National Physical Laboratory

About: National Physical Laboratory is a facility organization based out in London, United Kingdom. It is known for research contribution in the topics: Dielectric & Thin film. The organization has 7615 authors who have published 13327 publications receiving 319381 citations.

Nanostructures and nanostructured substrates for surface—enhanced Raman scattering (SERS)

Abstract: We review the performance of various nanoscaled structures needed to support the propagation of the surface plasmons responsible for surface-enhanced Raman scattering (SERS), and assess the potential for the optimisation of the compromise between enhancement and reproducibility that they provide, and hence their utility for relevant applications. We divide these nanostructures into those comprising structured arrays of discrete nanoparticles in two or three dimensions, and those comprising structured or regularly patterned surfaces in two or three dimensions. The most promising in terms of this compromise are those that involve the tethering of functionalised metal nanoparticles to surfaces. They are not only reproducible, but the functionalisation provides a measure of selectivity to relevant target analytes that the majority of SERS applications require. Copyright © 2008 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.

Review of naphthenic acid corrosion in oilrefining

Abstract: Naphthenic acid corrosion is a major concern for the oil refinery business. While much is now known about the phenomenon, it is still not completely understood because of the complex influences on corrosion of the type of acid and other constituents in the crude oil and the effects of both temperature and fluid flow. A review of this form of corrosion has been undertaken with respect to the role of crude oil composition, temperature, fluid velocity, physical state (vapour or liquid), pressure, and materials of construction. Simple measures of corrosivity based on the total acid or neutralisation number are insufficient. The sulphur content of the crude is important but the extent to which the various sulphur containing compounds act as inhibitors or corrodents is not understood. There is little knowledge also of the nature of films formed on the steel surfaces under operating conditions and the role of natural inhibitors that may be present in crudes requires more attention.

Gas and humidity sensors based on iron oxide–polypyrrole nanocomposites

Abstract: Nanocomposites of iron oxide and polypyrrole were prepared by simultaneous gelation and polymerization process. This resulted in the formation of mixed iron oxide phase for lower polypyrrole concentration, stabilizing to a single cubic iron oxide phase at higher polypyrrole concentration. The composites in the pellet form were used for humidity and gas sensing investigations. Their sensitivity to humidity was found to increase with increasing concentration of polypyrrole. Gas sensing was performed for CO2, N2 and CH4 gases at varying pressures. The sensors showed a linear relationship between sensitivity and pressures for all the gases studied. The sensors showed highest sensitivity to CO2 gas.