Determination of boron range distribution in ion-implanted silicon by the10B(n, α)7 Li reaction

A measuring technique based on the alpha particles being released from the¹⁰B(n, α) nuclear reaction and using the time-of-flight technique at a periodically pulsing reactor was developed. Non-destructive determination for the range distribution of boron impurities in ion-implanted silicon have been performed. Projected ranges obtained in the energy region 20–80 keV are compared to calculated results and to other experiments. Examples are shown for some typical boron distributions before and after annealing the sample.     

Electrodeposition of composite Ni–B coatings in a stirred heterogeneous system

The formation of composite electrochemical coatings of a nickel matrix with boron microparticles was investigated. Electrolytical nickel–boron layers were deposited on a paraffin-impregnated graphite electrode in a stirred heterogeneous system formed by a Watts-type nickel plating bath and dispersed boron powder particles. The polarisation behaviour of the composite plating bath as a function of the boron particle loading was examined. The effect of deposition conditions, as well as of the amount of boron powder in the plating bath on the boron content in the composite Ni–B coatings, was examined. The composite coating structure was established using scanning electron microscopy and light optical microscopy. The distribution of boron particles in the composite deposits was investigated by dynamic secondary ion mass spectrometry. The boron particles content was determined gravimetrically. The obtained results suggest that the content of incorporated boron particles increases with an increasing amount of boron in the plating bath. The potentiodynamic deposition method is demonstrated to be more suitable for production of composite coatings with a high content of boron particles than the potentiostatic one. Homogeneous distribution of boron particles in the nickel matrix without coagulation or sedimentation was associated with the electrochemical fabrication method in stirred heterogeneous systems.     

Avidin self-associates with boric acid gel suspensions: an affinity boron carrier that might be developed for boron neutron-capture therapy

It has been shown in preliminary studies that the antibacterial protein avidin self-associates with the boric acid gel polymer, and avidin-coated gel particles in the micrometer and submicrometer size ranges are of interest for boron neutron-capture therapy (BNCT), which is neutron-induced fission of boron-10 to produce intense alpha radiation for tumor destruction. The gel particles carry large amounts of boron-10 and are theoretically able effect a meaningful tissue dosing through BNCT. A gross precipitation of gel particles occurs within 46 min of mixing when the avidin/colloid ratio is about 0.34 g avidin/g colloid. This is a minimum time if gel and avidin concentrations are in the low microgram/milliliter range, but at higher proportions of avidin the time delay to precipitation increases significantly; i.e., the colloid surface becomes blocked, inhibiting lattice formation. The avidin-coated gel particles eventually cross-link, forming a solid matrix and precipitating on a timescale measured on the order of an hour. At shorter exposure times rapid agglutination-like reactions were observed with biotinylated bovine albumin, suggesting that two-stage pretargeting of specific tissues should be possible with biotinylated antitumor antibodies. However, for BNCT to be practical, avidin's interaction with the gel needs to be strengthened, and all aryl-B(OH)(2) groups on the particle surfaces must be blocked, or else the particles will interact strongly and nonspecifically with each other and with the carbohydrate groups present on most cell surfaces. Glyceric acid delays the precipitation of the particle suspensions while most simple and complex carbohydrates accelerate it.     

Simulation of channelled ion ranges in crystalline silicon

We present results from a channelled ion range simulation model based on separation of ion trajectories into three different categories known as random, channelled, and well-channelled. We present this for boron projectiles incident along the Si 〈1 0 0〉 direction. Stopping powers for channelled particles, well-channelled, and random particles are determined using experimental ratios of random and channelled stopping powers for a boron/silicon system. We have found the particle range distributions and the mean range of particles in crystalline channels. A new program code has been developed for the implementation of the presented model. The results are compared with experimental data as well as Crystal-transport and range of ions in matter, stopping and ranges of ions in matter, and projected range algorithm programs. We have found good agreement between our calculations and experiment, with an average discrepancy of 7%. Our model is also able to simulate the observed shift towards larger depths for the main ion distribution under channelling conditions.     

碳化硼纳米线的制备和结构

以碳纳米管为模板，通过加热碳纳米管与硼粉的混合物，获得了笔直的硼碳纳米线.对纳米线的结构和成分进行研究，结果表明纳米线主要为B4C纳米线.在部分B4C纳米线的端部存在Ni颗粒，这些端部具有Ni颗粒的纳米线构成了纳米磁针.讨论了B4C纳米线的生长机制，B4C纳米线的生长主要为硼原子在碳纳米管中扩散并发生化学反应，使得碳纳米管晶格结构发生重组，形成B4C纳米线.反应后，硼原子部分取代了碳纳米管中碳原子，修补了碳纳米管中的晶格缺陷，获得了形态笔直的B4C纳米线.     

The morphology of ceramic phases in BxC-SiC-Si infiltrated composites

The present communication is concerned with the effect of the carbon source on the morphology of reaction bonded boron carbide (B₄C). Molten silicon reacts strongly and rapidly with free carbon to form large, faceted, regular polygon-shaped SiC particles, usually embedded in residual silicon pools. In the absence of free carbon, the formation of SiC relies on carbon that originates from within the boron carbide particles. Examination of the reaction bonded boron carbide revealed a core-rim microstructure consisting of boron carbide particles surrounded by secondary boron carbide containing some dissolved silicon. This microstructure is generated as the outcome of a dissolution-precipitation process. In the course of the infiltration process molten Si dissolves some boron carbide until its saturation with B and C. Subsequently, precipitation of secondary boron carbide enriched with boron and silicon takes place. In parallel, elongated, strongly twinned, faceted SiC particles are generated by rapid growth along preferred crystallographic directions. This sequence of events is supported by X-ray diffraction and microcompositional analysis and well accounted for by the thermodynamic analysis of the ternary B-C-Si system.     

Catalytic activity of platinum nanoparticles on highly boron-doped and 100-oriented epitaxial diamond towards HER and HOR

Platinum nanoparticles supported on boron-doped single-crystalline diamond surfaces were used as a model system to investigate the catalytic activity with respect to the influence of particle morphology, particle density and surface preparation of the diamond substrates. We report on the preparation, characterization and activity regarding hydrogen evolution reaction (HER) and hydrogen oxidation reaction (HOR) of these Pt/diamond electrodes. Two kinds of diamond layers with boron doping above 10(20) cm(-3) were grown epitaxially on (100)-oriented diamond substrates; post-treatments of wet chemical oxidation and radio frequency (rf) oxygen plasma treatments were applied. Electrochemical deposition of Pt was performed using a potentiostatic double-pulse technique, which allowed variation of the particle size in the range between 1 nm and 15 nm in height and 5 nm and 50 nm in apparent radius, while keeping the particle density constant. Higher nucleation densities on the plasma processed surface at equal deposition parameters could be related to the plasma-induced surface defects. Electrochemical characterization shows that the platinum particles act as nanoelectrodes and form an ohmic contact with the diamond substrate. The catalytic activity regarding HER and HOR of the platinum nanoparticles exhibits no dependence on the particle size down to particle heights of ～1 nm. The prepared Pt on diamond(100) samples show a similar platinum-specific activity as bulk platinum. Therefore, while keeping the activity constant, the well-dispersed particles on diamond offer an optimized surface-to-material ratio.     

Determination of small amounts of boron by radiation decomposition of chloroacetic acid solution

For the determination of boron in the mug/g range in aqueous solution by activation analysis an indirect method is proposed, based on the liberation of chloride ions from chloroacetic acid by the primary reaction (10)B(n, alpha)(7)Li. The sample solution, to which is added 0.01-0.5M choroacetic acid, is irradiated with reactor neutrons. The concentration of the chloride ions liberated from the chloroacetic acid is directly proportional to the boron content of the irradiated sample. It is determined potentiometrically with a chloride-sensitive electrode. By this method boron contents >/= 10(-5) g can be detected with good reproducibility. Interference from other ionic species has been investigated and can be neglected. The method is suitable for the determination of boron in biological matrices.     

Synthesis of large-scale,narrowly dispersed,highly cross-linked,and spherical latex particles via one-step emulsion polymerization through particle coagulation

Particle coagulation technology is a facile approach to prepare large-scale and narrowly dispersed polymer particles. However, diverse shapes such as ellipsolid, snowman, dumbbell, and trimer among others were obtained if the cross-linker was directly added into the initial reaction mixtures due to the restriction of the highly cross-linking particle fusion process. In this study, we prepared sub-200?nm, narrowly dispersed, highly cross-linked, and spherical latex particles using particle coagulation technology by controlling the relation between the cross-linking net formation and particle coagulation. Depending on the addition time or feeding rate of the cross-linker (divinylbenzene, DVB), the particles with different sizes or shapes were obtained. The later the addition start time of DVB, the narrower the particle size distribution of the latex particles. Alternatively, the increase of the continuing feeding time could also be used to decrease the width of particle size distribution of the ultimate latex. In addition, narrowly dispersed and spherical latex particles also could be directly obtained by advancing the particle coagulation time using 2, 2′-Azobis (2-methylpropionamidine) dihydrochloride as a cationic initiator. Our study presents a new method that will further widen the fields of application of particle coagulation technology.     

TOF-SIMS evidence of intercalated molecular gases and diffusion-limited reaction kinetics in an alpha particle-irradiated PTFE matrix

The chemical evolution of poly(tetrafluoroethylene) (PTFE) that is brought about by increasing levels of irradiation with alpha particles is accompanied by the emergence and proliferation of functionalized moieties. Families of reaction products specifically identified in the alpha-irradiated polymer matrix include hydride-, hydroxide-, and oxide-functionalized fluorocarbons. The data also indicate the emergence of hydrogen peroxide (H2O2) and hydrazine (N2H4), but no distinct evidence suggesting the formation of perfluorinated amines, amides, or cyanogens is found. In this article we substantiate the speciation of emergent species and reveal evidence of intercalated molecular gases with which alpha particle-generated radicals may react to form the observed products. Furthermore, we present evidence to suggest that the kinetics of alpha particle-induced reaction is limited by the diffusion of radicals within the polymer matrix. That is to say, chemical additives in the polymer matrix are shown to be scavengers of H*, O*, and F* radicals and limit the rates of reaction that produce functionalized fluorocarbon moieties. Above a threshold dose of alpha particles, the concentration of radicals exceeds that of the scavenger species, and free radical diffusion commences as evidenced by a sudden increase in the yield of reaction products. Samples of PTFE were irradiated to alpha doses in the range of 10(7) to 5 x 10(10) rad with 5.5 MeV 4He2+ ions from a tandem accelerator. Residual gas analysis (RGA) was utilized to monitor the liberation of molecular gases from PTFE during alpha particle irradiation of samples in vacuum. Static time-of-flight SIMS (TOF-SIMS), equipped with a 20 keV C60+ source, was employed to probe chemical changes as a function of alpha particle irradiation. Chemical images and high-resolution mass spectra were collected in both the positive and negative polarities.     

Temperature induced formation of particle coated non-spherical droplets

Herein we offer a simple method to produce non-spherical emulsion droplets stabilized by freshly formed Mg(OH)(2) nanoparticles (MPs). The non-spherical degree of droplets as a function of experiment conditions was investiged and the origins of the presence of non-spherical droplets were discussed. The results of optical microscope images show that stable spherical droplets can be fused into non-spherical at given aging temperature. It is also recognized that particle concentration, oil/water ratio and aging time significantly affect droplet fusion and excess particles that are not adsorbed on the oil/water interface are helpful in restraining droplet fusion. Based on the TEM, XRD and Fluorescence confocal microscopy results, the origins of droplet fusion are inferred from the presence of vacant holes in the particle layer. Because of Oswald ripening, particles on droplet surfaces grow larger than the freshly precipitated ones under a given aging temperature. The growth of particles results in the reduction of total cover area of particle layer and thus creates vacant holes in the particle layer which would cause partial coalescence of droplets once they collide. Thus, these findings can offer a simple alternative to obtain a large amount of non-spherical emulsion droplets but also can help the preparation of non-spherical colloid particles.     

Investigation of the boron nitride/polybenzoxazine interphase

The influence of a hexagonal boron nitride powder surface on the polymerization of a benzoxazine monomer is examined by differential scanning calorimetry (DSC). By varying the thickness of the benzoxazine coatings on boron nitride particles, a distinct influence of the surface substrate on the polymerization reaction could be observed. At a coating thickness calculated to be on the order of a monolayer, the heat of reaction is reduced, while the exothermic peak temperature and peak width at half height are increased relative to that of the neat resin values. The reduced heat of reaction and increased exothermic peak temperature indicate that the boron nitride surface is inhibiting the benzoxazine polymerization reaction. In the intermediate coating thickness region, the heat of reaction increases and the exothermic peak temperature and peak width at half height decrease with increasing coating thickness. With even thicker coatings, the heat of reaction and exothermic peak temperature and peak width at half height reach values corresponding to that of the neat resin and no longer change with thickness. In addition, the influence of surface treated boron nitride particles on the thermal polymerization behavior, as well as the effect of the surface treatment on the viscosity, dynamic mechanical properties, and flexural properties of the filled composites are also investigated. © 1999 John Wiley & Sons, Inc. J Polym Sci B: Polym Phys 37: 2360–2372, 1999     

Combined application of alpha-track and fission-track techniques for detection of plutonium particles in environmental samples prior to isotopic measurement using thermo-ionization mass spectrometry

The fission track technique is a sensitive detection method for particles which contain radio-nuclides like ²³⁵U or ²³⁹Pu. However, when the sample is a mixture of plutonium and uranium, discrimination between uranium particles and plutonium particles is difficult using this technique. In this study, we developed a method for detecting plutonium particles in a sample mixture of plutonium and uranium particles using alpha track and fission track techniques. The specific radioactivity (Bq/g) for alpha decay of plutonium is several orders of magnitude higher than that of uranium, indicating that the formation of the alpha track due to alpha decay of uranium can be disregarded under suitable conditions. While alpha tracks in addition to fission tracks were detected in a plutonium particle, only fission tracks were detected in a uranium particle, thereby making the alpha tracks an indicator for detecting particles containing plutonium. In addition, it was confirmed that there is a linear relationship between the numbers of alpha tracks produced by plutonium particles made of plutonium certified standard material and the ion intensities of the various plutonium isotopes measured by thermo-ionization mass spectrometry. Using this correlation, the accuracy in isotope ratios, signal intensity and measurement errors is presumable from the number of alpha tracks prior to the isotope ratio measurements by thermal ionization mass spectrometry. It is expected that this method will become an effective tool for plutonium particle analysis. The particles used in this study had sizes between 0.3 and 2.0 μm.     

Radiochemical determination of nuclear data for theory and applications

A vast knowledge of nuclear data is available and is grouped under three headings, namely, nuclear structure, nuclear decay and nuclear reaction data. Still newer aspects are under continuous investigation. Data measurements are done using a large number of techniques, including the radiochemical method, which has been extensively worked out at Jülich. This method entails preparation of high-quality sample for irradiation, isolation of the desired radioactive product from the strong matrix activity, and preparation of thin source suitable for accurate measurement of the radioactivity. It is especially useful for fundamental studies on light complex particle emission reactions and formation of low-lying isomeric states, both of which are rather difficult to describe by nuclear model calculations. The neutron induced reaction cross section data are of practical application in fusion reactor technology, particularly for calculations on tritium breeding, gas production in structural materials and activation of reactor components. The charged particle induced reaction cross section data, on the other hand, are of significance in medicine, especially for developing new production routes of novel positron emitters and therapeutic radionuclides at a cyclotron. Both neutron and charged particle data also find application in radiation therapy. A brief overview of advances made in all those areas is given, with major emphasis on nuclear reaction cross section data.     

氧-硼共修饰多壁碳纳米管载铂催化剂的制备及氧还原活性

采用一种简便的方法,合成了氧-硼共修饰的多壁碳纳米管材料,以此为载体制备的铂基催化剂具有更小的铂粒径、更高的电化学表面积(40 m²·g_Pt^-1)和更高的氧还原活性(0.3 A·mg_Pt^-1)。氧、硼在提高碳纳米管的载体分散性、控制铂颗粒的均匀性和粒径、促进氧还原反应的氧吸附/解离方面发挥着重要的作用。     

氧-硼共修饰多壁碳纳米管载铂催化剂的制备及氧还原活性

采用一种简便的方法,合成了氧-硼共修饰的多壁碳纳米管材料,以此为载体制备的铂基催化剂具有更小的铂粒径、更高的电化学表面积(40 m²·g_Pt^-1)和更高的氧还原活性(0.3 A·mg_Pt^-1)。氧、硼在提高碳纳米管的载体分散性、控制铂颗粒的均匀性和粒径、促进氧还原反应的氧吸附/解离方面发挥着重要的作用。     

Chemically Orthogonal Three‐Patch Microparticles

Compared to two‐dimensional substrates, only a few methodologies exist for the spatially controlled decoration of three‐dimensional objects, such as microparticles. Combining electrohydrodynamic co‐jetting with synthetic polymer chemistry, we were able to create two‐ and three‐patch microparticles displaying chemically orthogonal anchor groups on three distinct surface patches of the same particle. This approach takes advantage of a combination of novel chemically orthogonal polylactide‐based polymers and their processing by electrohydrodynamic co‐jetting to yield unprecedented multifunctional microparticles. Several micropatterned particles were fabricated displaying orthogonal click functionalities. Specifically, we demonstrate novel two‐ and three‐patch particles. Multi‐patch particles are highly sought after for their potential to present multiple distinct ligands in a directional manner. This work clearly establishes a viable route towards orthogonal reaction strategies on multivalent micropatterned particles.     

制备温度对Fe-B纳米金属玻璃组成及性质的影响

通过调变反应温度,制得了B含量变化范围较大的Fe100-xBx(x=23～40)系列纳米金属玻璃。用Mossbauer,ICP,XRD,TEM,DSC等实验手段,研究了制备条件对B含量的影响及其原因,样品的结构、晶化温度/微粒的聚集状态和表观粒度等物性与反应温度(B含量)的关系,揭示了Fe-B纳米金属玻璃的化学制备研究中反应温度的重要作用。     

Determination of alumina film thickness by alpha particle scattering

The scattering of accelerated alpha particles has been used to determine the surface oxide film thickness of anodized aluminium. The measurements were based on determining the difference between the energy of an alpha particle scattered from the surface oxide layer and that from the underlying metal. Films ranging in thickness from 10 to 130 microg/cm (2) were analysed non-destructively with a relative standard deviation of 3.5 %. The average time for an analysis was 30 min with an incident beam current of up to about 1 microA.     

Metathetical conversion of Nd2O3 nanoparticles into NdS2 polysulfide nanoparticles at low temperatures using boron sulfides

A new simple metathetical sulfidation method using boron sulfides has been developed to prepare nanoparticles of NdS(2) via conversion of ca. 50-nm-sized nanoparticles of Nd(2)O(3) at 450 degrees C, in which boron and sulfur powders form boron sulfides in situ and evaporate to sulfidize the oxide. The X-ray powder diffraction analysis revealed that the products were purely NdS(2), and the atomic absorption spectrometric analysis confirmed nonexistence of boron in the products after washing with water. The detailed TEM studies showed that the NdS(2) nanoparticles maintained the original size of the oxide particles without fusion during the low-temperature sulfidation process.