Mixed-Halide Perovskite Film-Based Neuromorphic Phototransistors for Mimicking Experience-History-Dependent Sensory Adaptation.

Sensory adaptation is an essential function for humans to live on the earth. Herein, a hybrid synaptic phototransistor based on the mixed-halide perovskite/organic semiconductor film is reported. This hybrid phototransistor achieves photosensitive performance including a high photoresponsivity over 4 × 103 A/W and an excellent specific detectivity of 2.8 × 1016 Jones. Due to the photoinduced halide-ion segregation of the mixed-halide perovskites and their slow recovery properties, the experience-history-dependent sensory adaptation behavior can be mimicked. Moreover, the light pulse width, intensity, light wavelength, and gate bias can be used to regulate the adaptation processes to improve its adaptability and perceptibility in different environments. The CsPbBrxI3-x/organic semiconductor hybrid films produced by spin coating are beneficial to large-scale fabrication. This study fabricates a novel solution-processable light-stimulated synapse based on inorganic perovskites for mimicking the human sensory adaptation that makes it possible to approach artificial neural sensory systems.

Developing a restricted chlorine-dosing strategy for UV/chlorine and post-chlorination under different pH and UV irradiation wavelength conditions.

UV/chlorine and chlorination processes have drawn great interests of water treatment utilities for oxidation and disinfection purposes. This work proposed a restricted chlorine-dosing strategy for UV/chlorine and post-chlorination under different pH and UV irradiation conditions by comprehensively assessing the oxidation of natural organic matter (NOM), formation of 9 haloacetic acids (HAA9) and bromate, and alteration of toxicity. During UV/chlorine with restricted chlorine doses, the oxidation of NOM chromophores (i.e., ΔUVA254) showed an apparent dependence on cumulative exposures of free available chlorine (CTFAC); Meanwhile, HAA9 formation was determined by CTFAC values and could be linearly correlated with ΔUVA254 irrespective of pH and UV irradiation wavelength. Irradiated by 254 nm LP-Hg lamp, the faster chlorine photolysis produced relatively higher steady-state concentrations of Cl• and HO• species but resulted in lower CTFAC. Reducing CTFAC values by operation parameters (pH, UV wavelength and irradiation fluence) could mitigate HAA9 formation during UV/chlorine at a specific chlorine dose. Additionally, high bromide concentration and acidic pH promoted more bromo-HAAs formation, and the presence of NOM significantly suppressed bromate formation. Analogous to ozonation, the UV/chlorine pre-oxidation could reduce the HAA9 formation potentials during post-chlorination at mildly alkaline pH. The photobacterium bioassay further demonstrated that although the UV/chlorine treatment might have increased the acute toxicity, the post-chlorination treatment could polish the acute toxicity to the level of chlorination alone. These results suggest that with the restricted chlorine-dosing strategy, the trade-off between oxidation/disinfection efficiency and DBPs formation can be controlled by monitoring CTFAC and ΔUVA254 values during UV/chlorine treatment.

Study on highly enhanced photocatalytic tetracycline degradation of type â ¡ AgI/CuBi2O4 and Z-scheme AgBr/CuBi2O4 heterojunction photocatalysts.

Removal of antibiotics from aqueous solutions by photocatalysis is an advanced technology for environmental remediation. Herein, we have fabricated a series of AgX (X = I, Br)/CuBi2O4 composites through an in-situ precipitation method. The photocatalytic activity of the obtained photocatalysts was measured by the degradation of tetracycline (TC) under visible light irradiation (λ > 420 nm). All the AgX (X = I, Br)/CuBi2O4 composites exhibit much higher photocatalytic activity than that of pure CuBi2O4. The enhanced photocatalytic activity is mainly attributed to the efficient interfacial charge separation and migration in the AgX (X = I, Br)/CuBi2O4 heterojunctions. Meanwhile, AgX (X = I, Br)/CuBi2O4 heterojunctions display excellent photocatalytic stability, and the photocatalytic degradation rates were not obvious decreased even after five successive cycles. Based on the energy band structure, the radicals trapping and electronic spin resonance (ESR) experiments, the Z-scheme mechanism of AgBr/CuBi2O4 and type II mechanism of AgI/CuBi2O4 heterojunction photocatalysts were tentatively discussed, respectively.

Bromate formation from the oxidation of bromide in the UV/chlorine process with low pressure and medium pressure UV lamps.

When a bromide-containing water is treated by the ultraviolet (UV)/chlorine process, hydroxyl radicals (HO) and halogen radicals such as Cl or Br are formed due to the UV photolysis of free halogens. These reactive species may induce the formation of bromate, which is a probable human carcinogen. Bromate formation in the UV/chlorine process using low pressure (LP) and medium pressure (MP) lamps in the presence of bromide was investigated in the present study. The UV/chlorine process significantly enhanced bromate formation as compared to dark chlorination. The bromate formation was elevated with increasing UV fluence, bromide concentration, and pH values under both LP and MP UV irradiations. It was significantly enhanced at pH 9 compared to those at pH 6 and 7 with MP UV irradiation, while it was slightly enhanced at pH 9 with LP UV. The formation by UV/chlorine process started with the formation of free bromine (HOBr/OBr-) through the reaction of chlorine and bromide, followed by a subsequent oxidation of free bromine and formation of BrO and bromate by reacting with radicals.

Development of a novel resin-based dental material with dual biocidal modes and sustained release of Ag+ ions based on photocurable core-shell AgBr/cationic polymer nanocomposites.

Research on the incorporation of cutting-edge nano-antibacterial agent for designing dental materials with potent and long-lasting antibacterial property is demanding and provoking work. In this study, a novel resin-based dental material containing photocurable core-shell AgBr/cationic polymer nanocomposite (AgBr/BHPVP) was designed and developed. The shell of polymerizable cationic polymer not only provided non-releasing antibacterial capability for dental resins, but also had the potential to polymerize with other methacrylate monomers and prevented nanoparticles from aggregating in the resin matrix. As a result, incorporation of AgBr/BHPVP nanocomposites did not adversely affect the flexural strength and modulus but greatly increased the Vicker's hardness of resin disks. By continuing to release Ag+ ions without the impact of anaerobic environment, resins containing AgBr/BHPVP nanoparticles are particularly suitable to combat anaerobic cariogenic bacteria. By reason of the combined bactericidal effect of the contact-killing cationic polymers and the releasing-killing Ag+ ions, AgBr/BHPVP-containing resin disks had potent bactericidal activity against S. mutans. The long-lasting antibacterial activity was also achieved through the sustained release of Ag+ ions due to the core-shell structure of the nanocomposites. The results of macrophage cytotoxicity showed that the cell viability of dental resins loading less than 1.0 wt% AgBr/BHPVP was close to that of neat resins. The AgBr/BHPVP-containing dental resin with dual bactericidal capability and long term antimicrobial effect is a promising material aimed at preventing second caries and prolonging the longevity of resin composite restorations.

Fabrication of Z-scheme plasmonic photocatalyst Ag@AgBr/g-C3N4 with enhanced visible-light photocatalytic activity.

A series of Ag@AgBr grafted graphitic carbon nitride (Ag@AgBr/g-C3N4) plasmonic photocatalysts are fabricated through photoreducing AgBr/g-C3N4 hybrids prepared by deposition-precipitation method. The phase and chemical structures, electronic and optical properties as well as morphologies of Ag@AgBr/g-C3N4 heterostructures are well-characterized. Subsequently, the photocatalytic activity of Ag@AgBr/g-C3N4 is evaluated by the degradation of methyl orange (MO) and rhodamin B (RB) under visible-light irradiation. The enhanced photocatalytic activity of Ag@AgBr/g-C3N4 compared with g-C3N4 and Ag@AgBr is obtained and explained in terms of the efficient visible-light utilization efficiency as well as the construction of Z-scheme, which keeps photogenerated electrons and holes with high reduction and oxidation capability, evidenced by photoelectrochemical tests and free radical and hole scavenging experiments. Based on the intermediates identified in the reaction system, the photocatalytic degradation pathway of MO is put forward.

Assessing the occurrence of the dibromide radical (Br2⁻•) in natural waters: measures of triplet-sensitised formation, reactivity, and modelling.

The triplet state of anthraquinone-2-sulphonate (AQ2S) is able to oxidise bromide to Br(•)/Br(2)(-•), with rate constant (2-4)⋅10(9)M(-1)s(-1) that depends on the pH. Similar processes are expected to take place between bromide and the triplet states of naturally occurring chromophoric dissolved organic matter ((3)CDOM*). The brominating agent Br(2)(-•) could thus be formed in natural waters upon oxidation of bromide by both (•)OH and (3)CDOM*. Br(2)(-•) would be consumed by disproportionation into bromide and bromine, as well as upon reaction with nitrite and most notably with dissolved organic matter (DOM). By using the laser flash photolysis technique, and phenol as model organic molecule, a second-order reaction rate constant of ~3⋅10(2)L(mg C)(-1)s(-1) was measured between Br(2)(-•) and DOM. It was thus possible to model the formation and reactivity of Br(2)(-•) in natural waters, assessing the steady-state [Br(2)(-•)]≈10(-13)-10(-12)M. It is concluded that bromide oxidation by (3)CDOM* would be significant compared to oxidation by (•)OH. The (3)CDOM*-mediated process would prevail in DOM-rich and bromide-rich environments, the latter because elevated bromide would completely scavenge (•)OH. Under such conditions, (•)OH-assisted formation of Br(2)(-•) would be limited by the formation rate of the hydroxyl radical. In contrast, the formation rate of (3)CDOM* is much higher compared to that of (•)OH in most surface waters and would provide a large (3)CDOM* reservoir for bromide to react with. A further issue is that nitrite oxidation by Br(2)(-•) could be an important source of the nitrating agent (•)NO(2) in bromide-rich, nitrite-rich and DOM-poor environments. Such a process could possibly account for significant aromatic photonitration observed in irradiated seawater and in sunlit brackish lagoons.

Influence of solvents on the morphological properties of AgBr nano-structures prepared using ultrasound irradiation.

Nano-structures of AgBr have been prepared by reaction between AgNO(3) and KBr under ultrasound irradiation. Particle sizes and morphology of nanoparticle are depending on temperature, power of sonicating, reaction time and concentration. The effects of these parameters in growth and morphology of the nano-structures have been studied. Results suggest that an increasing of temperature, sonication power and concentration led to a decreasing of particle size. The samples were characterized with powder X-ray diffraction (XRD) and scanning electron microscopy (SEM).

Intensification of sonochemical degradation of malachite green by bromide ions.

Sonochemical oxidation has been investigated as a viable advanced oxidation process (AOP) for the destruction of various pollutants in water. Ultrasonic irradiation generates ()OH radicals that can recombine, react with other gaseous species present in the cavity, or diffuse out of the bubble into the bulk liquid medium where they are able to react with solute molecules. The extent of degradation of an organic dye such as malachite green (MG) is limited by the quantity of hydroxyl radicals diffused from cavitation bubbles. In this work, the effect of bromide ions on sonolytic degradation of MG was investigated. The obtained results clearly demonstrated the considerable enhancement of sonochemical destruction of MG in the presence of bromide. No significant differences were observed in the presence of chloride and sulfate, excluding the salting-out effect. Positive effect of bromide ions, which increases with increasing bromide level and decreasing MG concentration, is due to the generation of dibromine radical anion (Br(2)(-)) formed by reaction of Br(-) with ()OH radicals followed by rapid complexation with another anion. The generated Br(2)(-) radicals, reactive but less than ()OH, are likely able to migrate far from the cavitation bubbles towards the solution bulk and are suitable for degradation of an organic dye such as MG. Additionally, Br(2)(-) radicals undergo radical-radical recombination at a lesser extent than hydroxyl radicals and would be more available than ()OH for substrate degradation, both at the bubble surface and in the solution bulk. This effect compensates for the lower reactivity of Br(2)(-) compared to ()OH toward organic substrate. Addition of bromide to natural and sea waters induces a slight positive effect on MG degradation. In the absence of bromide, ultrasonic treatment for the removal of MG was promoted in complex matrices such as natural and sea waters.

LaBr(3):Ce and SiPMs for time-of-flight PET: achieving 100 ps coincidence resolving time.

The use of time-of-flight (TOF) information in positron emission tomography (PET) enables significant improvement in image noise properties and, therefore, lesion detection. Silicon photomultipliers (SiPMs) are solid-state photosensors that have several advantages over photomultiplier tubes (PMTs). SiPMs are small, essentially transparent to 511 keV gamma rays and insensitive to magnetic fields. This enables novel detector designs aimed at e.g. compactness, high resolution, depth-of-interaction (DOI) correction and MRI compatibility. The goal of the present work is to study the timing performance of SiPMs in combination with LaBr(3):Ce(5%), a relatively new scintillator with promising characteristics for TOF-PET. Measurements were performed with two, bare, 3 mm x 3 mm x 5 mm LaBr(3):Ce(5%) crystals, each coupled to a 3 mm x 3 mm SiPM. Using a (22)Na point source placed at various positions in between the two detectors, a coincidence resolving time (CRT) of approximately 100 ps FWHM for 511 keV annihilation photon pairs was achieved, corresponding to a TOF positioning resolution of approximately 15 mm FWHM. At the same time, pulse height spectra with well-resolved full-energy peaks were obtained. To our knowledge this is the best CRT reported for SiPM-based scintillation detectors to date. It is concluded that SiPM-based scintillation detectors can provide timing resolutions at least as good as detectors based on PMTs.

Investigation of the PGNAA using the LaBr3 scintillation detector.

The Joint Research Centre of the European Commission develops instrumentation for detection of hazardous materials. In relation to this a new experimental facility was constructed for research into methods applying the detection of characteristic gamma rays subsequent to neutron irradiation. This includes the detection of prompt gamma rays from neutron inelastic scattering and neutron capture. For this purpose the device employs LaBr(3) scintillation detectors. The paper investigates the applicability of the LaBr(3) scintillation detector to PGNAA.

Directionally controlled 3D ferroelectric single crystal growth in LaBGeO5 glass by femtosecond laser irradiation.

Laser-fabrication of complex, highly oriented three-dimensional ferroelectric single crystal architecture with straight lines and bends is demonstrated in lanthanum borogermanate model glass using a high repetition rate femtosecond laser. Scanning micro-Raman microscopy shows that the c-axis of the ferroelectric crystal is aligned with the writing direction even after bending. A gradual rather than an abrupt transition is observed for the changing lattice orientation through bends up to approximately 14 degrees. Thus the single crystal character of the line is preserved along the bend through lattice straining rather than formation of a grain boundary.

Infrared studies of lead(II) halide-1,10-phenanthroline photosensitive materials.

Infrared spectroscopic studies of 1:1 and 1:2 complexes of lead(II) bromide and lead(II) iodide with 1,10-phenanthroline were reported. Vibrational assignments are made by comparison to reported spectra of the uncomplexed 1,10-phenanthroline molecule. Small shifts of the ligand vibrational bands are characteristic of the complexes.

Bromate ion formation in dark chlorination and ultraviolet/chlorination processes for bromide-containing water.

Bormate (BrO3(-)) is a carcinogenic chemical produced in ozonation or chlorination of bromide-containing water. Although its formation in seawater with or without sunlight has been previously investigated, the formation of bromate in dilute solutions, particularly raw water for water treatment plant, is unknown. In this article, the results of bench scale tests to measure the formation rates of bromate formation in dilute solutions, including de-ionized water and raw water from Yangtze River, were presented in dark chlorination and ultraviolet (UV)/chlorination processes. And the effects of initial pH, initial concentration of NaOCl, and UV light intensity on bromate formation in UV/chlorination of the diluted solutions were investigated. Detectable bromate was formed in dark chlorination of the two water samples with a relatively slow production rate. Under routine disinfecting conditions, the amount of formed bromate is not likely to exceed the national standards (10 microg/L). UV irradiation enhanced the decay of free chlorine, and, simultaneously, 6.6%--32% of Br was oxidized to BrO3(-). And the formation of bromate exhibited three stages: rapid stage, slow stage and plateau. Under the experimental conditions (pH = 4.41--11.07, Ccl2 = 1.23--4.50 mg/L), low pH and high chlorine concentration favored the generation of bromate. High light intensity promoted the production rate of bromate, but decreased its total generation amount due to acceleration of chlorine decomposition.

The Influence of a gradient static magnetic field on an unstirred Belousov-Zhabotinsky reaction.

It is believed that static magnetic fields (SMF) cannot affect the pattern formation of the Belousov-Zhabotinsky (BZ) reaction, which has been frequently studied as a simplified experimental model of a nonequilibrium open system, because SMF produces no induced current and the magnetic force of SMF far below 1 T is too low to expect the effects on electrons in the BZ reaction. In the present study, we examined whether the velocity of chemical waves in the unstirred BZ reaction can be affected by a moderate-intensity SMF exposure depending on the spatial magnetic gradient. The SMF was generated by a parallel pair of attracting rectangular NdFeB magnets positioned opposite each other. The respective maximum values of magnetic flux density (B(max)), magnetic flux gradient (G(max)), and the magnetic force product of the magnetic flux density its gradient (a magnetic force parameter) were 206 mT, 37 mT/mm, and 3,000 mT(2)/mm. The ferroin-catalyzed BZ medium was exposed to the SMF for up to 16 min at 25 degrees C. The experiments demonstrated that the wave velocity was significantly accelerated primarily by the magnetic gradient. The propagation of the fastest wave front indicated a sigmoid increase along the peak magnetic gradient line, but not along the peak magnetic force product line. The underlying mechanisms of the SMF effects on the anomalous wave propagation could be attributed primarily to the increased concentration gradient of the paramagnetic iron ion complexes at the chemical wave fronts induced by the magnetic gradient.

Eu-doped CsBr phosphor as a new optically-stimulable phosphor material for medical X-ray imaging sensor.

CsBr phosphor ceramics doped with different luminescence centres such as In2O3, Eu2O3, EuCl3, SmCl3, TbCl3, GdCl3 or NdCl3 as the candidate for a new optically-stimulable phosphor for medical X-ray imaging sensor were prepared using a conventional ceramic fabrication process. It was found that X-ray-irradiated Eu-doped CsBr (CsBr:Eu) exhibited intense optically stimulated luminescence (OSL). The peak wavelength of the OSL emission and stimulation spectra of CsBr:Eu phosphor ceramic sample were 450 and 690 nm, respectively. The dependence of OSL properties on the conditions of preparation of phosphor ceramic samples, such as Eu concentration, sintering temperature and sintering time, were studied. The optimum preparation conditions were also studied. It was found that the OSL intensity of CsBr:Eu phosphor ceramics fabricated under optimum preparation conditions is higher than that of commercially available imaging plates using BaFBr:Eu.

A real-time, high-resolution optical fibre dosemeter based on optically stimulated luminescence (OSL) of KBr:Eu, for potential use during the radiotherapy of cancer.

A real-time optically stimulated luminescence (OSL) dosimetry system for potential in vivo use during radiotherapy treatments is proposed. Single-crystal europium-doped KBr samples were grown in a Bridgman furnace, and characterised using optical absorption techniques. An algorithm for the processing of the OSL signal was defined for use in real-time measurements, and its performance was studied on data obtained with a home-built reader, using optical-fibre-coupled dosemeters. OSL dose-response, fading properties and temperature dependence of the signal were investigated in correlation with the concentration of Eu(2+) dopant in the sample.

Thermoluminescence behaviour of KCL(1-x)Br(x):Pb2+ exposed to gamma radiation.

The thermoluminescence (TL) behaviour of solid solutions of lead doped KCl(1-x)Br(x) (X = 0.02, 0.35, 0.50, 0.65, 0.85, 1) mixed crystals exposed to gamma radiation at different doses from 60Co is reported. The TL glow curves of KCl(1-x)Br(x):Pb2+ crystal exposed in the range of 0-140 Gy is strongly dependent on composition X. The maximum temperature of the main TL glow peak was found to shift towards lower temperatures as composition X increased and a significant enhancement of the TL efficiency in KCl(1-x)Br(x):Pb2+ was found for X = 0.50 which is attributed to an increase in the vacancy concentration of the mixed halides at middle composition. The participation of the F-centre in the TL phenomenon particularly related to the main TL glow peak observed in mixed samples was also confirmed.

Photodissociation of cyclobutyl bromide at 234 nm studied using velocity map imaging.

This study investigates the 234 nm photodissociation dynamics of cyclobutyl bromide using a two-dimensional photofragment velocity imaging technique. The spin-orbit ground- and excited-state Br(2P) atoms are state-selectively detected via [2+1] resonance enhanced multiphoton ionization (REMPI), whereas the cyclobutyl radicals are ionized using 157 nm laser light. The Br(2P(3/2)) and the Br(2P(1/2)) atoms and their c-C4H7 radical cofragments evidence a single-peaked, Gaussian-shaped translational energy distribution ranging from approximately 14 to approximately 39 kcal/mol and angular distributions with significant parallel character. The Br(2P(1/2))/ Br(2P(3/2)) spin-orbit branching ratio is determined to be 0.11 +/- 0.07 by momentum match between the Br(2P) photofragments and the recoiling c-C4H7 fragments, assuming a uniform photoionization probability of the c-C4H7 radicals with an internal energy range of 10-35 kcal/mol. The REMPI line strength ratio for the detection of Br(2P(3/2)) and Br(2P(1/2)) atoms at 233.681 and 234.021 nm, respectively, is therefore derived to be 0.10 +/- 0.07. The measured recoil kinetic energies of the c-C4H7 radicals, and the resulting distribution of internal energies, indicates some of the radicals are formed with total internal energies above the barrier to isomerization and subsequent dissociation, but our analysis indicates they may be stable due to the substantial fraction of the internal energy which is partitioned to rotational energy of the radicals.

Thermoluminescence of photostimulable materials after X irradiation below room temperature.

Thermoluminescence glow peaks in the temperature range 100 to 400 K are investigated for BaFX (X = Cl, Br) crystals after X irradiation at 100 K. A prominent glow peak of BaFCl around 210 K is found to be composed of a few recombination roots, that is, the peak corresponds to the recombination of hole trapped centres such as an O- centre and a dissociated Cl2- centre with the F (F-) centre and the O2--F(Cl-) pair defect. Another small glow peak around 270 K is likely to occur from thermal dissociation of the O2- -F(Cl-) pair defect. The main glow peak of BaFBr:O2- at 170 K may be attributed to a recombination of an O- centre with the F(Br-) centre.