Papers by Author: Janusz D. Fidelus

Abstract: We report preliminary performance tests of an ORTEC PLS lifetime system based on plastic scintillators and analog electronic system. A variety of samples was measured, from metals (Cu, stainless steel), across semiconductors (Cz-grown silicon, ZnSe) to nanostructured ceramics (ZrO2). All results obtained are compatible with literature reports and indicate the lifetime resolution of the whole system as 180 ps.

Abstract: Microwave driven hydrothermal synthesis and hydrothermal synthesis were used to obtain ZrO2 nanopowders. Their production with varying phase composition, the characterisation and selected optical properties concerning their potential use as luminescence oxygen sensors are reported. It was found that the powders obtained by the microwave driven hydrothermal method and annealed at 750 0C in air show experiment repeatability within an accuracy of 6 %.

Abstract: The aim of the work was to examine the influence of pH, high power ultrasound, surfactant and dopant quantity on the particle size distribution of ZrO2:Pr3+, with praseodymium content varying between 0.05 and 10 %. The nanopowders were obtained via a hydrothermal microwave driven process. To establish if the dopant was located on the surface of the zirconia nanoparticles, the particle size distribution, as a function of pH, was measured to obtain an estimate of the isoelectric point of the samples. All results indicated that the dopant was concentrated on the surface: the measurements of the particle size distribution show that the pH corresponding to maximum average particle size changes towards higher values when the Pr content increases. Measurements of the particle size distribution dependency on the application of high power ultrasound and the addition of the sodium dodecyl sulphate surfactant show that, under certain conditions, there is a better stabilisation of the nanopowders in a dispersion and undesirable agglomeration is hindered.