Area-selective microscale metallization on porous anodic oxide film of aluminium

A new method for micropatterning of metallic patterns on porous anodic oxide film of aluminium is described. The porous anodic oxide film was impregnated with organic dye and palladium ions before the hydrothermal pore-sealing. The surface layers formed during the pore-sealing, i.e. outer acicular hydroxide layer and a compact intermediate sub-layer trap the palladium ion underneath the layers. Exposing the palladium enriched area by the help of laser beam followed by electroless nickel deposition results the deposition of nickel on the laser-exposed part. Thickness of the deposits can be up to about 2–3 μm, after about the 20 min of immersion in electroless nickel plating bath. The metallic micropatterns, formed by the method are crack free, smooth and uniform over extended length.     

Molecular orientation and film morphology of pentacene on native silicon oxide surface

The growth morphology and mechanism of pentacene films on native Si oxide surface have been studied by using high-resolution electron energy loss spectroscopy (HREELS), X-ray diffraction (XRD), and atomic force microscopy (AFM). Despite the good agreement between our own and the reported XRD results, the previous XRD interpretation that the pentacene molecules are tilt-standing on the substrate cannot explain our HREELS data. The HREELS results show that a substantial portion of the first two layers of pentacene molecules are tilted-standing or randomly oriented, whereas the upper-layer molecules are mostly lying flat to the substrate. AFM reveals that the first two layers of molecules form a flat and smooth surface, but the upper layers show a rough terrace structure with a mean-square roughness equal to the average thickness (without counting the first two layers). This relationship is explained by a theoretical model which assumes the pentacene molecules to remain on a particular molecule layer after arrival. The observed film growth morphology may have significant implication on the performance of electronic devices based on pentacene thin films. A plausible explanation was proposed for the discrepancy between the HREELS-indicated and the XRD-derived molecular orientations.     

Influence of the properties of an oxide film on the oxidation of aluminium powders

The structure of oxide films of aluminium powders has been established to depend on the size of its particles. The temperature dependence of the oxidation of the powder in air is ascribed to changes in both the structure of the oxide laver and the pressure of saturated aluminium vapor. The porous, permeable product consists of hollow microspheres of -Al₂O₃.

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. , . , –Al₂O₃.

     

Nanofibers composite vanadium oxide/polyaniline: synthesis and characterization of an electroactive anisotropic structure

This contribution describes the synthesis of a hybrid nanocomposite constituted by vanadium oxide/polyaniline (PAni) with an interesting fibrilar morphology. Nanofibers can be obtained as main reaction products of nanocomposite V₂O₅/PAni and hexadecylamine after hydrothermal treatment. In general, nanocomposite nanofibers present a typical length varying from 1 to 10 μm and a width varying from 15 to 400 nm. Electrochemical experiments have shown a specific capacity of about 150 A h kg⁻¹ during the 10 initials cycles, revealing a promissory material for utilization as cathode for ion-Li batteries.     

The electrochemical behavior and characterization of the anodic oxide film formed on titanium in NaOH solutions

Titanium dissolution and passivation were studied in NaOH aqueous solution using open-circuit potential, potentiodynamic and potentiostatic techniques. Potentiodynamic data showed that the active-passive transition involves active metal dissolution followed by formation of a poorly conducting passive oxide film that passivates the electrode. The critical current density varied with pH as d log<I> j</I><SUB>m</SUB>/d pH=-0.098 in the pH range 11.00–14.00, while the passivation potential is changed according to the following two features: at pH 10.55–13.00, d<I>E</I><SUB>m</SUB>/d pH=-0.06 V; and at pH 13.50–14.00, d<I>E</I><SUB>m</SUB>/d pH=-0.40 V. The apparent activation energy, E*, was calculated from the slope of the Arrhenius plot and was found to be 12.6 kJ mol^–1. Current-time transients showed that the growth of titanium oxide passive film is a diffusion-controlled process. XPS measurements indicated that the passive oxide film consists mainly of TiO₂ and a mixture of suboxides of Ti₂O₃ and TiO. Electronic Publication     

Acetaldehyde adsorption on aluminium oxide

Acetaldehyde adsorption forms were studied on -Al₂O₃ and -Al₂O₃ treated with HCl. Aldehyde was shown to produce three forms of surface compounds. At the same time partial condensation of the aldehyde was observed with the formation of unsaturated compounds. The possible participation of surface compounds in catalytic reactions of aldehydes involving aluminium oxide was also investigated.

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-Al₂O₃ -Al₂O₃, HCl. , . . Al₂O₃.

     

The influence of aluminium and aluminium oxide on the effects of mechanical activation of nickel hydroxocarbonate

The chemical and physical processes occurring during the grinding of nickel hydroxocarbonate and mixtures of nickel hydroxocarbonate with aluminium and aluminium oxide were discussed. For mechanical treatment a planetary ball mill was used. The phase analyses of ground products were carried out using thermogravimetry and X-ray diffraction methods. The amount of Ni₂(OH)₂CO₃ undecomposed and Al₂O₃xH₂O, xNiO, Ni⁰, Ni_xAl_y alloys and remained Al⁰ in the systems strongly depends on the proportion of components and on the duration of grinding in a mill which was used in the study. The comparative results are presented.This revised version was published online in November 2005 with corrections to the Cover Date.     

The effect of aluminium oxide on the reduction of cobalt oxide and thermostabillity of cobalt and cobalt oxide

During precipitation and calcination at 200°C nanocrystalline Co₃O₄ was obtained with average size crystallites of 13 nm and a well developed specific surface area of 44 m² g^?1. A small addition of a structural promoter, e.g. Al₂O₃, increases the specific surface area of the cobalt oxide (54 m² g^?1) and decreases the average size of crystallites (7 nm). Al₂O₃ inhibits the reduction process of Co₃O₄ by hydrogen. Reduction of cobalt oxide with aluminium oxide addition runs by equilibrium state at all the respective temperatures. The apparent activation energy of the recrystallization process of the nanocrystalline cobalt promoted by the aluminium oxide is 85 kJ mol^?1. Aluminium oxide improves the thermostability of both cobalt oxide and the cobalt obtained as a result of oxide phase reduction.      

Thermochemical studies on the formation and constitution of the zinc oxide—aluminium oxide system

This study is based on thermogravimetric (TG), differential thermal analysis (DTA) and chemical analysis of the ZnOAl₂O₃ system. The coprecipitation from mixed nitrate salt solutions of zinc and aluminium results in the formation of zinc basic carbonate and aluminium hydroxide, and is also a precursor to aluminate spinel (2ZnO·3Al₂O₃) only in the samples in which aluminium is present in near or above stoichiometric quantities. Grinding of the mixtures of individual precipitates maintains the similarity with coprecipitates in forming a “precursor”, but to a lesser extent. The endothermic peak in DTA at 275°C in some coprecipitated and mixed samples hints at the formation of a precursor since the individual precipitate does not have a peak at this temperature. The “precursor” to spinel obtained in the precipitation stage in some coprecipitated samples is freely soluble in 1 M HCl, and that obtained at 450°C is partially soluble which cannot be detected by the usual X-ray technique due to its highly disordered structure in amorphous state. The “precursor” is converted around 800°C to an actual spinel structure, which is almost insoluble in M HCl and is detectable by X-rays.     

Growing kinetics and structural characterization of oxide film formed on La-doped Co-40Cr alloy

The isothermal and cyclic oxidizing kinetics of Co-40Cr alloy and its lanthanum ion-implanted samples were studied at 1000℃ in air by thermal-gravity analysis (TGA). Scanning electronic microscopy (SEM) and transmission electronic microscopy (TEM)) were used to examine the oxidized film's morphology and the structure after oxidation. Secondary ion mass spectrum (SIMS) method was used to examine the binding energy change of chromium caused by La-doping and its in?uence on formation of Cr2O3 film. Laser Raman spectrum was used to examine the tress changes within oxidized films. It was found that lanthanum implantation remarkably reduced the isothermal oxidizing rate of Co-40Cr and improved the anti-cracking and anti-spalling properties of Cr2O3 film. The reasons were that the implanted lanthanum reduced the grain size and internal stress of Cr2O3 oxide, increased the high temperature plasticity of oxidized film. Lanthanum mainly existed in the outer surface of Cr2O3 film in the forms of fine La2O3 and LaCrO3 spinel particles.     

Impact of the type of anodic film formed and deposition time on the characteristics of porous anodic aluminium oxide films containing Ni metal

Porous anodic films containing nickel were prepared by AC electro-deposition. The porosity of the films was controlled by using different working conditions (anodisation electrolyte, voltage, and time). Then nickel was electro-deposited using an alternating voltage. The impact of the anodic film on the current density waveforms and the metal content can largely be explained by the porosity differences, while changing the deposition time caused changes due to over-oxidation of the aluminium substrate, experimentally proved by TEM. Finally, the impact of deposition time on the deposited metal was successfully fitted using an Elovich type law over a large time-span (up to 1800 s), showing the ability to achieve precise control of the metal content.     

Synthesis and characterization of new electroactive polypyrrole-chondroitin sulphate A substrates

Novel composite polypyrrole/chondroitin-4-sulphate films with cation-exchange properties were synthesized by the electrochemical polymerization of pyrrole in the presence of chondroitin-4-sulphate (CSA) sodium salt, acting as dopant anion at neutral pH. The negatively charged biomolecule was found to be permanently entrapped in the polypyrrole (PPy) membrane which resulted, as expected, facilitated in the mass transport by mobile cationic counterions. The porous nature of the substrates was identified as the most influential factor controlling the morphology. The morphology, in turn, affects the interaction between the material surface and the tissues on a cellular level. In this work in vitro analyses of human fibroblast response to polypyrrole/chondroitin-4-sulphate films were performed to focus on the different steps of cell reactions towards defined surface properties.     

Synthesis and characterization of the air-water interfacial TiO2/ZrO2 binary oxide film

TiO(2)/ZrO(2) binary oxide film was self-assembled using anionic surfactant (sodium dodecyl sulfonate (SDS)) as template and obtained at the air-water interface. X-ray diffraction (XRD), scanning electron microscopy (SEM), and transmission electron microscopy (TEM) were used to characterize the obtained film. The film was composed of many lamellar nanorods with a d spacing of 3.2 nm, and the lamellas were perpendicular to the lengthwise position of the rods. The energy-dispersive spectrum (EDS) was used for determining the titanium/zirconium atomic ratio. After being calcined, the sample decomposed to a mixture of anatase titania and tetragonal zirconia, and all the lamellar structure was broken.     

Characterization of transparent conducting oxide surfaces using self-assembled electroactive monolayers

The electronic properties of various transparent conducting oxide (TCO) surfaces are probed electrochemically via self-assembled monolayers (SAMs). A novel graftable probe molecule having a tethered trichlorosilyl group and a redox-active ferrocenyl functionality (Fc(CH2) 4SiCl3) is synthesized for this purpose. This molecule can be self-assembled via covalent bonds to form monolayers on various TCO surfaces. On as-received ITO, saturation coverage of 6.6 x 10(-10) mol/cm2 by a close-packed monolayer and an electron-transfer rate of 6.65 s(-1) is achieved after 9 h of chemisorption, as determined by cyclic voltammetry (CV) and synchrotron X-ray reflectivity. With this molecular probe, it is found that O2 plasma-treated ITO has a significantly greater electroactive coverage of 7.9 x 10 (-10) mol/cm2 than as-received ITO. CV studies of this redox SAM on five different TCO surfaces reveal that MOCVD-derived CdO exhibits the greatest electroactive coverage (8.1 x 10(-10) mol/cm2) and MOCVD-derived ZITO (ZnIn2.0Sn1.5O) exhibits the highest electron transfer rate (7.12 s(-1)).     

Preparation of microporous aluminium anodic oxide film modified Pt nano array electrode and application in direct measurement of nitric oxide release from myocardial cells.

A novel method for fabricating a nano array electrode (NAE) by using micropores of aluminium anodic film as templates was investigated. To evaluate the NAE, cyclic scanning of NAE in Fe(CN)6(3-) solution was performed and a sigmoidal shaped voltammogram was obtained. The NAE was designed to measure nitric oxide (NO) in vitro and in vivo. Studies showed that it was a sensitive and selective NO electrochemical sensor. NO release from myocardial cells was directly measured with this NAE and the results were satisfactory.     

Simultaneous DTA and DTG measurements on aluminium oxide monohydroxides

Simultaneous DTA and DTG curves (Mettler TA-2) have been measured for one diaspore and four different boehmites at temperatures up to 750° in a flow of dried argon. The crystallographic structures of the materials were assessed by X-ray diffraction and the degree of clustering of the elementary particles by scanning electron microscopy. To get straight base-lines a calibration curve was used to correct the DTA curves. The usefulness of the correction was established by comparison with DTA curves obtained with a Mettler TA-2000.The diaspore contained occluded water. Expulsion of the water at 300–350° brought about fragmentation of the crystals. The DTA and DTG peaks that correspond to the dehydration to alumina both lie at 560°.There is a noticeable spread in the DTA and DTG peaks for the different boehmites in the temperature range 455–530°. All the DTA peaks lie close to the corresponding DTG peaks. One of the boehmites displayed a double peak (470° and 502°). To trace the origin of the variation in peak temperature, the porous structure of the boehmite having its peak at 530° was varied by ball-milling and by dispersion into water, neither of which markedly affected the crystallographic structure and the crystallite size. Whereas ball-milling did not change the peak temperature much, dispersion into water brought about a transition from a single peak at 530° to a double peak at 450° and 490°. Prolonged storage in air led to a shift of the peaks to 480° and 520°. It is concluded that the porous structure of boehmites can profoundly affect the appearance and the temperature of their dehydration peaks.

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Zusammenfassung Simultane DTA- und DTG-Kurven (Mettler TA-2) wurden für ein Diaspor und vier verschiedene Boehmite bei Temperaturen bis zu 750° in einem Strom von getrocknetem Argon aufgenommen. Die kristallographische Struktur der Substanzen wurde mittels Röntgendiffraktion und der Anhäufungsgrad der Elementarpartikel mittels Raster-Elektronenmikroskopie bestimmt. Um gerade Grundlinien zu erhalten wurde eine Eichkurve zur Korrektur der DTA-Kurven verwendet. Die Nützlichkeit der Korrektur wurde durch Vergleiche der in einem Mettler TA-2000 Gerät erhaltenen DTA-Kurven festgestellt.Der Diaspor enthielt eingeschlossenes Wasser. Das bei 300 bis 350° erfolgte Abspalten des Wassers brachte eine Fragmentierung der Kristalle mit sich. Die DTA- und DTG-Peaks, welche der Dehydratisierung zu Aluminiumoxid entsprechen, liegen beide bei 560°.Im Temperaturbereich von 455 bis 530° läßt sich ein Verbreitern der DTA- und DTG-Peaks der verschiedenen Boehmite wahrnehmen. Einer der Boehmite zeigte einen Doppel-peak (470° und 502°). Um dem Ursprung der Änderungen der Peak-Temperaturen festzustellen wurde die poröse Struktur des Boehmits mit einem Peak bei 530° mit Hilfe einer Kugelmühle und durch Dispersion in Wasser verändert. Keine dieser Behandlungen änderte merklich die kristallographische Struktur und die Kristallgröße. Während das Vermählen in der Kugelmühle die Peak-Temperatur nicht wesentlich änderte, erbrachte die Dispergierung in Wasser einen Übergang von einem einzigen Peak bei 530° zu einem Doppelpeak bei 450 und 490°. Längeres Lagern an der Luft führte zu einer Verschiebung der Peaks nach 480° und 520°. Es wird gefolgert, daß die Porösstruktur von Boehmiten das Erscheinen und die Temperatur ihrer Dehydratisierungspeaks stark beeinflussen kann.

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Résumé Les courbes ATD et TGD d'une diaspore et de quatre boehmites différentes ont été enregistrées simultanément (Mettler TA-2) jusqu'à 750°, sous circulation d'argon desséché. La structure cristallographique de ces composés a été examinée par diffraction des rayons X et le degré de compacité a été évalué par microscopie électronique à balayage. Une courbe d'étalonnage a été utilisée pour corriger les courbes ATD et obtenir des lignes de base droites. L'utilité de cette correction est démontrée en comparant avec les courbes ATD obtenues à l'aide d'un appareil Mettler-TA-2000.La diaspore contenait de l'eau d'inclusion. L'élimination de l'eau à 300–350° a entraîné la fragmentation des cristaux. Les pics ATD et TGD qui correspondent à la déshydratation en oxyde d'aluminium se trouvent tous deux à 560°.Un étalement des pics ATD et TGD est perceptible pour les différentes boehmites dans l'intervalle de température 455–530°. Tous les pics ATD sont proches des pics TGD correspondants. L'une des boehmites a donné un pic double (470 et 502°). Afin de trouver l'origine de la différence de température entre les deux pics, la structure poreuse de la boehmite dont le pic se situait à 530° a été modifiée par traitement dans un broyeur à boulets et par dispersion dans de l'eau; ni l'un ni l'autre de ces deux traitements n'influence de façon apparente la structure cristallographique et la taille des cristaux. Alors que le traitement au broyeur à boulets ne change pas beaucoup la température du pic, la dispersion dans de l'eau fait apparaitre le passage d'un pic unique à 530° à un pic double à 450 et 490°. Le stockage prolongé dans l'air provoque un déplacement des pics à 480 et 520°. On en conclut que la structure poreuse des boehmites peut influer profondément sur l'apparition et la température de leurs pics de déshydratation.

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— ( TA-2) 750° . - , — . . , TA-2000. . 300–350°C, . — , , 560°. - 455–530°. . (470° 502°). , 530°C . . , — 530° — 450° 490°. 480° 520°. , , .

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The authors are indebted to Dr. P. F. Elbers for placing the electron microscopic facilities of the University of Utrecht at their disposal. We especially wish to acknowledge the time and energy spent by Mr. J. Pieters in the preparation of samples and the investigation with the scanning electron microscope. The assistance given by Dr. A. Duisenberg in the measurement of the line-broadening is also gratefully acknowledged.     

Synthesis and characterization of novel biodegradable and electroactive hydrogel based on aniline oligomer and gelatin

A biodegradable electroactive hydrogel (AP-g-GA), aniline pentamer (AP) grafting gelatin (GA), is synthesized by a coupling reaction between the carboxyl group of AP and the amino side group of GA in aqueous solution. The electroactivity of the physical hydrogel is confirmed by UV-vis and CV. The hydrophobic AP changes the hydrogel's porous structure of the natural GA and the gel-time, which is confirmed by the rheological behavior of the AP-g-GA and GA. With an increase in the content of AP, the hydrogel gradually forms a porous structure, from "honeycomb" to "bamboo raft". The porous scaffolds can be crosslinked with 3.5% EDC in 90% ethanol. MTT assays show that the AP-g-GA exhibits reduced cytotoxicity compared to EM AP due to the introduction of the biocompatible GA moiety. The in vitro cell cultures suggest that the AP-g-GA#1 (with 1.9% AP) shows the best biocompatibility and cell adhesion ability.     

Ellipsometric and mechanical characterization of nanostructured anodic oxide film formed on Ti-6Al-7Nb alloy

In this work, we grow TiO₂ nanotube layers by using the single-step direct anodization of Ti-6Al-7Nb alloy in aqueous electrolytes containing F^? ions. Nanotube layers are characterized by spectroscopic ellipsometry (SE) and field-emission gun scanning electron microscopy (FEG-SEM). We also use SE to monitor the anodization process for TiO₂ nanotube layers on biocompatible Ti-6Al-7Nb alloy. In addition, we study mechanical properties by nanoindentation.