RESUMO
We report for the first time the successful synthesis of palladium (Pd) nanoparticle (NP)-decorated tungsten trioxide (WO3) nanoneedles (NNs) via a two-step aerosol-assisted chemical vapor deposition approach. Morphological, structural, and elemental composition analysis revealed that a Pd(acac)2 precursor was very suitable to decorate WO3 NNs with uniform and well-dispersed PdO NPs. Gas-sensing results revealed that decoration with PdO NPs led to an ultrasensitive and selective hydrogen (H2) gas sensor (sensor response peaks at 1670 at 500 ppm of H2) with low operating temperature (150 °C). The response of decorated NNs is 755 times higher than that of bare WO3 NNs. Additionally, at a temperature near that of the ambient temperature (50 °C), the response of this sensor toward the same concentration of H2 was 23, which is higher than that of some promising sensors reported in the literature. Finally, humidity measurements showed that PdO/WO3 sensors displayed low-cross-sensitivity toward water vapor, compared to bare WO3 sensors. The addition of PdO NPs helps to minimize the effect of ambient humidity on the sensor response.
RESUMO
Tungsten oxide films were deposited via Aerosol Assisted Chemical Vapour Deposition (AACVD) from the single-source precursor W(OPh)6. Film morphology and optimum deposition temperatures for formation of quasi-one-dimensional structures is influenced by the solvent 'carrier' used for deposition of the films with bulk porous films and nanostructured needles, hollow tubes and fibres obtained dependent on the solvent used and the deposition temperature. This influence of solvent could be exploited for the synthesis of other nanomaterials, and so provide a new and versatile route to develop and integrate nanostructured materials for device applications.
RESUMO
We present Raman scattering and scanning tunnelling microscopy (STM) measurements on hydrogen plasma etched single-wall carbon nanotubes (SWNTs). Interestingly, both the STM and Raman spectroscopy show that the metallic SWNTs are dramatically altered and highly defected by the plasma treatment. In addition, structural characterizations show that metal catalysts are detached from the ends of the SWNT bundles. For semiconducting SWNTs we observe no feature of defects or etching along the nanotubes. Raman spectra in the radial breathing mode region of plasma-treated SWNT material show that most of the tubes are semiconducting. These results show that hydrogen plasma treatment favours etching of metallic nanotubes over semiconducting ones and therefore could be used to tailor the electronic properties of SWNT raw materials.
RESUMO
This article presents an outline of 13 research studies which were carried out in the 1980s at the Clinical Psychology Division of the Psychology Department at the Faculty of Arts in Ljubljana. The studies concentrated on various psychosomatic diseases and dysfunctions by applying 26 psychodiagnostic instruments. The problems, the usefulness of the instruments, and basic characteristics of diseases were analyzed, and a model for further research into psychological factors in psychosomatic diseases was proposed. We are of the opinion that the fundamental dimensions of personality--aggressiveness and ways of coping with stress within a specific life style and supported by information from life history--deserve special attention. Therefore, we suggest that a set of basic psychodiagnostic instruments be compiled. We also suggest that particularly general practitioners be acquainted with these factors involved in psychosomatic dysfunctions, because they most often confront problems of this kind. We believe that somatic therapy is doubtless necessary, but insufficient, because a patient is not treated as a whole, which is imperative in psychosomatics. This is a sphere where medicine and psychology will meet more regularly in the future.
