Surface modification of thermoplastics by atomic layer deposition of Al2O3 and TiO2 thin films

Al₂O₃ and TiO₂ thin films were deposited by atomic layer deposition at 80-250 °C on various polymeric substrates such as polymethylmethacrylate (PMMA), polyetheretherketone (PEEK), polytetrafluoroethylene (PTFE) and ethylenetetrafluoroethylene (ETFE). The films were studied with FESEM, EDX, XRD, contact angle measurements and adhesion tests. The film growth rates on the thermoplastics were close to the corresponding growth rates on Si substrates. The adhesion of the films was good on PEEK and poor on PTFE. All coated surfaces showed lower water contact angles than the uncoated thermoplastics. Furthermore, the water contact angles on all TiO₂-coated surfaces decreased upon UV illumination, most efficiently with crystalline TiO₂ coatings.     

IR Spectroscopic Investigations of Gasochromic and Electrochromic Sol-Gel—Derived Peroxotungstic Acid/Ormosil Composite and Crystalline WO3 Films

We studied the gasochromic effect of amorphous peroxopolytungstic acid (W-PTA), W-PTA (ormosil) and crystalline WO₃ films. These latter films were prepared after a heat treatment of W-PTA/ormosil films at 450°C. The ormosil served as a template, providing the monoclinic WO₃ films with adequate porosity. The spill-over effect was attained by impregnating the porous WO₃ crystalline films with H₂PtCl₆ followed by a heat treatment at 380°C. The amorphous films became gasochromic with the addition of PdCl₂ to the corresponding W-PTA and W-PTA/ormosil sols.Structural features of all the films were studied with the help of infrared (IR) spectroscopy and transmission electron microscopy (TEM). In situ IR spectra of the films, performed in the presence of reducing (H₂/Ar) and oxidising (O₂/Ar) gases, revealed a reversible transformation of the monoclinic to the tetragonal H _x WO₃ phase. At the same time the coloration (reduction) of the amorphous films was accompanied by the formation of coordinated water molecules and increased numbers of W=O bonds. Gasochromic colouring/bleaching changes and the corresponding kinetics were assessed from in situ UV-visible transmission measurements on the films.     

Preparation and Optical Characterization of Sol-Gel Deposited Pb(Zr0.45Ti0.55)O3 Films

Homogeneous crack-free lead zirconate titanate (Pb(Zr_0.45Ti_0.55)O₃: PZT 45/55) films were prepared by a chemically modified sol-gel process using lead acetate trihydrate, zirconium n-propoxide, and titanium isopropoxide precursors. The coating solutions were modified by the addition of diethanolamine. Single and multilayer films were deposited with a 2000 rpm spin rate on fused silica and MgO(100) substrates. Multiple spin coating with an intermediate heat treatment in air at 400°C for 3 min between coatings was performed to obtain films up to 2 m in thickness. The formation of the tetragonal perovskite structure was found to depend on the intermediate firing temperature, final annealing temperature, and annealing time. A 650°C rapid thermal annealing treatment in oxygen was required to crystallize the PZT film into the perovskite structure. The films were characterized using optical spectroscopy, X-ray diffraction (XRD), scanning electron microscopy (SEM), X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS), and thermo-gravimetry and differential scanning calorimetry (TG-DSC). The optical constants of the PZT films were evaluated from spectral transmittance and reflectance measurements. Optical constants are presented over the visible and near infrared region.     

Optimization of the electrophoretic deposition of YBa2Cu3O7−x superconducting large area coatings

Large area coatings (>10cm²) of the high temperature superconductor YBa₂Cu₃O_7–x (x = 0.1 – 0.2) (YBCO) have been prepared by scale up an electrophoretic deposition technique using silver sheets and Si-wafers coated with Ag or Au as substrates. Several parameters, like the kind of the solvent, the applied voltage, the distance between the electrodes, the initial concentration of the suspension and the temperature during the electrophoresis were investigated in order to attain high deposition rates, as well as uniform YBCO coatings with the proper stoichiometry. To obtain a strongly adherent and dense coating a subsequent appropriate sintering and annealing procedure has been developed. The coatings obtained were characterized for their stoichiometry and superconducting properties by X-ray diffraction (XRD), Raman spectroscopy and magnetic measurements. The homogeneity and thickness of the films and the average grain size of the deposited particles have been investigated by optical and scanning electron microscopy (SEM).     

Low-temperature Heat Capacities and Thermodynamic Properties of Hydrated Sodium Cupric Arsenate [NaCuAsO4·1.5H2O（s）]

Low-temperature heat capacities of the solid compound NaCuAsO4·1.5H2O(s)were measured using a precision automated adiabatic calorimeter over a temperature range of T=78 K to T=390 K.A dehydration process occurred in the temperature range of T=368-374 K.The peak temperature of the dehydration was observed to be TD=(371.828±0.146)K by means of the heat-capacity measurement.The molar enthalpy and entropy of the dehydration were ΔDHm=(18.571±0.142)kJ/mol and ΔDSm=(49.946±0.415)J/(K·mol),respectively.The experimental values of heat capacities for the solid(Ⅰ)and the solid-liquid mixture(Ⅱ)were respectively fitted to two polynomial equations by the least square method.The smoothed values of the molar heat capacities and the fundamental thermodynamic functions of the sample relative to the standard reference temperature 298.15 K were tabulated at an interval of 5 K.     

Sol-gel coatings for chemical protection of stainless steel

Sol-gel thin coatings of ZrO₂, SiO₂, 70SiO₂-30TiO₂ and 88SiO₂-12Al₂O₃ compositions (mole %) have been prepared from sonocatalyzed sols and deposited by dip-coating technique on 316L stainless steel foils. The influence of the coatings on the chemical corrosion of the substrate has been measured through potentiodynamic polarization curves in aqueous 15% H₂SO₄ solution between 25 and 50°C. The values of the corrosion potential, polarization resistance and corrosion rate have been determined. Analysis of the data combined with scanning electron microscopy studies indicate that the films act as a geometric blocking against exposure to the corrosive media and increase the lifetime of the substrate up to a factor 8.5.     

Sol-gel ZrO2 coatings for chemical protection of stainless steel

ZrO₂ coatings deposited on 316 L stainless steel sheets were synthesized by sol-gel method using Zr(OC₃H₇)₄ as precursor and isopropanol, glacial acetic acid, and water as solvents for application with ultrasounds. Different solutions for dip-coating were prepared with compositions varying between 0.025 and 0.9 mol/dm³ of ZrO₂. X-ray diffraction shows that the films densified at 800°C are crystalline with a tetragonal structure. The thickness of the coatings varied from 0.35–0.75 m. The influence of the ZrO₂ coatings on the corrosion behavior of stainless steel substrates in aqueous NaCl was studied through potentiodynamic polarization curves at 1 mV/s. The values of the electrochemical parameters allow for an explanation of the role of the films in the increased resistance of steel against corrosion in moderately aggressive environments.     

Deposition and characterization of thin boron-carbide coatings

Summary Thin boron-carbide films were deposited using a PACVD process on Si substrates at room temperature. Various mixtures of B₂H₆/He and CH₄, as well as the less hazardous B(CH₃)₃, have been used as process gases. The composition of the deposited films has been correlated with the B₂H₆/He/CH₄ mixture used. When using B(CH₃)₃, the coatings were found to be slightly boron enriched compared to the gas phase stoichiometry. In both cases oxygen contaminants were additionally found (up to 5 at %) in the films. Most of the oxygen was incorporated from the residual gas at the beginning of the deposition. The coatings were hard and showed good adherence to the substrate; no film peel-off was observed after exposure to air. The films have been characterized, in-situ, by electron spectroscopy (XPS, UPS, AES), and by other methods (AES depth profiling, SEM, -step).     

Influence of thermal treatment on the ion-storage capacity of Ce oxide and Ce-V mixed oxide films

Thin films and the corresponding xerogels of CeO₂ and Ce-V mixed oxides with a molar ratio equal to 2 (Ce/V=2) were prepared from CeCl₃·7H₂O and NH₄VO₃ precursors using the sol-gel route and the dip-coating technique. The thermal decomposition of both forms of samples (thin films and xerogels) were studied by dynamic TG and DSC in two different atmospheres (air and argon). For the thermal studies the thin films were deposited on aluminium foil to reduce the unfavourable substrate to film mass ratio S/F, which is a consequence of using a glass substrate. The mode of heat treatment in a tube furnace of films deposited on conductive glass was defined from the TG curves of the films. The influence of annealing conditions (temperature, atmosphere and time) on the charge capacity of the films during application of the cycling process is reported.     

Heat Capacities and Thermodynamic Properties of a H2O + Li2B4O7 Solution in the Temperature Range from 80 to 356 K

The molar heat capacities of an aqueous Li₂B₄O₇ solution were measured with a precision automated adiabatic calorimeter in the temperature range from 80 to 356 K at a concentration of 0.3492 mol⋅kg⁻¹. The occurrence of a phase transition was determined based on the changes in the curve of the heat capacity with temperature. A phase transition was observed at 271.72 K corresponding to the solid-liquid phase transition; the enthalpy and entropy of the phase transition were evaluated to be Δ H _m = 4.110 kJ⋅mol⁻¹ and Δ S _m = 15.13 J⋅K⁻¹⋅mol⁻¹, respectively. Using polynomial equations and thermodynamic relationship, the thermodynamic functions [H _T −H _298.15] and [S _T −S _298.15] of the aqueous Li₂B₄O₇ solution relative to 298.15 K were calculated in temperature range 80 to 355 K at intervals of 5 K. Values of the relative apparent molar heat capacities of the aqueous Li₂B₄O₇ solution, C _p,φ, were calculated at every 5 K in temperature range from 80 to 355 K from the experimental heat capacities of the solution and the heat capacities of pure water.     

Preparation and Optical Properties of Gold-Dispersed BaTiO3, PGO (Pb5Ge3O11) and PLT (Pb1-1.5xLaxTiO3) Thin Films by Sol-Gel Process

Gold-dispersed BaTiO₃, PGO and PLT thin films, which will be used for third-order nonlinear optical devices, were prepared by sol-gel process with spin-coating using HAuCl₄4H₂O, Ba(CH₃COO)₂, Ti[O(CH₂)₃CH₃]₄, Pb(CH₃COO)₂3H₂O, Ge[O-n-C₄H₉]₄, La(CH₃COO)₃1.5 H₂O as starting materials. The thin films were heat-treated in air at temperatures ranging from 400 to 800 for 1 h. The nonlinear optical property of these thin films was measured by the degenerate four-wave mixing (DFWM) method using a frequency-doubled Nd: YAG laser with 20 ps pulse duration. Third-order nonlinear susceptibility χ⁽³⁾ of gold-dispersed BaTiO₃, PGO and PLT thin films with 5 vol% of gold were 1.410⁻⁶ esu, 3.510⁻⁷ esu respectively. The large χ⁽³⁾ may be ascribed to the high dielectric constant of the films.     

Thermal decomposition of hydrogen peroxide in the presence of sulfuric acid

Hydrogen peroxide (H₂O₂) is popularly employed as a reaction reagent in cleaning processes for the chemical industry and semiconductor plants. By using differential scanning calorimetry (DSC) and vent sizing package 2 (VSP2), this study focused on the thermal decomposition reaction of H₂O₂ mixed with sulfuric acid (H₂SO₄) with low (0.1, 0.5 and 1.0 N), and high concentrations of 96 mass%, respectively. Thermokinetic data, such as exothermic onset temperature (T ₀), heat of decomposition (ΔH _d), pressure rise rate (dP/dt), and self-heating rate (dT/dt), were obtained and assessed by the DSC and VSP2 experiments. From the thermal decomposition reaction on various concentrations of H₂SO₄, the experimental data of T ₀, ΔH, dP/dt, and dT/dt were obtained. Comparisons of the reactivity for H₂O₂ and H₂O₂ mixed with H₂SO₄ (lower and higher concentrations) were evaluated to corroborate the decomposition reaction in these systems.     

Heat capacity and thermodynamical properties of the crystal of [RE2(Glu)2(H2O)8](ClO4)4·H2O (RE = Nd, Eu, Dy)

Thermodynamical data of rare earth complexes with amino acid are important for engineering chemistry and fundamental chemistry. However, they have rarely been reported. In this work, a series of crystalline complexes of rare earth perchlorate coordinated with glutamic acid have been synthesized in water medium, and their thermodynamical data, including the heat capacity in low temperature range and the standard enthalpy of formation, were determined. These complexes were identified to be [RE₂(Glu)₂(H₂O)₈](ClO₄)₄·H₂O (RE = Nd, Eu, Dy) by using thermogravimetric analysis (TG), differential thermal analysis (DTA), and chemical and elementary analyses. Their purity has been determined. No melting points were observed for all the three complexes. The heat capacity of the complexes was measured by an adiabatic calorimeter from 79 to 370 K. Abnormal heat capacity values were detected for two of the complexes and the decomposition range of one complex was found. The temperature, enthalpy change and entropy change of the decomposition processes of the three complexes were calculated. The polynomial equations of heat capacity in the experimental temperature range have been obtained by least squares fitting. The standard enthalpy of formation was determined by an isoperibol reaction calorimeter at 298.15 K. Supported by the Research Fund of Beijing Institute of Petro-Chemical Technology (N06-06)     

镥晶体的绝热量热法测试和热力学函数

文章合成了Lu(NO₃)₃(C₂H₅O₂N)_4.H₂O,用红外和元素分析对其进行了表征。用高精度全自动绝热量热仪,测定了该配合物80-382 K温区的热容, 利用实验热容数据, 根据热容与焓、熵的热力学关系, 求出了配合物85-350 K温区内每隔5 K相对于298.15K的标准热力学函数(HT - H298.15)m和(ST - S298.15)m.在80-350 K温度区间内,配合物的热容随温度升高而增大,没有相转移点和热力学吸收峰的出现,该配合物在此温度区间内是稳定存在的。     

Preparation and characterization of CoFe2O4/TiO2 magnetic composite films

CoFe₂O₄/TiO₂ magnetic composite films were prepared using the sol-gel method with tetrabutyltitanate and metallic chlorates as starting materials. The effects of heat treatment temperatures on microstructures and on magnetic properties were studied. The microstructure and properties of the samples at different heat treatment temperatures were characterized by X-ray diffraction, Raman spectrum, scanning electron microscopy, polarized microscopy and vibrating sample magnetometry. The results show that crystals of different substances grow up independently. Cobalt ferrite is evenly embedded into the titanium dioxide matrix in the prepared composite films. The magnetism of the composite films is enhanced with an increase of the heat temperature. Supported by the National Natural Science Foundation of China (Grant Nos. 50632030 and 10474077), and the Natural Science Foundation of Shaanxi Province (Grant No. 2006E135)     

Low-temperature heat capacities and standard molar enthalpy of formation of the complex

Low-temperature heat capacities of a solid complex Zn(Val)SO₄·H₂O(s) were measured by a precision automated adiabatic calorimeter over the temperature range between 78 and 373 K. The initial dehydration temperature of the coordination compound was determined to be, T _D=327.05 K, by analysis of the heat-capacity curve. The experimental values of molar heat capacities were fitted to a polynomial equation of heat capacities (C _p,m) with the reduced temperatures (x), [x=f (T)], by least square method. The polynomial fitted values of the molar heat capacities and fundamental thermodynamic functions of the complex relative to the standard reference temperature 298.15 K were given with the interval of 5 K. Enthalpies of dissolution of the [ZnSO₄·7H₂O(s)+Val(s)] (Δ_sol H _m,l ⁰) and the Zn(Val)SO₄·H₂O(s) (Δ_sol H _m,2 ⁰) in 100.00 mL of 2 mol dm^–3 HCl(aq) at T=298.15 K were determined to be, Δ_sol H _m,l ⁰=(94.588±0.025) kJ mol^–1 and Δ_sol H _m,2 ⁰=–(46.118±0.055) kJ mol^–1, by means of a homemade isoperibol solution–reaction calorimeter. The standard molar enthalpy of formation of the compound was determined as: Δ_f H _m ⁰ (Zn(Val)SO₄·H₂O(s), 298.15 K)=–(1850.97±1.92) kJ mol^–1, from the enthalpies of dissolution and other auxiliary thermodynamic data through a Hess thermochemical cycle. Furthermore, the reliability of the Hess thermochemical cycle was verified by comparing UV/Vis spectra and the refractive indexes of solution A (from dissolution of the [ZnSO₄·7H₂O(s)+Val(s)] mixture in 2 mol dm^–3 hydrochloric acid) and solution A’ (from dissolution of the complex Zn(Val)SO₄·H₂O(s) in 2 mol dm^–3 hydrochloric acid).     

Silica-Zirconia Sol–Gel Coatings Obtained by Different Synthesis Routes

Homogeneous xSiO₂-(1−x)ZrO₂ coatings have been prepared onto glass-slides, monocrystalline Si and stainless steel (AISI 304) using sols prepared via acid and basic catalysis. Zirconium tetrabutoxide (TBOZr), zirconium n-propoxide (TPZ), tetraethoxysilane (TEOS) and methyltriethoxysilane (MTES) were used as precursors of zirconia and silica, respectively. The different parameters involved in the synthesis procedure, as molar ratios H₂O/alkoxides, NaOH/alkoxides, and sintering temperature have been analysed, correlating the stability and rheological properties of the sols. The evolution and structure of the sols and coatings have been studied by FTIR. Coatings have been prepared by dipping from acid and basic sols. Electrophoretic Deposition (EPD) technique has also been used to prepare coatings onto stainless steel from basic particulate sols in order to increase the critical thickness. A maximum thickness of 0.5 μ m was reached by both dipping and EPD process for 75SiO₂: 25 ZrO₂ composition. The critical thickness decreases with ZrO₂ amount depending strongly of the drying conditions. Si–O–Zr bonds have been identified by FTIR, indicating the existence of mixed network Si–O–Zr in the coatings obtained by the different routes. Crystallisation of ZrO₂(t) was only observed at high sintering temperature (900^∘C) by FTIR and confirmed by DRX.     

Effect of electrolysis conditions on photocatalytic activities of the anodized TiO2 films

Photocatalytic activities of anodized TiO₂ films for decomposition of gaseous acetaldehyde were investigated. The anodized TiO₂ films were fabricated by galvanostatic anodization in a mixed electrolyte composed of H₂SO₄, H₃PO₄, and H₂O₂. Pre-nitridation treatment effectively enhanced the photocatalytic activity of the anodized TiO₂ films. The electrolysis parameters such as anodization time, current density, electrolyte temperature, and electrolyte composition significantly affected the photocatalytic activity of the anodized TiO₂ films. The improvement of photocatalytic activity of the anodized films is attributed to increase in surface areas of the anodized specimens.     

Ho(NO3)3(C2H5O2N)4·H2O的低温热容和热力学函数

合成了稀土(钬, Ho)-氨基酸(甘氨酸, C₂H₅O₂N)二元配合物Ho(NO₃)₃(C₂H₅O₂N)₄·H₂O, 并且通过化学分析、元素分析和红外(IR)光谱对配合物进行了表征. 用高精度全自动绝热量热仪, 测定了该配合物在80-390 K温度区间的定压摩尔热容(C_p,m). 利用实验测定的热容数据, 采用最小二乘法, 将热容曲线上热容峰以外的两段平滑区的摩尔热容对折合温度进行拟合, 建立了热容随折合温度变化的多项式方程. 根据热容与焓、熵的热力学关系,计算出了配合物在80-390 K温度区间内,每隔5 K,相对于298.15 K的摩尔热力学函数(H_T,m-H_298.15,m)和(S_T,m-S_298.15,m). 通过热容曲线分析, 计算出了350 K附近转变过程的焓变(Δ_trsH_m)和熵变(Δ_trsS_m). 用差示扫描量热法(DSC)测定了配合物的热稳定性.