Abstract This study investigated the feasibility of synthesizing sodium silicate from rice husk ash (RHA) and its application to produce geopolymers. Samples were prepared at different SiO2/Al2O3 molar ratios (3.0, 3.5, and 4.0) for both sodium silicates (commercial and from RHA). They were underwater cured at 60 ºC for 1 h and then at room temperature (25 ºC in the air) until the time of the tests (7 and 28 days). The results showed that the compressive strength significantly increased along with the SiO2/Al2O3 ratio for both silicates. Geopolymers produced with sodium silicate from RHA showed higher compressive strengths for most studied samples. The highest compressive strength (6.33±0.23 MPa) was obtained for samples with SiO2/Al2O3 ratio of 4.0 at 7 days, representing a 40% increase in average values compared to commercial sodium silicate under the same conditions. XRD data and FTIR spectrum confirmed that it was possible to synthesize a geopolymer with sodium silicate using RHA.

We performed comparative studies of radiation-induced interface trap generation at n-6H-SiC/SiO2 and Si/SiO2 interfaces for high doses of low energy x-rays in the range 0 to 200 Mrad (Si). We found that radiation-induced interface trap generation at the n-6H-SiC/SiO2 interface is much lower than at the Si/SiO2 interface. The experiments provide evidence of interface trap generation near the SiC conduction band associated with oxide traps.

We report the development and characterization of high quality polyaniline-silicon heterojunction diodes appropriated for use as gas and/or ionizing radiation sensors. Polyaniline thin films 40 nm thick are an active part of the junction structure, that presents excellent electrical characteristics, with rectifying ratio of 50,000 at ± 1.0 Volt bias. The devices are very sensitive to gamma-radiation up to 6,000 Gy and to gas moistures such ammonia, nitric acid and trichloroethylene. The sensitivity of the diodes is observed through shifts of the current-voltage (I-V) curves which can be easily monitored to provide a calibration curve of the sensor either as a radiation dosimeter or as a gas sensor for use in applications in environments demanding gas monitoring or radiation dosimetry.