Influence of temperature on the surface property of ABS resin in KMnO4 etching solution

The KMnO₄-H₃PO₄-H₂SO₄ system was used to roughen and hydrophilically modify on the surface of ABS resin at different etching temperatures, and then, electroless nickel plating process was carried out. The surface of ABS resin after etching was characterized by XPS and SEM. It is found that the surface etching effect of ABS resin is relatively good when the etching temperature is 65°C. The resin surface generates ─OH and ─COOH hydrophilic groups, the roughness of resin surface is increased significantly, and the surface hydrophilic contact angle is 40.51°. After electroless nickel plating on the ABS etching surface, the bonding force of the coating can reach 2.73 MPa. Electrochemical polarization curves and electrochemical impedance spectra also show that the corrosion resistance of coating after 65°C etching postprocessing is improved.     

Use of Chènevotte,a Valuable Co-Product of Industrial Hemp Fiber,as Adsorbent for Pollutant Removal. Part I: Chemical,Microscopic, Spectroscopic and Thermogravimetric Characterization of Raw and Modified Samples

FINEAU (2021–2024) is a trans-disciplinary research project involving French, Serbian, Italian, Portuguese and Romanian colleagues, a French agricultural cooperative and two surface-treatment industries, intending to propose chènevotte, a co-product of the hemp industry, as an adsorbent for the removal of pollutants from polycontaminated wastewater. The first objective of FINEAU was to prepare and characterize chènevotte-based materials. In this study, the impact of water washing and treatments (KOH, Na₂CO₃ and H₃PO₄) on the composition and structure of chènevotte (also called hemp shives) was evaluated using chemical analysis, X-ray diffraction (XRD) analysis, scanning electron microscopy (SEM), energy-dispersive X-ray (EDX) spectroscopy, X-ray computed nanotomography (nano-CT), attenuated total reflectance–Fourier transform infrared (ATR-FTIR) spectroscopy, solid state NMR spectroscopy and thermogravimetric analysis. The results showed that all these techniques are complementary and useful to characterize the structure and morphology of the samples. Before any chemical treatment, the presence of impurities with a compact unfibrillated structure on the surfaces of chènevotte samples was found. Data indicated an increase in the crystallinity index and significant changes in the chemical composition of each sample after treatment as well as in surface morphology and roughness. The most significant changes were observed in alkaline-treated samples, especially those treated with KOH.     

Combined analysis methods for investigating titanium and nickel surface contamination after plasma deep etching

Plasma etching techniques can result in damage and contamination of materials, which, if not removed, can interfere with further processing. Therefore, characterisation of the etched surface is necessary to understand the basic mechanisms involved in the etching process and enable process control and cleaning procedures to be developed. A detailed investigation by means of the combined use of scanning electron microscopy coupled with energy-dispersive X-ray spectrometry (SEM/EDS), X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS) and optical microscopy (OM) has been carried out on deep titanium trenches etched by plasma. This innovative approach has provided a further insight into the microchemical structure of the surface contamination layer on both the titanium and the nickel hard mask surfaces. The described experiments were conducted on 25 to 100-μm wide trenches, first etched in bulk titanium by an optimised Cl₂/SF₆/O₂-based inductively coupled plasma process, through an electroplated nickel hard mask. The results allow to identify chlorine, fluorine and carbon as the main contaminating agents of the nickel mask and to associate three oxidation states around the etched trenches highlighting certain specific aspects related to the passivation mechanism. These observations reinforce the scientific relevance of the combined use of complementary optical and imaging analytical techniques.     

Layer‐by‐layer deposition of nitrilotris(methylene)triphosphonic acid and Zr(IV): an XPS,ToF‐SIMS,ellipsometry, and AFM study

Layer‐by‐layer assemblies consisting of alternating layers of nitrilotris(methylene)triphosphonic acid (NTMP), a polyfunctional corrosion inhibitor, and zirconium(IV) were prepared on alumina. In particular, a nine‐layer (NTMP/Zr(IV))₄NTMP stack could be constructed at room temperature, which showed a steady increase in film thickness throughout its growth by spectroscopic ellipsometry up to a final thickness of 1.79 ± 0.04 nm. At higher temperature (70 °C), even a two‐layer NTMP/Zr(IV) assembly could not be prepared because of etching of the alumina substrate by the heated Zr(IV) solution. XPS characterization of the layer‐by‐layer assembly showed a saw tooth pattern in the nitrogen, phosphorus, and zirconium signals, where the modest increases and decreases in these signals corresponded to the expected deposition and perhaps removal of NTMP and Zr(IV). Time‐of‐flight secondary ion mass spectrometry (ToF‐SIMS) confirmed the attachment of the NTMP molecule to the surface through PO^?, PO₂^?, PO₃^?, and CN^? signals. Increasing attenuation of the Al signal from the substrate after deposition of each layer was observed by both XPS and ToF‐SIMS. Essentially complete etching of the alumina by the heated Zr(IV) solution was confirmed by spectroscopic ellipsometry, XPS, and ToF‐SIMS. Atomic force microscopy revealed that all the films were smooth with R_q roughness values less than 0.5 nm. Copyright © 2015 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

Combined methane reforming over nano LaNiO<Subscript>3</Subscript> catalyst with modified active surface

In this study, nano catalyst LaNiO₃ with perovskite structure was synthesized using the citrate sol–gel method in the combined methane reforming with CO₂ and O₂ (CRM). The effects of increasing the surface area of the LaNiO₃ perovskite on the catalytic activity were investigated by changing the method of preparing and creating holes in the surface of the samples. Physical and chemical properties of the samples, before and after the reactor test, were determined through ICP, AA, XRD, TGA, TPR, BET, SEM, EDX and TEM techniques. The results of XRD, ICP, AA, SEM, EDX and TEM tests indicated that the citrate sol–gel method is a good way to prepare a homogeneous perovskite LaNiO₃ sample on a scale of nanometers. The results of the TPR test showed using etching in the citrate sol–gel method can produce samples with high stability. The BET results indicated that the surface area of the LaNiO₃ sample tripled with the method suggested in this paper. Changes in preparation method lead to induction time decreasing and temperature increasing. Use of etching in the citrate sol gel method had no significant effect in the results of activity tests versus time reaction at a temperature of 800 °C. TGA curves revealed no production of coke over the process for the produced samples.     

Surface morphology of silicon single crystals treated with acid polishing etchants

The specific features of formation of micro-and nanorelief on the (001) surface of silicon single crystals upon treatment with widely used etchants HF HNO₃ H₂O and with poorly studied etchants HF KMnO₄ H₂O were studied. The relief of the etched surface was examined by optical, scanning electron, and atomic-force microscopy. The polishing properties of the etchants and the silicon etching rates were studied in relation to the oxidant content. The polishing properties of the etchants were compared by analyzing statistical distribution of such characteristics of the relief of the etched surface as the height and length of micro- and nanowaves.     

Chemical structure and surface morphology evolution of glow discharge polymer films by Ar‐ions intermittent etching

The Ar‐ions intermittent‐etching technique was successfully incorporated during the deposition of glow discharge polymer (GDP) films. The ionic components and ion energy distributions (IEDs) of C₄H₈/H₂ and C₄H₈/H₂/Ar plasma were diagnosed by an energy‐resolved mass spectrometer, respectively. The Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy, scanning electron microscope, and white‐light interferometer were used to studying the chemical structure, surface morphology, and roughness of the GDP films, which are deposited with the various time of Ar‐ions intermittent etching. With the introduction of Ar into the chamber, the intensity of the C H absorption peaks becomes weak and the large‐mass C H species were ionized and dissociated from the mass spectrometer results. The surface roughness of GDP films are decreased with Ar‐ions intermittent etching, the lowest surface roughness (Rq) is only 33.6 nm when the intermittent cycle is 60 minutes/15 minutes. The highest sp³CH₃ (sym) absorption peaks are attributed to samples also with 60‐minute/15‐minute intermittent cycle, which shortens the length of the carbon chain and reduces the probability of the cluster formations.     

Surface characteristics of Ti‐10Ta‐10Nb alloy modified by hydrogen peroxide treatment for dental implants

The use of titanium‐based alloys as biomaterials is becoming more common because they have a reduced elastic modulus, superior biocompatibility, specific strength, good corrosion resistance, superior strain control, and fatigue resistance compared to conventional stainless steel and Co? Cr alloys. However, when implanted into the human body these metals are problematic because they do not directly bond with living bone. Surface treatments play an important role in nucleating calcium phosphate deposition on a surgical titanium alloy implant. The purpose of this study is to examine whether the precipitation of apatite on Ti? 10Ta? 10Nb alloy is affected by surface modification in H₂O₂ solution. Specimens were chemically treated with a solution containing 30 wt% H₂O₂ at 80 °C for 1 h, and subsequently heat treated at 400 °C for 1 h. All specimens were immersed in SBF (Simulated Body Fluid) with a pH of 7.4 at 36.5 °C for seven days, and the surfaces were examined with XRD, SEM, EDX and in vitro testing. The microstructure analysis of the Ti? 10Ta? 10Nb alloy after etching with Keller's etchant showed a Widmanstatten pattern. The micro‐Vickers hardness number was 236.44 ± 4.99, and surface roughness was increased by the surface treatment. The wettability after surface treatment was better than on the nontreated surface. Resistance to cytotoxicity was decreased by the chemical surface treatment (P < 0.05). Copyright © 2011 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

Activated Carbons Prepared from Chemically Modified Sapropelites

Changes in sapropelite structure at room temperature in the course of modification with HNO₃, HNO₃-Ac₂O, SO₃-H₂SO₄, and H₂SO₄ were studied. The effect of chemical modification on the development of the specific surface area at thermolysis in the presence of acid (H₃PO₄) or base (KOH) activators was analyzed.     

Improving prediction selectivity for on-line near-infrared monitoring of components in etchant solution by spectral range optimization

The components (H₃PO₄, HNO₃, CH₃COOH and water) in an etchant solution have been accurately measured in an on-line manner using near-infrared (NIR) spectroscopy by directly illuminating NIR radiation through a Teflon line. In particular, the spectral features according to the change of H₃PO₄ or HNO₃ concentrations were not mainly from NIR absorption themselves, but from the perturbation (or displacement) of water bands; therefore, the resulting spectral variations were quite similar to each other. Consequently partial least squares (PLS) prediction selectivity among the components should be the most critical issue for continuous on-line compositional monitoring by NIR spectroscopy. To improve selectivity of the calibration model, we have optimized the calibration models by finding selective spectral ranges with the use of moving window PLS. Using the optimized PLS models for each component, the resulting prediction accuracies were substantially improved. Furthermore, on-line prediction selectivity was evaluated by spiking individual pure components step by step and examining the resulting prediction trends. When optimized PLS models were used, each concentration was selectively and sensitively varied at each spike; meanwhile, when whole or non-optimized ranges were used for PLS, the prediction selectivity was greatly degraded. This study verifies that the selection of an optimal spectral range for PLS is the most important factor to make Teflon-based NIR measurements successful for on-line and real-time monitoring of etching solutions.     

Production of ultrahigh temperature composite materials HfB2-SiC and the study of their behavior under the action of a dissociated air flow

Ultrahigh temperature composite materials HfB₂-SiC containing 25, 35, and 45 vol % SiC were produced by spark plasma sintering. Modeling of heating under the action of a dissociated air flow for selected samples using a VGU-4 induction plasma generator showed that these materials do not degrade even while keeping at a surface temperature of more than 2000°C (up to 2600°C) for 11 min. A combination of optical microscopy, scanning electron microscopy (with EDX analysis), and X-ray computed microtomography were used for investigating the microstructure and composition of the oxidized layer before and after heating.     

Preparation of LaPO4 nanowires with high aspect ratio by a facile hydrothermal method and their photoluminescence

LaPO₄ nanowires (NWs) measuring 10–15 nm in diameter and up to 4 μm long were prepared by a 200 °C and 12 h hydrothermal reaction of LaCl₃ and Na₃PO₄·12H₂O solution with pH adjusting by 37 % HNO₃ to 1, without using any surfactants or templates. The as-prepared LaPO₄ NWs were characterized by X-ray diffraction, Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy, scanning and transmission electron microscopy, and UV–visible and photoluminescent spectroscopy. In the present research, photonic luminescence and absorbance of LaPO₄ NWs show the maximum emission at 397.60 nm in the violet region and a band gap of 2.87 eV.     

Phosphatation of iron powder metallurgical samples for corrosion protection

Recently, powder metallurgy methods have been used widely for industrial purposes. In this work, powder-metallurgically produced samples were selected for zinc phosphate coating. Zinc phosphate coating was performed at 50 and 70 °C for 20 min in a bath containing 10 g l^?1 ZnO, 25.5 g l^?1 H₃PO₄, 5.88 g l^?1 HNO₃, and 2 g l^?1 NaNO₃. The effect of temperature on the phosphating process has been studied. The structure and corrosion resistance of coats have been investigated using scanning electron microscopy (SEM) and electrochemical methods (polarization and EIS). Results show that an increase in temperature affects the crystalline structure of the coats. The formation of the zinc phosphate coat on the powder metallurgical samples significantly decreases the corrosion rate of the samples.     

Characterization of non‐Cr‐based deoxidizers on Al alloy 7475‐T7651

The effects of three non‐chromate‐based deoxidizers, namely NaBrO₃/HNO₃, (NH₄)₄Ce(SO₄)₄/H₂SO₄ and Fe(III)/HF/HNO₃, on the Al alloy 7475‐T7651 were investigated. Several analytical methods were employed, including SEM, AES, transmission electron microscopy (TEM), electron energy‐loss spectroscopy (EELS) and glow discharge optical emission spectrometry (GDOES), to study the effects on the surface of this alloy after each treatment compared with the as‐received and alkaline‐cleaned alloy surfaces. The untreated alloy was found to have a thick oxide of 200–320 nm, consisting mainly of MgO. Alkaline cleaning results in an etching effect that thins the oxide and also deposits a thin silicate layer on the surface. In the case of the deoxidizers, there is significant removal of the native oxide of the alloy by the NaBrO₃/HNO₃ deoxidizer. There is also evidence of intermetallic attack on the alloy. The (NH₄)₄Ce(SO₄)₄/H₂SO₄ deoxidizer, which is a low‐etch‐rate deoxidizer, resulted in a slight thinning of the oxide. However, the effect was not significantly greater than with alkaline cleaning alone. The most effective deoxidizer in reducing the oxide thickness of the alloy is Fe(III)/HF/HNO₃, in which the etch rate was sufficiently high to remove completely the native oxide. In this case, equilibrium between oxide removal and the formation of new oxides on the alloy surface was achieved. Copyright © 2004 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

High density copper nanowire arrays deposition inside ordered titania pores by electrodeposition

Large area and free-standing TiO₂ films was prepared by ultrasonic splitting and a chemical etching step was used to open the closed bottom end of TiO₂ films and yields a high aspect-ratio anodic titanium oxide membrane open at both ends. Ordered Cu nanowire structures were fabricated by a simple electroplating method inside high aspect-ratio anodic titanium oxide membrane. Scanning electron microscopy (SEM), transmission electron microscopy (TEM), and the X-ray diffraction (XRD) were employed to characterize the resulting samples. Detailed results and the possible mechanism are presented.     

Silica supported orthophosphoric acid (H3PO4. SiO2): a green,heterogeneous catalyst for solvent-free oxathioacetalization of aldehydes

Abstract

A silica supported orthophosphoric acid catalyst (H₃PO₄. SiO₂) was prepared by stirring silica gel (100–200mesh) with orthophosphoric acid in chloroform at room temperature. The catalyst was characterized by scanning electron microscopy (SEM) and energy dispersion analytical X-ray (EDX). It demonstrated excellent activity, chemoselectivity, and recyclability for oxathioacetalization of aldehydes.     

Growth of semiconducting iron sulfide thin films by chemical vapor deposition from air-stable single-source metal organic precursor for photovoltaic application

Semiconducting nanostructured iron sulfide thin films were prepared by aerosol chemical vapor deposition at 673 and 723?K from newly synthesized iron complex of dithiocarbo-1,2,3,4-tetrahydroquinoline [Fe(S₂CNC₉H₁₀)₂]. The degree of film surface roughness was determined by atomic force microscopy. The nature of the deposited thin films formed was determined by a combination of EDX analysis and glancing angle X-ray diffraction.     

Accurate and precise reference method for the determination of chromium in high-alloy steel

Methods for determining chromium in high-alloy steels based on potentiometric titration after oxidation of chromium(III) to chromium(VI) with peroxodisulphate were studied using different dissolution procedures, viz., dissolution in HClHNO₃ and fuming with H₂SO₄H₃PO₄, dissolution in HClHNO₃ and fuming with HClO₄, dissolution in HClHNO₃HF in a microwave oven, fusion in sodium peroxide in a zirconium crucible and dissolution in dilute H₂SO₄ and oxidation with H₂O₂. A back-titration was used with dichromate after addition of solid ammonium iron (II) sulphate.The dissolution procedures were tested on 24 certified reference materials (0.01–3.3% C, 10–325% Cr). All procedures except the second gave good results for samples with ? 0.8% C. For samples with ? 0.8% C, the third and fourth procedures gave significantly higher values and better precisions, and gave the best results for all samples. The relative standard deviations were, with few exceptions, below 0.2%.     

Formation of octacalcium phosphate by heterogeneous nucleation on a titania surface

Biocompatibility of the surfaces of titanium dental implants can be improved by covering them with calcium phosphate crystals, which makes the surface bioreactive. Possibly the most effective bioreactive foreign material that improves osteointegration and adsorption/binding of extracellular proteins and structural proteins is crystalline octacalcium phosphate {2×[Ca₄H(PO₄)₃·2.5H₂O] or Ca₈(HPO₄)₂(PO₄)₄·5H₂O, OCP}. In this work the building up of OCP crystals on the surface of TiO₂ anatase is examined in the process of heterogeneous nucleation from constant-composition solutions of CaCl₂ and KH₂PO₄ at constant pH (pH 6.8) and ionic strength (I=0.05 M), in dense titania suspensions. Constant relative supersaturation with regard to the calcium phosphate formation was maintained by the controlled addition of the reagent solutions, according to the desired speed of crystallization. The surface saturation value of calcium ion adsorption was measured by detecting the pH decrease during CaCl₂ addition in a separate experiment. The OCP crystallization was also conducted on the surface of an evaporated titanium layer, and on titanium metal disks. The surface of the disks was modified by the laser ablation method in order to increase the oxide layer thickness. Calcium phosphate crystals formed on the surface of the modified titanium disks, but not in an appreciable amount on the surface of the evaporated titanium layer.     

Electropolishing of medical-grade stainless steel in preparation for surface nano-texturing

The purpose of this work is to investigate the electropolishing of medical-grade 316 L stainless steel to obtain a clean, smooth, and defect-free surface in preparation for surface nano-texturing. Electropolishing of steel was conducted under stationary conditions in four electrolyte mixtures: (A) 4.5 M H₂SO₄ + 11 M H₃PO₄, (B) 7.2 M H₂SO₄ + 6.5 M H₃PO₄, (C) 6.4 M glycerol + 6.1 M H₃PO₄, and (D) 6.1 M H₃PO₄. The influence of electrolyte composition and concentration, temperature, and electropolishing time, in conjunction with linear sweep voltammetry and chronoamperometry, on the stainless steel surface was studied. The resulting surfaces of unpolished and optimally polished stainless steel were characterized in terms of contamination, defects, topography, roughness, hydrophilicity, and chemical composition by optical and atomic force microscopies, contact angle goniometry, and X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy. It was found that the optimally polished surfaces were obtained with the following parameters: electrolyte mixture A at 2.1 V of applied potential at 80 °C for 10 min. This corresponded to the diffusion-limited dissolution of the surface. The root mean square surface roughness of the electropolished surface achieved was 0.4 nm over 2 × 2 μm². Surface analysis showed that electropolishing led to ultraclean surfaces with reduced roughness and contamination thickness and with Cr, P, S, Mo, Ni, and O enrichment compared to untreated surfaces.