Pattern guided structure formation in polymer films of asymmetric blends

Two off-critical blends of poly(2-vinylpyridine) and polystyrene, 2:3 and 3:2 (w:w) PVP:PS, were spin-cast (with varied domain scale R) onto periodically (λ = 4 μm) patterned substrate. The pattern consisted of two alternating symmetric stripes: Au attracting PVP and neutral self-assembled monolayer. The resulting droplet-type morphologies were recorded with Scanning Force Microscopy and examined with integral geometry approach. PVP-rich islands of the 2:3 PVP:PS films form, for a wide R/λ range, strongly anisotropic morphologies. They show up, for R/λ ∼ 0.5, a weak λ/2-substructure of smaller PVP droplets in addition to the domains periodic with λ. The 3:2 blend exhibits morphologies with dominant λ-structure of PVP ribbons, which encircle PS droplets. For R/λ ∼ 0.5, smaller PS domains are also present but no λ/2-substructure is formed. The |χ_E|-values of droplet surface density are reduced, as compared to homogeneous substrate, for the 3:2 blend (with |χ_E| → 0 for R ∼ λ). This effect is absent for the 2:3 mixture.     

Structure and frictional properties of Langmuir-Blodgett films of Cu nanoparticles modified by dialkyldithiophosphate

Langmuir-Blodgett (LB) films of dialkyldithiophosphate (DDP) modified Cu nanoparticles were prepared. The structure, microfrictional behaviors and adhesion of the LB films were investigated by transmission electron microscopy (TEM), X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS) and atomic/friction force microscopy (AFM/FFM). Our results showed that the modified Cu nanoparticles have a typical core-shell structure and fine film-forming ability. The images of AFM/FFM showed that LB films of modified Cu nanoparticles were composed of many nanoparticles arranged closely and orderly and the nanoparticles had favorable behaviors of lower friction. The friction loop of the films indicated that the friction force was affected prominently by the surface slope of the Cu nanoparticles and the microfrictional behaviors showed obvious “ratchet effect”. The adhesion experiment showed that the modified Cu nanoparticle had a very small adhesive force.     

Langmuir and Langmuir-Blodgett (LB) films of tetrapyridyl metalloporphyrins

We report on the formation of Langmuir films of 5,10,15,20-tetra(4-pyridyl) 21H,23H-porphine, hereafter named tetrapyridyl porphyrins with distinct central ions (2H⁺, Zn²⁺, Cu²⁺, Ni²⁺). The films were characterized with surface pressure and surface potential isotherms and in situ UV-vis absorbance. The measurements indicated strong aggregation of porphyrin monomers at the air-water interface, with a red shift of the Soret band in comparison with the spectrum obtained from CHCl₃ solutions. The shift was larger for the non-substituted H₂TPyP, and depended on the metal ion. Significantly, aggregation occurred right after spreading of the Langmuir film, with no further shifts in the UV-vis spectra upon compression of the film, or even after transferring them onto solid substrates in the form of Langmuir-Blodgett (LB) films. The buildup of LB films from H₂TPyP and ZnTPyP was monitored with UV-vis spectroscopy, indicating an equal amount of material deposited in each deposition step. Using FTIR in the transmission and reflection modes, we inferred that the H₂TPyP molecules exhibit no preferential orientation in the LB films, while for ZnTPyP there is preferential orientation, with the porphyrin molecules anchored to the substrate by the lateral pyridyl groups.     

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.     

Langmuir-Blodgett 膜中分子聚集行为的偶极作用模型

基于经典静电场理论，描述了Langmuir-Blodgett (LB)膜中棒状分子聚集行为的偶极作用模型，给出了LB膜结构与光谱性质的关系. 讨论了X型或Z型膜中分子间距、层间距、分子取向、膜层数等结构参数对分子聚集行为的影响. 理论结果与实验值符合较好. 关键词： Langmuir-Blodgett膜 聚集体 偶极相互作用 半花菁     

Surface topographic study of chalcogenide thin films of GexSb(As)40−xS50Te10 glasses

The surface topography and fractal properties of Ge_xSb(As)_40−xS₅₀Te₁₀ (x = 10, 20, 27 at.%) films, evaporated onto glass substrates, have been studied by atomic force microscopic imaging at different scales. The surface of the chalcogenide films is smooth (<5 nm roughness), isotropic and having some particular differences in texture. All films are self-similar with Mean Fractal Dimension in the range of 2.25–2.63. The films with Ge_xSb_40−xS₅₀Te₁₀ composition are more uniform in terms of surface morphology (grains structure) than those with Ge_xAs_40−xS₅₀Te₁₀ composition for which the film surface exhibits a superimposed structure of large particles at x = 10 and 20 at.%.     

稀土夹心双萘酞菁LB膜的非线性光学特性研究

研究了中心对称稀土夹心双萘酞菁化合物LB膜的光谱及其二阶非线性光学特性.双(四叔丁基萘酞菁)铒能制成很好的LB膜,不论在稀溶液中还是在LB膜中均主要以单体的形式存在,分子具有较大的超极化率β.由于分子为中心对称结构,所以它们的二次谐波产生机制不同于不对称萘酞菁化合物,研究证明它的二阶非线性光学特性起源于电四极子模型,其LB膜的有效二阶非线性极化率χ(2)为1.1×10-8 esu.     

A rapid approach to reproducible, atomically flat gold films on mica

A simple and reproducible method for the preparation of gold films on mica with large (typically 0.8-1.0 μm) atomically flat (1 1 1) terraces is described. The procedure involves thin gold film evaporation onto freshly cleaved mica substrates, followed by 1 min annealing at 650 °C under nitrogen. The annealed gold surfaces are compared to those of freshly evaporated gold films on mica using cyclic voltammetry and atomic force microscopy. Our results favorably compare to other published annealing techniques, with minimal equipment and time necessary to reproducibly obtain atomically flat gold terraces.     

温度对偶氮苯LB膜吸收光谱和二次谐波产生的影响

 采用紫外 可见吸收谱和二次谐波产生技术研究了温度对4硝基4′氨基偶氮苯（NAA）分子Langmuir-Blodgett（LB）单层和多层膜的光谱和二阶非线性光学特性的影响。单层LB膜的二次谐波强度在室温至80 ℃的温度范围内随温度的增加基本成单调下降关系，温度高于80 ℃后基本没有二次谐波信号。多层LB膜的二次谐波强度随温度的变化分为几个不同的温度阶段。吸收谱表明单层LB膜分子的有序排列受热后不易恢复，超过80 ℃后则不能恢复;多层LB膜的则较容易恢复，温度达到80 ℃后仍能恢复，超过100 ℃后则不能恢复。由于NAA的多层LB膜存在层间分子的相互作用，其结构的稳定性比单层膜要强。     

Langmuir-Blodgett膜摩擦分子动力学模拟和机理研究

采用分子动力学方法,模拟了在两块石英基板上由脂肪酸(C₁₅H₃₁COOH)组成的单层Langmuir-Blodgett (LB)膜间的摩擦特性,探究了超薄膜在滑动过程中的摩擦和结构机理.得出对于单层LB膜在滑动过程中,在速度小于60m/s时,随着速度的增大,其剪切压增大;在速度大于60 m/s时,剪切压随速度的增加而减小.其链的倾斜角随着滑动速度的增加而减小.单层膜内的分子之间以氢键方式形成了较大的分子簇,由此导致了剪切压呈现较长的周期性,但在单层膜之间无氢键形 关键词： 分子动力学模拟 朗缪尔布洛杰特膜 纳米摩擦 氢键     

Surface roughness and power spectral density study of SHI irradiated ultra-thin gold films

Quantitative roughness and microstructural analysis of as-deposited and swift heavy ion (SHI) (107 MeV Ag and 58 MeV Ni) irradiated 10 and 20 nm thick Au films were performed by atomic force microscopy (AFM). Power spectral density (PSD) analysis was done from the AFM images. The energies chosen for the two different ions eliminated the velocity effect of SHI in materials modification. The rms roughness estimated from the AFM data did not show either monotonic increase or decrease with ion fluences. Instead, it increased at low fluences and decreased at high fluences for 20 nm thick film. In 10 nm film, the roughness first increased with ion fluence, then decreased and again increased at higher fluences. Though the 10 and 20 nm films exhibited very different patterns of rms roughness variation with ion fluence, the pattern of variation in both cases was identical for Ni and Ag beams. The PSD analysis for both 10 and 20 nm films (pristine and irradiated) showed similar variation of low frequency roughness with ion fluence as that of the rms roughness. In the high frequency regime, PSD analysis suggests that surface morphology of the irradiated samples is governed by the combined effect of evaporation-recondensation and diffusion dominated processes.     

A crystallographic orientation transition and early stage growth characteristics of thin Bi films on HOPG

We report on the growth of ultra-thin bismuth films on the basal plane of highly ordered pyrolitic graphite (HOPG) substrates. Scanning electron microscopy and atomic force microscopy have been used to characterize the morphology, and the crystallographic orientation was obtained using electron back scatter diffraction. Low coverage films are comprised of islands with a striped surface morphology, and show the orientation relationship with preferred in-plane orientations . With increasing film thickness, we identify an unusual orientation transformation to the commonly found Bi{0 0 0 1} (trigonal) orientation.     

Determination of the nanoscale dielectric properties in ferroelectric lead zirconate titanate (PZT) thin films

We report on nanoscale experiments with <100 nm lateral resolution being able to differentiate the effective dielectric polarisation P_z, deposited charge density σ, surface dielectric constant ε_surface, its voltage dependence ε_surface(U), as well as the built-in electric bias voltage U_int in ferroelectric lead zirconate titanate (PZT) thin films. This is possible by combining piezoresponse force microscopy (PFM) and pull-off force spectroscopy (PFS), both methods based on scanning force microscopy (SFM). The differentiation becomes possible since both P_z and σ contribute additively in PFS, while they are subtractive in PFM, hence allowing the two contributions to be separated. ε_surface can be quantified by means of the experimental PFS data and the calculated effective penetration depth of PFM developed in a finite element modelling. Finally, U_int and ε_surface(U) are derived by an absolute matching of the P_z values measured by PFM and PFS.Our nanoscale results obtained on PZT thin films reveal values for the above specified quantities that have the same order of magnitude as those obtained from macroscopic measurements reflecting the integral response using large electrode areas. However, we stress that the data reported here reveal physical properties deduced on the nanometer scale. Furthermore, they are recorded during one single experimental investigation, using one single set-up only.     

中心对称萘酞菁分子的LB膜及其聚集特性研究

研究了三种中心对称的萘酞菁分子LB膜的制备及其聚集特性。三种萘酞菁化合物均能制成很好的LB膜。在稀溶液中,四叔丁基萘酞菁以单体为主要存在形式;对四叔丁基萘酞菁锌,由于金属锌原子的作用,在稀溶液中不仅能形成H-聚集体,而且还能形成J-聚集体,且主要以聚集体的形式存在。在LB膜中,这两种化合物均形成了H-聚集体。对于双四叔丁基萘酞菁铒不论在稀溶液中还是在LB膜中均主要以单体的形式存在。     

Growth of thin polymer films containing side-chain azo-dye analyzed by atomic force microscopy

Thin films containing both the azo-dye disperse red 1 (DR1) and the poly(methylmetacrylate) (PMMA) or the poly(phenylenevinylene) (PPV) are deposited by Langmuir-Blodgett and spin coating techniques on various substrates. The morphology, surface structure and growth pattern of the azo-dye-polymers were studied by atomic force microscopy. Nucleation and growth processes are responsible for the generation of different structures. The spin coated films were additionally oriented using the electric field poling method (corona poling). The film homogeneity is improved by this method in all cases. Due to the polar character of DR1 molecules, rod-like sub-structures are observed after the corona poling process in DR1-MMA films. The indium tin oxide surface enhances reorientation of the azo-dye-polymer molecules during corona poling and results in a significant reduction of the surface roughness.     

Effects of flow ratios on surface morphology and structure of hydrogenated amorphous carbon films prepared by microwave plasma chemical vapor deposition

A series of hydrogenated amorphous carbon (a-C:H) films were deposited on silicon substrates by microwave plasma chemical vapor deposition technique with a mixture of hydrogen and acetylene. The effects of flow ratio of hydrogen to acetylene on surface morphology and structure of a-C:H films were investigated using surface-enhanced Raman spectroscopy and scanning probe microscope (SPM) in the tapping AFM mode. Raman data imply a transition from graphite-like phase to diamond-like bonding configurations when the flow ratio increases. AFM measurements show that the increase in hydrogen content, to some extent, can smoothen the surface morphology and decrease the RMS roughness. Excessive hydrogen is found to cause the formation of polymeric hydrocarbon clusters in the films and reduce deposition rate.     

LB膜的XPS光谱及其电致发光

采用X射线光电子能谱 (XPS)和UV Vis光谱研究了 2个以 8 氨基喹啉为亲水头基的两亲配体 ;2 长链烷基丙二酸二 (8 氨基喹啉 )酰胺 (H2 A) (H2 A1 2 :长链烷基为十二烷基 ;H2 A1 6 :十六烷基 )在气 /水界面与Cu2 离子的配位作用。配位后H2 A1 2 和H2 A1 6 单分子膜的崩溃压分别由 12 5和 15 6mN·m- 1 增加至 2 8 0和33 8mN·m- 1 。从含Cu2 离子亚相表面组装的LB膜出现了Cu2 离子的特征XPS峰 ,Cu2p为 935和 95 5eV ,XPS表明H2 A与Cu2 的配位比为 1∶1。H2 A的LB膜可以用作电致发光 (EL)器件的空穴传输材料 ,三层EL器件ITO/TPD/LB膜 /Alq3/Al(LB膜分别为 15层H2 A1 2 和 15层H2 A1 6 )的驱动电压分别为 6 5和 7 5V ,最大亮度分别为 6 2 1和 2 0 1cd·m- 2 。     

Surface properties of platinum thin films as a function of plasma treatment conditions

We examined the surface properties of platinum (Pt) thin films exposed to oxygen and argon plasma treatments and compared them to as-deposited Pt films. The surface wetting properties, refractive index and extinction coefficient of the Pt films were monitored as a function of time after different plasma treatments. Surfaces treated with an oxygen plasma were dramatically different from as-deposited Pt, whereas argon plasma treated surfaces were similar to as-deposited films. X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy confirmed the formation of platinum oxide on films treated with an oxygen plasma, while such oxide diminished after argon plasma treatment. Surface morphology studied with atomic force microscopy indicated a strong dependence of the surface roughness of the Pt films on the power and duration of the argon plasma used for the treatment. Based on these studies, an oxygen plasma treatment followed by a brief low-power argon plasma etch was developed for the purpose of regenerating clean and metallic Pt surfaces, and at the same time providing the smoothest possible surface morphology.     

Comparison of organic thin films deposited by supersonic molecular-beam epitaxy and organic molecular-beam epitaxy: The case of titanyl phthalocyanine

Recently, supersonic molecular-beam epitaxy (SuMBE) was invented as an alternative method for the deposition of organic material, using higher kinetic energies for deposition than conventional organic molecular-beam epitaxy (OMBE). Using titanyl phthalocyanine (TiOPc) as a model substance, we show that the SuMBE deposition results in increased crystal quality of the deposited material. This is induced by the high kinetic energy of the molecular-beam in SuMBE, which leads to increased molecular mobility on the surface, resulting in larger crystal sizes and higher crystal quality. Alternatively, similar films as made by OMBE can be deposited by SuMBE at lower substrate temperatures. This temperature reduction may be of interest for the deposition of stacked organic devices on underlying heat sensitive layers, as they are quite common in organic electronic devices.     

Reactively sputtered Ni, Ni(N) and Ni3N films: Structural, electrical and magnetic properties

Nickel thin films were deposited on glass substrates at different N₂ gas contents using a dc triode sputtering deposition system. Triode configuration was used to deposit nanostructured thin films with preferred orientation at lower gas pressure and at lower substrate temperature compared to the dc diode sputtering system. A gradual evolution in the composition of the films from Ni, Ni(N), to Ni₃N was found by X-ray diffraction analysis. The preferred growth orientation of the nanostructured Ni films changed from (1 1 1) to (1 0 0) for 9% N₂ at 100 °C. Ni₃N films were formed at 23% N₂ with a particle size of about 65 nm, while for 0% and 9% of nitrogen, the particles sizes were 60 nm, and 37 nm, respectively, as obtained by atomic force microscopy. Magnetic force microscopy imaging showed that the local magnetic structure changed from disordered stripe domains of about 200 nm for Ni and Ni(N) to a structure without a magnetic contrast, indicating the paramagnetic state of this material, which confirmed the structural transformation from Ni to Ni₃N.