Quantum behaviour

The identity and size of atoms is explicable only in quantum physics. The double slit experiment illustrates the wave-particle duality of light and of matter. To describe quantum interference the concept of a complex probability is introduced, the squared amplitude of which is the probability of a particle being at a particular location. The uncertainty relation requires atomic motion in solids even at absolute zero. The symmetry of exchanging indistinguishable particles leads to the classification of particles as fermions or bosons. The exclusion principle applies to electrons and rationalises the Periodic Table and much more. Electrons in solids exist in bands of energy. Band theory explains why some materials are electrical conductors, others are insulators or semiconductors. Chemical bonding involves quantum tunnelling of electrons. Hydrogen may diffuse in solids by quantum tunnelling. The temperature dependence of the specific heat of a solid is explicable only in quantum physics.

Zero-Bias Visible to Near-Infrared Horizontal p-n-p TiO2 Nanotubes Doped Monolayer Graphene Photodetector

We present a p-n-p monolayer graphene photodetector doped with titanium dioxide nanotubes for detecting light from visible to near-infrared (405 to 1310 nm) region. The built-in electric field separates the photo-induced electrons and holes to generate photocurrent without bias voltage, which allows the device to have meager power consumption. Moreover, the detector is very sensitive to the illumination area, and we analyze the reason using the energy band theory. The response time of the detector is about 30 ms. The horizontal p-n-p device is a suitable candidate in zero-bias optoelectronic applications.

Semiconductor TiO2 thin film as an electrolyte for fuel cells

An SOFC using semiconductor TiO2 thin film as an electrolyte was designed using the energy band theory to prevent short-circuiting problem.

Enhanced Visible Light Activity of Ag-Loaded TiO2 Nanotube Arrays by AC Electrodeposition

In this work, highly-ordered TiO2 nanotube arrays were prepared by constant-voltage anodization, followed by electrodeposition of Ag to obtain Ag-loaded TiO2 (Ag-TiO2) nanotube arrays via alternating current (AC) process. The results of SEM and XRD show that the morphology and crystal structure of Ag-TiO2 layer depend greatly on the electrodeposition parameters. Ag-TiO2 nanotube arrays prepared in 2.5 mmol/L AgNO3 solution by electrodeposition with applied voltage of 12 V for 1 minute performed the best photoelectrochemical current response and photocatalystic activity. The photocurrent density of Ag-TiO2 is 43.32 μA/cm2 under sunlight irradiation (70 mW/cm2), which is 4.2 times as that of unloaded TiO2 nanotube arrays. Methyl orange (MO) degradation rate with the Ag-TiO2 nanotube arrays achieves 52.13% after 90 min sunlight irradiation which is obvious higher than that of TiO2 nanotube arrays. The mechanism of enhancing photoelectrochemical activity of decorating titania with Ag has also been discussed in the view of energy band theory.

Circumferences Lead to Enhancements of Nonresonant Third-Order Susceptibilities for Carbon Nanotube Bundles

Nonresonant enhancements of third-order susceptibility χ(3)(-ω; ω, ω, -ω) have been investigated for zigzag carbon nanotube (n,0) bundles (n = 5, 7, 11, 13, 8, 10, 14, 16) based on the energy band theory combined with the classic anharmonic oscillator model. The obtained results show that the (3) values increase as circumference of tube varies in the order of 5<7<11<13 and 8<10<14<16 for (n,0) tube bundles, respectively. The origination of the large third-order susceptibility is ascribed to the circumference effect of individual tube. The nonresonant third-order susceptibility is estimated to be about 10-6 esu in the axial direction of (16,0) tube bundles, and it is possible for a good candidate to make optical phase conjugate device.