Junctionless Negative-Differential-Resistance Device Using 2D Van-Der-Waals Layered Materials for Ternary Parallel Computing.

Negative-differential-resistance (NDR) devices offer a promising pathway for developing future computing technologies characterized by exceptionally low energy consumption, especially multivalued logic computing. Nevertheless, conventional approaches aimed at attaining the NDR phenomenon involve intricate junction configurations and/or external doping processes in the channel region, impeding the progress of NDR devices to the circuit and system levels. Here, an NDR device is presented that incorporates a channel without junctions. The NDR phenomenon is achieved by introducing a metal-insulator-semiconductor capacitor to a portion of the channel area. This approach establishes partial potential barrier and well that effectively restrict the movement of hole and electron carriers within specific voltage ranges. Consequently, this facilitates the implementation of both a ternary inverter and a ternary static-random-access-memory, which are essential components in the development of multivalued logic computing technology.

A Van Der Waals Reconfigurable Multi-Valued Logic Device and Circuit Based on Tunable Negative-Differential-Resistance Phenomenon.

Multi-valued logic (MVL) technology that utilizes more than two logic states has recently been reconsidered because of the demand for greater power saving in current binary logic systems. Extensive efforts have been invested in developing MVL devices with multiple threshold voltages by adopting negative differential transconductance and resistance. In this study, a reconfigurable, multiple negative-differential-resistance (m-NDR) device with an electric-field-induced tunability of multiple threshold voltages is reported, which comprises a BP/ReS2 heterojunction and a ReS2 /h-BN/metal capacitor. Tunability for the m-NDR phenomenon is achieved via the resistance modulation of the ReS2 layer by electrical pulses applied to the capacitor region. Reconfigurability is verified in terms of the function of an MVL circuit composed of a reconfigurable m-NDR device and a load transistor, wherein staggered-type and broken-type double peak-NDR device operations are adopted for ternary inverter and latch circuits, respectively.

High-Efficiency WSe2 Photovoltaic Devices with Electron-Selective Contacts.

A rapid surge in global energy consumption has led to a greater demand for renewable energy to overcome energy resource limitations and environmental problems. Recently, a number of van der Waals materials have been highlighted as efficient absorbers for very thin and highly efficient photovoltaic (PV) devices. Despite the predicted potential, achieving power conversion efficiencies (PCEs) above 5% in PV devices based on van der Waals materials has been challenging. Here, we demonstrate a vertical WSe2 PV device with a high PCE of 5.44% under one-sun AM1.5G illumination. We reveal the multifunctional nature of a tungsten oxide layer, which promotes a stronger internal electric field by overcoming limitations imposed by the Fermi-level pinning at WSe2 interfaces and acts as an electron-selective contact in combination with monolayer graphene. Together with the developed bottom contact scheme, this simple yet effective contact engineering method improves the PCE by more than five times.

Selective Hydrogenation of Acetylene to Ethylene Over Nanosized Gold and Palladium Supported Catalysts.

Ethylene, the main raw material for polyethylene production, is a by-product produced by thermally decomposing naphtha and it contains a small amount of acetylene. The acetylene reacts as a permanent catalyst poison for the ethylene polymerization catalyst. In this study, we wanted to improve the acetylene conversion and the ethylene selectivity by selective hydrogenation of acetylene for removing acetylene contained in ethylene. Catalyst was prepared by loading nanosized gold (Au) and palladium (Pd) particles on support (Al2O3, TiO2). Deposition order Au and Pd particles was changed. The activity of the catalyst was investigated using a flow-typed fixed bed reactor under atmospheric pressure. Au and Pd particles deposited on TiO2 were oxidized to Au2O3 and PdO due to strong metal support interaction (SMSI). It was considered that the Au/Pd/Al2O3 catalyst was more active than the Pd/Au/Al2O3 catalyst due to the formation of the interface between Au particles and Pd particles (or support). But Pd/Au/Al2O3 catalyst is considered to have poor activity because Pd particles cover part of the interface between Au and the support. Au/Pd/Al2O3 catalyst showed the best catalytic activity, and acetylene conversion and ethylene selectivity were 100% and about 80% at 40 °C, respectively.

Preparation of Styrenated Phenol Over SO2-4/ZrO2 Catalyst in a Large-Scale Synthesis Process.

Styrenated phenols (SPs) are usually synthesized by the reaction of styrene and phenol under acid catalysts. SPs with a high content of di-styrenated phenol (DSP) can be used to prepare styrenated phenol alkoxylate (SP-A). Therefore, in this study, a scale-up process for synthesizing SPs with high DSP content which can be used for synthesis of SP-A was studied. The solid catalyst used in this study was prepared by impregnation method. SO2-4 was impregnated on a SO2-4/ZrO2 catalyst in an aqueous 1 M H2SO4 solution. The prepared catalysts were characterized by NH3-TPD. Catalytic activity was examined by measuring the conversion of phenol and styrene in a liquid-phase batch reactor. Almost 100% conversion of both phenol and styrene over 5-SO2-4/ZrO2 catalyst was obtained at a reaction temperature of 80 °C and a reaction time of 6 h. The amount of catalyst to the reactants was 2 wt%. Under the same reaction conditions, the selectivity of MSP, DSP, and TSP was 12.4%, 64.5%, and 23.1% respectively.

A Synthesis of Alkoxylates from Styrenated Phenols and Ethylene Carbonate Over KOH/La2O3 Catalysts.

Styrenated phenol alkoxylates (SP-A) are prepared from styrenated phenols (SP) and ethylene oxide (EO) under a homogeneous base catalyst. However, to use EO that is difficult to handle, a high-pressure reaction device capable of reaction process control should be used. Additionally, the homogeneous base catalyst requires a neutralization process to remove the remaining catalyst after the reaction, and it is difficult to separate the catalysts and the product. Therefore, in this study, the separation of product and catalyst by using KOH/La2O3 catalyst was facilitated in the production of SP-A. Also, it was possible to produce SP-A under atmospheric pressure reaction conditions using EC. The mean molecular weight of SP-A varied depending on the reaction conditions, and the size of the mean molecular weight could be arbitrarily controlled by changing the reaction conditions.

Characterization of Cotton Ball-like Au/ZnO Photocatalyst Synthesized in a Micro-Reactor.

Noble metal/metal oxide nanostructures are an efficient system in photocatalysis. Continuous and scalable production of advanced particle systems will be a requirement for commercial-scale deployment for many applications, including photocatalysis. In this work, Au/ZnO structures were synthesized in a continuous flow micro-reactor at room temperature and the detailed characteristics of the product indicate a specific cotton ball-like core-shell microstructure that showcases specific advantages compared to traditional batch synthesis methods. The formation pathway of the core-shell Au/ZnO structures is discussed with the pH-dependent speciation diagram, and photocatalytic activity was assessed under simulated sunlight, demonstrating the enhanced performance of the cotton ball-like Au/ZnO microstructures in photocatalytic dye degradation. This work describes the application of microreaction technology in the continuous production of metal/metal oxide photocatalysts.

Precipitation of Nickel Oxide on TiO2 Photocatalysts for Enhanced Visible Degradation Activity.

The liquid phase plasma (LPP) synthetic process has been exploited to synthesize nickel oxide nanoparticles doped TiO2 photocatalyst (NOTP) that can respond to visible light. The physicochemical properties of NOTPs were studied by several analysis instruments. The nickel oxide nanoparticles precipitated uniformly on the TiO2 powder are mostly NiO. The band gap energy of the NOTP measured was 2.99 eV, which was smaller than that of bare TiO2, 3.12 eV. The NOTP synthesized in this work showed high photoactivity under visible blue light.

A Study on H2SO4-Treated MxOy Catalysts for Styrenated Phenols by Alkylation of Phenol with Styrene.

Styrenated phenols (SPs) involving very small amount of unreacted phenol and high content of di-SP (DSP) were synthesized, which can be used to prepare SP alkoxylate. The solid catalyst was prepared by impregnation method. SO2-4 on SO2-4/MxOy catalyst was introduced from an aqueous 1M-H2SO4 solution. The catalysts were characterized by XRD patterns, and FT-IR spectra. The catalytic activity was examined by measuring conversion of phenol and styrene in a batch liquid-phase reactor. The concentration of phenol, styrene, and SPs were measured by GC with capillary column. The optimum synthesis conditions for concentration of sulfuric acid solution, catalyst amount of reactants, reaction temperature, and reaction time over SO2-4/ZrO2 catalyst were 15 wt%, 15 wt%, 100 °C, and 6 hr, respectively. At these conditions, conversion of both phenol and styrene were almost 100%, and the selectivity of DSP was 52.1%. On the other hand, the optimum synthesis conditions over SO2-4/TiO2 catalyst were 10 wt%, 5 wt%, 100 °C, and 1 hr, respectively, and conversion of both phenol and styrene were almost 100%, and the selectivity of DSP was 66.1%.

A Study on Synthesis of Styrenated Phenol Over Al · Ni/SiO2-Supported Catalysts.

Styrenated phenol was prepared by an alkylation of phenol using NiCl2 and AlCl3 supported on silica gel. The conversion of phenol and styrene of alkylation reaction, and the selectivity of styrenated phenol were investigated. The Al · Ni/SiO2 Supported catalyst was used, the conversion of phenol was almost 100%. The product was in the form of a mixture of mono-styrenated phenol, di-styrenated phenol and tri-styrenated phenol. The styrenated phenol were selectivity of the varies depending on the reaction conditions.

Facile Synthesis and Characterization of Zinc Oxide Nanoparticle on Activated Carbon Using Liquid Phase Plasma Method.

Zinc oxide/activated carbon nanocomposites were synthesized by impregnating zinc oxide nanoparticles onto activated carbon powder using liquid phase plasma (LPP) method. Zinc oxide nanoparticles on the surface of activated carbon were fabricated rapidly by the LPP method due to reducing the zinc ion in aqueous solution. The obtained zinc oxide/activated carbon nanocomposites were characterized by XPS, HRTEM, and EDS. The amount of zinc oxide nanoparticles impregnated increased with increasing initial precursor concentration. Approximately 150~300 nm sized spherical shaped nanoparticles were uniformly dispersed on the surface of activated carbon powder.

Effect of Gold Nanoparticles Addition to CuO­ZnO/A2O3 Catalyst in Conversion of Carbon Dioxide to Methanol.

Hydrogenation of carbon dioxide (CO2) into methanol (CH3OH) was carried out in the CuO­ZnO based supported gold catalyst prepared by the co-precipitation method. When gold nanoparticles were added to the CuO­ZnO/Al2O3 catalysts (CuO­ZnO/Au/Al2O3), the CO2 conversion and CH3OH yield were increased (two times higher than that of CuO­ZnO/Al2O3 catalyst) with increasing reaction pressure, but selectivity of CH3OH was decreased. The main reason of this result could suggest the importance gold-oxides interface in CH3OH formation through hydrogenation of CO2. Maximum selectivity and yield to CH3OH over CuO­ZnO/Au/Al2O3 were obtained at 250°C and under 15­20 bars.

Preparation of Styrenated Phenol by Alkylation of Phenol with Styrene Over SO4²â» /ZrO2 Catalyst.

Styrenated phenols are usually synthesized by the reaction of styrene and phenol under acid catalysts. Styrenated phenol involving high content of di-styrenated phenol (DSP) was synthesized, which can be used to prepare styrenated phenol alkoxylate. The solid catalyst used in this study was prepared by impregnation method. SO4 2- on SO4 2-/ZrO2 catalyst was introduced from an aqueous 1M-H2SO4 solution. The catalysts were characterized by SEM images, XRD patterns, and FT-IR spectra. The catalytic activity was examined by measuring the conversion of phenol and styrene in a liquid-phase batch reactor. Almost 100% conversion of both phenol and styrene over 15-SO4 2-/ZrO2 catalyst were obtained at reaction temperature of 100 °C and reaction time of 6 hr. Amount of catalyst to the reactants was 15 wt%. At same reaction conditions, selectivity of MSP, DSP, and TSP were 23.6%, 52.1%, and 5.4%, respectively. It was known that the selectivity to DSP was increased as IR absorption peak of 1236 cm-1 corresponding to O­S­O bonds was increased.

Effect of Molar Concentration of NH4OH on Photocatalytic Activity in Preparation of Nanosized TiO2 Powder from Spent Titanium Chip by Sol-Gel Method.

The TiO2 powder was prepared from the spent titanium chips by applying the sol-gel method. The spent titanium chip was dissolved in HCl solution, and then NH4OH solution was added. The molar concentration of NH4OH solution was 2 M, 4 M, 8 M, and 10 M. Obtained TiO2 powders were calcined at 200 degrees C, 400 degrees C, and 600 degrees C. The prepared TiO2 powder was characterized using a particle size analysis, BET surface area, and XRD analysis. The crystal structure of the TiO2 powder was rutile type and anatase. The highest BET surface area of TiO2 powder was 432.8 m2/g. The photocatalytic property of the TiO2 powder was evaluated as decomposition rate of methylene blue(MB) by using a liquid phase stirred reactor. UV source was a UV-A, and concentration of MB in most experiments was 8 ppm. The concentration of MB was measured by absorbance at 664 nm using UV spectroscopy. Photocatalytic efficiency of prepared TiO2 powder depended highly on concentration of NH4OH solution. The TiO2 powder prepared with 8 M-NH4OH solution showed the highest efficiency, the decomposition efficiency at decomposition time of 2 hr and MB concentration of pH 8 was 98%.

Catalytic Activity of Nanosized CuO-ZnO Supported on Titanium Chips in Hydrogenation of Carbon Dioxide to Methyl Alcohol.

In this study, titanium chips (TC) generated from industrial facilities was utilized as TiO2 support for hydrogenation of carbon dioxide (CO2) to methyl alcohol (CH3OH) over Cu-based catalysts. Nano-sized CuO and ZnO catalysts were deposited on TiO2 support using a co-precipitation (CP) method (CuO-ZnO/TiO2), where the thermal treatment of TC and the particle size of TiC2 are optimized on CO2 conversion under different reaction temperature and contact time. Direct hydrogenation of CO2 to CH3OH over CuO-ZnO/TiO2 catalysts was achieved and the maximum selectivity (22%) and yield (18.2%) of CH3OH were obtained in the range of reaction temperature 210-240 degrees C under the 30 bar. The selectivity was readily increased by increasing the flow rate, which does not affect much to the CO2 conversion and CH3OH yield.

Synthesis and Characterization of Platinum(II) Complexes with Various Substituted 2,2'-Bipyridine Ligands.

The reaction of platinum 5,5"-(9,9-dioctyl-9H-fluorene-2,7-diyl)di-2,2'-bipyridine with 2,2'-bipyridine) PtCI2, (1,10-phenanthroline)PtC2 and (2,2'-bipyrimidine)PtC2: (2,2'-bipyridine)Pt[5,5"-(9,9-dioctyl-9H- fluorene-2,7-diyl)di-2,2'-bipyridine] (1) (2,2'-bipyrimi-dine)Pt[5,5"-(9,9-dioctyl-9H-fluorene-2,7-diyl)di- 2,2'-bipyridine] (2) (1,10-Phenantroline)-Pt[5,5"-(9,9-dioctyl-9H-fluorene-2,7-diyl)di-2,2'-bipyridine] (3). In the study, new platinum complex compounds were synthesized utilizing the ligand of a 5,5"-(9,9- dioctyl-9H-fluorene-2,7-diyl)di-2,2'-bipyridine). Each of the three complexes was obtained through the reaction carried out in this study. These complexes were analyzed using 1H(13C)-NMR, PL, and a UV-vis spectrophotometer. The maximum wavelengths of complexes 1, 2, and 3 appear at 519 nm, 375 nm, and 517 nm, respectively. The quantum yields of these complexes are in the range of 0.35-0.67.

Synthesis Process of Copper/Graphene Nanocomposite by the Liquid Phase Plasma Reduction Method.

Liquid phase plasma (LPP) process was applied to the impregnation of copper nanoparticles onto graphene sheet. Approximately 30-50 nm sized tetragonal nanoparticles were dispersed uniformly on the surface of the two-dimensional graphene sheet. The amount of copper nanoparticles precipitated increased with increasing LPP process time. When combined with a subsequent process, the synthesized copper/graphene nanocomposites will be able to high-performance Li-ion batteries effectively.

A Study of Phosphorescent Light Emitting Using Cyclometalated Pt(II) Complexes.

The reaction of platinum [Pt(4-(N,N-bis(piridyl)amino)stilbene)]Cl2 with 5,5"-(9,9-dioctyl-9H-fluorene- 2,7-diyl)di-2,2'-bipyridine, 2,2'-bipyridine, and 1,10-phenathroline affords the following complexes: [(4-(N,N-bis(piridyl)amino)stilbene)Pt(5,5"-(9,9-dioctyl-9H-fluorene-2,7-diyl)di-2,2'-bipyridine)] (1), [(4-(N,N-bis(piridyl)amino)stilbene)Pt(2,2'-bipyridine)] (2), and [(4-(N,N-bis(piridyl)amino)stilbene) Pt(1,10-phenathroline)] (3). In this study, new platinum complex compounds were synthesized utilizing the ligand of a 4-(N,N-bis(piridyl)amino)stilbene system. These complexes were analyzed using a 1H(13C)-NMR, UV-vis and PL spectrophotometer. The maximum wavelengths of complexes 1, 2, and 3 appear at 409 nm, 410 nm, and 503 nm, respectively. The quantum yields of these complexes are 0.32-0.92.

Preparation of Aluminum Nanoparticles Using Bipolar Pulsed Electrical Discharge in Water.

Al nanoparticles were synthesized in liquid phase plasma using Al chloride as the precursor. CTAB was used as the surfactant to obtain well dispersed particles. When the surfactant was not added, large aggregated particles were generated. With increasing CTAB dosage, the size of the Al particles decreased and the degree of dispersion of the particles increased. At the initial stage of plasma discharge, dendrite shaped particles were produced. As discharge time evolved, however, particle size decreased and the particle morphology also changed into spherical shape. The solution pH decreased with increasing plasma discharge time.

Preparation of Nanosized TiO2 Powder from Spent Titanium Chip by Sol-Gel Method.

The TiO2 powder was prepared from the spent titanium chips by applying the sol-gel method with neutralization by NaOH solution. The prepared TiO2 powder was characterized using a particle size analysis, BET surface area, and XRD analysis. The crystal structure of the TiO2 powder was rutile type, and the powder was obtained to be nanosized. BET surface area of TiO2 powder was 118 m2/g, average particle size was 266.5 nm. The photocatalytic property of the TiO2 powder was evaluated as decomposition rate of methylene blue (MB) by using a liquid phase stirred reactor. Decomposition rate on TiO2 powder (P-25) was 1.5 times higher than that of the prepared TiO2 powder. Decomposition rate on the prepared TiO2 powder was linearly increased with increasing the amount of TiO2 powder, and approached to a specific value. MB concentration and decomposition rate was not correlated within the experimental range. The maximum value of decomposition rate at about pH 8 was 62%.