Antibacterial and Preservation Effects of Silver-doped TiO_2 Nanoparticles on Nanfeng Citrus

[Objective] This study aimed to investigate the antibacterial and preservation effects of silver-doped nano-TiO2 on Nanfeng citrus. [Method] Silverdoped nano-TiO2 preservative film was prepared, to investigate its preservation effects on Nanfeng citrus ripe fruits under novel preservation conditions and detect the influences of nano-composite coating on physiological quality indicators of Nanfeng citrus ripe fruits. [ Result ] Compared with the control, applying nano-compesite coating preservation technology could prevent fruit corruption and water loss and delay the rapid reductioh in contents of citric acid and Vc, without adverse influences on fruit quality. [ Conclusion] Silver-doped nano-TiO2 composite coating can be promoted and applied in frozen storage and preservation practices of Nanfeng citrus.

A novel silver-doped nickel oxide hole-selective contact for crystalline silicon heterojunction solar cells

Based on its band alignment,p-type nickel oxide(NiO_(x))is an excellent candidate material for hole transport layers in crystalline silicon heterojunction solar cells,as it has a smallΔEV and largeΔEC with crystalline silicon.Herein,to overcome the poor hole selectivity of stoichiometric NiO_(x) due to its low carrier concentration and conductivity,silver-doped nickel oxide(NiO_(x):Ag)hole transport layers with high carrier concentrations were prepared by co-sputtering high-purity silver sheets and pure NiO_(x) targets.The improved electrical conductivity of NiO_(x) was attributed to the holes generated by the Ag^(+)substituents for Ni^(2+),and moreover,the introduction of Ag^(+)also increased the amount of Ni^(3+)present,both of which increased the carrier concentration in NiO_(x).Ag^(+)doping also reduced the c-Si/NiO_(x) contact resistivity and improved the hole-selective contact with NiO_(x).Furthermore,the problems of particle clusters and interfacial defects on the surfaces of NiO_(x):Ag films were solved by UV-ozone oxidation and high-temperature annealing,which facilitated separation and transport of carriers at the c-Si/NiO_(x) interface.The constructed c-Si/NiO_(x):Ag solar cell exhibited an increase in open-circuit voltage from 490 to 596 mV and achieved a conversion efficiency of 14.4%.

INFLUENCE OF SILVER-DOPING ON THE SUPERCONDUCTIVITY FOR YBa_2Cu_30_(7-y)

The effect of substituting silver for barium on the structure and superconducting properties of YBa_2Cu_3O_(7-y) has been studied. The structure of the silver-doping system (YBa_(2-x)Ag_xCu_3O_(7-y)) with x<0.3 is orthorhombic. For x>0.3, YBCO, Y_2BaCuO_5 phase and metallic silver ro-exist in the system. The superconducting transition temperature T (R=0) decrease with increasing silver content. However, the critic current density J_c is found to be enhanced from 56.6 A/cm^2 to 195 A/cm^2

Contact Mechanism of the Ag-doped Trimolybdate Nanowire as An Antimicrobial Agent

Antibacterial Ag-agents are intensively applied as broad spectrum, high-stability, high-efficiency and high-safety inorganic antibacterial agents. We have developed a new kind of antibacterial Ag-agent, namely Ag_2-x(NH_4)xMo_3O_(10) ·3H_2O nanowires(NWs). Carrying Ag atoms in the lattice and Ag-rich nanoparticles on the surface, the Ag-doped NWs show strong antibacterial effects for a variety of bacteria including E.coli, Staphylococcus aureus, Candida albicans and Aspergil lus niger. By performing systematic comparison experiments, we have proven that the main antibacterial effects are neither resulted from the tiny amount of Ag+ions released from the Ag-doped NWs in aqueous solutions, nor resulted from Ag-rich nanoparticles of fragments of the NWs when they are slowly dissolved in the Martin broth. Instead, the effects are mainly resulted from a contact mechanism, under which, the Ag-doped NWs need to be physically in contact with the bacteria to be eliminated. This is a novel phenomenon observed in the interactions between nanomaterials and live cells, which is worthy of further investigation at the molecular scale. As the Ag-doped NWs are not dissolved in pure water or weak acids, one may find practical antibacterial applications in textile industry and food storage industry for these unique nanomaterials.

Flux Pinning in Y- and Ag-Doped MgB₂

High temperature superconductor research is presently concentrated upon the flux pinning properties of the Abrikosov lattice of the mixed-mode superconducting phase. The temperature thermal fluctuations, current and magnetic field unpin the flux vortices and so cause electromagnetic resistivity in high temperature superconductors. Materials with higher vortex pinning exhibit less resistivity and are more attractive for industrial uses. In the present article, we measured and correlated the pinning flux energy barrier, determined by AC magnetic measurements, and transmission electron microscopy measurements to the critical current Jc in Yttrium- and Silver-doped MgB2 superconductors. The energy of the flux vortex was evaluated as a function of the magnetic field. The energy barrier curves suggest an optimal doping level to occur in doped materials. This result only depends on the optimal size and distribution of precipitates, and not on their chemical composition. The energy barriers have been compared with that of undoped MgB2 in literature.