Surface analysis for LiBq4 growing on ITO and CuPc film using atomic force microscopy (AFM) and X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS)

We have investigated the morphology and surface electron states of LiBq₄ deposited on ITO and CuPc/ITO, using atomic force microscopy (AFM) and X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS). The AFM observations indicate that LiBq₄ can form a much more uniform film on CuPc than that on ITO. Furthermore, X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS) is utilized to further demonstrate the AFM results. From the analysis of XPS, we found that LiBq₄ molecules have poor thermal stability, they are seriously oxidized during depositing; but when a CuPc layer is inserted between LiBq₄ and ITO film, the oxidation and surface contamination of LiBq₄ are significantly reduced. It is then concluded that the introduction of a CuPc buffer layer under the LiBq₄ film can improve the film quality of LiBq₄.The XPS results also testified the fact that no coordination bonds between N atoms and B atoms are formed in LiBq₄ molecules, which make LiBq₄ to be potential blue organic light-emitting material.     

Silicide formation in Co/Si system investigated by depth-resolved positron annihilation and X-ray diffraction

The transformation of Co/Si to CoSi₂/Si in the temperature range of 300-1170 K has been investigated using depth-resolved positron annihilation and Glancing incidence X-ray diffraction (GIXRD). The different silicide phases formed are identified from the experimental positron annihilation characteristics, which are consistent with the GIXRD results. The present study clearly indicates the absence of vacancy defects in the silicide overlayer.     

Study of nitrogen ion implantation and diffusion phenomena on thin chromium layers followed by the atomic force microscopy and secondary ion mass spectroscopy techniques characterization

This research investigates the effect of ion implantation dosage level and further thermal treatment on the physical characteristics of chromium coatings on Si(1 1 1) substrates. Chromium films had been exposed to nitrogen ion fluencies of 1 × 10¹⁷, 3 × 10¹⁷, 6 × 10¹⁷ and 10 × 10¹⁷ N⁺ cm⁻² with a 15 keV energy level. Obtained samples had been heat treated at 450 °C at a pressure of 2 × 10⁻² Torr in an argon atmosphere for 30 h. Atomic force microscopy (AFM) images showed significant increase in surface roughness as a result of nitrogen ion fluence increase. Secondary ion mass spectroscopy (SIMS) studies revealed a clear increased accumulation of Cr₂N phase near the surface as a result of higher N⁺ fluence. XRD patterns showed preferred growth of [0 0 2] and [1 1 1] planes of Cr₂N phase as a result of higher ion implantation fluence. These results had been explained based on the nucleation-growth of Cr₂N phase and nitrogen atoms diffusion history during the thermal treatment process.     

SiC纤维增强Ti17合金复合材料轴向残余应力的拉曼光谱和X射线衍射法对比研究

准确测量和分析SiC纤维增强Ti合金复合材料(SiC_f/Ti)中残余应力状态对优化复合材料的成型工艺和理解其失效模式具有重要意义,但其残余应力的实验测量和分析仍是一个挑战.石墨C涂层作为SiC纤维与Ti17基体合金之间必需的扩散障涂层,承载了由纤维与基体之间热不匹配引入的残余应力.本文采用显微拉曼光谱法对比测量纤维表面C涂层在复合材料中和去掉基体无应力态下G峰的峰位,通过石墨C涂层应力态下峰位移动计算出SiCf/C/Ti17复合材料中SiC纤维受到～705.0 MPa的残余压应力.采用X射线衍射方法测量了不同方向上该复合材料中基体钛合金的晶面间距以获取其空间应变,根据三轴应力模型分析了复合材料中基体钛合金沿轴向方向的残余应力为～701.3 MPa的张应力,并通过线性弹性理论转化为SiC纤维的残余压应力为～759.4 MPa.两种测试方法都确定了SiC纤维在成型过程中受到残余压应力,且获得的应力值较为接近,都可以用于对SiC_f/Ti复合材料的残余应力测量.     

纳米Cu固体材料的X射线衍射与正电子湮没研究

 采用自悬浮-冷压法,在不同压力下制得纳米Cu固体材料并对其在不同温度和保温时间下进行退火,利用X射线衍射(XRD)和正电子湮没寿命谱(PAS)分析对材料的结构和微观缺陷进行了表征。XRD分析表明,压制而得的样品晶粒度为20 nm,低于300 ℃退火3 h后并未发现晶粒显著长大;PAS分析表明,压制后的样品缺陷主要为单空位和空位团,大空隙很少,随着退火温度的升高和退火时间的延长,单空位通过扩散结合成空位团,大空隙也在温度较高时分解为空位团,导致空位团的含量增加,而单空位和大空隙的含量降低。     

Observation of multicellular spinning behavior of Proteus mirabilis by atomic force microscopy and multifunctional microscopy

This study aimed to observe the multicellular spinning behavior of Proteus mirabilis by atomic force microscopy (AFM) and multifunctional microscopy in order to understand the mechanism underlying this spinning movement and its biological significance. Multifunctional microscopy with charge-coupled device (CCD) and real-time AFM showed changes in cell structure and shape of P. mirabilis during multicellular spinning movement. Specifically, the morphological characteristics of P. mirabilis, multicellular spinning dynamics, and unique movement were observed. Our findings indicate that the multicellular spinning behavior of P. mirabilis may be used to collect nutrients, perform colonization, and squeeze out competitors. The movement characteristics of P. mirabilis are vital to the organism's biological adaptability to the surrounding environment.     

原子力显微镜与x射线光电子能谱对LiBq4/ITO和LiBq4/CuPc/ITO的表面分析

利用原子力显微镜对8-羟基喹啉硼化锂(LiBq₄)/铟锡氧化物和8-羟基喹啉硼化锂/酞菁铜(CuPc)/铟锡氧化物表面分别进行了扫描，显示了LiBq₄在不同衬底上的形貌差异，并进一步利用样品表面的x射线光电子能谱图验证了这一差异.实验表明，CuPc层的加入改善了LiBq₄的成膜质量，并将这种改善归因于分子构型与电子亲和势的不同. 关键词： 原子力显微镜 x射线光电子能谱 电子亲和势     

Atomic force microscopy and X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy characterization of low-energy ion sputtered mica

We report for the first time on muscovite mica surfaces nanostructured by a low-energy defocused Ar ion beam: ripple structures self-organize on macroscopic areas, with wavelength and roughness in the range 40-140 nm and 0.5-15 nm respectively, according to ions dose. In detail we address structural and chemical variations of the surface layer induced by sputtering. X-ray Photoelectron Spectroscopy (XPS) survey spectra reveal selective sputtering and Al surface enrichment whereas Atomic Force Microscopy (AFM) force-spectroscopy experiments indicate reduced charging of irradiated specimens under aqueous electrolyte solutions. Such experimental evidences contribute to clarify the chemical and physical properties of nanostructured mica samples, in view of their potential use as templates for aligned deposition of organic molecules and investigations on nanolubrication phenomena.     

I-V curve oscillation observed by atomic force microscopy

Oscillation on the current-voltage curve measured by atomic force microscopy is observed when the distance between the tip and sample is large enough and beyond a critical value. The appearance of the oscillation is attributed to the excitation of electron standing waves between the tip and sample. From the first peak position and the voltage difference between the first two peaks on the current-voltage curve, the value of the work function at the detected point on silver film surface and the distance between the tip and the detected point can be calculated.     

纳米Cu固体材料的X射线衍射与正电子湮没研究

采用自悬浮-冷压法,在不同压力下制得纳米Cu固体材料并对其在不同温度和保温时间下进行退火,利用X射线衍射(XRD)和正电子湮没寿命谱(PAS)分析对材料的结构和微观缺陷进行了表征。XRD分析表明,压制而得的样品晶粒度为20 nm,低于300 ℃退火3 h后并未发现晶粒显著长大;PAS分析表明,压制后的样品缺陷主要为单空位和空位团,大空隙很少,随着退火温度的升高和退火时间的延长,单空位通过扩散结合成空位团,大空隙也在温度较高时分解为空位团,导致空位团的含量增加,而单空位和大空隙的含量降低。     

Investigations of C60 molecules deposited on Si(111) by noncontact atomic force microscopy

We demonstrated the high resolution imaging of the organic molecules using noncontact atomic force microscopy in ultrahigh vacuum. The sample was C₆₀ molecules deposited on the Si(111)-7×7 reconstructed surface. When the thickness of the C₆₀ film was submonolayer, we could image some isolated C₆₀ molecules and the reconstructed Si surface simultaneously. However, the imaging was highly unstable not only because of the large structure but also due to the large difference between the interaction forces on the molecules and on the Si surface. On the other hand, when the thickness of the C₆₀ molecules was almost monolayer, individual molecules could be stably imaged.     

Noncontact atomic force microscopy: Bond imaging and beyond

It was a long-cherished dream for chemists to take a direct look at chemical bonding, a fundamental component of chemistry. This dream was finally accomplished by the state-of-the-art noncontact atomic force microscopy (NC-AFM) equipped with qPlus force sensors and carbon monoxide (CO) functionalized tips. The resolved interconnectivity between atoms and molecules in NC-AFM frequency shift images is interpreted as chemical bonding, providing essential knowledge of the bond length, bond angle and even bond order. The featured contrast of different chemical bonds can serve as fingerprints for further interpretation of chemical structures toward unknown species synthesized on surfaces. This breakthrough enriches characterization tools for surface science and brings our understanding of on-surface reactions to a new level. Beyond bond imaging, the application of NC-AFM has been extended to quantifying interatomic interactions, identifying three-dimensional nanostructures, manipulating molecules and reactions, as well as determining molecular electronic characteristics. Moreover, some recent efforts address the improvement of the usability and versatility of the bond-resolved NC-AFM technique, including high-resolution molecular investigation on bulk insulators, application-specific tip modification, stable bond imaging above liquid helium temperature and autonomous experimentation implemented by artificial intelligence.     

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.     

Monitoring of mechanical properties of serially passaged bovine articular chondrocytes by atomic force microscopy

Atomic force microscopy (AFM) is a powerful tool in imaging cells and tissues and probing their mechanical properties. Articular chondrocytes, the cells responsible for the production and maintenance of cartilaginous extracellular matrix in the knee joint, change their morphology and dedifferentiate during in vitro expansion culture. It was unclear if the mechanical properties of chondrocytes change accompanying phenotype variation. The elasticity of in vitro serially cultured bovine articular chondrocytes was investigated using AFM. The chondrocytes changed their morphology from round to spindle-like. The freeze-dried P0 chondrocytes showed significantly higher modulus than did the serially passaged (P1–P4) chondrocytes. The change of chondrocyte morphology was accompanied with a decrease of elastic modulus.     

Characterization of phase transformation in shape memory alloys by atomic force microscope

An atomic force microscope operated at various temperatures is introduced to evaluate phase transformation temperature and to observe microstructure for a shape memory alloy at same time in this paper. A commercial hot-rolled TiNi shape memory alloy bar is ground, polished and etched. The specimen is then observed by atomic force microscopy at the temperature range of 20–100 C in nitrogen gas. The topographies of a TiNi specimen show twinning martensite with rough surface and smooth austenite at various temperatures. The shape memory effect of the TiNi alloy is analyzed based on the shifts of the topographies obtained at various temperatures, which are used to evaluate the phase transformation temperature between martensite and austenite. The phase transformation temperature is also confirmed in a differential scanning calorimeter (DSC) experiment.     

Interpretation of scanning tunneling microscopy and atomic force microscopy images of 1T-TiS2

The surface of 1T-TiS₂ was examined by scanning tunneling microscopy (STM) and atomic force microscopy (AFM). The STM and AFM images of this compound were interpreted on the basis of the partial electron density ρ(r,E_F) and total electron density ρ(r) of a slab which consists of six (001) 1T-TiS₂ layers. Electronic structure calculations were performed using the ab-initio Hartree–Fock program crystal. It was found that the bright spots in experimental STM images correspond to sulfur atoms at both positive and negative bias voltages. The AFM image showed a periodicity which can be explained by the atomic corrugation at the surface. Structural defects on the surface were also investigated, and their interpretation constitutes experimental proof that only sulfur atoms were detected by scanning probe microscopies.     

Binding studies of costunolide and dehydrocostuslactone with HSA by spectroscopy and atomic force microscopy

Human serum albumin (HSA), a major plasma protein and plasma-derived therapeutic, interacts with a wide variety of drugs and native plasma metabolites. In this study the interactions of costunolide (CE) and dehydrocostuslactone (DE) with HSA were investigated by molecule modeling, atomic force microscopy (AFM), and different optical techniques. In the mechanism discussion, it was proved that fluorescence quenching of HSA by both of the drugs is a result of the formation of drug-HSA complexes. Binding parameters for the reactions were determined according to the Stern-Volmer equation and static quenching. The results of thermodynamic parameters ΔG⁰, ΔH⁰, and ΔS⁰ at different temperatures indicated that hydrogen bonding interactions play a major role in the drug-HSA associations process. The binding properties were further studied by quantitative analysis of CD, FTIR, and Raman spectra. Furthermore, AFM results showed that the dimension of HSA molecules became more swollen after binding with the drugs.     

DNA adsorption and desorption on mica surface studied by atomic force microscopy

The adsorption of DNA molecules on mica surface and the following desorption of DNA molecules at ethanol-mica interface were studied using atomic force microscopy. By changing DNA concentration, different morphologies on mica surface have been observed. A very uniform and orderly monolayer of DNA molecules was constructed on the mica surface with a DNA concentration of 30 ng/μL. When the samples were immersed into ethanol for about 15 min, various desorption degree of DNA from mica (0-99%) was achieved. It was found that with the increase of DNA concentration, the desorption degree of DNA from the mica at ethanol-mica interface decreased. And when the uniform and orderly DNA monolayers were formed on the mica surface, almost no DNA molecule desorbed from the mica surface in this process. The results indicated that the uniform and orderly DNA monolayer is one of the most stable DNA structures formed on the mica surface. In addition, we have studied the structure change of DNA molecules after desorbed from the mica surface with atomic force microscopy, and found that the desorption might be ascribed to the ethanol-induced DNA condensation.     

Study on the interactions between anti-cancer drug oxaliplatin and DNA by atomic force microscopy

Oxaliplatin is one of the most important anticancer drugs at present. However, the mechanism of action of oxaliplatin is still controversial. In this study, the interactions between oxaliplatin and a plasmid DNA have been studied so as to reveal the structural basis of its activity. The structural characteristic of pUC19 DNA (2 ng/μL) incubated with 100 μmol/L and 1000 μmol/L of oxaliplatin for the different time on a freshly cleaved highly ordered pyrolytic graphite (HOPG) surface was investigated by atomic force microscopy (AFM). High resolution AFM observation indicated that oxaliplatin can induce pUC19 DNA molecules change from the extended conformation to the entangled structures with many nodes, and finally to the compact particles. The present AFM results provide structural evidence about the interactions between oxaliplatin and circular duplex DNA containing multiple targets.     

Deoxyribonucleic acid and chromatin imaging of endometriosis and endometrial carcinoma using atomic force microscopy

Abstract

Introduction: Clinical differential diagnosis of endometrial carcinoma is challenging, as signs and symptoms may vary considerably and there is a lack of reliable diagnostic serum biomarkers.

Aim of the study: The aim of our work was to characterize the deoxyribonucleic acid and chromatin changes in the tissue of patients confirmed to be suffering from endometriosis and endometrial adenocarcinoma and compare it with a healthy control group.

Material and methods: All samples were collected during recommended surgical interventions, and after the DNA isolation, a sonification followed by crosslink of chromatin were done. Consequently, both DNA and chromatin were examined using atomic force microscopy.

Results: A chromatin immunoprecipitation was used for the in vivo observation of conformational chromatin changes. The width of ssDNA showed a significant difference, almost double the control value in the endometrial cancer sample versus control (by 73?±?5% wider, p?<?0.001). In contrast, the height of ssDNA was highest in the frozen pelvis patient sample (by 510?±?12% compared to control, p?<?0.01).

Conclusion: Our results suggest that the horizontal size of single-stranded deoxyribonucleic acid and nucleosomes can help to identify potential patients with endometrial adenocarcinoma, while the height of the same parameter is associated with endometriosis.