Growth and piezoelectric characterisation of GeO2 single crystals with quartz structure

Abstract

The first results for growth of germanium dioxide single crystals with the crquartz type structure (α-GeO₂) from refluxed hydrothermal solutions are reported. The success of this method is due to the existence of metastable α-GeO₂ in aqueous solutions at relatively low temperature and to the structural similarity between α-GeO₂ and α-SiO₂. The continuous partial evaporation of the heated solvent, vapour condensation, saturation of the condensate by nutrient α-GeO₂ and growth of α -GeO₂ single crystals on quartz seeds are considered as the successive stages of the process. Mzre homogeneous crystals of α -GeO₂ were obtained on seeds parallel to {0001}, {1120} and {1121} faces using sodium hydroxide and ammonium fluoride solutions in the range of temperature 90-130°C and at pressure equivalent to the fugacity of saturated vapor.

Piezoelectric, elastic and dielectric properties of the mentioned above crystals for the first time were studied.     

Vibration analysis of a new polymer quartz piezoelectric crystal sensor for detecting characteristic materials of volatility liquid

We present a new polymer quartz piezoelectric crystal sensor that takes a quartz piezoelectric crystal as the basal material and a nanometer nonmetallic polymer thin film as the surface coating based on the principle of quartz crystal microbalance (QCM). The new sensor can be used to detect the characteristic materials of a volatile liquid. A mechanical model of the new sensor was built, whose structure was a thin circle plate composing of polytef/quartz piezoelectric/polytef. The mechanical model had a diameter of 8 mm and a thickness of 170 μ. The vibration state of the model was simulated by software ANSYS after the physical parameters and the boundary condition of the new sensor were set. According to the results of experiments, we set up a frequency range from 9.995850 MHz to 9.997225 MHz, 17 kinds of frequencies and modes of vibration were obtained within this range. We found a special frequency f_sp of 9.996358 MHz. When the resonant frequency of the new sensor’s mechanical model reached the special frequency, a special phenomenon occurred. In this case, the amplitude of the center point O on the mechanical model reached the maximum value. At the same time, the minimum absolute difference between the simulated frequency based on the ANSYS software and the experimental measured stable frequency was reached. The research showed that the design of the new polymer quartz piezoelectric crystal sensor perfectly conforms to the principle of QCM. A special frequency value f_sp was found and subsequently became one of the most important parameters in the new sensor design.     

介观压电石英晶体等效电路的量子化

借鉴阻尼谐振子作量子力学处理的研究思想,将介观压电石英晶体等效电路量子化,在此基础上研究了真空态和压缩真空态下,各支路电流和电压的量子涨落. 关键词： 介观压电石英晶体 等效电路 阻尼谐振子 量子涨落     

SPM analysis of fibrinogen adsorption on solid surfaces

The adsorption kinetics, adhesion and orientation of human fibrinogen on solid surfaces have been studied by surface probe microscopy (SPM) and quartz crystal microbalance techniques (QCM). CF₃-, NH₂-terminated organo-silane self-assembled monolayers (SAM) and OH-terminated silicon dioxide have been used as model surfaces. Furthermore, the interaction of fibrinogen with nanocomposite Ti/hydrocarbon plasma polymer films (Ti/ppCH) deposited by dc magnetron sputtering has also been studied.     

Microgravimetric and voltammetric study of Zn underpotential deposition on platinum in alkaline medium

The microgravimetric and voltammetric responses of a polycrystalline Pt electrode in 0.1 mol L⁻¹ NaOH solution in the presence and the absence of 1.6 × 10⁻⁴ Zn²⁺, at 0.1 V s⁻¹ were analyzed. During the positive potential sweep, the water molecules are progressively substituted by OH⁻ ions, prior to PtO formation. The voltammetric charges obtained under the Zn_ads dissolution peaks suggest that 0.7 monolayers are deposited, with each Zn ad-atom occupying one active site and transferring two electrons. The total loss of mass due to the dissolution of the Zn ad-layer was 136.6 ng cm⁻² and the mass increase due to PtO formation was found to be only 12 ng cm⁻² less than the theoretical ones, 157.5 and 37.4 ng cm⁻², respectively, indicating that both processes are overlapped. In this way it is proposed that an adsorbed by-layer of Zn and OH⁻ ions is formed.     

Electrochemical tip-enhanced Raman Spectroscopy for microscopic studies of electrochemical interfaces

The review describes electrochemical applications of tip-enhanced Raman spectroscopy (TERS). These applications combine the merits of both scanning probe microscopy (SPM) and Raman spectroscopy, which enables us to simultaneously obtain high-resolution images of surface morphology and chemical information under the electrochemical environment. This review, first summarizes the pioneering work done on the TERS systems that operate in liquid and electrochemical environments, and then gives an overview of the typical instrumentation of electrochemical TERS (EC-TERS) based on electrochemical scanning tunneling microscopy (EC-STM). Furthermore, this review summarizes the advancements in EC-TERS studies of events that occur at the interfaces. These include potential dependent structural changes and electrochemical reactions. Finally, we discuss the current issues and future prospects of EC-TERS for microscopic studies of electrochemical interfaces.     

电场作用下5CB液晶分子的近壁面层黏弹性的QCM研究

利用石英晶体微天平(quartz crystal microbalance,QCM)研究了电场对5CB液晶分子的近壁面层黏弹性的影响.对QCM结果的分析发现,电场作用对液晶的黏度影响分为两部分,通过建立含吸附膜的双层膜模型,分析了QCM的两部分结果,发现电场对近壁面吸附层及体相层的影响是不同的.根据QCM的双层膜模型,对近壁面层液晶分子的黏弹性及膜厚进行了定量的分析计算,结果表明5CB在石英晶体上电极附近有一层约100nm厚的近壁面吸附层,其复剪切黏度随电场强度的增加而减小,这与5CB液晶的体相黏度变化规 关键词： 5CB液晶 石英晶体微天平 近壁面 黏弹性     

Growth and characteristics of some new varieties of coloured quartz single crystals

Abstract

Methods for the hydrothermal synthesis of four new coloured varieties of quartz have been developed. Two of these varieties are very rare in nature. They are a bi-coloured amethyst-citrine quartz (ametrine) and a phosphorous-bearing low-temperature pink quartz. The other two varieties have no natural counterparts. They are a pink-violet Ni-bearing quartz, and a Cu-bearing quartz which resembles aventurine. The principal conditions for producing these varieties of quartz single crystals are described.     

Refractive index, birefringence, third-order non-linearity and piezoelectric resonance studies of L-lysine monohydrochloride dihydrate single crystals

The principal refractive indices of L-lysine monohydrochloride dihydrate (L-LMHCl) single crystal for different wavelengths were measured by minimum deviation method at room temperature. The experimental values of refractive indices fit well with the theoretical Cauchy's equations. The birefringence and the crossing angle between the optical axes were calculated. The parameters of Sellmeier's single term dispersion equation were determined by least square method. A simple interferometric technique was used to observe the interference patterns along the optic plane and to qualitatively analyze the optical homogeneity of the grown crystal. The nonlinear refractive index (n₂) and nonlinear absorption coefficient (β) were also determined using Z-scan technique. The piezoelectric resonance in dielectric dispersions was observed at room temperature.     

Imaging characterization of carbon nanotube tips modified using a focused ion beam

A carbon nanotube (CNT) tip, which assembled on the sharp end of a Si tip by dielectrophoresis, was structurally modified using focused ion beam (FIB). We described the imaging characterization of the FIB-modified CNT tip in noncontact AFM mode in terms of wear, deep trench accessibility, and imaging resolution. Compared to a conventional Si tip, the FIB-modified CNT tip was superior, especially for prolonged scanning over 10 h. We conclude that modified CNT tips have the potential to obtain high-quality images of nanoscale structures.     

Thickness-shear vibration of a quartz plate connected to piezoelectric plates and electric field sensing

We study thickness-shear vibration of a quartz plate connected to two piezoelectric ceramic plates with initial deformations caused by a biasing electric field. The theory for small deformations superposed on finite biasing deformations in an electroelastic body is used. It is shown that the resonant frequencies of the incremental thickness-shear vibration of the quartz plate vary with the biasing electric field. The biasing electric field induced frequency shift depends linearly on the field. Therefore this effect may be used for electric field sensing. The dependence of the electric field induced frequency shift on various material and geometric parameters is examined. When the electric field is of the order of 100 V/mm, the relative frequency shift is of the order of 10⁻⁵. The case when the piezoelectric plates are replaced by piezomagnetic plates is also investigated for magnetic field sensing, and similar results are obtained.     

Microtribological and electrochemical corrosion behaviors of polydopamine coating on APTS-SAM modified Si substrate

A polydopamine coating (coded as PDAc) was prepared successfully on a Si substrate through a two-step process. Briefly, to improve the adhesion of PDAc on the Si substrate, a self-assembled monolayer of 3-aminopropyl triethoxysilane (coded as APTS-SAM) was firstly generated on the bare Si wafer. Thereafter, the PDAc with different thickness was fabricated through the chemical adsorption and autopolymerization of the dopamine hydrochloride on the APTS-SAM coated Si substrate. The formation of PDAc on the APTS-SAM modified Si substrate was proved by the characterizations of contact angle measurement, attenuated total reflectance Fourier transform infrared (ATR-FTIR) analysis, and X-ray photoelectron spectroscope (XPS), etc. The ellipsometric thickness measurement and atomic force microscopy (AFM) image analysis showed that the PDAc became thicker and rougher with the deposition time prolongation. Microtribological study showed that the thickness and roughness of the PDAc played a significant role in the tribological properties. In comparison with the bare Si substrate, the PDAc with thinner thickness possessed lower friction and was anticipated to be used as protecting coating in the field of boundary lubrication. The electrochemical corrosion behaviors of the prepared PDAc were investigated using the electrochemical station and a low corrosion current density was revealed, implying that the PDAc had good anti-corrosion capability and might find potential applications in the field of corrosion resistance.     

Stripping voltammetry of Pb and Cu using a microcantilever electrode

Microfabricated silicon microcantilevers coated with gold on one side have been used as working electrode in a three-electrode electrochemical arrangement. In addition to electrochemical current, cantilever bending has been used as a signal for monitoring electrode reactions on the cantilever surface. The microcantilever bending was measured by an optical beam deflection method as the surface potential was scanned and electrochemical reactions occurred on the surface. The microcantilever bending due to differential surface stress was used to sense Pb and Cu using cyclic voltammetry (CV) and linear sweep stripping voltammetry (LSSV).     

Growth of piezoelectric quartz crystals of large dimension on seeds parallel to the (10–11) face and lengthened along the Y-axis

Abstract

We have grown crystals on seeds parallel to the side of the negative rhombohedron by the hydrothermal method. Their dimension was equal to the projection one along the Y-axis to the plane (01–11) and approximately exceeded the size of the crystal along the X-axis by one order. In Russia these crystals are referred to as - ry′. The maximal sizes of ry′ -cryszals are 410mm and 120mm along the Y- and X-axes, respectively. It is established that each crystal increases its dimension along the X-axis due to the formation of the sides of the sharpest rhombohedron (20–21). These faces form the pyramids of growth by which it is possible to get the plates from an average part of each crystal. Their dimension exceeds the initial one by 15-20mm along the X-axis. We have studied the structural and morphological properties of ry′ -crystals grown at different rates at the temperature of crystallization of 330-410°C and a pressure up to 150 MPa.     

Dependence of surface distribution of self-assembled InSb nanodots on surface morphology and spacer layer thickness

Self-assembled InSb nanodots (NDs) were grown on a GaSb (1 0 0) substrate using metal-organic vapour phase epitaxy (MOVPE). The effects of etching depth of the substrate and thickness of the GaSb buffer layer on the density and size distribution of single and double layer dots were studied for detector applications. The etch depth of the substrate was varied up to 30 μm. In this particular study, the dots were grown at 450 °C and the GaSb spacer thickness was varied between 50 nm and 200 nm. The optimum substrate etch depth was found to be 30 μm while the best spacer thickness was found to be 200 nm.     

Pb electrodeposition on polycrystalline Cu in the presence and absence of Cl: A combined oblique incidence reflectivity difference and in situ AFM study

Oblique incidence reflectivity difference (OI-RD) measurements reveal differences in the earliest stages of overpotential-deposited (OPD) growth between Pb electrodeposition on polycrystalline Cu surfaces in the presence and absence of Cl⁻. At moderate overpotentials, when only 100 mM is present, the magnitude of the real part of the OI-RD signal continues to increase after completion of the first underpotential-deposited (UPD) Pb monolayer, but with the addition of 20 mM KCl the magnitude decreases after the UPD monolayer forms. In situ atomic force microscopy (AFM) shows that in the former case the island density is much greater than in the latter. Using OI-RD as a probe, we show additionally that when the substrate potential is returned to a more positive potential in the presence of Cl⁻, the UPD Pb monolayer dissolves after the Pb islands disappear.     

Steps and facets at the surface of soft crystals

We consider the shape of crystals which are soft in the sense that their elastic modulus μ is small compared to their surface tension γ, more precisely μa < γ where a is the lattice spacing. We show that their surface steps penetrate inside the crystal as edge dislocations. As a consequence, these steps are broad with a small energy which we calculate. We also calculate the elastic interaction between steps a distance d apart, which is a 1/d ² repulsion. We finally calculate the roughening temperatures of successive facets in order to compare with the remarkable shapes of lyotropic crystals recently observed by Pieranski et al. [#!Pieranski!#,#!EPJ!#]. Good agreement is found. Received 25 June 2001     

Micro- to nanoscale surface morphology and friction response of tribological polyimide surfaces

Sintered polyimide surfaces that were worn under macroscale conditions at different temperatures, were further characterised by contact-mode atomic force microscopy for getting insight in the tribophysical and -chemical processes at the micro- to nanoscale. Depending on the temperature, either mechanical interaction (23 °C < T < 100 °C), hydrolysis (120 °C < T < 140 °C), or imidisation (180 °C < T < 260 °C) results in different microscale surface characteristics. At low temperatures, surface brittleness and inter-grain fracture has been observed with an almost homogeneous friction pattern. At intermediate temperatures, the formation of a protecting local film leads to smoother surfaces with local lubricating properties. At high temperatures, different topographical and frictional patterns are observed depending on local imidisation or degradation. From AFM scans at the sub-micronscale, local debris depositions are observed and correspond to surface locations with locally reduced friction. From AFM scans at the nanoscale, polymer chain orientation is observed with formation of zig-zag or stretched molecular conformation: the latter is not induced by purely mechanical surface interactions or hydrolysis, but mainly results from tribochemically induced imidisation at high sliding temperatures. The present investigation describes the influences of local tribological interactions onto the macroscale wear behaviour of a polymer, and therefore aims at contributing to a better understanding of scaling between macro- to nanolevel tribological response.     

In situ atomic force microscopy studies of reversible light-induced switching of surface roughness and adhesion in azobenzene-containing PMMA films

Thin films in the range 40-80 nm of a blend of PMMA with an azobenzene derivative have been studied directly during UV and blue light irradiation by atomic force microscopy (AFM), revealing highly reversible changes in the surface roughness and the film adhesion. UV light induces an ≈80% increase in surface roughness, whereas illumination by blue light completely reverses these changes. Based on the observed surface topography and transition kinetics a reversible mass flow mechanisms is suggested, where the polarity changes upon switching trigger a wetting-dewetting transition in a surface segregation layer of the chromophore. Similar AFM measurements of the pull-off force indicate a decrease upon UV and an increase after blue light illumination with a complex kinetic behavior: a rapid initial change, attributed to the change in the cis isomer fraction of the azobenzene derivative, and a more gradual change, indicative of slow structural reorganization.     

Kinetic effects in the self-assembly of pure and mixed tetradecyl and octadecylamine molecules on mica

The self-assembly of tetradecylamine (C14) and of mixtures of tetradecyl and octadecylamine (C18) molecules from chloroform solutions on mica has been studied using atomic force microscopy (AFM). For pure components self-assembly proceeds more slowly for C14 than for C18. In both cases after equilibrium is reached islands of tilted molecules cover a similar fraction of the surface. Images of films formed by mixtures of molecules acquired before equilibrium is reached (short ripening time at room temperature) show only islands with the height corresponding to C18 with many pores. After a long ripening time, when equilibrium is reached, islands of segregated pure components are formed.