Semitransparent organic photovoltaics (ST-OPVs) offer promising prospects for application in building-integrated photovoltaic systems and greenhouses, but further improvement of their performance faces a delicate trade-off between the two competing indexes of power conversion efficiency (PCE) and average visible transmittance (AVT). Herein, the authors take advantage of coupling plasmonics with the optical design of ST-OPVs to enhance near-infrared absorption and hence simultaneously improve efficiency and visible transparency to the maximum extent. By integrating core-bishell PdCu@Au@SiO2 nanotripods that act as optically isotropic Lambertian sources with near-infrared-customized localized surface plasmon resonance in an optimal ternary PM6:BTP-eC9:L8-BO-based ST-OPV, it is shown that their interplay with a multilayer optical coupling layer, consisting of ZnS(130nm)/Na3AlF6(60nm)/WO3(100nm)/LaF3(50nm) identified from high-throughput optical screening, leads to a record-high PCE of 16.14% (certified as 15.90%) along with an excellent AVT of 33.02%. The strong enhancement of the light utilization efficiency by ≈50% as compared to the counterpart device without optical engineering provides an encouraging and universal pathway for promoting breakthroughs in ST-OPVs from meticulous optical design.

The present research demonstrates a novel 1D photonic crystal (PhC) based reconfigurable biosensor pertaining to label-free detection of different concentrations of progesterone and estradiol, which play a vital role in developing reproductive hormones in women. The proposed sensor is designed by an alternative arrangement of Na3 AlF6 and CeO2, with a central defect layer. A thin layer of novel phase change chalcogenide material (Ge2 Sb2 Te5) is deposited along the two sides of the defect layer to improve the sensing performance. Numerical simulation of transmission spectrum for TE mode is carried out by using the transfer matrix method (TMM). The mainstay of this research is centered on the assay of shift in the defect mode position and intensity with respect to different concentrations of analyte, by changing the phase of the GST material from amorphous to crystalline. Interestingly, we observed a high tunability in defect mode wavelength, when the phase is changed from amorphous to crystalline, which leads to accomplishment of a high sensitivity of 1.75 nm/nmol/L for progesterone and 20.5 nm/nmol/L for estradiol. Aside from sensitivity, other significant parameters like figure of merit and detection limit are computed, which give a deep insight into the sensing performance. These encouraging sensing performances pave the path for efficient detection of different concentrations of progesterone and estradiol to monitor various gynecological problems in women.

Phosphogypsum, which contains more than 90% of the calcium sulfate dehydrate (CaSO4 · 2H2O), is a kind of important renewable gypsum resources. Unlike the natural gypsum, however, phosphorus, fluorine, organic matter and other harmful impurities in phosphogypsum limit its practical use. To ascertain the existence form, content and phase distribution of trace fluoride in phosphogypsum has important theoretical values in removing trace fluoride effectively. In this present paper, the main existence form and phase distribution of trace fluoride in phosphogypsum was investigated by the combination of X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS) and Electron microprobe analysis (EMPA). The results show that trace fluoride phase mainly includes NaF, KF, CaF2, K2SiF6, Na2SiF6, Na3AlF6, K3AlF6, AlF3 · 3H2O, AlF2.3(OH)0.7 · H2O, Ca5(PO4)3F, Ca10(PO4)6F2. Among them, 4.83% of fluorine exists in the form of fluoride (NaF, KF, CaF2); Accordingly, 8.43% in the form of fluoride phosphate (Ca5(PO4)3F, Ca10(PO4)6F2); 12.21% in the form of fluorine aluminate (Na3AlF6, K3AlF6); 41.52% in the form of fluorosilicate (K2SiF6, Na2SiF6); 33.02% in the form of aluminum fluoride with crystal water (AlF3 · 3H2O, AlF2.3(OH)0.7 · H2O). In the analysis of phase constitution for trace elements in solid samples, the method of combining XPS and EMPA has more advantages. This study also provides theoretical basis for the removal of trace fluorine impurity and the effective recovery of fluorine resources.

Using methods of spectral, X-ray diffraction and scanning electron microscopy study of ИЧХ28Н2 (Russian grade) brand iron in two conditions was conducted: without the addition of modifying mixture, and after the introduction of mixture of ultra- and nanopowder d-metal oxides with reductant cryolite (Na3 AlF6 ). The element composition, phase composition, microstructure of metal matrix and eutectic are studied. It was established that addition of modifying mixture with reducing agent (Na3 AlF6 ) changes morphological structure, ratio of main phases, decreases rate of corrosion and increases corrosion resistance by 15 %.

We have synthesized a Cryolite type iron hexafluoroferrates by mild chemistry complex formation reaction. For the first time their electrochemical properties as positive electrode materials in rechargeable batteries were studied. The alpha-Li3FeF6 delivered a 116 mAh/g reversible capacity at an average discharge voltage of 3.0 V maintaining good capacity retention of about 30 cycles at a 0.2 mA/cm2 rate. The preliminary results are reported.

Oxidation of AlN with Cryolite Adition

Cryolite crystallization from a melt: macroscopic and structural features

Nous presentons dans ce travail, l'evolution en temperature des spectres haute resolution solide (MAS) de 27 Al, 2 3 Na et 19 F dans la cryolite solide (Na 3 AlF 6 ), de 20 a 300°C. Les evolutions des deplacements chimiques et des largeurs de raie, nous ont permis pour chacun des noyaux de caracteriser la mise en mouvement et de donner une image plus precise de la mobilite des especes dans le solide. Ces mesures ont ete completees, pour le sodium, par des experiences de 2D d'echange qui permettent d'acceder aux constantes d'equilibre des echanges chimiques.

A new high temperature Nuclear Magnetic Resonance device using double laser heating system has been developed for NMR experiments up to 1500°C. Different systems have been investigated, both of theoritical and applied interest. We report here three examples, where the appearance and the role of mobile species are characterized by 27 Al, 23 Na and 19 F NMR signal evolution with temperature : solid - liquid transition in cryolite Na3 AlF6 , β-α alumina transformation with fluoride mineralizer, and the effects of mineralizer CaF2 on the high temperature reactions in the clinker formation.

Endosulfan, oxamyl, and esfenvalarate all were highly toxic to Perillus bioculatus (F.), a predator of the Colorado potato beetle, Leptinotarsa deeemlineata (Say). Toxicity assays consisted of topical application to eggs, nymphs, and adults; exposure of nymphs to treated foliage; and ingestion by P. bioeulatus nymphs of Colorado potato beetle larvae previously exposed to treated foliage. P. bioculatus egg hatch was unaffected by topical application of the pesticides. Topical application of neem seed extract to third-instar nymphs delayed molting and caused deformities after the molt in some insects, whereas the synergist piperonyl butoxide and the botanical insecticide rotenone caused significant mortality. Cryolite (sodium fluoaluminate), Bacillus thuringiensis var. san diego, horticultural oil, insecticidal soap, and three fungicides (chlorothalonil, rnaneb, and meta laxly) caused very little predator mortality at any life stage tested. Acontrol program using these materials would likely be compatible with the natural buildup of P. bioeulatus populations or with augmentative release of this predator. In a small-plot field study, release of P. bioeulatus in conjunction with bacterial insecticides provided significant control of Colorado potato beetles for at least 2 wk, suppressing larval populations by 76% compared with plots treated only with bacterial insecticides.

Four of six pesticides used in potato pest management were highly toxic to adults of both the Mexican and Colombian biotypes of Edovum puttlert Grissell when exposed to cages dipped in pesticide solutions. In general, older parasitoid immatures within Colorado potato beetle (CPB), Leptinotarsa decemlineata (Say), eggs were less susceptible than adults and younger immatures. Susceptibility between the Mexican and Colombian biotypes also differed. The insecticides methamidophos, fenvalerate + piperonyl butoxide (PBO), and rotenone + PBO caused between 97 and 100% adult mortality within 24 h. Exposure of adults to the insect growth regulator triflumuron caused no reduced survival at 1 and 7 days posttreatment compared with H2O and undipped controls. Following exposure to the fungicide Du-ter (triphenyltin hydroxide), mortality was lower for the Colombian E. puttleri. than for the Mexican at both 1 and 7 days postexposure. The reverse was true for sodium fluoaluminate. Young (1–2 days old), immature E. puttleri (within CPB eggs) of both biotypes were highly susceptible to fenvalerate + PBO and triflumuron. However, neither methamidophos nor triphenyltin hydroxide significantly reduced the survival of either biotype. Rotenone + PBO and sodium fluoaluminate reduced the survival of young immature E. puttleri to ca. 10 and 20%, respectively. The percentage emergence for older (7–8 days) immature E. puttleri (within darkened CPB eggs) was significantly reduced after exposure to fen valerate + PBO.

Effects of airborne fluorides on workers at a cryolite production plant.

Reaction between aluminum and graphite in the presence of cryolite

Pyrohydrolysis of Cryolite and Other Fluoride-Bearing Materials

Determination of Aluminum as Sodium Fluoaluminate

Abnormal changes in hemocytes have been described in at least five different insects: in Calliptamus which had eaten sodium arsenite (Tareeva and Nenjukov, 1931), in Locusta migratoria after feeding on sodium arsenite and sodium silico-fluoride (Pilat, 1935), in Schistocerca gregaria poisoned with sodium arsenite (Lepesme, 1937). in Prodenia eridania larvae fed sandwiches containing calcium arsenate, barium fluosilicate, sodium fluoaluminate, sodium fluoride, and mercuric chloride (Yeager and Munson, 1942), and in Ephestia kuhniella after fumigation with methyl bromide, carbon tetrachloride, or dichloroethyl ether (Arnold, 1952).

Toxicity of Natural and Synthetic Cryolites to Rats

Effects of Insecticides on the Mid–gut Wall of a LarvaTHE specific action of insecticides on the tissues of various insects is a little–explored field. Knowledge of this kind may prove of value in the selection, improvement and appliction of methods of insect control. A review of the physical and chemical effects of poisons on insect tissues cells and secretions is given by Trappmann (Z. Pflanzenkrank., 48; 1938), while the most recent contribution to this subject is by P. A. Woke, of the U.S. Department of Agriculture. In the Journal of Agricultural Research, 61, 321–29 (1940), this writer discusses the effects of certain insecticides on the walls of the mid–intestine of the larva of the “southern army worm” (Prodenia eridania). Lethal doses of the poisons were fed to the larvae in turnip–leaf or sweet potato–leaf “sandwiches”. The subjects of the trials were then killed and fixed after different intervals and the tissues examined histologically for comparison with control individuals. It appears that the action of arsenicals was followed by disintegration of the epithelial lining of the mid–intestine and damage to the visceral muscle–fibres. Ingestion of sodium fluoride resulted in disintegration of the substance of the cytoplasm and the nuclei. The epithelial cells of those larvæ that had ingested sodium fluoaluminate were greatly disintegrated and the cross–striations of the muscle–fibres were faint or obliterated. On the other hand, no changes in the epithelium or muscle–fibres followed the ingestion of barium fluosilicate, phenothiazine or rotenone that could be attributed with certainty to the substances named. Rotenone, it may be added, varies remarkably in its toxic action on different species of insects. Silkworm larvæ, for example, died within two hours from the effects of taking in minute quantities of this substance, whereas southern armyworm larvse readily ingested 5–10 mgm. without showing ill effects. With regard to sodium fluoride, the observation of Hockenyos that this compound can be absorbed in lethal amounts directly through the integument of cockroaches, requires fuller exploration.

Investigations on the use of fluorine compounds for the control of various insects have been carried on by the Bureau of Entomology and Plant Quarantine and other investigators for a number of years. One of the most promising of these materials is cryolite, a mineral mined almost exclusively in Greenland and imported into this country for various uses. The principal constituent of natural cryolite is a double fluoride of sodium and aluminum, sodium fluoaluminate (Na3AlF6). The mineral is contaminated with small amounts of iron, silica, etc. The fluorine is the essential insecticidal element. Sodium fluoaluminate, or synthetic cryolite, is also made by chemical processes.

A New form of Cryolite