Cosegregation-induced formation of surface compounds on (110) and (111) oriented surfaces of bcc alloys with 3d and 4d metals

Cosegregation phenomena were studied on the (110) and (111) surfaces of Fe-3.5%Mo-N single crystals by means of Auger electron spectroscopy (AES) and low energy electron diffraction (LEED). On both surface orientations cosegregation of molybdenum and nitrogen was found to cause the formation of two-dimensional MoN surface compounds which are stabilized by strong chemical interactions between the two solutes. The maximum surface coverages of the segregants, which were established at temperatures around 500°C, correspond to less than a full monolayer of the MoN surface compounds. LEED investigations revealed a complex diffraction pattern of the MoN covered (110) alloy surface, while a (1 × 1) structure was observed on the (111) surface. However, no facetting of either surfaces occurred. This finding is in sharp contrast to previous results obtained for ferritic alloys with various 3d metals such as Fe-15%Cr-N and Fe-3%V-C,N. It is concluded that the maximum MoN surface coverage is too small to induce the facetting of the bcc(110) and bcc(111) alloy surfaces.     

Dissociative adsorption of NO on TiO2 (110)-(1 x 2) surface: Ti2O3 rows as actives sites for the adsorption

The interaction of NO with TiO2 (110)-(1 x 2) surface has been studied by X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy, ultraviolet photoelectron spectroscopy, Auger electron spectroscopy, and low-energy electron diffraction, with the aim to clarify the role of ordered defects in NO reactivity toward TiO2. The interaction was studied for exposures up to 2000 L. However, the main effects occur already in the first 2 L. The exposure of the surfaces to NO resulted in the healing of defect sites without adsorption of N and low-energy electron diffraction shows that the surface (1 x 2) symmetry is not lost after the NO dose.     

Facetting of Fe-15% Cr-N, Fe-3% V-C and Fe-3% V-C,N (111) surfaces

Summary Auger electron spectroscopy (AES), low energy electron diffraction (LEED) and scanning electron microscopy (SEM) have been used to study the surface chemistry of crystallographically open bcc (111) surfaces of Fe-15% Cr-N, Fe-3% V-C and Fe-3% V-C,N alloys. The binary and ternary surface phases CrN, VC and V(C,N) were formed at temperatures ranging from 450 to 750°C depending on the alloy. On Fe-15% Cr-30ppmN (111) two-dimensional surface compounds CrN were formed at temperatures above 600°C according to the bulk phase diagram of the Fe-Cr-N system, whereas on Fe-15% Cr-N samples with nitrogen contents of more than about 100 ppm the precipitation of three-dimensional CrN took place at temperatures below 600°C. Optical and SEM micrographs as well as oxidation experiments at room temperature indicated that the substrate surfaces are inhomogeneously covered by the surface phases. Facetting of the bcc (111) surfaces induced both by cosegregation of the solutes and by surface precipitation was observed in real space (SEM) as well as in reciprocal space (LEED). It is shown that the surface phases are epitaxially arranged on (100) facets of the substrate.     

DIFFRACTION AND HOLOGRAPHY WITH PHOTOELECTRONS AND FLUORESCENT X-RAYS

We consider studies of the atomic and magnetic structure near surfaces by photoelectron diffraction and by the holographic inversion of both photoelectron diffraction data and diffraction data involving the emission of fluorescent x-rays. The current status of photoelectron diffraction studies of surfaces, interfaces, and other nanostructures is first briefly reviewed, and then several recent developments and proposals for future areas of application are discussed. The application of full-solid-angle diffraction data, together with simultaneous characterization by low energy electron diffraction and scanning tunneling microscopy, to the epitaxial growth of oxides and metals is considered. Several new avenues that are being opened up by third-generation synchrotron radiation sources are also discussed. These include site-resolved photoelectron diffraction from surface and interface atoms, the possibility of time-resolved measurements of surface reactions with chemical-state resolution, and circular dichroism in photoelectron angular distributions from both non-magnetic and magnetic systems. The addition of spin to the photoelectron diffraction measurement is also considered as a method for studying short-range magnetic order, including the measurement of surface magnetic phase transitions. This spin sensitivity can be achieved through either core-level multiplet splittings or circular-polarized excitation of spin-orbit-split levels. The direct imaging of short-range atomic structure by both photoelectron holography and two distinct types of x-ray holography involving fluorescent emission is also discussed. Both photoelectron and x-ray holography have demonstrated the ability to directly determine at least approximate atomic structures in three dimensions. Photoelectron holography with spin resolution may make it possible also to study short-range magnetic order in a holographic fashion. Although much more recent in its first experimental demonstrations, x-ray fluorescence holography should permit deriving more accurate atomic images for a variety of materials, including both surface and bulk regions.     

Adsorption and electron-induced polymerization of methyl methacrylate on Ru(1010)

The adsorption and electron irradiation of methyl methacrylate (MMA) on a Ru(1010) surface have been studied using x-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS), temperature programmed desorption (TPD), and low energy ion scattering. TPD analysis indicates that a monolayer of MMA chemisorbs and dissociates on the Ru(1010) surface. The reaction products observed upon heating include H(2), CO, CO(2), and a small amount of MMA. Physisorbed multilayers of MMA desorb at temperatures around 170 K. Electron irradiation of physisorbed MMA at 140 K leads to a modification of the MMA film: The XPS spectra show an increase in thermal stability of the film with retention of the MMA structure, and indicate that electron irradiation induces polymerization. An increase in the electron bombardment fluence induces a degradation of the formed polymerized species and leads to the accumulation of carbon on the Ru surface. These results are relevant to the accumulation of carbon on surfaces of Ru films that serve as capping layers on MoSi multilayer mirrors used in extreme ultraviolet lithography.     

Growth and structure of Pd films on ZnO(0001)

The growth and structure of Pd films on ZnO(0001) were investigated using high resolution electron energy loss spectroscopy, x-ray photoelectron spectroscopy, and low energy electron diffraction. Vapor deposited Pd films at 300 K were found to follow a two-dimensional (2D) island growth mode, in which 2D metal islands are formed up to a critical coverage at which point growth occurs primarily in a layer-by-layer fashion on top of the islands. Heating to only 350 K was found to be sufficient to induce partial agglomeration of Pd films into three-dimensional particles. In addition to causing further agglomeration into particles, heating to 700 K resulted in partial reduction of the ZnO surface and the formation of a PdZn alloy.     

Synthesis and Characterization of SnO2 Nanopowder Prepared by Precipitation Method

Tetragonal SnO₂ nanopowder of the range ～8 nm has been successfully synthesized by precipitation method. The prepared powder was characterized by thermogravimetry analysis (TGA), x-ray diffraction (XRD), transmission electron microscopy (TEM), Infrared spectroscopy (FTIR), x-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS), diffuse reflectance spectroscopy (DRS), and room temperature photoluminescence (PL) spectroscopy. Experimental results show that the prepared powder was phase pure SnO₂ of tetragonal rutile structure without any impurities. The optical band gap was determined to be 4.26 eV, using diffuse reflectance technique with the aid of Kubelka-Munk relation. The blue shift of the band gap was attributed to the quantum size confinement effect.     

Epitaxial growth of pentacene films on Cu110

The molecular structure of thin pentacene (C(22)H(14)) films grown on a Cu(110) surface has been studied by means of He atom scattering, low energy electron diffraction, thermal desorption spectroscopy, x-ray photoelectron spectroscopy, and x-ray absorption spectroscopy. Depending on the actual film thickness three different crystalline phases have been identified which reveal a characteristic reorientation of the molecular plane relative to the substrate surface. In the monolayer regime the molecules form a highly ordered commensurate (6.5x2) structure with a planar adsorption geometry. For thin multilayers (thickness <2 nm) a second phase is observed which is characterized by a lateral ((-0.65 5.69) ( 1.90 1.37)) structure and a tilting of the molecular plane of about 28 degrees around their long axis which remains parallel to the surface. Finally, when exceeding a thickness of about 2 nm subsequent growth proceeds with an upright molecular orientation and leads to the formation of crystalline films which are epitaxially oriented with respect to the substrate. The present study thus demonstrates that also on metal substrates highly ordered pentacene films with an upright orientation of the molecular planes can be grown. Photoelectron spectroscopy data indicate further that thick films do not grow in a layer-by-layer mode but reveal a significant degree of roughness.     

Preparation and characterisation of hydroxide stabilised ZnO(0001)-Zn-OH surfaces

Two different approaches under ambient conditions were developed for the preparation of clean, non-reconstructed, single crystalline ZnO(0001)-Zn surfaces. The surface preparation by a wet chemical etching procedure was compared with the same treatment in combination with a subsequent heat treatment in humidified oxygen atmosphere. Depending on the preparation technique, atomically flat terraces with a width of 100 nm to several micrometers were observed using an atomic force microscope (AFM). The obtained surface structures were further characterized by means of angle resolved X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (AR-XPS), time-of-flight secondary ion mass spectroscopy (ToF-SIMS), Auger electron spectroscopy (AES) and low energy electron diffraction (LEED) measurements. Based on these results it is shown that the obtained surfaces are, in contrast to surfaces prepared under UHV conditions, stabilised by the adsorption of a monolayer of hydroxides. The important role of H(2)O during the heat treatment is pointed out by comparing the results of the same heat treatment in the absence of water. H(2)O turned out to play an important role in the reorganization process of the surface at elevated temperatures, thereby yielding extremely large atomically flat terraces. The terminating edges of these terraces were found to include 120 degrees and 60 degrees angles, thus perfectly reflecting the hexagonal surface structure.     

Arsenopyrite and pyrite bioleaching: evidence from XPS, XRD and ICP techniques

In this work, a multi-technical bulk and surface analytical approach was used to investigate the bioleaching of a pyrite and arsenopyrite flotation concentrate with a mixed microflora mainly consisting of Acidithiobacillus ferrooxidans. X-ray diffraction, X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS) and X-ray-induced Auger electron spectroscopy mineral surfaces investigations, along with inductively coupled plasma-atomic emission spectroscopy and carbon, hydrogen, nitrogen and sulphur determination (CHNS) analyses, were carried out prior and after bioleaching. The flotation concentrate was a mixture of pyrite (FeS₂) and arsenopyrite (FeAsS); after bioleaching, 95% of the initial content of pyrite and 85% of arsenopyrite were dissolved. The chemical state of the main elements (Fe, As and S) at the surface of the bioreactor feed particles and of the residue after bioleaching was investigated by X-ray photoelectron and X-ray excited Auger electron spectroscopy. After bioleaching, no signals of iron, arsenic and sulphur originating from pyrite and arsenopyrite were detected, confirming a strong oxidation and the dissolution of the particles. On the surfaces of the mineral residue particles, elemental sulphur as reaction intermediate of the leaching process and precipitated secondary phases (Fe–OOH and jarosite), together with adsorbed arsenates, was detected. Evidence of microbial cells adhesion at mineral surfaces was also produced: carbon and nitrogen were revealed by CHNS, and nitrogen was also detected on the bioleached surfaces by XPS. This was attributed to the deposition, on the mineral surfaces, of the remnants of a bio-film consisting of an extra-cellular polymer layer that had favoured the bacterial action.     

Noble metal doped graphene nanocomposites and its study of photocatalytic hydrogen evolution

This work reports the deposition of platinum (Pt) nanoparticles on the surface of graphene nanosheet by a simple approach, using a microwave-assisted method. The photocatalytic activity has been investigated for hydrogen evolution. The hydrogen evolutions were attributed to graphene, due to its high photoelectron transport properties, and the Pt nanoparticles attached on the surface of graphene sheet, which act as reaction centers for H₂ evolution. The “as-prepared” composites were characterized by Brunauer Emmett Teller (BET) surface area measurement, X-ray diffraction (XRD), scanning electron microscopy (SEM) with energy dispersive X-ray (EDX) analysis, transmission electron microscopy (TEM), X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS), and UV–vis diffuse reflectance spectra (DRS). This work highlights the potential application of graphene-based materials in the field of energy conversion.     

Preparation of Superhydrophobic ZnO Films on Zinc Substrate by Chemical Solution Method

Superhydrophobic surface was prepared on the zinc substrate by chemical solution method via immersing clean pure zinc substrate into a water solution of zinc nitrate hexahydrate[Zn(NO₃)₂·6H₂O] and hexamethylenetetraamine( C₆H₁₂N₄) at 95 ℃ in water bath for 1.5 h, then modified with 18 alkanethiol. The best resulting surface shows superhydrophobic properties with a water contact angle of about 158° and a low water roll-off angle of around 3°. The prepared samples were characterized by powder X-ray diffraction(XRD), X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS), energy-dispersive X-ray spectroscopy(EDX), transmission electron microscopy(TEM), and scanning electron microscopy(SEM). SEM images of the films show that the resulting surface exhibits flower-shaped micro- and nano-structure. The surfaces of the prepared films were composed of ZnO nanorods which were wurtzite structure. The special flower-like micro- and nano-structure along with the low surface energy leads to the surface superhydrophobicity.     

非负载和氧化铝负载的纳米CeO2-ZrO2和CeO2-We2O3固溶体催化CO氧化

Ceria-zirconia(CZ)and ceria-terbia(CT)and alumina-supported ceria-zirconia(CZA)and ceria-terbia(CTA)solid solutions were synthesized by coprecipitation and deposition precipitation methods,respectively.Structural characteristics and catalytic activity of the synthesized samples have been investigated using X-ray diffraction(XRD),high resolution transmission electron microscopy(HRTEM),X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy(XPS),Raman spectroscopy(RS),and Brunauer-Emmett-Teller(BET)surface area measurements.To evaluate the catalytic properties,total oxygen storage capacity and CO oxidation activity measurements were carried out.The XRD analyses revealed the formation of Ce0.75Zr0.25O2 phase for CZ and Ce0.5Zr0.5O2 and Ce0.6Zr0.4O2 phases for CZA samples,respectively.While the formation of only Ce0.8Tb0.2O2-δphase was noted for both CT and CTA samples.All the supported and unsupported samples adopted a fluorite-type structure and exhibited cell parameters with respect to Vegard’s rule.The HRTEM results indicated well-dispersed particles of the size around 5 nm.The RS measurements suggested the presence of oxygen vacancies due to defective structure formation.The XPS studies revealed the presence of cerium in both Ce 4+ and Ce 3+ oxidation states in different proportions.It was found that CO oxidation for CTA occurs at very much lower temperature than CT,CZ,and CZA samples.Details of these findings by correlating with the structural characterization studies are consolidated.     

Adsorption of bromobenzene on periodically stepped and nonstepped NiO(100)

Periodically stepped NiO(100) surfaces were prepared and characterized with low-energy electron diffraction (LEED), Auger electron spectroscopy (AES), X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS), and temperature-programmed desorption (TPD). Two vicinal NiO(100) single-crystal samples were cut, oriented, and polished with regular, repeating monatomic steps in six-atom or seven-atom terrace widths. LEED diffraction patterns showed characteristic spot-splitting that corresponded to the appropriate terrace and step height. The nonstepped and stepped NiO(100) surfaces were exposed to bromobenzene at 130 K first to produce a molecularly adsorbed monolayer species and then, with increased exposure, a multilayer adsorbate. An additional adsorbate species, observed only on the stepped surfaces, was found to desorb at 145 K by two competing pathways. One pathway, which saturates at low coverages, leaves bromine behind on the substrate and results in dehalogenation. The other pathway yields molecular desorption at 145 K, but is only observed in detectable amounts after the dehalogenation pathway is saturated. On both stepped and nonstepped NiO(100) substrates, adsorbed bromine resulting from dehalogenation processes appears as nickel bromide, determined by the Br 3p XPS data.     

Improved efficiency of the sputtering technique for pyrite surface and its effect on reduction of electron beam damage

A quick and highly efficient method is described for the preparation of clean and well‐characterised (100) pyrite surfaces on natural crystals based on a sputter/annealing procedure in an ultra‐high vacuum (UHV) chamber. The improvement has been achieved by controlling the ingress of the key contaminants water and oxygen and restricting the annealing temperature to 560 K, which is below the SO₂ dissociation temperature. Low‐energy electron diffraction (LEED) and X‐ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS) data were used to study the surface. As well as improving the efficiency of the sputtering technique for this surface, a further major benefit is its high stability against electron beam damage as investigated by a quantitative LEED study. Copyright © 2008 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

Surface preparation of glassy carbon electrodes

Recent work on glassy carbon electrodes for various applications is reviewed. Activation of glassy carbon electrodes by different types of polishing, heat treatment, and electrochemical methods yields enhanced rates of electron transfer. Characterization of different glassy carbon surfaces by x-ray photoelectron spectroscopy shows that polished and electrochemically pretreated surfaces contain more oxygen on the surface than do unactivated surfaces; much of this oxygen is associated with phenolic groups. Causes of activation, characterization of glassy carbon by spectroscopic methods, and the role of surface cleanliness are summarized. For simple electron-transfer reactions, removal of contaminants from the electrode surface is important. For proton-coupled electrode reactions, specific interactions of reactants with catalytic groups created on the surface during polishing tend to play an important role in electrode activation     

In situ quantum dot growth on multiwalled carbon nanotubes

The generation of nanoscale interconnects and supramolecular, hierarchical assemblies enables the development of a number of novel nanoscale applications. A rational approach toward engineering a robust system is through chemical recognition. Here, we show the in situ mineralization of crystalline CdTe quantum dots on the surfaces of oxidized multiwalled carbon nanotubes (MWNTs). We coordinate metallic precursors of quantum dots directly onto nanotubes and then proceed with in situ growth. The resulting network of molecular-scale "fused" nanotube-nanocrystal heterojunctions demonstrates a controlled synthetic route to the synthesis of complex nanoscale heterostructures. Extensive characterization of these heterostructures has been performed using scanning electron microscopy (SEM), transmission electron microscopy (TEM), high-resolution transmission electron microscopy (HRTEM), energy-dispersive X-ray spectroscopy (EDS), X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS), Raman spectroscopy, UV-visible spectroscopy, and X-ray diffraction (XRD).     

Surface investigation of intermetallic PdGa(111)

The intermetallic PdGa is a highly selective and potent catalyst in the semihydrogenation of acetylene, which is attributed to the surface stability and isolated Pd atom ensembles. In this context PdGa single crystals of form B with (111) orientation were investigated by means of X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS), ultraviolet photoelectron spectroscopy (UPS), scanning tunneling microscopy (STM), X-ray photoelectron diffraction (XPD), and low-energy electron diffraction (LEED) to study the electronic and geometric properties of this surface. UPS and thermal desorption spectroscopy (TDS) were used to probe the chemisorption behavior of CO. The PdGa(111) surface exhibits a (1 × 1) LEED and a pronounced XPD pattern indicating an unreconstructed bulk-truncated surface. Low-temperature STM reveals a smooth surface with a (1 × 1) unit cell. No segregation occurs, and no impurities are detected by XPS. The electronic structure and the CO adsorption properties reveal PdGa(111) to be a bulk-truncated intermetallic compound with Pd-Ga partial covalent bonding.     

Mesoporous carbon/zirconia composites: a potential route to chemically functionalized electrically-conductive mesoporous materials

Mesoporous nanocomposite materials in which nanoscale zirconia (ZrO(2)) particles are embedded in the carbon skeleton of a templated mesoporous carbon matrix were prepared, and the embedded zirconia sites were used to accomplish chemical functionalization of the interior surfaces of mesopores. These nanocomposite materials offer a unique combination of high porosity (e.g., ～84% void space), electrical conductivity, and surface tailorability. The ZrO(2)/carbon nanocomposites were characterized by thermogravimetric analysis, nitrogen-adsorption porosimetry, helium pychnometry, powder X-ray diffraction, Raman spectroscopy, scanning electron microscopy, transmission electron microscopy, and X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy. Comparison was made with templated mesoporous carbon samples prepared without addition of ZrO(2). Treatment of the nanocomposites with phenylphosphonic acid was undertaken and shown to result in robust binding of the phosphonic acid to the surface of ZrO(2) particles. Incorporation of nanoscale ZrO(2) surfaces in the mesoporous composite skeleton offers unique promise as a means for anchoring organophosphonates inside of pores through formation of robust covalent Zr-O-P bonds.     

Binding mechanisms of methacrylic acid and methyl methacrylate on si(111)-7 x 7 -- effect of substitution groups

The interaction of methacrylic acid and methyl methacrylate with Si(111)-7 x 7 has been investigated using high-resolution electron energy loss spectroscopy (HREELS) and X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS). While methacrylic acid chemisorbs dissociatively through O-H bond cleavage, methyl methacrylate is covalently attached to the silicon surface via a [4+2] cycloaddition. The different reaction pathways of these two compounds on Si(111)-7 x 7 demonstrate that the substitution groups play an important role in determining the reaction channels for multifunctional molecules, leading to the desired flexibility in the organic modification of silicon surfaces.