Chemisorption of 1,1-dichloroethene on the Si(1 1 1)-7 × 7 surface

Chemisorption of 1,1-dichloroethene (Cl₂CCH₂) to a Si(1 1 1)-7 × 7 surface was studied by means of X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy using synchrotron radiation, recording chlorine 2p and carbon 1s spectra. For carbon 1s, spectral assignment of the chemisorbed species is based on quantum chemical calculations of chemical shifts in model compounds.The results confirm the identity of covalently bonded 1-chlorovinyl (-CClCH₂) and vinylidene (CCH₂) adspecies. Upon chemisorption at room temperature it was found that about one-third of the molecules break one C-Cl bond while about two-thirds of the adsorbates break two C-Cl bonds. We do not, however, find evidence for isomerization of CCH₂ to di-bonded vinylene (-CHCH-).     

Reaction of acetonitrile with the silicon(0 0 1) surface: A combined XPS and FTIR study

The adsorption of acetonitrile on the Si(0 0 1) surface has been investigated using X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS) and Fourier-transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR). XPS and FTIR spectra indicate that adsorbed acetonitrile forms two correlated binding configurations, a CN species with a strong FTIR absorption at 1540 cm⁻¹ and a CCN (ketenimine) species that has a very strong FTIR absorption at 1952 cm⁻¹. The CCN FTIR peak at 1952 cm⁻¹ shows a striking polarization dependence, with the infrared transition dipole almost entirely in the plane of the sample and parallel to the SiSi dimer axis. Our data suggests that the primary CCN structure results from cleavage of two C-H bonds, forming a structure in which the N and terminal C atom are both linked to the surface. Temperature-dependent experiments help to elucidate the complicated reaction mechanism for acetonitrile adsorbing onto the Si(0 0 1) surface. Dosing at higher temperature increases the amount of CCN relative to CN species while heating leads to direct transformation of the CN to the CCN species. Our results indicate that previous studies, which considered only products formed by cleavage of a single C-H bond, have misidentified the primary ketenimine product. A reinterpretation of the earlier results, combined with data presented here, sheds new light onto the products and mechanism of interaction of acetonitrile with Si(0 0 1).     

FTIR spectra and rovibrational analysis of the ν11 band of trans-ClHCCHF and ν10 of trans-ClHCCDF

High-resolution Fourier transform infrared spectra of natural trans-ClHCCHF and of its isotopologue trans-ClHCCDF have been recorded in the region between 700 and 1150 cm⁻¹ with the purpose to analyze the ν₁₁ fundamental of the main species and the ν₁₀ of its deuterated compound. Both bands, of symmetry species A″, present c-type envelope absorptions. Beside the expected features, the K structure of the P(J), Q(J), and R(J) manifolds was resolved and identified; the assignment of the rovibrational transitions was extended up to J = 92 and K_a = 13 for the trans-³⁵ClHCCHF and up to J = 86 and K_a = 10 for trans-³⁵ClHCCDF. More than 2900 and 2700 lines for the main and deuterated species, respectively, were analyzed by a least-squares procedure and reliable spectroscopic molecular parameters were determined for both isotopologues.     

Selective surface chemistry of allyl alcohol and allyl aldehyde on Si(1 0 0)2×1: Competition of [2 + 2] CC cycloaddition with O-H dissociation and with [2 + 2] CO cycloaddition in bifunctional molecules

Competition between the CC functional group with the OH group in allyl alcohol and with the CO group in allyl aldehyde in the adsorption and thermal chemistry on Si(1 0 0)2×1 has been studied by X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS) and temperature-programmed desorption (TPD), as well as density-functional theory (DFT) calculations. The similarities found in the C 1s and O 1s spectra for both molecules indicate that the O-H dissociation product for allyl alcohol and [2 + 2] CO cycloaddition product for allyl aldehyde are preferred over the corresponding [2 + 2] CC cycloaddition products. Temperature-dependent XPS and TPD studies further show that thermal evolution of these molecules gives rise to the formation of ethylene, acetylene, and propene on Si(1 0 0)2×1, with additional CO evolution only from allyl alcohol. The formation of these desorption products also supports that the [2 + 2] CC cycloaddition reaction does not occur. In addition, the formation of SiC at 1090 K is observed for both allyl alcohol and allyl aldehyde. We propose plausible surface-mediated reaction pathways for the formation of these thermal evolution products. The present work illustrates the crucial role of the Si(1 0 0)2×1 surface in selective reactions of the Si dimers with the O−H group in allyl alcohol and with the CO group in allyl aldehyde over the CC functional group common to both molecules.     

S180 cell growth on low ion energy plasma treated TiO2 thin films

X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS) was used to characterise the effects of low energy (<2 eV) argon ion plasma surface modification of TiO₂ thin films deposited by radio frequency (RF) magnetron sputter system. The low energy argon ion plasma surface modification of TiO₂ in a two-stage hybrid system had increased the proportion of surface states of TiO₂ as Ti³⁺. The proportion of carbon atoms as alcohol/ether (COX) was decreased with increase the RF power and carbon atoms as carbonyl (CO) functionality had increased for low RF power treatment. The proportion of C(O)OX functionality at the surface was decreased at low power and further increase in power has showed an increase in its relive proportion at the surface. The growth of S180 cells was observed and it seems that cells are uniformly spreads on tissue culture polystyrene surface and untreated TiO₂ surfaces whereas small-localised cell free area can be seen on plasma treated TiO₂ surfaces which may be due to decrease in C(O)OX, increase in CO and active sites at the surface. A relatively large variation in the surface functionalities with no change in the surface roughness was achieved by different RF plasma treatments of TiO₂ surface whereas no significant change in S180 cell growth with different plasma treatments. This may be because cell growth on TiO₂ was mainly influenced by nano-surface characteristics of oxide films rather than surface chemistry.     

A selective [4 + 2]-like cycloaddition of α, β-unsaturated ketone on Si(1 1 1)-7 × 7

The interaction of ethyl vinyl ketone (EVK) with Si(1 1 1)-7 × 7 has been investigated using high-resolution electron energy loss spectroscopy (HREELS), X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS) and density functional theory (DFT) calculations. The disappearance of both stretching vibrations of CH₂ (3099 cm⁻¹) and CO (1684 cm⁻¹) coupled with the appearance of new CC stretching mode (1660 cm⁻¹) in the HREELS spectra of chemisorbed EVK clearly demonstrates the direct involvement of conjugated CC and CO bonds to form a SiC¹H₂C²HC³(C⁴H₂C⁵H₃)OSi surface species via [4 + 2]-like cycloaddition in a highly selective manner. In addition, XPS studies show that the C1s binding energies of C¹/C² and C³ upon chemisorption display chemical downshifts of 0.8 eV and 2.2 eV, respectively, further confirming the proposed [4 + 2]-like cycloaddition reaction for the EVK/Si(1 1 1)-7 × 7 system. DFT theoretical calculations suggest that the proposed [4 + 2]-like cycloadduct is thermodynamically most favorable.     

DFT calculations of XPS/NEXAFS and IR spectra to elucidate the reaction products of acetonitrile with Si(0 0 1)-2 × 1

NEXAFS data [S. Rangan et al., Phys. Rev. B 71 (2005) 165319] and FTIR data [M.P. Schwartz, R.J. Hamers, Surf. Sci. 601 (2007) 945] apparently do not converge in the identification of the reaction products of acetonitrile (CH₃CN) with Si(0 0 1)-2 × 1 at room temperature. Using DFT calculations of core-excited/core-ionized spectra and of IR vibrational frequencies and intensities, we show the consistency of the body of experimental data. Three species are present on the surface in equivalent amounts, a CN moiety, a pendent CN and a CCN ketenimine submitted to a strong twist imposed by the Si bond directionality. More generally, the paper shows the usefulness of spectroscopic data simulations in the elucidation of complex surface chemistry problems.     

Hydrogen related point defects in silicon based layers: Si(·)H and SiOOH

Layers prepared by pulsed TEA CO₂ pulsed laser ablation (PLA) of SiO and SiO₂ targets in helium were exposed to hydrogen and deuterium atmosphere up to several kPa. The deposited layers were investigated by FTIR, EPR and XP spectroscopy. Among various Si species silyl radical Si(·)H (Si(·)D) at 2166 (1568) cm⁻¹—H(I) center—and silyl hydroperoxide SiOOH (SiOOD) at 3587 (2648) cm⁻¹ were identified in FTIR spectra. Chemical pathways for production of these species are discussed. Experimental results are supported by quantum chemical calculations.     

Resonant Auger spectroscopy study of charge transfer phenomena in N 1s core-excited acetonitrile adsorbates on Si(0 0 1)-2 × 1

Acetonitrile (CH₃CN) adsorbs on Si(0 0 1)-2 × 1 at room temperature under two forms, a cycloaddition-like adduct (Si-CN-Si) and a pendent cyano (Si-CH₂-CN) resulting from the decomposition of the molecule. Resonant Auger spectroscopy has been used to study the excited-state-dependent electron transfer from the N 1s core-excited molecular adsorbate to the silicon substrate, using the core-hole lifetime (∼6 fs) as an internal clock. It is shown that the π_CN^∗ NEXAFS state lies within the silicon bandgap because of a core-excitonic effect. Therefore no charge transfer of the excited electron to the substrate is observed. On the other hand the π_CN^∗ NEXAFS state is placed within the silicon conduction band. Excitation to this orbital leads to valence/Auger spectra in which both resonant and normal Auger contributions are observed. Therefore there is evidence for a charge transfer from the pendent CN to the silicon surface, on a timescale estimated to tens of femtoseconds.     

Near infrared spectroscopy of organic acids: comparing OH and CH oscillator frequencies and intensities

This work investigates the vibrational spectroscopy of a series of organic acids, CH₃(CH₂)_nCOOH (n = 1-5), previously unobserved in the IR and near-IR (2000-15 000 cm⁻¹). The work obtains frequencies and relative intensities for all OH and CH stretching transitions. Comparison of the frequencies and intensities of CH and OH stretching transitions reveal interesting trends in acid chain length that are discussed. Literature values for acetic acid (CH₃COOH) and formic acid (HCOOH) are used to gain a broader understanding for the spectroscopy of the organic acids CH₃(CH₂)_nCOOH. The observation of several combination bands involving the CH and OH stretching vibrations and possible rotational isomer and hot band transitions are reported.     

Microwave and high resolution infrared spectra of vinyl chloride, ab initio anharmonic force field and equilibrium structure

The quadratic, cubic, and semi-diagonal quartic force field of vinyl chloride has been calculated at the MP2 level of theory employing a basis set of triple-ζ quality. The spectroscopic constants derived from this force field are compared with the experimental values. To make this comparison more complete, the rotational constants of the lowest excited state, v₉ = 1 at 395 cm⁻¹ have been determined by microwave spectroscopy and the ν₁₂ band (around 618 cm⁻¹) has been investigated by high-resolution infrared Fourier transform spectroscopy. The equilibrium structure has been derived from experimental ground state rotational constants and ab initio rovibrational interaction parameters. This semi-experimental structure is in excellent agreement with the ab initio structure calculated at the CCSD(T) level of theory using a basis set of quintuple-ζ quality and a core correlation correction. The experimental mass-dependent r_m structures are also determined and their accuracy is discussed. The recommended equilibrium geometry is: r (CC) = 1.3262(10), r (CCl) = 1.7263(10), r (CH_g) = 1.0784(10), r (CH_c) = 1.0795(10), r (CH_t) = 1.0797(10), ∠(CCCl) = 122.77(10)°, ∠(CCH_g) = 123.86(10)°, ∠(CCH_c) = 121.80(10)°, ∠(CCH_t) = 119.29(10)°.     

Ab initio studies of electronic spectra of the linear aluminum-bearing carbon chains AlC2nH (n = 1-5)

Geometries and stabilities of the linear aluminum-bearing carbon chains AlC_2nH (n = 1-5) in their ground states have been explored by the DFT-B3LYP and RCCSD(T) methods. Structures of the X¹Σ⁺ and 1¹Π electronic states have also been optimized by the CASSCF approach. The studies indicate that these species have single-triple bond alternate pattern, AlCCCC?CCH, and the electronic excitation from X¹Σ⁺ to 1¹Π leads to the shortening of the AlC bonds. The vertical excitation energies of the 1¹Π ← X¹Σ⁺ and 2¹Π ← X¹Σ⁺ transitions for AlC_2nH (n = 1-5) have been investigated by the CASPT2, EOM-CCSD, and TD-B3LYP levels of theory with the cc-pVTZ basis set, respectively. CASPT2-predicted 1¹Π ← X¹Σ⁺ transition energies are 3.57, 3.44, 3.33, 3.26, and 3.21 eV, respectively. For AlC₂H, our estimate agrees very well with the experimental value of 3.57 eV. In addition, the AlC bond dissociation energies and the exponential-decay curves for these vertical excitation energies are also discussed.     

Improvement and mechanism of interfacial adhesion in PBO fiber/bismaleimide composite by oxygen plasma treatment

The improved interfacial adhesion of PBO fiber-reinforced bismaleimide composite by oxygen plasma processing was investigated in this paper. After treatment, the maximum value of interlaminar shear strength was 57.5 MPa, with an increase of 28.9%. The oxygen concentration of the fiber surface increased, as did the surface roughness, resulting in improvement of the surface wettability. The cleavage and rearrangement of surface bonds created new functional groups OCO, NCO and NO, thereby activating the fiber surface. And long-time treatment increased the reaction degree of surface groups while destroyed the newly-created physical structures. The enhancement of adhesion relied primarily on the strengthening of chemical bonding and mechanical interlocking between the fiber and the matrix. The composite rupture planes indicated that the fracture failure shifted from the interface to the matrix or the fiber.     

Influence of thermal treatment of low dielectric constant SiOC(H) films using MTES/O2 deposited by PECVD

Low dielectric constant SiOC(H) films are deposited on p-type Si(100) substrates by plasma enhanced chemical vapor deposition (PECVD) using methyltriethoxysilane (MTES, C₇H₁₈O₃Si) and oxygen gas as precursors. The SiOC(H) films are deposited at room temperature, 100, 200, 300 and 400 °C and then annealed at 100, 200, 300 and 400 °C temperatures for 30 min in vacuum. The influence of deposition temperature and annealing on SiOC(H) films are investigated. Film thickness and refractive index are measured by field emission scanning electron microscopy and ellipsometry, respectively. Chemical bonding characteristics of as-deposited and annealed films are investigated by Fourier transform infrared (FTIR) spectroscopy in the absorbance mode. As more carbon atoms are incorporated into the SiOC(H) films, both film density and refractive index are decreased due to nano pore structure of the film. In the SiOC(H) film, CH₃ group as an end group is introduced into OSiO network, thereby reducing the density to decrease the dielectric constant thereof. The dielectric constant of SiOC(H) film is evaluated by C-V measurements using metal-insulator-semiconductor (MIS), Al/SiOC(H)/p-Si structure and it is found to be as low as 2.2 for annealed samples deposited at 400 °C.     

Chlorine nuclear quadrupole coupling in chlorodifluoroacetyl chloride: Theory and experiment

A potential energy scan of chlorodifluoroacetyl chloride, CF₂ClC(O)Cl, at the MP2/6-311+G(d) level of theory predicts stable gauche and trans conformers, with E_gauche<E_trans. Ab initio calculations were made of approximate equilibrium structures of these and, on these structures, calculations were made of ³⁵Cl and ³⁷Cl nuclear quadrupole coupling constant tensors. Coupling constants here predicted, as well as rotational constants and molecular dipole moments, are applied to aid analyses of experimental microwave spectra. Chirped pulse Fourier transform microwave spectroscopy has been used to rapidly record the rotational spectra of four isotopologues of the title molecule, CClF₂C(O)Cl, namely ³⁵Cl³⁵Cl, ³⁵Cl³⁷Cl, ³⁷Cl³⁵Cl, and ³⁷Cl³⁷Cl. Only the gauche conformer was observed under the experimental conditions. For the four isotopologues a total of 464, 219, 197, and 77 transitions have been recorded, respectively. With the exception of the ³⁷Cl³⁷Cl isotopologue sufficient data was available to determine all Cl quadrupole coupling tensors. Comparisons between the theoretical and experimental results are made.     

Modification of wetting properties of CR39 by plasma source ion implantation

Plasma source ion implantation (PSII), a hybrid implantation technique between ion beams and immersion plasmas has been used to modify CR39 surfaces for improved wettability providing both advancing (θ_a) and receding (θ_r) contact angles below 5°. The modifications brought to the polymer surface structure have been characterized by X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS) and its combination with chemical derivatization (CD-XPS). Oxygen desorption has been observed in spite of the very hydrophilic surfaces. C_1s XPS peak has been displaced toward greater energies, while the opposite has been found for O_1s, both involving new components and strong modifications after ion implantation treatment. Strong evidences about the formation of new chemical functions, like OOH, COOH and CC, have been found and have provided an explanation for the increased wettability.     

The chemistry of C2 perfluoroalkyl iodide on the Cu(1 1 1) single crystal surface

The thermal chemistry of perfluoroethyl iodide (C₂F₅I) adsorbed on Cu(1 1 1) has been investigated by temperature-programmed reaction/desorption (TPR/D), reflection-absorption infrared spectroscopy (RAIRS), and X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS). I 4d and F 1s XPS spectra show that dissociative adsorption of C₂F₅I to form the surface-bound perfluroethyl (Cu-C₂F₅) moieties occurs at very low temperature (T < 90 K), while the C-F bond cleavage in adsorbed perfluroethyl (Cu-C₂F₅) begins at ca. 300 K. XPS and TPR/D studies further reveal that the reactions of ^βCF₃^αCF_2(ad) on Cu(1 1 1) are strongly dependent on the surface coverage. At high coverages (?0.16 L exposure), the adsorbed perfluroethyl (Cu-C₂F₅) evolves, via α-F elimination, into the surface-bound tetrafluoroethylidene moieties (CuCF-CF₃) followed by a dimerization step to form octafluoro-2-butene (CF₃CFCFCF₃) at 315 K as gas product. The surface-bound (Cu-C₂F₅) decomposes preferentially, at low coverages (?0.04 L), via consecutive α-F abstraction to afford intermediate, trifluoroethylidyne (CuCCF₃), resulting in the final coupling reaction to yield hexafluoro-2-butyne (CF₃CCCF₃) at 425 K. However, at middle coverages (ca. 0.08-0.16 L exposure), the adsorbed perfluroethyl (Cu-C₂F₅) first experiences an α-F elimination and then prefers to loss the second F from β position to yield the intermediate of Cu-CF₂-CFCu (μ-η,η-perfluorovinyl), which may further evolve into hexafluorocyclobutene (CF₂CFCFCF₂) at 350 K through cyclodimerization reaction. Our results have also shown that the surface reactions to yield the products, CF₃CFCFCF₃ and CF₃CCCF₃, obey first-order kinetics, whereas the formation of CF₂CFCFCF₂ follows second-order kinetics.     

Site-blocking effects of preadsorbed H on Pt(1 1 1) probed by 1,3-butadiene adsorption and reaction

The influence of hydrogen coadsorption on hydrocarbon chemistry on transition metal surfaces is a key aspect to an improved understanding of catalytic selective hydrogenation. We have investigated the effects of H preadsorption on adsorption and reaction of 1,3-butadiene (H₂CCHCHCH₂, C₄H₆) on Pt(1 1 1) surfaces by using temperature-programmed desorption (TPD) and Auger electron spectroscopy (AES). Preadsorbed hydrogen adatoms decrease the amount of 1,3-butadiene chemisorbed on the surface and chemisorption is completely blocked by the hydrogen monolayer (saturation) coverage (θ_H = 0.92 ML). No hydrogenation products of reactions between coadsorbed H adatoms and 1,3-butadiene were observed to desorb in TPD experiments over the range of θ_H investigated (θ_H = 0.6-0.9 ML). This is in strong contrast to the copious evolution of ethane (CH₃CH₃, C₂H₆) from coadsorbed hydrogen and ethylene (CH₂CH₂, C₂H₄) on Pt(1 1 1). Hydrogen adatoms effectively (in a 1:1 stoichiometry) remove sites from interaction with chemisorbed 1,3-butadiene, but do not affect adjacent sites. The adsorption energy of coadsorbed 1,3-butadiene is not affected by the presence of hydrogen on Pt(1 1 1). The chemisorbed 1,3-butadiene on hydrogen preadsorbed Pt(1 1 1) completely dehydrogenates to H₂ and surface carbon upon heating without any molecular desorption detected, which is identical to that observed on clean Pt(1 1 1). In addition to revealing aspects of site blocking that should have broad implications for hydrogen coadsorption with hydrocarbon molecules on transition metal surfaces in general, these results also provide additional basic information on the surface science of selective catalytic hydrogenation of butadiene in butadiene-butene mixtures.     

Conformational isomers of stilbene on Si(1 0 0)

Stilbene (1,2-diphenylethylene) has shown an intriguing isomerisation behavior and may serve as a model system for “molecular switches” incorporating a CC double bond. To evaluate the possible use of such molecules as molecular switches on semiconductor surfaces, the adsorption of cis- and trans-stilbene on Si(1 0 0) has been investigated. Identification of both isomers is achieved by differences in adsorption geometry as revealed by NEXAFS, and differences in electronic structure in the occupied and unoccupied molecular orbitals. For both isomers, bonding takes place via the CC double bond to the Si dimer atoms allowing for free movement of the aromatic rings, a necessary prerequisite for photoinduced isomerisation on the surface. Our experimental results agree well with theoretical calculations.