Methodology for the Selection of Technological Modes for the Synthesis of Transparent Conducting Oxides with Desired Properties

Transparent conducting oxides (TCOs) are widely used as a transparent electrode in various fields of opto-and semiconductor electronics. The main materials used today are indium-tin oxide, tin-antimony oxide and zinc-aluminum oxide. The authors have developed and improved the spray-pyrolysis method, which is one of the most promising methods of implementation in production. In this work, the study of tin dioxide doped with antimony coatings and the development of a methodology for the controlled synthesis of TCO, taking into account the effect of technological modes of deposition on the TCO parameters. The results of the performed studies contribute to the development of an automated technology for the synthesis of transparent conducting oxides with desired properties.

Study on the Flame Retardancy and Hazard Evaluation of Poly(acrylonitrile-co-vinylidene chloride) Fibers by the Addition of Antimony-Based Flame Retardants

Antimony oxide (ATO) is used mainly as a flame retardant, but it is classified as a hazardous substance. Therefore, regulations on the use of antimony trioxide (ATO(3)) and antimony pentoxide (ATO(5)) in textile products are being developed. Accordingly, there is a need for alternative flame retardants. In this study, antimony tetroxide (ATO(4)), which has higher thermal stability and resistance to acids and alkalis than ATO(3) or ATO(5), was selected to assess its use as an alternative flame retardant. First, ATO(3) or ATO(4) were added to poly(acrylonitrile-co-vinylidene chloride) (PANVDC), and the film and wet-spun fiber were prepared. The PANVDC film with flame retardants was prepared to evaluate the flame retardancy and the mechanism of action of the flame retardants. Flame retardancy analysis showed that a limiting oxygen index of 31.2% was obtained when ATO(4) was added, which was higher than when ATO(3) was used. Subsequently, PANVDC fibers with antimony oxide were manufactured and showed improved mechanical and thermal properties when ATO(4) was used, compared to when ATO(3) was tested. In addition, migration analysis due to antimony in the fiber confirmed that the elution amount was below the acceptable standard when PANVDC fibers with ATO(4) were added. Therefore, based on these results, the flame-retardant and thermal properties of antimony tetroxide were superior to antimony trioxide, and it was confirmed that ATO(4) could be used as an alternative flame retardant to ATO(3).

Microwave-Assisted Synthesis of Nitrogen and Sulphur Doped Graphene Decorated with Antimony Oxide: An Effective Catalyst for Oxygen Reduction Reaction

In this study, we report on the facile synthesis of a novel electrocatalysts for the oxygen reduction reaction (ORR), based on reduced graphene oxide (RGO), functionalized with metallic and non-metallic elements. In particular, thanks to a fast one-pot microwave-assisted procedure, we induced, in the RGO graphene lattice, a combined doping with nitrogen and sulphur, and the simultaneous decoration with antimony oxide nanocrystals. The multi-doped–decorated material shows enhanced catalytic performance towards ORR, with respect to common nitrogen- or sulphur-doped carbon-based materials. The presence of co-doping is confirmed by transmission electron microscopy and X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy analysis. The detailed electrochemical characterization shows the simultaneous effects of dopant atoms on the catalytic behavior. In particular, the importance of nitrogen and sulphur atoms in driving the oxygen absorption, together with the role of antimony in enhancing the electrochemical performance toward the ORR, are discussed.

Preparation and Study the Electrical and Optical Properties for (PVA-PEG-Sr2O3) Nanocomposites

In the presented work, the optical and electrical properties of composite materials (PVA-PEG-Sr2O3) were measured, as the electrical properties were verified at various frequencies in range of 100 Hz-6 MHz. In addition, the experimental results showed that the increase in frequency causes a reduction in the dielectric loss (δ) and dielectric constant (ɛ), and there is an increase in ɛ due to the increase in the content of antimony oxide (Sr2O3). It increases with increasing frequency and decreases with increasing Sr2O3 content in PVA-PEG-Sr2O3 compounds, the result of the optical properties of the nanoparticles (PVA-PEG-Sr2O3) showed that the values transmittance and energy gap were reduced with the increases in the concentrations of Sr2O3 NPs, whereas the values related to extinction coefficient, absorption coefficient, optical conductivity, refractive index, and dielectric constant (imaginary, real) were increased with increase in the concentration of Sr2O3 NPs.

Effect of MgO•Sb2O5 on Fire Resistance and Physical and Mechanical Properties of Cable PVC-Plasticate

Based on magnesium carbonate and antimony oxide (V), MgO•Sb2O5 was obtained. In the formulation of fire-resistant cable PVC-plasticate, antimony (III) oxide was replaced by MgO•Sb2O5 and the fire resistance and physical and mechanical properties of the resulting compound were investigated. It is shown that the replacement of antimony (III) oxide in the composition of PVC cable compound MgO•Sb2O5 leads to the production of a compound that is not inferior in its characteristics to the original plastic compound. In particular, the fire resistance of cable PVC-plasticate, standard industrial formulation and with the obtained MgO•Sb2O5, is practically the same (OI=32%). It has been established that the physical and mechanical characteristics of the cable compound, when replacing antimony oxide (III) with MgO•Sb2O5 in the formulation, remain at the level of the original compound, while MgO×Sb2O5 will have a less negative impact on the environment.