Quantitative analysis of calcium and fluorine by high-sensitivity low-energy ion scattering: Calcium fluoride

Low-energy ion scattering (LEIS) probes the atomic composition of the outer surface. Well-defined reference samples are used for the quantitation. For elements like fluorine and calcium, it is not easy to find suitable, clean, and homogeneous references, since fluorine is a gas and calcium is a very reactive metal. In contrast to surface analytic techniques such as XPS, the extreme surface sensitivity of LEIS makes it difficult to use stable compounds like CaF₂ as reference, since these compounds are not homogeneous at the atomic scale. With LEIS, CaF₂ is not expected to show an atomic ratio F/Ca = 2.0. Thus, before CaF₂ can be used as reference, its atomic surface concentrations have to be determined. Here, 3-keV He⁺ scattering by a LiF(001) single crystal, an evaporated layer of Ca, and a Cu foil are used as basic references. High-purity CaF₂ is available in two forms: a single crystal and a powder. For a practical reference, powders are preferred, since if bulk impurities segregate to the surface, they will be dispersed over a large surface area. It is found that both CaF₂ (111) and powder have similar F/Ca atomic ratios. This confirms the F termination for both samples. For the powder, the F and Ca signals are reduced by 0.77 ± 0.03 in comparison with those for the single crystal. The atomic sensitivity factors and relative sensitivity factors have been determined for F, Ca, and Cu.     

X‐ray microanalysis in STEM of short‐term physicochemical reactions at bioactive glass particle/biological fluid interface. Determination of O/Si atomic ratios

Short‐term physicochemical reactions at the interface between bioactive glass particles and biological fluids are studied and we focus our attention on the measurements of O/Si atomic ratio. The studied bioactive glass is in the SiO₂? Na₂O? CaO? P₂O₅? K₂O? Al₂O₃? MgO system. The elemental analysis is performed at the submicrometre scale by scanning transmission electron microscopy associated with energy‐dispersive x‐ray spectroscopy (EDXS) and electron energy‐loss spectroscopy (EELS). We previously developed an EDXS quantification method based on the ratio method and taking into account local absorption corrections. In this way, we use EELS data to determine, by an iterative process, the local mass thickness, which is an essential parameter for correcting absorption in EDXS spectra. After different immersion times of bioactive glass particles in a simulated biological solution, results show the formation of different surface layers at the bioactive glass periphery. Before 1 day of immersion, we observe the presence of an already shown (Si,O,Al)‐rich layer at the periphery. In this paper, we demonstrate that a thin ‘electron dense’ (Si,O)‐layer is formed on top of the (Si,O,Al)‐layer. In this (Si,O)‐layer, depleted in aluminium, we point out an increase of oxygen weight concentration that can be interpreted by the presence of Si(OH)₄ groups, which permit the formation of a (Ca,P)‐layer. Aluminium plays a role in the glass solubility and may inhibit apatite nucleation. After the beginning of the (Ca,P)‐layer formation, the size of the ‘electron dense’ (Si,O)‐layer decreases and tends to disappear. After 2 days of immersion, the (Ca,P)‐layer grows in thickness and leads to apatite precipitation. Copyright © 2004 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

Preparation,characterization, and bioavailability of a phosphorylated human‐like collagen calcium complex

The aim of this study was to determine whether a phosphorylated human‐like collagen calcium (PHLC–Ca) complex showed a higher bioavailability than other calcium supplements. To improve the calcium‐binding ability of human‐like collagen (HLC), modified HLC was prepared by introducing a reactive phosphate group using a dry‐heating method, followed by the formation of PHLC–Ca in MOPS buffer. PHLC–Ca was characterized using atomic absorption spectrophotometry, Fourier transform infrared (FTIR), fluorescence quenching, circular dichroism (CD), and ultraviolet–visible absorption (UV–vis) spectroscopy. The calcium uptake test showed that the bioavailability of PHLC–Ca was higher than that of CaCl₂ and G‐Ca. Data from a mouse model of osteoporosis suggested that PHLC–Ca is superior for treating osteoporosis than CaCl₂ or G‐Ca. These results indicate that PHLC–Ca is a desirable calcium supplement for use in daily life and clinical application. Copyright © 2015 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

Formation Mechanism of a Silane‐PVA/PVAc Complex Film on a Glass Fiber Surface

Mechanical properties of glass fiber reinforced composite materials are affected by fiber sizing. A complex film formation, based on a silane film and PVA/PVAc (polyvinyl alcohol/polyvinyl acetate) microspheres on a glass fiber surface is determined at 1) the nanoscale by using atomic force microscopy (AFM), and 2) the macroscale by using the zeta potential. Silane groups strongly bind through the Si? O? Si bond to the glass surface, which provides the attachment mechanism as a coupling agent. The silane groups form islands, a homogeneous film, as well as empty sites. The average roughness of the silanized surface is 6.5 nm, whereas it is only 0.6 nm for the non‐silanized surface. The silane film vertically penetrates in a honeycomb fashion from the glass surface through the deposited PVA/PVAc microspheres to form a hexagonal close pack structure. The silane film not only penetrates, but also deforms the PVA/PVAc microspheres from the spherical shape in a dispersion to a ellipsoidal shape on the surface with average dimensions of 300/600 nm. The surface area value S_a represents an area of PVA/PVAc microspheres that are not affected by the silane penetration. The areas are found to be 0.2, 0.08, and 0.03 μm² if the ellipsoid sizes are 320/570, 300/610, and 270/620 nm for silane concentrations of 0, 3.8, and 7.2 μg mL^?1, respectively. The silane film also moves PVA/PVAc microspheres in the process of complex film formation, from the low silane concentration areas to the complex film area providing enough silane groups to stabilize the structure. The values for the residual silane honeycomb structure heights (H_a) are 6.5, 7, and 12 nm for silane concentrations of 3.8, 7.2, and 14.3 μg mL^?1, respectively. The pH‐dependent zeta‐potential results suggest a specific role of the silane groups with effects on the glass fiber surface and also on the PVA/PVAc microspheres. The non‐silanized glass fiber surface and the silane film have similar zeta potentials ranging from ?64 to ?12 mV at pH’s of 10.5 and 3, respectively. The zeta potentials for the PVA/PVAc microspheres on the glass fiber surface and within the silane film significantly decrease and range from ?25 to ?5 mV. The shapes of the pH‐dependent zeta potentials are different in the cases of silane groups over a pH range from 7 to 4. A triple‐layer model is used to fit the non‐silanized glass surface and the silane film. The value of the surface‐site density for Γ_Xglass and Γ_Xsilane, in which X denotes the Al? O? Si group, differs by a factor of 10^?4, which suggests an effective coupling of the silane film. A soft‐layer model is used to fit the silane‐PVA/PVAc complex film, which is approximated as four layers. Such a simplification and compensation of the microsphere shape gives an approximation of the relevant widths of the layers as the follows: 1) the layer of the silane groups makes up 10 % of the total length (27 nm), 2) the layer of the first PVA shell contributes 30 % to the total length (81 nm), 3) the layer of the PVAc core contributes 30 % to the total length (81 nm), and finally 4) the layer of the second PVA shell provides 30 % of the total length (81 nm). The coverage simulation resulted in a value of 0.4, which corresponds with the assumption of low‐order coverage, and is supported by the AFM scans. Correlating the results of the AFM scans, and the zeta potentials sheds some light on the formation mechanism of the silane‐PVA/PVAc complex film.     

Removal Mechanism Investigation of Ultraviolet Induced Nanoparticle Colloid Jet Machining

Ultraviolet induced nanoparticle colloid jet machining is a new ultra-precision machining technology utilizing the reaction between nanoparticles and the surface of the workpiece to achieve sub-nanometer ultra-smooth surface manufacturing without damage. First-principles calculations based on the density functional theory (DFT) were carried out to study the atomic material removal mechanism of nanoparticle colloid jet machining and a series of impacting and polishing experiments were conducted to verify the mechanism. New chemical bonds of Ti-O-Si were generated through the chemical adsorption between the surface adsorbed hydroxyl groups of the TiO₂ cluster and the Si surface with the adsorption energy of at least −4.360 eV. The two Si-Si back bonds were broken preferentially and the Si atom was removed in the separation process of TiO₂ cluster from the Si surface realizing the atomic material removal. A layer of adsorbed TiO₂ nanoparticles was detected on the Si surface after 3 min of fixed-point injection of an ultraviolet induced nanoparticle colloid jet. X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy results indicated that Ti-O-Si bonds were formed between TiO₂ nanoparticles and Si surface corresponding to the calculation result. An ultra-smooth Si workpiece with a roughness of Rq 0.791 nm was obtained by ultraviolet induced nanoparticle colloid jet machining.     

Round‐robin test for the measurement of layer thickness of multilayer films by secondary ion mass spectrometry depth profiling

An international round‐robin test (RRT) was performed to investigate a method to determine the interface location and the layer thickness of multilayer films by secondary ion mass spectrometry (SIMS) depth profiling as a preliminary study to develop a new work item proposal in ISO/TC‐201. Two types of reference materials were used in this RRT. A SiGe alloy (Si_52.4Ge_47.6) reference film was used to determine the relative sensitivity factors of Si and Ge. A Si/Ge multilayer reference film was used to determine the relative sputtering rates of the Si and Ge layers. The layer thicknesses were measured from the interfaces determined by a 50 atomic percent definition. Seven laboratories from 5 countries participated in this international RRT. The RRT reference expanded uncertainties for Si and Ge layers in a Si/Ge multilayer with similar thicknesses as the reference film were 0.76 and 1.17 nm, respectively. However, those in a thinner Si/Ge multilayer film were slightly larger at 1.04 and 1.59 nm, respectively. Most of the thickness ratios in the 2 Si/Ge multilayer films were consistent with the RRT reference value within their expanded uncertainties.     

Synthesis of Poly(isosorbide carbonate) <Emphasis Type="Italic">via</Emphasis> Melt Polycondensation Catalyzed by Ca/SBA-15 Solid Base

Ca/SBA-15 solid bases with different Ca/Si atomic ratios were prepared by a one-pot route and employed as catalysts for the production of poly(isosorbide carbonate) (PIC) from diphenyl carbonate and isosorbide via a transesterification polymerization process. The relationship between physicochemical properties and catalytic performance for Ca/SBA-15 in this melt process was investigated by means of various characterization techniques. It was found that basic site amount and strength were responsible for this transesterification process; the weak and medium basic sites inclined to promote polycondensation reaction. It was worth noting that strong basic sites could favor the decomposition of the resultant PIC, resulting in the decrease of weight-average molecular weight (M_w) and yield, and the sample with Ca/Si atomic ratio of 0.4 exhibited the best catalytic performance, giving PIC with M_w of 4.88 × 10⁴ g/mol and T_g of 169 °C at the optimal conditions. This excellent activity can be ascribed to the presence of rich basic sites and specific basic strength on the surface of 0.4Ca/SBA-15.     

Synthesis and Reactivity of Discrete Calcium Imides

Protonolysis of dibenzylcalcium with triphenylsilylamine affords a thf‐coordinated tetrametallic calcium imide with a heterocuboid core structure. The use of calcium bis(tetramethylaluminate) as a precursor for tandem salt metathesis/protonolysis reactions with alkali metal amides of 2,6‐diisopropylaniline and triphenylsilylamine provides access to Lewis acid stabilized monocalcium imides of the type [(thf)₄Ca(μ₂‐NR)(μ₂‐Me)AlMe₂]. Treatment of [(thf)₄Ca(μ₂‐NSiPh₃)(μ₂‐Me)AlMe₂] with phenylsilane results in H?Si addition across the Ca?N imido bond, producing a homoleptic calcium amidoaluminate complex and putative CaH₂ whereas reaction with phenylacetylene leads to protonation of an AlMe moiety to yield the dimeric complex [(thf)Ca{NSiPh₃}{AlMe₂(CCPh)}]₂.     

Studies of the mechanism of formation of calcium silicate compounds by titration based on emission and atomic absorption spectroscopy

In this paper, the inhibition effect of silicate on emission or absorption of calcium was used for an investigation of the mechanism of formation of calcium silicate compounds. For that purpose, calcium chloride solutions were continuously titrated with a standard solution of sodium silicate (Na₂SiO₃), with simultaneous aspiration of the titrand into an air-hydrogen flame. During the titration, changes in the emission of the CaO-band at 622 nm and the CaOH-band at 554 nm were registered automatically on the recorder. Changes in the absorption of calcium were also registered at 422 nm. Thus curves of the same shape were obtained, with the same number of characteristic points, in which the SiO₂/Ca ratio is constant, when the concentration of silicate in the titrant varies. This fact suggests that calcium reacts with silicate to form compounds with a constant composition.Curves of the same shape were obtained by titration of a standard solution of sodium silicate, with a calcium chloride solution, while monitoring the changes in the absorption of calcium at 422 nm and changes in the emission of the CaO-band at 622 nm. In this case, the mole ratios SiO₂/Ca at the characteristic points of the curves were the same as in the case of the titration of calcium chloride solution with the silicate solution.On the basis of the mole ratios SiO₂/Ca at the characteristic points on the titration curves, which amount to 0.21, 0.33 and 0.50, the mechanism of formation of calcium silicate compounds was represented by chemical equations.It may be concluded that in the process of evaporation of spray droplets a chain of reactions take place, resulting in compounds that can be represented by the general formula xCaO·SiO₂.     

Properties of Ruthenium Complex-Doped Calcium Phosphate/Porous Silicon Nanostructures

In this work, we focus on the optical properties of the ruthenium complexes [Ru(phen)₃]Cl₂ and [Ru(bpy)₃]Cl₂ incorporated into biocompatible calcium phosphate films on porous Si substrates to both characterize the distribution of such species in the film as well as analyze their diffusion from the porous matrix upon aqueous exposure. For the latter measurements, photoluminescence spectroscopy is employed to monitor the changes in emission intensity for the both the calcium phosphate surface and surrounding aqueous environment as a consequence of diffusion from the film. In selected cases, visible absorption spectroscopy was also utilized to measure the appearance of a given complex in the surrounding solution. The effects of heating and anodic bias on the calcium phosphate/porous Si/Si substrate on the kinetics and available equilibrium concentrations of a given Ru complex have also been evaluated.     

钙磷物质的量比对磷酸钙骨水泥性能的影响

本研究通过在磷酸钙骨水泥(calcium phosphate cement,CPC)固相配方中添加不同量的氯化钙(CaCl2),制备不同钙磷物质的量比的CPC,研究不同钙磷物质的量比对CPC性能的影响。测试CPC的初、终凝时间。将CPC体外模拟浸泡3d和7d,研究模拟生理条件下CPC的性能,分别利用X-射线衍射(XRD)、力学性能实验机、扫描电镜(SEM)等研究CPC相成分、抗压强度和断面微观形貌。通过化学滴定测定浸泡液中氯离子浓度。结果表明:提高钙磷物质的量比不会显著延长CPC凝结时间;模拟浸泡液中的氯离子浓度处于正常生理条件的范围内;随钙磷物质的量比的增加,水化后CPC的抗压强度显著提高,而经过体外模拟浸泡后,钙磷物质的量比为1.67和1.80的CPC的抗压强度明显下降;具有较高钙磷物质的量比的CPC体外模拟浸泡后,形成多孔结构、弱结晶类骨磷灰石的终产物。     

Study on mineral surface reacted with water at temperatures above 300��C and 23?MPa

In this work, we carried out experiments on silicate mineral dissolution using a flow-through reactor from 20 to 400°C at 23 MPa. The dissolution of silicate minerals such as actinolite, diopside, and albite in water may require the breaking of more than one metal?Coxygen bond type. Different metal elements in silicate minerals have different release rates and the dissolution product is often non-stoichiometric. Na, Mg, Fe, and Ca dissolve faster than Si at T < 300°C. At T ?? 300°C, the release rate of Si is higher than that of the other metals. The molar concentration ratios of the dissolving metal Mi versus Si such as Mg/Si, Ca/Si and Al/Si, which are the release ratios in the effluent solutions, are often different from the molar ratios of these elements in the minerals. The results show that the incongruent dissolution of minerals is related to surface chemical modifications. Non-stoichiometric dissolution is caused by the formation of a non-stoichiometric leaching layer at the surface or by the presence of a secondary mineral at the surface. Our experiments indicate that the dissolution of most silicate minerals is close to stoichiometric at 200 and 300°C, e.g., for actinolite and albite at 300°C. The surfaces after reaction with aqueous solutions were investigated using SEM and TEM. At T < 300°C, the mineral surfaces (e.g., for actinolite) after the reaction with water are slightly Si-rich and slightly Fe (and/or Mg, Ca) deficient. In contrast, at T ?? 300°C, the surfaces after reaction with water are slightly Fe-rich and somewhat Si deficient.     

Field effect conductance of conducting polymer nanofibers

We report on the electrical conductance of nanofibers of regioregular poly(3‐hexylthiophene) (RRP3HT) as a function of gate‐induced charge. Nanofibers of RRP3HT were deposited onto SiO₂/Si substrates by casting from dilute p‐xylene solutions. An analysis of the nanofibers by atomic force microscopy revealed fiber lengths of 0.2–5 μm, heights of 3–7 nm, and widths of approximately 15 nm. A field effect transistor geometry was used to probe the conductance of webs of nanofibers and single nanofibers; in these measurements, gold electrodes served as source and drain contacts, and the doped SiO₂/Si substrate served as the gate. Temperature‐dependent transport studies on webs of nanofibers revealed an activation energy of 108 meV at a gate‐induced hole density of 3.8 × 10¹² charges/cm². Pretreating SiO₂ with a hydrophobic hexamethyldisilazane (HMDS) layer reduced the activation energy to 65 meV at the same charge density. The turn‐on gate voltage on treated and untreated substrates increased in magnitude with decreasing temperature. Conductance measurements on single nanofibers on HMDS‐treated SiO₂ yielded hole mobilities as high as 0.06 cm²/Vs with on/off current ratios greater than 10³. © 2003 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Polym Sci Part B: Polym Phys 41: 2674–2680, 2003     

Mapping of rare earth elements in nuclear waste glass–ceramic using micro laser-induced breakdown spectroscopy

A micro-LIBS system was set up based on a quadruple Nd:YAG laser at 266 nm coupled with a microscope. Elemental mapping was performed on a Mo-rich glass–ceramic sample containing CaMoO₄ crystallites hundreds of microns in length and about 25 μm in section diameter. The topography of single-shot laser-induced craters was characterized using an atomic force microscope (AFM), which revealed a crater size less than 7 μm. Mappings of Mo, Ca, Sr, Al, Fe, Zr and rare earth elements such as Eu, Nd, Pr and La were undertaken. Laser ablation inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometry (LA-ICP-MS) was conducted to validate the micro-LIBS analysis. Principal components analysis calculation was used to investigate the correlation of elements in the two phases of glass–ceramic. Correlation between Ca, Sr, rare earth elements and Mo indicates their preferential incorporation into the calcium molybdate crystalline phase. Anti-correlation between Fe, Zr, Al and Mo revealed their affinity to the glass phase.     

Subnanometre depth resolution in sputter depth profiling of Si layers using grazing‐incident low‐energy O2+ and Ar+ ions

The sputter damage profiles of Si(100) by low‐energy O₂⁺ and Ar⁺ ion bombardment at various angles of incidence were measured using medium‐energy ion scattering spectroscopy. It was observed that the damaged Si surface layer can be minimized down to 0.5–0.6 nm with grazing‐incident 500 eV Ar⁺ and O₂⁺ ions at 80°. To illustrate how the damaged layer thickness can be decreased down to 0.5 nm, molecular dynamics simulations were used. The SIMS depth resolution estimated with trailing‐edge decay length for a Ga delta‐layer in Si with grazing‐incident 650 eV O₂⁺ was 0.9 nm, which is in good agreement with the measured damaged layer thickness. Copyright © 2004 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

A novel approach to consolidation of historical limestone: the calcium alkoxides

Potential utilization of calcium alkoxides as stone consolidants was considered. Reaction of Ca(OCH₃)₂, Ca(OCH₂CH₃)₂(CH₃CH₂OH)₄ and Ca[OCH(CH₃)₂]₂ with the atmosphere in different experimental conditions was studied. The reaction produced CaCO₃ and two different pathways seem to be involved, the first taking place through CO₂ insertion into the Ca–O bond of Ca(OR)₂ species with formation of an alkylcarbonate derivative, subsequently transformed into CaCO₃ through ROH elimination; the second takes place through hydrolysis of Ca(OR)₂ to Ca(OH)₂, which is then carbonated to CaCO₃. The vaterite/calcite ratios found in the final CaCO₃ vary considerably with the experimental conditions adopted. Investigations demonstrated the potentiality of Ca(OCH₃)₂ to act as a stone consolidant. In fact, impregnation of a porous substrate, simulating the deteriorated stone, with a methanol solution of Ca(OCH₃)₂, produced a crystalline vaterite film, which gradually filled all the pores and cavities of substrate and seems to fulfil the necessary requirements for a consolidant. Copyright © 2008 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

Bioactive Properties of Chitin/Chitosan—Calcium Phosphate Composite Materials

Calcium phosphate coating over phosphorylated derivatives of chitin/chitosan material was produced by a process based on phosphorylation, Ca(OH)₂ treatment and SBF (simulated body fluid solution) immersion. Chitin/chitosan phosphorylated using urea and H₃PO₄ and then soaked in saturated Ca(OH)₂ solution at ambient temperature, which lead to the formation of thin coatings formed by partial hydrolysis of the PO₄ functionalities, were found to stimulate the growth of a calcium phosphate coating on their surfaces after soaking in 1.5 × SBF solution for as little as one day. The Ca(OH)₂ treatment facilitates the formation of a calcium phosphate precursor over the phosphorylated chitin/chitosan, which in turn encourages the growth of a calcium deficient apatite coating over the surface upon immersion in SBF solution. The bio-compatibility of calcium phosphate compound—chitin/chitosan composite materials was evaluated by cell culture test using L-929 cells. The initial anchoring ratio and the adhesive strength of L-929 cells for composites was higher than that for the polystyrene disk (LUX, control). The results of in-vitro evaluation suggested that the calcium phosphate—chitin/chitosan composite materials were suitable for cell carrier materials.     

Study of tri-layer antireflection coatings prepared by sol–gel method

Antireflective coatings (ARCs) on tri-layer thin film stacks were studied in this paper. Silica sols have been prepared by acid-catalyzed or base-catalyzed hydrolysis and condensation reactions of tetraethyl orthosilicate. Antireflective nanometric SiO₂/TiO₂ films are formed on both sides of the glass substrates by combining the sol–gel method and the dip-coating technique. Seen from the transmittance spectra of different films, a maximum light transmittance of 99.9% was obtained at the band of 300–800 nm. Scanning electron microscope (SEM) and atomic force microscopy (AFM) confirm the well-covered surface morphology. By the SEM observations we can see that the films are full of coverage on glass surface and containing no voids or cracks. The image root mean square roughness of the two types of ARCs provided by the AFM is 1.21 and 3.04 nm, respectively. Furthermore, a surface profiler was used to determine the thickness of each layer in the obtained multi-layer coating system.     

The alkoxide sol–gel process in the calcium phosphate system and its applications†

A single calcium glycolate was synthesized. The alkoxide was stable under ambient atmosphere. The calcium glycolate, phosphoric acid and P(OH) _x (OEt)_{3− x} were used as the precursors. Acetic acid was used as a reagent to modify the calcium glycolate and to change the acidity of the mixtures of the precursors. Mixtures of the calcium glycolate and phosphoric acid in a Ca/P ratio of 1.67 showed unusual sol–gel behavior. A transparent gel could be formed depending on the content of acetic acid and the extent of stirring. The behavior is attributed to a high viscosity and a large molecular size of the ethylene glycol solvent, leading to a strong dependence of the reactions in the mixtures on the diffusion process, greatly affected by stirring. When the mixtures of the calcium glycolate and PO(OH) _x (OEt) _{3− x} contained acetic acid at an acetic acid/Ca ratio of 3, stable alkoxide solutions with Ca/P ratios of 1.0, 1.5 and 1.67 could be formed. Different calcium phosphate compounds and hydroxyapatite coatings on alumina substrates could easily be formed from the alkoxide solutions. The chemical homogeneity provided by the alkoxide route leads to easy formation of the required products. Copyright © 1999 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

Investigation on structure and morphology of the thermally treated glassy alloy (Fe,Cr)80(P,C,Si)20 by means of ESCA and SEM/EDXA

Metallic glass ribbons of the chemical composition (Fe,Cr)₈₀(P,C,Si)₂₀ have been thermally treated in the region between 530 and 980°C for 72 h. The SEM/EDXA investigations indicate that a phase transformation takes place between 575 and 980°C in a surface layer of 5 μm thickness. Thus, a Cr-rich phase occurs between 760 and 800°C which is converted into an open-pore system between 850 and 900°C. The oxidation process reaches its maximum at 760°C. The ESCA spectra of the material in the “as received” state and of the thermally treated samples indicate that different oxygen species are formed within the analysed surface layer of 10 nm. The oxygen of the original material is incorporated as hydroxyl groups in species such as FeO(OH) and CrO(OH). After thermal treating the hydroxyl content decreases and the oxide content increases. Species of Si exist in the surface layer as SiO_x-like compounds (peak at BE=102.0 eV). A majority phase of transition metal phosphide species is coexisting with oxidised phosphate species.