Correlations between Structural and Electronic Properties in the Filled Skutterudite Smy(FexNi1-x)4Sb12.

A structural study of the filled skutterudite Smy(FexNi1-x)4Sb12 was performed by means of X-ray powder diffraction and μ-Raman spectroscopy with the aim to unveil the correlations between structural and electronic properties of this material and to favor the improvement of its thermoelectric performance. Samples were prepared by direct reaction of the elements at 1223 K, followed by quenching and subsequent sintering at 873 K; microstructure and composition of the obtained products were determined by SEM-EDS. The position of the boundary separating regions that obey hole- and electron-based conduction mechanisms was found by X-ray diffraction at x ≈ 0.

Extraction of chlorinated hydrocarbons from fish with sulphuric acid.

A method is described for extraction of chlorinated hydrocarbons (DDTs and PCBs) from fish samples with sulphuric acid of various concentrations. The results are better than those obtained by an official method using Soxhiet extraction with n-hexane, especially with 9.5-13M sulphuric acid.