On the kinetic and thermodynamic electron temperatures in non-thermal plasmas

The framework to describe the out-of-equilibrium free electrons in cold plasmas is developed assuming the electron entropy is defined through the Boltzmann H-theorem. Our theory explains why the Saha-Boltzmann relation among higher-lying excited states by means of the electron kinetic temperature is fulfilled, even when free electrons are far from equilibrium. The thermodynamic electron temperature,…

Effect of tantalum content on the microstructure and mechanical behavior of cermets based on (TixTa1−x)(C0.5N0.5) solid solutions

Titanium–tantalum carbonitride, (Ti, Ta)(C, N), based cermets with different Ti and Ta contents were prepared using a mechanically induced self-sustaining reaction and then densified using a pressureless sintering process. Complete microstructural and mechanical characterizations were performed on the materials, which revealed that the size of the carbonitride ceramic particle was significantly reduced when the Ta…

Bio-inspired mechanochemical synthesis of semiconductor nanomaterial using eggshell membrane

Eggshell membrane and lead acetate were successfully used as precursors for the mechanochemical synthesis of lead sulphide nanocrystals with crystallite sizes ∼8 nm. XRD, specific surface area measurements, SEM and EDX were used to characterise the synthesised material. The mechanochemical synthesis follows three-step mechanism. The “fish-like” grains with sizes around 30 μm were obtained.

Mechanochemical synthesis of ZrB2–SiC–ZrC nanocomposite powder by metallothermic reduction of zircon

Aluminium and magnesium were used in the M/ZrSiO4/B2O3/C (M = Al, Mg) system to induce a mechanically induced self-sustaining reaction (MSR). Aluminium was not able to reduce the system to the desired products, and the system became amorphous after 10 h milling. However, nanocomposite powder of ZrB2–SiC–ZrC was in situ synthesized by the magnesiothermic reduction…

Preparation of Titanium Oxide/Silicon Oxide (TiO2/SiO2) systems through the solvothermal method for applications in photocatalysis

Sistemas Óxido de Titanio/Óxido de Silicio (TiO2/SiO2) fueron obtenidos por anclaje de TiO2 en SiO2. El fotocatalizador TiO2 se obtuvo por alcohólisis del TiCl4 con 2-propanol y posterior cristalización a presión autógena a 200 °C, excluyendo etapas de calcinación a altas temperaturas. Se emplearon diferentes relaciones SiO2/TiCl4 para determinar su influencia en la estabilidad, propiedades…