In situ UV-Vis and ex situ IR spectroelectrochemical investigations of amorphous and crystalline electrochromic Nb2O5 films in charged/discharged states

Niobium oxide (Nb₂O₅) films and powders have been obtained via the sol-gel route from an NbCl₅ precursor. XRD spectra revealed that films with pseudohexagonal (TT-phase) and orthorhombic (T-phase) structure were formed at 500  °C and 800  °C, respectively, while at 300  °C films were amorphous. Infrared (IR) and Raman spectra of powders and films of Nb₂O₅ in different polymorphic forms were detected, and vibrational band assignments were made. Electrochromic properties of amorphous films and films with the TT-phase were established from in situ ultraviolet visible (UV-Vis) spectroelectrochemical measurements and correlated with ex situ IR transmission spectra of charged films. Ex situ IR spectra revealed that charging of amorphous films is accompanied by variations of the Nb-O stretching mode intensity, while, for films with the TT- and T-phase, splitting of the Nb₃-O stretching modes and the appearance of polaron absorption were noted with Li⁺ ion insertion. Ex situ X-ray diffraction (XRD) spectra of charged films with the TT-phase showed changes of the unit cell dimensions with charging. The influence of the polaron absorption on the ex situ near-grazing incidence angle (NGIA) IR reflection-absorption spectra of charged/discharged films is discussed in detail. Received: 21 August 1997 / Accepted: 9 October 1997     

Structure and optical properties of CVD molybdenum oxide films for electrochromic application

Vibrational and optical properties of MoO₃ thin films have been studied by Raman and infrared spectroscopy. The films were deposited onto Si substrates at a temperature of 150 °C by chemical vapor deposition of Mo(CO)₆ at atmospheric pressure and different amounts of oxygen in the reactor. The Raman and IR spectral analyses show that the as-deposited films are in general amorphous. Post-deposition annealing at 300 and 400 °C leads to crystallization and the MoO₃ film structure is a mixture of orthorhombic and monoclinic MoO₃ modifications. Transformation of the monoclinic crystallographic modification to a thoroughly orthorhombic layered structure is observed for films heated at temperatures above 400 °C. Electronic Publication     

Characterization of the Phase Mixture Comprising Sodium Hafnate and Hafnia

Solid state electrochemical and XRD studies reveal that the phase relation between Na₂HfO₃ and HfO₂ in the temperature region below about 600 °C is governed by the existence of a third phase disregarded so far, i.e. non‐stoichiometric Na‐modified cubic HfO₂, which is intermediate in terms of the sodium oxide chemical potential.     

IR spectroelectrochemical studies of Fe2V4O13, FeVO4 and InVO4 thin films obtained via sol-gel synthesis

In this paper we generalize the IR spectroscopic properties of M³⁺VO₄ (M=Fe, In) orthovanadate and Fe₂V₄O₁₃ films. The films were prepared using the sol-gel synthesis route from M³⁺ nitrates and vanadium oxoisopropoxide. The vibrational bands in the IR absorbance spectra of the films are classified in terms of terminal V-O stretching (1050–880 cm^–1), bridging V-O^...Fe and V^...O^...Fe stretching (880–550 cm^–1), mixed V-O-V deformations and Fe-O stretching (<550 cm^–1) modes. Ex situ IR spectra of films were measured after consecutive charging/discharging to various intercalation coefficients x and correlated to the current peaks in the cyclic voltammetry curves measured in 1 M LiClO₄/propylene carbonate electrolyte. We classified the ex situ IR spectra of charged/discharged films according to their vibrational band changes. The results reveal that, for small values of the intercalation coefficient, crystalline FeVO₄, InVO₄ and Fe₂V₄O₁₃ films exhibit a simultaneous decrease in the intensity of all IR bands while the band frequencies remain unaffected. For the higher intercalation levels, IR mode frequencies are shifted, signaling the presence of reduced vanadium. Further charging leads to an amorphization of the film structure, which was established from the similarity of the IR spectra of charged films with those of amorphous films prepared at lower annealing temperatures. The results confirm that ex situ IR spectroelectrochemical measurement is an effective way to assess the structural changes in films with different levels of intercalation. Electronic Publication     

Structure and properties of sol-gel coatings from methyltriethoxysilane and tetraethoxysilane

Acid catalyzed solutions of methyltriethoxysilane (MTES) and tetraethoxysilane (TEOS) were used to obtain bulk materials and silica coatings of about 2 m, after densification at 500°C. The structural evolution as a function of MTES content and heat treatment was studied.A higher content of MTES was found to enhance the maximum thickness of the coatings free of cracks. Critical thickness and shrinkage of the films were measured. MTES was also found to affect porosity and to play an important role in avoiding fractures in the films.     

Dielectric properties of FeNbO4 ceramics prepared by the sol-gel method

In this work, FeNbO₄ powders were prepared using the sol-gel method. The fine powder particles were pressed into pellets and sintered at temperatures between 500 and 1200 °C. The powder was studied by X-ray diffraction and Raman spectroscopy. The morphology of the grains was investigated by scanning electron microscopy. Heat-treatment of the particles results in higher crystallinity, larger grains, and a decrease in the porosity of the material.The dielectric properties were measured in the frequency range of 10²–10⁶ Hz, in function of temperature (200–370 K). In all samples the real (ε′) and imaginary (ε″) parts of the complex permittivity increase with increasing annealing temperature. The sample heat treated at 1200 °C shows the highest ε′, > 10⁴ at 300 K. All samples show a dielectric relaxation phenomenon, analysed using the modulus formalism. The evolution of the ac conduction activation energy and of the activation energy associated with the relaxation mechanism, is directly related with the changes promoted by the heat treatment in the structure and in the morphology of the base powders.     

Effect of intermolecular =C–HO interaction on the crystal structure and vibrational properties of 2,6-dimethyl-4-nitropyridine N-oxide

The crystal structure of 2,6-dimethyl-4-nitropyridine N-oxide (DMNPO) has been determined at ambient temperature. The compound crystallizes as a monoclinic structure, space group P2/n, with 12 molecules per unit cell. The unit cell contains three non-equivalent formula units. The nitro group is not coplanar with the pyridine ring. Through a system of =C–HO hydrogen bonds the molecules are arranged into a two-dimensional network of layers parallel to the axc plane.The IR and Raman spectra, measured in the 3500–100 cm⁻¹ region at ambient temperature, are correlated with X-ray structural data. The assignment of IR and Raman bands is given. The appearance of characteristic vibrational features in the spectra of this compound and the observed shifts of the =C–H and N–O IR active stretching modes, when the sample is dissolved in CCl₄, is discussed in terms of the relatively strong =C–HO hydrogen bonds present in this crystal.     

Influence of plasticizers and crosslinking on the properties of biodegradable films made from sodium caseinate

Plasticized protein films were prepared by the casting method from water solution of sodium caseinate and plasticizers with the aim to obtain environmentally friendly materials for packaging applications. Mechanical properties (tensile strength, elongation and Young’s modulus) of caseinate based films were determined versus ratio of protein to plasticizer, plasticizer type and relative humidity conditions. Among the different polyol-type plasticizers tested, glycerol (Gly) and triethanolamine (TEA) were the most efficient for the improvement of mechanical properties (high strains for low stresses). Further, chemical crosslinking between formaldehyde (HCHO) and free amino groups (ε-NH₂) of sodium caseinate was performed to increase water resistance of TEA plasticized films. Optimal mechanical properties, i.e. elastic modulus of 105 MPa, tensile strength of 8-9 MPa for elongation at break about 110-125% were obtained for HCHO/ε-NH₂ ratios higher than 1.35. Protein specific water solubility was determined from a 280 nm absorbance. For convenient crosslinker (HCHO) content sodium caseinate solubility can be lowered to less than 5 wt% after 24 h immersion in water.     

Development of plasticised PVC sensing films for the determination of BTEX compounds in aqueous samples

A novel plasticised PVC polymer membrane as a sensing film for the determination of BTEX compounds using ATR-FTIR spectroscopy is demonstrated. A range of 10 plasticised PVC phases have been investigated using toluene and tetrachloroethylene as test analytes. Both analyte enrichment rates and infrared absorbance values were considered when choosing a suitable polymer for sensing. An enhancement in analyte absorbance at the characteristic IR absorption bands was noted as the plasticiser concentration in the film was increased. 2% PVC with 75% diisooctyl azelate was found to show promising results for simultaneous determination of the BTEX compounds. All BTEX analytes can be measured in less than 8 min. A study of a multicomponent sample demonstrated that analyte enrichment times were influenced by the presence of even one additional analyte component in the sample.     

Effect of processing temperature during spin-on application on the properties of sol-gel silica films

The effect of the temperature (of the substrate and the solution) during film deposition on spin coating process of sol-gel films is discussed. The increase of substrate temperature as well as coating solution liquid temperature leads to formation of thicker films with higher porosity. The temperature dependence of films thickness is mainly determined by the change of solvent vapour pressure with consideration for the change of liquid viscosity.     

Preparation and properties of sol-gel coating films

The present state of our knowledge on sol-gel coating films has been reviewed. A qualitative discussion is made on the limit of the film thickness which can be achieved in the sol-gel method and the factors affecting the film thickness. Considering that properties of the film are intimately related to the microstructure, types of microstructures accomplished by the sol-gel coating are introduced with examples.     

Annealing effect on the structural and magnetic properties of nickel ferrite thin films

Nickel ferrite is a soft magnetic material with inverse spinel structure. Soft ferrite films are used in microwave devices, integrated planar circuits, etc., because of their high resistivity. In this work, thin films of nickel ferrite were deposited on Si (100) substrate by using pulsed laser deposition (PLD) technique. The thickness of the film was measured by surface profilometer and also by X‐ray reflectivity (XRR). The films were annealed at three different temperatures to observe the effect on the structural and magnetic properties of the film. The films were characterised by X‐ray diffraction (XRD), Raman spectroscopy and vibrating sample magnetometer (VSM) to study the structural and magnetic properties. Copyright © 2010 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

Synthesis of SiO2 thin films by sol-gel method using photoirradiation and molecular structure analysis

The SiO₂ thin films were prepared by a process which combines a sol-gel method and photoirradiation. The HF etch rate and microhardness of a film prepared by this process were better than those of a film furnace-fired at same temperature. The Raman and ²⁹Si solid state NMR spectra of film prepared by this process were similar to those of a film furnace-fired at higher temperature. There are many unstable folded non-linear SiO₂ species in the film prepared at low temperature. On treatment at higher temperature, unstable folded non-linear Si-O-Si rearranges to the stable linear Si-O-Si bond. Photoirradiation enhances this structure change. The process provided denser and harder SiO₂ thin films, even at low temperature, than the conventional furnace-firing method did.     

Influence of curing temperature on the optical properties of fluorinated polyimide thin films

The influence of curing temperature (CT) on the optical properties of 6FDA/ODA poly(amic acid)-polyimide (PAA-PI) films was characterized by measuring ATR-FT-IR spectra, refractive index (RI) and birefringence of the films. The results showed that the infrared absorption intensity of characteristic peaks (IAICP) corresponding to the imide ring and the RI of PAA-PI films reached their maxima when the films had been cured at 270 °C, while the magnitude of birefringence (|Δn|) of the films reached its minimum as CT rose up to 330 °C. However, the RI decreased as CT was between 270 °C and 330 °C. Both the RI and |Δn| of the film increased obviously when CT increased after 330 °C. We think this is due to the interchain crosslink reaction (ICCR) above 330 °C and can be an evident proof of ICCR. And the evidences supporting ICCR was also discussed via IR differential spectra.     

Structure and electrical properties of a-C∶H films deposited from CH4 decomposition in a low frequency discharge

a-C∶H films have been deposited from methane in a 20 KHz discharge. The Current Voltage characteristics of the plasma have been plotted as a function of the CH₄ pressure. It was shown that below 0.1 mbar the graphitic content in the films estimated from Raman Spectroscopy and Electron Energy Loss Spectroscopy is high enough to give electrical conductivity controlled by a percolation mechanism. It was also found that the a:c electrical responses of the deposited films are more sensitive to the structure than any other chemical analysis. The electrical analysis might be a good tool for structural investigations on a-C∶H films.     

Effect of Al doping on the conductivity type inversion and electro-optical properties of SnO2 thin films synthesized by sol-gel technique

Al doped SnO₂ thin films have been synthesized by a sol-gel dip coating technique with different percentages of Al on glass and silicon substrates. X-ray diffraction studies confirmed the proper phase formation in the films and atomic percentage of aluminium doping in the films was obtained by energy dispersive X-ray studies. SEM studies showed the particle sizes lying in the range 100–150 nm for the undoped films and it decreased with increase of Al doping. Optical transmittance spectra of the films showed high transparency (∼80%) in the visible region and the transparency increases with the increase of Al doping in the films. The direct allowed bandgap of the films have been measured for different Al concentration and they lie within the range of 3.87–4.21 eV. FTIR studies depicted the presence of Sn–O, Al–O, bonding within the films. The room temperature electrical conductivities of the films are obtained in the range of 0.21 S cm⁻¹ to 1.36 S cm⁻¹ for variation of Al doping in the films 2.31–18.56%. Room temperature Seebeck coefficients, S_RT of the films were found in the range +56.0 μVK⁻¹ to −23.3 μVK⁻¹ for variation of Al doping in the films 18.56–8.16%. It is observed that the Seebeck coefficient changes its sign at 12.05% of Al in the films indicating that below 12.05% of Al doping, SnO₂:Al behaves as an n-type material and above this percentage it is a p-type material.     

Influence of temperature and fiber structure on the dielectric properties of polypropylene fibrous structures

In this work, dielectric spectroscopy was conducted on five commercial woven polypropylene‐based fabrics. Measurements of dielectric loss tangent, the effective relative dielectric permeability and ac electrical conductivity were performed over a wide range of temperature and frequency. The results in temperature range from 250 K to 355 K showed that the samples with lower value of volume fraction whose yarn is made from a short fiber have a lower value of the above mentioned dielectric parameters than the samples with bigger value of volume fraction and filament yarn along the weft and the warp lines. Based on the results gained from the measurements in the vacuum and ambient conditions, it can be concluded that the samples with a lower value of volume fraction, whose yarn is made from a short fiber, showed stability of dielectric properties in the measurement interval. Copyright © 2014 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

Phonon spectra and phonon-dependent properties of AgSO4, an unusual sulfate of divalent silver

Phonon spectra of recently synthesized Ag(II)SO₄ have been measured using infrared absorption and Raman scattering spectroscopy, and theoretically predicted using density functional theory calculations. Excellent agreement between experimental and theoretical results with correlation coefficient of 1.05 allowed for full assignment of the experimentally observed vibrational bands, as well as calculation of standard vibrational entropy of AgSO₄ (118.2 J mol⁻¹ K⁻¹), vibrational heat capacity at constant volume (99.1 J mol⁻¹ K⁻¹), zero-point energy (48.3 kJ mol⁻¹). The experimental cut-off frequency of the phonon spectrum equals 1116 cm⁻¹ which translates to the Debye temperature of 1606 K. High frequencies of S–O stretching modes render sulfate connections of Ag(II) attractive precursors of high-T_C superconductors.     

Phase transitions in the A2BX4-compound: Tetramethylammonium tetrachlorozincate tetrachlorocuprate, [(CH3)4N]2Zn0.5Cu0.5Cl4, and room temperature crystal structure determination

Preparation, crystal structure, and infra-red absorption spectra are reported for the first material in an A₂BX₄ compound with metal transition substitution in tetrahedral anion, tetramethylammonium tetrachlorozincate tetrachlorocuprate: [(CH₃)₄N]₂Zn_0.5Cu_0.5Cl₄. The calorimetric study shows five endothermic peaks at 248.75, 271.75, 278.6, 286.7, and 293.7 K. The determination of unit cell in the 240–298 K temperature range confirms those observed by the DSC technique. At room temperature, the compound crystallizes in an orthorhombic system (P2₁ cn space group) with Z = 4 and the following unit cell dimensions: a = 8.988 (3), b = 15.527 (2) and c = 12.269 (4) ?. The structure was solved by using 1986 independent reflections down to an R value of 0.048. The crystal structure consists of alternating organic-inorganic [(TMA)⁺/(Cu)ZnCl₄²⁻] layers and organic sheets (TMA)²⁺. All Organic groups and (Cu)ZnCl₄²⁻ are not disordered. Their main geometrical features are those commonly observed in the atomic arrangements of (TMA)₂ZnCl₄ and (TMA)₂CuCl₄. The text was submitted by the authors in English.     

Role of substrate on film thickness,structural, compositional and magnetic properties of CoNi alloy thin films by low temperature electrodeposition technique

Impressment of Cobalt and Nickel based alloys in industries for the last few years attracted many researchers due to its significant features of physical, chemical and magnetic properties. The present work focused the structural, compositional, morphological and magnetic properties of Cobalt Nickel alloy thin film growth by one of the chemical methods. Thin films of Cobalt Nickel have been deposited on various substrates by means of low cost galvanostatic electrodeposition technique. Structural investigation showed that the deposited films have face centred cubic structure with orientation of crystallites along (1 1 1) plane. The structural parameters such as crystallite size, rms microstrain, dislocation density and stacking fault probability are estimated for the deposited films. Morphological features along with film composition showed that the deposited films have smooth surface with stoichiometry. Magnetic properties such as coercivity, remanence, retentivity was estimated and the results are reported.