Theoretical study of ZnO adsorption and bonding on Al_2O_3(0001) surface

Sapphire (α-Al2O3) and silicon (Si) are widely applied as the substrates of the highquality ZnO thin films prepared by pulse laser deposition (PLD) and molecule beamepitaxy (MBE) technology. The adhesion, diffusivity, and bonding of the particles on thesubstrates play a significant role in the forming and initial growing of nucleation for filmgrowth, and directly influence the quality of the entire thin films[1]. No sufficient studiesand experiments are available on the surface atomic str…     

温度对ZnO/Al2O3(0001)界面的吸附、扩散及生长初期模式的影响

构建了一个ZnO沉积在α-Al₂O₃(0001)表面生长初期的模型，采用基于密度泛函理论的平面波超软赝势法进行了动力学模拟.发现在400，600和800℃的条件下界面原子有不同的扩散能力，因此温度对ZnO/α-Al₂O₃(0001)表面界面结构以及ZnO薄膜生长初期模式有决定性的影响.在整个ZnO吸附生长过程中，O原子的扩散系数大于Zn原子的扩散系数，O原子的层间扩散对薄膜的均匀生长起着重要作用.进一步从理论计算上证实了ZnO在蓝宝石(0001)上两种生长模式的存在，400℃左右生长模式主要是Zn螺旋扭曲生长，具有Zn六角平面对称特征，且有利于Zn原子位于最外表面.600℃左右呈现为比较规则的层状生长，且有利于O原子位于最外表面.模拟观察到在ZnO薄膜临近Al₂O₃基片表面处，Zn的空位缺陷明显多于O的空位缺陷. 关键词： 扩散 薄膜生长 2O₃(0001)')" href="#">α-Al₂O₃(0001) ZnO     

One-step synthesis of colloidal Mn<Subscript>3</Subscript>O<Subscript>4</Subscript> and γ-Fe<Subscript>2</Subscript>O<Subscript>3</Subscript> nanoparticles at room temperature

A facile room-temperature synthesis has been developed to prepare colloidal Mn₃O₄ and γ-Fe₂O₃ nanoparticles (5 to 25 nm) by an ultrasonic-assisted method in the absence of any additional nucleation and surfactant. The morphology of the as-prepared samples was observed by transmission electron microscopy. High-resolution transmission electron microscopy observations revealed that the as-synthesized nanoparticles were single crystals. The magnetic properties of the samples were investigated with a superconducting quantum interference device magnetometer. The possible formation process has been proposed.     

Structural investigation on PEO-based polymer electrolytes dispersed with Al<Subscript>2</Subscript>O<Subscript>3</Subscript> nanoparticles

Thin solid polymer electrolytes based on polyethylene oxide (PEO) and silver triflate (AgCF₃SO₃) dispersed with various concentrations of aluminum oxide (Al₂O₃) nanoparticles have been prepared by solution casting technique. These thin polymer films are found to have thickness of the order of 30 to 100 μm. The X-ray diffraction (XRD) patterns have indicated the amorphous nature of the polymer electrolyte. The differential scanning calorimeter (DSC) traces showed slight change in the glass transition temperature (T _g) whereas the degree of crystallization (X _c) decreases markedly due to the addition of alumina nanoparticles. Fourier transform infrared (FTIR) spectral analysis of all these samples has revealed the presence of absorption bands around 1,000 cm⁻¹; thus indicating the complexation of silver ions with oxygen in PEO. Employing the Wagner’s polarization technique as the standard method, the total ionic transference number for the complexed polymer electrolyte was found to be approximately unity thereby revealing that the significant contribution to electrical conduction was due to ions only. Paper presented at the Third International Conference on Ionic Devices (ICID 2006), Chennai, Tamilnadu, India, December 7–9, 2006     

Investigation on structural characteristics of PVDF–AgCF<Subscript>3</Subscript>SO<Subscript>3</Subscript>–Al<Subscript>2</Subscript>O<Subscript>3</Subscript> nanocomposite solid polymer electrolyte system

There has been an increasing interest towards the incorporation of nanosize ceramic fillers in polymer electrolytes. Solid polymer electrolytes based on polyvinylidene fluoride (PVDF), silver triflate (AgCF₃SO₃), and x wt% of aluminum oxide (Al₂O₃) nanopowders (where x = 1, 3, 5, and 10, respectively) have been prepared using solution casting technique. The structural characteristics of these thin film specimens were studied using Fourier transform infrared (FTIR) and X-ray diffraction (XRD) patterns at room temperature. The appearance of new absorption bands and gradual shifts observed in some characteristic peaks confirmed the complex formation between polyvinylidene fluoride and silver triflate. Furthermore, the addition of nanosized filler Al₂O₃ has also indicated the interaction of the filler with the polymer salt complex. The XRD patterns obtained for all these samples in the 2θ range 10° to 70° showed the amorphous nature of these samples. Paper presented at the Third International Conference on Ionic Devices (ICID 2006), Chennai, Tamilnadu, India, December 7–9, 2006.     

Optical transmission of ceramic shielding blocks made from Al<Subscript>2</Subscript>O<Subscript>3</Subscript>

We have studied the transmission of bulk Al₂O₃ ceramic used as heat shields for the working chamber of a turbine. We have established that radiation scattered from such an object has a pronounced speckle structure, while the scattering indicatrix is the same as the indicatrix for an ideal scatterer. We show that existing highpower semiconductor laser sources make it possible to penetrate sufficiently deeply into such materials, and the small transmission coefficient is not the limiting factor for development of optical methods for inspecting the quality of ceramic shielding blocks. __________ Translated from Zhurnal Prikladnoi Spektroskopii, Vol. 74, No. 2, pp. 237–240, March–April, 2007.     

TiO2分子在GaN(0001)表面吸附的理论研究

采用基于密度泛函理论的平面波超软赝势法,计算了TiO₂分子在GaN(0001)表面的吸附成键过程、吸附能量和吸附位置. 计算结果表明不同初始位置的TiO₂分子吸附后,Ti在fcc或hcp位置,两个O原子分别与表面两个Ga原子成键,Ga-O化学键表现出共价键特征,化学结合能达到7.932-7.943eV,O-O连线与GaN[1120]方向平行,与实验观测(100)[001] TiO₂//(0001)[1120]GaN一致. 通过动力学过程计算分析,TiO₂分子吸附过程经历了物理吸附、化学吸附与稳定态形成的过程,稳定吸附结构和优化结果一致. 关键词： GaN(0001)表面 2分子')" href="#">TiO₂分子 密度泛函理论 吸附     

Surface morphology of PrBa<Subscript>2</Subscript>Cu<Subscript>3</Subscript>O<Subscript>7-δ</Subscript> single crystals after the long-lasting high-temperature reduction

The results of the detailed scanning electron microscopy study of PrBa₂Cu₃O_7-δ single crystals after the long-lasting high-temperature post-growth treatment are reported. The presence of the unstable decomposition products on the crystal surface indicates that the onset of superconductivity must be related to the structural transformations in the bulk (approximately 20% of the total volume of the examined crystals). The time-dependent character of the superconductivity in the Pr-123 crystals could be attributed to the migration of defects in the Pr−Ba sublattice from the bulk toward the surface.     

Study of structural phase transitions in YBa<Subscript>2</Subscript>Cu<Subscript>3</Subscript>O<Subscript>6+δ</Subscript> by x-ray photoelectron spectroscopy

We have used x-ray photoelectron spectroscopy to investigate the charge state of oxygen found in the basal structural plane of YBa₂Cu₃O₆+γ.. We have observed a change in this state after thermal treatment, with a transition to the adjacent structural phase region. We have shown that changes in the charge state of oxygen can be used as an indicator of structural changes occurring in YBa₂Cu₃O₆+δ.. We have found that the rate of structural relaxation yttrium barium cuprate depends on the amount of structural water it contains. __________ Translated from Zhurnal Prikladnoi Spektroskopii, Vol. 74, No. 2, pp. 195–198, March–April, 2007.     

Up-conversion emissions of Er<Superscript>3+</Superscript>-Yb<Superscript>3+</Superscript> codoped Al<Subscript>2</Subscript>O<Subscript>3</Subscript> nanoparticles by the arc discharge synthesis method

The Er³⁺-Yb³⁺ codoped Al₂O₃ nanoparticles with an average particle size of about 50 nm have been synthesized by an arc discharge synthesis method. The green and red up-conversion emissions centered at about 526, 547 and 677 nm, corresponding respectively to the ²H_11/2→⁴I_15/2, ⁴S_3/2→⁴I_15/2 and ⁴F_9/2→⁴I_15/2 transitions of Er³⁺, were detected by a 978-nm semiconductor laser diode excitation. The Annealing has evident effect on the up-conversion emissions of the samples: The red up-conversion emission is noticeable before annealing; however, the green up-conversion emission becomes predominant after annealing. The mixture of (Er,Yb)₃Al₅O₁₂ and α-(Al,Er,Yb)₂O₃ phases is more favorable for green up-conversion emissions due to an enhancement of the ESA (I) of ⁴I_11/2+a photon→⁴F_7/2 and ET (III) of ²F_5/2(Yb³⁺)+⁴I_11/2(Er³⁺)→²F_7/2(Yb³⁺)+⁴F_7/2(Er³⁺) processes. The two-photon absorption up-conversion process is involved in the green and red up-conversion emissions. The results have proved that arc discharge synthesis is a new promising preparation technology for optical materials. Supported by National Natural Science Foundation of China (Grant No. 10804015), the Scientific Research Foundation for Doctor of Liaoning Province (Grant No. 20071095), and the Educational Committee Foundation of Liaoning Province (Grant No. 2008123)     

Preparation of TiO<Subscript>2</Subscript>-coated LiCo<Subscript>1/3</Subscript>Ni<Subscript>1/3</Subscript>Mn<Subscript>1/3</Subscript>O<Subscript>2</Subscript> by electrostatic self-assembly method and its properties

A precursor of TiO₂–LiCo_1/3Ni_1/3Mn_1/3O₂ was prepared by electrostatic self-assembly method. The final product was obtained by heating the precursor at 400–450 °C for 4–6 h in air. X-ray diffraction (XRD), scanning electron microscope (SEM), X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS), and electrochemical tests were used to examine the structural, morphology, elementary valence, and electrochemical characteristics. XRD indicated that the TiO₂-coated material can be indexed by α-NaFeO₂ layered structure, which belongs to hexagonal-type space group R3m. XPS results confirmed the existence of TiO₂ compound on the surface of the coated sample. The SEM image showed that the material had spherically porous morphology with the uniform size about 6 μm. The initial charge–discharge capacity of the TiO₂-coated LiCo_1/3Ni_1/3Mn_1/3O₂ material was 168.8/160.0 mAh/g. After 60 cycles, the discharge capacity of the TiO₂-coated LiCo_1/3Ni_1/3Mn_1/3O₂ sample was 147.0 mAh/g, and the coulombic efficiency was 94.0%. Compared with the uncoated sample, the electrochemical performance of TiO₂-coated LiCo_1/3Ni_1/3Mn_1/3O₂ was improved.     

Synthesis of ZnAl<Subscript>2</Subscript>O<Subscript>4</Subscript>/α-Al<Subscript>2</Subscript>O<Subscript>3</Subscript> complex substrates and growth of GaN films

With the solid phase reaction between pulsed-laser-deposited (PLD) ZnO film and α-Al₂O₃ substrate, ZnAl₂O₄/α-Al₂O₃ complex substrates were synthesized. X-ray diffraction (XRD) spectra show that as the reaction proceeds, ZnAl₂O₄ changes from the initial (111)-oriented single crystal to poly-crystal, and then to inadequate (111) orientation. Corresponding scanning electron microscope (SEM) images indicate that the surface morphology of ZnAl₂O₄ transforms from uniform islands to stick structures, and then to bulgy-line structures. In addition, XRD spectra present that ZnAl₂O₄ prepared at low temperature is unstable at the environment of higher temperature. On the as-obtained ZnAl₂O₄/α-Al₂O₃ substrates, GaN films were grown without any nitride buffer using light-radiation heating low-pressure MOCVD (LRH-LP-MOCVD). XRD spectra indicate that GaN film on this kind of complex substrate changes fromc-axis single crystal to poly-crystal as ZnAl₂O₄ layer is thickened. For the single crystal GaN, its full width at half maximum (FWHM) of X-ray rocking curve is 0.4°. Results indicate that islands on thin ZnAl₂O₄ layer can promote nucleation at initial stage of GaN growth, which leads to the (0001)-oriented GaN film.     

α-Al2O3(0001)基片表面结构与能量研究

对α-Al₂O₃(0001)晶体表层三种不同终止原子结构的计算模型， 在三维周期边界条件下 的κ空间中，采用超软赝势平面波函数描述多电子体系.应用基于密度泛函理论的局域密度 近似，计算了不同表层结构的体系能量，表明最表层终止原子为单层Al的表面结构最稳定. 对由10个原子组成的菱形原胞进行了结构优化，得到晶胞参数值(a₀＝0.48178n m)与实验 报道值误差小于1.3%.进一步计算了超晶胞(2×2)表面弛豫，弛豫后原第2层O原子层成为最 表层； 对不同表层O，Al原子最外层电子进行了布居分析，表面电子有更大的概率被定域在 O原子的周围，表面明显地表现出O原子的电子表面态. 关键词： 2O₃(0001)')" href="#">α-Al₂O₃(0001) 超软赝势 表面结构 表面态     

Tunable optical parametric oscillator based on a KTP crystal,pumped by a pulsed Ti<Superscript>3+</Superscript>:Al<Subscript>2</Subscript>O<Subscript>3</Subscript> laser

We present the characteristics of an optical parametric oscillator based on a KTP crystal, pumped with noncritical phase matching by a pulsed Ti³⁺:Al₂O₃ laser, tunable in the range 677–970 nm. Tunable generation of signal and idler waves is obtained in the ranges 1030–1390 nm and 2690–3050 nm respectively. The efficiency of conversion of the pump to the signal wave is ≈23%, which for pulses of duration ≈8 nsec ensures an energy in the range 1.0–11.5 mJ. The width of the emission spectrum for the signal wave is within the range 0.8–1.8 nm and is predominantly determined by the linewidth of the Ti³⁺:Al₂O₃ pump laser. __________ Translated from Zhurnal Prikladnoi Spektroskopii, Vol. 74, No. 3, pp. 351–356, May–June, 2007.     

ZnO(0001)表面吸附B的电子结构和光学性质研究

采用基于密度泛函理论的总体能量平面波超软赝势方法,结合广义梯度近似,对清洁ZnO(0001)表面及B/ZnO(0001)吸附体系进行了几何结构优化,计算了B/ZnO(0001)吸附体系的吸附能、能带结构、电子态密度和光学性质.计算结果表明:B在ZnO(0001)表面最稳定的吸附位置是T₄位.吸附后B/ZnO(0001)吸附体系表面带隙有所减小,表面态的组成发生变化,n型导电特性有一定程度的减弱,同时,对紫外光的吸收能力显著增强. 关键词： ZnO(0001)表面 B吸附 电子结构 光学性质     

Effect of excess Y<Subscript>2</Subscript>O<Subscript>3</Subscript> addition on the physical properties of melt processed YBCO bulks

The YBCO superconductors with Y₂O₃ addition were prepared by a modified melt textured process and the effects of excess Y₂O₃ addition on the physical properties of melt textured YBCO have been investigated. It is found that the melt temperature of YBCO samples decreases drastically with the increasing Y₂O₃, and the maximum levitation forces are drastically different for samples with different Y₂O₃ addition. It is also found that the optimal Y₂O₃ addition to YBCO is about 10wt%. Considering the microstructure and the starting composition, the results are well discussed and interpreted.     

DFT study of BaTiO<Subscript>3</Subscript> (001) surface with O and O<Subscript>2</Subscript> adsorption

Progress of scanning tunneling microscopy (STM) allowed to handle various molecules adsorbed on a given surface. New concepts emerged with molecules on surfaces considered as nano machines by themselves. In this context, a thorough knowledge of surfaces and adsorbed molecules at an atomic scale is thus particularly invaluable. In this work, within the framework of density functional theory (DFT), we present an electronic and structural ab initio study of a BaTiO₃ (001) surface (perovskite structure) in its paraelectric phase. As far as we know the atomic and molecular adsorption of oxygen at surface is then analyzed for the first time in the literature. Relaxation is taken into account for several layers. Its analysis for a depth of at least four layers enables us to conclude that a reasonable approximation for a BaTiO₃ (001) surface is provided with a slab made up of nine plans. The relative stability of two possible terminations is considered. By using a kinetic energy cut off of 400 eV, we found that a surface with BaO termination is more stable than with TiO₂ termination. Consequently, a surface with BaO termination was chosen to adsorb either O atom or O₂ molecule and the corresponding calculations were performed with a coverage 1 on a (1×1) cell. A series of cases with O₂ molecule adsorbed in various geometrical configurations are also analyzed. For O₂, the most favorable adsorption is obtained when the molecule is placed horizontally, with its axis, directed along the Ba-Ba axis and with its centre of gravity located above a Ba atom. The corresponding value of the adsorption energy is -9.70 eV per molecule (-4.85 eV per O atom). The molecule is then rather extended since the O–O distance measures 1.829 ?. By comparison, the adsorption energy of an O atom directly located above a Ba atom is only -3.50 eV. Therefore we are allowed to conclude that the O–O interaction stabilizes atomic adsorption. Also the local densities of states (LDOS) corresponding to various situations are discussed in the present paper. Up to now, we are not aware of experimental data to be compared to our calculated results.     

Water adsorption on the Be(0001) surface: from monomer to trimer adsorption

In this paper, the density functional theory has been used to perform a comparative theoretical study of water monomer, dimer, trimer, and bilayer adsorptions on the Be(0001) surface. In our calculations, the adsorbed water molecules are energetically favoured adsorbed on the atop sites, and the dimer adsorption is found to be the most stable with a peak adsorption energy of ～437 meV. Further analyses have revealed that the essential bonding interaction between the water monomer and the metal substrate is the hybridization of the water 3a₁-like molecular orbital with the (s, p_z) orbitals of the surface beryllium atoms. While in the case of the water dimer adsorption, the 1b₁-like orbital of the H₂O molecule plays a dominant role.     

Theoretical study of NO<Stack><Subscript>3</Subscript><Superscript>−</Superscript></Stack> interacting with carbon nanotube

This paper deals with quantum mechanical interaction of no ₃⁻ with (5,5) and (8,0) swcnts. To perform this we have made an ab initio calculation based on the density functional theory. In these framework the electronic density plays a central role and it was obtained of a self-consistent field form. It was observed through binding energy that NO₃⁻ molecule interacts with each nanotube in a physisorption regime. We propose these swcnts as a potential filter device due to reasonable interaction with NO₃⁻ molecule. Besides this type of filter could be reusable, therefore after the filtering, the swcnts could be separated from NO₃⁻ molecule.      

A Sensitive Resonance Scattering Spectral Assay for the Determination of Trace H<Subscript>2</Subscript>O<Subscript>2</Subscript> Based on the HRP Catalytic Reaction and Nanogold Aggregation

Gold nanoparticles in size of 15 nm exhibit a resonance scattering (RS) peak at 580 nm, in pH 6.4 citrate buffer solutions. Horseradish peroxidase (HRP) strongly catalyzed the H2O2 oxidation of o-phenylenediamine to form an intergradation of cyclohexa-3, 5-diene-1, 2-diylidenediamine and the product of 2, 3-diaminophenazin. Both cause gold nanoparticles aggregations to enhance the RS intensity at 580 nm greatly. Under the optimal conditions, the concentration of H2O2 (C) in the range of 0.08-2.2 micromol/l was proportional to the enhanced RS intensity at 580 nm (DeltaI580 nm). Its regression equation was DeltaI580 nm=46.8C+3.4, with a correlation coefficient of 0.9983 and a detection limit of 0.03 micromol/l H2O2. This new RS spectral method was applied to the determination of H2O2 in water samples with satisfactory results.