We report the growth of few-layer graphene (FLG) on a nickel (Ni) substrate using palm oil as a single carbon source by thermal chemical vapor deposition (T-cvD). Using an ample amount of vaporized palm oil resulted in the formation of a thick, amorphous carbon film on the Ni surface. By decreasing the amount of the carbon source supply, thin films consisting of graphite grains and FLG were obtained at growth temperatures of 900 and 1000°C, confirming the potential of using palm oil as a source for graphene growth. The occasional voids were obtained on the transferred film and these voids were confirmed to be areas where FLGs are formed. These FIEs are likely removed during the transfer process. Further reducing the amount of palm oil suppressed the coverage of graphite grains and increased the void area formation on the transferred films, proving the increase of FLG coverage.
Effect of different storage temperatures on physical and physiological changes of Golden Lily mango was investigated. Zinc oxide (ZnO) nanoparticles edible coating was prepared by sol-gel method and Golden Lily mangoes were dipped in the solution and stored at different (32℃, 27℃ and 5℃) temperatures for 7 days. The mangoes were characterized by Field Emission Scanning Electron Microscopy (FESEM), Energy Dispersive X-ray Spectroscopy (EDX), Fourier-transform Infrared Spectroscopy (FTIR) and X-ray Diffraction (XRD) after 7 days of storage. Both the analysis of FESEM and EDX revealed the highest volume ratio of ZnO nanoparticles with a homogeneous dispersion throughout the mango peel surface is at 5℃. FTIR spectra revealed the absence of Zn–O bonding as metal oxides absorption is expected to be in the region below 700 cm-1. The mangoes stored at 5℃ delayed ripening, slowed down weight loss and found to be firmer than mangoes stored at 32℃ and 27℃.
Spin coated polyvinlylidenefluoride-trifluoroetylene (PVDF-TrFE 70/30mol%) copolymer thin film were initially produced and annealed at varying temperatures (100°C to 160°C). The morphology, dielectric and ferroelectric analysis showed that PVDF-TrFE film annealed at 120°C produced the highest remnant polarization, Pr of 92 mC/m2, with orderly and grain-like shaped crystallites. The filled PVDF-TrFE, loaded with various volume percentages (1 – 7%) of Magnesium Oxide (MgO) nanofillers and then, annealed at 120°C, produced homogenous filler distribution with low agglomerates, especially for 3% PVDF-TrFE filled films. Moreover, the annealed PVDF TrFE/MgO(3%) generated the highest value of Pr in comparison to the other filled nanocomposite thin films. Most importantly, the saturation of hysteresis loop, Ps for annealed PVDF-TrFE/MgO(3%) film was relatively improved by 20% as compared to the unfilled annealed thin film. This study established that, 3% MgO loaded in PVDF-TrFE thin film and annealed at 120 °C demonstrated a stable ferroelectric thin film, closed to an ideal ferroelectric film, in which the ratio Pr/Ps for the film established a value approaching unity (value of 1).