The influence of the reaction gas composition during the DC magnetron sputtering process on the structural, chemical and optical properties of Ce-oxide thin films was investigated. X-ray diffraction (XRD) studies confirmed that all thin films exhibited a polycrystalline character with cubic fluorite structure for cerium dioxide. X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS) analyses revealed that cerium is present in two oxidation states, namely as CeO2 and Ce2O3, at the surface of the films prepared at oxygen/argon flow ratios between 0% and 7%, whereas the films are completely oxidized into CeO2 as the aforementioned ratio increases beyond 14%. Various optical parameters for the thin films (including an optical band gap in the range of 2.25–3.1 eV) were derived from the UV–Vis reflectance. A significant change in the band gap was observed as oxygen/argon flow ratio was raised from 7% to 14% and this finding is consistent with the high-resolution XPS analysis of Ce 3d that reports a mixture of Ce2O3 and CeO2 in the films. Density functional theory (DFT+U) implemented in the Cambridge Serial Total Energy Package (CASTEP) was carried out to simulate the optical constants of CeO2 clusters at ground state. The computed electronic density of states (DOSs) of the optimized unit cell of CeO2 yields a band gap that agrees well with the experimentally measured optical band gap. The simulated and measured absorption coefficient (α) exhibited a similar trend and, to some extent, have similar values in the wavelength range from 100 to 2500 nm. The combined results of this study demonstrate good correlation between the theoretical and experimental findings.
The current research reports the preparation and fabrication of the silver paste conductor which is employed as a soldering material for electro – optical components ohmic interconnections. The prepared paste possesses electrical characteristics identical to the ohmic connectors as its observable from resistance – temperature variation. Moreover, the I – V characteristics obeys Ohm’s law and this dependency was further confirmed by the nearly constant capacitance measurements with voltage and frequency. A noticeable improvement in electrical conductivity, compared to the pure silver paste sample, was noted for samples prepared by mixing predetermined weight ratios of brass and copper. Furthermore, stability of electrical resistan
... Show MoreThe main objective of this study is to determine whether the use of He-Ne Laser (632.8 nm wavelength and power 0.5 mW) is an eligible and effective tool to kill or reduce the cell viability of Candida albicans isolated from complete upper dentures. Twenty one swabs were taken from the complete upper dentures. Only six swabs showed positive cultures for C. albicans. The isolate was divided into two groups, group I was not irradiated (control), and group II was irradiated by He-Ne Laser for different periods (10, 15, 20, and 30) min. After irradiation, the results showed a significant reduction in the viable cell count and colonies diameters especially at exposure periods 10 and 15 min. Although the low power He-Ne Laser was not eradicating t
... Show MoreBackground: The type of dental implant surface is one of many factors that determine the success of implant restoration. This study aimed to study the effect of mixture of nano titanium oxide with nanohydroxyapatite coating of screw shaped CPTi dental implant on bond strength at bone implant interface by torque removal test related to two healing periods (2 and 6 weeks). Materials and methods: Dip coating process was performed to get an even coating layer on CPTi screws. X-ray diffraction (XRD) analysis and microscopical examination were performed on the coating surfaces of the CPTi. The tibia of 10 white New Zealand rabbits was chosen as implantation sites. The tibia of each rabbit received two screws, one was coated with mixture of nanoT
... Show MoreIn this study, stabilization of expansive soils using waste materials namely; Cement Kiln Dust (CKD), and waste plastic bottles (WPB) was experimentally investigated. Using CKD and WPB are exponentially increasing day by day, due to their capability to solve both environmental and geotechnical problems successfully. Expansive soils were collected from locations with a wide range of plasticity index (PI) (15 - 27) and liquid limit (LL) (35% - 64%). Stabilizer percentages were varied from 0% to 20%, and curing durations for CKD cases were 7 and 28 days. Results showed the best percentages of CKD and WPB are 12% of each one respectively. LL, plastic limit (PL), and swelling percent (SP) loss were observed, which are 46%, 55%, and 96% respec
... Show MoreThe optical transmission and UV-VIS absorption spectra have been recorded in the wavelength range (200-1100m) for different composition of polyaniline and polyvinyl Alcohol(PVA ) blends thin films. Polyaniline was prepared in acidic medium to enhancement the solubility and processibility, The optical energy gap (Eopt) refractive index and optical dielectric constant real and imaginary part have been evaluated. The effects of doping percentage of prepared polyaniline on these parameters was discussed and the non –linear behavior for all these parameters was investigated.
Actinomycetes are free, spore-forming, high (G+C) ratio (>55%) saprophytic microorganisms that are widely distributed in most soils, colonize plants, and are prevalent in water. This is frequently accompanied by the production of filament airborne mycelium. Actinomycetes are well-known microcolonies for creating antibiotics and other critical bioactive components that are beneficial to humans. Approximately 70% to 80% of commercially available medications and antiviral active compounds have been synthesized so far. Secondary metabolites produced by microbes have the potential to be used in a variety of sectors, including antimicrobial agents, enzyme technology, pigment manufacture, antitumor agents against cancer cells, and toxin pr
... Show MoreLaue back reflection patterns for quartz crystal are indexed by using Orient Express- program to simulate orientation of single crystals from assignment of principle zones. An oriented quartz single crystal was used as a substrate to deposit Zn metal by controlled thermal evaporation to achieve single crystal films of Zn that are subsequently evaluated by x-ray powder diffraction.