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The purpose of this paper is to present the results of studies on the reaction of metal oxides such as Cr₂O₃ and Al₂O₃ with Na₂SO₄ in flowing SO₂ (g) at 1,100 and 1,200 K.

The oxides chosen for the studies were initial scaling products during the oxidation of industrial alloys and invariably are involved in hot‐corrosion reactions in the presence of molten salts. The thermo‐gravimetric studies for the system were carried out as a function of Na₂SO₄ in the mixture. The different constituents in the reaction products were identified by XRD analysis and morphologies of the reaction products were discussed on the basis of optical metallography and scanning electron microscopic studies. The pH and conductivity of the aqueous solutions of reaction products were measured and an attempt made to functionalize these parameters with Na₂SO₄ concentration in the mixture. Quantitative estimation of the soluble metal was carried out using an atomic absorption spectrophotometer. The formation of products was investigated by thermodynamic computation of free energies of the reactions and the study of relevant phase stability diagrams.

Looking at the complex nature of the reactions, it is difficult to generalize the conductance studies, as many complex species are liable to hydrolyze in the aqueous solution. However, the break in few curves at certain mole fraction of Na₂SO₄ indicates the presence of soluble complex species.

The paper provides information regarding the reaction between a pertinent oxide and Na₂SO₄ and proper identification of reaction products, useful for understanding the occurrence and importance of fluxing reactions and in the interpretation of hot corrosion mechanism and the development of new protective materials.

This paper aims to investigate the reusability of metal/metal oxide-coupled ZnO nanorods (ZnO NRs) to degrade rhodamine B (RhB).

ZnO NRs particles were synthesized by precipitation method and used to remove various types of metal ions such as Cu²⁺, Ag⁺, Mn²⁺, Ni²⁺, Pb²⁺, Cd²⁺ and Cr²⁺ ions under UV illumination. The metal/metal oxide-coupled ZnO NRs were characterized by scanning electron microscope, X-ray diffraction and UV-Vis diffuse reflectance. The photodegradation of RhB dye by these metal/metal oxide-coupled ZnO NRs under UV exposure was assessed.

The metal/metal oxide-coupled ZnO NRs were successfully reused to remove RhB dye in which more than >90% of RhB dye was degraded under UV exposure. Furthermore, the coupling of Ag, CuO, MnO₂, Cd and Ni particles onto the surface of ZnO NRs even enhanced the degradation of dye. The dominant reactive species involved in the degradation of RhB dye were ^•OH- and ^•O₂⁻-free radicals.

The coupling of metal/metal oxide onto the surface of ZnO NRs after metal ions removal could affect the photocatalytic performance of ZnO NRs in the degradation of organic pollutants in subsequent stage.

A good reusability performance of metal/metal oxide-coupled ZnO NRs make ZnO NRs become a desirable photocatalyst material for the treatment of wastewater, which consists of both heavy metal ions and organic dyes.

Metal/metal oxide coupling onto the surface of ZnO NRs particles improved subsequent UV-assisted photocatalytic degradation of RhB dye.

The purpose of this paper is to research the morphologies of the oxide films formed on the internal surfaces of water wall tubes in a 600 MW furnace at 300° while using CPT, CT, AVT(R) and AVT(O) water chemistry. In these water chemistry conditions, a layer of oxide film spontaneously forms in the furnace wall which could prevent corrosions in boiler water directly contact with the inner tube and reduce the probability of tube perforation.

The different morphologies, specific functions and distribution in the oxide film were identified by electrochemical workstation, XRD, SEM and EDAX.

It is concluded that metal surface was rugged and had deep corrosion in CPT. Ions penetrated into the oxides of large particles with gaps and intergranular corrosion occurred in CT conditions. In AVT(R), the oxide film uniformly covered on the metal surface played a protective role, but could be easily washed away by solution. The oxide film formed in AVT(O) was similar to AVT(R), but the difference is that large solid particles of Fe₂O₃ cover the outermost oxide film, which prevents the oxide film from being taken away by the flowing solution. In consequence, the degree of corrosion sustained by the tube walls is lowest in the case of AVT(O).

The results can provide reference for reducing the high temperature corrosion of metal in the actual operation.

This review aims to give an overview about zinc oxide (ZnO) based gas sensors and the role of doping in enhancing the gas sensing properties. Gas sensors based on ZnO thin film are preferred for sensing applications because of their modifiable surface morphology, very large surface-to-volume ratio and superior stability due to better crystallinity. The gas detection mechanism involves surface reaction, in which the adsorption of gas molecules on the ZnO thin film affects its conductivity and reduces its electrical properties. One way to enhance the gas sensing properties is by doping ZnO with other elements. A few of the common and previously used dopants include tin (Sn), nickel (Ni) and gallium (Ga).

In this brief review, previous works on doped-ZnO formaldehyde sensing devices are presented and discussed.

Most devices provided good sensing performance with low detection limits. The reported operating temperatures were within the range of 200̊C –400̊C. The performance of the gas sensors can be improved by modifying their nanostructures and/or adding dopants.

As of yet, a specific review on formaldehyde gas sensors based on ZnO metal semiconductors has not been done.

Selection of a gas sensor requires consideration of environmental effects that can significantly affect performance and cause false alarms. Metal‐oxide sensors have high sensitivity due to the specific interactions of gas molecules with thin metal‐oxide films, however, the films can also be sensitive to variations in temperature and humidity and some oxidizing and deoxidizing gases. The purpose of this paper is to evaluate the environmental effect on metal‐oxide nitrogen dioxide (NO₂) sensors quantitatively.

Three commercial metal‐oxide NO₂ sensors and one electrochemical sensor were tested simultaneously under controlled gas concentrations and various environmental conditions. For this test, a customized sensor testing setup was prepared including a gas mixer, heating module, gas chamber, electronics, and data acquisition units.

Based on the test results for NO₂ gas concentrations ranging from 0 to 10 ppm, the metal‐oxide sensors showed significant signal variations at elevated temperatures and humidity. The results provide overall sensor performance. Linearity, repeatability, selectivity and sensitivity of the metal‐oxide sensors were measured and compared to an electrochemical sensor.

A systematic evaluation to characterize metal‐oxide NO₂ sensors is presented, and their comparison regarding sensitivity, selectivity, linearity, and dependence on humidity and temperature is reported. The result provides sensor performance data and guideline for sensor evaluation.

Studere Corrosion has been described as a transformation process in which a metal passes from its elementary form to a combined condition. It includes wet and dry corrosion; the former requires an aqueous environment and the latter is oxidation. Deterioration of the metal due to physical causes is not called corrosion, but is known as erosion, galling, wear, etc, depending upon the material and the conditions. Corrosion is the result of the metal chemical or an electrochemical reaction with its environment. Sometimes the chemical reaction is accompanied by physical deterioration, as in fretting corrosion. It should be noted here that the term corrosion is only applied to metals; non‐metals rot, crack or erode. Also it should be appreciated that only ferrous metals can ‘rust’, i.e. form hydrous ferric oxides.

The first part of this paper appeared in our November/December issue and dealt with fretting wear behaviour of mild steel from room temperature to 600°C in air. The general mechanism for fretting is discussed at all temperatures where normal oxidative processes become involved. The nature of fretting wear is also covered and the effects of temperature are described. In this part of the paper, the discussion is continued to include triboxidation, delamination theory, atmospheric environment, transition temperatures, activitation energy and other factors affecting the influence of temperature on fretting.

This paper aims to analyse the surface evolution of pure recycled titanium subjected to isothermal and cyclic oxidation conditions using dry air as oxidant gas. It is important to mention that the cyclic oxidation behaviour of pure titanium is a process that has been barely studied.

An isothermal and cyclic oxidation reactor was built for these purposes. This installation allows the oxidation of material under the action of any atmosphere and for temperatures up to 1,200°C. For this study, the oxidation behaviour of the material was studied at 850°C and 950°C.

Oxide growth under isothermal oxidation conditions in air follows a parabolic behaviour with an activation energy of 118 kJ/mol, and the oxide phase formed on the surface of the metal was rutile. The cyclic oxidation of the material indicates that oxide is spalled from the surface following linear behaviours; this phenomenon is controlled by the thermal stresses experienced by the samples during heating and cooling cycles.

The material is obtained from the production of electrolytic copper, and during its reprocessing practices at high temperature, it was thought that it could experience some abnormal oxidation. In addition, given that pure titanium is currently used for biomedical application, some surface degree can be given by means of oxidation and subsequent spallation process situation that is found during the cyclic oxidation experiments, which could be a low-cost method to engineer a surface for these purposes.

Even though copper–tungsten has shown signs of potentials, relatively little is currently known about its appropriateness for photovoltaic application. This paper aims to evaluate the suitability of copper-tungs oxides as photovoltaic absorbers while investigating the consequences of oxygen content variation.

Using profilometry, Hall measurements, Seebeck test and spectrophotometry, grown samples were defined. Samples of 5 standard cubic centimeters per minute (sccm) and 7 sccm exhibited appropriate characteristics and were further tested using personal computer one dimension (PC1D) computational simulation at the system stage. To grow materials with an average thickness below 0.45 µm, magnetron co-sputtering was used. Three sample sets, varied by oxygen flow rate, were made with flow rates of 5sccm, 7sccm and 9sccm, respectively.

Some samples proved to be effective absorbers, using a cadmium telluride device as the criterion of output calculation, with one sample chosen as ideal for each type of flow rate. For the chosen samples, an optimum thickness was also obtained, i. It was discovered that thinner cells, optimal for both groups with 0.6 µm, performed better to than other thicknesses.

The material also demonstrated prospects for applications in window layers, but more needs to be known.

Thin film material properties and their operating processes are relatively complex, so it is important to find simple and cost-effective ways to forecast performance. While relatively new, numerical modeling has proven to be very useful in defining the critical properties of thin film devices, thereby helpful for predictions of performance. Solar cell capacitance simulator one dimension, amorphous semiconductor analysis, personal computer one dimension (PC1D), analysis of micro-electronic and photonic structures and automat for simulation for heterostructures (33) are several common models in the thin film industry. Due to its availability and relative ease of use, PC1D was used in this project.

As the search for the balance among performance, cost, reliability and availability continue, more absorber components continue to evolve, notably from the chalcogenides. Because of their ability to absorb light, ternary transition metal chalcogenides are useful in the production of hydrogen and in the energy storage sector, as well as in the production of light-emitting diodes and solar photovoltaic (PV).

There are several methods for the manufacture of copper–tungsten alloys, but the process of combinatorial sputtering of magnetrons provides satisfactory results even for the manufacture of various other materials. Cu₂WSe₄, an excellent alternative to sputtering, is one of the very few copper–tungsten selenide materials tested, synthesized by hot simple injection to have strong crystallinity and lacks impurity. The optical properties of colloidal Cu₂WSe₄ show that Schottky diode–like behaviors are present in the material, suggesting its potential for use in solar cells. Cu-W alloys could have a lot more to give the PV industry, by all indications. Further exploration of the oxides by this work is thus justified. Transparent conducting oxides, interfacial layers or charge-transporting compounds are commonly used as transition metal oxides. Nevertheless, as absorbers, metal oxides such as BiFeO₃ and the traditionally highly studied Cu₂O have been tested, with Cu₂O showing a conversion efficiency of up to 10% under particular conditions. This displays strong electronic and optical properties, so there might be some possibility of studying other PV absorption metal oxides. The optical properties of colloidal Cu₂WSe₄ show that Schottky diode–like behaviors are present in the material, suggesting its potential for use in solar cells.

The purpose of this paper is to investigate the synthesis of calcium-based group of mixed metal oxide (MMO) pigments. The evaluation of these pigments as heat and corrosion resistant was also explored.

Two simple synthesis techniques, namely, co-precipitation and solid-state calcination method, were used to synthesise nanosized MMO pigments. And then the physico-chemical requirements according to standards for the synthesised pigments are investigated.

The prepared MMO pigments were mainly in the single phase double oxide forms. The prepared oxides exhibited good heat (up to 600°C) and corrosion resistance properties (in 5 per cent NaCl for 500 h).

This paper investigates the physico-chemical properties of synthesised calcium-based group of MMO pigments. And then evaluate it as heat and corrosion resistant paints. The simple techniques used for synthesis of nanosized MMO pigments will significantly improve the research and development of pigments’ structure and performance.

Calcium-based MMO pigments can be used as heat and corrosion resistant pigments. The easy synthesis of the mixed oxide pigments will open the door for further vital special industrial uses and applications.

Low cost, simple techniques and using naturally abundant material can be used for mass production of some other low-cost nanosized materials.