Iranian Journal of Materials Science and Engineering

Cobalt Doped Bioactive Glasses: Sinterabilty, Crystallization Trend, and Bioderadation Assessment of Relevant Glass-Ceramic Scaffolds

Sara Banijamali

This study explores the fabrication, structural analysis, and cytocompatibility of cobalt-doped bioactive glass scaffolds for potential applications in bone tissue engineering. A specific glass composition modified from Hench's original formulation was melted, quenched, and ground to an average particle size of 10 μm. The resulting amorphous powder underwent controlled sintering to form green bodies and was extensively characterized using simultaneous differential thermal analysis (DTA), Raman spectroscopy, and Fourier Transform Infrared analysis (FTIR). After mixing with a resin and a dispersant, the composite was used in digital light processing (DLP) 3D printing to construct scaffolds with interconnected macropores. Thermal post-treatment of 3D printed scaffolds, including debinding (Removing the binder that used for shaping) and sintering, was optimized based on thermogravimetric analysis (TG) and the microstructure was examined using FE-SEM and XRD. In vitro bioactivity was assessed by immersion in simulated body fluid (SBF), while cytocompatibility with MC3T3 cells was evaluated through SEM following a series of ethanol dehydrations. The study validates the fabrication of bioactive glass scaffolds with recognized structural and morphological properties, establishing the effects of cobalt doping on glass behavior and its implications for tissue engineering scaffolds. Results show, Low cobalt levels modify the glass network and reduce its Tg to 529 ^oC, while higher concentrations enhance the structure in point of its connectivity. XRD results shows all prepared glasses are amorphous nature, and DTA suggests a concentration-dependent Tg relationship. Spectroscopy indicates potential Si-O-Co bonding and effects on SiO2 polymerization. Cobalt's nucleating role promotes crystalline phases, enhancing bioactivity seen in rapid CHA layer formation in SBF, advancing the prospects for bone tissue engineering materials.

The Impact of Preparation Time on AgNPs Doped PVA and Its Implication in Antimicrobial Activity

Wed Abed

Silver/polyvinyl alcohol (Ag/PVA) nanocomposites were fabricated via an electrochemical method. Silver nanoparticles (AgNPs) with varying grain sizes were directly synthesized within PVA polymer matrices at deposition times of 15, 30, 45, 60, and 120 minutes. The integration of AgNPs within the PVA matrix was confirmed through Transmission Electron Microscopy (TEM) and optical absorbance measurements. X-ray Diffraction (XRD) analysis demonstrated the face-centered cubic structure of AgNPs. Furthermore, these prepared nanocomposites exhibited significant antibacterial properties against Bacillus subtilis and Pseudomonas pneumonia, as well as antifungal activity against Alternaria alternata. Remarkably, the AgNPs/PVA nanocomposite exhibited outstanding antifungal efficiency, resulting in an impressive inhibition zone of up to 47 mm.

Experimental Inquiry and Machine Learning for Predictive Analysis of Friction Stir Welded AA5052 and AZ31B Dissimilar Joints

Padmanaban Ramasamy

The present investigation delves into the friction stir welding of AA5052 and AZ31B alloys, examining the effects of three distinct parameter configurations. A face-centered central composite design, structured to incorporate full replications for comprehensive and reliable analysis, was employed. A pivotal element of this study is implementing an advanced deep neural network (DNN) model. Characterized by its varied activation functions, structural parameters, and training algorithms, this DNN model was adeptly configured to precisely predict the tensile strength and microhardness of the welded joints. This comprehensive examination also included a quantitative assessment of the parameter effects on joint microstructure and mechanical properties. Flawless welds with exemplary surface characteristics were attained through a meticulously optimized set of parameters: a tool rotation speed set at 825 rpm, a tool traverse speed of 15 mm/min, and a shoulder diameter of 18 mm. During the welding process, the formation of intermetallic compounds, specifically Al₁₂Mg₁₇ and Al₃Mg₂, was observed. An exceptionally refined grain size of 2.23 µm was observed in the stir zone, contributing to the joint's enhanced tensile strength, measured at 180 MPa. The hardness of the specimen fabricated at the high rotational speed is more elevated due to the brittle intermetallic compounds. The better mechanical properties are related to the reduction and distribution of intermetallic compounds formed in the interface zone.

Ni-W Alloy Coating as an Efficient Electrocatalyst for the Hydrogen Evolution Reaction: Effect of Electroplating Current Density on Morphology and Electrocatalytic Properties

Saeed rastegari

In this research, a nickel-tungsten coating as a catalyst for hydrogen evolution reaction (HER) with different current densities was synthesized and the resulting electrocatalytic properties and morphology were assessed. Linear sweep voltammetry (LSV), electrochemical impedance spectroscopy (EIS), and chronoamperometry in 1 M NaOH were used to evaluate the electrocatalytic activity for HER. By increasing the current density of electrodeposition up to 500 mA/cm², a columnar morphology was observed. The cyclic voltammetry test (CV) revealed that when the plating current density increases, C_dl has increased from 248 to 1310 µF/cm² and the active surface area increases 5 times. The results showed that by modifying the coating morphology, the current density of the hydrogen evolution increased up to two times.

Numerical Optimization of Successive Ionic Layer Adsorption and Reaction Synthesized Zinc Oxide Thin Film as Electron Transport Layer for Organic and Perovskite Solar Cells

Rakhesh Vamadevan

Organic and Perovskite solar cells have attracted a lot of attention recently since they can be used with flexible substrates and have lower manufacturing costs. The configuration and materials employed in their construction, including the Electron Transport Layer (ETL), active layer, electrode contact, and hole transport layer greatly influence the stability and performance of these solar cells. This research focuses on the simulation of solar cells, specifically utilizing zinc oxide (ZnO) as the electron transport layer. A 0.1 molar ZnO thin film was prepared from Zinc acetate salt and was deposited on a glass substrate using the cost effective Successive Ionic Layer Adsorption and Reaction (SILAR) method. In-depth investigations were carried out on several factors, including structural, surface, optical and numerical analysis. The obtained parameters were utilized in the General-Purpose Photovoltaic Device Model (GPVDM) software to perform numerical simulations of the organic solar cell and Perovskite solar cell. Both Organic solar cells and Perovskite solar cells were designed numerically and through careful observations, electrical parameters like Open circuit Voltage (Voc), Short circuit current (Jsc), Fill Factor (FF), and Power Conversion Efficiency (PCE) were identified. The studies indicate the promising performance of simulated solar cells with SILAR-synthesized ZnO thin film as the ETL.

Effect of Multiaxiality on the Stress Rupture Properties of P92 Steel

lakshmiprasad maddi

High thermal conductivity, low coefficient of thermal expansion makes P92 a candidate material for Ultra Super Critical (USC) power plant piping. Microstructural features viz., high dislocation density, lath martensitic microstructure, fine precipitates of M₂₃C₆ and MX (X=C, N) contribute towards the high rupture strength. However, most components are typically subjected to multiaxial stress conditions; either metallurgical (weldments), or mechanical (change in the dimension). The present work involves stress rupture testing of circumferential 60° V- notch specimens in the range of 300 – 375 MPa at 650 °C. Notch strengthening effect was observed; with rupture times ranging from 200 – 1300 h. Scanning electron microscopy (SEM) fractography revealed mixed mode of fracture with brittle fracture observed at notch root, while ductile fracture was seen at the centre of the specimen.

Synthesis and Characterization of Nanostructured (Fe80Ni20)1-xCrx(x= 0, 4) Alloys Using Mechanical Alloying and Density Functional Theory

Seyed Farzad Dehghaniyan

Mechanical alloying was employed to synthesize a nanostructured alloy with the chemical formula of (Fe₈₀Ni₂₀)_1-xCr_x (x= 0, 4). The microstructural and magnetic properties of the samples were investigated using scanning electron microscopy (SEM), X-ray diffraction (XRD), energy dispersive X-ray spectroscopy (EDS), and a vibrating sample magnetometer (VSM). Additionally, theoretical calculations were performed using density functional theory (DFT) under the generalized gradient approximation (GGA). Simulations have demonstrated that an appropriate quantity of chromium (Cr) can dissolve within the BCC-Fe (Ni) structure, resulting in a favorable enhancement of the magnetic moment of the lattice. The XRD results indicated that after 96 hours of milling, Fe (Ni) and Fe (Ni, Cr) with a body-centered cubic (BCC) structure were formed. With increasing milling time, the grain size decreased while the microstrain increased. The saturation magnetization (Ms) of Fe₈₀Ni₂₀ composition increased up to 32 hours of milling, but further milling (up to 96 h) resulted in a decrease in the saturation magnetization However, for the (Fe₈₀Ni₂₀)₉₆Cr₄ powders, milling up to 64 h caused a reduction in Ms. The coercivity (Hc) trend was different and increased with longer milling times (up to 96 h) for both compositions.

The Effect of PSi Pore Structure on the Characteristics of ZnO Rods Fabricated by Hydrothermal Method

Risa Suryana

Modifying photo-anode structures in DSSC devices is still challenging in improving efficiency. This study focused on the ZnO rod growth on several porous silicon substrates using the hydrothermal method and determining which porous silicon is appropriate for DSSC applications. The materials used for the growth solution were Zn(NO₃)₂6H₂O 0.05 M and C₆H₁₂N₄ 0.25 M. The hydrothermal process was carried out at 90°C for 6 h and then annealed at 450°C for 30 min. SEM revealed that PSi pore influences the structure, diameter, and density of ZnO rods. ZnO structures formed in ZnO rods with a dominant vertical growth direction, ZnO rods with an intersection direction, and flower-like ZnO rods. The diameter of the PSi pore affected the density of ZnO rods grown on the PSi. The average diameter size and the density of ZnO rods vary from 747.66-1610.68 nm and 0.22-0.90 rod/μm². XRD confirmed the presence of ZnO hexagonal wurtzite, Si cubic, and SiO₂ monoclinic. UV-Vis spectrometry characterization results showed that sample reflectance was influenced by ZnO rod density and PSi pitch. The larger density of ZnO rods and the smaller pitch of the PSi pore will lead to lower reflectance. In addition, band gap values were obtained in the 3.06-3.75 eV range. FTIR identified the existence of a ZnO vibration bond, indicating that ZnO was successfully grown on all PSi substrates. The ZnO rods grown on P15S1180 are expected to have more appropriate properties among all five samples for DSSC photoanode.

Optimization of AG/RGO/TIO2 Nanocomposite for Peropvskite Solar Cells

Muhammad Shahzad Sadiq

With increasing energy demand and depletion of fossil fuel resources, it is pertinent to explore the renewable and eco-friendly energy resource to meet global energy demand. Recently, perovskite solar cells (PSCs) have emerged as plausible candidates in the field of photovoltaics and considered as potential contender of silicon solar cells in the photovoltaic market owing to their superior optoelectronic properties, low-cost and high absorption coefficients. Despite intensive research, PSCs still suffer from efficiency, stability, and reproducibility issues. To address the concern, the charge transport material (CTM) particularly the electron transport materials (ETM) can play significant role in the development of efficient and stable perovskite devices. In the proposed research, we synthesized GO-Ag-TiO₂ternary nanocomposite by facile hydrothermal approach as a potential electron transport layer (ETL) in a regular planar configuration-based PSC. The as synthesized sample was examined for morphological, structural, and optical properties using XRD, and UV-Vis spectroscopic techniques. XRD analysis confirmed the high crystallinity of prepared sample with no peak of impurity. The optimized GO-Ag-TiO₂ETL exhibited superior PCE of 8.72% with J_sc of 14.98 mA.cm^-2 ,V_oc of 0.99 V, and a fill factor of 58.83%. Furthermore, the efficiency enhancement in comparison with reference device is observed which confirms the potential role of doped materials in enhancing photovoltaic performance by facilitating efficient charge transport and reduced recombination. Our research suggests a facile route to synthesize a low-cost ETM beneficial for the commercialization of future perovskite devices.

Biosynthesis of Silver Nanoparticles Reduced by Aerodramus Fuciphagus Extracts for Antibacterial Applications.

FARAH Hanani ZULKIFLI

Researchers are increasingly focusing on green synthesis methods for silver nanoparticles due to their cost-effectiveness and reduced environmental impact. In this study, we utilized an edible bird's nest (EBN), a valuable economic resource, as the primary material for synthesizing silver nanoparticles using only water as the solvent. Metabolite profiling of the EBN extract was conducted using LC-QTOF-MS in positive mode (ESI+), revealing the presence of lipids, glycosides, peptides, polysaccharides, and disaccharides. Upon the addition of silver nitrate to the aqueous EBN extract, noticeable color changes from transparent to brown indicated the successful formation of AgNPs. Subsequent characterization of these silver nanoparticles involved UV-Visible spectroscopy, which revealed an absorption peak at 421 nm. Further characterization was carried out using FESEM, ATR-FTIR spectroscopy, and EDX analysis. The involvement of phenolic agents, proteins, and amino acids in reducing the silver particles was confirmed. The synthesized nanoparticles exhibited a spherical shape, and a particle size ranging from 10 to 20 nm. The presence of elemental silver was confirmed by a strong, intense peak around 3 keV in the EDX spectrum. To assess their potential, the antibacterial properties of the silver nanoparticles against Escherichia coli and Staphylococcus aureus were evaluated using the agar diffusion method.

A Comparison of Microstructure, Hardness, and Wear Behavior of Ti matrix Composites Reinforced with in-Situ Reinforcements Synthesized Using TiB2 and B4C

Ali Alizadeh

Pressureless sintering was employed at 1400 °C to synthesize Ti matrix composites (TMCs) reinforced with in-situ TiB and TiC reinforcements using TiB₂ and B₄C initial reinforcements. The microstructure and wear behavior of the synthesized composites were evaluated and compared and the results showed that B₄C caused the formation of TiB-TiC in-situ hybrid reinforcements in the Ti matrix. Also, TiB was in the form of blades/needles and whiskers, and TiC was almost equiaxed. Moreover, the volume fraction of the in-situ formed reinforcement using B₄C was much higher than that formed using TiB₂. In addition, although the hardness of the B₄C-synthesized composites was higher, the composite synthesized using 3 wt.% TiB₂ exhibited the highest hardness (425 HV). The wear test results showed that the sample synthesized using 3 wt.% TiB₂ showed the lowest wear rate at 50 N, mainly because of its higher hardness. The dominant wear mechanism in the samples synthesized using 3 wt.% B₄C was abrasive and delamination at 50 N and 100 N, respectively while in the samples synthesized 3 wt.% TiB₂, a combination of delamination and adhesive wear and adhesive wear was ruling, respectively.

Fabrication of Novel CuWO4/SnO2 heterogeneous Photocatalyst for Efficient Degradation of Rose Bengal Dye under Visible Light Irradiation

Kavitha Balasubramani

Heterostructure photocatalyst of CuWO₄ modified SnO₂ (CuWO₄/SnO₂) was fabricated by in simple wet-impregnation process and evaluated via degradation of rose Bengal (RB) under visible light irradiation. The samples had been completely characterized by Ultraviolet-visible diffuse reflectance spectroscopy (UV-vis-DRS), X-ray diffraction (XRD), Scanning electron microscopy (SEM) combined with energy-dispersive X-ray spectroscopy (EDX), transmission electron microscopy (TEM), High-resolution TEM (HR-TEM), X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS) and Brunauer-Emmett and Teller surface analysis (BET). The result divulged that amongst the catalysts, CuWO₄/SnO₂ displayed higher photocatalytic activity than CuWO₄ or SnO₂. The enhanced photocatalytic efficiencies are attributed to the charge transfer from SnO₂ to CuWO₄ nanoparticles, which efficiently decrease electron-hole recombination energy level. The time required for maximum degradation of rosebengal (RB) under visible light over CuWO₄/SnO₂ was 180 min. The other parameters such as pH (pH=8), photocatalyst dosage (0.2 g/L) and dye concentration (20 µM) were optimized to achieve high degradation efficiency (98.5%). The excellent photocatalytic activity of CuWO₄/SnO₂ is due to efficient separation of photogenerated electron-hole pairs. The holes (h⁺) and superoxide radicals (O₂^•-) are the reactive species involved in photocatalytic mechanism for gdegradation of RB.

Optimizing Organic Solar Cells: The Effect of P3HT:PCBM Active Layer and Ca Interference Layer

Fathi Brioua

We have modeled theoretical incident photon-to-current electricity (IPCE) action spectra of poly(3-hexylthiophene) (P3HT) and [6,6]-Phenyl C61 butyric acid methyl ester active layer bulk-heterojunction. By the two-dimensional optical model of a multilayer system based on the structure of Glass substrate / SiO₂ /ITO/ PEDOT: PSS /P3HT: PCBM(1:1)/Ca/Al, the optical responses of the device have been computed for different photoactive layer and Ca layer thicknesses to found an optimal structure which allows obtaining the maximum absorption localized in the active layer and high device performance. The electric field intensity, energy dissipation, generation rate, and IPCE have been computed to enhance the device's performance. The finite element method executes the simulation under an incident intensity of 100 mW/cm² of the 1.5 AM illumination. It was found that the optimum structure is achieved by a 180 nm photoactive layer and 5 nm Ca layer thicknesses.

Superior Photocatalytic Efficiency with Titania (TiO2)-Polyaniline (PANI) Nanocomposite for Rapid Carbol Fuchsin (CF) Dye Degradation

Arun Patil

Hybrid photocatalysts, comprising both inorganic and organic polymeric components, are the most promising photocatalysts for the degradation of organic contaminants. The nanocomposite, Titania-Polyaniline (TiO₂-PANI) was synthesized using the chemical oxidative polymerization method. Various characterization techniques were employed to assess the properties of the catalysts. The ultraviolet diffuse reflectance spectroscopy (UV-DRS) analysis revealed that the TiO₂ absorbs only UV light while the TiO₂-PANI nanocomposite absorbs light from both UV and visible regions. The X-ray diffraction (XRD) results confirmed the presence of TiO₂(anatase) in both TiO₂ nanoparticles and TiO₂-PANI (Titania-Polyaniline) nanocomposite. The phases of the catalysts were verified through Raman, TEM, and SAED techniques where all results are in good agreement with each other. The average crystallite size of TiO₂ nanoparticle and TiO₂-PANI nanocomposite were 13.87 and 10.76 nm. The thermal stability of the catalysts was assessed by the Thermal gravimetric analysis (TGA) technique. The order of the thermal stability is TiO₂ > TiO₂-PANI > PANI. The crystal lattice characteristics were confirmed using Transmission electron microscopy (TEM). The surface area measurements were confirmed from the Brunauer-Emmett-Teller (BET) study and were employed for the evaluation of the photocatalytic efficiency of both, TiO₂ nanoparticles and TiO₂-PANI nanocomposite catalysts. The energy dispersive spectroscopy (EDS) study was employed for elemental detection of the fabricated materials. While Raman spectroscopy was employed for the chemical structure and the phase characteristics of the materials. The standard conditions for the degradation of the CF dye were 8 g/L of catalyst dosage, 20 mg/L of dye concentration, and a pH of 7. The TiO₂-PANI nanocomposite exhibited superior efficiency as compared to pure TiO₂nanoparticles, achieving almost 100 % degradation in just 40 minutes.