Surface modification and grafting of carbon fibers: A route to better interface

This review is an audit of various Carbon fibers (CF) surface modification techniques that have been attempted and which produced results with an enhancement in the interfacial characteristics of CFRP systems. An introduction to the CF surface morphology, various techniques of modifications, their results and challenges are discussed here. CFs are emerging as the most promising materials for designing many technologically significant materials for current and future generations. In order to extract all the physic-mechanical properties of CF, it is essential to modulate a suitable environment through which good interfacial relation is achieved between the CF and the matrix. The interface has the utmost significance in composites and hybrid materials since tension at the interface can result in a deterioration of the fundamental properties. This review is aimed to provide a detailed understanding of the CF structure, its possible ways of modification, and the influence of interfacial compatibility in physic-mechanical and tribological properties. Both physical and chemical modifications are illustrated with specific examples, in addition to the characterization methods. Overall, this article provides key information about the CF based composite fabrication and their many applications in aerospace and electronics- where light weight and excellent mechanical strength are required.     

Selective epitaxy and lateral overgrowth of 3C-SiC on Si – A review

This review article attempts to present a comprehensive picture of the progress in selective epitaxial growth (SEG) of cubic silicon carbide (3C-SiC) to make it a cheap and practical material for high temperature and high power, high frequency and MEMS (Micro Electromechanical Systems) applications. Selective epitaxial growth followed by epitaxial lateral overgrowth (ELO) is a suitable approach to minimize the interfacial defects and other planar defects in case of thin film growth. Different techniques of SEG and its application to Si, GaAs and III–V nitrides are reviewed briefly in the first section of this article. Various SEG techniques like epitaxial lateral overgrowth, pyramidal growth and pendeo epitaxial growth, etc. have been discussed extensively for growing 3C-SiC on Si, together with the characterization of the grown films. The influence of various experimental parameters such as temperature of growth, choice of mask material, influence of an etchant, pattern shape and size, etc. is also discussed. On the basis of these data, it is believed that SEG and related techniques are a promising approach for heteroepitaxial growth of 3C-SiC films useful for devices and MEMS applications.     

半导体碳化硅湿法腐蚀工艺研究

碳化硅(SiC)具有禁带宽度大、电子饱和漂移速度高、击穿场强高、热导率高、化学稳定性好等优异特性,是制备高性能功率器件等半导体器件的理想材料。得益于工艺简单、操作便捷、设备要求低等优点,湿法腐蚀已作为晶体缺陷分析、表面改性的常规工艺手段,应用到了SiC晶体生长和加工中的质量检测以及SiC器件制造。根据腐蚀机制不同,湿法腐蚀可以分为电化学腐蚀和化学腐蚀。本文综述了不同湿法腐蚀工艺的腐蚀机理、腐蚀装置和应用领域,并展望了SiC湿法腐蚀工艺的发展前景。     

Prospective evaluation of the use of various materials as matrices for active elements of lasers

Methods of prospective evaluation of the use of various materials as active elements for quantum generators for certain applications are considered. The way of evaluation for all kinds of dielectric crystal lasers with respect to optical quantum generators, applicable in technical designs is given. The influence of material properties on the prospective technical use is considered. The results are summarily analyzed.     

传统合金型热电材料研究进展

随着热电材料制备方法的多样化和性能表征手段的具体化,合金型热电材料以其优异性能在众多热电材料中脱颖而出,成为拥有高热电性能和高转换率的热电材料.主要介绍了根据适用温度划分的三类传统合金型热电材料:低温热电材料Bi2 Te3、中温热电材料PbTe和高温热电材料SiGe,重点归纳总结了金属合金热电性能优化方法,最后概述了其实际应用领域并展望其未来的发展前景.     

Catalyzed chemical vapor deposition of one-dimensional nanostructures and their applications

This article reviews progress in the growth of one-dimensional nanomaterials such as carbon nanotubes and inorganic nanowires. Catalyzed chemical vapor deposition has been the preferred method to grow these materials for various applications requiring controlled growth on patterned and unpatterned substrates. Both thermal and plasma chemical vapor deposition techniques have been widely used in the case of carbon nanotubes. In addition to the discussion on growth, a review of applications for one-dimensional nanostructures and future directions is provided.     

水热法制备ZnO晶体及纳米材料研究进展

纳米ZnO材料是新型宽禁带半导体材料,具有优良的光学及电学性能,在太阳能电池电极及窗口材料、声表面波材料、光电材料、敏感材料等方面得到广泛应用.纳米ZnO材料性能与制备技术有很大关系,本文综合评述了水热法制备纳米ZnO材料研究现状,研究了其制备特点及制备机理,从纳米ZnO晶体、阵列或薄膜、粉体三个方面制备实例研究了水热制备方法,最后探讨了纳米ZnO材料发展前景.     

Growth and characterization of two-dimensional crystals for communication and energy applications

This review article covers the growth and characterization of two-dimensional (2D) crystals of transition metal chalcogenides, h-BN, graphene, etc. The chemical vapor transport method for bulk single crystal growth is discussed in detail. Top-down methods like mechanical and liquid exfoliation and bottom-up methods like chemical vapor deposition and molecular beam epitaxy for mono/few-layer growth are described. The optimal characterization techniques such as optical, atomic force, scanning electron, and Raman spectroscopy for identification of mono/few-layer(s) of the 2D crystals are discussed. In addition, a survey was done for the application of 2D crystals for both creation and deterministic transfer of single-photon sources and photovoltaic systems. Finally, the application of plasmonic nanoantenna was proposed for enhanced solar-to-electrical energy conversion and faster/brighter quantum communication devices.     

Photoelectrochemical solar cells: Stabilization of small band GAP semiconductor in aqueous solution by surface-attached organic conducting polymer

Surface-attached polypyrrole films have been shown to produce a marked improvement in the stability of n-type single-crystal and polycrystalline Si against oxidation in an aqueous electrolyte. The current production of n-type polycrystalline Si coated with polypyrrole deteriorates less than 30% during 122 hr of irradiation whereas the unprotected bare electrode stops producing photocurrent within 30 s. The polymer protection of the n-type single-crystal Si is significantly less than that of the polycrystalline material because of differences in the adhesion of the polymer film to the electrode surfaces. The adhesion strength is shown to depend on various surface properties of Si and other electrode materials. Moreover, the surface morphology of the electrode affects the topography of the growing surface of the polypyrrole film. Requirements are discussed for the applications of organic conducting polymers to photoelectrochemical devices utilized for solar energy conversion.     

Investigation of alkali borosilicate glass durability using tritium tracing, β-autoradiography, scanning electron microscopy and ion beam analysis

A Li-Na-containing borosilicate glass was submitted to aqueous corrosion in static mode in tritiated solutions of various pH at room temperature and 90 °C. Tritium counting, β-autoradiography, scanning electron microscopy (SEM) and ion beam analysis (IBA) techniques have been used to investigate the composition variations of the leached glass surfaces. In an acidic medium, the glass surface is covered by a thick hydrated silica layer; mobile elements like Li, Na and B and transition elements like Fe and Mo are strongly depleted. Near pH 7, relative enrichments of aluminium and iron are shown together with strong Li, Na and B depletions. In a basic medium, the glass surface exhibits iron and molybdenum enrichments whereas mobile elements seem to be kept at their nominal concentration level at the glass surface. The tritium activity and distribution on the leached glass surface is shown to depend strongly on the pH of the tritiated solutions. These observations are correlated with the observed changes of the surface morphology and chemistry characterized by IBA and SEM analysis. Elemental solubility versus pH of various chemical species have been calculated for comparison purpose with the experimental observations.     

Full-wafer mapping and response surface modeling techniques for thin film deposition processes

Computational techniques for representing and analyzing full-wafer metrology data are developed for chemical vapor deposition and other thin-film processing applications. Spatially resolved measurement data are used to produce “virtual wafers” that are subsequently used to create response surface models for predicting the full-wafer thickness, composition, or any other property profile as a function of processing parameters. Statistical analysis tools are developed to assess model prediction accuracy and to compare the relative accuracies of different models created from the same wafer data set. Examples illustrating the use of these techniques for film property uniformity optimization and for creating intentional film-property spatial gradients for combinatorial CVD applications are presented.     

单晶光纤制备及高温传感器研究进展

单晶光纤(single-crystal fiber),是一种纤维形态的晶体材料,凭借优异的物理和化学性能以及大长径比的结构特点在国防及民生领域都有着广泛的应用前景。随着导模法、激光加热基座法以及微下拉法等生长技术的日渐成熟,单晶光纤迎来了科学研究和应用发展的黄金时期,其材料种类以及应用方向均呈现多元化发展态势,其中面向高温传感领域的高熔点氧化物单晶光纤凭借其耐高温、抗氧化、结构紧凑等特点在强氧化、强辐射、强腐蚀、强电磁干扰等极端环境中展现出了巨大的应用潜力。近年来,研究者们不断将光学、声学等传感技术与单晶光纤介质相结合,在保持传感器结构灵活性的基础上,拓宽了常规玻璃光纤传感器的使用温度,同时弥补了热电偶等传统接触式测温技术在恶劣环境中寿命较低的缺陷。本文以单晶光纤的制备技术为出发点,回顾了单晶光纤的发展历史,分析了单晶光纤三种主要制备方法的技术特点及发展现状。同时,总结了单晶光纤在高温传感领域的主要研究成果,展望了单晶光纤高温传感技术的应用前景。     

Novel solution routes of synthesis of metal oxide and hybrid metal oxide nanocrystals

Novel solution routes covering a wide range of processes like hydrothermal, solvothermal and supercritical techniques have been described in detail with reference to the processing of a wide range of advanced inorganic nanocrystalline materials and organic-inorganic hybrid nanocrystalline materials. The significance of the thermochemical calculations, in situ surface modification and the experimental parameters has been discussed. One step in situ fabrication of advanced functional nanocrystalline materials by soft solution processing has also been discussed briefly. Synthesis of nanocrystals of metal oxides and hybrid nanocrystals and also processing several nanocomposites like carbon nanotubes: metal oxide, activated carbon: metal oxide, etc. has been reviewed in relation to various process parameters. The effect of doping, size, shape and quality on the properties of nanocrystalline materials has been discussed in relation to the photoluminescence and photocatalytic characteristics.     

Porous solids and their characterization methods of investigation and application

Porous and finely divided solids are distinguished by a large surface to volume ratio. As a result, they have specific properties, such as enhanced reactivity, a high adsorption capacity, and a lowered sinter temperature. This contribution gives a survey over selected aspects of porous solids, with the main emphasis on methods of characterization and their applications. We treat porous solids with a regular pore network (zeolites) and irregular pore structure (sintered compacts, rocks). After a short review of the possibilities of characterization, we will describe the methods of gas adsorption and Hg intrusion in detail. Furthermore, we will give a critical assessment of the measurement of typical characterization parameters, such as the specific surface area, the pore volume and the pore volume distribution. The fractal character of large-surface and porous solids and the related uncertainty of the outcomes of measurements result in the necessity of standardization of experimental procedures and in the need for reference materials. The section on applications treats examples of porous solids from different areas: densification of ceramic materials, porous ceramic carriers for flue gas desulfurization, technical catalysts (zeolite/binder), zeolites for the separation of substances, sedimentary and crystalline rocks.     

Mössbauer and EPR spectra for glasses and glass-ceramics prepared from simulated compositions of Lunar and Martian soils

In situ resource processing and utilization on planetary bodies is an important and integral part of NASA’s space exploration program. Within this scope and context, our general effort is primarily aimed at developing glass and glass-ceramic type materials using Lunar and Martian soils, and exploring various application potentials of these materials for planetary surface operations. This paper reports the successful preparation of glasses from the melts of simulated composition of Lunar and Martian soils, and thermal and structural characterization using differential thermal analysis (DTA), Mössbauer and electron paramagnetic resonance (EPR) spectroscopy. Glass-ceramic materials were developed from these glasses using selective heat treatment, and were also analyzed by Mössbauer and EPR spectroscopy. The crystalline phases formed at different stages of heat treatment were analyzed and identified by X-ray diffraction (XRD). Potential applications envisaged up to this time of these glasses/glass-ceramics on the surface of Moon or Mars are discussed.     

Linear and non-linear optical properties of 2,5-disubstituted pyrroles supported by a catalyst-free SiO2 sonogel network

The preparation and optical characterization of pyrrole based sol-gel hybrid materials generated by ultrasonic irradiation (Sonogel composites) are presented in this work. Pyrrole compounds were recently synthesized in our group by a modification of the Schulte-Reisch reaction; these molecular systems were dissolved at different concentrations in tetrahydrofuran (THF) and optimally embedded into a catalyst-free SiO₂ sonogel network. For this purpose, we exploited the novel catalyst-free (CF) sonolysis route to produce highly pure sol-gel glasses, generated via sonochemical reactions. This approach has been recently developed in our research group and has been successfully implemented to develop several hybrid composites for optical applications. By this method, homogeneous and stable solid-state hybrid samples suitable for optical characterization can be produced. The high porosity exhibited by the sonogel matrix allowed us to prepare several pyrrole doped composites with variable dopant concentration. The linear and nonlinear optical (NLO) properties of these amorphous hybrid structures were determined by absorption- and photoluminescent (PL)-spectroscopies, and by the optical third harmonic generation (THG) techniques, respectively. The implemented catalyst-free sonolysis route produced SiO₂-host networks of high chemical and optical purity, suitable for optical and photonic applications.     

Fiber Crystal Growth From the Melt

The literature on melt growth of single crystalline fibers is reviewed. The paper introduces in the characteristic features and wide field of advanced applications of micro single crystals in elongated form having a small diameter in the region mykrometer-millimeter. A brief historical survey is given. After that typical melt growth methods for production of fiber crystals are shown - micro zone floating (i.e. LHPG) and pulling from a die (i.e. Stepanow, EFG and micro pulling down techniques). Some selected fundamentals of the fiber growth process are described in detail, like mass and heat balance, capillary stability and segregation behaviour. In the centre of interest is the discussion of growth and analytical results obtained for various materials - oxides, mainly suitable for wave guides, lasers and nonlinear optics (sapphire, YAG, KRS-5, BBO, LiNbO₃ and further niobates etc.), eutectics for composites, semiconductors for fundamental studies, and metals for high-speed filament production. Special measures for fiber cladding, in-situ core doping and periodically ferroelectric domain adjustment are included. For the sake of completeness a look at the modern branch of polycrystalline and amorphous alloy fiber spinning and melt extrusion is taken too. In conclusion, the special suitability of fiber crystal growth for fundamental research is demonstrated.     

FIBSIMS: A review of secondary ion mass spectrometry for analytical dual beam focussed ion beam instruments

Secondary ion mass spectrometry (SIMS) is a well-known technique for 3D chemical mapping at the nanoscale, with detection sensitivity in the range of ppm or even ppb. Energy dispersive X-ray spectroscopy (EDS) is the standard chemical analysis and imaging technique in modern scanning electron microscopes (SEM), and related dual-beam focussed ion beam (FIBSEM) instruments. Contrary to the use of an electron beam, in the past the ion beam in FIBSEMs has predominantly been used for local milling or deposition of material. Here, we review the emerging FIBSIMS technique which exploits the focused ion beam as an analytical probe, providing the capability to perform secondary ion mass spectrometry measurements on FIBSEM instruments: secondary ions, sputtered by the FIB, are collected and selected according to their mass by a mass spectrometer. In this way a complete 3D chemical analysis with high lateral resolution <?50 nm and a depth resolution <?10 nm is attainable.We first report on the historical developments of both SIMS and FIB techniques and review recent developments in both instruments. We then review the physics of interaction for incident particles using Monte Carlo simulations. Next, the components of modern FIBSIMS instruments, from the primary ion generation in the liquid metal source in the FIB column, the focussing optics, the sputtered ion extraction optics, to the different mass spectrometer types are all detailed. The advantages and disadvantages of parallel and serial mass selection in terms of data acquisition and interpretation are highlighted, while the effects of pressure in the FIBSEM, acceleration voltage, ion take-off angles and charge compensation techniques on the analysis results are then discussed. The capabilities of FIBSIMS in terms of sensitivity, lateral and depth resolution and mass resolution are reviewed. Different data acquisition strategies related to dwell time, binning and beam control strategies as well as roughness and edge effects are discussed. Data analysis routines for mass identification based on isotope ratios and molecular fragments are outlined. Application examples are then presented for the fields of thin films, polycrystalline metals, batteries, cultural heritage materials, isotope labelling, and geological materials. Finally, FIBSIMS is compared to EDS, and the potential of the technique for correlative microscopy with other FIBSEM based imaging techniques is discussed.     

Recent advances with electro-optic polymers

Abstract

In recent years the electro-optic polymers emerged as an important branch of material science. This growth and interest is fundamentally motivated by practical application of these materials in second-order nonlinear optics and in waveguiding configuration. Indeed, these materials marry excellent optical quality of amorphous σ bonded polymers with enhanced first hyperpolarizability of imbedded organic nonlinear optical molecules. Although a big progress was achieved with them, concerning particularly the science, understanding and applications, some problems remain still incompletely solved, particularly the stability of induced polar order by the application of external electric field and the molecule aggregation. In this review paper we recall techniques of thin film fabrication, poling, characterization of NLO properties and discuss more precisely problems of molecule aggregation as well as the temporal decay of polar order. A novel 3D second-order NLO chromophores, namely the [2] paracyclophanes, which may help to limit the aggregation, are proposed. We show, in particular, that this molecule can be poled in doped PMMA thin films. Practical applications of electro-optic polymers are also reviewed and discussed.     

Measuring surface forces to explore surface chemistry: Mica, sapphire and silica

In this paper measurements of the forces acting between two solid surfaces separated by a thin liquid film are discussed. By investigating these forces in a range of different liquids and solutions, it is possible to acquire an understanding of the surface properties of the solid material. The surface of mica has been studied extensively in this way, and the results obtained are reviewed to illustrate how the surface force measurements can give surface chemical information. Recent measurements on two other materials, sapphire and silica, which are of greater practical interest are also discussed.