Sputtering of aluminium alloys in the grimm glow lamp for emission spectrochemical analysis

The effects of surface roughness, grain size and target thickness on the cathodic sputtering and emission intensities of spectral lines in the Grimm glow lamp have been investigated for samples of aluminium alloys. The intensities of the alloying elements changed with discharge time because the θ phase (Al²Cu) and β phase (Si) are sputtered selectively. The selective sputtering of the θ phase in an Al—8% Cu alloy can be decreased and the intensities can be made constant during discharge by polishing the target surface with coarse sand paper before discharge. When a fine-grained Al—4.9% Cu—7.2% Si alloy sample was used as a target, the intensities remained nearly constant during discharge. The sample preparation for obtaining fine-grained samples involves casting the melt in a metal mould. The thickness of disk samples influences not only the sample temperature but the current, sputtering and intensities. Special attention should be paid to the thickness for the determination of copper in aluminium alloys.     

Emission and sputtering characteristics of Ne-Ar mixed gas glow discharge plasmas.

The emission characteristics of several Cu lines emitted from a Ne-Ar mixed gas glow discharge plasma were investigated. The addition of small amounts of Ar to a Ne plasma increases the sputtering rate of a Cu sample because Ar ions, which work as the impinging ions for cathode sputtering, are predominantly produced through Penning ionization collisions between Ne metastables and Ar atoms. Ar addition also elevates the number density of electrons in the plasma. These changes occurring in the Ne-Ar mixed gas plasma result in enhanced emission intensities of the Cu lines. The Cu II 270.10-nm and the Cu II 224.70-nm lines yield different intensity dependence on the Ar partial pressure added. This phenomenon is because these Cu II lines are excited principally through different charge transfer processes: collisions with Ne ions for the Cu II 270.10-nm line and collisions with Ar ions for the Cu II 224.70-nm line. The shape of sputtered craters in the Ne-Ar glow discharge plasma was measured. The depth resolution was improved when Ar was added to a Ne plasma because the crater bottoms were flatter with larger Ar partial pressures.     

Coherent forward scattering (CFS) resonance monochromator in Voigt configuration

A coherent forward scattering (CFS) resonance monochromator in Voigt configuration was constructed and the features were examined. Atomic vapour for the CFS resonance monochromator was produced by cathodic sputtering in an Ar gas discharge. Linear relationships between the intensities of incident atomic resonance lines and the CFS signals (Cu, Zn, Fe, Ni, Sn) were obtained. The desired atomic resonance lines could be isolated by the CFS resonance monochromator.     

Antibacterial and physicochemical properties of co‐sputtered CuSn thin films

Copper‐tin thin films (CT TFs) were deposited on p‐type Si(100) by radio frequency (RF) magnetron co‐sputtering method. The atomic ratio of Cu and Sn showed complementary tendency with various RF powers on metal targets. Antibacterial test was conducted with Gram‐negative Escherichia coli. The ratio of Cu and Sn ions and the contact time with E. coli affected the antibacterial efficiency. Increasing the ratio of Cu ions and contact time showed higher antibacterial activity. Cu₂₀Sn₆ called as bronze structure, metallic Cu, and copper oxide phases were identified from X‐ray diffraction data after sterilization. The lattice strain that was changed due to the substitution of Cu and Sn was also calculated. The surface morphology of CT TFs was entirely grown to round shape when the dominant element was Sn. But, as the content of Cu increased, the surface morphology was changed from ball shape to sharp column shape. When fixed contact time, the intensities of Cu 2p increased but the intensities of Sn 3d decreased as increasing the atomic ratio of Cu. The oxidation of Cu was more sharply progressed as the RF power on Cu target increased. When fixed CT TFs, the intensities of Cu 2p were consistent but the intensities of Sn 3d_3/2 decreased as increasing contact time between CT TF and E. coli.     

模板剂四乙基氢氧化铵的用量对合成的β沸石结构及脱胺的影响

研究四乙基氢氧化铵（TEA-OH）模板剂用量对合成的β沸石的结构及脱胺行为的影响。合成β沸石的模板剂的较佳用量(TEA+/Al)为2.10～1.68,合成的β沸石的相对结晶度均大于84%;β沸石中的铝含量(Al/Al+Si)及骨架铝含量(TdAl/TdAl+OhAl)随晶化混合液的TEA+/Al而变,存在最佳TEA+/Al点为1.9,此时合成的β沸石非骨架铝量最少,结构硅铝比最高;含TEA的β沸石脱胺过程为Hofmann降解反应,TGA测定的失重量、DSC测定的吸热量与β沸石中TEA含量密切相关.     

Analytical performance of high-voltage neon plasma in glow discharge optical emission spectrometry

In a high-voltage Ne glow discharge plasma (Ne-GDP), calibration factors as well as the limit of determination were compared between atomic resonance lines and singly-ionized lines of copper and aluminium in optical emission spectrometry. These elements have intense ionic lines which are excited by resonance charge-transfer collisions of Ne ions. The ionic lines gave better detection sensitivity in the Ne-GDP, whereas the atomic resonance lines were commonly employed as analytical lines in the other plasma sources such as Ar-GDP and ICP. The limit of determination was 1.3 × 10^–3 mass % for the Cu II 248.58 nm line and 1.0 × 10^–3 mass % Al for the Al II 358.66 nm line at a discharge parameter of 1.60 kV/36 mA.     

Measurement and application of the chemical shift in Al Kβ1 characteristic radiation

The chemical shift in the Al K_β1' characteristic line has been systematically measured using aluminium-metal and aluminium-oxide power specimens mixed in various proportions. The angular shifts of the spectral lines are found to vary linearly with the proportion of mixing. Based on this observation, a method is proposed for estimating the percentages of soluble and insoluble components of aluminium in steel specimens.     

常温常压下β沸石改性吸附剂脱除噻吩类硫的研究

在合成不同硅铝比Naβ沸石的基础上，采用固相离子交换方法制备了Cu(I)、Ag(I)离子改性的β沸石系列吸附剂。样品的结晶度和BET比表面积有所降低，XRD表征结果表明，所制备的样品保持了结构的完整性，随着硅铝比的增加，Naβ样品的BET比表面积增加。Cu(I)、Ag(I)离子的引入使样品的红外骨架振动峰向低波数移动，与相同硅铝比的Naβ沸石相比，吸附剂的BET比表面积有所降低。对模型油的静态吸附结果表明,硅铝摩尔比为25时Cu(I)β吸附性能最好，模型油中硫的质量分数降到10×10－6以下，脱除率达到95％，Ag(I)β次之，脱除率达到87％。常温常压下固定床动态吸附穿透实验得到Cu(I)β、Ag(I)β的穿透硫容分别为0.144mmol/g和0.132mmol/g。     

Intensity,temperature and density variations; their distributions and correlations in a spark discharge plasma

Spark discharges between Al and Al-Cu electrodes in air at atmospheric pressure were studied. The probability distributions of fluctuations of the temperature, the intensities of some spectral lines of AI III, Al II Cu II and N II ions and the densities of the relevant particles, as well as various correlation characteristics were measured. The relationship between the measured characteristics and plasma, and spectral-line parameters is discussed.     

Analytical performance of high-voltage neon plasma in glow discharge optical emission spectrometry

In a high-voltage Ne glow discharge plasma (Ne-GDP), calibration factors as well as the limit of determination were compared between atomic resonance lines and singly-ionized lines of copper and aluminium in optical emission spectrometry. These elements have intense ionic lines which are excited by resonance charge-transfer collisions of Ne ions. The ionic lines gave better detection sensitivity in the Ne-GDP, whereas the atomic resonance lines were commonly employed as analytical lines in the other plasma sources such as Ar-GDP and ICP. The limit of determination was 1.3 × 10^–3 mass % for the Cu II 248.58 nm line and 1.0 × 10^–3 mass % Al for the Al II 358.66 nm line at a discharge parameter of 1.60 kV/36 mA. Received: 22 January 1999 / Revised: 15 March 1999 / Accepted: 20 March 1999     

Impact of copper vapor contamination on argon arcs

A fast, accurate, and comprehensive emission spectroscopic set-up has been employed to study the impact of copper vapor on an Ar-Cu mixture plasma. Temperature profiles in the arc have been determined in the absence of Cu vapor and then in its presence, using the absolute line intensity method for an Ar spectral line; these profiles have been compared with temperature profiles derived from relative intensities of Cu I lines. Temperature profiles derived from relative intensity of Cu I lines have been used to calculate the radial density distribution of copper atoms in the arc. The following observations have been made from the resulting atomic number densities: (1) the copper vapor concentrates in the fringes of the arc, with atomic number densities up to 8.6×10¹¹ cm⁻³; and (2) Cu atomic number densities in the core of the arc are small.     

Effect of aluminium content on the coating structure and dross formation in the hot‐dip galvanizing process

Hot dipping of steel in aluminium–zinc baths of varying composition (5–90% Al) has been undertaken with the aim of elucidating the mechanism of coating formation. On the basis of these experiments, it has been possible to define a range of aluminium content over which there is a change from a normal galvanizing process to a typical aluminizing process. Alternatively, the coating structure and properties were markedly affected by the aluminium content of the dipping bath. The kinetics of such coatings acquires the character of the activation energy E_a. The effect of various silicon levels as an inhibitor to iron dissolution during hot dipping at different aluminium percentages was studied. The structure of dross formation in 55 wt.% Al–Zn was identified. The adverse effect of heavy accumulation of dross in the dipping pot on the coating structure also was shown. Copyright © 2003 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

Emission characteristics of Grimm-style glow discharge plasmas with helium matrix plasma gas containing small amounts of nitrogen

Glow discharge plasmas with helium–(0–16%) nitrogen mixed gas were investigated as an excitation source in optical emission spectrometry. The addition increases the sputtering rate as well as the discharge current, because nitrogen molecular ions, which act as primary ions for the cathode sputtering, are produced through Penning-type ionization collisions between helium metastables and nitrogen molecules. The intensity of a silver atomic line, Ag I 338.29 nm, is monotonically elevated along with the nitrogen partial pressure added. However, the intensities of silver ionic lines, such as Ag II 243.78 nm and Ag II 224.36 nm, gave different dependence from the intensity of the atomic line: Their intensities had maximum values at a nitrogen pressure of 30 Pa when the helium pressure and the discharge voltage were kept at 2000 Pa and 1300 V. This effect is principally because the excitations of these ionic lines are caused by collisions of the second kind with helium excited species such as helium metastables and helium ion, which are quenched through collisions with nitrogen molecules added to the helium plasma. The sputtering rate could be controlled by adding small amounts of nitrogen to the helium plasma, whereas the cathode sputtering hardly occurs in the pure helium plasma.     

Calibration of sputtering yields for AES depth profiling of oxide layers on aluminium by means of carrier-gas heat extraction analysis

Summary For the purpose of obtaining suitable reference materials for technical coatings on aluminium, the feasibility of calibration of oxide layers by means of heat extraction was studied. Oxide layers were prepared on aluminium sheets by immersion in water of 50 or 80 ° C and annealing at 500 or 600 °C in argon atmosphere. The layer thickness was calculated from the oxygen content of the sample as measured by carrier-gas heat extraction analysis.The total sputtering yield of aluminium oxide layers was obtained via the correlation of AES depth profiling with heat extraction analysis results. This was demonstrated for high purity (99.9%) and technical purity (98.5%) aluminium with its original roughness from the rolling process, on which 20 to 1,000 nm thick oxide layers had been grown.The sputtering yields for the oxide layers prepared were found to be 3.9±0.8 atoms/ion, i.e., about four times higher than that for -Al₂O₃. Calibration of depth profiling on such technical quality oxide layers on aluminium was found to be feasible with a relative precision of 10 to 20%.

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Kalibrierung der Ionenzerstäubung zur AES-Tiefenprofilanalyse von Oxidschichten auf Aluminium durch Trägergas-Heißextraktion

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On leave from the Institute of Photographic Chemistry, Academia Sinica, Beijing, People's Republic of China     

Threshold Al KLL Auger spectra of oxidized aluminium foils

Threshold Al KLL Auger electron spectroscopy and K‐edge x‐ray absorption fine structure spectroscopy have been used to examine technical purity (99.5%) aluminium foil before and after chemical treatment that altered the thickness and degree of hydroxylation of the oxidized layer. Comprehensive surface chemical characterization was effected by means of monochromatized Al Kα‐excited photoelectron spectroscopy. Threshold Al KL_{2, 3}L_{2, 3} spectra were obtained for three of the foils investigated and these spectra were in broad agreement with those observed previously for pure Al foil. The relative intensities of the spectral components for two of the foils were clearly consistent with the previously proposed assignment of the resonantly enhanced Auger component, situated between those arising from the metal and Al(III) oxide, to a thin interfacial layer. The threshold Auger spectra from the aluminium foil bearing the thickest and most hydroxylated oxidized layer were not obviously consistent with the interfacial layer model but O K‐edge spectra revealed that this surface layer was fundamentally different from the others and could have had a greater interfacial surface area. Copyright © 2003 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

Theoretical studies of Cu(I) sites in faujasite and their interaction with carbon monoxide

Sitting, coordination, and properties of Cu(I) cations in zeolite faujasite are investigated using a combined quantum mechanics-interatomic potential function method. The coordination of Cu(I) ions depends on their location within the zeolite lattice. Cu(I) located inside the hexagonal prisms (site I') and in the plane of six-membered aluminosilicate rings on the walls of sodalite units (site II) is threefold coordinated, whereas Cu(I) located in the supercages (site III) is twofold coordinated. In agreement with available experimental data Cu(I) appears to be more strongly bound in sites I' and II than in site III. The binding energy of site II Cu(I) ions increases with the number of Al atoms, but only closest Al atoms have a substantial influence. The CO molecule binds more strongly onto sites with weaker bound cations and lower coordination. We assign the two CO stretching IR bands observed for Cu(I)-Y zeolites to sites II with one Al (2157-2161 cm(-1)) and two Al atoms (2140-2148 cm(-1)) in the six-membered aluminosilicate ring. For Cu(I)-X we tentatively assign the high frequency band to site III (2156-2168 cm(-1)) and the low-frequency band to site II with three Al atoms in the six-membered ring (2136-2138 cm(-1)).     

Excitation temperatures of atoms and ions in a hollow cathode discharge

Excitation temperatures have been measured in a hollow cathode discharge from intensities of Ar I, Ar II, Ti I, Ti II, AI I, Mg I, Mg II, Cu I and Pb I lines. The differences between values derived from the species listed are discussed.     

Emission characteristics of Grimm-style glow discharge plasmas with helium matrix plasma gas containing small amounts of nitrogen

Glow discharge plasmas with helium–(0–16%) nitrogen mixed gas were investigated as an excitation source in optical emission spectrometry. The addition increases the sputtering rate as well as the discharge current, because nitrogen molecular ions, which act as primary ions for the cathode sputtering, are produced through Penning-type ionization collisions between helium metastables and nitrogen molecules. The intensity of a silver atomic line, Ag I 338.29 nm, is monotonically elevated along with the nitrogen partial pressure added. However, the intensities of silver ionic lines, such as Ag II 243.78 nm and Ag II 224.36 nm, gave different dependence from the intensity of the atomic line: Their intensities had maximum values at a nitrogen pressure of 30 Pa when the helium pressure and the discharge voltage were kept at 2000 Pa and 1300 V. This effect is principally because the excitations of these ionic lines are caused by collisions of the second kind with helium excited species such as helium metastables and helium ion, which are quenched through collisions with nitrogen molecules added to the helium plasma. The sputtering rate could be controlled by adding small amounts of nitrogen to the helium plasma, whereas the cathode sputtering hardly occurs in the pure helium plasma.     

Aluminium Complexes Bearing Pyrrolide Ligand as Efficient Catalysts for Ring‐Opening Polymerization of ε‐Caprolactone

Three aluminium complexes supported by a tetradentate pyrrolide ligand H₂L [H₂L = N,N′‐(2,2‐dimethylpropane‐1,3‐diyl)bis(1‐(1H‐pyrrol‐2‐yl)methanimine)], namely, Al(L)Me ( 1 ), Al(L)Cl ( 2 ), and Al(L)(OiPr) ( 3 ), were synthesized. The structures of 1 and 2 were established by X‐ray single crystal diffraction analysis, and the structure of 3 was characterized by NMR spectroscopy and element analysis. All complexes, containing different chemical bond forms (Al–C, Al–Cl, and Al–O), are good initiators for the ring‐opening polymerization (ROP) of ε‐caprolactone. The obtained polymers have high molecular weights (MWs) and relatively narrow molecular weight distributions (PDIs). Complexes 1 and 3 show dramatically high activities for the ROP of ε‐caprolactone. For complex 1 , when the monomer/initiator (M/I) ratio is 6400:1, a 40 % yield of the product could be obtained at 100 °C. The activity of 3 is higher than that of 1 , and 39 % yield of the polymers could be afforded at 70 °C, as the M/I value reaches 12800:1. The good activities of these complexes reveal their potential applications in industry.     

Addition of carboxylic acids modifies phosphate sorption on soil and boehmite surfaces: a solution chemistry and XANES spectroscopy study

Soil acidification is a globally significant agricultural issue, as the plant availability of phosphorus (P) is decreased through increased P sorption onto aluminium (Al) hydroxides and other solid phase binding sites. X-ray absorption near edge structure (XANES) spectroscopy generated new information on the speciation of Al and P in the presence of carboxylic acids on soil and boehmite (gamma-AlOOH) surfaces. XANES spectra were acquired in the soft X-ray regime at the P and Al L(2,3)-edges, and the Al K-edge, respectively. Adding oxalic acid to soil enhanced Al dissolution and exposed previously occluded soil P, while hydroxybenzoic and coumaric acids did not compete with P for surface binding sites. Boehmite strongly adsorbed carboxylic acids in the absence of applied phosphorus. However, when P was applied with carboxylic acids, the carboxylics were unable to compete with P for binding, especially hydroxybenzoic and coumaric acids. Using XANES in both total electron yield and fluorescence yield modes provided valuable information on both surface and near-surface processes of P and Al due to different information depths. The Al K-edge XANES provided baseline information on the solid-phase matrix. XANES in total electron yield mode and at the P L-edge shows promise for speciation of elements on soil surfaces due to enhanced sensitivity for speciation of surface-adsorbed species compared to the commonly used P K-edge XANES.