Atomic layer deposition of zinc sulfide nanolayers on monocrystalline silicon substrates

The formation of zinc sulfide thin films via the atomic laminating of components from a gas phase on single-crystal silicon substrates with (100), (110), and (111) orientations is examined. The characteristic temperatures of changes in the mechanism of layer formation and structural perfection are determined. The conditions for using the mechanism of layer growth are determined.     

Mechanisms of atomic layer deposition on substrates with ultrahigh aspect ratios

Atomic layer deposition (ALD) appears to be uniquely suited for coating substrates with ultrahigh aspect ratios (> or similar 10(3)), including nanoporous solids. Here, we study the ALD of Cu and Cu3N on the inner surfaces of low-density nanoporous silica aerogel monoliths. Results show that Cu depth profiles in nanoporous monoliths are limited not only by Knudsen diffusion of heavier precursor molecules into the pores, as currently believed, but also by other processes such as the interaction of precursor and reaction product molecules with pore walls. Similar behavior has also been observed for Fe, Ru, and Pt ALD on aerogels. On the basis of these results, we discuss design rules for ALD precursors specifically geared for coating nanoporous solids.     

Effect of magnesium ions on oriented growth of calcite on carboxylic acid functionalized self-assembled monolayer

The combined effect of templating and solution additives on calcite crystallization was studied. Self-assembled monolayers of mercaptoundecanoic acid supported on silver, as templates, induced the uniform, oriented nucleation of calcite from the (012) plane. The presence of Mg2+ in the crystallizing solution affected the crystal growth dramatically, due to the selective Mg binding to the calcite planes roughly parallel to the c-axis. Highly homogeneous arrays of oriented crystals with characteristic sizes, shapes, and morphology, depending on the relative concentration of Mg and Ca ions, were synthesized.     

The amino acid ratio on thin layer chromatography

A procedure for the use of the amino acid ratio on thin layer chromatography is described. Its use in developing countries is emphasized. The advantages of the amino acid ratio on thin layer chromatography versus paper chromatography are presented.     

STM image of tungstosilicic acid molecular layer on highly oriented pyrolytic graphite

Molecular layer of tungstosilicic acid (H4SiW12O40) deposited on freshly-cleaved highly oriented pyrolytic graphite (HOPG) was observed by scanning tunneling microscopy (STM) in air at room temperature.The molecular dimension (11.5 A) of H4SiWi2O4o measured by STM is consistent with known crystallographic parameter.We also imaged the boundary of H4SiW12O40 molecular layer on HOPG showing that molecular layer of H4SiW12O40 was formed.It has been proved that individual tungstosilicic acid species is imaged.The probable reason for the formation of the molecular layer is also discussed.     

Microwave-accelerated cross-metathesis reactions of N-allyl amino acid substrates

Microwave heating has been utilised for the cross-metathesis reaction of N-allyl amino acid substrates to generate olefin homodimers. Remarkable acceleration of the cross-metathesis reaction (minutes compared to hours) over conventional reflux heating was observed. In addition, improved reaction yields and similar E/Z ratios for the cross-metathesis products were achieved.     

Ultraviolet photoelectron spectroscopy of oriented carboxylic acid films prepared by vacuum deposition

Ultraviolet photoelectron spectra were measured for films of aliphatic carboxylic acids made by vacuum deposition. Their threshold ionization potentials varied within 0.7 eV according to the measure of molecular orientation. This variation is explained by dimer formation in a highly crystalline film.     

Reactive uptake of acetic acid on calcite and nitric acid reacted calcite aerosol in an environmental reaction chamber

The heterogeneous chemistry of gas-phase acetic acid with CaCO(3)(calcite) aerosol was studied under varying conditions of relative humidity (RH) in an environmental reaction chamber. Infrared spectroscopy showed the loss of gas-phase reactant and the appearance of a gaseous product species, CO(2). The acetic acid is observed to adsorb onto the calcite aerosol through both a fast and a slow uptake channel. While the fast channel is relatively independent of RH, the slow channel exhibits enhanced uptake and reaction as the RH is increased. In additional experiments, the calcite aerosol was exposed to both nitric and acetic acids in the presence of water vapor. The rapid conversion of the particulate carbonate to nitrate and subsequent deliquescence significantly enhances the uptake and reaction of acetic acid. These results suggest a possible mechanism for observed correlations between particulate nitrate and organic acids in the atmosphere. Calcium rich mineral dust may be an important sink for simple organic acids.     

Alternate assemblies of thionine and Au-nanoparticles on an amino functionalized surface

Photoactive and electroactive thionine dyes have been introduced in high-surface-area surface-confined Au-nanoparticle superstructures by layer-by-layer deposition techniques.     

The epitaxial growth of cholesterol crystals from bile solutions on calcite substrates

Epitaxial relationships between the surfaces of inorganic and bioorganic crystals can be an important factor in crystal nucleation and growth processes in a variety of biological environments. Crystalline cholesterol monohydrate (ChM), a constituent of both gallstone and atherosclerotic plaques, is often found in association with assorted mineral phases. Using in situ atomic force microscopy (AFM) and well-characterized model bile solutions, the nucleation and epitaxial growth of ChM on calcite (104) surfaces in real-time is demonstrated. The growth rates of individual cholesterol islands formed on calcite substrates were determined at physiological temperatures. Evidence of Ostwald's ripening was also observed under these experimental conditions. The energetics of various (104) calcite/(001) ChM interfaces were calculated to determine the most stable interfacial structure. These simulations suggest that the interface is fully hydrated and that cholesterol hydroxyl groups are preferentially positioned above carbonate ions in the calcite surface. This combination of experimental and theoretical work provides a clearer picture of how preexisting mineral seeds might provide a viable growth template that can reduce the energetic barrier to cholesterol nucleation under some physiological conditions.     

Controlled growth of micropatterned, oriented calcite films on a self-assembled multilayer film

A micropatterned multilayer film, which was fabricated from layer-by-layer electrostatic self-assembly of nitrodiazoresin (NDR)/poly(acrylic acid) (PAA) followed by photolithography, was utilized as a structured template for the biomimetic mineralization of calcium carbonate. Micropatterned CaCO3 films consisting of regularly aligned calcite crystals oriented in the <104> direction were selectively deposited on the patterned NDR/PAA multilayer film.     

Effect of acid on morphology of calcite during acid enhanced defluoridation

Fluoride removal from water by lime materials is a promising defluoridation process. Acid enhanced limestone defluoridation (AELD) technique involves precipitation of CaF₂ as well as adsorption of fluoride on the surface of limestone which is capable of reducing fluoride concentration to below the WHO guideline value of 1.5 mg/L. Acids such as acetic acid and citric acid are added to the fluoride water before filtration through limestone column to enhance the Ca²⁺ activity in solution for precipitation of fluoride as CaF₂. This paper describes the effects of these acids on the quality of the limestone during the AELD process, which has been studied to evaluate the reusability of the limestone. The reaction products that formed during the AELD process have also been analyzed. The detail study of the morphology of the limestone before and after use have been done using various analytical techniques, viz., X-ray diffraction, infrared spectroscopy, thermogravimetric analysis and scanning electron microscopy combined with energy dispersive X-ray spectroscopy. The study reveals that the limestone degrades to some extent in the process due to dissolution of calcium carbonate by the acids and adsorption of fluoride by the limestone. While appreciable quantity of the citrate salt of calcium was formed in the column, the acetate salt mostly remained dissolved in the water. Since mainly the surface of the limestone particles take part in the reaction, the limestone particles can be reused for the defluoridation process after cleaning the outer surface. The limestone after use remains also suitable as raw material for cement.     

Plasma deposition of silicon-containing layers on polymer substrates

Plasma-polymerized coatings have been deposited on polymer substrates using mixtures of silicon-containing monomers with O₂ and/or CF₄. With ternary gas mixtures, novel silicon oxyfluoride coatings were obtained. By oxygen plasma post-treatment, improvements in barrier properties of polymer substrates to gases were observed.     

Epitaxial recrystallization of HDPE-quenched ultrathin films on oriented iPP substrates

The recrystallization behavior of high-density polyethylene (HDPE) on the highly oriented isotactic polypropylene (iPP) substrates at temperatures below the melting temperature of HDPE has been investigated by means of transmission electron microscopy. The results obtained by the bright-field observation and the electron diffraction show that upon annealing the HDPE-quenched films on the oriented iPP substrates at temperatures below 125°C, only a small amount of HDPE recrystallizes on the iPP substrate with [001]_HDPE//[001]_iPP, while annealing the HDPE-quenched films at temperatures above 125°C, all of the HDPE crystallites recrystallize epitaxially on the iPP substrate with [001]_HDPE//[101]_iPP. © 1997 John Wiley & Sons, Inc. J Polym Sci B: 35 : 1415–1421, 1997     

Formation of calcite thin films by cooperation of polyacrylic acid and self-generating electric field due to aligned dipoles of polarized substrates

We demonstrated the formation of calcite thin films on positively and negatively charged surfaces of a hydroxyapatite (HAp) electret coexisting with polyacrylic acid (PAA) and self-generating surface electric fields due to HAp electrets with electrically aligned dipoles. The cooperation of PAA and the self-generating surface electric field due to the electrets favored the formation of calcite thin films and acted remarkably on the negatively charged surface. Calcite thin films, 4–10 μm thick, with a shell-like microstructure were produced on the negatively charged surfaces with a small amount of PAA. In contrast, under other reaction conditions, calcite thin films with a fan-like structure in the cross section formed on the polarized substrates, and their thickness ranged from 2 to 7 μm. The films were composed of hemispheric- or flat island-shaped aggregates that were made of the calcite crystals that elongated along the c-axis. The morphology of the PAA–Ca²⁺ complex assembly, which adsorbed onto the polarized HAp substrates, was controlled by the balance of the spatial charge distribution in its structure and the properties of the self-generating surface electric field, which led to the different morphologies of the calcite thin films. We proposed that the formation mechanism of the films formed coexisting with PAA and the self-generating electric fields.