Tato práce se zabývá charakterizací topologického izolátoru Bi2Te3, materiálu s nevodivými stavy v objemu, ale jedním vodivým pásem na povrchu. Tento materiál je zkoumán již přes 60 let, ale i přes to není jeho objemová pásová struktura úplně objasněna, obzvláště charakter zakázaného pásu je stále předmětem diskuze. V této práci jsou prezentovány výsledky infračervené spektroskopie na Landauových hladinách v magnetickém poli až do 34 T, doplněné elipsometrickým měřením mimo magnetické pole. Výsledky těchto měření by měli pomoci vyjasnit některé vlastnosti zakázaného pásu. Pozorovaná optická odezva odpovídá polovodiči s přímým zakázaným pásem, ve kterém se nosiče náboje chovají jako Diracovské hmotné fermiony. Šířka zakázaného pásu za nízkých teplot byla určena jako Eg = (175±5) meV a samotný zakázaný pás se nachází mimo trigonální osu, tím pádem se v první Brillouinově zoně vyskytuje 6 krát nebo 12 krát.

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In this master thesis it was studied morphology of polyamide 12 (PA12), polyamide 11 (PA11) and their blends in the percent ratios 95/5, 75/25, 50/50, 25/75 and 5/95 formed at pressure 7 MPa in a calorimeter both after continual heating and cooling and after annealing and isothermal crystallization. Neat polyamides and blends were further characterized by thermogravimetric analysis, differential scanning calorimetry at atmospheric pressure, Fourier-transform infrared spectroscopy in attenuated total refection, and X-ray diffraction analysis. The increased pressure improved level of polyamide chains ordering in crystal lamellae. Thermal annealing improved especially ordering of PA12, isothermal crystallization led to considerable increase of crystallinity, whereas PA11-rich blends supported perfection of PA12 crystals. Partial transformation of - to -structure occurred in case of neat PA12 at high pressure, the change of the chain conformation into the closer one occurred in neat PA11 without transformation of the type of crystal structure.

M.Tech. (Department of Chemistry, Faculty of Applied and Computer Sciences), Vaal University of Technology / This study reports the synthesis and characterization of cobalt oxide nanoparticles using a microwave technique and chemical precipitation with oxidation method. Cobalt complexes were prepared using carboxylic acids (acetic acid, heptanoic acid, and stearic acid) as ligands. The complexes were characterized by Fourier Transform Infrared Spectroscopy (FTIR), Thermogravimetric Analysis (TGA) and Elemental analyses (EA). Cobalt oxide nanoparticles were synthesized from the complexes via a microwave-assisted technique. A precipitation oxidation preparation reaction was used varying different parameters like pH, time, oxidising agent, heating method and cobalt precursor. The use of the cobalt nitrate and cobalt acetate as cobalt precursors resulted in spherical and cubic nanoparticles respectively. Cobalt precursors containing a longer hydrocarbon chain length, for instance cobalt heptanoate, did not yield cobalt oxide nanoparticles with the precipitation oxidation reaction due non- solubility of the complex. Using cobalt acetate as precursor, an increase in the pH from 7.91 to 10.18 caused the cobalt oxide nanoparticles shape to become well defined cubes with a narrower size range and CoOOH needles formed when the pH was further increased to 12.26. The optimum pH of 10.18 yielded cubic cobalt oxide particles having an average size of 25.45 nm with a standard deviation of 6.12. The nanoparticle size decreased from 35.70 nm to 4.45 nm when the oxygen oxidant was replaced with hydrogen peroxide. Conventional heating with a hotplate yielded nanoparticles with a more homogenous shape and size than microwave heating. The size of the nanoparticles increased from 22.81 nm to 25.45 nm when reaction time changed from 16 hours to72 hours.

Deposition of silica shells onto ZnO nanoparticles (NPs) in dimethyl sulfoxide was found to be an efficient tool for terminating the growth of ZnO NPs during thermal treatment and producing stable core–shell ZnO NPs with core sizes of 3.5–5.8 nm. The core–shell ZnO–SiO2 NPs emit two photoluminescence (PL) bands centred at [similar]370 and [similar]550 nm originating from the direct radiative electron–hole recombination and defect-mediated electron–hole recombination, respectively. An increase of the ZnO NP size from 3.5 to 5.8 nm is accompanied by a decrease of the intensity of the defect PL band and growth of its radiative life-time from 0.78 to 1.49 μs. FTIR spectroscopy reveals no size dependence of the FTIR-active spectral features of ZnO–SiO2 NPs in the ZnO core size range of 3.5–5.8 nm, while in the Raman spectra a shift of the LO frequency from 577 cm−1 for the 3.5 nm ZnO core to 573 cm−1 for the 5.8 nm core is observed, which can indicate a larger compressive stress in smaller ZnO cores induced by the SiO2 shell. Simultaneous hydrolysis of zinc(II) acetate and tetraethyl orthosilicate also results in the formation of ZnO–SiO2 NPs with the ZnO core size varying from 3.1 to 3.8 nm. However, unlike the case of the SiO2 shell deposition onto the pre-formed ZnO NPs, individual core–shell NPs are not formed but loosely aggregated constellations of ZnO–SiO2 NPs with a size of 20–30 nm are. The variation of the synthetic procedures in the latter method proposed here allows the size of both the ZnO core and SiO2 host particles to be tuned. / Dieser Beitrag ist aufgrund einer (DFG-geförderten) Allianz- bzw. Nationallizenz frei zugänglich.

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Today, in the automotive industry, many of the interior parts in the car are made of ABS and PC/ABS polymeric blend. These materials are used in the areas for example: instrument panels, tunnel consoles and door panels. The extensive use of these materials means that it is important to gain in-depth knowledge about the materials,their properties; and also their behaviour when in contact with different chemicals andat different conditions.This study aims to address the potential problem of the polymers used in the interiorof the car - ABS and PC/ABS cracking due to environmental factors. This study proposes to introduce a low-cost test method to compare the polymeric materials and choose the best one for future purposes with the environmental circumstances in mind for materials to have a good service life.During the thesis project, ABS and PC/ABS samples were tested for environmental stress cracking to compare the strained materials against PEG 400 and an assemblyfluid chemical. These tests were conducted at three different temperature levels.Differential Scanning Calorimetry (DSC) was used to verify the polymeric materialsthat the samples were made of. Optical microscope and FTIR were employed to analyzethe samples for crazes / cracks and degradation of material, respectively.This thesis helped in establishing a good starting point for ESC testing of different materials for the organization. The test method was used to test the failure of material sin ESC. It was observed that the chemicals used for the testing were aggressive and accelerated the cracking process in the materials rapidly. Another observation of the tests was that high strain also caused the materials to fail quickly. While comparing the materials, PC/ABS polymer blend was more resistant than ABS materials to cracking when exposed to same strain level during the creep rupture test (test in absence ofchemicals acting as a reference test for ESC).

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Every moment of every day, at least hundreds of thousands of tires roll across a surface throughout the world. Tires are indisputably important in our daily life. The tire's primary component is rubber, which consumes energy when it rotates on a substrate due to the viscoelastic material's internal friction: a phenomenon referred to as rolling resistance. The interaction between the tire and the road surface is one of the most intricate and crucial phenomena in an automobile, because it is responsible for creating forces, moments, and deformation in the tire. Additionally, the road's roughness interacts with the tire and contributes significantly to its performance. This dissertation aims to develop a comprehensive physics-based model for predicting the rolling resistance of a viscoelastic material due to dynamic deformations caused by tire rotation using an analytical approach. The model was developed by proposing a Gaussian wave function propagating across a tire circumference's viscoelastic medium. The wave function was selected to describe the displacement field produced by tire-road interaction. Additionally, by adopting a multi-scale modeling technique, the model was upgraded to estimate rolling resistance while taking into account surface roughness at all length scales, from macroscopic to microscopic. Additionally, another mathematical model was developed using the Fourier series approach to evaluate the steady-state stress response and energy dissipation for any harmonic and non-harmonic periodic strain signals. Additionally, the dissertation strove to build a continuum damage mathematical model using a combined testing/modeling methodology to predict the aging of Styrene-Butadiene Rubber (SBR) after continuous exposure to the atmosphere. The obtained model was developed through the implementation of optimization techniques while formulating a mathematical model, which was then combined with a physics-based model to predict rolling resistance while taking into account rubber aging. Calibration of hyperelastic and viscoelastic material models with testing data was performed using an optimization technique that yielded sufficient results. The results of all mathematical models obtained in this dissertation are reported subsequently. The stress response of a viscoelastic material under harmonic and non-harmonic strain input yielded good agreement with the FEA model obtained using ABAQUS. The rolling resistance behavior under various operating conditions, including texture and aging effects, was reported, and the results aligned with the experimental results found in the literature. / Doctor of Philosophy / Every moment of every day, hundreds of thousands of automobile tires roll across a surface somewhere in the world. A tire is an undeniably important part of everyday life. Rubber is the tire's main component, and when it rotates on a surface, it loses energy, resulting in a force that resists motion, known as rolling resistance force. The contact between the tire and the road is one of the most complicated and important phenomena that happens in an automobile because it is responsible for the vehicle's dynamic performance in areas such as acceleration, stopping distance, and stability. Another factor that affects tire and car performance and should be taken into account is the road's roughness. This dissertation used an analytical method to come up with an accurate physics-based model for predicting the rolling resistance force of a viscoelastic material caused by tire rotation. The model was developed by assuming a Gaussian wave function would move across the tire circumference. Additionally, using a multi-scale modeling technique, the model was improved so that it could calculate the value of rolling resistance force considering surface roughness in all lengths of scale. This project also developed an additional mathematical model using the Fourier series method to determine how the stress response and energy dissipation would behave for any harmonic and nonharmonic periodic strain signals. Additionally, the dissertation presents the developing of a continuum damage mathematical model that could predict the material property of styrene-butadiene rubber (SBR) after being exposed to the air for a long time (i.e., aged). The model was developed based on experimental data and optimization techniques. This model was then combined with a physics-based model to predict rolling resistance force while taking aging into account. The material models were defined using an optimization method that yielded good results. The stress response of a viscoelastic material when it was subjected to harmonic and non-harmonic strain was in good agreement with the Finite Element Analysis (FEA) model made with ABAQUS. Rolling resistance behavior was observed, and the results were consistent with those found in the literature.

It was found that laser modified wood surfaces can be bonded together to create a wood composite without the need of any additive. This bonding method removes the need of applying adhesive, potentially lowers cost, and eliminates off gassing of petroleum resins, creating a wood product with many eco-friendly attributes. This body of work outlines a) initial chemical analysis of the laser modified surface b) its bond strength and c) the optimization of factors that control the strength of the bond. Surface chemical analysis on laser modified wood was conducted using photo acoustic Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (PA-FTIR) and X-Ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS). Light microscopy and scanning electron microscopy were utilized for surface topology analysis.Differential scanning calorimetry (DSC) quantified the thermal properties of the modified wood surface. Screening of multiple factors that would contribute to surface modification and adhesion was performed utilizing mechanical testing. Optimization of significant factors that affect bond strength was determined statistically utilizing a design of experiment approach. Chemical analysis of the laser modified surface revealed changes in the carbonyl and aromatic regions indicating modification of the hemicellulose and lignin components, intensifying with increasing laser modification.The C1/C2 ratios found via XPS revealed that one or more of the following is occurring: more extractives have moved to the surface, condensation reactions among lignin units, and the loss of methoxy and breakage of aryl ether linkages occurred.Microscopy images showed color changes to a darker caramel color with a smoothing of surface topology, suggesting the occurrence of the softening and/or melting of wood polymers. DSC verified chemical and/or physical changes in the wood with the modified material now having a glass transition temperature between 130-150°C.DOE found that laser parameters (power and focus) as well as hot press parameters (temperature and pressure) were significant in optimizing the bond. The impact of the study is the first documentation of the ability to laser modifies wood surfaces and subsequently bond them together. The ability of the wood polymers at the surface to undergo flow at elevated temperature is implicated in the adhesion mechanism of the laser modified wood. / Master of Science