Water vapour sorption by mim systems

In studying the properties of the sandwich system Al-Al₂O₃-Au(Al) the capacitance of the system was found to depend on the humidity of the environment. The humidity induced capacitance change is reversible and can be explained assuming a process of physical sorption of water vapours by Al₂O₃ dielectric film. The sorption rate is independent of the oxide film thickness, which leads to a conclusion that mainly the sorption in the surface layer of the oxide is involved in the process. The sorption rate is, however, decreasing with increasing thickness of the upper evaporated electrode, which can be taken as an evidence of the fact that the water molecules penetrate to the oxide films through the upper metal layer whose coverage is not complete due to the porosity of the oxide film underneath.On the basis of our experimental results we come to a conclusion that even when the Al₂O₃ films are prepared by oxidation in a 3% solution of tartaric acid, their structure is porous. Proceeding from a simplified picture of the dielectric structure we propose an equivalent electrical scheme of the Al-Al₂O₃-Au Al system. The frequency characteristics measured at different environment humidities correspond to the dependences calculated for the proposed equivalent circuit.     

Structure of triglycine sulfate embedded in porous aluminum oxide

The X-ray diffraction investigations have been performed for nanocomposite materials based on porous aluminum oxide with inclusions of TGS and TGS, which is doped with L,α-alanine (ATGS). The presence of the TGS and ATGS textures in pores of Al₂O₃ films has been found. It has been established that, under conditions of confined geometry, the broadening of diffraction maxima of the reflection is caused by the size effect. The temperature dependences of the order parameter for porous aluminum oxide with TGS inclusions have been constructed.     

Dissolution of Al2O3-polystyrene latex composites: a fluorescence study

This work reports the use of the steady state fluorescence (SSF) technique to study dissolution of a composite film formed from a mixture of Al₂O₃ and polystyrene (PS) latex particles. The composite films were cast from dispersion of pyrene (P)-labeled PS particles in Al₂O₃ solution at room temperature and annealed at 280°C temperature for 10 min. Eight different composite films were studied in various latex contents. Toluene was used as dissolution agent. Fluorescence intensities I _P from P were monitored during dissolution. Fickian diffusion was employed to model the dissolution processes. Dissolution coefficients, D _d, were measured and found to be increased at high PS content in the composite films.     

Dielectric properties of porous aluminum and silicon oxides with inclusions of triglycine sulfate and its modified analogs

This paper reports on an investigation of the temperature dependences of the capacitance and conductance of composite materials prepared by incorporating the ferroelectric TGS and its analogs—TGS with addition of L,α-alanine and chromium—into porous Al₂O₃ and SiO₂ matrices. It has been established that conduction of the structures under study involves charge transport predominantly through the ferroelectric embedded in the porous matrix. A mechanism is proposed to account for the displacement of the phase transition temperature of the ferroelectric inclusion under “restricted geometry” conditions, which is driven by the difference between the thermal expansion coefficients of the porous matrix and the embedded ferroelectric.     

Properties of strontium titanate in the SrTiO3/CeO2/Al2O3 multilayered structure

Studies of the crystal structure, elemental composition, and dielectric properties of strontium titanate films in SrTiO₃/CeO₂/Al₂O₃ multilayered structures are reported. Data on the crystal lattice and impurity contents have been obtained, and temperature and electric field dependences of the dielectric properties of SrTiO₃ films in the microwave range have been measured. An analysis of the results is made to establish the reason for the nonmonotonic dependence of the small-signal dielectric permittivity of SrTiO₃ films on temperature. Fiz. Tverd. Tela (St. Petersburg) 39, 1024–1029 (June 1997)     

Improvement of surface porosity and properties of alumina films by incorporation of Fe micrograins in micro-arc oxidation

Micro-arc oxidation (MAO) is an effective approach to improve the properties of aluminum and its alloy by forming ceramic films on the surface. However, the oxide layers often have a porous surface structure, which exhibits relatively high friction coefficients. In this work, in order to enhance the surface and mechanical properties of the films produced by micro-arc oxidation, Al₂O₃ coatings embedded with Fe micrograins of different thicknesses were produced on aluminum alloys by adding Fe micrograins into the electrolyte during MAO. Compared to the Al₂O₃ coatings without Fe micrograins, the MAO Al₂O₃ coatings with Fe micrograins are much denser and harder, and the wear resistance is also improved significantly. The enhancement can be attributed to the enhancement of the surface structure and morphology of the MAO Al₂O₃ coatings with embedded Fe micrograins.     

Enhanced water vapor barrier properties for biopolymer films by polyelectrolyte multilayer and atomic layer deposited Al2O3 double-coating

Commercial polylactide (PLA) films are coated with a thin (20 nm) non-toxic polyelectrolyte multilayer (PEM) film made from sodium alginate and chitosan and additionally with a 25-nm thick atomic layer deposited (ALD) Al₂O₃ layer. The double-coating of PEM + Al₂O₃ is found to significantly enhance the water vapor barrier properties of the PLA film. The improvement is essentially larger compared with the case the PLA film being just coated with an ALD-grown Al₂O₃ layer. The enhanced water vapor barrier characteristics of the PEM + Al₂O₃ double-coated PLA films are attributed to the increased hydrophobicity of the surface of these films.     

Design of Some Oxide/Metal Composite Supports and Catalysts

Textural, mechanical and catalytic properties of porous composite materials Al₂O₃/Al, MeO _x (Me)/Al₂O₃/Al with metal particles homogeneously distributed in the alumina matrix were studied. These materials were prepared by mixing the powdered components with aluminum followed by hydrothermal treatment and calcination. The macroporous structure was shown to be controlled by the size of large (>microns) particles in starting blends. The mesoporous structure is primarily determined by the properties of alumina formed by dehydration of hydroxide produced in turn via aluminum oxidation by water. The mechanical strength of porous cermets is determined by the number and properties of contacts between micron-size components of composites. Improved catalytic performance of composites is ensured by the developed macroporous structure providing enhanced mass transfer inside the cermet granules.     

Nanocomposites of Poly(vinyl alcohol) Reinforced with Chemically Modified AL2O3: Synthesis and Characterization

The surface of α-alumina (Al₂O₃) nanoparticles was first modified with γ-aminopropyltriethoxy silane as a coupling agent. Then a series of poly(vinyl alcohol)/ surface modified Al₂O₃ nanocomposite suspensions were prepared in ethanol by a simple ultrasonic irradiation process. Composite films with 5, 10, and 15 wt % of inorganic Al₂O₃ nanoparticles were achieved after solvent evaporation. The formation of the composite materials were confirmed by Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy, X-ray diffraction, field emission scanning electron microscopy (FE-SEM), transmission electron microscopy (TEM), thermogravimetric analysis (TGA), and optical transparencies. The FE-SEM and TEM results showed a homogenous dispersion of nanoscale inorganic particles in the poly(vinyl alcohol) matrix. TGA thermographs showed that the thermal stability of the prepared Al₂O₃-reinforced nanocomposites was improved, increasing with increasing content of the nanoparticles. According to the optical transparencies, the optical clarity of poly(vinyl alcohol)/Al₂O₃ nanocomposite films was only slightly affected by the presence of the Al₂O₃ content.     

Fabrication of nano-floating gate memories through atomic layer deposition incorporated with chemically-synthesized ZnO-nanocrystals

Nano-floating gate memories made of Al₂O₃/ZnO/Al₂O₃ nanostructures were fabricated with chemically-driven ZnO nanocrystals embedded into high-k Al₂O₃ thin films prepared through atomic layer deposition. The memory characteristics were analyzed through high-frequency capacitance–voltage measurement and current–voltage characteristics, along with high-resolution images of the aforementioned structures. The dotted ZnO nanocrystals function as charge-trapping/detrapping centers, inducing a very large memory window of 5.34 V. The defective nature of ZnO was optimally adjusted into the energy-band diagrams in combination with the tunneling and control layers of the robust Al₂O₃ thin films. The measured memory characteristics exhibited superior retention features derived from the charge-trapping/detrapping behaviors.     

Experiment and Lattice Boltzmann numerical study on nanofluids flow in a micromodel as porous medium

Al₂O₃ nanofluids flow has been studied in etched glass micromodel which is idealization of porous media by using a pseudo 2D Lattice Boltzmann Method (LBM). The predictions were compared with experimental results. Pressure drop / flow rate relations have been measured for pure water and Al₂O₃ nanofluids. Because the size of Al₂O₃ nanoparticles is tiny enough to permit through the pore throats of the micromodel, blockage does not occur and the permeability is independent of the nanofluid volume fraction. Therefore, the nanofluid behaves as a single phase fluid, and a single phase LBM is able to simulate the results of this experiment. Although the flow in micromodels is 3D, we showed that 2D LBM can be used provided an effective viscous drag force, representing the effect of the third dimension, is considered. Good qualitative and quantitative agreement is seen between the numerical and experimental results.     

Synthesis of anodizing composite films containing superfine Al2O3 and PTFE particles on Al alloys

Anodized composite films containing superfine Al₂O₃ and PTFE particles were prepared on 2024 Al alloy using an anodizing method. The microstructures and properties of the films were studied by scanning electron microscopy, optical microscopy and X-ray diffraction. Friction wear tests were performed to evaluate the mechanical properties of the composites. Results indicate that the composite films with reinforced Al₂O₃ and PTFE two-particles have reduced friction coefficients and relatively high microhardness. The friction coefficient can be as small as 0.15, which is much smaller than that of an oxide film prepared under the same conditions but without adding any particles (0.25), while the microhardness can reach as high as 404 HV. When rubbed at room temperature for 20 min during dry sliding friction tests, the wear loss of the film was about 16 mg, which is about the half of that of the samples without added particles. The synthesized composite films that have good anti-wear and self-lubricating properties are desirable for oil-free industrial machinery applications.     

Si-Al2O3复合薄膜的室温铁磁性

在Si-Al₂O₃复合薄膜中观察到室温铁磁性.Si的体积百分比为15 %的Si-Al₂O₃复合薄膜的磁性最强.Si的含量影响样品的磁有序,在样品中观察到了明显的磁畴.在不同气氛下,对样品进行快速热退火.退火样品的磁性测试结果的差别表明氧空位不是样品铁磁性的主要来源.我们认为铁磁性来源于Si与Al₂O₃基质界面之间的缺陷的磁耦合.改变Si的含量可以改变缺陷密度,从而控制铁磁耦合强度. 关键词： 2O₃薄膜')" href="#">Al₂O₃薄膜 室温铁磁性 掺杂 交换相互作用     

Two-dimensional spatially ordered Al2O3 systems: Small-angle neutron scattering investigation

The structure of anodized aluminum oxide films has been investigated by the small-angle neutron scattering method. A theoretical solution is obtained for describing neutron scattering from the Al₂O₃ ordered porous structure. Analysis of the neutron-experiment data shows the possibility of obtaining porous membranes with ideally periodic hexagonal packed pores on a large area (～0.5 cm²).     

Optical diagnostics of physicochemical properties of NiO/Al2O3 nanocomposites upon exposure to different gases and heat

We have studied nanostructural and optical properties of composites of nanostructured nickel oxide films on a substrate from porous aluminum oxide NiO/Al₂O₃ in the UV, visible, and IR spectral ranges on exposure of composites to different gases, vacuum, and heat. We have found that, upon irradiation of NiO/Al₂O₃ composites by laser radiation at a wavelength of 633 nm, they demonstrate a high sensitivity to carbon monoxide CO in the range of the excitonic absorption of nickel oxide. We assume that an increase in the transmission coefficient of the composite in the excitonic absorption band is determined by luminescence that is caused by the oxidation reaction of carbon monoxide. The sensitivity of composites to CO is enhanced with decreasing the size of NiO nanoparticles and after evacuation. The values of the diffuse reflection coefficient at the laser radiation wavelength of 633 nm correlate with the size of nickel oxide nanoparticles. Spectral changes in the range of the fundamental absorption band of NiO that occur in the IR range and in diffuse reflection spectra are related to the appearance of carbon-containing compounds in the composite exposed to CO.     

Surface‐enhanced Raman scattering investigations on silver nanoparticles deposited on alumina and titania nanotubes: influence of the substrate material on surface‐enhanced Raman scattering activity of Ag nanoparticles

Silver nanoparticles deposited on various ‘inert’ porous materials (mainly Al₂O₃ and TiO₂) are often used as substrates for surface‐enhanced Raman scattering (SERS) measurements. In this study, we used the sputter deposition technique to cover tubular arrays of Al₂O₃ and TiO₂ with Ag nanoparticles. Raman spectra of pyridine (as a probe molecule) and of two selected dyes (5‐(4‐dimethylaminobenzylidene)rhodanine and 5‐(4‐(dimethylamino)benzylidene)‐3‐(3‐methoxypropyl)rhodanine) adsorbed on fabricated Ag/TiO₂‐n/Ti and Ag/Al₂O₃‐n/Al substrates were measured. We found that the SERS spectra of pyridine adsorbed on Ag nanoparticles deposited on an Al₂O₃‐n/Al substrate are distinctly different from those measured for an Ag/TiO₂‐n/Ti composite. Similar effects were observed for dyes adsorbed on the surface of both composites. The spectral differences between two kinds of composites (Ag/TiO₂‐n/Ti and Ag/Al₂O₃‐n/Al) are discussed in terms of (1) the modified electronic structure of the Ag nanoparticles due to their interaction with different substrate materials and (2) the different atomic topology of the metal particles thus deposited on the surfaces of the substrates. Composite samples were also studied with the aid of scanning electron microscopy (SEM) and Auger electron spectroscopy (AES) to reveal their characteristic morphological and chemical features. Copyright © 2012 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

Preparation of proton conducting BaCe0.8Gd0.2O3 thin films

Thin films of BaCe_0.8Gd_0.2O₃ were prepared by solid state reaction of two screen-printed layers over porous substrates. The first layer consists of the oxygen ion conductor Ce_0.8Gd_0.2O₂ with a fluorite structure, whereas the top layer consists of BaCO₃. After decomposition of the carbonate, BaO reacts with Ce_0.8Gd_0.2O₂ forming the perovskite oxide BaCe_0.8Gd_0.2O_3−δ with protonic conductivity. The in-situ reaction and densification on the porous substrates results in gastight thin layers of 10 to 50 μm and allows overcoming the problems due to the poor sinterability of the proton conductor. Two different porous substrates prepared by warm-pressing were studied as membrane supports, i.e., (i) porous composite NiO–Zr_0.85Y_0.15O₂, commonly employed as solid oxide fuel cell anode and (ii) porous Ce_0.8Gd_0.2O₂ oxide. The structural properties of the layer, compositional gradients and occurring phases are described, as well as water uptake, gastightness (He leaking rate) and emf measurement. Protonic conducting membranes are particularly suited not only for hydrogen separation combined with reforming and water–gas-shift converters but also as a protonic fuel cell electrolyte.     

Studying the internal structure of granular magnetic nanocomposites by ferromagnetic resonance

A method for estimating the form of magnetic nanoparticles in composite film structures based on the observation of ferromagnetic resonance phenomenon is offered. Within the model of the effective medium, an explanation is given for experimentally observed concentration and temperature dependences of resonant fields for composite nanosystem (Co₄₅Fe₄₅Z₁₀) _f +(Al₂O₃)_100−f .     

Magnetic properties of Co/Pd multilayered films on porous Al<Subscript>2</Subscript>O<Subscript>3</Subscript> templates with developed cell substructure

We studied the structure and magnetic properties of porous multilayered Co/Pd films deposited on the templates of anodized Al₂O₃ with a specific surface morphology that is characterized by a cellular–porous structure with several pores inside each cell. X-ray diffraction analysis and reflectometry are used to study the peculiarities of the formation of phases in deposited films. The effect of morphological features of porous Co/Pd films on their magnetoanisotropic properties and magnetization reversal processes (magnetization reversal mechanisms, domain structure of films, and coercive field H _c ) is revealed by SQUID magnetometry and magnetic force microscopy.     

Microstructure and interfacial properties of HfO2-Al2O3 nanolaminate films

High-k HfO₂-Al₂O₃ composite gate dielectric thin films on Si(1 0 0) have been deposited by means of magnetron sputtering. The microstructure and interfacial characteristics of the HfO₂-Al₂O₃ films have been investigated by using X-ray diffraction (XRD), Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR) and spectroscopic ellipsometry (SE). Analysis by XRD has confirmed that an amorphous structure of the HfO₂-Al₂O₃ composite films is maintained up to an annealing temperature of 800 °C, which is much higher than that of pure HfO₂ thin films. FTIR characterization indicates that the growth of the interfacial SiO₂ layer is effectively suppressed when the annealing temperature is as low as 800 °C, which is also confirmed by spectroscopy ellipsometry measurement. These results clearly show that the crystallization temperature of the nanolaminate HfO₂-Al₂O₃ composite films has been increased compared to pure HfO₂ films. Al₂O₃ as a passivation barrier for HfO₂ high-k dielectrics prevents oxygen diffusion and the interfacial layer growth effectively.