Oxalate films and red stains on Carrara marble

The analytical studies carried out during two different diagnostic surveys, respectively in 1983 and 2003, offered the opportunity to control decay phenomena development on stones facing Certosa of Pavia (Italy). Calcium oxalate films and red stains, present on Carrara marble surface, have been particularly focused; these are the only decay phenomena which apparently have remained unchanged during a period of twenty years. More sensitive and in-depth analytical studies (FTIR equipped with diamond cell, GC-MS, SEM-EDS and optical microscopy) achieved a better knowledge about their composition. Results allowed a critical evaluation of the role of oxalate films on the external marble surface and to suggest new hypotheses about the formation of red stains.     

Integrated analytical techniques for the study of ancient Greek polychromy

The materials used in the decoration of three painted astragaloi (knucklebones) from the Koroneia cave (Greece) were investigated by means of sequential application of non-destructive and destructive techniques: optical microscopy, environmental scanning electron microscopy coupled with X-ray microanalysis (ESEM-EDX), Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR) with micro-attenuated total reflection (μ-ATR) technique, high performance liquid chromatography (HPLC) coupled with UV-fluorescence and gas chromatography-mass spectrometry (GC-MS) were used.The main results highlighted that the three astragaloi were prepared with a ground of ochre or iron clay and painted with a proteinaceous matter such as binder egg tempera. Both FTIR and GC-MS agree in the detection of lipids that can be related to egg. Organic dyestuffs identified as madder lake and shellfish purple were used together with inorganic pigments.     

Determination of the Optical GAP in Thin Films of Amorphous Dilithium Phthalocyanine Using the Tauc and Cody Models

Semiconducting thin films were grown on quartz substrates and crystalline silicon wafers, using dilithium phthalocyanine and the organic ligands 2,6-dihydroxyanthraquinone and 2,6-diaminoanthraquinone as the starting compounds. The films, thus obtained, were characterized by Fourier Transform infrared (FTIR), fast atomic bombardment (FAB+) mass and ultraviolet-visible (UV-Vis) spectroscopies. The surface morphology of these films was analyzed by means of atomic force microscopy (AFM) and scanning electron microscopy (SEM). It was found that the temperature-dependent electric current in all cases showed a semiconductor behavior with conductivities on the order of 10^-6·S cm^-1, whereas the highest value corresponded to the thin film based upon the bidentate amine. The Tauc and Cody optical band gap values of thin films were calculated from the absorption coefficients and were found to be around 1.5 eV, with another strong band between 2.3 and 2.43 eV, arising from non-direct transitions. The curvature in the Tauc plot influencing the determination of the optical gap, the Tauc optical gap corresponding to the thicker film is smaller. The dependence of the Cody optical gap on the film thickness was negligible.     

Deposition and Characterization of Luminescent Eu(tta)3phen‐Doped Parylene‐Based Thin‐Film Materials

Herein, novel host–guest films produced by coarse vacuum cosublimation of the parylene C dimer and Eu(tta)₃phen are prepared and studied. Eu(tta)₃phen sublimation at different temperatures allows films with different concentrations of the Eu complex to be obtained. The films are characterized by Rutherford backscattering spectrometry (RBS), FTIR spectroscopy, X‐ray diffraction (XRD), atomic force microscopy (AFM), and UV/Vis absorption and emission spectroscopy. RBS, FTIR, and XRD reveal the incorporation of Eu(tta)₃phen into the parylene matrix. AFM evidences the very flat film surface, which is particularly advantageous for optical applications. UV/Vis absorption and emission analyses confirm that the optical properties of Eu(tta)₃phen are preserved in the deposited films. Fluorescence measurements evidence the occurrence of an energy‐transfer process between parylene and Eu(tta)₃phen, and this results in an increase in the light emitted by the Eu complex that is as much as five times higher than that emitted by Eu(tta)₃phen alone.     

不锈钢上液相电沉积类金刚石薄膜

以甲醇有机溶液作碳源,应用直流脉冲电化学沉积方法,在不锈钢表面制备了类金刚石碳薄膜.用原子力显微镜、扫描电镜、拉曼光谱仪和傅立叶红外吸收光谱表征该薄膜的表面形貌和结构.结果表明:经电化学沉积的含氢类金刚石碳薄膜均匀、致密,表面粗糙度小;Raman光谱在1 332.51cm-1处有一强的谱峰,与金刚石的特征谱峰相重合.加入活性添加剂,增加了电流密度,使沉积速率提高到0.5μm/h.     

Synthesis of Octylmethoxycinamate-silica Core-shell Nanoparticles with Self-templating Method

A self-templating method was employed to synthesize core-shell nanoparticles with octylmethoxycinamate(OMC), a well-known organic UV absorber, as core and nanosilica particles as shell. The characteristic of this method is that the whole process requires neither surface treatment for nanosilica particles nor additional surfactant or stabilizer, and all the reactions could be finished in one-pot, which exempts removing template and reduces reaction steps compared to the conventional process. The morphology, structure, particle size distribution, chemical composition and optical property of OMC-SiO2 nanoparticles were characterized by scanning electron microscopy(SEM), transmission electron microscopy(TEM), dynamic light scattering(DLS), FTIR spectrometry and UV absorption spectrometry, respectively. Experiment results indicate that the resulting OMC-SiO2 nanoparticles were perfectly spherical with smooth particle surfaces, and had clear core-shell structures. The particle size could be tuned by altering reaction conditions. In addition, the mechanism of the self-templating method for forming core-shell nanoparticles was discussed.     

衬底温度对用RF-PECVD法制备的非晶硅薄膜光学性能影响

采用射频等离子增强化学气相沉积(RF-PECVD)工艺制备非晶硅(a-Si:H)薄膜, KBr衬底在175-275 ℃范围内变化, 用傅立叶红外光谱仪(FTIR)测试KBr衬底上的薄膜红外光谱峰随衬底温度的变化情况, 结合红外光谱峰的理论分析确定薄膜中氢含量随衬底温度的变化规律. 光谱式椭圆偏振仪中用Forouhi Bloomer (FB)模型拟合得到薄膜的折射率(n), 消光系数(k), 膜厚及光学禁带宽度(Eg), 并用扫描电镜(SEM)断面分析对椭偏仪测试结果的准确性进行验证. 根据Tauc公式推出薄膜的Eg和截止波长, 并和FB模型得到的结果进行了比较, Eg(FB)和Eg(Tauc)的差值在0.015 eV内.     

Characteristics of Sol-Gel SnO2 Films Treated by Ammonia

Tin dioxide thin films prepared by sol-gel dip-coating method with ammonia treatment have been studied. By using X-ray diffraction (XRD), scanning electron microscopy (SEM) and Fourier transform infrared (FTIR) spectroscopy, detailed investigation on the structure and morphology of the films has shown the condensation of Sn-OH and the strengthening of gel network net through ammonia treatment, which leads to the improvement of the adhesion of the films. From the spectral transmission, angular distribution of reflectance and absorption spectrum, the optical properties of the ammonia treated films indicate that the ammonia treated films have a favorable optical performance, and the films are more suitable for acting as antireflective films than the heat-treated films. The ammonia treated films also exhibit higher conductivity compared with the non-treated films.     

Composite thin film by hydrogen-bonding assembly of polymer brush and poly(vinylpyrrolidone)

Based on hydrogen-bonding layer-by-layer (LBL) assembly in aqueous solution, poly(vinylpyrrolidone) (PVPON) and a spherical polymer brush with a poly(methylsilsesquioxane) (PSQ) core and poly(acrylic acid) (PAA) hair chains were used to fabricate composite multilayer thin films. Hydrogen bonding as the driving force was confirmed by FT-IR spectrometry. A simple method (Filmetric F20) was introduced to determine the thickness and refractive index of the films. The film thickness was found to be a linear function of the number of bilayers. The average increase in thickness per bilayer is 28.3 nm. The film morphology was characterized with scanning electron microscopy and atomic force microscopy. The images obtained from the two instruments show a great resemblance. The films were further calcined to get an inorganic film by removing the organic components, or treated with tetrabutylammonium fluoride (TBAF) to remove the PSQ core and get an organic film. The optical properties and morphological changes induced by these treatments were also studied.     

玉米须提取液对尿液中草酸钙晶体形成的影响

本文采用X射线衍射(XRD)、红外光谱(FTIR)、扫描电子显微镜(SEM)等方法分析了玉米须提取液对正常人尿液中草酸钙晶体形成的影响,通过电导率法研究了草酸钙晶体生长的动力学过程,以及从生物矿化的角度对玉米须提取液影响尿液中草酸钙晶体的可能机理进行了探讨。由于玉米须提取液中有机酸或多糖的羟基、羰基等通过配位作用与Ca²⁺结合形成可溶性配位化合物,减少了Ca²⁺与Oxa^2-的结合能力,从而抑制了CaOxa的成核和生长。同时,可能由于玉米须提取液中有效成分与二水草酸钙(COD)的吸附点键合,增强了COD晶体在溶液中的热力学稳定性,进而抑制了COD晶体向热力学更稳定态的一水草酸钙(COM)晶体转变。结果显示,这种抑制作用随玉米须浓度增大而增大,且COD晶体尺寸随着玉米须浓度的增大而减小。玉米须抑制COD晶体向COM晶体转变的作用为开发预防和治疗尿结石的药物提供了启示。     

Presence and racemisation of amino acids in calcium oxalate patinas. A case study from the Baptistery in Parma,Italy

The organic material present in oxalate patinas, collected from the stone external surfaces of the Baptistery in Parma (Italy), was analysed by GC-MS. The high racemisation levels determined for several specific amino acids indicate that microbial activity could contribute to the formation and modification of the organic material leading to the calcium oxalate patinas.     

Synthesis and characterization of novel fluorinated thermoplastic polyurethane with high transmittance and superior physical properties

Three novel series of transparent fluorinated thermoplastic polyurethane (FTPU) elastomers based on 3-isocyanatomethyl-3,5,5-trimethylcyclohexyl isocyanate (IPDI), polytetramethylene glycol (PTMG), polycaprolactone (PCL) and 4,4′-[2,2,2-trifluoro-1-(trifluoromethyl)ethylidene] bisphenol (BPAF) were synthesized by two-step solution polymerization. The FTPU were characterized by Fourier transform infrared spectrometry (FTIR), UV-Visible spectrometry (UV-Vis), wide angle X-ray diffraction (WAXD), atomic force microscopy (AFM), thermogravimetric analysis (TGA), and mechanical tests. The FTIR results indicate that the micro-phase separation and hydrogen bonding strength increase with increasing fluorine content, which are proved by the results of AFM and WAXD. The UV-Vis tests show high transmittance of FTPU films which is affected by crystallization easily. The TGA and mechanical tests indicate that thermal stability and mechanical properties of FTPU are improved significantly with the introduction of BPAF.     

Growth of organic n-conductors on thin polymer films for use in organic field effect transistors

Thin films of different polymers - poly(styrene) (PS), poly(methylmethacrylate) (PMMA), poly(vinylcarbazole) (PVCz), poly(vinylchloride) (PVC) and poly(vinylidene fluoride) (PVDF) - were deposited by spin-coating or by vapor deposition. On these polymers, thin films of (hexadecafluorophthalocyaninato)-oxovanadium (F₁₆PcVO) were prepared by physical vapor deposition. The growth of these films was monitored in situ by optical spectroscopy. The optical absorbance spectra were analyzed based on the coupling of transition dipoles to obtain information on the intermolecular arrangement of chromophores in the films. In all of these samples, the molecules are oriented with their molecular plane preferentially perpendicular to the substrate surface. This gives the desired overlap of the π-systems for electric conductance parallel to the substrate. Differences in the interactions were detected when deposition temperatures below or above the glass transition temperature of a given polymer were compared. The morphology of the polymer films and the deposited semiconductors were investigated by atomic force microscopy and scanning electron microscopy. The influence of the chosen substrate on the film structure is determined. The optical and electric properties of the films could thereby be influenced and the applicability of such films as active layers in organic thin film transistors is discussed.     

In situ sol–gel preparation of high transparent fluorinated polyimide/nano-MgO hybrid films

Hybrid nanocomposite films of magnesium oxide (MgO) in fluorinated polyimide (PI) from 4, 4′-(hexafluoroisopropylidene) diphthalic anhydride (6FDA) and 4, 4′-Diaminodiphenyl ether (ODA) have been successfully fabricated via an in situ sol–gel polymerization technique. The MgO content in hybrid films was varied from 0 to 5 wt%. The hybrid films were characterized by Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR), X-ray diffraction (XRD), field-emission scanning electron microscopy (FESEM), ultraviolet–visible (UV–Vis) spectroscopy and thermal gravimetric analyses (TGA). The results of FTIR, XRD and FESEM showed that the MgO nanoparticles were well dispersed in the polymer matrix due to the coordination between the carbonyl group of polymers and Mg atom, and the as-prepared hybrid films exhibited excellent optical transparency in the visible region and good UV-shielding properties in the UV region. Although the thermal stability of the hybrid films is slight inferior to pure PI, it is still good for the practical application below the temperature of 300 °C.     

Composites of hydrophilic polymers and organic nanocrystals enable enhanced robustness

We describe a new family of composite materials, polymer/organic nanocrystal (ONC) hybrids. These were prepared from soluble ONCs based on perylene diimides (PDI) and water‐soluble polymers (sodium alginate and polyvinyl alcohol). Polymer/ONC films were characterized by optical spectroscopy, electron microscopy, and tensile strength studies. The films show enhanced chemical and mechanical stability due to synergy between the constituents. The hybrid films are stable in both water and organic solvents, unlike the individual components. The ONCs we employed possess nonlinear optical activity (second harmonic generation, SHG); they showed improved photostability (stable SHG under laser light) in the hybrids. Tensile strength enhancement (as high as twofold in the film having just 2.4% ONCs by weight) was observed as revealed by mechanical measurements. Hybrids with aligned ONCs were also prepared using simple extrusion via syringe needle followed by gelation. Employing ONCs in polymeric hybrid materials enables facile fabrication in aqueous media, synergy, chemical, mechanical, and photostability as well as useful photofunction (SHG), introducing a versatile class of composite materials.     

Complexes in polymers IV. FTIR microscopic characterization of thin organic polymer films containing embedded transition-metal carbonyl complexes

Thin films of polystyrene (PS), poly(methyl methacrylate) (PMMA) and polystyrene-polyacrylonitrile copolymer (PS-AN), containing various embedded transition-metal complexes, have been studied by FTIR microscopy. The spatial distributions of the transition-metal carbonyl complexes throughout the thin organic polymer films have been determined by a two-dimensional IR mapping procedure. The spectral variations observed in the distribution of the metal carbonyls throughout the different polymer films are discussed. The IR data show that the technique used to prepare the organometallic-embedded thin films (viz. freeze-drying of solutions followed by hot mechanical pressing of the residues) does in general lead to homogeneous films which may eventually find industrial application, e.g. as membrane sensors for small molecules.     

Applicability of ICP-OES,UV-VIS,and FT-IR Methods for the Analysis of Coffee Products

Spectroscopic methods were applied to study and compare the nutrient composition of ground, instant, and chicory coffee products. The total concentrations of 17 elements, including major (Ca, Mg, P) and trace (As, Ba, Cd, Co, Cr, Cu, Fe, Mn, Ni, Pb, Se, Sr, Ti, Zn) elements were determined in solid samples and infusions from ground coffee by means of inductively coupled plasma atomic optical spectrometry (ICP-OES). For measurement of As and Se levels, hydride generation technique (HG-ICP-OES) was used. The accuracy of the element measurements was verified by the analysis of certified reference materials (tea leaves (INCT-TL-1), apple leaves (1515), and TORT-2). Caffeine was determined by UV spectrometry. Infrared spectroscopy was applied to investigate organic matter of the coffees. Soluble oxalate was determined by a redox titration. Additionally, measurements of some physico-chemical parameters such as moisture, ash, pH, and starch (coffee adulteration) were performed. Differences in the composition of analyzed ground and instant coffees based on the contents of caffeine, oxalate, and minerals such as Cu, Mg, P, and Zn were found. FT-IR spectroscopy was a suitable tool to characterize the presence of caffeine and oxalate.     

Analysis of a coloured Dutch map from the eighteenth century: the need for a multi-analytical spectroscopic approach using portable instrumentation

A Dutch map from the eighteenth century was multi-analytically analysed making use of energy dispersive X-ray fluorescence (EDXRF), Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR), nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR), Raman and scanning electron microscopy coupled to energy dispersive spectrometry (SEM-EDS). The cellulosic support was characterised and its state of conservation was evaluated. Besides, paramagnetic impurities were detected together with copper metallic chips. The colours present in some areas of the map were also analysed. Vermilion, carbon black and organic pigments were found. Surprisingly, in the green areas, the rare presence of the mineral moolooite (copper oxalate) was detected. A possible biological attack is discussed in order to explain the presence of such compound. Almost all of the techniques used in the analysis were portable, non-destructive and non-invasive, which is very desirable when analysing objects belonging to Cultural Heritage. The need for a multi-analytical approach using portable instrumentation is also discussed.     

Rapid magnetic solid phase extraction with in situ derivatization of methylmercury in seawater by Fe3O4/polyaniline nanoparticle

A new Fe(3)O(4)/polyaniline nanoparticle (PANI) material has been successfully developed as magnetic solid-phase extraction sorbent in dispersion mode for the determination of methylmercury (MeHg) in aqueous samples, via quantification by gas chromatography/mass spectrometry (GC-MS). The resultant core-shell magnetic solid-phase extraction nanoparticle (MSPE-NP) sorbent was characterized by scanning electron microscopy (SEM), energy dispersive X-ray spectrometry (EDS) and Fourier transform-infrared (FTIR) spectroscopy. Fe(3)O(4)/PANI composites showed fibrous structure with diameters between 50 and 100 nm for fibers. The MSPE-NP process involved the dispersion of the Fe(3)O(4)/PANI nanoparticles in water samples with sonication, followed by magnetic aided retrieval of the sorbent and then, solvent (hexane) desorption of extracted MeHg for GC-MS analysis. The extraction, derivatization and adsorption conditions were optimized by selecting the appropriate extraction parameters including the amount of sorbent, extraction time, derivatizing reagent volume and extraction solvent. The calibration graph was linear in the concentration range of 0.5-300 ng mL(-1) (R(2)>0.993) with detection limit of 0.1 ng mL(-1) (n=3), while the repeatability was 4.1% (n=5). Enrichment factor was obtained as 91. Seawater sample was analyzed as real sample and good recoveries (>98%) were obtained at different spiked values.     

Preparation and Characterizations of TiO2/Organically Modified Silane Composite Materials Produced by the Sol-Gel Method

TiO₂/organically modified silane (ORMOSIL) composite materials produced by the sol-gel method were studied for optical waveguide applications. High optical quality waveguiding films on different substrates, including silicon, gallium arsenide, silica/silicon substrates, and microscope glass slides, were prepared from high titanium content (0.2 molar) ÿ-glycidoxypropyltrimethoxysilane at low temperature. Scanning electron microscopy (SEM), atomic force microscopy (AFM), differential thermal analysis (DTA), thermal gravimetric analysis (TGA), Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FT-IR) and X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS) have been used to investigate the optical and structural properties of the composite films. The TGA/DTA results showed that the organic compounds in the film would tend to decompose in the temperature range from 200°C to 500°C. SEM and AFM results showed that a dense and porous-free composite material film could be obtained at the heat treatment temperature of 100°C. It was also shown that ORMOSIL is integrated in the glass, providing low shrinkage and high cracking resistance. The propagation loss properties of the composite films were also investigated. About 1.1 dB/cm propagation loss of the planar waveguide film was obtained at the wavelength of 633 nm.