Titania Nanoparticles Could Lead To Improved Sensors And Solar Energy

CARBON WORLDS

Schematic arrangement of the conventional PA cell. The sample (a) is contained in an acrylic ring (b). The laser (e) passes through the window (d) and impinges on the reference material (c) and the signal is detected with a microphone (f).

Los Angeles CA (SPX) Dec 06, 2005
Time evolution of the thermal properties during dehydration of sol-gel titania emulsions Nanostructured titania (TiO2) has been extensively studied as a very promising material for applications in sensors, photocatalysis, solar energy conversion and optical coatings.

As the properties of titania are determined by its different phases (i.e. rutile and anatase) and these phases depend upon the synthesis method employed, it is important to understand the change in properties that occurs during the synthesis process.

Thermal effusivity has been previously used in the study of the time evolution of dynamical systems in which polymerization and dehydration is involved.

In this work published in AZojomo* by A. Hernandez-Ayala, T. Lopez, P. Quintana , J. J. Alvarado-Gil and J. Pacheco from Centro de Investigacion y de Estudios Avanzados del Instituto Politecnico Nacional (IPN)-Merida and Universidad Autonoma Metropolitana-Iztapalapa the evolution of the thermal effusivity as a function of time is monitored using photoacoustic spectroscopy during the process of dehydration in a sol-gel formed titania sample.

During the dehydration process, the thermal effusivity showed a decrease in two successive stages that diminish as a function of time. Each of these stages followed a sigmoidal pattern of behavior.

These results indicate that the thermal treatment influenced the dehydration process. The analysis of the dynamics of thermal effusivity allows the analysis of the mode in which water is released from the material. The relationship between the degradation of the organic matrix and phase transitions due to the thermal treatment are discussed.

*See the full article at AZojomo

CARBON WORLDS

Cardiff University Experts Drill Possibly World's Smallest Hole

Cardiff, UK (SPX) Nov 29, 2005
Experts at Cardiff University have developed machinery so sophisticated that they can drill a hole narrower than a human hair. Such precision has potentially major benefits in medical and electronic engineering.

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