Solution Bi Research Articles

Structure and dielectric properties of solid solutions Bi7−2xNd2xTi4NbO21(x = 0.0, 0.2, 0.4, 0.6, 0.8, 1.0)

The electrophysical and structural characteristics of bismuth titanate oxides of a number of phases of solid solutions of the Aurivillius phases Bi[Formula: see text]Nd[Formula: see text]Ti4[Formula: see text] ([Formula: see text] = 0.0, 0.2, 0.4, 0.6, 0.8, 1.0) having a layered structure of the perovskite type have been investigated. According to the XRD data, all studied compounds are single-phase and have a mixed-layer structure of Aurivillius phases ([Formula: see text] = 2.5) with a rhombic crystal lattice (space group I2cm, [Formula: see text] = 2). A relationship has been established between changes in the chemical composition of solid solutions and orthorhombic and tetragonal distortions of perovskite-like layers. The temperature dependences of the relative permittivity [Formula: see text]/[Formula: see text](T) are measured. It was found that the change in the phase transition temperature — Curie temperature [Formula: see text] synthesized Aurivillius phases Bi[Formula: see text]Nd[Formula: see text]Ti4[Formula: see text] ([Formula: see text] = 0.0, 0.2, 0.4, 0.6, 0.8, 1.0) has a close to linear dependence on the change in the parameter [Formula: see text]. The activation energies of charge carriers in different temperature ranges were calculated. It was found that three clearly defined temperature ranges with different activation energies can be distinguished, which is associated with the different nature of charge carriers in the studied solid solutions of the perovskite type. The effect of substitution of Nd[Formula: see text] ions for Bi[Formula: see text] ions is investigated.

Solid Solution of Bi and Sb for Robust Lithium Storage Enabled by Consecutive Alloying Reaction.

Materials with alloying reactions have significant potential as electrodes for lithium-ion batteries (LIBs) due to its high theoretical capacity and appropriate lithiation potentials. Nonetheless, their cycling performance is inferior due to violent volume expansion and severe pulverization of active materials. Herein, solid solution of Bi0.5 Sb0.5 encapsulated with carbon is discovered to enable consecutive alloying reactions with manageable volume change, suitable for developing LIBs with high capacity and robust cyclability. A Sb-rich shell and Bi-rich core structure is formed in cycling since the alloying reaction between Sb and Li occurs first, followed by the alloying reaction between Bi and Li. Such a consecutive alloying reaction obeying the thermodynamic path is experimentally realized by the carbon capsulation, which acts as a protecting solid layer to avoid polarized reactions occurred when exposed directly to liquid electrolyte. The LIBs using Bi0.5 Sb0.5 @carbon run on the consecutive alloying reactions exhibits high capacity, prolonged lifespan (489.4 mAh g-1 after 2000 cycles at 1 A g-1 ) and fast kinetic, while those using bare Bi0.5 Sb0.5 suffer from worsened kinetic and thus a poor cycling performance owning to the polarized reactions. The work paves a way of developing alloy electrodes for alkaline-ion rechargeable batteries with potential industry applications.

Enhanced photoluminescence property of porous silicon treated with bismuth (III)

This work focuses on the impact of Bismuth (Bi) solution treatment on the optical properties of p-type porous silicon prepared by electrochemical anodization. Bi-layers of variable thickness are incorporated in porous silicon via a dip coating technique. The changes in the structural and optical properties of Bi (III)/PS nanostructures are monitored by Atomic Force Microscopy, Fourier transform infrared measurements and photoluminescence spectroscopy. These analyses highlight a relevant impact of the deposition process, which modifies the intrinsic properties of the porous silicon by the incorporation of Bi (III) in its pores. It is found that ultra-thin films of bismuth oxide formed after a heat treatment in air at 400 °C and deposited on PS samples leads to its stability as well as to passivating its dangling bands. For thicknesses ranging from 6 to 20 nm, the photoluminescence property in the visible region of Bi/PS nanostructures has been improved. This may be of interest for various optoelectronic applications.

3D-printed fluidic electrochemical microcell for sequential injection/stripping analysis of heavy metals

In this paper, a 3D-printed microfluidic device is described which is suitable for sequential injection/anodic stripping voltammetric (SIA-ASV) determination of Pb(II) and Cd(II). The fluidic device is manufactured by 3D-printing in a single-step using a dual extruder 3D printer. The device is composed of a microfluidic cell (printed from a non-conductive polylactic acid (PLA) filament) and of 3 electrodes (printed from a conductive carbon-loaded PLA filament) which are integrated within the fluidic cell. During the preconcentration step, a zone of the sample (containing the target cations) and a zone of Bi(III) solution are mixed on-line and the cations are reduced on the working electrode forming a bismuth alloy. The detection step involves a voltametric scan in static solution, in which the accumulated metals are oxidized while the oxidation current is monitored. After the optimization of the relevant parameters, the limit of detection is 0.38 μg L−1 for Pb(II) and 0.57 μg L−1 for Cd(II), while the within-device repeatability and the between-device reproducibility are lower than 4.5% (n = 8) and 9% (n = 6), respectively, for both cations at the 30 μg L−1 level. The device was successfully applied to the simultaneous determination of Pb(II) and Cd(II) in a honey sample.

Effect of Major Factors on the Composition of Thin Bi2Se3 Films

The influence of the quantitative composition of the electrolyte and galvanostatic electrolysis conditions on the composition of thin Bi2Se3 semiconductor films electrochemically deposited in the galvanostatic mode from a solution of Bi(NO3)3·5H2O and H2SeO3 in ethylene glycol was studied. The results show that, with an increase in the current density and H2SeO3 concentration, the bismuth content of the thin films decreases. As the electrolyte temperature, Bi(NO3)3·5H2O concentration, and electrolysis time are increased, the bismuth content of the thin films increases. The optimum electrolyte composition and electrochemical deposition conditions for obtaining thin Bi2Se3 films of the composition close to stoichiometric were determined.

Impact of business intelligence solutions on the internationalisation of French software firms

Business intelligence solutions play a crucial role in the process of internationalisation for small and large companies. However, small and medium-sized firms have not been taking full advantage of these solutions. This multiple case study aims to explore the perceptions of owners and senior managers of French small and medium-sized software firms on the use of business intelligence in their internationalisation process using the updated Uppsala model as conceptual framework. The results of this research demonstrated that small and medium-sized software firms in France are not taking advantage of business intelligence solutions as most of them do not use these solutions, nevertheless, they perceive that BI solutions have a positive impact on the success of their internationalisation process. This article contains implications for practice for the BI solutions providers like having an alternative pricing model for SMEs and for the authorities to provide relevant data to software SMEs.

Data mining for small shops: Empowering brick-and-mortar stores through BI functionalities of a loyalty program1

ABSTRACT While the analysis and usage of data are increasing in importance, the application of sophisticated BI solutions in small stores is limited by available technical capabilities and financial resources. This study investigates how brick-and-mortar stores can benefit from an expansion of service functionalities of a cross-industry loyalty card provider. Digitalizing the loyalty program created new opportunities, while the analysis of shopping data of 13 years, 19,000 customers, and 55 shops empowered data-based decision support.

Removal of bismuth ions utilizing pillared ilerite nanoclay: Kinetic thermodynamic studies and environmental application

Abstract It is very important to purify and remediate the environment by removing the heavy metals such as bismuth. Herein, Na-ilerite nanoclay was prepared and then treated to produce SiO2 pillared ilerite. For exploring the morphological structure, functional groups, and surface area of the ilerite before and after pillaring, different characterization techniques were used; scanning electron microscope (SEM), X-Ray diffraction (XRD), FT-IR, and surface area analysis solid. The prepared pillared ilerite nanoclay was used as an adsorbent for removing Bi(III) from model solution, and environmental samples. The characterization results indicates the pillaring of the ilerite nanoclay, and the great enhancement in the specific surface area of the ilerite upon pillaring from 45.0 m2 g−1 to 582 m2 g−1. The effects of pillared ilerite nanoclay mass, adsorption time, solution pH, ionic strength, and temperature on the removal of Bi(III) had been explored. The optimum removal capacity of pillared ilerite obtained was about 139.9 mg Bi(III)/g using 0.02 L of 100 mg L−1 Bi(III) solution, and pillared ilerite 5.0 mg within 60.0 min, at pH 2.0, and 298 K. Bi(III) ions removal by pillared ilerite was studied kinetically as well as thermodynamically, and the findings showed the pseudo-second-order kinetic model suitability, electrostatic, endothermic, chemical, and spontaneity nature of the removal process. Moreover, pillared ilerite nanoclay could be used for three consecutive times for the efficient removal of Bi(III) with high efficiency. Finally, the pillared ilerite nanoclay applicability for removal of Bi(III) in different spiked Red Sea water, waste water, and tap water sample was investigated and the pillared ilerite nanoclay showed a great potential application to removing Bi(III) from the environment.

Magnetite–Activated Carbon Nanocomposites: Synthesis, Sorption Properties, and Bioavailability

Two approaches were considered in searching for an efficient procedure for preparing magnetic nanocomposites based on activated carbon and magnetite nanoparticles by chemical precipitation: preliminary synthesis of magnetite nanoparticles by chemical precipitation from solutions of bi- and trivalent iron salts, followed by introduction of the nanoparticles into the activated carbon matrix, and synthesis of magnetite nanoparticles in the activated carbon matrix. A comparative analysis of the content of magnetite nanoparticles and functional characteristics (textural parameters, sorption capacity, saturation magnetization, and coercive force of the nanocomposites) was made. The ex situ synthesis proved to be the best procedure for preparing nanocomposite sorbents based on activated carbon and magnetite nanoparticles by chemical precipitation, as judged from the yield and functional characteristics of the target product. In biological testing, the maximal harmless (inactive) concentration of the magnetic nanocomposite in the test system with microalgae appeared to be higher by an order of magnitude than that in the test system with ciliates.

Photocatalytic preconcentration of Bi on TiO2 nanoparticles

Titanium dioxide nanoparticles (NP-TiO2) are implemented for the dispersive micro-solid phase extraction of Bi by photocatalytic adsorption by UVA irradiation (365 nm) in the presence of ethanol as a sacrificial agent. The determination of bismuth was carried out by electrothermal atomic absorption spectrometry. The optimization stage was performed using the response surface method, implementing a Box-Behnken design. The proposed methodology does not require pH conditioning of the sample for Bi adsorption on NP-TiO2. The procedure reached limits of detection and quantification of 0.5 and 1.6 ng L−1 respectively. The relative standard deviation was 8.3% for a Bi solution of 50 ng L−1, with a preconcentration factor of 20 when 20 mL of sample were treated with 30 mg of NP-TiO2 and eluted with 1 mL of HNO3. The method was applied to the determination of Bi in digested copper ore samples, obtaining quantitative recoveries.

Strategic Impact of Business Intelligence : A Review of Literature

Review of literature is a very critical part of the research journey. The tenacity of this research was to explain a step-by-step guide to expedite understanding by presenting the critical components of the literature review process. We collected and synthesized business intelligence specific research papers from relevant journals with the help of web aggregator. This research paper discussed the strategy of analyzing 553 business intelligence research papers published from 2007-2018. We utilized exploratory research methodology to analyze the research conducted on BI solutions during the defined period. The research ripened a holistic, theoretically grounded, and relevant approach for reviewing the literature on business intelligence. It specified, defined, and positioned the existing BI solution research and helped identify the areas which need further exploration.

Construction of a New Flow‐through Cell for Screen Printed Electrodes

AbstractIn this paper a new flow‐through cell for voltammetric determinations using screen printed electrodes is described. This cell is much simpler than one with similar performances described in a previous work. This new flow‐through cell has been coupled to a multisyringe flow injection system (MSFIA) and to a multiport selection valve allowing the online calibration using the standard addition method. The uses of the MSFIA, together with the small volume of the flow cell and the reduced surface area of the solid phase electrode (SPE) have considerably reduced the volume of reagents and samples to be used. This system has allowed obtaining similar or better detection limits than those obtained using other techniques and flow analysis devices such as SIA, FIA, LOV and microfluidic channels. Graphite ink has been used for the development of screen‐printed electrodes. The determination of Cd and Pb with ASV has been made through its co‐deposition with Bi. For this, Bi(III) solution and the sample were mixed in line. Due to the creation of a new Bi film in each voltammetric cycle, very well defined and reproducible peaks corresponding to Cd and Pb have been obtained. The use of Bi is one of the most important advantages of this system, since it is a recognized substitute for Hg, and its impact on the environment is much lower due to its reduced toxicity. The fact of being an automatic system, the low cost of its components, its simplicity and ease of handling, make it a system that could be useful for monitoring tasks in fieldwork, or measurements on board.

High-Mobility Flexible Oxyselenide Thin-Film Transistors Prepared by a Solution-Assisted Method.

Two-dimensional (2D) semiconductors hold great promise in flexible electronics because of their intrinsic flexibility and high electrical performance. However, the lack of facile synthetic and subsequent device fabrication approaches of high-mobility 2D semiconducting thin films still hinders their practical applications. Here, we developed a facile, rapid, and scalable solution-assisted method for the synthesis of a high-mobility semiconducting oxyselenide (Bi2O2Se) thin film by the selenization and decomposition of a precursor solution of Bi(NO3)3·5H2O. Simply by changing the rotation speed in spin-coating of the precursor solution, the thicknesses of Bi2O2Se thin films can be precisely controlled down to few atomic layers. The as-synthesized Bi2O2Se thin film exhibited a high Hall mobility of ∼74 cm2 V-1 s-1 at room temperature, which is much superior to other 2D thin-film semiconductors such as transition metal dichalcogenides. Remarkably, flexible top-gated Bi2O2Se transistors showed excellent electrical stability under repeated electrical measurements on flat and bent substrates. Furthermore, Bi2O2Se transistor devices on muscovite substrates can be readily transferred onto flexible polyvinyl chloride (PVC) substrates with the help of thermal release tape. The integration of a high-mobility thin-film semiconductor, excellent stability, and easy transfer onto flexible substrates make Bi2O2Se a competitive candidate for future flexible electronics.

Using external data in a BI solution to optimise waste management

ABSTRACTBI solutions are constantly being developed to support decision-making at various organisational levels. These solutions facilitate the compilation, aggregation and summarisation of large volumes of data. Consequently, the business value created by these systems is increasing as they sustain more and more advanced analytics, ranging from descriptive analytics, to predictive analytics, to prescriptive analytics. However, most organisations work primarily with internal data. Despite many references in the literature to the value hidden in external data, details on how such data can be used are scarce. In this paper, we present the results of an extensive action case study at a public waste management company. The results illustrate how external data from several external data sources, integrated into an up-and-running BI solution, are used jointly to allow for descriptive and predictive analytics, as well as prescriptive analytics. In addition, details of these analytical values are given and related to organisational benefits.

Simple Template-Free Synthesis of Bi<sub>2</sub>O<sub>3</sub> Microflowers Composed of Nanorods

This paper reports that α-Bi2O3 microflowers can be synthesized by an extremely simple and easy approach of inducing a reaction through the addition of NaOH aqueous solution to a mixed aqueous solution of Bi(NO3)3·5H2O and HNO3 scanning electron microscopy images of the Bi2O3 microflowers indicate that the Bi2O3 nanorods grew radially from the centre of the microflower to form the microflower shape. The findings of this study show that control of the reaction temperature, reaction time, and raw material mixture ratio plays an important role in the formation of α-Bi2O3 microflowers. It is especially revealed that α-Bi2O3 microflowers can be formed at low temperatures with short reaction times. It has thus far been reported that flower-shaped Bi2O3 particles or their precursors can be synthesized by the addition of additives such as organic molecules or certain inorganic ions. The present work reports on the discovery of ways to synthesize flower-shaped Bi2O3 particles without the use of special additives.

Comparative Analysis of Two BI Tools: Micro Strategy and Tableau

The need for enterprise business intelligence initiatives has skyrocketed due to the potential to empower businesses to make better data driven decisions. Better insights are being needed by business users into core business problems as they need access to these insights faster than ever before. Many BI vendors have provided feasible options to buyer looking to implement BI solution. It is difficult for a business person to reach any one decision when given a variety of options.BI previously had merely reporting capabilities, BI solutions have progressively acquired drastic functionality, like data mining, improved analytics tools, and online analytical processing (OLAP) services, with various company mergers and acquisitions, and the BI field has evolved to more complex and heavy BI solutions.Two widely used BI-tools for reporting and providing business insights are MicroStrategy and Tableau. MicroStrategy is well known for its software which is based on single code base, it is suitable for applications of all sizes; grips hardware, operating system, and data source infrastructure while making BI more accessible for business users. Tableau supports ad hoc analysis for the day to day user, it facilitates the business users to better visualize and understand their data. Also, for easy consumption, it allows to display the KPIs easily on a centralized analytics platform.

New Way of Synthesis of Basic Bismuth Nitrate by Electrodeposition from Ethanol Solution: Characterization and Application for Removal of RB19 from Water

A new method of synthesis was developed for the preparation of sorbent basic bismuth nitrate [Bi6O5(OH)3](NO3)5·2H2O (BBN-EtOH). This electrochemical method includes electrodeposition from an acidic Bi(III) solution in 96% ethanol at a constant current density of 150.0 mA cm–2. Final product was obtained by thermal treatment at 200 °C. Characterization of BBN-EtOH was conducted by employing XRD, FTIR, SEM–EDX as well as BET, and its pI was also determined. The analysis showed that the material obtained is pure [Bi6O5(OH)3](NO3)5·2H2O. Morphologically, it is composed of aggregates which were formed of several smaller particles of various shapes and sizes, some smaller than 100 nm. Electrochemically synthesized sorbent (BBN-EtOH) was used for the removal of the textile dye Reactive Blue 19 (RB19) from deionized water and model solution of river water, and it showed considerably superior sorption performance compared to other inorganic sorbents synthesized by conventional methods reported in the literature. Kinetic study suggests that the sorption process is both under reaction and diffusion control. Equilibrium of the sorption process was attained in several minutes, i.e., the sorption process is very fast. The sorption equilibrium data were well interpreted by the Langmuir, Sips and Brouers–Sotolongo isotherm. The maximum sorption performance was achieved at pH 2.0, and according to the Langmuir isotherm, it is 1344.99 mg g–1.

Electrochemical synthesis and characterization of basic bismuth nitrate [Bi6O5(OH)3](NO3)5·2H2O: a potential highly efficient sorbent for textile reactive dye removal

A new method of synthesis was developed for the preparation of basic bismuth nitrate [Bi6O5(OH)3](NO3)5·2H2O (ECBBN). Electrochemical synthesis of the material was carried out by galvanostatic electrodeposition from an acidic Bi(III) solution on a Ti substrate and further thermal treatment in air at 200 °C. Characterization of ECBBN was conducted by employing SEM–EDX, N2 adsorption, XRD and FTIR, and its pI was also determined. The analyses showed that the material obtained was pure [Bi6O5(OH)3](NO3)5·2H2O. Morphologically, ECBBN aggregates were composed of crystals, some smaller than 50 nm. Electrochemically synthesized sorbent (ECBBN) was used for the removal of the textile dye Reactive Blue 19 (RB19) from deionized water and model solutions of polluted river water, and it showed considerably superior sorption performance compared to other inorganic sorbents synthesized by conventional methods reported in the literature. A kinetic study suggests that the sorption process is both under reaction and diffusion control. Equilibration of the sorption process was attained in several minutes, i.e. the sorption process is very fast. The sorption equilibrium data were well interpreted by the Langmuir, Redlich–Peterson and Brouers–Sotolongo isotherm. Using Langmuir isotherm, the maximum sorption capacity of ECBBN was reached at pH 2 and was 1049.19 mg g−1.

Realizing high figure of merit plateau in Ge1-xBixTe via enhanced Bi solution and Ge precipitation

We reported in this work that both a broad plateau (623–773 K) of high figure of merit ZT (over 1.8) and a decent peak ZT∼2.0 at 773 K can be simultaneously achieved in Bi-doped Ge1-xBixTe sample as x = 0.07 when it experienced a water quench process. Distinct from Bi2Te3 alloying, Bi-doping in GeTe not only produces Ge “neutral vacancies” which eventually evolve into planar van der Waals gaps, but also generate residual Ge atoms which precipitate intrinsically as secondary phase. Additional water quench process is concluded to be of two main functions: (i) increasing the solution of Bi in GeTe matrix, and (ii) suppressing the Ge phase aggregation. The former function further modulates the matrix structure and electronic band, resulting in an improved Seebeck coefficient; while the latter one results in increased Ge/GeTe phase boundaries hence enhanced phonon scattering. Besides, the structure of intrinsic Ge precipitation and enhanced Bi solution is thermally stable; the water quenched Ge0.93Bi0.07Te sample can retain the high thermoelectric performance after 2-days annealing at 773 K. Our finding in this work might shed light on future researches in GeTe and related thermoelectric material systems.

Composites g-C3N4 and BiOIO3 for photocatalytic decomposition of N2O

The composites of graphitic carbon nitride (g-C3N4) and BiOIO3 with different weight ratios of both components (1:1, 2:1, 4:1 and 6:1) were prepared by heating of their mechanical mixtures. Bismuth iodate was prepared by hydrothermal treatment of aqueous solutions of Bi(NO3)3·5H2O and I2O5. Pure g-C3N4 was prepared by thermal polycondenzation of melamine at 620 °C. All of the samples were characterized using X-ray powder diffraction (XRPD), transmission electron microscopy (TEM), high resolution transmission electron microscopy (HRTEM), UV-VIS diffuse reflectance spectroscopy (DRS), photoluminescence (PL) spectroscopy, X-ray photoelectron (XPS) and Fourier transformed infrared (FTIR) spectroscopy. The measurement of photocurrents was used for the study of photogenerated charge carriers and nitrogen physisorption for the evaluation of specific surface area (SSA) and pore size distribution of the samples. The photodegradation activity of the samples was tested by the UVA light photocatalytic decomposition of N2O. The highest photodegradation activity was observed for the 1:1 composite, which was 2 and 2.5 times higher in comparison to pure BiOIO3 and g-C3N4, respectively. The enhanced photocatalytic activity was explained by a significant reduction of charge carriers’ recombination due to the formation of a heterojunction between g-C3N4 and BiOIO3.