Shampoo Assignment

a. How would you criticize the study in terms of its usefulness to you? In the first impression the product is creates an image as described below All Over Hair & Body Shampoo is a versatile product that works beautifully as a shampoo and body wash, making it extremely convenient for everyday use. The rich, cushiony formula can be used on any hair type, cleans hair in one application, and rinses easily with no build-up or even a hint of dryness!All Over Hair & Body Shampoo's fragrance-free formula is gentle enough for color-treated hair, sensitive scalp, and can be used on babies and children. It doesn't get much better than that! The FAQ desirability of â€Å"body† in a shampoo Is All Over Hair & Body Shampoo safe for color- or chemically-treated hair? Yes. If your hair is color-treated, permed, straightened, or relaxed we highly recommend following with Paula's Choice Smooth Finish Conditioner. I have acne on my chest/back. Will the ingredients in All Over Hair & Body Shampo o clog pores or make acne worse? In all likelihood, no.Although we refrain from making non-comedogenic claims for our products (because there are no standards in place to regulate that claim), All Over Hair & Body Shampoo does not contain heavy, thick, or oily conditioning agents and doesn't leave a film on skin. The water-soluble formula is gentle and rinses cleanly, prepping breakout-prone skin for subsequent anti-acne treatments. May I use All Over Hair & Body Shampoo to wash my infant and/or child? Yes, although as a general rule we always recommend asking your pediatrician before using any new product on an infant or child's skin.Paula's Choice All Over Hair & Body Shampoo is very gentle, and the fact that it is fragrance-free makes it a safer bet than most baby shampoos. Does All Over Hair & Body Shampoo work better as a shampoo or body wash? Both! We designed this product to be equally effective for shampooing hair and cleansing skin from the neck down. Is it OK to use All Ov er Hair & Body Shampoo to wash my face? Most likely, yes—especially if you have normal to oily skin. Generally speaking, our facial cleansers are the better options because we offer specific formulas to address the needs of various skin types.However, if you're pressed for time or want to multi-task as much as possible, give it a try and see how your skin responds! May I use All Over Hair & Body Shampoo to wash my dog? Yes. Always be sure to rinse thoroughly with warm water to remove all traces of shampoo from your dog's coat Shampoo and body wash/shower gel are two major classes of personal care cleansing products. Shampoos are specifically formulated to clean and take care of hair, whereas body wash is a liquid soap that is appropriate for cleansing the body. Most commercial shampoos and body washes are made as creams or gels.They are emulsions or gels of water and detergent base with added functional ingredients. Because the form or texture of both shampoos and body washes are creams or gels, many people may mistakenly use one as the other. Although there are some similar components inside both formulations, there are many differences from the view of a personal care formulator. The first difference is their target. Hair is actually a modified type of skin. The main difference between hair and skin is that skin is basically a living organ that replaces its outermost layer on a frequent basis.In contrast, hair is basically dead material derived from a few live cells deep within the skin surface. b. If you had the opportunity to design the pilot project from your viewpoint, what questions would you like to include in the questionnaire? How often do you wash your hair on average (please choose one only) Every day Alternate day Once a week Twice a week None of above Where do you buy your shampoo? (Please choose all that apply) Grocery store Salon Convenience store Beauty supply store Discount super stores (Big Bazar. ) Think about the reasons why you use a particular brand of shampoo.Many potential reasons are in the following list. We are interested in knowing the relative importance of these reasons in your purchase decision. Assume you have 10 points. Divide the points among the following reasons to indicate the relative importance of each reason. The more points you give something, the more important it is. You can give as many or as few points as you wish to each reason. Please make certain that your total equals 10 points. Smell Bottle design Moisturizing capabilities Clarifying capabilities Shine factor Shampoo colorVolumizing capabilities 0 Do Pantene advertisements correctly represent the product? Yes No How many different shampoos have you used in the past 6 months? (Please choose one only) 0 1 2 3 4 5 or more What is your classification? Freshman Sophomore Junior Senior What is your ethnicity? Caucasian Asian African American Hispanic 5. What is the primary factor that will influence your decision to purchase a shampoo? What is the primary factor that will influence your decision to purchase a shampoo? Price Brand Health associated benefits Smell/Lather/Moisturizing

Hrm Assignment

Assignment 1 Question 1 i. Name and describe in your own words two such HRM challenges as discussed in class. (4 marks) Two of the challenges are technology and motivation. Technology challenge is a new change that HRM has to face when working in a corporate. Advanced technology changes HR practices such as recruitment, training and collecting information and so on. To specific, HR uses technology to work more efficiently than before. Therefore, in the information age, HR has to know how to use tech better or the organization would be fallen behind.Motivation also is a challenge for HR. One of HR’s responsibilities is encouraging employees working more passionately and earnest. If HR cannot drive them in their work, a company is likely to lose some talent employees. So increasing motivation is important and hard to do for HR. ii. For each named challenge, give a description of how an HRM professional may assist the company in responding to the presenting situation. (4 marks) H RM professional rely on new technology to recruit.For example, HR professionals can post jobs on the internet instead of on newspaper or Flyers. Thus, applicants around the world can know the jobs and try to employ, the corporate would have more chances to have capable workers. For training, technical utilities help new staffs to be trained better. They can learn more professional skills and practice software in training programs by PowerPoint and video. For data storage, â€Å"The use of electronic imaging has made it possible for companies to store and retrieve files in an electronic format† (Lewis, 2001).Tech has been saved HR professionals’ time in organizing information statistics. About motivation challenge that HRM has to deal, HR professionals must be capable to recognize what the employees’ advantages are and how to distribute their tasks. Under the detailed division of labor, HR manager can inspire their working enthusiasm to increase productivity. A H R manager is a leader to conduct the labors to show their talents and guide them for the effectiveness of the company. However, it is a huge challenge for HR professionals.Once a HR manager does not arrange accurately the division of labor, a company is likely to be fallen behind. Therefore, motivation challenge is always significant and difficult for HR professionals. iii. For one of your named challenges, explain whether you think the HRM manager’s response is â€Å"proactive† or â€Å"reactive†. (2 marks) In my opinion, technology challenge is proactive for the HRM manager. Technology not only makes work period shorten, but increases job competition. Tech has promoted society including HRM.Question 2 Name and define in your own words the competency you think is being shown in this HR generalist’s work. (2 marks) I think organizing ability is required in the HR generalist’s work. Organizing ability is keeping a scenario run in the normal order an d maintaining members in a group do their works disciplined and in order. Why in your opinion is this competency important for the HRM generalist to have in a company setting, particularly in light of the importance of productivity enhancements discussed in Chapter 1? 3 marks) Organizing ability is significant because HRM generalists need to organize the employees to serve the company and increase productivity. Productivity is depending on ability, motivation and work environment. A HR generalist who has organizing ability can distribute labor’s work correctly so that they can develop their talents and promote their motivation in work. Under such positive work atmosphere, more employees will be influenced and continue work earnestly. Thus, productivity will be enhanced. Therefore, organizing ability is vital for HR generalists.

Cultural Foundation - I will upload them in word document Essay

Cultural Foundation - I will upload them in word document - Essay Example He would therefore, grade me based on how I comprehended his poetic texts For my grade, Homer would give me an A in cultural foundation. This is based on my ability to articulate what he had written in the Iliad with real life situations as an attempt to bring literature close to reality. In the Iliad, the author brings out Achilles as a character full of rage and anger (Homer 210). Most people get angry as well in the current world. However, we should be in a position to control this anger depending on the circumstances. Getting the message Homer was trying to put across and relating it to humans today could be the main reason for the author to give me an A. In the Iliad, Homer also depicts love as one of the major themes. There is the love between Achilles and Breseis. There is also the love Achilles has for his mother. Love is a very crucial part of the human nature. Everyone can fall in love despite how strong or brave we are as was the case with Achilles in the Iliad (Homer 360). Homer is a poet who writes his poems based on major themes. The themes are brought out in a rather plain and direct manner. Being in a position to learn that great epic poets such as homer bring out there thoughts and expressions plainly would earn you a good grade in cultural foundation Another great author of ancient poems is Publius Ovidius Naso (Ovid). Ovid was a roman poet well known for Heriodes, Amores, and Ars Amatoria. Most of the poetry by Ovid influenced the European art and literature. Their influence and effect spill over for many years and still shape the direction of art globally. The poet mostly writes his poems based on his personal life experiences. The author uses persona in his works to communicate to people. In cultural foundation, Ovid would also have given me an A. This is because I would learn a lot from his persona writing style. Reading a poem wrote in style links your emotions to the poem making the poem even more communicative. Homer and Ovid use

Writing and childrens learning in the 21st century Essay

Writing and childrens learning in the 21st century - Essay Example However, as a result, this might create pedagogic implications to a practitioner. In the 21st century, technology has been encouraged to be used throughout the learning activities in the classroom (Eristi et al, 2012). Throughout the 21st century, there has been an extensive use of technology. This is particularly true with the manner in which technology has been introduced to the classrooms and is still developing further. Hence, many of the learners in today’s society, including those in primary years are involved in using technology of some sort, whether inside or outside the classroom. Most of the technologies that have been implemented in the classrooms include projectors, smart white boards and Ipads as well. Thus, as with the implementation of these technologies, it is vital that students’ learning process deal with technology. According to the Board of Studies Syllabus, (2012), it is a key component. Through an objective A, ‘communicate through speaking, listening, reading, writing, viewing and representing’ the outcomes in the classrooms do indicate the use of technology. This is seen through outcomes, ENe-3A, EN1-3A, EN2-3A, EN3-3A, (Board of Studies, 2012). Most importantly is that, as the learners are involved in technology, they get to create texts for different reasons and audiences. For instance, learners may use their computers at home to compose a text as a message to a friend on a blog. However, while in the classroom, the learner may use the classroom computer to write a story or even analyse literary texts found online. Thus, while at home, the learner creates a text using technology for different purposes and different audiences, whereas in the classroom, the audience is the teacher who is expected to read the story and award marks based on the performance of the student. At home the audience is a friend whom the child probably is chatting with. When children experience the learning required of them or

How Right-to-Work Law Affects Labor Relations Term Paper

How Right-to-Work Law Affects Labor Relations - Term Paper Example The right to work law affects the process of collective bargaining between the labor class and the management not only in the private sector but also in the public sector. It is through the process of collective bargaining that the labors and the management meet for negotiating a contract which covers the terms and condition of employment. Both the labor and the management agree to all the requirements present in the contract before its implementation. It is then that the labors vote on whether or not they agree to the contract that covers their working conditions, wages, benefits and several other issues. Many laborers and the employers at this point also agree to add the â€Å"union security clause† which states that all the labors having rights to the collective bargaining process must also agree to pay their part of cost in the union representation (Plumer). There are many proponents of the right to work law that agree to the fact that it imposes a positive impact on the l abor-management relationship. Right to work law allows labors to gain some benefits from the organization such as receiving union services or enjoying free rides, which also leads the businesses to gain employee satisfaction and build a sense of loyalty in them for the firm. There is evidence present about the fact that right to work law accelerates the economic activity of the state, it lowers the ratio of employment in the state and help businesses to create new and attractive jobs. When the economy of a state prospers the productivity.

Community assessment and project planning Essay

Community assessment and project planning - Essay Example The paper explains the health problems and issues that were identified in the community and how the problems can be solved by utilizing the resources available in the community. This community assessment is a review of population health in Philadelphia, highlighting key health concerns as well as resources that can be utilized to combat the health problems that are identified. Conducting a community health assessment is the important activity associated with public health experts. Community health assessment enables both nongovernmental and governmental organization to identify community assets and needs, develop program and policies, allocate resources while at the same time monitor the public health changes in the community. The information was obtained from various health sources in Philadelphia such as the department of public and community health. Philadelphia is considered the fifth largest city in the United States of America. The 2010 population census revealed a population o f around 1,536,006 people. The largest portion of the population is between 15-34 years old. Birth rates have also increased over the past decade. Philadelphia is both ethnically and racially diverse with at least a third of the population identified as non-Hispanic whites.

Quiet Plant Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 250 words

Quiet Plant - Essay Example Apparently, such rare earth minerals such as cerium and neodymium. However, the process of producing them has severe implications on the environments besides risking the lives of the employees who work in such plants. Countries like China take the risk and permit their companies to operate without regarding the environmental implications of such companies a feature that influences the rarity of the minerals and their high costs. The two minerals are important and lucrative products in the modern economy owing to their significance in the manufacture of smartphones and their accessories. The sale of rare earth minerals is a profitable venture with China enjoying a lion’s share of the global market. However, the companies engage in some unethical operations as they strive to influence the prices of the minerals. Most of the companies induce shortages for the minerals by stopping production. The resulting shortage causes the prices of the minerals to soar thereby safeguarding the profitability for the companies that process the minerals. The large multinational corporations that operate in the processing and sale of the minerals often collude to influence the supply of the market. As the demand grows, they resume production with the minerals enjoying higher prices. Besides engaging in the price manipulation games, the companies engage in unfair labor relations with their employees as they expose their employees to the dangerous working environment as their interactions with hazardous chemicals.

Being a business student in UCL Personal Statement

Being a business student in UCL - Personal Statement Example until it was not only my career aim, but had become a passion, and attaining a proper business degree is a drive towards attaining my passion – to run a successful business and make a difference with it. What interests me about business in general is the creative aspect of it, the competition it creates to strive to give the best of you and the sense of satisfaction when you see your business soar. To get an idea of exactly what kind of business I want to pursue, I left no opportunity unturned to get hands on experience and knowledge about varied types of businesses and their management. As it is difficult to do a full fledge job with the ongoing school work, I started working part time in many business related firms, to get real life experience of how businesses are run and managed. For this I worked as a full time trainee in a fashion business (TAA Albanus Limited, China) helped arrange a Fashion Show Exhibition for A/W 2011 and also worked in their sales, marketing, and data filing departments. Moreover, I started my own online retail business, worked day and night for it and earned around 34% profit through it, all this, without affecting my schoolwork. This experience not only gave a boost to my self-confidence, but also helped me manage unexpected problems and do SWOT analysis of different situations. I kept my options open and later did part time job as a waitress and cashier in different restaurants. Currently, I am working in a part time sales job in Hollister Co. All this experience, with more to come, when combined with a strong business degree would help me pursue the greater goal of running my own business. My enthusiasm to give my best in every field has helped me to be on the Honor Roll with distinction for three consecutive years of school, starting from grade 9. I also have the honor of scoring highest merit in my school in Mathematics 11 and Chemistry 11. I have actively participated in school clubs including the math club, biology club,

Miscommunication between Teachers In Terms Of Culture, Language, Case Study

Miscommunication between Teachers In Terms Of Culture, Language, Generation Differences - Case Study Example In the following discourse, the paper delves into the relevance of the above in miscommunication between teachers and students. It is a fact that different cultures perceive certain message cues differently and it is no different in the student teacher relationship. Despite the vast amount of information that is now so readily available to the students since the advent of the internet, the teacher still remains the most credible and important source of information for the students which means the miscommunication should be eliminated at all cost. In cases of generational differences, the teacher is in most instances the one in the older generation as compared to the students with the exceptions being the novelty and not the norm. So it’s upon the teacher as the educator to try and understand how to cope with the differences arising with the students as a result of the generation gap. This paper examines that how teaching and culture are interrelated with one another and how it affects the teaching capabilities of an instructor. Educators face a hard time while teaching students with diversified cultural backgrounds. Intercultural miscommunication is a common breakdown that can occur when two different groups belonging from different cultures are brought together. ... The Impact of Intercultural Miscommunication and Generation Gap on Students Cultural miscommunication and generation gap can tremendously affect the students. Cultural shock and generation gap can give rise to depression and stress in them. Teachers focus more on building close relation with the students who bear the similar culture and language with them as compare to ones who have hailed from a different background. They focus more on students to absorb the new culture and language which can psychologically damage a student’s mindset, his values and traditions (Anderson, 1992). It is important for the teachers to understand the widening gap and the factors linked with miscommunication in order to overcome. Also, teachers should possess the ability to effectively communicate with the students regardless of any differences and they should focus more on a student’s ability to learn and absorb the knowledge in a better way which could help them to understand their need to be familiar with a new language or culture. They should apply different teaching strategies to overcome the miscommunication such as teachers should engage students in class discussions, help them to become more participative and to help them in absorbing the new culture and language. Implications for Teachers At the same time, teachers should learn to understand that for students it would be difficult to adjust themselves in a different culture which could affect their learning abilities. They should put maximum efforts to overcome miscommunication caused by language and culture. Context There is the occurrence of what has largely been referred to as the generational change. The

Some of the Technological Advancements that Shaped Modern Theater Essay Example for Free

Some of the Technological Advancements that Shaped Modern Theater Essay In 1998 the movie Shakespeare in Love took the Oscar’s award for best picture. It was a movie with a title that seems not to promise much but what it lacks in hype it made up in substance.   Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚   The most endearing aspect of the movie was the realistic depiction of what theater was in the Renaissance period and most importantly what theater was before the modern age. The movie will help explain why theater was such a powerful communication device when radio, television and the Internet was yet a thing of the distant future. The movie was able to show its effect on the audience and the community at large. The acclaimed movie was also able to explain the influence and the spellbinding effect it has on the artists involved in the production, from the playwright down to the stage hands.   Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚   There is one last thing that needs to be realized when watching Shakespeare in Love and it is something that serious students of the craft was able to identify easily but perhaps other less discerning failed to do. And this is the depiction of how a play was staged before the advent of the technological advancements that defined the modern age. This means there was no electricity at the time when Shakespeare started out as a weaver of stories and plays. There was nothing that can be seen in terms of technological breakthroughs in sound, lighting and stage design. All of these components found in the modern theater can be taken for granted by modern theater enthusiasts but it is better if one reminds himself or herself what it was like before all these inventions came to be.   Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚   This study aims to contribute in the appreciation of the evolution of theater through the centuries. But most importantly this is done to help chart the future of the staging of plays, drama, comedy, opera, etc. By doing so, the people who love theater and all it represents can become some sort of watchmen safeguarding the essence of theater from the possible distortion. The possible distortion of its beauty can easily come from the source of its current status – technology. This study aims to look at some of the technological advancements and inventions that created the modern theater. It also briefly touches on the need to preserve what is intrinsically â€Å"theater† so to speak. Illusions and Engineering   Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚   Imagine staging a play at the time when power tools and forms of heavy equipment is still in the drawing boards of some artists and not even scientists. After that thought begins to sink in then imagine the implications in terms of trying to properly interpret fiction, a work of imagination. Simply put how can one show the audience a disappearing act or the appearing of a spirit from the abyss? There is no way to do that unless actors learned how to become â€Å"The Flash†.   Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚   So, when stage designers came up with their first attempt in realism the audience were thrilled and how plays get to be interpreted was never the same again. Like the movies, theater seeks to reach a level of realism to satisfy the audience, the critics and the producers of the play themselves.   Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚   One of the first technological developments documented was described by Hopkins in his book, illusions and magic on stage. It was the invention of the â€Å"Trap†. The author described it this way: The trap is one of the oldest and most primitive means of producing stage illusions, and it is in use to day in most theaters and opera houses. The principle is very simple [] The actor,   Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚   singer, or devil who is to make his sudden appearance upon the stage stands on a platform which is hoisted to the stage level by means of winches turned by the stage hands. (1990)   Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚   As seen in the above mentioned inventions most of the earlier technological advancements rely on muscle power. There were very little improvements with regards to the age old use of pulleys and levers etc. But in the advent of the Industrial Age and the perfection of electric power; technological developments in all aspects of living in general and theater in particular suddenly improved to breakneck speed. Electricity brings with it many wonders, gadgets and equipment. The first major change is the ability of the director to manipulate light and sound. Lighting and Sound became part of the science of staging plays and operas.   Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚   When electricity was tamed and transformed into something less dangerous, the number of applications for this invention went to the roof. The theater benefited much, especially at the advent of the Digital Age. The Computer   Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚   The Computer came from humble beginnings until it dominated modern life. There is no industry or profession that was not transformed by this technological development of the 20th century. To be more accurate there is no profession or industries that do not stand to benefit from this technological marvel. And of course theater is no exception. In the later half of the 1900s computers and software contributed to the dizzying rate of evolution in theater production. What will be discussed next are examples of what are the current trends in staging plays and operas. Computer Aided Lighting   Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚   In the â€Å"Stage Lighting Handbook†, Francis Reid discussed some of the features of modern methods of managing stage lighting that is aided by a computer and software and he wrote: Several software programmes have been written to aid management of the lighting process particularly organizing paperwork, keeping it up to date and printing it out [] Software is also available to track the progress of each light in each cue, with instant information   Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚   displayed on screen or in print [] Most of these lighting management techniques use information technology to speed up processes which have hitherto been done manually. (2002) Technology in Sound   Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚   John Leonard made an interesting study of primitive technology in the production of sound effects in theaters more than two hundred years ago. In his book he described how men in that era tried to mimic rain. It is by the use of a device that allows peas to drop on panel and the desired effect is rain pelting on rooftops. Leonard also described a contraption that allows cannon balls to roll down a trough; this action produces the sound of thunder. The gadget was aptly named â€Å"Thunder Run† (Leonard, 2001).   Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚   In the same book, Leonard made the transition of describing modern gadgets and this time computers, microchips, and complex electronics make up modern instruments for creating more realistic sounds. Still Leonard made this remark: It is tempting to believe that because we are so advanced technically [] we should ignore the past and how our predecessors managed things [†¦] we have a bewildering range of play-back options, CDs, synthesizers, digital signal processing, smart loudspeakers and the smallest of microphones that can be hidden in an actors hair. (2001)   Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚   This same sentiment was echoed by Patrice Pavis who was alarmed at the speed of development of theater which for her defeats the purpose of theater and she said, â€Å"Theater tends towards simplification, minimalization, fundamental reduction to a direct exchange between actor and spectator† (1992). Conclusion   Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚   The world of theater is indebted to technological marvels that made the staging of plays less difficult. Technology also allows producers and directors of plays/operas to have that satisfaction of achieving realism as much as possible.   Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚   But purist and other serious students of theater warn against over complication that may rob theater of its true power. As seen on the movie Shakespeare in Love, a play can easily move the audience sans electricity, complicated stage design, expensive lighting equipment and sophisticated sound amplification and effects. If no one believes this, then just think of how Greek tragedies and Shakespearean plays survived through the ages if theater was not successful in its primitive form. References Hopkins, A. (1990). Magic: Stage Illusions, Special Effects and Trick Photography. Courier Dover Publications Reid, F. (2002). The Stage Lighting Handbook. UK: Routledge. Leonard, J. (2001). Theater Sound.  New York: Routledge. Hiram, M. (1972). The Theater of Today.  Manchester, NH: Ayer Publishing. Pavice, P. (1992). Theatre at the Crossroads of Culture. New York: Routledge.

Optical and Surface Studies of α-Al2O3 Powders

Optical and Surface Studies of ÃŽ ±-Al2O3 Powders X-Ray Diffraction, Optical and surface studies of ÃŽ ±-Al2O3 powders synthesized via single step solution combustion method ABSTRACT ÃŽ ±-Al2O3 powders were synthesized at 500 à ¢Ã‚ Ã‚ °C via solution combustion synthesis (SCS) technique using urea as an organic fuel. The sample was characterized by X- ray diffraction (XRD), Optical spectroscopy and X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS) without any further thermal treatment. XRD study reveals that sample crystallized directly in the hexagonal ÃŽ ±-Al2O3 phase from combustion reaction. Average crystallite size of 37.6 nm was calculated using Debye-Scherrer’s formula. A band gap of 5.68 eV was estimated using diffuse reflectance spectra. Under various UV excitations (260 nm and 400 nm), the sample exhibits a strong emission peak at 693 nm. For surface investigation X-ray photo electron spectroscopy of sample was carried out. XPS survey scan of ÃŽ ±-Al2O3 reveals that no other impurity phases were present in the as synthesized sample which supports the results obtained from XRD. Further to understand the chemical states of Al and O, core level spectra of Al -2s and O-1s were studied. INTRODUCTION Among all the known crystallographic phases of alumina, ÃŽ ±-Al2O3 is the only stable phase. It represents a ceramic material with a large number of technological importances. This is mainly due to its versatile properties, such as: high melting point, thermal shock resistance, excellent mechanical strength at room temperature and high temperature, large band-gap, hardness and abrasion resistance, chemical inertness [1]. These extra ordinary properties are responsible for ÃŽ ±-Al2O3 to be used in various applications such as spark-plugs, ballistic armours [2], abrasives, bioceramics [3], cutting tools [4], electronic components and substrates [5], thermo luminescent dosimeters [6], refractory materials, composite materials [7]. Moreover the compounds and composites of ÃŽ ±-Al2O3 also have wide range of applications in various industrial areas such as high-density ceramics [8, 9], biocompatible ceramics [10], and thermal barrier coatings with low thermal conductivities [11, 12]. The h igh temperature-resistant of Al2O3 coatings have various applications in space and energy production technologies [13]. Since 1961 polycrystalline transparent alumina (Al2O3) has found various optical applications [14]. Single phase ÃŽ ±-Al2O3 nanopowders are also important component for solid state fabrication of yttrium aluminum garnet (YAG) transparent laser ceramics [15, 16]. There are several techniques used for the synthesis of ÃŽ ±-Al2O3. In literature there are reports available for the synthesis of single-phase ÃŽ ±-Al2O3 powders using urea [1, 17–19], carbohydrazide [20] or hydrazine [21] as fuels, without any further heat treatments. Several authors have reported two step method for the synthesis of ÃŽ ±-Al2O3 such as reverse micelle [22], sol–gel processing [23], flame spray pyrolysis [24] which require calcinations at 1000–1100 à ¢Ã‚ Ã‚ °C to obtain completely phase pure ÃŽ ±-Al2O3. In the present paper, we report the optical and surface properties of as synthesized ÃŽ ±-Al2O3 powder by the low temperature solution combustion synthesis (SCS) technique. Urea was used as an organic fuel for combustion because it has proven to be the best fuel for combustion of aluminum nitrate [1, 17]. EXPERIMENTAL ÃŽ ±-Al2O3 powders were synthesized by low temperature solution combustion synthesis (SCS) using urea as a fuel. The starting materials for the synthesis of ÃŽ ±-Al2O3 were high-purity aluminum nitrate nonahydrate [Al (NO3)3.9H2O] and urea (H2NCONH2) from Merck Chemicals, India. The reagents were weighed according to the chemical reaction given in equation (1) in the molar stoichiometric ratio of 2:5. The oxidizer to fuel ratio was calculated using the oxidizing and reducing vacancies of reactants in equation (1). For a complete combustion reaction the ratio of oxidizer () and fuel () should be unity, because at this ratio maximum heat is produced. The weighed reactants were mixed in agate mortar by adding few drops of deionized water at room temperature till the solution transform into a transparent viscous gel. The gel was transferred to a Borosil beaker and then introduced to a preheated muffle furnace around 500 à ¢Ã‚ Ã‚ °C. The gel undergoes rapid dehydration with evolution of large amount of gasses and burns with an incandescent flame yielding voluminous white product. The whole combustion process was completed within 2-3 minutes. The beaker was then taken out and the resultant product was grounded into a fine powder and was characterized without any further treatment. The crystalline structure and particle morphology of the combusted powders were investigated using a standard diffractometer (Bruker D8 Advance) in the ÃŽ ¸ –2ÃŽ ¸ geometry with scanning step of 0.02à ¢Ã‚ Ã‚ ° and Cu KÃŽ ± radiation (ÃŽ »=1.5406 Ã…). Diffused reflectance spectrum was recorded using ISR assembly attached with Shimadzu UV-2600 D ouble beam spectrophotometer in the region 190-1400 nm. The spectral features like photoluminescence excitation and emission (in phosphorescence mode) spectra were measured using a Cary-Eclipse spectrofluorometer (Shimadzu) equipped with a Xenon lamp used as an excitation source. The X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS) measurement was performed using Omicron energy analyzer (EA-125) with Al KÃŽ ± (1486.6 eV) X-ray source. The background vacuum in the analyzer chamber was of the order of 10-10 Torr during the XPS measurement. All these characterization were carried out at room temperature. RESULTS AND DISCUSSION 3.1 XRD The crystal structure and phase purity of the as synthesized Al2O3 powders were analyzed using the X-ray diffraction (XRD) technique. Fig.1. shows the XRD patterns of as synthesized Al2O3 powders recorded in a wide range of Bragg angle 2ÃŽ ¸ (20 ° ≠¤ 2ÃŽ ¸ ≠¤ 90 °). All the observed diffraction peaks can be indexed with the hexagonal phase of bulk ÃŽ ±-Al2O3 referenced in the JCPD’s file no. 71-1123 with space group R. No other impurity peaks were observed in the as synthesized powder neglecting the presence of any other phase other than ÃŽ ±-Al2O3. These XRD patterns were in good agreement with the earlier published reports by Robert Ianos et al. [1] and Laishram et al. [17] for the ÃŽ ±-Al2O3 phase. The lattice parameter calculated from XRD pattern were (a = b= 4.755 Ã…, c =12.985 Ã…) which were very close when compared with the unit cell of ÃŽ ±-Al2O3 (a = b= 4.761 Ã…, c =12.99 Ã…, JCPDs file No. 71-1123). The crystallite size was calculated using Debye-Scherer formula [25] where D is the crystallite diameter, ÃŽ » is the wavelength of x-ray source used (Cu KÃŽ ± = 0.1506 nm), is the full width at half maxima (FWHM) of an individual peak at 2ÃŽ ¸ (where ÃŽ ¸ is the Bragg angle) and is characteristic of the instrument broadening. Fig.1. XRD pattern of as synthesized ÃŽ ±-Al2O3 powders at 500 à ¢Ã‚ Ã‚ °C along with the stick patterns for the JCPDS file no. 71-1123 Three most intense peaks were selected for the calculation of particle size and calculated particle size for ÃŽ ±-Al2O3 was 37.6 nm. 3.2 Spectral Study Fig. 2 shows the diffuse reflectance and the absorption spectra of ÃŽ ±-Al2O3. Barium sulfate (BaSO4) compound was used as a reference standard during the measurement. In both spectra a sharp band around 220 nm is observed which corresponds that light having this particular wavelength was absorbed. Fig.2. The diffuse reflectance and absorption spectra of the ÃŽ ±-Al2O3 powders. Calculation of bandgap. Kubelka–Munk (K–M) [26] theory was used for the calculation of bandgap of ÃŽ ±-Al2O3 powders using diffused reflectance (DR) spectrum. In a DR spectrum, the ratio of the light scattered from a thick layer of sample and an ideal non-absorbing reference sample is measured as a function of the wavelength ÃŽ », [26, 27]. The relation between the DR of the sample, scattering coefficient (S) and absorption coefficient (K) is given by where is the Kubelka–Munk or remission function. The linear absorption coefficient ÃŽ ± and the band gap of a material is related through the well-known relation known as Tauc relation [28]: 3 where hÃŽ ½ is the photon energy and C1 is a constant of proportionality. When incident light is illuminated at 60à ¢Ã‚ Ã‚ °, the material scatters perfectly in a diffuse manner then absorption coefficient K becomes equal to 2ÃŽ ± i.e. . Considering the K-M scattering coefficient S as constant with respect to wavelength, and using equations (2) and (3), the following expression can be written: 4 Obtaining the value of from Eq. 2 and plotting versus, the value of is obtained by extrapolating the linear fitted regions to Figure 3 shows the square of the optical absorption times the photon energy as a function of photon energy for ÃŽ ±-Al2O3 powders. In the present case (ÃŽ ±-Al2O3), the band gap was estimated around 5.68 eV. Aguilar et al. [29] calculated an optical energy band gap of 5.63 eV for Al2O3 films deposited on quartz substrate. Fig.3. Energy bandgap calculation of ÃŽ ±-Al2O3 using K-M functions. Photoluminescence Fig. 4 (a) shows the photoluminescence excitation (PLE) spectra of ÃŽ ±-Al2O3 recorded at an emission wavelength of 695 nm, the excitation spectra consists of a broad band centered at 400 nm. Fig. 4 (b) shows the PL emission spectra of ÃŽ ±-Al2O3 monitored at excitation wavelengths of 260 nm and 400 nm respectively. An intense peak at 693 nm is observed. Similar results were also observed by Kaplyanskiiet al. [30] and Nagabhushana et al. [31] for ÃŽ ±-Al2O3. Kaplyanskiiet al. [30] suggest that this emission peak may be due to crystal lattice belonging to the ÃŽ ± phase of Al2O3. Fig.4. Photoluminescence spectra of as synthesized ÃŽ ±-Al2O3 (a) excitation recorded at ÃŽ »emm = 695 nm and (b) emission recorded at ÃŽ »ext = 260 nm and 400 nm. 3.3 Surface Studies In material science, X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS) has proved to be a powerful analytical technique that can be used to study the elemental composition and the oxidation states. Figure 5 shows the X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS) survey scan of the ÃŽ ±-Al2O3 powders. The XPS survey scan of the ÃŽ ±-Al2O3 indicates that only Al, O and C are present in the sample corresponding to their binding energies. Carbon was the only impurity present in the sample which was expected. The positions of various photoemission peaks are marked in the survey scan corresponding to the elements present in the as synthesized sample. To further understand the chemical states of Al and O ions in ÃŽ ±-Al2O3 powder we have further performed the detailed scan for O-1s and Al-2s core spectra. The value corresponding to C 1s peak (284.6 eV) was used as a reference for spectrum analysis. Fig.5. Survey Scan of as synthesized ÃŽ ±-Al2O3 powder. Figure 6 shows the XPS detailed scan for the O-1s core level. The raw data was fitted with combined Gausssian Lorentzian functions. The fitted peak shows only one prominent peak which is centered at 529.70 eV and is attributed to the Al-O bonding in the ÃŽ ±-Al2O3 structure. Figure 7 shows the narrow scan for the Al 2s core level. Only one peak is observed after fitting which is centered at 118.95 eV. These narrow scan spectra of O-1s and Al-2s shows that all the O2- ions are bonded to Al3+ ions in the sample. Thus the chemical state of Oxygen and Aluminum is -2 and+3 respectively in the lattice. Rotole et al. [32] observed O-1s peak at 530.68 eV and Al-2s peak at 118.93 eV for standard ÃŽ ±-Al2O3. The difference in the binding energies may be due to the highly insulating nature of the sample. Fig. 6 XPS core level spectra of O 1s in ÃŽ ±-Al2O3 powder. Fig. 7 XPS core level spectra of Al 2s in ÃŽ ±-Al2O3 powder. Conclusion In summary, the ÃŽ ±-Al2O3 powders were successfully prepared by low temperature solution combustion method with metal nitrate reactants and urea as organic fuel. The XRD results confirm that hexagonal phase of ÃŽ ±-Al2O3 could be obtained directly by combustion method at 500 à ¢Ã‚ Ã‚ °C without any further treatment. The band gap of sample was calculated using diffused reflectance spectra and it was found estimated 5.68 eV. Under UV excitations, the powders exhibit a strong emission peak around 693 nm. XPS results show that as synthesized powders were free from impurities. The core level spectra of Al-2s and O-1s reveals that chemical state of Al and O is +3 and +2 respectively in ÃŽ ±-Al2O3. ACKNOWLEDGMENTS The authors humbly acknowledged Director, UGC-DAE CSR Indore for providing experimental facility. The authors are thankful to Dr. M. Gupta for XRD measurements. The authors are grateful to Mr. A. Wadikar for helping in XPS measurements. REFRENCES R. Ianos ¸ I. Lazau and C. Pacurariu, J. Mater. Sci. 44, 1016 (2009). A.Y. Badmos and D.G. Ivey, J. Mater. Sci. 36, 4995 (2001). D. Gitknecht, J. Chevalier, V. Garnier and G. Fantozzi, J. Eur. Ceram. Soc. 27, 1547 (2007). E. Volceanov, A. Volceanov and S. Stoleriu, J. Eur. Ceram. Soc. 27, 759 (2007). S. Menecier, J. Jarrige, J.C. Labbe and P.L. Lefort, J. Eur. Ceram. Soc. 27, 851 (2007). V.S. Kiiko, Y.N. Makurin, A.A. Safronov, A.N. Enyashin and A.L. Ivanovskii, Refract. Ind. Ceram. 44, 94 (2003). T.M. Ul’yanova, L.V. Titova and N.P. Krut’ko Glass. Ceram. 59, 279 (2002). G.R. Karagedov and N.Z. Lyakhov, Nanostruct. Mater. 11, 559 (1999). J. Chandradass, K. H. Kim, D. S. Bae, K. Prasad, G. Balachandar, S.A.S. Divya and M. Balasubramanian, J. Eur. Ceram. Soc. 29, 2219 (2009). L. G. Gutwein and T. J. Websterles, Biomaterials 25, 4175 (2004). G. Muer and R. Vaben, Surface Engineering 27, 477 (2011). T. Hejwowski, Vacuum 85, 610 (2010). N.P. Padture, M. Gell and E.H. Jordan, Science 296, 280 (2002). R.L. Coble, Transparent alumina and method of preparation. US Patent 3,026,210, January 3 (1961). S. H. Lee, S. Kochawattana, G. L. Messing, J. Q. Dumm, G. Quarles and V. Castillo, J. Am. Ceram. Soc. 89, 1945 (2006). J. Li, Y. Wu, Y. Pan, W. Liu, L. An, S. Wang and J. Guo, Front. Chem. Eng. China 2, 248 (2008). K. Laishram, R. Mann and N. Malhan, Ceramic International 38, 1703 (2012). T. Mimani, Resonance 5, 50 (2000). T. Mimani and K.C. Patil, Mater. Phys. Mech. 4, 134 (2001). C. C. Chen and K.T. Huang, J. Mater. Res. 20, 424 (2005). O. Ozuna, G.A. Hirata and J. McKittrick, J. Phys. Condens. Matter 16, 2585 (2004). J. Chandradass and D.S. Bae, Mater. Manuf. Proc. 23, 494 (2008). F. Mirjalili, M. Hasmaliza and L. Chuah Abdullah, Ceram. Int. 36, 1253 (2010). A.I.Y. Tok, F.Y.C. Boey and X.L. Zhao, J. Mater. Proc. Technol. 178, 270 (2006). B.D. Cullity, Element of X-ray Diffraction, second ed., Addison-Wesley, MA (1972). A. E. Morales, E. S. Mora and U. Pal Rev. Mex. Fis S 53, 18 (2007). S. Som and S.K.Sharma, J. Phys. D: Appl. Phys. 45, 415102 (2012). R.A. Smith, Semiconductors, 2nd ed. Cambridge University Press: Cambridge, (1978). M. A. Frutis, M. Garcia and C. Falcony, Appl. Phys. Lett. 72, 1700 (1998). A. A. Kaplyanskii, A. B. Kulinkin, A. B. Kutsenko, S. P. Feofilov, R. I. Zakharchenya and T. N. Vasilevskaya, Phys. Solid State 40, 1310 (1998). K. R. Nagabhushana, B. N. Lakshminarasappa and Fouran Singh, Bull. Mater. Sci. 32, 515 (2009). John A. Rotole and Peter M.A. Sherwood , Surface Science Spectra 5, 11 (1998).