Correlations between Raman parameters and elemental composition in lead and lead alkali silicate glasses

This article examines the influence of the composition on the Raman spectra of lead silicate glass. Modern and historic lead alkali glasses and high‐lead glazed ceramics were analysed complementarily by Raman spectrometry and elemental techniques, either electron microprobe, proton induced X‐ray emission (PIXE) or scanning electron microscope with energy dispersive spectrometry (SEM‐EDS). The results showed that lead alkali silicate and high‐lead silicate glasses can be easily distinguished from their Raman spectra profile. In lead alkali silicate glasses, continuous variations were observed in the spectra with the compositional change. In particular, the position of the intense peak around 1070 cm⁻¹ was linearly correlated to the lead content in the glass. A unique decomposition model was developed for the spectra of lead alkali silicate glasses. From the combination of the Raman and elemental analyses, correlations were established between the spectral components and the composition. These correlations permitted to interpret the spectra and access additional compositional information, such as the lead content from area ratio A₉₉₀/A_900–1150, the total alkali + alkaline‐earth content from the area ratio A₁₁₀₀/A_900–1150 or the silica content from the area ratio A₁₁₅₀/A_900–1150. In lead silicate glass containing over 25 mol% PbO, the compositional variation induced no variation in the SiO₄ network region of the Raman spectra [150–1350 cm⁻¹], therefore no correlations and compositional information could be gained from the glass spectra in this range of composition. This new development of Raman spectroscopy for the analyses of glass will be very valuable for museums to not only access compositional information non‐destructively but also to understand the structural changes involved with their alteration. Copyright © 2008 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

Surface and near-surface structure of silicate glasses

This paper presents analytic results, derived by diffractional low and large angle X-ray scattering methods, currently applied in our laboratory, as well as novel methods of electron emission microscopy and interference-phase optical microscopy for studying the internal structure, and that of surface and near-surface layers of raw and stepwise-etched, composite oxide silicate glasses of the type SiO₂-Na₂O-CaO-MgO. The structural and topographic studies are supplemented with quantitative analysis of chemical composition on a micro-scale and in micro-regions by electron microprobe and microscopic measurements of the temperature characteristics in a series of the above glasses. Moreover, a discussion is given of chemical corrosion, surface strcuture and topography, and the distribution of micro and macro-inhomogeneity regions in surface layers. Structural parameters are obtained which described the surface and internal structure of silicate glasses well adapted to the construction of an approximate aperiodic nodal model. The applications of the latter and the accuracy of its parameters are discussed.     

Quantitative Raman spectroscopy: speciation of cesium silicate glasses

The silicate speciation forms an important aspect of the structure of silicate melts, a subject of interest to both the earth‐ and materials science communities. In this study, the Qⁿ speciation of binary cesium silicate glasses was studied by Raman spectroscopy. A method to extract the equilibrium constant from a set of Raman spectra is presented, and the least‐squares optimization algorithm is given (in Supporting Information). Log(K), the equilibrium constant of the speciation reaction, 2Q³ = Q⁴ + Q², equals −2.72 ± 0.11 at the glass transition. This extends the previously established correlation between log(K) and the inverse of the ionic radius of the network modifier to cesium. Copyright © 2009 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

Raman spectra of selected mineral phases of the Morasko iron meteorite

Selected minerals from oval inclusions (nodules) in the Morasko IAB iron meteorite have been investigated by electron microprobe (EMP) and micro‐Raman spectroscopy. Collected spectra of quartz, forsterite‐rich olivine, chromite, kosmochlor (Na–Cr‐rich clinopyroxene) and Na‐feldspar (albite) were compared with corresponding measurements of earth minerals and used for fast identification of meteorite fragments not EMP characterized. Some structural conclusions concerning particular minerals, like solid‐state form or average crystallite size, were also drawn from the measured spectra. Copyright © 2013 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

Time resolved Raman spectroscopy for depth analysis of multi‐layered mineral samples

Time resolved Raman spectroscopy (TRRS) can provide subsurface information from multi‐layered samples of transparent and translucent evaporative and silicate minerals up to several centimetres thick. Depth information was obtained using 3‐ps pulsed laser excitation at 720 nm and a gated intensified charge‐coupled device detector with stepwise increasing delay times. Blocks of different minerals were used as first, second or third layers, and Raman spectra from deeper layers could be detected through 10 mm of translucent calcite and up to 40 mm of transparent halite crystals. Measurements by conventional confocal Raman, as well as spatially offset Raman spectroscopy were also successful in distinguishing different mineral layers. This study establishes the great potential for the use of Raman spectroscopy in future planetary exploration, where TRRS could be used as a non‐invasive tool for profiling the (sub‐)surface at millimetre‐depth resolution. Copyright © 2013 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

On‐and off‐site Raman study of rock‐shelter paintings at world‐heritage site of Bhimbetka

Rock‐shelter paintings of Bhimbetka world‐heritage site near Bhopal, India have been investigated using a portable Raman spectrometer. These paintings in the rock shelters belong to periods starting from pre‐historic to the 19th century AD (Gond period). In addition, tiny fragments of pigments (100–200 µm in size) extracted from some of the artworks were also studied in laboratory using a micro‐Raman spectrometer and analyzed using energy‐dispersive X‐ray analysis for elemental composition. Based on the Raman spectra and the elemental analysis mineral‐based pigments such as calcite, gypsum, hematite, whewellite, and goethite could be identified. A comparison of the spectra recorded on‐site using a light‐weight portable spectrometer with those using laboratory equipment is also made and discussed. Copyright © 2012 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

Polarized Raman and photoluminescence studies of a sub‐micron sized hexagonal AlGaN crystallite for structural and optical properties

The polarized Raman spectroscopy is capable of giving confirmation regarding the crystalline phase as well as the crystallographic orientation of the sample. In this context, apart from crystallographic X‐ray and electron diffraction tools, polarized Raman spectroscopy and corresponding spectral imaging can be a promising crystallographic tool for determining both crystalline phase and orientation. Sub‐micron sized hexagonal AlGaN crystallites are grown by a simple atmospheric pressure chemical vapor deposition technique using the self catalytic vapor–solid process under N‐rich condition. The crystallites are used for the polarized Raman spectra in different crystalline orientations along with spectral imaging studies. The results obtained from the polarized Raman spectral studies show single crystalline nature of sub‐micron sized hexagonal AlGaN crystallites. Optical properties of the crystallites for different crystalline orientations are also studied using polarized photoluminescence measurements. The influence of internal crystal field to the photoluminescence spectra is proposed to explain the distinctive observation of splitting of emission intensity reported, for the first time, in case of c‐plane oriented single crystalline AlGaN crystallite as compared with that of m‐plane oriented crystallite. Copyright © 2016 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

Analysis of self‐repair mechanisms of Phaseolus vulgaris var. saxa using near‐infrared surface‐enhanced Raman spectroscopy

We used surface‐enhanced Raman spectroscopy (SERS) to investigate ultrastructural changes in cell‐wall composition during the self‐repair of lacerated hypocotyls of Phaseolus vulgaris var. saxa. A detailed study of self‐repair mechanisms requires localized information about cell‐wall structure and morphology in addition to the chemical cell‐wall composition. Characteristic Raman and SER spectra yielded two‐dimensional maps of cross sections of P. vulgaris var. saxa visualizing chemical compositions in the walls of different cell types and during various repair phases. SERS substrate particles were produced by the reduction of gold chloride on the plant tissue surface and characterized with absorption spectroscopy, scanning electron microscopy and energy‐dispersive X‐ray spectroscopy. The SERS results were compared with stained cross sections of the same plant using dark‐field microscopy with focus on lignin and suberin contents in repairing cells. In addition, SERS measurements revealed Au cyanide compounds on the cell surface, indicating the formation of hydrogen cyanide during the self‐repair phase. Copyright © 2009 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

Reliable and non‐destructive Raman analysis to determine the urea concentration in a cream formulation

We present a reliable and nondestructive analytical method for the determination of urea concentration in a pharmaceutical cream formulation using Raman spectroscopy. A pharmaceutical cream is a highly viscous emulsion; therefore, its composition and physical mixing could be inhomogeneous on a microscopic scale. The local environment around the urea could vary, which could influence the molecular vibrations of the urea molecule. As expected, when Raman spectra were collected by focusing the laser onto a tiny area (∼2–3 µm), the position of the urea band at 1003 cm⁻¹ varied as a result of the microscopic inhomogeneity within the sample. Therefore, acquisition of Raman spectra representative of the entire sample rather than a localized portion of it is very important for the analysis of pharmaceutical creams. Based on the preliminary Raman mapping results of a urea cream, a sample area of at least 750 × 750 µm should be covered for reliable quantitative analysis. In this study, we used a wide‐area illumination scheme capable of covering a sample area of 28.3 mm² for Raman spectral collection in order to ensure a reliable representative sample. In addition, to simplify the measurements, Raman spectra of urea creams in plastic bottles were directly collected without further sampling, and partial least squares regression was used for quantitative analysis. The urea concentrations were accurately determined despite the spectral collection being performed through plastic bottles. Copyright © 2010 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

青海青玉的振动光谱特征

采用常规宝石学测试方法,并结合电子探针、红外光谱仪、激光拉曼光谱仪对产自青海格尔木市小灶火河矿点的青玉进行了化学成分和光谱特征研究。测试结果表明,青海青玉的宝石学物理性质与其他产地软玉相似。电子探针测试显示青海青玉的主要化学成分为MgO、CaO和SiO₂,MgO含量在18.572%～23.603%,CaO含量为12.333%～12.807%,SiO₂含量在56.799%～59.926%,且含量较稳定,此外还含有较高含量的FeO_T(Wt%： 1.924%～8.699%)和一定量的Al₂O₃,TiO₂和Na₂O。红外光谱和激光拉曼光谱分析显示,青海青玉具有透闪石的光谱特征,其主要组成矿物为透闪石。由于青玉中Mg-Fe2+的类质同象替代及Fe2+含量的不同,使其红外吸收谱带频率稍有差异。综合化学成分及振动光谱特征分析,青海青玉的深灰青色主要与其含有高含量的FeO_T所致,其主要致色元素为Fe。     

Sputter-deposited network glasses

Thin films of lithium borate, sodium borate, rubidium borate, and lithium silicate glasses are prepared by ion beam sputter deposition in a thickness range between 70 and 1,400 nm. The chemical, structural, and electrical properties of the films are determined by transmission electron microscopy and impedance spectroscopy. A comparison between the thin glass layers and the corresponding bulk glasses, prepared from the melt, shows that both have similar chemical compositions and atomic short range orders. In contrast, the ionic conductivities of the borate glass films are found to be significantly increased compared to the corresponding bulk materials, while the increase depends on the chemical composition of the glasses and is not observed in the case of the silicate system. We propose a modified network structure of the sputter-deposited glass layers, namely, an increased nonbridging oxygen concentration, to be responsible for the elevated ionic conductivity.     

Hexagonal germanium formed via a pressure‐induced phase transformation of amorphous germanium under controlled nanoindentation

We have studied the stable end phase formed in amorphous germanium (a‐Ge) films that have been subjected to a pressure‐induced phase transformation under indentation loading using a large (20 µm) spherical indenter. After indentation the samples have been annealed at room temperature to remove any residual unstable R8 and BC8 phases. Raman spectroscopy indicates a single broad peak centred around 292 cm^–1 and we have used first principles density functional perturbation theory calculations and simulated Raman spectra for nano‐crystalline diamond cubic germanium (DC‐Ge) to help identification of the final phase as hexagonal diamond germanium (HEX‐Ge). Transmission electron microscopy and selected area diffraction analysis confirmed the presence of a dominant HEX‐Ge end phase. These results help explain significant inconsistencies in the literature relating to indentation‐induced phase transitions in DC‐ and a‐Ge. (© 2013 WILEY‐VCH Verlag GmbH & Co. KGaA, Weinheim)     

Surface‐enhanced Raman scattering within silver‐nanoparticle‐decorated nanometric apertures

An analytical approach using enhanced Raman spectroscopy to record molecular vibrations and associated molecular images within nanometric apertures is presented, which can essentially rival or surpass its counterparts, i.e. fluorescence microscopy, by providing unique structure‐specific information forward to chemical identification and structure elucidation. Utilizing a precise nanolithographic technology and the following chemically electroless silver deposition procedure, we deliberately construct the large scale zero‐mode waveguide array in gold film with embossed silver nanostructures on the bottom of nanowells capable of acquiring enhanced Raman spectra with substantial sensitivity and high chemical fidelity. Two chemicals, aminothiophenol (4‐ATP) and Rhodamine 6G, respectively, are employed as molecular indicators to successfully demonstrate the capability of this analytical strategy by exhibiting high‐quality Raman spectra and 2D chemical‐specific images. With a high magnitude objective (60×), we enable to acquire Raman spectra from a single nanometric aperture and quantitatively determine a peak enhancement factor of 3.63 × 10⁵ for ATP, while 1.25 × 10⁶ to Rhodamine 6G, comparable with a regular nanoparticle‐based surface‐enhanced Raman spectroscopy‐active substrate. Overall, the compelling characteristics of this detection scheme highlight its privileges for interrogating the individual molecular behavior in extremely confined geometry and illustrating the chemical insights of trace components without any labeling reagent and extra sample preparation. Copyright © 2013 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

Determination of dimethoate and phosmet pesticides with surface-enhanced Raman spectroscopy

ABSTRACT

Surface-enhanced Raman spectroscopy spectra of dimethoate and phosmet pesticides were recorded using a Klarite substrate. Significant enhancements were achieved with dimethoate over a concentration range of 0.5–10 µg mL^?1 and phosmet over a concentration range of 0.1–10 µg mL^?1. The best prediction model for dimethoate pesticide was achieved with a correlation coefficient of 0.940 and a root mean square error of prediction of 0.864 µg mL^?1, with the first derivative and standard normalized variate data preprocessing, and the best prediction model of phosmet pesticide was achieved with a correlation coefficient of 0.949 and a root mean square error of prediction of 0.741 µg mL^?1 with the first derivative data preprocessing. Our study shows that pesticides, including dimethoate and phosmet, could be quantitatively measured at as low as 0.5 µg mL^?1 level using surface-enhanced Raman technology coupled with a Klarite substrate and the results indicated that surface-enhanced Raman spectroscopy with a Klarite substrate has potential for the analysis of dimethoate and phosmet residues.     

玻璃中气泡成分的拉曼光谱分析①

利用拉曼探针分析绿色玻璃中气泡及正常玻璃，并与硫的标准拉曼光谱进行对比，结果表明，玻璃中气泡的主要成分是硫。并研究了产生气泡的原因，为消除气泡、提高玻璃质量、改善玻璃生产工艺提供了科学依据。     

Determination and imaging of binder remnants and aggregates in historic cement stone by Raman microscopy

We present to our knowledge the first application of Raman microscopic imaging to cementitious materials. This technique yielded the composition and phase distribution (spatial resolution ≈ 500 nm) in samples of cement stone taken from façade elements of four Swiss buildings covering the period of 1892–1924. Raman maps of Roman cement, a predecessor of modern Portland cement, reveal the chemical heterogeneity of clinker remnants consisting of various crystalline, polymorphic, and amorphous phases and visualize different crystal orientations. Our findings include the observation of the γ‐polymorph of Ca₂SiO₄ – previously, only detected in Portland cement – and Raman spectra of calcium aluminate (ferrite) interstitial phases in Roman cement showing significant differences to the corresponding phases in Portland cement clinker. Furthermore, calcite, vaterite, gypsum, and ettringite were identified in the rim of a nonhydrated residual nodule. Beyond binder remnants, aggregates in the form of spherical (≤500 µm diameter) slag and irregularly shaped pigment particles were analyzed. Here, we focused on the unambiguous identification of compounds in complex matrices by comparing sample spectra with database and own reference spectra. A Raman map collected on blast furnace slag in cement stone shows the spatial distribution of calcite, quartz glass and pyrite. Furthermore, several Fe‐containing, Si‐containing, and Pb‐containing phases were identified. The analysis of pigments partly confirmed and partly contradicted the bequeathed historic recipe of a cement stone façade. These results have direct implications in the field of conservation and restoration and generally demonstrate the potential of Raman imaging to provide deeper understanding of (historic) building materials. Copyright © 2013 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

ZnO three-dimensional hedgehog-like nanostructure: synthesis,growth mechanism and optical enhancement

The 3D hedgehog-like ZnO nanostructures were synthesized on Si substrate through chemical vapor deposition process. The morphology and structure of the products were characterized by X-ray diffraction, Raman spectroscopy, scanning electron microscopy, as well as transmission electron microscopy. The ZnO 3D hedgehog-like architectures were found to consist of a central nucleus and multiple side-growing nanowires with diameter of 100–250 nm and length up to 10 µm. The growth mechanism of the hedgehog-like ZnO nanostructures was studied. It revealed a three-step process during the entire growth. Finally, room temperature photoluminescence spectra of ZnO 3D nanostructures showed that the center excitation would render much stronger PL emission intensity. Furthermore, simulation results indicated that the enhanced emission came from light-trapping-induced excitation light field enhancement.     

Raman spectroscopy as a potential method for the detection of extremely halophilic archaea embedded in halite in terrestrial and possibly extraterrestrial samples

Evidence for the widespread occurrence of extraterrestrial halite, particularly on Mars, has led to speculations on the possibility of halophilic microbial forms of life; these ideas have been strengthened by reports of viable haloarchaea from sediments of geological age (millions of years). Raman spectroscopy, being a sensitive detection method for future astrobiological investigations onsite, has been used in the current study for the detection of nine different extremely halophilic archaeal strains which had been embedded in laboratory‐made halite crystals in order to simulate evaporitic conditions. The cells accumulated preferentially in tiny fluid inclusions, in simulation of the precipitation of salt in natural brines. FT‐Raman spectroscopy using laser excitation at 1064 nm and dispersive micro Raman spectroscopy at 514.5 nm were applied. The spectra showed prominent peaks at 1507, 1152 and 1002 cm⁻¹ which are attributed to haloarchaeal C₅₀ carotenoid compounds (mainly bacterioruberins). Their intensity varied from strain to strain at 1064‐nm laser excitation. Other distinguishable features were peaks due to peptide bonds (amide I, amide III) and to nucleic acids. No evidence for fatty acids was detected, consistent with their general absence in all archaea. These results contribute to a growing database on Raman spectra of terrestrial microorganisms from hypersaline environments and highlight the influence of the different macromolecular composition of diverse strains on these spectra. Copyright © 2009 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

Surface‐enhanced Raman scattering of protoberberine alkaloids

Quaternary protoberberine alkaloids are a class of natural dyes characterized by bright colors ranging from yellow to orange. As they present a strong fluorescence emission, their analysis by Raman spectroscopy is limited to specific techniques such as Fourier transform (FT)‐Raman and spectral shift Raman techniques such as shifted subtracted Raman difference spectroscopy (SSRDS) and shifted excitation Raman difference spectroscopy (SERDS). In a previous article, we successfully used surface‐enhanced Raman scattering (SERS) in the analysis of the alkaloid dye berberine in an ancient textile. The examination of the Raman and SERS spectra of berberine in combination with density functional theory (DFT) calculations indicated a flat adsorption geometry of the molecule on the Ag surface. In this article we extend that work to the study of related protoberberine alkaloids, palmatine, jatrorrhizine, and coptisine. The same adsorption geometry as in berberine was deduced. We found that the four alkaloids, although minimally different in their chemical structures, could be differentiated by the position of marker bands. Those bands are the most enhanced ones in the SERS spectra, which appear in the 700–800 cm⁻¹ region. Copyright © 2008 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.