With the aim of inducing the β modification in isotactic propylene (iPP), three industrial processes were tested, and calcium carbonate with a particulate size of 0.7 microns was used as the nucleating agent. A surface modification was carried out as a part of the calcium carbonate with stearic acid and it was used; however, the other part was used without surface modification. They were made from master batches using TSE. Dilutions in cast film were made from master batches using single screw extruder (SSE). Finally, annealed films were made with a heating press. So, β phase content of the TSE sample, SSE sample, and the annealed sample were measured by X-Ray diffraction (XRD) and their thermal behavior was measured by Differential Scanning Calorimetry (DSC). The β spherulites where also observed by Product Lifecycle Management (PLM).

TiO2 nanoparticles with interesting physicochemical properties were synthesized by means of the sol-gel method and acid hydrolysis. The obtained nanoparticles were characterized by the X ray diffraction (XRD), Rietveld refinement, Brunauer Emmett Teller (BET) and transmission electron microscopy (TEM) techniques, and tested in the photodecomposition of NOx. The NOx decomposition degree reached by the sol-gel TiO2 nanoparticles was directly proportional to the brookite mass fraction, but inversely proportional to both the anatase mass fraction and the crystal size.

It has been recognized in Ni-base alloys that the grain boundary chemistry and its microestructural heterogeneities are important factors in the material environmental degradation. Therefore, in this study, we investigated the role of the heat treatments and the obtained microstructure in the IGSCC susceptibility of alloy 600 in environments of pressurized water reactors (PWR). The role of microstructure on the intergranular cracking resistance (IGC) of alloy 600 was also investigated using a modified wedge opening loading specimens which were annealed at 930, 800 and 600°C and also exposed to high purity water pressurized with hydrogen at 300°C. It was found the microstructure induce relatively low crack growth rates associated with the development of significant plastic deformation at the crack tip. In addition, some common features were found between the IGSCC performance and the pre-fatigue cracking conditions. For this purpose, the fatigue crack growth properties of this alloy were also evaluated using the ASTM E 606–92.

Both SnO2 and SnO2:Ag thin films were fabricated by the sol-gel process and dip-coating technique. SnCl4•5H2O was used as a precursor of tin to prepare a 0.2M solution with 2-methoxyethanol and monoethanolamine as solvents. From AgNO3 a 0.012M solution in ethanol was prepared, from where the Ag was used as catalyst, which was incorporated superficially to SnO2 film grown on soda-lime substrate. Two series of samples (A and B) about 150 and 300 nm in thickness were prepared and studied. Several layers of Ag as catalyst on the surface of SnO2 films were applied. The films were characterized in structure (RXD), morphology (SEM and AFM) and EDX, electrical and optical properties (UV-vis). The sensing properties of films to the propane at, 0, 1, 5, 50, 100, 200, 300, 400 and 500 ppm gas concentrations were tested in sensors operating at 23, 100, 200 and 300°C. Results for a selection of sensors are presented in this paper.

Lanthanum aluminate (LaxAl1−xOy; LAO) films doped with europium were deposited on a glass substrate by Ultrasonic Spray Pyrolysis technique. Like precursor solution was used 0.04M lanthanum nitrate and 0.04M aluminum nitrate in de-ionized water, and from europium nitrate was aggregated europium to 6%mol respect to LaO. The aluminum incorporated to rare earth oxides shows a high hydration resistance, therefore the films show stability in their luminescent properties. In this work the optical and morphological properties of the films are reported in the 350–600°C deposition range. The photoluminescent emission spectra show the characteristic peaks of the Eu3+ ion transitions: 5D0 → 7F0 (565 nm), 5D0→7F1 (596 nm), 5D0–7F2 at 615 nm and 623 nm, 5D0→7F3 (660 nm) and 5D0→7F4 (715 nm) for an excitation wavelength of 270 nm.