Cr-doped diamond-like carbon (Cr-DLC) films with Cr contents ranging from 3 up to 20 at. % were synthesised in a codeposition process with HiPIMS (Cr deposition) and DC-pulsed technology (C ...deposition). The application of HiPIMS at low frequencies was observed to significantly enhance the energy density during the Cr plasma discharge due to the interaction of Cr–C species. The higher energy bombardment at low HiPIMS frequencies allowed doping with Cr the DLC structure avoiding the graphitization of the carbon structure. EELS spectroscopy was used to evaluate sp3 content and Raman was used for sp2 structural characterization of the films. Enhanced mechanical properties (hardness up to 30 GPa) were observed with nanoindentation for Cr-doped DLC at low frequencies. High temperature nanoindentation tests were also performed from room temperature to 425 °C in order to evaluate the evolution of hardness and Young Modulus with temperature. The results showed that the mechanical properties at high temperature mainly depend on the initial sp3-sp2 structure. Tribological tests were carried out in air from room temperature to 250 °C. Cr-doped DLC coatings deposited by low-frequency HiPIMS showed lower friction and wear compared to undoped DLC.
•Cr-doped DLC coatings were co-deposited by low-frequency/high current HiPIMS method.•Cr doping by low frequency HiPIMS preserves DLC sp3 content and reduces compressive stress.•Low at. % Cr-doped DLC exhibit high hardness (up to 29 GPa) and delayed graphitization (up to 400 C).•Low at. % Cr-doped DLC presents enhanced tribological behaviour at high temperatures by creating stable tribolayers.
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GEOZS, IJS, IMTLJ, KILJ, KISLJ, NLZOH, NUK, OILJ, PNG, SAZU, SBCE, SBJE, UILJ, UL, UM, UPCLJ, UPUK, ZAGLJ, ZRSKP
We report on the experimental observation of magnetic hysteresis up to room temperature in thiol-capped Au nanoparticles with 1.4 nm size. The coercive field ranges from 860 Oe at 5 K to 250 Oe at ...300 K. It is estimated that the Au atoms exhibit a magnetic moment of mu=0.036mu(B). However, Au nanoparticles with similar size but stabilized by means of a surfactant, i.e., weak interaction between protective molecules and Au surface atoms, are diamagnetic, as bulk Au samples are. The apparent ferromagnetism is consequently associated with 5d localized holes generated through Au-S bonds. These holes give rise to localized magnetic moments that are frozen in due to the combination of the high spin-orbit coupling (1.5 eV) of gold and the symmetry reduction associated with two types of bonding: Au-Au and Au-S.
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CMK, CTK, FMFMET, IJS, NUK, PNG, UM
The degree of aggregation and/or coalescence of Au-citrate nanoparticles (AuNPs, mean size 21.5 ± 2.9 nm), after delivery in simulated seawater, are shown to be concentration-dependent. At low ...concentrations no coalescence and only limited aggregation of primary particles were found. Experiments were performed in which the marine bivalve (Ruditapes philippinarum) was exposed to AuNPs or dissolved Au and subsequently, bivalve tissues were studied by Scanning and Transmission Electron Microscopy and chemical analyses. We show that the bivalve accumulates gold in both cases within either the digestive gland or gill tissues, in different concentrations (including values of predicted environmental relevance). After 28 days of exposure, electron-dense deposits (corresponding to AuNPs, as proven by X-ray microanalysis) were observed in the heterolysosomes of the digestive gland cells. Although non-measurable solubility of AuNPs in seawater was found, evidence is presented of the toxicity produced by Au3+ dissolved species (chloroauric acid solutions) and its relevance is discussed.
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► Limited aggregation for Au-citrate NPs at low concentrations in sea water media. ► Au-citrate NPs are not soluble in seawater after 48 h exposure. ► Gold accumulation is found under exposure of bivalve to AuNPs or chloroauric acid. ► Location of AuNPs at heterolysosomes of digestive gland cells of Ruditapes philippinarum. ► High toxicity of Au3+ dissolved species (chlororauric acid solutions).
Concentration-dependent physico-chemical evolution of citrate-stabilized AuNPs in sea water media, and their uptake and sub-cellular location in Ruditapes philippinarum.
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GEOZS, IJS, IMTLJ, KILJ, KISLJ, NUK, OILJ, PNG, SAZU, SBCE, SBJE, UL, UM, UPCLJ, UPUK
On 17 August 2017, gravitational waves (GWs) were detected from a binary neutron star merger, GW170817, along with a coincident short gamma-ray burst, GRB 170817A. An optical transient source, Swope ...Supernova Survey 17a (SSS17a),was subsequently identified as the counterpart of this event. We present ultraviolet, optical, and infrared light curves of SSS17a extending from 10.9 hours to 18 days postmerger. We constrain the radioactively powered transient resulting from the ejection of neutron-rich material. The fast rise of the light curves, subsequent decay, and rapid color evolution are consistent with multiple ejecta components of differing lanthanide abundance. The late-time light curve indicates that SSS17a produced at least ~0.05 solar masses of heavy elements, demonstrating that neutron star mergers play a role in rapid neutron capture (r-process) nucleosynthesis in the universe.
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BFBNIB, NMLJ, NUK, ODKLJ, PNG, SAZU, UL, UM, UPUK
a-C:Ag coatings (1.2–23.4 at.% of Ag) were deposited using magnetron sputtering. Ag nanoparticles appear embedded in the carbon matrix or segregated to the column boundaries or surface. The silver ...doping has not promoted significant changes of the sp2/sp3 ratio although a decrease of the hardness is observed (from 17 to 7 GPa). The tribological behavior did not show a clear dependence on the silver concentration in unlubricated or lubricated conditions (fetal bovinum serum) against alumina or UHMWPE balls. Ag nanoparticle dispersion enhanced the bactericide behavior as determined by the released Ag+ ion in the fluid media. There is no clear effect of friction rubbing on the released silver indicating that diffusion and top segregation are prevalent mechanisms for its dissolution.
•Ag-doped (1.2–23.4 at.%) carbon films are prepared by DC-pulsed magnetron sputtering.•The tribological behavior is not compromised by the incorporation of silver.•Small Ag particles are embedded in the a-C matrix ensuring antibacterial effect.•Released Ag ions are determined in tribological tests mimicking the artificial joint.•Silver doped samples yields a significant reduction of the E. Coli bacteria growth.
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GEOZS, IJS, IMTLJ, KILJ, KISLJ, NLZOH, NUK, OILJ, PNG, SAZU, SBCE, SBJE, UILJ, UL, UM, UPCLJ, UPUK, ZAGLJ, ZRSKP
This work presents a complete study of the influence of HiPIMS pulse characteristics on the microstructure, chemical composition, mechanical and oxidation resistance properties of CrN thin films. The ...investigated parameters were frequency and pulse length at two different nitrogen fluxes, maintaining constant the duty cycle conditions (2%). The effect of a negative bias of 100 V was investigated in a particular case. By changing the synthesis conditions, it was possible to tailor the N/Cr ratio and thus to control the CrNx stoichiometry from x = 0.63 to 1.10. The selection of longer pulses (shorter frequencies) generates more disordered structures with lower N/Cr ratios. This is reflected in higher hardness and elastic modulus values on despite of a lower oxidation resistance due to existence of larger concentration of N vacancies. The best oxidation resistance is obtained at the highest peak current combined with additional ion bombardment provided by substrate biasing. The present results open the possibilities of modifying chemical composition and engineering surfaces by changing exclusively the pulse conditions in HiPIMS deposition processes.
•N/Cr ratios in CrN films can be tailored by changing HiPIMS pulse characteristics.•CrNx stoichiometry from x = 0.63 to 1.10 by changing the pulse length at 2% duty cycle•Oxidation resistance correlates with N/Cr ratio (less N vacancies) and bias assistance.•Enhancement of mechanical properties is obtained by Hall-Petch and biasing effects.•Feasibility to grow different film architectures and gradient compositions
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GEOZS, IJS, IMTLJ, KILJ, KISLJ, NLZOH, NUK, OILJ, PNG, SAZU, SBCE, SBJE, UILJ, UL, UM, UPCLJ, UPUK, ZAGLJ, ZRSKP
The water quality is related to the hydrologic and limnologic properties of ground and surface water, and significant efforts have been made to monitor water sources to understand the effects of land ...use changes in agricultural areas, with significant socioeconomic activities. The objective of this study was to evaluate the qualitative aspects of surface water in subbasins related to land use. Samples were analyzed in terms of physical and chemical parameters on monthly discrete water quality sampling in four representative sites at first order subbasin streams, located at the Polo Regional Centro Norte, Pindorama County, State of São Paulo, Brazil. The land use classification was made by visual detection technique in a multispectral satellite data obtained from LandSat8- spectral bands of the OLI sensor. The watershed was classified into major land cover/use classes and overlay maps generated in ArcGIS 10 indicated a significant shift from natural vegetation to agriculture activities. Water quality monitoring was according to the brazilian protocol and the results were submitted to analysis of variance (ANOVA). The values obtained differ significantly at each sampling point - subbasins, reflecting the effects of land use on water quality. Soil conservation management is important to optimize soil use in order to contribute to the control of water pollution and the formulation of a public policy is necessary for the conservation of water and soil resources.
CrAlYN hard coatings with two different average Al contents: ∼16 at.% and ∼25 at.%, and Y concentration varying between 1.2 and 5.7 at.% were deposited by direct current reactive magnetron ...co-sputtering of mixed Cr-Al and Y targets on commercial M2 steel substrates. The samples were heated to 1000 °C in air during 2 h to study their oxidation resistance and thermal stability. The Y content is critical and the coatings present different behaviour depending on the Al content. The best oxidation resistance and thermal stability are obtained for the coating with ∼16 at.% Al and 3.4 at.% Y. The initial film microstructure and the cubic phase (fcc-CrAlN) were retained, and a thin (Cr,Al)2O3 oxide protective scale was formed. At lower Y content (1.2 at.%) iron, from the substrate crosses the coating, while a higher content (4.6 at.%) avoided the iron diffusion at the expense of a thicker oxide scale with new oxide phases. The coatings with higher Al content (∼25 at. %) were not thermally stable at 1000 °C. A good oxidation resistance was obtained for 2.6 at.% of Y although new phases (hcp-AlN and Cr-Fe) were formed. Higher amount of yttrium (∼5.7 at. %) led to the complete oxidation of the coating.
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•Y atoms diffuse and segregate at the scale grain boundaries and interface (RE effect).•Y diffused to the column boundaries hindering the Fe migration from the substrate.•CrAl (16%)Y(3%)N presents good oxidation resistance and stability at 1000 °C/2 h.•Al (25%) shows higher degree of fcc-CrAlN decomposition and oxidation (Y > 3 at.%).•Excess of Y favors oxygen inward penetration through Y2O3 and Al5O12Y3 and AlYO3.
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GEOZS, IJS, IMTLJ, KILJ, KISLJ, NLZOH, NUK, OILJ, PNG, SAZU, SBCE, SBJE, UILJ, UL, UM, UPCLJ, UPUK, ZAGLJ, ZRSKP
Baade’s window and APOGEE Schultheis, M; Rojas-Arriagada, A; Perez, A E Garcia ...
Astronomy and astrophysics (Berlin),
04/2017, Volume:
600
Journal Article
Peer reviewed
Open access
Context. Baade's window (BW) is one of the most observed Galactic bulge fields in terms of chemical abundances. Owing to its low and homogeneous interstellar absorption it is considered the perfect ...calibration field for Galactic bulge studies. Aims. In the era of large spectroscopic surveys, calibration fields such as BW are necessary for cross calibrating the stellar parameters and individual abundances of the APOGEE survey. Methods. We use the APOGEE BW stars to derive the metallicity distribution function (MDF) and individual abundances for alpha- and iron-peak elements of the APOGEE ASPCAP pipeline (DR13), as well as the age distribution for stars in BW. Results. We determine the MDF of APOGEE stars in BW and find a remarkable agreement with that of the Gaia-ESO survey (GES). Both exhibit a clear bimodal distribution. We also find that the Mg-metallicity planes of the two surveys agree well, except for the metal-rich part (Fe/H > 0.1), where APOGEE finds systematically higher Mg abundances with respect to the GES. The ages based on the C/N ratio reveal a bimodal age distribution, with a major old population at ~ 10 Gyr, with a decreasing tail towards younger stars. A comparison of stellar parameters determined by APOGEE and those determined by other sources reveals detectable systematic offsets, in particular for spectroscopic surface gravity estimates. In general, we find a good agreement between individual abundances of O, Na, Mg, Al, Si, K, Ca, Cr, Mn, Co, and Ni from APOGEE with that of literature values. Conclusions. We have shown that in general APOGEE data show a good agreement in terms of MDF and individual chemical abundances with respect to literature works. Using the C/N ratio we found a significant fraction of young stars in BW.
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FMFMET, NUK, UL, UM, UPUK
We present an overview of the distributions of 11 elemental abundances in the Milky Way's (MW) inner regions, as traced by APOGEE stars released as part of the Sloan Digital Sky Survey Data Release ...14/15 (DR14/DR15), including O, Mg, Si, Ca, Cr, Mn, Co, Ni, Na, Al, and K. This sample spans ∼4000 stars with RGC ≤ 4.0 kpc, enabling the most comprehensive study to date of these abundances and their variations within the innermost few kiloparsecs of the MW. We describe the observed abundance patterns (X/Fe-Fe/H), compare to previous literature results and to patterns in stars at the solar Galactocentric radius (RGC), and discuss possible trends with DR14/DR15 effective temperatures. We find that the position of the Mg/Fe-Fe/H "knee" is nearly constant with RGC, indicating a well-mixed star-forming medium or high levels of radial migration in the early inner Galaxy. We quantify the linear correlation between pairs of elements in different subsamples of stars and find that these relationships vary; some abundance correlations are very similar between the -rich and -poor stars, but others differ significantly, suggesting variations in the metallicity dependencies of certain supernova yields. These empirical trends will form the basis for more detailed future explorations and for the refinement of model comparison metrics. That the inner MW abundances appear dominated by a single chemical evolutionary track and that they extend to such high metallicities underscore the unique importance of this part of the Galaxy for constraining the ingredients of chemical evolution modeling and for improving our understanding of the evolution of the Galaxy as a whole.