Interpretation of X-ray Powder Diffraction Patterns . By H. Lipson and H. Steeple. Pp. viii + 335 + 3 plates. (Mac-millan: London; St Martins Press: New York, May 1970.) £4.

X-Ray Diffraction

Waste from non-degradable plastics is becoming an increasingly serious problem. Therefore, more and more research focuses on the development of materials with biodegradable properties. Bio-polymers are excellent raw materials for the production of such materials. Bio-based biopolymer films reinforced with nanostructures have become an interesting area of research. Nanocomposite films are a group of materials that mainly consist of bio-based natural (e.g., chitosan, starch) and synthetic (e.g., poly(lactic acid)) polymers and nanofillers (clay, organic, inorganic, or carbon nanostructures), with different properties. The interaction between environmentally friendly biopolymers and nanofillers leads to the improved functionality of nanocomposite materials. Depending on the properties of nanofillers, new or improved properties of nanocomposites can be obtained such as: barrier properties, improved mechanical strength, antimicrobial, and antioxidant properties or thermal stability. This review compiles information about biopolymers used as the matrix for the films with nanofillers as the active agents. Particular emphasis has been placed on the influence of nanofillers on functional properties of biopolymer films and their possible use within the food industry and food packaging systems. The possible applications of those nanocomposite films within other industries (medicine, drug and chemical industry, tissue engineering) is also briefly summarized.

The Effect of Nanofillers on the Functional Properties of Biopolymer-based Films: A Review.

Synthesis, characterization and advanced sustainable applications of titanium dioxide nanoparticles: A review.

Microfluidics is a growing field of study because these devices offer novel and versatile approaches for addressing a range of scientific problems. Microfluidics have been used in separations, cell analysis, and microreactors, to illustrate a few applications. Microfluidics have been defined in terms of microliter volumes or micrometer dimensions of channels. For this review, we utilize the latter definition, where microfluidic channels range from 1-1000 µm in width or height. Microfluidic devices are fabricated in a host of ways, with a large variety of materials. Indeed, device material can affect flow, absorptivity, biocompatibility, and function of microfluidic components.

Microfluidics: Innovations in Materials and Their Fabrication and Functionalization.

Polyvinyl alcohol (PVA) nanocomposite films embedded with iron (Fe) nanoparticles were prepared via the solution cast technique. The effect of Fe nanoparticles on the structural and optical properties of PVA nanocomposite films were investigated using X-ray diffraction, a scanning electron microscope, and UV–Vis spectroscopy. The size of the Fe nanoparticles was calculated using the Debye–Scherrer equation, and it was found that there was an increase in nanoparticle size after dispersion in the polymer matrix due to aggregation. Optical parameters such as optical band gap, Urbach energy, refractive index and extinction coefficient were investigated. The transmittance of a pure PVA film decreases from 82% to 18% after 3 wt% Fe nanoparticle dispersion in a polymer matrix. The direct optical band gap was found to decrease whereas Urbach energy was found to increase with the increase in Fe nanoparticle concentration. In addition, the refractive index and extinction coefficient of polymer nanocomposite films were found to increase compared to those made of pure PVA. Also, the optical dielectric and optical conductivity were observed to increase with an increase in Fe nanoparticle concentration.

Effect of Fe nanoparticles on the structure and optical properties of polyvinyl alcohol nanocomposite films

Controlling the optical constants of PVC nanocomposite films for optoelectronic applications

Improvement of surface energy properties of PVC nanocomposites for enhancing electrical applications

Developing novel UV shielding films based on PVA/Gelatin/0.01CuO nanocomposite: On the properties optimization using γ-irradiation

Bulk crystals of gallium antimonide were grown using the vertical Bridgman techniques. The phase formation was confirmed by XRD studies. From dc and ac conductivity measurements, the conduction mechanism was investigated. The mobility ratio and the effective mass ratio were calculated to be 1.56 and 3.36 respectively. The measurements reveal higher values of power factor than the published results for the same compound.

On the conduction mechanism of p-type GaSb bulk crystal

PbS nanoparticles having the suitability for power semiconductor devices, were synthesized by facile, effective, and surfactant-free hydrothermal method. The effect of reaction time on the morphology, microstructure and optical properties of PbS nanoparticles was investigated. The methods of XRD, TEM, HRTEM, EDX, FTIR and UV–VIS photometry measurements were used for PbS nanoparticles characterization. The reaction time was found to have an effective role in controlling the morphology, crystallinity, crystallite size, microstrain and optical band gap of the prepared samples.

A. A. Ebnalwaled

Papers

Controlling the optical constants of PVC nanocomposite films for optoelectronic applications

Improvement of surface energy properties of PVC nanocomposites for enhancing electrical applications

Developing novel UV shielding films based on PVA/Gelatin/0.01CuO nanocomposite: On the properties optimization using γ-irradiation

On the conduction mechanism of p-type GaSb bulk crystal

Facile and surfactant-free hydrothermal synthesis of PbS nanoparticles: the role of hydrothermal reaction time