Role of Strain-Induced Microscale Compositional Pulling on Optical Properties of High Al Content AlGaN Quantum Wells for Deep-Ultraviolet LED

A systematic study was carried out for strain-induced microscale compositional pulling effect on the structural and optical properties of high Al content AlGaN multiple quantum wells (MQWs). Investigations reveal that a large tensile strain is introduced during the epitaxial growth of AlGaN MQWs, due to the grain boundary formation, coalescence and growth. The presence of this tensile strain results in the microscale inhomogeneous compositional pulling and Ga segregation, which is further confirmed by the lower formation enthalpy of Ga atom than Al atom on AlGaN slab using first principle simulations. The strain-induced microscale compositional pulling leads to an asymmetrical feature of emission spectra and local variation in emission energy of AlGaN MQWs. Because of a stronger three-dimensional carrier localization, the area of Ga segregation shows a higher emission efficiency compared with the intrinsic area of MQWs, which is benefit for fabricating efficient AlGaN-based deep-ultraviolet light-emitting diode.

First Principles Investigation of Binary Chromium Carbides Cr7C3, Cr3C2 and Cr23C6: Electronic Structures, Mechanical Properties and Thermodynamic Properties under Pressure

Binary chromium carbides display excellent wear resistance, extreme stiffness and oxidation resistance under high temperature. The influence of applied pressure on electronic structure, elastic behavior, Debye temperature and hardness of Cr7C3, Cr3C2 and Cr23C6 have been investigated by the density functional theory (DFT) method. The results reveal that lattice parameters and formation enthalpy display an inverse relationship with applied pressure, and Cr3C2 exhibited optimal structural stability. Moreover, Cr-C orbital hybridization tends to be stronger due to the decreased partial density of states (PDOS) of the Cr atom. The difference in electronic distribution of binary carbides has also been investigated, which confirmed that overall orbital hybridization and covalent characteristics has been enhanced. The theoretical hardness was elevated according to the higher bond strength and bond density. In accordance with structural stability data, Cr3C2 has shown maximum theoretical hardness. Furthermore, the anisotropic nature of hardness has been evaluated with external pressure. Cr3C2, and the highest isotropic hardness behavior along with an increase in hardness values with increasing pressure has been observed. In addition, the variation in Debye temperatures of binary chromium carbides under applied pressure has also been predicted. The results provide a theoretical insight into electronic, mechanical and thermodynamic behavior of three binary chromium carbides and show the potential of these novel carbides in a wide range of applications.

The Effect of Metal Cations on the Aqueous Behavior of Dopamine. Thermodynamic Investigation of the Binary and Ternary Interactions with Cd2+, Cu2+ and UO22+ in NaCl at Different Ionic Strengths and Temperatures

The interactions of dopamine [2-(3,4-Dihydroxyphenyl)ethylamine, (Dop−)] with cadmium(II), copper(II) and uranyl(VI) were studied in NaCl(aq) at different ionic strengths (0 ≤ I/mol dm−3 ≤ 1.0) and temperatures (288.15 ≤ T/K ≤ 318.15). From the elaboration of the experimental data, it was found that the speciation models are featured by species of different stoichiometry and stability. In particular for cadmium, the formation of only MLH, ML and ML2 (M = Cd2+; L = dopamine) species was obtained. For uranyl(VI) (UO22+), the speciation scheme is influenced by the use of UO2(acetate)2 salt as a chemical; in this case, the formation of ML2, MLOH and the ternary MLAc (Ac = acetate) species in a wide pH range was observed. The most complex speciation model was obtained for the interaction of Cu2+ with dopamine; in this case we observed the formation of the following species: ML2, M2L, M2L2, M2L2(OH)2, M2LOH and ML2OH. These speciation models were determined at each ionic strength and temperature investigated. As a further contribution to this kind of investigation, the ternary interactions of dopamine with UO22+/Cd2+ and UO22+/Cu2+ were investigated at I = 0.15 mol dm−3 and T = 298.15K. These systems have different speciation models, with the MM’L and M2M’L2OH [M = UO22+; M’ = Cd2+ or Cu2+, L = dopamine] common species; the species of the mixed Cd2+ containing system have a higher stability with respect the Cu2+ containing one. The dependence on the ionic strength of complex formation constants was modelled by using both an extended Debye–Hückel equation that included the Van’t Hoff term for the calculation of the formation enthalpy change values and the Specific Ion Interaction Theory (SIT). The results highlighted that, in general, the entropy is the driving force of the process. The quantification of the effective sequestering ability of dopamine towards the studied cations was evaluated by using a Boltzmann-type equation and the calculation of pL0.5 parameter. The sequestering ability was quantified at different ionic strengths, temperatures and pHs, and this resulted, in general, that the pL0.5 trend was always: UO22+ > Cu2+ > Cd2+.

Some Nitrogen Rich Energetic Material Synthesis by Nucleophilic Substitution Reaction from Polynitro Aromatic Compounds

Three new nitrogen-rich energetic compounds, N-(5-chloro-2,4-dinitrophenyl)hydrazine (1), N-(5-chloro-2,4-dinitrophenyl) guanidine (2) and N-(5-chloro-2,4-dinitrophenyl)-4-aminopyrazole (3) prepared by the nucleophilic substitution reaction of 1,3-dichloro-4,6-dinitrobenzene with hydrazine, guanidinium carbonate and 4-aminopyrazole. The compounds were characterized by 1H NMR, 13C NMR, IR and mass spectroscopy. Only compound 2 could be prepared in a suitable crystal and molecular model was determined by X-ray analysis. Compounds were investigated by TG and DSC. Thermal degradation and thermokinetic behavior were investigated by Ozawa–Flynn–Wall and Kissinger–Akahira–Sunose techniques. Compounds were observed to be prone to exothermical thermal decomposition. HOMO and LUMO levels, theoretical formation enthalpy and electrostatic maps were calculated by Gaussian09. The detonation velocity and pressure were calculated by Kamlet–Jacobs equation. The compounds were assayed for antimicrobial properties.

Stability and electronic structure of magnesium hydride and magnesium deuteride under high pressure

Metal polyhydrides have attracted considerable attention because some of them become a metal under high pressure, and some undergo a phase transition into a superconductor. Some superconducting metal polyhydrides have recently been discovered with a high value of critical temperature (Tc) under pressure. In this research, we calculated the structures of MgH2, MgH3 and MgD3 under pressure between 0-300 GPa in order to determine the formation enthalpy and electronic property of their structures under high pressure by using density functional theory (DFT) based on the Quantum Espresso code. We found that the band structures reveal the metallic character of the compounds under high pressure. The energy band structures of MgHx and MgDx are exactly the same. However, their phonon dispersions are different due to the so-called isotope effect. We determined the composition stability by using the convex hull of Mg, H and the compounds. We found that MgH3 becomes thermodynamically more stable than MgH2 at around 150 GPa. The results of phonons confirm that they are dynamically stable. This finding is served as a basis for future superconducting calculations.

Thermodynamics of Molybdenum Trioxide Encapsulated in Zeolite Y

Zeolites with encapsulated transition metal species are extensively applied in the chemical industry as heterogenous catalysts for favorable kinetic pathways. To elucidate the energetic insights into formation of subnano-sized molybdenum trioxide (MoO) encapsulated/confined in zeolite Y (FAU) from constituent oxides, we performed a systematic experimental thermodynamic study using high temperature oxide melt solution calorimetry as the major tool. Specifically, the formation enthalpy of each MoO/FAU is less endothermic than corresponding zeolite Y, suggesting enhanced thermodynamic stability. As Si/Al ratio increases, the enthalpies of formation of MoO/FAU with identical loading (5 Mo-wt%) tend to be less endothermic, ranging from 61.1 ± 1.8 (Si/Al = 2.9) to 32.8 ± 1.4 kJ/mol TO (Si/Al = 45.6). Coupled with spectroscopic, structural and morphological characterizations, we revealed intricate energetics of MoO – zeolite Y guest – host interactions likely determined by the subtle redox and/or phase evolutions of encapsulated MoO.

Study on Hydrate Phase Equilibrium Diagram of Methane Containing System Based on Thermodynamic Model

Natural gas hydrate is a potential energy source in the future, which widely occurs in nature and industrial activities, and its formation and decomposition are identified by phase equilibrium. The calculation of multicomponent gas phase equilibrium is more complex than that of single component gas, which depends on the accurate model characterized by enthalpy and free energy. Based on the Kvamme-Tanaka statistical thermodynamic model, theoretical and experimental methods were used to predict and verify the phase equilibrium of pure methane hydrate and carbon dioxide hydrate in the temperature range of 273.17–289.05 K. The phase equilibrium curves of methane-containing gases such as CH4+CO2,CH4+C2H6,CH4+H2S and CH4+CO2+H2S under different mole fractions were drawn and analyzed, and the decomposition or formation enthalpy and free energy of hydrate were calculated. The results show that, the phase equilibrium curves of the methane containing systems is mainly related to the guest molecule type and the composition of gas. The evolution law of phase equilibrium pressure of different gases varies with composition and temperature, and the phase splitting of CO2 at the quadruple point affects the phase equilibrium conditions. Due to the consideration of the interaction between the motion of guest molecules and the vibration of crystal lattice, the model exhibits a good performance, which is quantified in terms of mean square error (MSE) with respect to the experimental data. The magnitudes of MSE percent are respectively 1.2, 4.8, 15.12 and 9.20 MPa2 for CH4+CO2, CH4+C2H6, CH4+H2S and CH4+CO2+H2S systems, and the values are as low as 3.57 and 1.32 MPa2 for pure methane and carbon dioxide, respectively. This study provides engineers and researchers who want to consult the diagrams at any time with some new and accurate experimental data, calculated results and phase equilibrium curves. The research results are of great significance to the development and utilization of gas hydrate and the flow safety prediction of gas gathering and transportation.

Small Alcohols as Surfactants and Hydrate Promotors

Many methods to produce hydrate reservoirs have been proposed in the last three decades. Thermal stimulation and injection of thermodynamic hydrate inhibitors are just two examples of methods which have seen reduced attention due to their high cost. However, different methods for producing hydrates are not evaluated thermodynamically prior to planning expensive experiments or pilot tests. This can be due to lack of a thermodynamic toolbox for the purpose. Another challenge is the lack of focus on the limitations of the hydrate phase transition itself. The interface between hydrate and liquid water is a kinetic bottle neck. Reducing pressure does not address this problem. An injection of CO2 will lead to the formation of a new CO2 hydrate. This hydrate formation is an efficient heat source for dissociating hydrate since heating breaks the hydrogen bonds, directly addressing the problem of nano scale kinetic limitation. Adding limited amounts of N2 increases the permeability of the injection gas. The addition of surfactant increases gas/water interface dynamics and promotes heterogeneous hydrate formation. In this work we demonstrate a residual thermodynamic scheme that allows thermodynamic analysis of different routes for hydrate formation and dissociation. We demonstrate that 20 moles per N2 added to the CO2 is thermodynamically feasible for generating a new hydrate into the pores. When N2 is added, the available hydrate formation enthalpy is reduced as compared to pure CO2, but is still considered sufficient. Up to 3 mole percent ethanol in the free pore water is also thermodynamically feasible. The addition of alcohol will not greatly disturb the ability to form new hydrate from the injection gas. Homogeneous hydrate formation from dissolved CH4 and/or CO2 is limited in amount and not important. However, the hydrate stability limits related to concentration of hydrate former in surrounding water are important. Mineral surfaces can act as hydrate promotors through direct adsorption, or adsorption in water that is structured by mineral surface charges. These aspects will be quantified in a follow-up paper, along with kinetic modelling based on thermodynamic modelling in this work.

Thermodynamics of Molybdenum Trioxide (MoO3) Encapsulated in Zeolite Y

Zeolites with encapsulated transition metal species are extensively applied in the chemical industry as heterogenous catalysts for favorable kinetic pathways. To elucidate the energetic insights into formation of subnano-sized molybdenum trioxide (MoO) encapsulated/confined in zeolite Y (FAU) from constituent oxides, we performed a systematic experimental thermodynamic study using high temperature oxide melt solution calorimetry as the major tool. Specifically, the formation enthalpy of each MoO/FAU is less endothermic than corresponding zeolite Y, suggesting enhanced thermodynamic stability. As Si/Al ratio increases, the enthalpies of formation of MoO/FAU with identical loading (5 Mo-wt%) tend to be less endothermic, ranging from 61.1 ± 1.8 (Si/Al = 2.9) to 32.8 ± 1.4 kJ/mol TO (Si/Al = 45.6). Coupled with spectroscopic, structural and morphological characterizations, we revealed intricate energetics of MoO – zeolite Y guest – host interactions likely determined by the subtle redox and/or phase evolutions of encapsulated MoO.