Characterization of Young’s modulus of silicon versus temperature using a “beam deflection” method with a four-point bending fixture

Young’s modulus (E) and Poisson’s ratio (ν) are dependent upon the direction on the silicon surface. In this work, E and ν of silicon have been calculated analytically for any crystallographic direction of silicon by using compliance coefficients (s₁₁, s₁₂, and s₄₄), and the values of E are confirmed experimentally by using a “beam deflection” method with a four-point bending fixture. Experimental results for E as a function of temperature from −150 °C to +150 °C are presented for (0 0 1) and (1 1 1) silicon wafers.     

Effects of multi-frequency power ultrasound on the enzymolysis of corn gluten meal: Kinetics and thermodynamics study

The effects of multi-frequency power ultrasound (MPU) pretreatment on the kinetics and thermodynamics of corn gluten meal (CGM) were investigated in this research. The apparent constant (K_M), apparent break-down rate constant (k_A), reaction rate constants (k), energy of activation (E_a), enthalpy of activation (ΔH), entropy of activation (ΔS) and Gibbs free energy of activation (ΔG) were determined by means of the Michaelis–Menten equation, first-order kinetics model, Arrhenius equation and transition state theory, respectively. The results showed that MPU pretreatment can accelerate the enzymolysis of CGM under different enzymolysis conditions, viz. substrate concentration, enzyme concentration, pH, and temperature. Kinetics analysis revealed that MPU pretreatment decreased the K_M value by 26.1% and increased the k_A value by 7.3%, indicating ultrasound pretreatment increased the affinity between enzyme and substrate. In addition, the values of k for ultrasound pretreatment were increased by 84.8%, 41.9%, 28.9%, and 18.8% at the temperature of 293, 303, 313 and 323 K, respectively. For the thermodynamic parameters, ultrasound decreased E_a, ΔH and ΔS by 23.0%, 24.3% and 25.3%, respectively, but ultrasound had little change in ΔG value in the temperature range of 293–323 K. In conclusion, MPU pretreatment could remarkably enhance the enzymolysis of CGM, and this method can be applied to protein proteolysis industry to produce peptides.     

Calorimetric studies of the crystallization process in a-Se75S25−xAgx chalcogenide glasses

Calorimetric studies of amorphous Se₇₅S_25−xAg_x (x = 2, 4, 6 and 8) chalcogenide glasses are made at different heating rates (5, 10, 15 and 20 K/min) under non-isothermal condition using Differential scanning calorimetry. The values of glass transition temperature and crystallization temperature are observed to be composition and heating rate dependence. From the heating rate dependence of glass transition temperature and crystallization temperature, the activation energy for structural relaxation (ΔE_t), the activation energy of crystallization (ΔE_c) and the order parameter (n) have been calculated. It is observed that Se₇₅S₁₉Ag₆ has a minimum value of activation energy for structural relaxation (ΔE_t), which indicates that this particular glass has a larger probability to jump to a state of lower configurational energy and higher stability in the glassy region. On the basis of the obtained experimental data the temperature difference (T_c − T_g) is found to be maximum for Se₇₅S₁₉Ag₆, which further indicate that this glass is the thermally most stable in the entire composition range of investigation.     

Volumetric properties and viscosities of the 2-pyrrolidone + 1,2-propanediol + water ternary system and its binary constituents at T = 313.15 K

Densities and viscosities of ternary mixtures of 2-pyrrolidone + 1,2-propanediol + water and corresponding binary mixtures of 1,2-propanediol + water, 2-pyrrolidone + water and 2-pyrrolidone + 1,2-propanediol have been measured over the whole composition range at 313.15 K. From the obtained data, the excess molar volumes (V^E), the deviations in viscosity (Δη) and the excess Gibbs free energy of activation (ΔG^?E) have been calculated. The V^E, Δη and ΔG^?E results were correlated and fitted by the Redlich–Kister equation for binary mixtures and by the Cibulka equation for ternary mixtures, as a function of mole fraction. Several predictive empirical relations were applied to predict the excess molar volumes of ternary mixtures from the binary mixing data.     

Enzymolysis reaction kinetics and thermodynamics of defatted wheat germ protein with ultrasonic pretreatment

This research explores the mechanism of ultrasonic pretreatment on enzymolysis of defatted wheat germ protein (DWGP). The enzymolysis reaction kinetics and thermodynamics were studied after ultrasonic pretreatments using a probe-type sonicator and an ultrasonic cleaning bath, and the results were compared with traditional enzymolysis. The results showed that both the traditional and ultrasonic pretreated enzymolysis fit well to first-order kinetics. Both the temperature and ultrasound had a positive effect on the enzymolysis of DWGP, with temperature playing a dominant role. Under the optimized conditions of DWGP concentration of 1% (w/v), Alcalase concentration of 2000 U/g, time of 10 min and temperature of 50 °C, both the probe and cleaning bath ultrasonic pretreated enzymolysis showed high polypeptide concentrations (231.019 and 231.320 μg/mL) and low energy requirements. In comparison with traditional enzymolysis, these methods significantly increased the reaction rate constant (k) by 166.7% and 144.4%, 92.9% and 85.7%, 28.0% and 28.0%, 16.1% and 12.9% at 20, 30, 40 and 50 °C, and decreased the activation energy (E_a), enthalpy of activation (ΔH), Gibbs free energy of activation (ΔG) and entropy of activation (ΔS) by 68.6% and 62.4%, 74.1% and 67.5%, 34.3% and 31.2%, 1.4% and 1.3%. It can be concluded that ultrasonic pretreatment of DWGP can remarkably improve the enzymolysis efficiency and consequently leads to the production of higher polypeptide yield.     

Ultrasound assisted enzymatic depolymerization of aqueous guar gum solution

The present work investigates the effectiveness of application of low intensity ultrasonic irradiation for the intensification of enzymatic depolymerization of aqueous guar gum solution. The extent of depolymerization of guar gum has been analyzed in terms of intrinsic viscosity reduction. The effect of ultrasonic irradiation on the kinetic and thermodynamic parameters related to the enzyme activity as well as the intrinsic viscosity reduction of guar gum using enzymatic approach has been evaluated. The kinetic rate constant has been found to increase with an increase in the temperature and cellulase loading. It has been observed that application of ultrasound not only enhances the extent of depolymerization but also reduces the time of depolymerization as compared to conventional enzymatic degradation technique. In the presence of cellulase enzyme, the maximum extent of depolymerization of guar gum has been observed at 60 W of ultrasonic rated power and ultrasonic treatment time of 30 min. The effect of ultrasound on the kinetic and thermodynamic parameters as well as the molecular structure of cellulase enzyme was evaluated with the help of the chemical reaction kinetics model and fluorescence spectroscopy. Application of ultrasound resulted in a reduction in the thermodynamic parameters of activation energy (E_a), enthalpy (ΔH), entropy (ΔS) and free energy (ΔG) by 47%, 50%, 65% and 1.97%, respectively. The changes in the chemical structure of guar gum treated using ultrasound assisted enzymatic approach in comparison to the native guar gum were also characterized by FTIR. The results revealed that enzymatic depolymerization of guar gum resulted in a polysaccharide with low degree of polymerization, viscosity and consistency index without any change in the core chemical structure which could make it useful for incorporation in food products.     

Ion conduction in proton- and related defect (super) ionic conductors: Mechanical,electronic and structure parameters

We find the relationships among optical dielectric constant ε_∞, activation energy E_ac, averaged atomic mass per a formula unit, ∑_jm_j / N, volume V and transition temperature T_c for various type ion conductors with forms of E_ac = α / (ε_∞ ? β), E_ac = A₀ + δ / [(∑_jm_j / N) ? d], E_ac = A_v / V^2/3, and ln(T_c) = g ? hln(∑_jm_j), where α, β, δ, A₀, d, A_v, g and h are constants depending on the kinds of conduction elements. We derive those proportional forms from a simple equation of motion under the assumption of ion hopping assisted by enhanced vibration displacement of host lattice. The enhancement is induced from the large fourth-order term of the host lattice potential originating from the electronic shielding effect of Coulomb force, heavy atomic mass of constituent ion, and volume expansion under the long-range periodicity of crystal structure. This mechanism is ascertained from characteristic phenomena of various kinds of conduction elements. For impurity-type H⁺-ion or defect conductor, the proportional form is shifted from that of superionic conductor because of weakened effect of host lattice vibration mode on H⁺-ion or O-ion defect. Photo-induced spectra of mobile ion in AgCl are understood, and a small quantum effect of H⁺ -ion is suggested.     

Inelastic neutron scattering on iron-based superconductor BaFe2(As,P)2

Inelastic neutron scattering has been performed on powder sample of an iron-based superconductor BaFe₂(As_0.65P_0.35)₂ with superconducting transition temperature (T_c) = 30 K, whose superconducting (SC) order parameter is expected to have line node. In the normal state, constant-E scan of dynamical structure factor, S(Q, E), exhibits a peak structure centered at momentum transfer Q ～ 1.20 Å^?1, corresponding to antiferromagnetic wave vector. Below T_c, the redistribution of the magnetic spectral weight takes place, resulting in the formation of a peak at E ～ 12 meV and a gap below 6 meV. The enhanced magnetic peak structure is ascribed to the spin resonance mode, evidencing sign change in the SC order parameter similar to other iron-based high-T_c superconductors. It suggests that fully-gapped s_± symmetry dominates in this superconductor, which gives rise to high-T_c (=30 K) despite the nodal symmetry.     

Thermal and chemical expansion of mixed conducting La0.5Sr0.5Fe1−xCoxO3−δ materials

Oxygen deficiency, thermal and chemical expansion of La_0.5Sr_0.5Fe_1−xCo_xO_3−δ (x = 0, 0.5, 1) have been measured by thermogravimetry, dilatometry and high temperature X-ray diffraction. The rhombohedral perovskite materials transformed to a cubic structure at 350 ± 50 °C. The thermal expansion of the materials up to the onset of thermal reduction was 14–18 × 10^− 6 K^− 1. Above 500 °C in air (400 °C in N₂), chemical expansion contributed to the thermal expansion and the linear thermal expansion coefficients were significantly higher, 16–35 × 10^− 6 K^− 1. The chemical expansion, ε_c, showed a maximum of 0.0045 for x = 0.5 and 0.0041 for x = 1 at 800–900 °C. The normalized chemical expansion, ε_c/Δδ, was 0.036 for x = 0.5 and 0.035 for x = 1 at 800 °C. The chemical expansion can be correlated with an increasing ionic radius of the transition metals with decreasing valence state.     

Theoretical study of optoelectronic properties of GaAs1−xBix alloys using valence band anticrossing model

The (12 × 12) and (14 × 14) valence band anticrossing (V-BAC) models were applied to calculate the electronic band structure of GaAs_1−xBi_x dilute alloys along Δ-, Λ- and Σ-directions at room temperature. A comparative study based on these models was performed in terms of energy levels, optical transitions, spin–orbit splitting and effective mass. We found a significant reduction of the band-gap energy E_g by roughly 81 meV/%Bi accompanied by an increase in the spin–orbit splitting Δ_so+ by about 56 meV/%Bi. Furthermore, Δ_so+ does come into resonance with E_g at ∼12%Bi for resonance energy equal to 0.73 eV. An excellent agreement has occurred between the (14 × 14) V-BAC model predictions and experimental results reported in the literature. In addition, we have investigated the Bi composition and k-directions dependence of the effective mass at Γ point. A slight increase of the holes effective mass with x can affect the holes transport properties of GaAsBi. The intrinsic carrier density increases with both x and the temperature T, but it remains below 10¹⁰ cm⁻³ for x ⩽ 5% and T ⩽ 300 K.     

Interface capacitance of nano-patterned electrodes

By employing numerical solutions of the Poisson–Boltzmann equation we have studied the interface capacitance of flat electrodes with stripes of different potentials of zero charge ?_pzc. The results depend on the ratio of the width of the stripes l to the dielectric screening length in the electrolyte, the Debye length d_Debye, as well as on the difference Δ?_pzc in relation k_BT/e. As expected, the capacitance of a striped surface has its minimum at the mean potential of the surface if l/d_Debye << 1 and displays two minima if l/d_Debye >> 1. An unexpected result is that for Δ?_pzc ? 0.2V, the transition between the two extreme cases does not occur when l ? d_Debye, but rather when l > 10d_Debye. As a consequence, a single minimum in the capacitance is observed for dilute electrolytes even for 100 nm wide stripes. The capacitance at the minimum is however higher than for homogeneous surfaces. Furthermore, the potential at the minimum deviates significantly from the potential of zero mean charge on the surface if l > 3d_Debye and Δ?_pzc is larger than about 4k_BT/e. The capacitance of stepped, partially reconstructed Au(11n) surfaces is discussed as an example. Consequences for Parsons–Zobel-plots of the capacitances of inhomogeneous surfaces are likewise discussed.     

Density Functional Theory (DFT) modeling and Monte Carlo simulation assessment of inhibition performance of some carbohydrazide Schiff bases for steel corrosion

DFT and Monte Carlo simulation were performed on three Schiff bases namely, 4-(4-bromophenyl)-N^′-(4-methoxybenzylidene)thiazole-2-carbohydrazide (BMTC), 4-(4-bromophenyl)-N^′-(2,4-dimethoxybenzylidene)thiazole-2-carbohydrazide (BDTC), 4-(4-bromophenyl)-N^′-(4-hydroxybenzylidene)thiazole-2-carbohydrazide (BHTC) recently studied as corrosion inhibitor for steel in acid medium. Electronic parameters relevant to their inhibition activity such as E_HOMO, E_LUMO, Energy gap (ΔE), hardness (η), softness ($\sigma$), the absolute electronegativity (χ), proton affinity $\left(\mathrm{PA}\right)$ and nucleophilicity (ω) etc., were computed and discussed. Monte Carlo simulations were applied to search for the most stable configuration and adsorption energies for the interaction of the inhibitors with Fe (110) surface. The theoretical data obtained are in most cases in agreement with experimental results.     

Ultrasonic and DFT study of intermolecular association through hydrogen bonding in aqueous solutions of d(−)-arabinose

The experimental measurements of density, viscosity and ultrasonic velocity of aqueous d-arabinose solutions were carried out as functions of concentration (0.1 ≤ m [mol kg^? 1] ≤ 1.0) and temperature (303.15 ≤ T [K] ≤ 323.15). The isentropic compressibility (β_s), acoustic impedance (Z), hydration number (H_n), intermolecular free length (L_f), classical sound absorption (α/f²)_class and shear relaxation time (τ) were calculated by using the measured data. These parameters have been interpreted in terms of solute–solvent interactions. The quantum chemical calculations were performed to study the hydrogen bonding in interacting complex formed between α-D-arabinopyranose in ¹C₄ conformation and water molecules. Computations have been done by using Density Functional Theory (DFT) method at B3LYP/6-31+g(d) level of theory to study the equilibrium structure of α-d-arabinose, α-D-arabinopyranose–water interacting complex and vibrational frequencies. The solution phase study was carried out using Onsager's reaction field model in water solvent. The computed and scaled vibrational frequencies are in good agreement with the main features of the experimental spectrum when seven water molecules are considered explicitly with α-D-arabinopyranose in ¹C₄ conformation. The interaction energy (E_total), hydrogen bond lengths and dipole moment (μ_m) of the interacting complex are also presented and discussed with in the light of solute–solvent interactions.     

Diffusion-promoted-desorption mechanism for D2 desorption from Si(100) surfaces

Temperature-programmed-desorption (TPD) spectra and isothermal desorption rates of D₂ molecules from a Si(100) surface have been calculated to reproduce experimental β_1, A-TPD spectra and isothermal desorption rate curves. In the diffusion-promoted-desorption (DPD) mechanism, hydrogen desorption from the Si(100) (2 × 1) surfaces takes place via D atom diffusion from doubly-occupied Si dimers (DODs) to their adjacent unoccupied Si dimers (UODs). Taking a clustering interaction among DODs into consideration, coverages θ_DU of desorption sites consisting of a pair of a DOD and UOD are evaluated by a Monte Carlo (MC) method. The TPD spectra for the β_1, A peak are obtained by numerically integrating the desorption rate equation R = ν_A exp(? E_d, A / k_BT)θ_DU, where ν_A is the pre-exponential factor and E_d, A is the desorption barrier. The TPD spectra calculated for E_d, A = 1. 6 eV and ν_A = 2.7 × 10⁹ /s are found to be in good agreement with the experimental TPD data for a wide coverage range from 0.01 to 0.74 ML. Namely, the deviation from first-order kinetics observed in the coverage dependent TPD spectra as well as in the isothermal desorption rate curves can be reproduced by the model simulations. This success in reproducing both the experimental TPD data and the very low desorption barrier validates the proposed DPD mechanism.     

Band diagram for chemical vapor deposition diamond surface conductive layer: Presence of downward band bending due to shallow acceptors

The properties of surface conductivity (SC) of impurity-non-doped CVD diamond (001) samples were studied by various methods of sheet-resistance (R_S) measurement, Hall-effect measurement, XPS, UPS, SES, SR-PES, PEEM and 1D band simulation taking into account special emphases on deriving the information about the surface band diagram (SBD). The R_S values in UHV conditions were determined after no-annealing or 200 ～ 300 °C annealing in UHV. C 1 s XPS profiles were measured in detail in bulk-sensitive and surface-sensitive modes of photoelectron detection. The energy positions of valence band top (E_V) relative to the Fermi level (E_F) in UHV conditions after no-annealing or 200 ～ 300 °C annealing in UHV were determined. One of the samples was subjected to SR-PES, PEEM measurements. The SBDs were simulated by a band simulator from the determined R_S and E_V ? E_F values for three samples based on the two models of surface conductivity, namely, so-called surface transfer doping (STD) model and downward band bending with shallow acceptor (DBB/SA) model. For the DBB/SA model, there appeared downward bends of SBDs toward the surface at a depth range of ～ 1 nm. C 1 s XPS profiles were then simulated from the simulated SBDs. Comparison of simulated C 1 s XPS profiles to the experimental ones showed that DBB/SA model reproduces the C 1 s XPS profiles properly. PEEM observation of a sample can be explained by the SBD based on the DBB/SA model. Mechanism of SC of CVD diamonds is discussed on the basis of these findings. It is suggested that the STD model combined with SBD of DBB/SA model explains the surface conductivity change due to environmental changes in actual cases of CVD diamond SC with the presence of surface E_F controlling defects.     

Activation of methyl acetate on Pd(111)

The adsorption and activation of methyl acetate (CH₃COOCH₃), one of the simplest carboxylic esters, on Pd(111) have been studied using self-consistent periodic density functional theory calculations. Methyl acetate adsorbs weakly through the carbonyl oxygen. Its activation occurs via dehydrogenation, instead of direct C–O bond dissociation, on clean Pd(111): It is much more difficult to dissociate the C–O bonds (E_a ≈ 2.0 eV for the carbonyl and acetate–methyl bonds; E_a = 1.0 eV for the acetyl–methoxy bond) than to dissociate the C–H bonds to produce enolate (CH₂COOCH₃; E_a = 0.74 eV) or methylene acetate (CH₃COOCH₂; E_a = 0.82 eV). The barriers for C–H and C–O bond dissociation are directly calculated for enolate and methylene acetate, and estimated for further dehydrogenated derivatives (CH₃COOCH, CH₂COOCH₂, and CHCOOCH₃) based on the Brønsted–Evans–Polanyi linear energy relations formed by the calculated steps. The enolate pathway leads to successive dehydrogenation to CCOOCH₃, whereas methylene acetate readily dissociates to yield acetyl. The selectivity for dissociating the acyl–alkoxy C–O bond, which is desired for alcohol formation, is therefore fundamentally limited by the facility of dehydrogenation under vacuum/low-pressure conditions on Pd(111).     

Morphology of Cn thin films (50 ⩽ n < 60) on graphite: Inference of energy dissipation during hyperthermal deposition

Low energy cluster beam deposition, LECBD, under UHV conditions has been used to generate thin films comprising monodispersed non-IPR fullerenes, C_n, 50 ? n < 60, on pyrolithic graphite surfaces (HOPG). The morphology of the resulting C_n deposits has subsequently been studied by ex situ atomic force microscopy. Deposition experiments were carried out under nominally normal incidence and at hyperthermal incident kinetic energies, E₀, varied between 1 and 40 eV. Surface temperatures during deposition, T_s, were varied from 300 K to the desorption onset of ～700 K. Initial sticking of C_n cages is governed by the lateral density of step edges, which act as pinning and nucleation centres for migrating cages. Consequently in the early deposition stages, the surface exhibits large areas of empty terraces, while the step edges themselves are well-decorated. The terraces in turn become decorated by dendritic C_n islands in later deposition stages. Both, the mean size of these 2D islands and the mean distance between nearest islands, δ, scale with the size of the terraces. When increasing the primary kinetic energy, the fractal-like islands become smaller and less dendritic in shape. The mean initial sticking coefficient decays exponentially with increasing E₀. The island topography has also been found to depend sensitively on the deposition temperature. Instead of the dendritic/fractal islands generated at room temperature, densely packed islands terminated by smooth rims are observed upon deposition at elevated temperatures. We rationalize our findings in terms of a three step deposition process involving: (i) conversion of perpendicular E₀ into hyperthermal surface parallel gliding/sliding motion, (ii) friction–dissipation of this surface-parallel kinetic energy within an (unexpectedly large) mean free path Λ followed by (iii) thermal diffusion. Λ, is observed to scale with E₀ and T_s.     

Electronic structure and fundamental absorption edges of KPb2Br5, K0.5Rb0.5Pb2Br5, and RbPb2Br5 single crystals

X-ray photoelectron core-level and valence-band spectra for pristine and Ar⁺-ion irradiated (001) surfaces of KPb₂Br₅, K_0.5Rb_0.5Pb₂Br₅, and RbPb₂Br₅ single crystals grown by the Bridgman method have been measured and fundamental absorption edges of the ternary bromides have been recorded in the polarized light at 300 K and 80 K. The present X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS) results reveal high chemical stability of (001) surfaces of K_xRb_1?xPb₂Br₅ (x=0, 0.5, and 1.0) single crystals. Substitution of potassium for rubidium in K_xRb_1?xPb₂Br₅ does not cause any changes of binding energy values and shapes of the XPS constituent element core-level spectra. Measurements of the fundamental absorption edges indicate that band gap energy, E_g, increases by about 0.14 and 0.19 eV when temperature decreases from 300 K to 80 K in KPb₂Br₅ and RbPb₂Br₅, respectively. Furthermore, there is no dependence of the E_g value for KPb₂Br₅ upon the light polarization, whilst the band gap energy value for RbPb₂Br₅ is bigger by 0.03–0.05 eV in the case of E6c compared to those in the cases of E6a and E6b.     

Enzymolysis kinetics,thermodynamics and model of porcine cerebral protein with single-frequency countercurrent and pulsed ultrasound-assisted processing

The present work investigated the enzymolysis kinetics, thermodynamics and model of porcine cerebral protein (PCP) which was pretreated by single-frequency countercurrent and pulsed ultrasound. The kinetic constants for ultrasonic pretreated and traditional enzymolysis have been determined. Results showed that the value of K_M in ultrasonic PCP (UPCP) enzymolysis decreased by 9% over that in the traditional enzymolysis. The values of reaction rate constant (k) for UPCP enzymolysis increased by 207%, 121%, 62%, and 45% at 293, 303, 313 and 323 K, respectively. For the thermodynamic parameters, ultrasound decreased activation energy (E_a), change in enthalpy (ΔH) and entropy (ΔS) by 76%, 82% and 31% in PCP, respectively. However, ultrasound had little change in Gibbs free energy (ΔG) value in the temperature range of 293–323 K. Therefore, a general kinetic equation for the enzymolysis model of UPCP by a simple empirical equation was suggested. The experimental values fits with the enzymolysis kinetic model with a low average relative error (4%) confirmed that the kinetic model was accurate to reflect the enzymolysis process. The positive effect of single-frequency countercurrent and pulsed ultrasound in this study and application of the kinetic model may be useful for the release of bioactive peptides from meat processing by-products.     

Chalcogen based treatment of InAs with [(NH4)2S/(NH4)2SO4]

A sulphur based chemical, ([(NH₄)₂S/(NH₄)₂SO₄]) to which S has been added not previously reported for the treatment of (111)A InAs surfaces is introduced and benchmarked against the commonly used passivants Na₂S·9H₂O and ((NH₄)₂S + S), using Auger electron spectroscopy (AES) and X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS). It has been found that the native oxide layer present on the InAs surface is more effectively removed when treated with ([(NH₄)₂S/(NH₄)₂SO₄] + S) than with ((NH₄)₂S + S) or Na₂S·9H₂O. AES depth profiles of the sulphurized layers revealed the formation of a thin (less than 8.5 nm) In–S surface layer for both ((NH₄)₂SO₄ + S) and ([(NH₄)₂S/(NH₄)₂SO₄] + S) treatments. No evidence for the formation of As―S bonds was found. Treatment with ([(NH₄)₂S/(NH₄)₂SO₄] + S) also affected a significant improvement compared to the more established sulphur treatments in the surface morphology of the otherwise poor as-received n-InAs (111)A surface.