Identification of Modal Loss Factor of a Sandwich Composite Structure with Polyethylene Terephthalate Core in the Aspect of Core Properties Determination

Comparison of the loss factor determination methods of the sandwich composite structure with polyethylene terephthalate core in the aspect of core material rheological parameters identification was the purpose of the study. Three frequency bandwidths n dB: 1 dB, 2 dB, 3 dB methods, the resonant amplitude method and the fit method of the response of the one degree of freedom model system are taken into considerations. Identification procedure, according to ASTM E756-2005 [1] based on experimental studies of the forced vibrations of the composite structure was presented in the paper. To determine the function of the complex shear modulus of the core material, the Nelder-Mead method is applied. Shear modulus and loss factor identification results were presented on the plots in the frequency domain. The results in a quantitative manner set the applied methods and their practical utility in order.

Fabrication and Significant Photoelectrochemical Activity of Titania Nanotubes Modified with Thin Indium Tin Oxide Film

Ordered titanium dioxide nanotubes （TiOaNTs） modified with indium tin oxide （ITO） films were obtained via magnetron sputtering, in which ITO plate was used as a target, onto the as-anodized titania support followed by the calcination process. The morphology of fabricated material with deposited oxide was investigated using scanning electron microscopy. Raman and UV-Vis spectroscopies were utilized to characterize crystalline phase and optical properties of prepared samples, whereas X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy allowed determining the binding energy of present elements. In the case of titanium, three various oxidation states were identified and also the presence of indium and tin was confirmed. The electrochemical test carried out when the sample was exposed to light allows for selection of the most photoactive material. The highest photocurrent was registered when only 5-nm ITO layer was sputtered, and it equals 256 and 133 μA cm^-2 for the electrode material immersed in 0.5 M KOH and K2SO4 electrolytes, respectively, that is accordingly 3.5 and 4.4 times higher than the one observed for pristine titania. Furthermore, ITO-modified titania exhibits excellent photostability upon prolonged illumination that is of key importance for possible application in light-driven processes.