Abstract: Nanocomposites In2O3/Ag obtained by ultraviolet (UV) photoreduction and impregnation methods were studied as materials for CO sensors operating in the temperature range 25-250 degrees C. Nanocrystalline In2O3 and In2O3/Ag nanocomposites were characterized by X-ray diffraction (XRD), single-point Brunauer-Emmet-Teller (BET) method, scanning electron microscopy (SEM), transmission electron microscopy (TEM), and high angle annular dark field scanning transmission electron microscopy (HAADF-STEM) with energy dispersive X-ray (EDX) mapping. The active surface sites were investigated using Fourier-transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR), X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS), electron paramagnetic resonance (EPR) spectroscopy and thermo-programmed reduction with hydrogen (TPR-H-2) method. Sensor measurements in the presence of 15 ppm CO demonstrated that UV treatment leads to a complete loss of In2O3 sensor sensitivity, while In2O3/Ag-UV nanocomposite synthesized by UV photoreduction demonstrates an increased sensor signal to CO at T < 200 degrees C. The observed high sensor response of the In2O3/Ag-UV nanocomposite at room temperature may be due to the realization of an additional mechanism of CO oxidation with participation of surface hydroxyl groups associated via hydrogen bonds.

Abstract: Metal-air batteries and fuel cells show a great deal of promise in advancing low-cost, high-energy-density charge storage solutions for sustainable energy applications. To improve the activities and stabilities of electrocatalysts for the critical oxygen reduction and evolution reactions (ORR and OER, respectively), a greater understanding is needed of the catalyst/carbon interactions and carbon stability. Herein, we report how LaNiO3 (LNO) supported on nitrogen-doped carbon nanotubes (N-CNT) made from a high-yield synthesis lowers the overpotential for both the OER and ORR markedly to enable a low bifunctional window of 0.81 V at only a 51 mu g cm(-2) mass loading. Furthermore, the addition of LNO to the N-CNTs improves the galvanostatic stability for the OER by almost 2 orders of magnitude. The nanoscale geometries of the perovskites and the CNTs enhance the number of metal-support and charge transfer interactions and thus the activity. We use rotating ring disk electrodes (RRDEs) combined with Tafel slope analysis and ICP-OES to quantitatively separate current contributions from the OER, carbon oxidation, and even anodic iron leaching from carbon nanotubes.

Abstract: Studies of materials' properties at high and ultrahigh pressures lead to discoveries of unique physical and chemical phenomena and a deeper understanding of matter. In high-pressure research, an achievable static pressure limit is imposed by the strength of available strong materials and design of high-pressure devices. Using a high-pressure and high-temperature technique, we synthesized optically transparent microballs of bulk nanocrystalline diamond, which were found to have an exceptional yield strength (similar to 460 GPa at a confining pressure of similar to 70 GPa) due to the unique microstructure of bulk nanocrystalline diamond. We used the nanodiamond balls in a double-stage diamond anvil cell high-pressure device that allowed us to generate static pressures beyond 1 TPa, as demonstrated by synchrotron x-ray diffraction. Outstanding mechanical properties (strain-dependent elasticity, very high hardness, and unprecedented yield strength) make the nanodiamond balls a unique device for ultrahigh static pressure generation. Structurally isotropic, homogeneous, and made of a low-Z material, they are promising in the field of x-ray optical applications.

Abstract: Atomic layer deposition (ALD) typically employs metal precursors and co-reactant pulses to deposit thin films in a layer-by-layer fashion. While conventional ABAB-type ALD sequences implement only two functionalities, namely, a metal source and ligand exchange agent, additional functionalities have emerged, including etching and reduction agents. Herein, we construct gas-phase sequences-coined as ALD+-with complex-ities reaching beyond the classic ABAB-type ALD by freely combining multiple functionalities within irregular pulse schemes, e.g., ABCADC. The possibilities of such combinations are explored as a smart strategy to tailor bimetallic thin films and nanoparticle (NP) properties. By doing so, we demonstrate that bimetallic thin films can be tailored with target thickness and through the full compositional range, while the morphology can be flexibly modulated from thin films to NPs by shuI 1ing the pulse sequence. These complex pulse schemes are expected to be broadly applicable but are here explored for Pd-Ru bimetallic thin films and NPs.

Abstract: A ''2222'' cuprate with mercury bilayers (Hg1.5Cu0.2Pr0.3)Ba2Pr2Cu2O10-delta, has been synthesized for the first time. It crystallizes in the P4/nmm space group with a = 3.9072(1) Angstrom and c = 17.219(1) Angstrom. The powder XRD and HREM studies of this new cuprate show that its structure consists of an intergrowth of double pyramidal (oxygen-deficient perovskite) copper layers, with double fluorite-type layers and distorted triple rock salt layers (mercury bilayers). The structure of this phase can be deduced from that of the ''2212'' mercury cuprate (Hg1.5Cu0.2Pr0.3)Ba2PrCu2O8-delta by the introduction of one additional [PrO2]infinity fluorite layer. The regular stacking of the metallic layer and the uniform cationic distribution in the mercury bilayers are remarkable features of this cuprate. The stabilization of the mercury bilayers by praseodymium and the absence of superconductivity are discussed. (C) 1995 Academic Press, Inc.

Abstract: Superconducting Cu mixed oxyfluoride, Sr,Cu(O, F)(4+delta), was Obtained via fluorination of Sr2CuO3 by XeF2 in the 100-250 degrees C temperature range in a closed Ni container. The prepared samples exhibited a lower T-c in comparison with earlier reported values. Different samples in the Sr-Cu-O-F system were prepared by a solid-state reaction at 220-400 degrees C, but no formation of the oxyfluoride was detected even with an addition of xenon difluoride. These data allow one to draw conclusions on the metastability of the oxyfluoride under the conditions used, Electron microscopy and X-ray powder diffraction studies revealed large amounts of badly crystallized SrF2; this could be a reason for the small superconducting volume fraction as well as for the inhomogeneous distribution of the anions.

Abstract: The recently discovered superconducting mercury-based cuprates HgBa2Can-1CunO2n+2+delta have proved difficult to synthesize as single phases and are sensitive to environment (CO2, moisture). The present paper gives an overview of new series mercury based superconductors, whose stabilisation is based on the fact that a foreign cation with a higher valency than Hg(II) must be introduced in the mercury layers, in order to fill up partially the oxygen vacancies of these layers. By this method, several new series of superconductors involving strontium instead of barium with critical temperatures ranging from 27 K to 95 K have been isolated : Hg0.5Bi0.5Sr2-xLaxCuO4+delta, Hg(0.5)Bi(0.5)Sr(2)Ca(1-x)R(x)Cu(2)O(6+delta) (R Y, Nd, Pr), Pb0.7Hg0.3Sr2-xLaxCuO4+delta, Pb(0.7)Hg(0.3)Sr(2)Ca(1-x)R(x)Cu(2)O(6+delta) (R = Y, Nd) Hg(1-x)Pr(x)Sr(2)A(1-x')Pr(x') Cu2O6+delta (A = Sr, Ca), Pb0.7Hg0.3Sr2Cu2CO3O7 and Hg1-xCrxSr2CuO4+delta. The behaviour of the praseodymium cuprates that exhibit a rather sharp transition and reach a Tc of 85 K is especially discussed. A method to synthesize new ''Ba-Hg'' superconducting cuprates with the 1212 structure at normal pressure with a Tc up to 110 K is also presented.