立方氮化硼生长界面形貌及相结构表征

采用Li3N和hBN为原料,在静态高温高压条件下合成出大颗粒cBN单晶.利用扫描电镜(SEM)、高分辨透射电镜(HRTEM)对合成块断面、大颗粒cBN单晶形貌及其周围物相进行了表征.结果表明:在大颗粒cBN单晶周围主要存在hBN、cBN及Li3BN2等物相.HRTEM在大颗粒单晶周围发现了纳米尺寸的cBN微颗粒,并发现该微颗粒处在Li3BN2物相包裹中.由此可以推测,高温高压状态下,hBN与Li3N发生共熔反应生成Li3BN2,而Li3BN2作为触媒中间相促使cBN的形成.同时结合SEM结果分析表明,一旦cBN微颗粒形成,在随后的生长过程中,cBN在Li3BN2熔体中以扩散的方式进行台阶生长,从而形成宏观可见的cBN单晶.     

cBN单晶合成效果与合成后Li基触媒组织结构的相关性研究

采用锂基触媒(Li3N)和六方氮化硼(hBN)为原料,在静态高温高压条件下加入(270/325目)籽晶批量合成出了大颗粒立方氮化硼(cBN)单晶(＞70目).通过X射线衍射仪(XRD)对触媒层内物相进行标定,采用K值法、绝热法、RIR值等理论方法,计算出样品触媒层内各物相的质量分数,比较了单晶合成效果好与差的触媒层内物相含量的差别;利用扫描电子显微镜(SEM)对样品触媒层的形貌进行观察,比较了单晶合成效果好与差的触媒层形貌的差别.结果表明:cBN单晶合成效果不同,其触媒组织结构有着明显的差异.当单晶合成效果较好时,触媒层中Li3BN2的含量为49;,cBN的含量为5;,hBN的含量为46;,触媒层内存在较均匀的熔融球状组织和管状组织,且离单晶表面越近管状组织越多;当单晶合成效果较差时,触媒层中Li3BN2的含量为10;,cBN的含量为49;,hBN的含量为41;,触媒层内只存在熔融球状组织.分析认为,触媒层中的cBN和Li3BN2的含量是影响大颗粒cBN单晶合成效果的主要因素.     

Li3N触媒粒度对立方氮化硼单晶合成效果的影响

在压力4.5 ～5.3 GPa,温度1350 ～ 1500℃条件下,分别以不同粒度的Li3N粉末作为触媒,采用高温高压触媒法合成了立方氮化硼(cBN)单晶.研究了Li3N触媒粒度对cBN单晶合成效果的影响,对得到的cBN单晶的产量、转化率、大晶粒含量和抗压强度等待性进行了检测对比.结果表明,当Li3N触媒的粒度为80～ 100 μm时,在高温高压下可以合成出大晶粒含量高、抗压强度高、生长完善且晶形完整度较高的cBN单晶;当Li3N触媒的粒度为60～ 80 μm时,在高温高压下合成出的cBN单晶产量和转化率较高.     

cBN合成块断口形貌观察及XRD分层表征

以Li3N为触媒,采用静态高压法合成了大颗粒立方氮化硼单晶.以扫描电镜(SEM)观察了快冷后的的立方氮化硼(cBN)合成块的断口形貌,并利用X射线衍仪(XRD)对cBN晶体附近的物质分层进行了表征.扫描结果显示,cBN处于熔融状物质的包裹之中,并在cBN的裸表面发现了生长台阶及近似熔入台阶中的颗粒状物质;XRD分层表征结果表明,cBN晶体表面分层界面中检测出含有中间相Li3BN2和cBN小颗粒.由此推断,高温高压下Li3N可以与hBN发生共熔反应并转变为中间相Li3BN2;根据分层表征结果可推测,在适量中间相Li3BN2存在的区域cBN小颗粒更易于聚集并通过不断消耗扩散到大颗粒cBN晶体表面的cBN小颗粒的方式不断长大.     

立方氮化硼单晶生长界面层的精细结构

以Li3N为触媒、六方氮化硼(hBN)为原料,采用静态高温高压法合成立方氮化硼(cBN)单晶.为探讨cBN合成机理,利用扫描电镜观察了cBN单晶生长界面层形貌,利用俄歇电子能谱和X射线光电子能谱对界面层精细结构进行了表征.结果表明,cBN单晶被合成后的触媒粉末所包裹,界面层中B、N元素相对比例基本保持不变,且随着距离cBN单晶越来越近,B、N元素的sp2杂化态逐渐减少,sp3杂化态逐渐增多,这说明hBN含量逐渐减少,而cBN含量逐渐增多.由于Li元素非常活泼,在高温高压体系中的电子结构极不稳定,故可以作为电子转移的桥梁,完成电子由N向B的转移.据此认为在cBN单晶生长界面层中,B、N元素的sp2杂化态逐渐转变成了sp3杂化态.以上结果说明hBN在触媒催化作用下可直接转变为cBN.     

三种氮化物触媒原料的cBN单晶合成效果

在压力4.2～5.5 GPa、温度1350 ～ 1540℃条件下,分别采用Li3N、Ca3 N2、Mg3N2三种氮化物粉末作为触媒合成出了cBN单晶;研究了三种触媒的cBN单晶合成效果,对得到的cBN单晶产量和转化率、粒度分布、抗压强度和表面形貌等进行了表征和对比,并讨论了三种触媒合成cBN单晶的经济性及其应用.结果表明,采用Li3N触媒合成出的cBN单晶,产量和转化率高,单晶粒度大,抗压强度高,晶体生长完善,生长缺陷少,但Li3N触媒价格昂贵,适用于工业化生产高品级cBN大单晶;采用Ca3N2触媒合成出的cBN单晶虽然其产量和转化率低,粒度较小,但生长较为完善,表面缺陷较少,同时Ca3N2触媒价格便宜,适用于工业化生产高品级的cBN小单晶;采用Mg3N2触媒合成出的cBN单晶产量和转化率居中,单晶粒度小,晶体表面粗糙,存在较多生长缺陷,但Mg3N2触媒价格低廉,可大大降低cBN单晶的生产成本,适用于工业化生产较低品级的cBN单晶和微粉.     

高温高压下cBN单晶转变机理的密度泛函理论研究

为研究Li3N-hBN体系中cBN单晶的转变机理,本文采用基于密度泛函理论的赝势平面波方法和广义梯度近似法(GGA)系统计算了高温高压条件下hBN和cBN的低指数晶面的晶面能,分析了hBN和cBN各晶面之间的能量关系.结果表明:在1800K,5.5 GPa和2000 K,6.0 GPa下,hBN的(1010)晶面与cBN的(100)晶面的相对晶面能差分别为0.7;和1.2;,两组晶面的晶面能连续,即微观上电子密度连续.根据改进后的密度泛函理论(TFDC)可知,hBN能够向cBN直接转变.因此推断:在Li3N-hBN体系中,以Li3N为触媒,cBN单晶是由hBN直接转变而来.     

添加籽晶对合成立方氮化硼单晶的影响

采用Li3N、Ca3N2作为触媒,在高温高压(HPHT)条件下合成立方氮化硼(cBN)单晶,合成过程中通过加入籽晶的方式获得cBN单晶.通过改变籽晶的加入量和粒度,研究籽晶对合成cBN单晶产量的转化率、大颗粒单晶(30/50目)比例以及单晶静压强度等性能的影响;利用扫描电子显微镜对在不同条件下合成出的单晶颗粒形貌进行观察和对比.结果表明,在HPHT下,添加3wt‰的270/325目的籽晶合成出的cBN单晶尺寸为0.5mm左右,且cBN单晶晶形规则,晶面多为(111)和(110)面,缺陷较少;30/50目的cBN单晶的静压强度为44.5 ～48.2 N;合成cBN单晶的粒度整体提高.在Li3 N-hBN体系中,添加270/325目籽晶合成cBN单晶产量的转化率为45.5;;添加100/120目的籽晶合成cBN单晶的大颗粒单晶(30/50目)的转化率达60.3;.在Ca3N2-hBN体系中合成cBN单晶的效果较差一些.     

Li3N在KBH4和NH4Cl合成BN反应中的作用

采用氮气加压加温方法,以KBH4和NH4Cl为原料,通过在相同的温度、压力条件下,向反应体系中添加和不添加少量Li3N的对比实验,研究Li3N在KBH4和NH4Cl生成BN反应中的作用.反应产物中有无hBN和cBN生成是依据反应产物的X射线衍射图谱(XRD)和傅立叶变换红外光谱(FTIR)中有无hBN和cBN物相出现确认的.谢乐公式被用于估算生成的BN的粒径.结果表明,在650℃、7MPa的反应条件下,以KBH4和NH4Cl为原料没有生成BN的反应发生.但当在原料中加入Li3N后,反应产物中有大量hBN和少量cBN生成,其中hBN的平均颗粒尺寸约为14nm.分析确认,Li3N在上述由KBH4和NH4Cl合成hBN和cBN的反应中起催化作用.而且加入Li3N后,由KBH4和NH4Cl合成BN的反应压力和时间都明显低于Hu等人的相关报道结果.     

高温高压下cBN单晶转变机理的EET理论分析

使用ab从头算原理计算了六方氮化硼(hBN)和立方氮化硼(cBN)在cBN单晶合成温度和压强下(1800 K,5.0 GPa)的晶格常数.通过EET理论构建了hBN和cBN的共价电子结构,并计算出九组hBN和cBN单晶的不同低指数晶面之间在高温高压下的相对共价电子密度.根据TFDC理论分析判断,发现hBN的(110)与cBN的(110)、hBN的(100)与cBN的(100)分别连续,两组晶面组合的相对共价电子密度差均小于＜10;.这表明:这两组hBN/cBN晶面之间的价电子结构相差不大,可以诱使hBN直接转变为cBN.因此本文认为:从价电子结构的角度分析,高温高压下的cBN单晶极有可能是由hBN直接转变而来的.     

Low frequency relaxation in liquid crystals in relation to structural relaxation in glass-formers

Liquid crystals (LC) are the state of matter intermediate between isotropic liquids and the crystalline state. LC-forming molecules have strongly anisotropic shapes (rod-like in most cases). This leads to an interaction potential that consists of distance-dependent and orientation-dependent parts. Rotational dynamics of LC molecules falls into two frequency regions. Rotations about the short axes are strongly hindered by the potential barrier and thus coupled to fluctuations of the molecular centers of mass. This in turn causes these longitudinal or “flip-flop” motions, characterized by a relatively large relaxation time τ_||, to exhibit considerable temperature, pressure and volume dependences. Experimental relaxation times determined to date for various LC phases (nematic, smectic A, C, and E) for different thermodynamic conditions (isobaric, isothermal and isochoric) are discussed herein, adopting the formulae applied for characterization of the structural relaxation times of glass-formers (GF). This analysis appears fruitful; in particular, the strength parameter characterizing the steepness of the interaction potential can be determined from the relaxation times, and τ_|| is independent of temperature and pressure along the nematic-isotropic transition line, similar to the behavior of the structural relaxation time along certain transitions in GFs.     

Intermolecular Interactions in Crystalline Hydroxychloroquine Sulfate in Comparison with Those in Selected Antimalarial Drugs

Abstract The crystal structure of hydroxychloroquine sulfate (OHClQ) was determined in order to compare its conformation and intermolecular interactions to those in the crystalline chloroquine phosphate (ClQP) and quinine salicylate (QSal) monohydrate. The crystals of OHClQ are monoclinic with the space group P2₁/c and unit-cell dimensions: a = 10.4966(1) ?, b = 8.8056(1) ?, c = 21.8603(3) ?, β = 101.074(1)°. The quinoline antimalarial drugs may interact with their putative receptors by formation of characteristic hydrogen-bonded rings. The protonated nitrogen atoms and/or hydroxyl groups of the drug cation are proton donors, while the oxygen atoms of anions are proton acceptors. Water molecules may intermediate in these interactions. Graphical Abstract Hydroxychloroquine sulfate is a drug used in the treatment of malaria and rheumatic diseases. The X-ray structure analysis shows an important role of intermolecular hydrogen bonds in the crystal architecture. Comparison with chloroquine phosphate and quinine salicylate indicates that the organization of the drug cations is determined by the anions.      

Initial transient in Zn-doped InSb grown in microgravity

Three Zn-doped InSb crystals were directionally solidified under microgravity conditions at the International Space Station (ISS) Alpha. The distribution of the Zn was measured using SIMS. A short diffusion-controlled transient, typical for systems with k >1 was demonstrated. Static pressure of ∼4000 N/m² was imposed on the melt, to prevent bubble formation and de-wetting. Still, partial de-wetting has occurred in one experiment, and apparently has disturbed the diffusive transport of Zn in the melt.     

凝胶体系中生物矿物生长的研究进展

近年来,生物矿化的模拟和仿生材料的研究十分引人注目.凝胶体系是模拟生物矿化的有效介质.本文综述了凝胶中羟基磷灰石、透钙磷石、磷酸钙等磷酸盐,文石、方解石、球霰石等碳酸钙,碳酸钡和草酸钙等生物矿物生长的研究进展,讨论了生长参数如凝胶种类、凝胶化学性质、吸附到凝胶表面的物质种类、介质pH、生长时间等对这些矿物晶体生长的影响,最后指出了该领域所面临的问题和将来的发展方向.     

Convection in melts and impurity distribution in semiconductor crystals

Impurity distributions in semiconductor melts and crystals grown from these melts are experimentally and numerically studied on an example of Ga-doped Ge crystals. It is shown that inhomogeneous dopant distribution is observed in the form of striations and is caused by the convective flows in the melt and their nonstationary rearrangement in the vicinity of the crystallization front. The character of heat and mass transfer under the microgravity conditions is predicted. The necessity of precision experiments under terrestrial and, especially, space conditions is emphasized.     

Silicon induced in situ hole formation in optical fibers

Random hole optical fibers (RHOFs) represent a new class of holey fiber, which utilizes randomly sized and spaced porosity in the cladding region to confine light to the core region of the fiber. The porosity in the cladding region acts to lower the average refractive index relative to that of the core region. This paper presents studies on silicon induced in situ hole formation in optical fibers. Silicon powder was added to the optical fiber preform and during drawing of the optical fiber, the silicon powder caused the formation of bubbles which were subsequently drawn into tubes in the fiber.     

Molecular Cooperation in Photo-Induced Electron Transfer in Monolayer Assemblies

Quenching of fluorescence due to electron transfer is observed in monolayer assemblies when electron donor D and electron acceptor A are either at the same interface or separated by one spacer monolayer. When the donor and acceptor monolayers are separated by two or more fatty acid interlayers no fluorescence quenching is detected.     

Water-network percolation transition in hydrated blue-green algae in vivo

We found that dc conductivity percolation process typical for low hydrated porous materials shows up in bulk viable blue-green algae, Arthrospira (Spirulina) platensis (strain Laporte 1963/M-132/2b) at unusually low hydrations, more than an order of magnitude lower than in, e.g., hydrated yeast [D. Sokolowska, A. Krol-Otwinowska, J.K. Moscicki, Phys. Rev. E 70 (2004) 052901]. The critical exponent is characteristic for two-dimensional network. Comparison with results for yeast and other similar materials shows that the hydration percolation threshold is a sensitive indicator of wettability of water accessible surface in porous bio- and abiotic materials.     

Bipolar-homogeneous structural phase transition in nematic droplets formed in the polymer matrix in a magnetic field

The phase transition from the bipolar structure to the homogeneous structure in droplets formed from the nematic liquid crystal 4-n-pentyl-4′-cyanobiphenyl in poly(vinyl butyral) in the presence of a magnetic field has been investigated. The phase transition is associated with the expansion of the regions with a tilted orientation of the director in the vicinity of defects (the disappearance of boojums) and with the alignment of the nematic director lines in the bulk of the droplet in the direction of the magnetic field. In the temperature range T = 24−34°C, cyclic mutual transformations between the bipolar configuration of the nematic director and the homogeneous structure, which have a period of ∼0.5–3.5 s and result from thermal fluctuations of the order parameter, are observed in droplets 3–15 μm in size after the forming field is switched off.     

Light Scattering in Nematic Liquid Crystals in Non-Equilibrium Steady States

Thermal fluctuations in nematic liquid crystals about a non-equilibrium stationary state due to an external temperature gradient or due to an external shear stress are theoretically investigated. The influence of the non-equilibrium situation on the light scattering spectrum (especially on the equilibrium Lorentzian due to transverse director fluctuations) is discussed.