Papers by Keyword: Inorganic

Abstract: Inorganic nanocarriers for a decade have increased interest in nanotechnology research platform as versatile drug delivery materials. The utility of the inorganic nanocarriers for delivery of therapeutic agents is attributed to their unique properties such as magnetic, photocatalytic nature and the ability to exhibit surface functionalization. Herein, we review the surface functionalization and delivery utility for natural therapeutics exhibited by inorganic nanocarriers mostly focusing on their magnetic, photocatalytic and the plasmonic properties. The review also highlights the influence of electronic property of inorganic surface on functionalization of ligand based natural therapeutic agents. Improvement of stability and therapeutic potential by formation of nanocomposites are detailed. Furthermore, we suggest improvement strategies for stability and toxicity reduction of inorganic nanoparticles that would potentially make them useful for clinical application as therapeutic delivery tools for treatment of various diseases.

Abstract: Facile synthesis of completely inorganic Zinc oxide-Copper oxide (ZnO-CuO) based bulk heterojunction solar cells (BHJSCs) along with the impact of the film thickness on the different properties like morphological, structural, chemical, optical and electrical have been reported in this work. A simple spin-coating technique was used to fabricate the BHJSC. The elemental presence of ZnO and CuO with wurtzite and cubic phase was confirmed by EDX and XRD analysis correspondingly. The surface quality, optical transmittance and the resistivity of spin-coated BHJ films decrease with increasing the the film thickness revealed by morphological, optical and electrical study respectively. The photovoltaic parameters of FTO/ZnO-CuO/Al heterostructure SC like efficiency η, current density J_sc and fill factor also decreased conspicuously, whereas the open circuit voltage was found to increase conversly. Moreover, experimental outcomes indicate, the thickness of the film has inescapable impact on inorganic BHJSCs performances and must take in consideration during cell fabrication.

Abstract: Organic-inorganic hybrid perovskite solar cells (PSCs) has attracted growing attention in recent years due to its outstanding photovoltaic performance. After extensive studies in material designs and device engineering, the efficiencies of PSCs have been improved to 24.2%. On the other hand, the inadequate stability of PSCs is hindering the application to real life. Starting with the stability of organic-inorganic PSCs, this article analyzed and concluded the impact of doping A-site and X-site ions on the stability of perovskite respectively. Next, it put forward the prospects for possible development directions of this field in the future.

Abstract: This paper presents fire and thermal properties on geopolymer binders, composed of metakaolin, slag and fly ash as precursor. Geopolymers are inorganic polymeric materials that are believed being capable to resist heat, high temperature and fire. Based on the previous researches, geopolymers offer a feasible alternative to fire resistance applications and with further deep studies, it has great potential to be fabricated for engineering applications.

Abstract: Photovoltaic (PV) has recently undergone impressive growth and substantial cost decreases. Basically wafer-based crystalline-Si PV technologies have the advantage of higher module efficiency as compared to thin-film PV, but thin-film PV has the advantage of lower production cost. The silicon-based solar PV needs light-induced charge separation at the p-n junction between two slices (wafers) of doped silicon in either single-crystal silicon (sc-Si) or polycrystalline (poly-Si). However until recently thin-film PV modules both amorphous silicon (a-Si) and non-silicon thin film technology have been advantageous developed. Metallic based modules such as cadmium telluride, CdTe and copper indium gallium diselenide, CIGS thin-film PV technologies have currently efficiencies of 16.1% and 15.7%, respectively. A high efficiency makes thin-film PV technologies more competitive with wafer-based crystalline-Si PV. This study investigates the electricity generation of both silicon based and non-silicon based solar PV modules. The implementation uses solar irradiation with average of higher than 18 MJ/m².day in high solar radiation provinces in Thailand. A High solar radiation is observed in mostly in central and the east regions of the country. The result shows that the commercial amorphous PV module is appropriate for large scale installation while wafer-based crystalline-Si PV can be installed both in cases of solar rooftop and solar PV farm. Thin-film PV modules both silicon based (a-Si) and non-silicon based is basically appropriate for small installation such as solar rooftop and building integrated PV (BIPV). But in the near future the metallic based PV modules will be competitive with crystalline-Si PV in terms of both efficiency and with its lower cost.

Abstract: In order to develop more suitable anticorrosive coatings for hydraulic engineering metal structures, studies were carried out on the modification of water-borne inorganic zinc-rich coatings in this paper. Through effective regulation of the type and dosage of various ingredients, such like potassium silicate solution, silicone-acrylate emulsion, zinc powder and additive agent, modified water-borne inorganic zinc-rich coatings equipped with enhanced water and impact resistance were prepared. Coupled with the inherent anti-corrosion and electrochemical protection property, this modified new coating possesses a broader application prospect in hydraulic engineering metal structures.

Abstract: A variety of modification approaches such as cross-linking and blending have been explored to prepare efficient membranes based on SPEEK. The addition of inorganic filler is also one of the most widely used approaches to modify the SPEEK because inorganic additives can withstand relatively higher temperatures than virgin polymer. Different inorganic fillers are used to alter the properties of neat polymer.

Abstract: PTFE/Nafion (PN) membranes were fabricated for the application of moderate and high temperature proton exchange membrane fuel cells (PEMFCs), respectively. Membrane electrode assemblies (MEAs) were fabricated by PTFE/Nafion membranes with commercially available low and high temperature gas diffusion electrodes (GDEs).The influence of [ZrOCl₂]/[Nafio wt. ratio of Nafion/ZrOCl₂ solution on the membrane morphology of NFZrP and PEMFCs performance was investigated. And the influence of hybridizing silicate into the PN membranes on their direct methanol fuel cell (DMFC) performance and methanol crossover was investigated. Silicate in PN membranes causes reduction both in proton conductivity and methanol crossover of membranes. Due to the low conductivity of PTFE and silicate, PNS had a higher proton resistance than Nafion-112.The effects of introducing sub-μm porous PTFE film and ZrP particles into Nafion membranes on the DMFC performance were investigated. The influence of ZrP hybridizing process into NF membranes on the morphology of NFZrP composite membranes and thus on the DMFC performance was also discussed.

Abstract: The development of CdTe/CdS solar cells on flexible substrates is reviewed in this article. Photovoltaic structures on lightweight and flexible substrates have several advantages over the heavy glass based structures in both terrestrial and space applications. The cells mounted on flexible foil are not fragile, the requirements of the supporting structures are minimum and they can be wrapped onto any suitably oriented or curved structures. The specific power of the solar cells is an important factor in space applications and hence development of photovoltaic devices on light weight substrates is interesting. CdTe is one of the leading candidates for photovoltaic applications due to its optimum band gap for the efficient photo-conversion and robustness for industrial production with a variety of film preparation methods. Flexible solar cells with conversion efficiencies exceeding 11% have been developed on polyimide foils. The development of CdTe devices on metallic substrates is impeded due to the lack of a proper ohmic contact between CdTe and the substrate. The polymer substrate has the advantage that the devices can be prepared in both superstrate and substrate configurations.

Abstract: The types and addition dose of zinc in the zinc-rich coating have a significant impact on the character of coating. Two types of the zinc powders and the amount of zinc were researched in this paper. It reveals that flaky zinc coating is better than the spherical zinc coating on corrosion performance, and the performance of the coating will be the best only when the solid content of zinc is reasonable. The results also show that optimal solid content of flaky zinc are 62.5%, 60% and 60.5% in the inorganic zinc-rich coating, epoxy zinc-rich coating and vinyl resin zinc-rich coating, respectively.