ZnO thin films prepared on titanium substrate by PLD technique at different substrate temperatures

ZnO thin films were grown by pulsed laser deposition on titanium substrates at different substrate temperatures ranging from 300 to 700 °C. X‐ray diffraction (XRD), X‐ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS),photoluminescence, and Raman spectroscopy are employed to investigate the change of properties. XRD, XPS, and Raman data showed that the films consisted of TiO₂ at high substrate temperature, which will deteriorate the crystallization quality of ZnO films. The optimum temperature for the growth of ZnO films on the Ti substrate is about 500 °C in this paper. The ZnO films grown on titanium substrate can be used in direct current, microwave, and medical applications. Copyright © 2014 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

Effect of reactive oxygen species generated with ultraviolet lamp and plasma on polyimide surface modification

Understanding the effect of reactive oxygen species (ROS), such as singlet oxygen molecule and atomic oxygen, on polyimide (PI) film properties, such as wettability, morphology, and chemical bonding state, is essential for further development of PI‐based surfaces. We investigated the effect of different ROS generated during ultraviolet (UV) and plasma treatment in oxygen gas on surface modification of Kapton PI. Different surface modification techniques, UV and plasma treatment, are known to generate different ROS. In this work, we demonstrate the effect of different ROS on PI surface modification. From the diagnostics of ROS by means of electron spin resonance and optical emission spectroscopy, we confirmed that during UV treatment, excited singlet oxygen molecules are the main ROS, while plasma treatment mainly generated atomic oxygen. The wettability of PI surface treated by UV and plasma resulted in hydrophilic PI surfaces. XPS results show that the wettability of PI samples is mainly determined by their surface O/C ratio. However, chemical bonding states were different: while UV treatment tended to generate C=O bonds, while plasma treatment tended to generate both C―O and C=O bonds. Singlet oxygen molecules are concluded to be the main oxidant during UV treatment, and their main reaction with PI was concluded to be of the addition type, leading to an increase of C=O groups on the surface of PI film. Meanwhile, atomic oxygen species were the main oxidant during plasma treatment, reacting with the PI surface through both etching and addition reaction, resulting in a wider variety of bonds, including both C―O and C=O groups.     

XPS study of impurities in Si‐doped AlN film

This paper reports an XPS study of impurities in a 100‐nm‐thick AlN film grown by metalorganic chemical vapor deposition (MOCVD) under low pressure on the n‐type 6H‐SiC substrate. The Si‐doped AlN film was characterized by the X‐ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS) in a high vacuum system, which reveals the content distribution and chemical states of impurities along depth. The XPS analysis of AlN film before and after argon‐ion etching indicates that there always exist Ga, O and C contaminations in AlN film. Especially, O contamination on the AlN film surface is mostly introduced during the growth of AlN layer by MOCVD. Meanwhile, most of O atoms bind with Al or Ga in Al―O and Ga―O chemical states. In particular, the Ga atoms in AlN film are always in two chemical states, i.e. Ga―Ga bond and Ga―O bond, which demonstrates that the aggregation of Ga is accompanying with AlN growth. Copyright © 2016 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

Wettability and surface composition of partly and fully regenerated cellulose thin films from trimethylsilyl cellulose

The wettability and surface free energy (SFE) of partly and fully regenerated cellulose model surfaces from spin coated trimethylsilyl cellulose were determined by static contact angle (SCA) measurements. In order to gain detailed insight into the desilylation reaction of the surfaces the results from SCA measurements were compared with data from other surface analytical methods, namely thickness measurements, X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS) and attenuated total reflectance infrared spectroscopy (ATR-IR). Additionally, the influence of ultra high vacuum treatment (UHV) during XPS measurements on the water wettability and surface morphology of regenerated cellulose thin films was investigated. The wetting of polar and non-polar liquids increased with prolonged regeneration time, which is reflected in the higher SFE values and polarities of the films. After UHV treatment the water SCA of partly regenerated films decreases, whereas fully regenerated cellulose shows a higher water SCA. Therefore it is assumed that volatile desilylation products tend to adsorb on partly regenerated films, which strongly influences their wettability.     

Surface roughness and hydrophilicity enhancement of polyolefin‐based membranes by three kinds of plasma methods

The introduction of antibacterial property, conductivity, wettability and antithrombogenicity into polyolefin‐based membranes has evoked much attention, which can be achieved by coating hydrophilic polymers. Therefore, it is necessary to modify the roughness and hydrophilicity of polyolefin‐based membranes to enhance the coating ability. In this paper, three kinds of plasma methods, including inductively coupled (ICP) plasma, radio frequency low pressure (RFP) plasma and atmospheric dielectric barrier discharge (DBD) plasma, were used to modify the surface of the polyethylene (PE), polypropylene (PP) and polyester‐polypropylene (PET–PP) membranes. The surface roughness of the plasma‐modified PE, PP and PET–PP films was investigated by scanning electron microscopy (SEM) and atomic force microscope (AFM). The polar functional groups of films were observed by energy dispersive spectrometer (EDX) and X‐ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS). Besides, the hydrophilicity of the plasma‐modified PE, PP and PET–PP films was evaluated by water contact angle measurement. It was found that the surface roughness and hydrophilicity of plasma‐modified PE, PP and PET–PP films increased with the generation of oxygen‐containing functional groups (i.e. C―O, and C?O). The PET–PP membranes were treated by RFP plasma at different processing powers and times. These results indicated that plasma is an effective way to modify films, and the treatment time and power of plasma had a certain accumulation effect on the membranes' hydrophilicity. As for the roughness and hydrophilicity, the DBD plasma modifies the PE film, which is the optimum way to get the ideal roughness and hydrophilicity. Copyright © 2015 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

Preparation and characterization of copper-doped cobalt oxide electrodes

Cobalt oxide (Co3O4) and copper-doped cobalt oxide (CuxCo(3-x)O4) films have been prepared onto titanium support by the thermal decomposition method. The electrodes have been characterized by different techniques such as cyclic voltammetry, scanning electron microscopy, X-ray diffraction, and X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS). The effect on the electrochemical and crystallographic properties and surface morphology of the amount of copper in the oxide layer has been analyzed. The XPS spectra correspond to a characteristic monophasic Cu-Co spinel oxides when x is below 1. However, when the copper content exceeds that for the stoichiometric CuCo2O4 spinel, a new CuO phase segregates at the surface. The analysis of the surface cation distribution indicates that Cu(II) has preference for octahedral sites.     

构建稳定的CuO/La2Sn2O7催化剂用于碳烟颗粒燃烧:CuO在La2Sn2O7烧绿石复合氧化物载体上的单层分散行为

柴油车尾气排放的碳烟颗粒造成了日益严重的环境污染.目前催化燃烧是消除碳烟颗粒污染的有效技术.针对金属氧化物负载体系,20世纪70年代末谢有畅教授等人提出了单层分散理论,是指导设计高效负载催化剂的一个重要思想,已被科研工作者们普遍接受.当负载催化剂体系用于某个特定反应时,通常会表现出单层分散阈值效应,即负载的活性组分含量为单层分散阈值时,催化剂往往具有最好的活性和选择性.为探究金属氧化物在复合氧化物载体上的分散行为,并期望研制出性能优良的碳烟颗粒消除催化剂,本文制备了系列不同负载量的CuO/La₂Sn₂O₇催化剂,并把实验表征技术和DFT计算方法相结合,对其构效关系进行了研究.结果表明,CuO可自发分散在La₂Sn₂O₇烧绿石载体,其单层分散容量为1.90 mmol CuO/100 m²La₂Sn₂O₇.CuO负载量不高于该容量时,以亚单层或单层分散状态存在.XPS、Raman、Bader电荷和DOS分析证明,亚单层/单层CuO中的Cu2+离子可把其电荷选择性地传递给La₂Sn₂O₇烧绿石载体结构中B位的Sn4+离子,因而与载体产生强相互作用.反之,Cu²⁺离子与载体结构中A位的La³⁺离子之间无电荷转移,不产生作用.这表明在含多种金属离子的复合氧化物载体上,被负载的金属氧化物可优先与载体中的一种金属离子产生相互作用.Raman、原位DRIFTS和XPS结果表明,在界面上形成的O2^?和O2^2?亲电氧离子是CuO/La₂Sn₂O₇催化剂表面的活性中心,其含量决定了催化剂碳烟颗粒燃烧的活性.在CuO负载量低于单层分散容量时,这些表面活性亲电氧离子含量随着CuO的负载量升高而增加,直至单层分散容量时达到最大.在CuO负载量高于单层分散容量时,CuO微晶开始形成,并对表面活性亲电氧离子的生成产生负面影响.上述结果表明,CuO/La₂Sn₂O₇催化剂用于碳烟颗粒燃烧具有明显的单层分散阈值效应;并可通过在La₂Sn₂O₇载体表面负载单层分散量的CuO获得活性最佳的催化剂.     

Growth and morphological studies of NiO/CuO/ZnO based nanostructured thin films for photovoltaic applications

At present, inorganic semiconducting materials are the most economical and viable source for the renewable energy industry. The present work deals with the morphological and optical characterization of copper oxide (CuO) and zinc oxide (ZnO) thin films fabricated by layer by layer deposition on nickel oxide (NiO) coated indium tin oxide (ITO) glass by solution processing methods, mainly chemical bath deposition (CBD) and hydrothermal deposition (HTD) processes at room temperature. As a whole, the above inorganic composite materials (NiO/CuO/ZnO) can be applied in photovoltaic cells. An attempt has been made to study structural, morphological and absorption characteristics of NiO/CuO/ZnO heterojunction using state of the art techniques like X-ray diffraction (XRD), scanning electron microscopy (SEM), and UV spectroscopy. The energy band gaps of CuO and ZnO have also been calculated and discussed based on the UV spectroscopy measurements.     

Growth and characterization of ultrathin carbon films on electrodeposited Cu and Ni

Ultrathin carbon films were grown on different types of metallic substrates. Free‐standing foils of Cu and Ni were prepared by electroforming, and a pure Ni film was obtained by galvanic displacement on a Si wafer. Commercial foil of Ni 99.95% was used as a reference substrate. Carbon films were grown on these substrates by chemical vapour deposition in a CH₄‐H₂ atmosphere. Obtained films were characterized by Raman spectroscopy, X‐ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS), Auger electron spectroscopy, and ultraviolet photoemission spectroscopy. The XPS at grazing collection angle was used to determine the thickness of carbon films. Depending on the deposition parameters, the films of graphene or graphite were obtained on the different substrates. The uniformity of graphene and its distribution over the sample area were investigated from Raman data, optical images, and XPS chemical maps. The presence of graphene or graphite in the films was determined from the Raman spectra and Auger peak of C KVV. For this purpose, the D parameter, which is a fingerprint of carbon allotropes, was determined from C KVV spectra acquired by using X‐rays and electron beam. A formation of an intermediate layer of metal hydroxide was revealed in the samples with graphene overlayer.     

Surface oxidation process of a diamond‐like carbon film analyzed by difference X‐ray photoelectron spectroscopy

Difference X‐ray photoelectron spectroscopy (D‐XPS) revealed the surface oxidation process of a diamond‐like carbon (DLC) film. Evaluation of surface functional groups on DLC solely by the C 1s spectrum is difficult because the spectrum is broad and has a secondary asymmetric lineshape. D‐XPS clarified the subtle but critical changes at the DLC surface caused by wet oxidation. The hydroxyl (C―OH) group was dominant at the oxidized surface. Further oxidized carbonyl (C?O) and carboxyl (including carboxylate) (COO) groups were also obtained; however, the oxidation of C?O to COO was suppressed to some extent because the reaction required C―C bond cleavage. Wet oxidation cleaved the aliphatic hydrogenated and non‐hydrogenated sp² carbon bonds (C―H sp² and C―C sp²) to create a pair of C―OH and hydrogenated sp³ carbon (C―H sp³) bonds. The reaction yield for C―H sp² was superior at the surface, suggesting that the DLC film was hydrogen rich at the surface. Oxidation of aromatic sp² rings or polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons such as nanographite to phenols did not occur because of their resonance stabilization with electron delocalization. Non‐hydrogenated sp³ carbon (C―C sp³) bonds were not affected by oxidation, suggesting that these bonds are chemically inert. Copyright © 2014 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

弱碱性介质中氯离子对铜电极腐蚀行为的影响

应用循环伏安法、X射线光电子能谱法、电化学阻抗谱法以及现场椭圆偏光法研究了在弱碱性介质中添加Cl－对铜电极腐蚀行为的影响.结果表明, Cl－的加入能加剧铜电极的腐蚀,使腐蚀电流以及现场椭圆偏振参数Δ的变化范围都增大1个数量级, Cl－对Cu2O的掺杂将使铜电极的表面膜变得疏松,膜的耐蚀性变差.椭圆偏光实验不仅与电化学和能谱实验的结果一致,而且还能定性地、清楚地分辨出铜电极腐蚀过程中Cu2O的生成、Cl－对Cu2O的掺杂、CuO的生成等不同阶段;同时,利用恰当的模型还能定量地确定各个阶段铜电极表面膜的组成、厚度的变化,从而为研究铜电极的腐蚀与防护机理提供更多有用信息.     

X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy study of neodymium niobate and tantalate precursors and thin films

Neodymium niobate NdNbO₄ (NNO) and tantalate NdTaO₄ (NTO) thin films (~100 nm) were prepared by sol-gel/spin-coating process on Al₂O₃ substrate with LaNbO₄/PbZrO₃ interlayer and annealing at 1000°C. Surface chemistry was investigated by X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS). The core-level XPS studies of sol-gel NNO and NTO were performed for the first time. The binding energy differences Δ(O―Nb) and Δ(O―Ta) were used to characterize average energies of Nb―O bonding in NNO (322.9 eV) and Ta―O bonding in NTO (504.2 eV). The XPS demonstrated single valence state of Nd (Nd³⁺) in precursors. Nd concentration (at. %) decreases from 22% in precursors to 7% in films considering the substrate contains C, Al, Si, Pb, and Zr elements (37%) at Nb or Ta (5%) and O (51%). The X-ray diffraction analyses verified formation of the monoclinic (M-NdNbO₄ or M′-NdTaO₄), orthorhombic (O-NdNbO₄) and tetragonal (T-NdTaO₄) phases in precursors and films. Single valence state of Nd³⁺ was confirmed in these films designed for the application in environmental electrolytic thin film devices.     

Characterization and reactivity of copper oxide catalysts supported on TiO2-ZrO2

A series of copper catalysts supported on TiO2-ZrO2 with copper loading varying from 1.0 to 21.6 wt % were prepared by a wet impregnation method. The catalysts were characterized by X-ray diffraction (XRD), X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS), UV-vis diffuse reflectance spectroscopy, electron spin resonance (ESR), temperature programmed reduction (TPR), and Brunauer-Emmett-Teller specific surface area measurements. Copper dispersion and metal area were determined by N2O decomposition by the passivation method. XRD results suggest that the copper oxide is present in a highly dispersed amorphous state at copper loadings <16.8 wt % in the sample and as a crystalline CuO phase at higher Cu loadings. Copper dispersion increases with Cu loading up to 5.1 wt % and levels off at higher loadings. The XPS peak intensity ratios of Cu 2p(3/2)/Ti 2p(3/2) and Cu 2p(3/2)/Zr 3d(5/2) were compared with the copper dispersion calculated from N2O decomposition. ESR results suggest the presence of two types of copper species on the TiO2-ZrO2 support. TPR profiles reveal the presence of highly dispersed copper oxide at lower temperatures and bulk CuO at higher temperatures. The catalytic properties were evaluated for the vapor-phase dehydrogenation of cyclohexanol to cyclohexanone and related to the dispersion of Cu on TiO2-ZrO2.     

导电玻璃负载CuO/V_2O_5复合纳米纤维光电极的制备及光电催化性能

以聚乙烯吡咯烷酮(PVP)为高分子模板剂,乙酰丙酮钒(C_(15)H_(21)O_6V)和三水合硝酸铜[Cu(NO_3)_2·3H_2O]为原料,导电玻璃(FTO)为载体,结合溶胶-凝胶法和静电纺丝技术制备了前驱体纤维,经高温焙烧后得到分布均匀、具有纤维结构的导电玻璃负载的CuO/V_2O_5复合光电极(CuO/V_2O_5/FTO).采用热重-差热分析仪(TG-DTA)、X射线衍射仪(XRD)、扫描电子显微镜(SEM)、透射电子显微镜(TEM)和X射线光电子能谱仪(XPS)等对材料的结构进行表征,以亚甲基蓝(MB)为目标降解物,探讨了合成产物的光电催化性能.结果表明,CuO与V_2O_5能有效形成异质结构,其光电催化活性均比纯V_2O_5有明显提高,并且改变CuO与V_2O_5的比例对光电催化性能有较大影响,其中n(Cu)∶n(V)=1∶1时降解效率最高,达到96%.     

Facile Chan‐Lam coupling using ferrocene tethered N‐heterocyclic carbene‐copper complex anchored on graphene

Ferrocene tethered N‐heterocyclic carbene‐copper complex anchored on graphene ([GrFemImi]NHC@Cu complex) has been synthesized by covalent grafting of ferrocenyl ionic liquid in the matrix of graphene followed by metallation with copper (I) iodide. The [GrFemImi]NHC@Cu complex has been characterized by fourier transform infrared (FT‐IR), fourier transform Raman (FT‐Raman), CP‐MAS ¹³C NMR spectroscopy, transmission electron microscopy (TEM), thermogravimetric analysis (TGA), energy dispersive X‐ray (EDX) analysis, X‐ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS), Brunauer–Emmett–Teller (BET) surface area analysis and X‐ray diffractometer (XRD) analysis. This novel complex served as a robust heterogeneous catalyst for the synthesis of bioactive N‐aryl sulfonamides from variety of aryl boronic acids and sulfonyl azides in ethanol by Chan‐Lam coupling. Recyclability experiments were executed successfully for six consecutive runs.     

Preparation of phosphorylated chitosan‐coated carbon microspheres as flame retardant and its application in unsaturated polyester resin

In this work, phosphorylated chitosan‐coated carbon microspheres (PCH@CMS) was successfully synthesized. Obtained PCH@CMS used as flame retardant was added into unsaturated polyester resin (UPR). Fourier infrared spectroscopy (FTIR) and X‐ray electron spectroscopy (XPS) results indicated that C═O, P─O, and P═O appeared on the surface of PCH@CMS. Compared with UPR, the residues of UPR/PCH@CMS‐10 at 800°C under nitrogen and air atmospheres increased by 9.0 and 3.9 wt%, respectively, and the peak heat release rate (pHRR) and the peak smoke release rate (pSPR) of UPR/PCH@CMS‐3 decreased by 18.9% and 23.5%, respectively. Limiting oxygen index (LOI), thermogravimetric analyzer (TG), and cone calorimeter test (CCT) results showed that the addition of PCH@CMS could enhance the flame retardancy and smoke suppression of the UPR composites. Moreover, the residues after CCT were characterized by scanning electron microscopy (SEM), XPS, and laser Raman spectroscopy (LRS). Based on the above results, the flame retardant mechanism of PCH@CMS was proposed. The carbon layer produced by the UPR/PCH@CMS composites was tortuous and could suppress the heat and pyrolysis product exchange with UPR matrix.     

Reaction of imidazole in gas phase at very low pressure with Cu foil and Cu oxides studied by X‐ray photoelectron spectroscopy

The gas‐phase reactions of imidazole with Cu foil, CuO and Cu₂O powders at a pressure of 10^?5 Torr are studied by means of X‐ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS) at room temperature for 1 h. The reactivity of gaseous imidazole is very intense with Cu foil, weak with CuO and nil with Cu₂O. The reaction product on the Cu foil is cuprous imidazolate of oligomeric nature and with CuO is cupric imidazolate of very low molecular weight. Copyright © 2006 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

基于MWCNT/TiO2对电极和硫醇盐/二硫化物非碘氧化还原电对的染料敏化太阳能电池性能

采用水热法合成出多壁纳米碳管/二氧化钛(MWCNT/TiO₂)复合物, 并作为染料敏化太阳能电池(DSSC)中对电极材料并组装成电池. 通过场发射扫描电子显微镜(FE-SEM)、傅里叶变换红外(FTIR)光谱、X射线粉末衍射(XRD)、同步热重-差示扫描量热(TGA-DSC)、拉曼(Raman)光谱和光电子能谱(XPS)等方法对其形貌、组成和结构进行表征. 结果表明, 酸化MWCNT表面―COOH与水热生长出的锐钛矿TiO₂表面―OH之间, 通过形成类似于O＝C―O―Ti 或者C―O―Ti 的结构, 能有效地增强复合物薄膜层与导电玻璃基底之间的相互作用. 通过循环伏安(CV)、电化学阻抗谱(EIS)、塔菲尔曲线(Tafel)和电池的伏安特性曲线等方法研究了该类对电极对硫醇盐/二硫化物(T-/T₂)非碘氧化还原电对的光电化学特性. 结果表明: 当MWCNT与TiO₂质量比为3:1时, 基于该复合物对电极与T-/T₂非碘氧化还原电对所组装DSSC的开路电压为0.63 V, 短路电流为15.81 mA·cm^-2, 填充因子为0.65, 光电转换效率达到6.47%.     

固相浸渍法和湿浸渍法制备CuO/CeO2催化剂及其CO氧化性能的对比研究

采用固相浸渍法和常规湿浸渍法制备了一系列CuO/CeO₂催化剂,并结合X射线衍射（XRD）、氢气-程序升温还原（H₂-TPR）、激光拉曼光谱（LRS）、原位漫反射红外光谱（in situ DRIFTS）、X射线光电子能谱（XPS）等手段考察了制备方法对催化剂结构性质及其在CO氧化反应中性能的影响. XPS和H₂-TPR结果表明,固相浸渍法更有利于得到高分散的铜物种,并促进CuO物种的还原. LRS结果表明,相比于湿浸渍法,固相浸渍法能产生更多氧空位,而这些氧空位可以活化参与反应的O₂. CO氧化活性测试结果表明,当铜负载量相同时,固相浸渍法制备的催化剂相比于湿浸渍法表现出更好的催化性能. 结合多种表征结果发现,催化剂CO氧化性能与其表面氧空位和Cu⁺-CO浓度紧密相关,提出了CuO/CeO₂催化剂在CO氧化反应中可能的协同作用机制.     

Characterization and catalytic functionalities of copper oxide catalysts supported on zirconia

A series of zirconia supported copper oxide catalysts with varying copper loadings (1.2-19.1 wt %) were prepared by impregnation method. The catalysts were characterized by X-ray diffraction, UV-visible diffuse reflectance spectroscopy, X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS), temperature-programmed reduction (TPR), and temperature-programmed desorption of CO2. Copper dispersion and metal area were determined by N2O decomposition method. X-ray diffraction patterns indicate the presence of crystalline CuO phase beyond 2.7 wt % of Cu on zirconia. UV-visible diffuse reflectance spectra suggest the presence of two types of copper species on the ZrO2 support. XPS peaks intensity ratio of Cu 2p3/2 and Zr 3d5/2 was compared with Cu dispersion calculated from N2O decomposition. TPR patterns reveal the presence of highly dispersed copper oxide at lower temperatures and bulk CuO at higher temperatures. The basicity of the catalysts was found to increase with Cu loading, and the activity of the catalysts was also found to increase with the increase in Cu loading up to 2.7 wt % Cu loading. The catalytic properties were evaluated for the dehydrogenation of cyclohexanol to cyclohexanone and were related to surface properties of the copper species supported on zirconia.