Journal of Kufa - physics

This work presents a viable method for synthesis carbon nanoparticles
decoration zinc oxide nanostructured films and synthesizing pure ZnO films
for glucose sensors. Anodization was used to grow zinc oxide nanoparticles
on zinc foil with an average particle size of 22.77 nm, and hydrothermal
synthesis was used to create carbon nanoparticles. The ultrasonication method
was used to decorate ZnO film nanocomposites with carbon nanoparticles.
several tests were carried out, including observations of the microstructure,
analyses of the crystallinity, and investigations of the electrochemical
properties. X-ray diffraction (XRD), energy-dispersive X-ray spectroscopy
(EDX), field-emission scanning electron microscopy (FE-SEM), transmission
electron microscopy (TEM), and photoluminescence (PL) measurements were
used to determine the nanostructures. The electrochemical analysis of the
CNPs/ZnO nanostructures greatly improved the sensitivity to glucose
compared with pure zinc oxide nanostructures, with a sensitivity of (1975
μA.mM-1.cm-2), the CNP/ZnO nanostructures improved glucose sensing. The
low detection limit is (0.3 mM), and the linear range is 0.3 mM to 0.7 mM.

Copper-zinc ferrite composites with composition (Cu₁₋ₓZnₓFe₂O₄) at x = 0.75
were successfully prepared using the sol-gel method. The effect of varying pH
(pH = 7–11) on the structural and magnetic properties was studied. X-ray
diffraction (XRD) results showed that all samples possessed a single-phase
cubic spinel crystalline phase, which was confirmed by FTIR analysis, which
revealed the presence of distinct M–O bonds at the tetrahedral and octahedral
sites with absorption peaks observed in the frequency range of 490–535 cm⁻¹.
FE-SEM images showed the presence of nearly regular nanocrystals, with
particle size variation associated with pH variation. EDS results confirmed the
purity of the samples and their absence of impurities. Magnetic tests using
VSM showed that all samples possessed soft ferrite properties, with saturated
magnetism (Ms) ranging between 13.40 and 17.40 emu/g, indicating their
potential for use in electronic and micromagnetic applications.

Effective f5pvh interactions have been identified and the NuShellX@MSU
code within the fp- shell was utilized to compute the energy levels and
electromagnetic transition probability of the 73Br nucleus. Applying the
nuclear shell model with f5pvh interaction within the (fp- shell) is successful,
according to the agreement with the experimental and theoretical data.

People are continuously exposed to background radiation, or ambient
radioactivity, from radionuclides that are manufactured or naturally occurring.
One of the biggest sources of terrestrial radiation is soil. This study uses
gamma-ray spectroscopy with "3 x 3" NaI (Tl) crystal to investigate soil
samples collected from different buildings at University of Kufa in the Al-
Najaf governorate of Iraq to evaluate the concentrations of natural
radionuclides of 238U, 232Th, and 40K as well as radiological hazard factors.
The average activity values for 238U, 232Th, and 40K in unit of Bq kg-1 were
15.37±4.85, 12.76±2.81, and 260.10±83.47, respectively. External hazard
(Hex), absorbed dose rate (Dr), annual effective dose outside (AEDE), and
cancer risk (ELCR×10-3) were among the radiological risk indicators with
average values of 0.14±0.03, 25.66±5.95 nGy/h, 0.16±0.04 mSv/year, and
0.11±0.03 respectively All specific activities result for natural radionuclides
and radiological hazard parameters in the research area were found to be under
the worldwide limit.

The thermodynamic characteristics are of significant importance for evaluating phase stability and understanding the relative stability of binary and ternary systems. This study investigates the thermodynamic and structural properties of Al-Zn-Cu alloys, with a particular focus on phase stability, enthalpy of formation. A semi-empirical model (Medema model) was used to estimate the enthalpies of these systems. The chemical enthalpy analysis of the Al-Cu, Zn-Cu, and Al-Zn binary systems reveals that Cu-Al and Cu-Zn exhibit negative enthalpy values, indicating a strong thermodynamic driving force for alloy formation, while the Al-Zn system displays positive enthalpy values, suggesting limited solubility. Elastic enthalpy calculations highlight significant lattice strain in the Al-Cu system due to atomic size mismatches, followed by Zn-Cu, while the Al-Zn system exhibits minimal elastic effects. Analysis of phase stability through enthalpy of formation calculations shows that intermediate compositions between Al and Cu along with Zn-rich areas achieve maximum thermodynamic stability. The empirical results show that after five hours of mechanical alloying of the Al₈₀Zn₁₀Cu₁₀ system yields a stable α-Al (Zn, Cu) solid solution with a face-centered cubic (FCC) structure formed and matches well with theoretical expectations. The nanoparticles exhibit irregularly shaped and a propensity to agglomerate together as a result of cold-welding during milling, according to FESEM (Field Emission Scanning Electron Microscopy) photos. The rod-like structures at the nanoscale indicate the formation of a secondary phase, which improves the hardness and wear resistance. The particle size distribution shows a successful decrease to an average of 33.112 nm with a consistent size spread, and EDX analysis validates the predicted elements composition.

Scientific research is swiftly advancing to improve solar cell efficiency as a
solution to environmental damage from fossil fuels. This study targets two
main strategies: the production of nanostructured titanium dioxide (TiO2 NPs)
through electrochemical methods, chosen for its ease, speed, and costeffectiveness,
and the high efficiency of titanium dioxide as a luminous solar
concentrator (LSC). X-ray diffraction (XRD), and transmission electron
microscopy (TEM) confirmed the formation of titanium dioxide nanorods and
spherical particles. The research also utilized Rhodamine B dye only to
enhance solar cell efficiency. Combining 50% titanium dioxide with
rhodamine dye yielded change in efficiency (Δη) of 70%, whereas individual
dye application resulted in (Δη) of 20% for rhodamine dye. These findings
mark significant progress toward clean, efficient, and sustainable energy
solutions, highlighting the potential of nanotechnology and innovative dye
applications to enhance solar cell performance and reduce environmental
impact.

ZnO:Al films with a 1% Al/Zn atomic ratio were created using a sol-gel spin
coating technique on glass substrates. The films were annealed for a duration
ranging from 2:20 to 3.40 hrs. at 500 ºС. The effects of annealing time on the
structural and morphological properties of AZO films were investigated
utilizing X-ray diffraction (XRD), SEM and EDX to characterize samples.
Scanning electron microscopy analysis showed that ZnO nanostructures with
varying average sizes were developed for both as-deposited samples and
annealed films. SEM revealed that both the number and size of nanosheets
increased. The EDX patterns showed the right elemental traces and the oxygen
ratio-mediated growth of the ZnO nanostructure on the glass substrate was
visible in EDX patterns. By measuring the absorbance and transmittance
spectra in the wavelength range (300-850 nm), the optical characteristics were
obtained. It was found that as annealing time increases, absorbance reduces
while transmission increases. The optical measurements revealed the type of
transition that was a direct allowed with an average band gap energies lie
between 3.76 eV and 3.12 eV with the rising of annealing time.