Optimum Annealing Temperature Research Articles

Investigation of optical and electrical properties of lithium doped ZnO nano films

Investigation of undoped and lithium doped ZnO nano films deposited on glass substrates by sol-gel spin coating method have been carried out. The structural and morphological properties of the films with optimum post annealing temperature of 350 °C have been investigated using x-ray Diffractometer (XRD) and Field emission scanning electron microscopy (FESEM) respectively. The XRD spectrum reveals that all the synthesised samples have single crystal structure having strong intense peak oriented along (002) c-axis. Crystalline size of undoped and Li doped ZnO nano films were deduced to be 34.66 nm and 32.59 nm respectively. FESEM exhibits uniform chromosome type structure. Nano films show transmittance above 90% in the range of wavelength 350 nm to 800 nm. I–V characteristic shows linear and ohmic behaviour.

Raman spectroscopy study of solution-processed In2O3 thin films: effect of annealing temperature on the characteristics of In2O3 semiconductors and thin-film transistors

We investigate the effect of annealing temperature on the characteristics of solution-processed indium oxide (In2O3) films. From thermogravimetric analysis of the precursor solution, annealing temperatures of 150, 350, and 450 °C are adopted. The In2O3 films are analyzed by ultraviolet/visible spectroscopy, atomic force microscopy, grazing incidence X-ray diffraction, and Hall-effect measurement. Raman spectroscopy is used to examine the crystal polymorphism of the solution-processed films. Experimental results suggest that the optimal annealing temperature can be 350 °C. The transistor with the In2O3 semiconductor annealed at 350 °C exhibits the field-effect mobility of 1.4 V/cm2 and on/off ratio of 2.1 × 106.

Effects of thermal annealing conditions on the electrical characteristics of TES-ADT thin-film transistors

We investigated the annealing temperature and exposure period dependence of electrical characteristics of bottom-gate/top-contact solution-processed organic thin-film transistors (TFTs) fabricated on ITO-patterned substrates using 5,11-bis(triethylsilylethynyl)anthradithiophene(TES-ADT), PVP-co-PMMA, and silver as the semiconductor, gate dielectric, and drain and source electrodes, respectively. The semiconductor films were thermally annealed at 60, 80, and 90 °C for 60 min; then, the optimal annealing temperature, which proved to be 80 °C, was considered to investigate the impact of exposure time by exposing the film for 30, 60, and 90 min. Experimental results indicate that the medium temperature resulted in the better electrical performance, whereas the high temperature proved to be detrimental by causing ruptures through the film. According to our study, TES-ADT film annealed at 80 °C for 60 min results in the finest semiconductor microstructure, which improves the electrical characteristics, whereas lower or higher temperatures and shorter or longer annealing times lead to an unfavorable structure that hampers charge transport in the film.

Synchronous Detection of BPV and BVDV with Duplex Taqman qPCR Method

Background: Bovine parvovirus (BPV) and bovine viral diarrhea virus (BVDV) are commonly etiologies causing diarrhea in dairy herds. BPV is a member of bocaparvovirus genus with a non-enveloped capsid. BVDV, belonging to Pestivirus genus in Flaviviridae, possesses a single-stranded RNA, and is classified into BVDV-1 and BVDV-2 genotypes according to the 5’UTR sequence. 21 genetic groups of BVDV-1 and four groups of BVDV-2 have been found. Diagnosis of viral diarrhea is often relied on virus detection by isolation or detection of serum antibody. The main objective of the present study was to establish a duplex real time PCR (qPCR) based on Taqman probe to detect synchronously BPV and BVDV. Materials, Methods & Results: TaqMan probe and primers were designed and synthesized from the sequences of conserved 5′ - untranslated regions (5′ UTR) of Haden strain of BPV and NADL strain of BVDV. The cDNAs were transcribed in vitro to make standard curves before optimizing the assay. DNA/PCR products were ligated into pMD18-T vector, and then used to transfer BL-21 competent cells to acquire the recombinant plasmids of pMD18-T-BPV and pMD18-T-BVDV. Optimum reaction conditions were comparatively selected. The sensitivity, specificity and reproducibility of TaqMan probe qRT-PCR were evaluated respectively. The results showed the concentrations of pMD18-T-BPV or pMD18-T-BVDV were 2.0 × 1010 DNA copies/μL, respectively. A duplex Taqman qPCR method was developed by optimizing the amplification conditions to simultaneously detect BPV and BVDV. The assay targets at highly conserved VP2 gene of BPV and 5′ UTR gene of BVDV. This qPCR assay was assessed for specificity and sensitivity using DNA of BPV and cDNA of BVDV. For clinical validation, 308 samples were tested from clinically diarrhea calves. The results showed that optimum annealing temperature was achieved in 43.2 ℃ fro duplex BPV and BPIV. Dynamic curves and standard curves were created following amplification of recombinant plasmids using the optimized duplex Taqman BPV and BVDV, with an amplification efficiency of 95.69%. Duplex Taqman qPCR could only detect DNA of BPV and cDNA of BVDV with a strong specificity. The detection limitation was as low as 2.0 × 102 copies/μL of pMD18-T-BPV plasmid and 2.0 × 101 copies/μL for pMD18-T-BVDV plasmid, respectively. Sensitivity of detection was 100-fold higher than conventional PCR. Duplex Taqman qPCR had excellent repeatability or stability with less than 1.2% of intra-assay and inter-assay. 35 and 47 positive feces samples were identified using duplex Taqman qPCR in comparison to 30 and 42 positives for universal PCR, respectively. Discussion: The bovine viral diarrhea virus (BVDV) is a key pathogenic factor in bovine diarrhea. Currently, few effective measures are available for the treatment or prevention for BVDV and BPV infections in animals. The technique was proven to be repeatable and linear over a range of at least 5 magnitudes, from 101 to 105 RNA/DNA copies, thus ensuring an accurate measurement of BPV DNA and BVDV RNA loads in clinical samples. In conclusion, a duplex Taqman qPCR was established for detecting simultaneously BPV and BVDV. Taqman qPCR method was rapid and specific assay. This assay was 100-fold sensitive than conventional PCR. It will be propitious to rapidly and differentially diagnose pathogens of viral diarrhea of dairy farms. Taqman qPCR method was rapid and specific assay and had a sensitivity of 2.0 copies/μL.

Crystallization behavior and magnetic properties for the Fe73(Si0.64B0.27P0.09)23+xCu1Nb3-x (x=0, 1 and 2) alloys

In this work, with the aim of delivering the raw materials cost savings, P-containing Finemet-type Fe73(Si0.64B0.27P0.09)23+xCu1Nb3-x (x = 0, 1 and 2) amorphous alloys were fabricated by the single roller melt spinning technique to decrease Nb content. The dependence of (Si + B + P)23+x/Nb3-x ratio on crystallization behaviors and magnetic properties were investigated. The decrease of (Si + B + P)23+x/Nb3-x ratio reduced the onset temperature of ɑ-(Fe,Si) and boride phase, the interval of two onset crystallization temperatures decreases slightly, however, the crystallized alloys show a small coercivity (Hc) and moderate saturation magnetization (Ms) after annealed at the temperature higher or lower about 30 or 40 °C than the first crystallization peak temperature (Tp1-30 °C < Ta < Tp1 + 40 °C) for different anneal-holding time. For Fe73(Si0.64B0.27P0.09)24Cu1Nb2 alloy, we can attain a small Hc = 1.07 A/m, moderate Bs = 1.29 T (Ms = 140.9 emu/g) and μe = 46,600 at 1 kHz after annealed at its optimal annealing temperature about 506 °C for 40 min. In addition, it is worth noting that Fe73(Si0.64B0.27P0.09)24Cu1Nb2 nanocrystalline alloy exhibits a stable μe in a wide frequency range from 50 kHz to 200 kHz, which can open the way to new applications.

Optimization of conditions for improved solar energy harvesting application by hydrothermally grown TiO2 nanorods

In this study, using the optimum annealing temperature and time for hydrothermally grown TiO2 nanorods, photooxidation of water at different pH values of the electrolyte solution is investigated. The composition, crystallinity and topographic studies of films, sintered at different temperatures of 200–500 °C for 2 h and annealed for 1–4 h at 400 °C, were evaluated by X-ray diffraction, Raman spectroscopy, X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy and field emission scanning electron microscopy. The sintering at high temperature and for longer time demonstrates an increase in crystallinity, but at the same time agglomeration of nanorods for prolonged heating and at high temperature leads to cracking at the surface of the films. Further, UV–Vis spectroscopic studies revealed prolonged heating and high-temperature sintering resulted in a red shift in light absorption edge of the films. The chronoamperometric measurement results under regular interrupted chopping revealed that the sample annealed at 400 °C for 2 h gives the best photoelectrochemical response with photocurrent density of 522 µA cm− 2 using 0.5M NaOH. The chronoamperometric response under different pH values of 13.7, 7.2 and 2.5 proved that TiO2 gives the best response under a basic pH of 13.7 and the least under acidic media. The electrochemical impedance studies provided an insight into the charge transfer mechanism under dark and illumination with Rct value of 1188.8 Ω under dark and 164.5 Ω under light conditions for the film annealed at 400 °C for 2 h.

Application of real-time polymerase chain reaction using species specific primer targeting on mitochondrial cytochrome-b gene for analysis of pork in meatball products.

Objective:This study aimed to design specific primers derived from mitochondrial cytb of Sus Scrofa (1F1R primer) used in the pork meatball analysis using real time polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR) method.Materials and Methods:Such designed primers were validated and these included specificity of primer, linearity, and sensitivity of the method as well as the repeatability test. The primers were specifically affirmed in the fresh tissue of chickens, cows, pigs, and goats. The linearity and sensitivity of the method was conducted by measuring the amplification curve from a series of dilution (0, 1, 1, 10, 100, 1,000, and 10,000 pg/μl of DNA) extracted from 100% pork meatball formulation. The repeatability test was conducted by determining the cycle threshold (Ct) values of RT-PCR amplification from 100% pork meatball formulation as many as six times.Results:Primer of 1F1R (forward: 5′-ACG CGA TAT AAG CAG GTA AA-3′; reverse: 5′-CTG CTT TCG TAG CAC GTA TT-3′) was specific in analyzing the presence of pork in meatball formulation at 47.1°C, which was optimum annealing temperature. The DNA identification was able to use the primers by RT-PCR with 1 pg as the limit of detection, efficiency value was 242.58%, and the coefficient of determination value (R2) was 0.956. The coefficient of variance was 4.13%. The developed method was also fruitfully applied to analyze commercial meatballs.Conclusion:RT-PCR method using specific primers targeting on mitochondrial gene (1F1R primer) could be used as the standard method for identification of pork in food samples intended for halal authentication studies.

Luminescence properties and cathodoluminescence degradation of Bi doped SrO powder

Bi3+ doped strontium oxide (SrO:Bi) phosphor powders were synthesized by the solgel combustion method using metal nitrates as precursors and citric acid as fuel. The optimum Bi3+ doping concentration was found to be 0.2 mol. %, and the optimum annealing temperature was found to be 1100 °C (2 h). The x-ray diffraction patterns corresponded with the known face-centered-cubic structure of SrO. Williamson–Hall plots showed that the crystallite size was in the range of ∼180 nm. Diffuse reflectance measurements of the pure host material showed that it was strongly reflecting (∼100%) down to a wavelength of about 230 nm, but when doped with Bi, an absorption band at 275 nm was observed that increased with Bi concentration. Scanning electron microscopy revealed a cubic morphology, and the grain size increased with annealing temperature. Photoluminescence measurements indicated that the phosphor exhibited efficient blue emission around 445 nm under UV excitation, which also occurred for electron irradiation, but slightly shifted about 5 nm to a longer wavelength. Auger electron spectroscopy (AES) was employed to analyze the surface chemical composition of the powder after pumping to a vacuum pressure of 2.6 × 10−8 Torr and back-filling the vacuum system with O2 to a pressure of 1.0 × 10−7 Torr. By simultaneous monitoring of the cathodoluminescence (CL) and AES peak-to-peak heights over time for 22 h, the CL degradation of the phosphor was investigated. SrO was found to be stable under electron irradiation. The phosphor may have potential applications in the fields of lighting and displays due to its broad blue emission.

Effects of thermal-mechanical treatment on microstructure and properties of Cu-Zn-Fe alloy

In this paper the effects of thermal-mechanical treatment on microstructure and properties of Cu-Zn-Fe alloy have been studied by metallographic observation, SEM, hardness measurement and electrical conductivity measurement. The mechanical properties and electrical properties of Cu-Zn-Fe alloy are improved through hot rolling, cold rolling, annealing at high temperature, further cold rolling and annealing at low temperature. The optimum final annealing temperature is 200°C, and the optimum annealing time is 2 hours. The best comprehensive properties of the alloy can be reached at hardness of 194.83HV and conductivity of 37.2% IACS. Fe works as solute atoms in the alloy, and Fe can inhibit the growth of the grain during the process of deformation and heat treatment, thus improving the mechanical properties of the alloy. No precipitation strengthening phenomenon was observed during the process of annealing at 480 °C, which indicates the alloy is a working hardening alloy.

Mechanical property of C/SiC corrugated lattice core composite sandwich panels after high temperature annealing

Carbon fiber reinforced silicon carbide (C/SiC) corrugated lattice core composite sandwich panels fabricated by precursor infiltration and pyrolysis (PIP) were treated at temperatures ranging from 1400 °C to 1800 °C. The effects of high temperature annealing on the physical and mechanical properties of the composite sandwich panels were investigated. With the annealing temperature increasing, the compression properties of the composite sandwich structures increased initially and then decreased reversely. Out of the three samples, the compression strength and the modulus of the specimen treated at 1400 °C are maximal at 3.50 MPa and 54.45 MPa, suggesting the optimal annealing temperature for mechanical properties is 1400 °C. Two competing mechanisms including crystallization and carbothermal reduction determined the mechanical properties of the composite sandwich structures. Furthermore, the high temperature mechanical properties of C/SiC corrugated lattice core composite sandwich panels after heat treatment were investigated.

The magnetic properties and domain structures of nanocrystalline Ce–Fe–B magnets with enhanced maximum energy products

Optimizing of alloy composition and heat-treatment for rapidly solidified Ce–Fe–B magnets can lead nanocrystalline products with enhanced magnetic properties. In this work, the magnetic properties and domain structures of the nanocrystalline Ce[Formula: see text]Fe[Formula: see text]Co1Zr[Formula: see text]B6 have been investigated. The results show that hard Ce2Fe[Formula: see text]B magnetic phase and paramagnetic CeFe2 phase are crystallized for the heat treated alloys, while the volume fraction and grain size of Ce2Fe[Formula: see text]B and CeFe2 phases change significantly with the increase of annealing temperature. The enhanced coercivity H[Formula: see text] of 6.32 kOe and maximum energy products (BH)[Formula: see text] of 5.52 MGOe have been observed for the Ce[Formula: see text]Fe[Formula: see text]Co1Zr[Formula: see text]B6 ribbons at the optimal annealing temperature of 520[Formula: see text]C and 580[Formula: see text]C, respectively. Meanwhile, the magnetization reversal behaviors and the nucleation field of the annealed sample were discussed in detail. The domain structures analysis provides more information on the characteristic of the domain width W as well as the exchange interactions.

Influence of post-deposition annealing on the chemical states of crystalline tantalum pentoxide films

We investigate the effect of post-deposition annealing (for temperatures from 848 K to 1273 K) on the chemical properties of crystalline Ta$_2$O$_5$ films grown on Si(100) substrates by radio frequency magnetron sputtering. The atomic arrangement, as determined by X-ray diffraction, is predominately hexagonal ($\delta$-Ta$_2$O$_5$) for the films exposed to heat treatments at 948 K and 1048 K; orthorhombic ($\beta$-Ta$_2$O$_5$) for samples annealed at 1148 K and 1273 K; and amorphous for samples annealed at temperatures below 948 K. X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy for Ta $4f$ and O $1s$ core-levels were performed to evaluate the chemical properties of all films as a function of annealing temperature. Upon analysis, it is observed the Ta $4f$ spectrum characteristic of Ta in Ta$^{5+}$ and the formation of Ta-oxide phases with oxidation states Ta$^{1+}$, Ta$^{2+}$, Ta$^{3+}$, and Ta$^{4+}$. The study reveals that the increase in annealing temperature increases the percentage of the state Ta$^{5+}$ and the reduction of the others indicating that higher temperatures are more desirable to produce Ta$_2$O$_5$, however, there seems to be an optimal annealing temperature that maximizes the O\% to Ta\% ratio. We found that at 1273 K the ratio slightly reduces suggesting oxygen depletion.

Plasmadynamic synthesis in the Si-C-N-O system

The present work is aimed at studying the possibility of synthesizing nanodispersed particles in the Si-C-N-O system and then studying the resulting synthesis products. Three series of experiments were carried out under different atmospheres of the reactor chamber: air, air + argon, argon. The possibility of synthesis of particles of the ternary Si-C-N system was considered. In the course of the study, it was found that, in the air atmosphere of the reactor chamber, the production of silicon carbonitride particles is not feasible due to the oxidation of precursor phases. The result was the production of nanodispersed particles of cubic silicon carbide, which were obtained by the method of plasmadynamic synthesis in a hyper-velocity jet silicon-carbon plasma. The obtained products were subjected to a thermal analysis. During the thermal analysis, the most optimal annealing temperature range was found to be 600-700 °C. Annealing at this temperature in air allows the synthesis product to be eliminated from the unreacted carbon phase.

Development of Novel Mutation-Specific Droplet Digital PCR Assays Detecting TERT Promoter Mutations in Tumor and Plasma Samples

Detecting mutations in the plasma of patients with solid tumors is becoming a valuable method of diagnosing and monitoring cancer. The TERT promoter is mutated at high frequencies in multiple cancer types, most commonly at positions -124 and -146 (designated C228T and C250T, respectively). Detection of these mutations has been challenging because of the high GC content of this region (approximately 80%). We describe development of novel probe-based droplet digital PCR assays that specifically detect and quantify these two mutations, along with the less common 242-243 CC>TT mutation, and demonstrate their application using human tumor and plasma samples from melanoma patients. Assay designs and running conditions were optimized using cancer cell line genomic DNAs with the C228T or C250T mutations. The limits of detection were 0.062% and 0.051% mutant allele fraction for the C228T and C250T assays, respectively. Concordance of 100% was observed between droplet digital PCR and sequencing-based orthogonal methods in the detection of TERT mutant DNA in 32 formalin-fixed, paraffin-embedded melanoma tumors. TERTmutant DNA was also identified in 21 of 27 plasma samples (78%) from patients with TERTmutant tumors, with plasma mutant allele fractions ranging from 0.06% to 15.3%. There were no false positives in plasma. These data demonstrate the potential of these assays to specifically detect and quantify TERTmutant DNA in tumors and plasma of cancer patients.

Annealing temperature of nanostructured SnS on the role of the absorber layer

This study reports an experimental and theoretical research on the optimal annealing temperature, absorber layer thickness, and operational temperature of nanostructured SnS-based solar cells fabricated using the ethyl cellulose binder. The SnS powder was synthesized by a co-precipitation method. Characterization of the prepared powder by X-ray diffraction (XRD) and field emission scanning electron microscopy (FESEM) revealed polycrystalline orthorhombic nanostructures with a mean size lower than 50 nm while UV–Vis-NIR and photoluminescence (PL) spectroscopies showed the suitability of the nanostructures for photovoltaic applications. According to the initial assessments, the SnS nanostructures were used to fabricate solar cell devices by depositing a blocking layer (BL) and an electron transport layer (ETL), as the buffer layers, and annealing the absorber SnS layer at 200–500 ℃. To determine the optimal annealing temperature, different measurements were performed. Based on the obtained results, the sample annealed at the lowest temperature (200 ℃) can present the highest efficiency (0.58%) by producing the highest carrier concentration and minimizing the scatter of carrier transportation in its crystalline lattice. Also, this sample shows best external quantum efficiency (EQE) about 44% and the lowest charge-transfer resistance by improving carrier collection. Finally, SCAPS simulation program was conducted evaluate the effect of the absorber's thickness and the operational temperature on the performance of the fabricated solar cells. The simulation results were further validated by conducting additional experiments. Obtained results show an increase in thickness and operational temperature resulted in a corresponding increase and decrease in the efficiency of our solar cells, respectively.

The annealing effect on microstructure and ESR properties of (Cu/Ni) co-doped ZnO nanoparticles

Zn0.94Cu0.01Ni0.05O nanoparticles were synthesized by sol-gel technique and annealed under varying wide temperature range (450, 500, 550, 600, 700, 800, and 900 0C). Differential thermal analysis (DTA), and thermo gravimetric analysis were performed using a wide temperature range with optimizing the annealing temperature and clarifying the possible weight losses. The structural variation of nanoparticles with dopant ratio and annealing temperature were studied by X-ray diffraction technique and we found that the nanoparticles annealed at 450, 500 and 550 °C were optimum annealing temperatures with the property of single phase with ZnO wurtzite hexagonal structure. Above 550 °C, two phases were observed, namely ZnO and NiO. A slight temperature dependent less structural distortion was revealed with NiO phase especially after the sample annealed at 550 °C. The microstructural parameters were also presented. Cluster shape random agglomeration was observed in all frames of SEM images obtained by different annealing temperatures. Detailed Electron Spin Resonance (ESR) measurements were performed to reveal the magnetic behaviour of all nanoparticles.

REAL-TIME PCR OPTIMIZATION FOR LISTERIA MONOCYTOGENES GENOME DETECTION

Listeria monocytogenes is one of the major food contaminants causing the illness, called Listeriosis. Listeriosis incidence is much less, than the number salmonellosis and campylobacteriosis cases, but the clinical disease is significantly more severe and has a higher mortality. That’s why the development of species-specific PCR techniques to detect L. monocytogenes genome is a topical task. L. monocytogenes bacteria genome detection technique using real-time polymerase chain reaction (qRT-PCR) was improved. The amplification target was a highly specific and suitable for qualification of all strains iap gen, coding L. monocytogenes р60 surface protein. Optimum magnesium concentration (6 mM) and primer annealing temperature (57 °С) were selected. The sensitivity and specificity of the technique were identified. Detection threshold was 120 target molecules. The results obtained demonstrate that optimized qRT-PCR version, based on iap gen amplification, enables to detect L. monocytogenes in animal product and food samples. Optimized qRT-PCR-based screening tests ensure rapid and reliable results.

Effect of Diffusion Annealing Temperature on Crack-initiating Omnipresent Flaws, Void/crack Propagation and Dislocation Movements Along Ni Surface-layered Bi-2223 Crystal Structure

This study aims to find out the crucial variations in the mechanical performance and characterization of Bi-2223 superconducting compounds with the diffusion annealing temperatures interval 650 °C-850 °C by means of Vickers hardness measurements exerted at the different applied indentation test loads ( 0.245 N-2.940 N) and derived theoretical findings. All the experimental measurement results and theoretical evidences declare that the mechanical characterization and performance are obtained to improve with the increment in the diffusion annealing temperature up the value of 700 °C as a consequence of decrement in the grain boundary coupling problems, local structural distortions, grain misorientations, lattice strains, lattice defects, disorders and dislocations in the adjacent layers. Namely, the optimum annealing temperature of 700 °C resulting in the optimum penetration of Ni impurities into both the superconducting grains and over the grain boundaries develops the crystallinity of Bi-2223 crystal structure. In other words, the surface energy related to the crack-initiating omnipresent flaws, void/crack propagation and dislocation movement reduces due to the augmented critical stress value. In this respect, the diffusion annealing temperature of 700 °C develops the mechanical durability, stiffness, ideal fracture and flexural strength. However, after the certain diffusion annealing temperature value of 700 °C, the crystallinity tends to degrade considerably and in fact dwelling in the worst crystal structure for 850 °C annealing temperature . Accordingly, t he initial crack growths, sizes of crack-producing flaws, void/crack propagation and dislocation movement in the copper-oxide consecutively stacked layers reac h much more rapidly to the critical speeds due to the increased stress amplification so that the Bi-2223 compound with the augmented brittle behavior breaks at even lower test load. Moreover, it is observed that the presence of optimum nickel impurities in the crystal structure strengthens the standard indentation size effect behavior.

Identification of ferric oxide polymorphs in nanoparticles prepared by sol-gel method and maximization of ε-Fe2O3 content

Abstract The effects of annealing temperature (1000–1125 °C) and Fe2O3 mass fraction (0.3–0.5) in the initial mixture on the composition of ferric oxide polymorphs within the Fe2O3/SiO2 nanocomposite prepared by sol-gel method were investigated. The structural and magnetic properties of prepared samples were characterized in detail by combination of X-ray powder diffraction (XRPD), high-resolution transmission electron microscopy, magnetic measurements and a local probe technique - transmission Mossbauer spectroscopy (TMS). The optimal conditions for preparation of e-Fe2O3 rich sample were established and ∼91% of the e-phase was reached with the characteristic particle diameter of 25 nm. It was observed that with increasing mass fraction of Fe2O3 in the starting material, the optimal annealing temperature decreases, while the width of the particle size distribution tends to increase. The relative concentrations of the four present polymorphs derived from XRD and TMS are in very good mutual agreement.

Increased homogenous clusters in superconducting paths with diffusion of optimum Ni impurities into Bi-2223 crystal

This study deals with variations of electrical and superconducting features of Bi-2223 superconducting materials exposed to Ni impurity diffusion at different annealing temperatures (650 °C ≤ T ≤ 850 °C) by temperature-dependent resistivity measurements. It is found that the characteristic properties improve with annealing temperature up to 700 °C as a result of enhancement in the truly-metallic characteristics, interaction quality, formation of Cooper-pairs and overlapping of Cu-3d and O-2p wave functions. Similarly, the optimum annealing temperature of 700 °C diminishes the omnipresent flaws and structural defects. Additionally, we design a strong theory (Percolation) to discuss the role of nickel impurities on fundamental aspects of material science and physical quantities as regards stabilization of superconductivity in the homogeneous regions and formation of superconducting clusters in the paths for the first time. Further, we develop an empirical relationship between the structural problems and transition temperatures to obtain a superconductor exhibiting the highest electrical and superconducting features.