Structural and Optical Properties of Sol-Gel Deposited Proton Conducting Ta2O5 Films

Proton conducting tantalum oxide films were deposited on ITO (Indium Tin Oxide) coated glass, fused silica and soda-lime glass substrates by spin coating using a sol-gel process. The coating solutions were prepared using Ta(OC₂H₅)₅ as a precursor. X-ray diffraction studies determined that the sol-gel films, heat treated at temperatures below 400°C, were amorphous. Films heat treated at higher temperatures were crystalline with the hexagonal δ-Ta₂O₅ structure. The solar transmission values (T _s ) of tantala films on glass generally range from 0.8–0.9, depending on thickness. The refractive index and the extinction coefficient were evaluated from transmittance characteristics in the UV-VIS-NIR regions. The refractive index values calculated at λ=550 nm increased fromn=1.78 to 1.97 with increasing heat treatment from 150 to 450°C. The films heat treated at different temperatures showed low absorption, with extinction coefficients of smaller thank=1×10⁻³ in the visible range. Impedance spectroscopic investigations performed on Ta₂O₅ films revealed that these films have a protonic conductivity of 3.2×10⁻⁴S/m. The films are suitable for proton conducting layers in electrochromic (EC) devices.     

Electrochemical preparation of poly(<Emphasis Type="Italic">p</Emphasis>-phenylene) thin films

We report the electrochemical preparation of poly(p-phenylene) (PPP) thin films with a polymerization degree of approximately 20 using biphenyl as starting material. The PPP films are prepared directly on a tin oxide electrode, presenting a positive charge carrier mobility of 5×10⁻⁷ cm² V⁻¹ s⁻¹.     

Microstructure and infrared reflectance modulation properties in DC-sputtered tungsten oxide films

Tungsten oxide (WO₃) films were deposited on indium tin oxide glass by reactive DC magnetron sputtering of a tungsten target in an oxygen and argon atmosphere at different substrate temperatures. Infrared reflectance modulation properties of the films were investigated in the wavelength range of 2.5–25 μm. The morphology and structure of the films are strongly dependent on the substrate temperature, and therefore have a great influence on infrared reflectance modulation properties. The charge capacity and diffusion coefficient of H⁺ ions in WO₃ films decrease, and the infrared reflectance modulation and color efficiency first increase and then decrease with increasing the deposition temperature. The values achieve a maximum of 40% and 18.5 cm² C⁻¹, respectively, at 9 μm and 250 °C.     

Thermo-optic characteristics in transparent glass fabric reinforced composite using inorganic–organic hybrid materials

The thermo-optic characteristics of the transparent glass fabric composite and matrix resin have been investigated. The inorganic–organic hybrid materials modified with sulfur are synthesized as transparent matrix resin with the same refractive index and Abbe number as glass. The optical characteristics of the transparent composite relate to temperature due to the fact that the thermo-optic coefficient (dn/dT) for glass fiber (1.00 × 10⁻⁵K⁻¹) is different to that of inorganic–organic hybrid materials (−1.99 × 10⁻⁴K⁻¹). As the temperature increases, the transparent composite gradually becomes opaque and hazy due to the increased difference in the refractive index between the glass fiber and the matrix. The change in optical characteristics is reversible, meaning that the transparent composites can be used in for various applications in optical devices.     

Regularities of photostimulated conversions in nanometer aluminum layers

The gravimetric and optical spectroscopic methods reveals that light irradiation with λ = 300–750 nm and intensity I = 6.9 × 10¹⁴–1.1 × 10¹⁶ quanta cm⁻² s⁻¹ for τ = 1–160 min in atmospheric conditions significantly changes the absorption and reflection spectra and mass of aluminum films (d = 2–200 nm). The kinetic curves of the degree of conversion versus aluminum film thickness are satisfactorily described in the inverse logarithmic and parabolic terms. The contact potential difference is measured for Al and Al₂O₃ films along with the photo-EMF of Al-Al₂O₃ systems. The suggested model includes the stages of generation and redistribution of nonequilibrium charge carriers in the contact field of Al-Al₂O₃ systems, oxygen adsorption, Al³⁺ diffusion, and Al₂O₃ formation.     

Thin Film Counterelectrodes with High Li Charge Capacity for Electrochromic Windows

Summary.  Ce-V mixed oxide films have been deposited by RF sputtering with the aim of increasing the Li charge capacity of counter electrodes in smart windows. Such mixed oxides have shown high transmittance and optical passivity in the visible region. After electrode pre-conditioning by cyclic voltammetry, a good electrochemical reversibility in LiClO₄– propylene carbonate electrolyte was observed, and large Li-charge capacity under galvanostatic charging (up to 50 mCċcm⁻²) has been measured. The electrode charge capacity decreased after prolonged insertion-deinsertion cycles, whereas the photoptic transmittance remained about constant. After 800 cycles the Li-charge capacity decreased to 40 mCċcm⁻². The Li diffusion coefficient inside the films measured by electrochemical impedance and by galvanostatic titration ranged from 10⁻¹¹ cm²ċs⁻¹ to 10⁻¹³cm²ċs⁻¹. We observed that the Li charge capacity of the film electrodes is a function of the film deposition conditions, because it increased with the vanadium oxide concentration in the target and with the oxygen content in the sputtering atmosphere. Received June 23, 2000. Accepted (revised) August 7, 2000     

Thin Film Counterelectrodes with High Li Charge Capacity for Electrochromic Windows

 Ce-V mixed oxide films have been deposited by RF sputtering with the aim of increasing the Li charge capacity of counter electrodes in smart windows. Such mixed oxides have shown high transmittance and optical passivity in the visible region. After electrode pre-conditioning by cyclic voltammetry, a good electrochemical reversibility in LiClO₄– propylene carbonate electrolyte was observed, and large Li-charge capacity under galvanostatic charging (up to 50 mCċcm⁻²) has been measured. The electrode charge capacity decreased after prolonged insertion-deinsertion cycles, whereas the photoptic transmittance remained about constant. After 800 cycles the Li-charge capacity decreased to 40 mCċcm⁻². The Li diffusion coefficient inside the films measured by electrochemical impedance and by galvanostatic titration ranged from 10⁻¹¹ cm²ċs⁻¹ to 10⁻¹³cm²ċs⁻¹. We observed that the Li charge capacity of the film electrodes is a function of the film deposition conditions, because it increased with the vanadium oxide concentration in the target and with the oxygen content in the sputtering atmosphere.     

Preparation and characterization of anion-cation surfactants modified montmorillonite

The low-temperature molar heat capacities of CoPc and CoTMPP were measured by temperature modulated differential scanning calorimetry (TMDSC) over the temperature range from 223 to 413 K for the first time. No phase transition or thermal anomaly was observed in the experimental temperature range for CoPc. However, a structural change was found to be nonreversible for CoTMPP in the temperature range of 368–403 K, which was further validated by the results of IR and XRD. The molar enthalpy ΔH _m and entropy ΔS _m of phase transition of the CoTMPP were determined to be 3.301 kJ mol⁻¹ and 8.596 J K⁻¹ mol⁻¹, respectively. The thermodynamic parameters of CoPc and CoTMPP such as entropy and enthalpy relative to reference temperature 298.15 K were derived based on the above molar heat capacity data. Moreover, the thermal stability of these two compounds was further investigated through TG measurements. Three steps of mass loss were observed in the TG curve for CoPc and five steps for CoTMPP.     

Simultaneous determination of catechol and hydroquinone based on poly (diallyldimethylammonium chloride) functionalized graphene-modified glassy carbon electrode

Simultaneous determination of catechol (CC) and hydroquinone (HQ) were investigated by voltammetry based on glassy carbon electrode (GCE) modified by poly (diallyldimethylammonium chloride) (PDDA) functionalized graphene (PDDA-G). The modified electrode showed excellent sensitivity and selectivity properties for the two dihydroxybenzene isomers. In 0.1 mol/L phosphate buffer solution (PBS, pH 7.0), the oxidation peak potential difference between CC and HQ was 108 mV, and the peaks on the PDDA-G/GCE were three times as high as the ones on graphene-modified glass carbon electrode. Under optimized conditions, the PDDA-G/GCE showed wide linear behaviors in the range of 1 × 10⁻⁶−4 × 10⁻⁴ mol/L for CC and 1 × 10⁻⁶−5 × 10⁻⁴ mol/L for HQ, with the detection limits 2.0 × 10⁻⁷ mol/L for CC and 2.5 × 10⁻⁷ mol/L for HQ (S/N = 3) in mixture, respectively. Some kinetic parameters, such as the electron transfer number (n), charge transfer coefficient (α), and the apparent heterogeneous electron transfer rate constant (k _s), were calculated. The proposed method was applied to simultaneous determine CC and HQ in real water samples of Yellow River with satisfactory results.     

Properties of ITO films prepared by reactive magnetron sputtering

Indium tin oxide (ITO) thin films were deposited by mid frequency pulsed dual magnetron sputtering using a metallic alloy target with 10 wt.% tin in an atmosphere of argon and oxygen. The aim of the work was to study the interdependence of structural, electrical and optical properties of ITO films deposited in the reactive and transition target mode, respectively. The deposition rate in the transition mode exceeds the deposition rate in the reactive mode by a factor of six, a maximum value of 100 nm·m min⁻¹ could be achieved. This corresponds to a static deposition rate of 200 nm min⁻¹. The lowest electrical resistivity of 1.1·10⁻³ Ω cm was measured at samples deposited in the high oxygen flow range in the transition mode. The samples show a good transparency in the visible range corresponding to extinction coefficients being below 10⁻². X-ray diffraction was used to characterise crystalline structure as well as film stress. ITO films prepared in the transition mode show a slightly preferred orientation in (211) direction, whereas films deposited in the reactive mode are strongly (222) oriented. Compared to undoped In₂O₃ all samples have an enlarged lattice. The lattice strain perpendicular to the surface is about 0.8% and 2.0% for films grown in the transition and the reactive mode, respectively. Deposition in the transition mode introduces a biaxial film stress in the range of −300 MPa, while stress in reactive mode samples is −1500 MPa.     

Fluorescent microscopic determination of gatifloxacin in milk,injection, human urine,and rabbit serum samples by self-ordered ring technique on glass slides support

A simple and sensitive self-ordered ring (SOR) technique, which was based on the capillary effect of solvent on a hydrophobic glass slide, was successfully applied to the determination of gatifloxacin in milk, injection, human urine and rabbit serum samples. In a medium of pH 3.20 (HAc-NaAc) with the aid of poly(vinyl alcohol)-124 (PVA-124), when 0.50 μL aluminum-sensitized gatifloxacin was dropped on glass slide with dimethyl dichlorosilane (DMCS) pretreated, a typical fluorescent SOR with diameter (2R) of the ring less than ca. 1.77 mm and the belt width (2δ) less than 29.3 μm can be obtained. The solute on the ring belt had strong fluorescence. Data of the imaged SOR showed that the gatifloxacin molecule across the SOR belt section follows a Gaussian distribution. The assay showed that when the droplet volume is 0.1 μL, the SOR method could be used to determine gatifloxacin in the range of 5.61 × 10⁻¹⁴ ∼ 1.50 × 10⁻¹² mol/ring (5.61 × 10⁻⁸∼1.50 × 10⁻⁵ M) and the limit of determination (LOD) reached 5.61 × 10⁻¹⁵ mol/ring (5.61 × 10⁻⁸ M) with three-fold signal-to-noise ratio (S/N = 3).     

Plasma deposition of silicon nitride-like thin films from organosilicon precursors

Plasmas containing hexamethyldisilazane or hexamethylcyclotrisilazane and nitrogen or ammonia were used to deposit silicon nitride-like films at low substrate temperature (T<60°C). Optical properties (refractive index and absorption coefficient), chemical composition of the deposit and film growth rate were examined with respect to the deposition parameters (rf power, pressure and feed composition). As deposited films from ammonia containing mixtures were silicon nitride-like, contained carbon, and were nearly oxygen free. Furthermore, only Si−N, Si−H, and N−H bonds were identified in as-deposited films. The reactive Si−H bonds progressively transformed into Si−O bonds as the films were exposed to air. Films deposited from highly ammonia-diluted mixtures, high RF power and low pressure showed the highest stability with refractive indices as high as 1.8.     

Electrical characterization of poly(3-methylthiophene) electrosynthesized onto a tin-oxide substrate

We have investigated poly(3-methylthiophene) (PMeT) thin films electrochemically synthesized directly onto a tin-oxide (TO) electrode. We find that the PMeT film thickness depends linearly on the charge density used during the electropolymerization. We have demonstrated that the current transport in PMeT films (solid phase) is space-charge limited or controlled by thermionic emission, depending on the electrode material. Using TO/PMeT/Ni devices we estimate the positive charge carrier mobility in PMeT to be around 4 × 10⁻⁴ cm² V⁻¹ s⁻¹, and the potential barrier height for positive charge carrier injection at the Al/PMeT interface to be 0.17 eV. Received: 6 December 1999 / Accepted: 24 February 2000     

An electrochemiluminescence sensor for determination of durabolin based on CdTe QD films by layer-by-layer self-assembly

This work reported for the first time the use of flow injection electrochemiluminescence (FI-ECL) sensor for the determination of durabolin in an aqueous system based on CdTe quantum dot (QD) films. Aqueous CdTe colloidal solutions were prepared using thioglycolic acid as a capping agent. Zetasizer Nano ZS (Malvern, UK) was employed to characterize the size of CdTe QDs. The UV–vis and photoluminescence spectra of samples were systematically characterized. Indium tin oxide (ITO) slide glass was modified with CdTe QDs by layer-by-layer self-assembly. CdTe QD films were packed into a homemade cell and used as a recognizer of the FI-ECL sensor to determine durabolin. The intensive anodic ECL emission was obtained at a starting potential of +1.3 V (vs. Ag/AgCl) in a carbonate bicarbonate buffer solution with a pH of 9.93 at an ITO electrode. The ECL intensity was correlated linearly with the concentration of durabolin over the range of 1.0 × 10⁻⁸–1.0 × 10⁻⁵ g mL⁻¹, and the detection limit was 2.5 × 10⁻⁹ g mL⁻¹. The relative standard deviation for the determination of 1.0 × 10⁻⁶ g mL⁻¹ durabolin was 1.04% (n = 11). This simple and sensitive sensor revealed good reproducibility for ECL analysis. As a result, the new FI-ECL sensor had been successfully applied to the determination of durabolin in food samples. This strategy could be easily realized and opened new avenues for the applications of QDs in ECL biosensing.     

Study and Application of Electrochemical Behavior of Calcium-ARS on a Mercury Film Electrode

A sensitive complex absorptive wave of Ca-ARS was obtained by using differential pulse voltammetry when a mercury film glass carbon electrode was immersed in 0.1 mol L⁻¹ KOH and 4.5×10⁻⁴ mol L⁻¹ ARS solution. The peak potential obtained was −1.17 V (vs Ag-AgCl). The peak current was proportional to the concentration of calcium in the range of 5.0×10⁻⁸−4.2×10⁻⁵ mol L⁻¹. The detection limit was 2.0×10⁻⁸ mol L⁻¹. This method was applied successfully to determining traces of calcium in blood serum. The electrochemical behavior of the system was also studied by cyclic voltammetry, and the experiment results showed that the electrode process was an irreversible absorptive with two electrons participating. Translated from Journal of Beijing Normal University (Natural Science Edition), 2005, 41(2) (in Chinese)     

A laser photolysis study of the quenching kinetics of triplet-state all-<Emphasis Type="Italic">trans</Emphasis>-retinal by oxygen in aqueous albumin and liposome solutions

The kinetics of quenching of the all-trans-retinal triplet state by air oxygen in aqueous solutions of bovine serum albumin and in a cardiolipin liposome suspension was investigated by nanosecond laser photolysis. It was established that the quenching reaction rate constant in the albumin solution (1.8 × 10⁸ l mol⁻¹ s⁻¹) was an order of magnitude less than in liposomes (3.1 × 10⁹ l mol⁻¹ s⁻¹). These constants were 5.0 × 10⁹ and 1.1 × 10⁹ l mol⁻¹ s⁻¹ in methanol and aqueous solutions containing 10 vol % methanol, respectively. The effect of hindered oxygen access to the Lall-trans-retinal attached to albumin is discussed in terms of its influence on the photooxidation processes in the retina.     

Electrochemical behavior of lead(II) at poly(phenol red) modified glassy carbon electrode, and its trace determination by differential pulse anodic stripping voltammetry

Poly(phenol red) (denoted as PPR) films were electrochemically synthesized on the surface of a glassy carbon electrode (GCE) by cyclic voltammetry to obtain a chemically modified electrode (denoted as PPR-GCE). The growth mechanism of PPR films was studied by attenuated total reflection spectroscopy. This PPR-GCE was used to develop a novel and reliable method for the determination of trace Pb²⁺ by anodic stripping differential pulse voltammetry. At optimum conditions, the anodic peak exhibits a good linear concentration dependence in the range from 5.0 × 10⁻⁹ to 5.0 × 10⁻⁷ mol L⁻¹ (r = 0.9989). The detection limit is 2.0 × 10⁻⁹ mol L⁻¹ (S/N = 3). The method was employed to determine trace levels of Pb²⁺ in industrial waste water samples. Correspondence: Gongjun Yang, Ming Shen, College of Chemistry and Chemical Engineering, Yangzhou University, Yangzhou 225002, P.R. China     

Nickel,copper and manganese hexacyanoferrate with poly(3,4-ethylenedioxythiophene) hybrid film modified electrode for selectively determination of ascorbic acid

The NiHCF-PEDOT, CuHCF-PEDOT and MnHCF-PEDOT films were prepared on glassy carbon electrode (GCE) by multiple scan cyclic voltammetry and characterized using cyclic voltammetry (CV), electrochemical impedance spectroscopy (EIS) and scanning electron microscope (SEM) techniques. The advantages of these films are demonstrated for selectivity detection of ascorbic acid using cyclic voltammetry and amperometric method. Interestingly, the NiHCF-PEDOT and CuHCF-PEDOT modified electrodes exhibited a wide linear response range (5 × 10⁻⁶−3 × 10⁻⁴ M, R ² = 0.9973 and 1.8 × 10⁻³−1.8 × 10⁻² M, R ² = 0.9924). The electrochemical sensors facilitated the oxidation of AA but not responded to other electroactive biomolecules such as dopamine, uric acid, H₂O₂, glucose. The difference is MnHCF-PEDOT/GCE that no response to AA. In addition, the NiHCF-PEDOT and CuHCF-PEDOT modified electrodes exhibited a distinct advantage of simple preparation, specificity, stability and reproducibility.     

Solid state voltammetric characterization of iron hexacyanoferrate encapsulated in silica

We describe a sol-gel approach by which iron hexacyanoferrate is immobilized in silica in a manner suited to investigation by electrochemistry in the absence of a contacting liquid phase. Such physicochemical parameters as concentration of redox sites (C _o) and apparent (effective) diffusion coefficient (D _app) are estimated by performing cyclic voltammetric and potential step experiments in two time regimes, which are characterized by linear and spherical diffusional patterns, respectively. Values of D _app and C _o thereby obtained are 2.0 × 10⁻⁶ cm² s⁻¹ and 1.4 × 10⁻² mol dm⁻³. The D _app value is larger than expected for a typical solid redox-conducting material. Analogous measurements done in iron(III) hexacyanoferrate(III) solutions of comparable concentrations, 1.0 × 10⁻² and 5.0 × 10⁻³ mol dm⁻³, yield D _app on the level of 5–6 × 10⁻⁶ cm² s⁻¹. Thus, the dynamics of charge propagation in this sol-gel material is almost as high as in the liquid phase. The residual water in the silica, along with the pore structure, are important to the overall mechanism of charge transport, which apparently is limited by physical diffusion rather than electron self-exchange. Under conditions of a solid state voltammetric experiment which utilizes an ultramicroelectrode, encapsulated iron hexacyanoferrate redox centers seem to be in the dispersed colloidal state rather than in a form of the rigid polymeric film. Received: 8 April 1999 / Accepted: 13 August 1999     

Magnetic,optical and electrical properties of Mn-doped CuCrO<Subscript>2</Subscript> thin films prepared by chemical solution deposition method

CuCrO₂ and CuCrO₂:Mn thin films were prepared on sapphire substrates by chemical solution deposition method. The effects of the annealing temperatures and Mn concentration on the structural, electrical and optical properties were investigated. The X-ray diffraction measurement was used to confirm the c-axis orientation of CuCrO₂ and CuCrO₂:Mn thin films. The maximum transmittances of the films in the visible region are about 65% with direct band gaps of 3.25 eV. All films showed the p-type conduction and semiconductor behavior. The electrical conductivity decreases rapidly with the increase of Mn content, the maximum of the electrical conductivity of 1.35 × 10⁻² S cm⁻¹ is CuCrO₂ film deposited at 600 °C temperature in 10⁻³ Torr vacuum, which is about four orders of magnitude higher than that of the Mn-doped CuCrO₂ thin film. The energy band of the samples is constructed based on the grain-boundary scattering in order to investigate the conduction mechanism. Moreover, the samples exhibit a clear ferromagnetism, which was likely ascribed to originating from the double-exchange interaction between the Mn³⁺ and Cr³⁺ ions.