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We report the synthesis and characterization of a MASnxPb1-xBr3 (MA = methylammonium; nominal x = 0, 0.2, 0.4, 0.5, 0.6, 0.8, 1) solid solution. The original synthetic method developed allowed one to obtain single-phase materials with homogeneous Sn/Pb distribution. All of the samples prepared are cubic, and the unit cell linearly decreases with increasing x value. The optical response indicates a linear trend (Vegard's law) of the band gap with increasing Sn content from 2.20 eV (x = 0) to 1.33 eV (x = 1), thus extending light absorption into the near-IR.

Long-range proton diffusion through a percolation pathway of dopant atoms in acceptor doped barium zirconate.

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‡ Note that h111i is the group of directions and the correct vector for this vac-vac distance in the fluorite structure would be 1/2 Â h111i, and for the pyrochlore 1/4 Â h111i. However, to avoid confusion when comparing different unit cells we only use the group of directions related to an oxygen cube as illustrated in Fig. 1.

W-doped LnNbO4+d compounds (Ln = La, Nd) have been recently proposed as novel interstitial-based oxide ion conductors.

In this article, we report a systematic investigation of the role of (i) substrate temperature, (ii) oxygen partial pressure, and (iii) radio frequency (rf) power on the crystal structure and morphology of CuO nanostructured thin films prepared by means of rf-magnetron sputtering starting from a Cu metal target. On selected films, photocatalytic tests have been carried out in order to correlate the structural and morphological properties of the thin films prepared under different conditions with the photocatalytic properties and to find out the key parameters to optimize the CuO nanostructured films. All of the synthesized films were single-phase CuO nanorods of variable diameter between 80 and 200 nm. Better-aligned rods were obtained at relatively low substrate temperatures and from low to intermediate oxygen partial pressures, resulting in more efficient photocatalytic activities. Our investigation suggests a relevant role of the crystallographic orientation of the CuO tenorite film on the photocatalytic activity, as demonstrated by the significant improvement in H2 evolution for highly oriented films.

A significant fraction of the non-exhaust particulate matter emissions from vehicular traffic comprises fine particles from the wear debris of brake pads and discs. Recent studies have shown that these emissions can be consistently reduced by using wear resistant disc coatings. This study thoroughly analyses the debris produced by a low-met brake pad, which is dyno-bench tested against both cast iron and WC-CoCr-coated brake discs. To achieve this, particles in the size range of 2.5 m to 30 nm were collected and characterized. The results showed a consistent reduction in the particle emission as well as in the concentration of iron oxides, which are mainly released from the disc tribo-oxidation in the coated disc. Furthermore, a few tungsten carbides, released from the coating, were also observed in the wear fragments. The results of this study can be useful for improving the protective coating and consequently help in reducing particulate matter emission further.