The influence of OH groups on laser performance in phosphate glasses

Because of the influence of OH groups in phosphate glasses on the radiation of rare-earth ions, the laser performance is degraded. The laser efficiency and the small signal gain experiment of several phosphate glass samples have been done, the concentration of OH groups in glasses was calculated from the measured absorption coefficient at 3.47 μm. It is shown that the concentration of OH groups in phosphate glasses can seriously influence the laser output characteristics, and the OH groups have worse influence on the laser amplifier than laser oscillator.

A Novel Open C-shaped Molar Band for Orthodontic Applications： Mechanical Characterizations and Clinical Trials

To evaluate the retention properties of the novel ‘C＇-shaped molar bands at a laboratory level. Resin-modified glass ionomer cement（RMGIC） was used as a luting agent for the novel C-shaped molar band. The mechanical properties of the band were examined and the retention performance was characterized in the mesial, distal and vertical directions. A clinical trial was conducted using a spilt-mouth design on 50 patients. The novel C-shaped molar bands fit most molars without a repeated try-in process.The use of both nanoHA coating and RMGIC enhanced the tensile（8.00 ± 1.8 MPa） and shear strengths（27.17 ± 8.6 MPa） of the molar bands, leading to high retention in vertical, mesial and distal directions（ p 〈 0.001）. In clinical trials, the C-shaped molar bands had a failure rate（15%） comparable to that of traditional bands, and 93% of the failed bands demonstrated an adhesive remnant index score of 0, corroborating the observation that no luting agent residue remained on the tooth surface in most cases. The novel C-shaped molar bands appear to be a promising appliance that requires further clinical investigations, and may be used effectively in orthodontics.

Regeneration of the deactivated TiO_2-ZrO_2-CeO_2 /ATS catalyst for NH_3-SCR of NO_x in glass furnace

Larger amounts of alkalis, alkali earth metals and sulfides in flue gas from glass furnace were easier to deactivate selective catalytic reduction （SCR） catalyst compared to the flue gases from other stationary sources. Catalyst regeneration has been an emerging research topic for flue gas denitrification in glass furnace. Regeneration of the deactivated TiO2-ZrO2-CeO2 /Al2TiO 5 -TiO2-SiO2 （ATS） complex phase ceramics catalysts used for NH3 -SCR of NO x in glass furnace was studied in this work. Effects of regeneration methods, including washing with different aqueous solutions and sulfuric acid, thermal regeneration, thermal reduction regeneration, and thermal regeneration with SO2 , on catalytic performance were comparatively investigated. In comparison of catalytic activities between the catalysts before and after regeneration, results showed that washing was the most effective regeneration method, and the sulfuric acid concentration of the washing solution was an important factor. Washing time directly affected catalyst regeneration efficiency and catalyst life. The regenerated TiO2-ZrO2 -CeO2 /ATS catalyst regained more than 90% NO conversion after being washed with 10 wt.% H2SO4 for 30 min.

Investigations on the Interactions between Li-TFSI and Glass Fibers in the Ternary PP/GF/Li-TFSI Composites

The polypropylene/glass fiber（PP/GF） composites with excellent antistatic performance and improved mechanical properties have been reported by incorporation of a very small amount of the organic salt, lithium bis（trifluoromethanesulfonyl）imide（Li-TFSI）, into the PP/GF composites. It was considered that GF could play the role as the pathways for the movements of ions in the ternary composites. In this work, the interactions between Li-TFSI and glass fiber and the effects of such interactions on the physical properties of the composites have been systematically investigated. Three types of glass fibers with different ―OH group concentrations have been prepared in order to compare the interactions between GF and Li-TFSI. It was found that the ―OH group concentrations on the surface of glass fiber have significant effects on interactions between glass fibers and Li-TFSI. Such interactions are crucial for both the antistatic and mechanical performances of the final PP/GF/Li-TFSI composites. The investigation indicated that the GF with high ―OH group concentrations confined the movement of TFSI-, which decreased the antistatic properties of PP/GF/Li-TFSI composites. On the other hand, the GF with low ―OH group concentrations inhibited the absorption of Li-TFSI onto the GF, which also hindered the formation of Li-TFSI conductive pathway. The best antistatic performance of the ternary composites can be achieved at the intermediate ―OH concentrations on the GF.