1.1×10–³ mbar. A broad deep level emission in the green region (~515 nm) is also observed. The relative intensity of the UV to green emission peaks decreased when the sputtering pressure was increased, consistent with an increase in grain boundary area. The variation in the stoichiometry and the crystallinity are attributed to the change in the intensity and energy of the flux of materials from the target due to the interaction with the background gas molecules

MONSTER PHASE OF ACETAMINOPHEN USE IN PREGNANCY: CURRENT VISION OF AN OLD DRUG

In various countries, Acetaminophen [APAP] is the frequently used painkiller found in hundreds of medications during pregnancy. It has been broadly used for eras and health care professionals prefer acetaminophen as a choice during pregnancy for relieving pain and fever. Current research reports bothersome inclinations in the rate of acetaminophen exposure and related pregnancy outcome. The exposure of pregnant women to acetaminophen is of great concern. Existing literature evidence shows that acetaminophen exposure during pregnancy may leads to preterm birth, attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD), autism, male infertility, asthma in pediatrics. Therefore, the prophylactic anticipation of acetaminophen exposure can be a far-sighted approach in order to safeguard humans and wildlife from enduring dangerous effects. This article reviews the epidemiological findings and aims to shed awareness into the second generation outcome of an old drug in pregnant women

Assessment of Peri-Implant Marginal Bone Level in Single Crowns Supported by Short Dental Implants: A Cone Beam Computed Tomography (CBCT) study

BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVES: The purpose of this study is to clinically assess and compare the peri-implant marginal bone level in single crowns supported by short dental implants for a period of 1 year at regular 3 months time interval. MATERIALS AND METHODS: 14 subjects in age range of 18-55 years, with at least one missing maxillary/ mandibular posterior tooth were selected and received 14 short dental implants. Clinical parameters namely the modified plaque index, gingival index, probing depth, implant mobility scale were recorded. The radiographic parameter, bone loss was measured at 4 sites namely mesial horizontal, mesial vertical, distal horizontal, distal vertical by using CBCT. All the parameters were recorded before and after implant placement and at 3 months interval till one year. CBCT analysis will be done at baseline, 3 months (the time of crown placement), 9 months (after crown placement) to assess the peri-implant marginal bone level changes around implants. RESULTS: The mean bone loss at the mesial horizontal site was 1.86 ± 0.32 mm, mesial vertical site was 1.73 ± 0.34 mm, distal horizontal site was 1.09 ± 0.45 mm, and distal vertical site was 0.81 ± 0.38 mm at 3 months. The mean bone loss at the mesial horizontal site was 1.81 ± 0.19 mm, mesial vertical site was 1.69 ± 0.27 mm, distal horizontal site was 1.06 ± 0.33 mm, and distal vertical site was 0.76 ± 0.29 mm at 12 months. The comparison of bone loss between 3 and 12 months at various sites (mesial horizontal, mesial vertical, distal horizontal, distal vertical) was done. The results showed significant differences (p≤ 0.05) for modified plaque index, gingival index, probing depth. The overall mean bone loss at 3 months was found to be 1.37 ± 0.57 mm. The overall mean bone loss at 12 months was found to be 1.33 ± 0.51 mm. The comparison of the overall mean bone loss at 3 months and 12 months was 1.37 ± 0.57 mm and 1.33 ± 0.51 mm respectively. CONCLUSION: With the limitation of the study, it was concluded that the characteristics of the implant surface may influence the survival rate of short dental implants with minimal peri- implant marginal bone loss