A comparative study of DRL-lift and lift on integrated polyisobutylene polymer matrices

This paper presents a comparative study of polymer pixel on sensors obtained by Laser Induced Forward Transfer (LIFT) assisted by a triazene polymer as Dynamic Release Layer (DRL). Polyisobutylene (PIB) was selected as model for chemoselective polymers which could be used as hydrogen-bond acidic polymer for vapor sensors.     

Temperature-dependent modifications in the surface composition of Finemet: A ToF-SIMS study

Time-of-flight secondary ion mass spectrometry (ToF-SIMS) was employed as an in situ tool to study the temperature-induced alteration of the surface composition of amorphous Finemet, Fe₇₃Si_15.8B_7.2Cu₁Nb₃. Temperature was changed reversibly by cooling from room temperature to 118 K and warming back to room temperature. As a general result, the ion intensities and, consequently, the surface concentrations of the alloy constituents were found to vary non-monotonously. Therefore segregation processes were in operation the extent of which was element-specific. Most importantly, while cycling the temperature hysteresis behaviour was observed with concentration of Fe developing just opposite to that of the alloying elements. Accordingly, on cooling the alloy, the surface enrichment with B, Si, Nb, Cu attained first a maximum in the range of 248-193 K before the segregation changed the trend to establish appreciable depletion of these elements at 118 K (as compared to room temperature). By contrast, the surface iron content developed inversely and decreased first to a minimum at ∼223 K before reaching enrichment at 118 K. During warming, a maximum segregation of boron and silicon was observed at about 223 K - similar as on cooling - so that this temperature can be considered characteristic of the segregation process. Dissociative adsorption of water from the residual atmosphere occurring at low temperatures was responsible for the formation of surface hydroxides of iron, silicon and niobium; an enhanced adsorption of molecular water was observed at temperatures below 153 K. The temperature-dependent segregation and adsorption-desorption processes were found to be largely reversible, so that the surface composition of Finemet was practically restored after finishing the cooling-warming cycle. The processes and factors governing the non-monotonous temperature dependence of the surface segregation in the amorphous alloy are discussed within the frame of segregation theory and the influence of temperature-induced tensile stress on segregation.     

Fabricating a reactive surface on the fibroin film by a room-temperature plasma jet array for biomolecule immobilization

A simple dielectric barrier discharge(DBD) jet array was designed with a liquid electrode and helium gas.The characteristics of the jet array discharge and the preliminary polymerization with acrylic acid(AA) monomer were presented.The plasma reactor can produce a cold jet array with a gas temperature lower than 315 K,using an applied discharge power between 6 W and 30 W(V dis × I dis).A silk fibroin film(SFF) was modified using the jet array and AA monomer,and the treated SFF samples were characterized by atomic force microscopy(AFM),scanning electron microscopy(SEM),Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy(FTIR),and contact angle(CA).The deposition rate of the poly acrylic acid(PAA) was able to reach 300 nm/min,and the surface roughness and energy increased with the AA flow rate.The FTIR results indicate that the modified SFF had more carboxyl groups(-COOH) than the original SFF.This latter characteristic allowed the modified SFF to immobilize more quantities of antimicrobial peptide(AP,LL-37) which inhibited the Escherichia coli(E.Coli) effectively.     

Gamma-induced modifications of polycarbonate polymer

Gamma-induced modifications in polycarbonate polymer have been studied in the dose range of 10¹–10⁶ Gy. Thin films of polycarbonate have been irradiated with different gamma doses from a Co⁶⁰ source. To monitor the modifications caused by gamma radiation, FT-IR, differential scanning calorimetry and X-ray diffraction studies have been performed. The studies have indicated that at the dose of 10⁶ Gy, phenolic group forms through scissioning of ester linkage. Though the effect of radiation is most significant at the highest dose, the process of modifications starts at 10³ Gy. Scissioning of the polymeric chain initiates a different morphological zone within the polymer matrix, and the polymer becomes more crystalline with increasing dose. Owing to chain scissioning, the mobility of the polymer increases, which in turn reduces the glass transition temperature of the polymer.     

A comparative study of droplet impact dynamics on a dual-scaled superhydrophobic surface and lotus leaf

The impact dynamics of water droplets on an artificial dual-scaled superhydrophobic surface was studied and compared with that of a lotus leaf with impact velocity V up to 3 m/s. The lower critical impact velocity for the bouncing of droplets was about 0.08 m/s on both surfaces. At relatively low impact velocities, regular rebound of droplets and air bubble trapping and flow jetting on both surfaces were observed as V was increased. For intermediate V, partial pinning and rebound of droplets were found on the artificial dual-scaled surface due to the penetration of the droplets into the micro- and nano-scale roughness. On the lotus leaf, however, the droplets bounced off with intensive vibrations instead of being partially pinned on the surface because of the irregular distribution of microbumps on the leaf. As the impact velocity was sufficiently high, droplet splashing occurred on both surfaces. The contact time and restitution coefficient of the impinging droplets were also measured and discussed.     

A comparative study of solid-silver and silver-shell nanodimers on surface plasmon resonances

We investigated numerically the scattering cross sections and near-field intensities of solid-silver and silver-shell (shell thickness d = 10 nm) nanodimers that interact with incident plane wave by the use of finite-element method with three-dimensional models. Results show that the silver-shell cases exhibit tunable surface plasmon resonances and its rotational effects can induce more surface plasmons in a wider range of wavelength that are not observed for the solid-silver cases with the same volume (1,046,666 nm³).     

A comparative study of lithium and sodium salts in PAN-based ion conducting polymer electrolytes

The conducting polymer electrolyte films consisting of polyacrylonitrile (PAN) as the host polymer, lithium triflate (LiCF₃SO₃) and sodium triflate (NaCF₃SO₃) as inorganic salts were prepared by the solution-cast technique. The pure PAN film was prepared as a reference. The ionic conductivity for the films is characterized using impedance spectroscopy. The room temperature conductivity for the PAN + 26 wt.% LiCF₃SO₃ film and the PAN + 24 wt.% NaCF₃SO₃ film is 3.04 × 10⁻⁴ S cm⁻¹ and 7.13 × 10⁻⁴ S cm⁻¹, respectively. XRD studies show that the complexation that has occurred in the PAN containing salt films and complexes formed are amorphous. The FTIR spectra results confirmed the complexation has taken place between the salt and the polymer. These results correspond with surface morphology images obtained from SEM analysis. The conductivity–temperature dependence of the highest conducting film from PAN + LiCF₃SO₃ and PAN + NaCF₃SO₃ systems follows Arrhenius equation in the temperature range of 303 to 353 K. The PAN containing 24 wt.% LiCF₃SO₃ film has a higher ionic conductivity and lower activation energy compared to the PAN containing 26 wt.%LiCF₃SO₃ film. These results can be explained based on the Lewis acidity of the alkali ions, i.e., the interaction between Li⁺ ion and the nitrogen atom of PAN is stronger than that of Na⁺ ion.     

Systematic studies on surface modifications by ARUPS on Shockley-type surface states

The quasi two-dimensional surface state on noble metal (1 1 1)-surfaces can be used as a sensitive probe for different surface modifications, adsorption processes, and interactions between adsorbate and substrate. Already one monolayer of physisorbed Xe on Au(1 1 1) is responsible for a characteristic shift of the Shockley state towards the Fermi level and the surface state experiences an increase in spin-orbit splitting of up to 35%. In contrast to the physisorption process of rare gases, a sub-monolayer coverage of an alkali metal, e.g., Na on Au(1 1 1), has the opposite effect on the Shockley state, i.e. an increase in binding energy, until it reaches the bottom of the L-gap and vanishes into the bulk states. Additionally, we studied the intermetallic system Ag/Au(1 1 1) which differs substantially from the other systems because of the similarity in the electronic structure between substrate and overlayer.     

Holographic control of surface modifications

The application of holographic interferometry to the control of surfaces, such as in processes of electro-deposition, vacuum deposition, and crystal etching is described. As examples, measurements concerning electro-deposition and crystal etching are reported. A double-exposure technique is used and both the thickness of deposited or etched material and the concentration gradient in the electrolyte give rise to interference fringes. From the reconstructed image it is then easy to evaluate the thickness and uniformity of deposition or etching. In the latter case, as is well known, etching figures give useful information about crystal structure and defects.     

A comparative study of coordination between host polymers and Li ions in UV-cured gel polymer electrolytes

Crosslinked gel polymer electrolytes are prepared via free radical photo-polymerization of 1,6-hexanediol diacrylate (HDDA) or tri(ethylene glycol) diacrylate (TEGDA) with 1 M LiClO₄ dissolved in a solvent mixture of ethylene carbonate (EC) and propylene carbonate (PC). TEGDA-based gel polymer electrolytes containing a polar moiety of ethylene oxide exhibit relatively high ionic conductivities over a temperature range from − 15 to 65 °C in comparison to those based on HDDA. The coordination structure between polar moieties of a polymer backbone and Li⁺ ions is examined using a Fourier transform infrared (FT-IR) spectroscopy. The results of FT-IR analyses manifest that the CO and COC groups of TEGDA-based polymer matrix form the complex with Li⁺ ions.     

A polymer surface for antibody detection by using surface plasmon resonance via immobilized antigen

A polymer substrate based surface plasmon resonance (SPR) technique was developed for detection of specific monoclonal antibody 10B2 (MAb 10B2) against bacterium Acidovorax avenae subsp. citrulli (Aac). The monolayer of Aac antigen was physically immobilized on 95:5 polystryrene – copoly acrylic acid (95PSMA) for detection of antibody. The amount of antigen–antibody binding was found to depend on the surface density of immobilized Aac on the sensor surface and the antibody concentration. The detection limit was 5 μg/ml which was lower than the required concentration during the normal production of the antibody at 10–100 μg/ml. This suggests a possible use of surface for the antibody screening. Moreover, an application in antibody screening was explored by combination of surface plasmon resonance imaging (SPR imaging) and antibody detection assay on the 95PSMA surface. Two antigens of bovine serum albumin (BSA) and Aac were used as a model system for antibody screening. The result shows that both antibodies can be distinguished using the immobilized antigens on the 95PSMA surface based SPR imaging technique.     

Local modifications of the surface work function by potassium adsorption

We show that at low potassium coverage the K/Ni(111) surface has two kinds of sites: one whose local work function is close to that of Ni(111) and another whose local work function is much smaller. The evidence is provided by the metastable quenching spectrum of K/Ni(111) and Xe covered K/Ni(111).     

Lamellar orientation on the surface of a polymer determined by ToF-SIMS and AFM

The fold and lateral surfaces of chain-folded lamellae of poly(bisphenol-A-co-etheroctane), containing both aliphatic CH₂ and aromatic segments, were investigated by time-of-flight secondary ion mass spectrometry (ToF-SIMS). At low and high crystallization temperatures, the surfaces of the polymer films were shown to consist mainly of edge-on and flat-on lamellae, respectively. Surfaces with a mixture of edge-on and flat-on lamellae were produced at intermediate temperatures. The edge-on and flat-on lamellae were identified by using ions that recognize the flexible and rigid segments of the polymer. Ion images produced using selected ions that are related to the edge-on or flat-on orientation can be used to identify the location of these lamellae on the polymer surface. Our results indicate that ToF-SIMS can be used to detect different lamellar orientations at the surfaces of semi-crystalline polymers.     

Amplification of enhanced backscattering from a dye-doped polymer bounded by a rough surface

We report the experimental study of the enhanced backscattering from a random rough surface through a laser dye-doped polymer. The sample is a slice of pyrromethene-doped polymer coupled with a two-dimensional rough gold layer with a large slope. When the sample is illuminated with an s-polarized He-Ne laser and pumped by a cw argon-ion laser, amplified backscattering is observed. The enhanced backscattering peak increases sharply and its width narrows for a sample with low dielectric constant |?(2)|.     

Electronic modifications and surface reactivity of an ion bombarded graphite surface

The first steps of structural and electronic modifications of a graphite surface bombarded with argon, hydrogen and deuterium ions were investigated using high resolution electron energy loss spectroscopy (HREELS). The energy and the damping of the low energy plasmon mode of graphite (E//C mode) were studied with respect to the bombardment settings. We show that argon bombardment affects the energy of the plasmon mode, while no similar change is observed after hydrogen (deuterium) bombardments. This can be related to the variation of inter-planar distance between two graphene layers. Moreover, the damping of the plasmon mode can be correlated with the interstitial defect concentration. Concerning the reactivity of the bombarded surfaces, we demonstrate that deuterium bombardment produce a non-deuterated surface. This last is very reactive to a further atomic deuterium exposure, as it is shown by the formation of C-D bondings. The deuterated sites can be removed after thermal annealings between 473 and 783 K. The occurrence of a chemical erosion mechanism accompanying this deuteration is discussed.     

PET surface modifications by treatment with monochromatic excimer UV lamps

Received: 11 August 1997/Accepted: 14 August 1997     

Analysis of surface and material modifications caused by laser drilling of AlN ceramics

For the laser drilling of aluminum nitride ceramic the processing results and the effects related to pulsed irradiation were investigated. Images of the drilled surface revealed regular, cylindrically shaped holes of about 100 μm in diameter independently of the laser wavelength (1064/532/355 or 266 nm). The holes were surrounded by circular heat-affected zones of larger diameter. A comparison of the elemental compositions of the original material and the processed one indicated a decrease of the nitrogen concentration in the affected area. The spectral analysis of the ablated material composition revealed the presence of ions and neutrals in dependence on the laser intensity applied. It was found that at intensity values close to the ablation threshold the ejected material consisted mainly of neutrals, while doubling of the intensity resulted in appearance of single-ionized Al species, which were also observed together with Al clusters in the mass spectra of the UV-excited plasma. Their prevailing content was revealed for drilling at higher intensities around 15 GW/cm² at 532 nm. Results of model calculations indicated, in agreement with the experiment, that at the threshold the ceramic decomposes into gaseous nitrogen and solid Al particulates, while at a higher fluence the material particles vaporize and influence the quality of drilling.     

A comparative study of surface energy data from atomic force microscopy and from contact angle goniometry

Forces of adhesion have been measured for interactions involving self-assembled monolayers or polymer-film structures that had each been deposited onto a gold-coated glass substrate and a probing, gold-coated cantilever. The data have been fitted into mathematical models that allow the calculation of surface energy by considering the work done for the separation of the identically coated contacting surfaces. These values of surface energy are in close agreement with those from corresponding contact angle determinations, highlighting the potential usefulness of the technique for the study of surfaces at a resolution level approaching 1000 atoms. Comparative studies show that the employment of the atomic force microscopy technique may be preferable for the study of samples that are susceptible to penetration by liquids or for investigations under conditions that exceed the useful limits of conventional probing techniques involving liquids.     

Semiflexible polymer confined to a spherical surface

We develop a formalism for describing the kinematics of a wormlike chain confined to the surface of a sphere that simultaneously satisfies the spherical confinement and the inextensibility of the chain contour. We use this formalism to study the statistical behavior of the wormlike chain on a spherical surface. In particular, we provide an exact, closed-form expression for the mean square end-to-end distance that is valid for any value of chain length L, persistence length l(p), and sphere radius R. We predict two qualitatively different behaviors for a long polymer depending on the ratio R/l(p). For R/l(p)>4, the mean square end-to-end distance increases monotonically with the chain length, whereas for R/l(p)<4, a damped oscillatory behavior is predicted.     

A comparative study of the adsorption equilibrium of progesterone by a carbon black and a commercial activated carbon

In this paper the adsorption process of a natural steroid hormone (progesterone) by a carbon black and a commercial activated carbon has been studied. The corresponding equilibrium isotherms have been analyzed according to a previously proposed model which establishes a kinetic law satisfactorily fitting the C versus t isotherms. The analysis of the experimental data points out the existence of two well-defined sections in the equilibrium isotherms. A general equation including these two processes has been proposed, the global adsorption process being fitted to such equation. From the values of the kinetic equilibrium constant so obtained, values of standard average adsorption enthalpy () and entropy () have been calculated. Finally, information related to variations of differential adsorption enthalpy () and entropy () with the surface coverage fraction (θ) was obtained by using the corresponding Clausius-Clapeyron equations.