Electron Probe Microanalysis of HfO2 Thin Films on Conductive and Insulating Substrates

Quantitative electron probe microanalysis of highly insulating materials is a complicated problem, partially solved by coating samples with grounded thin conductive layers or using novel scanning electron microscopy (SEM) techniques, such as low-voltage and/or variable pressure SEM. In this work, some problems of quantitative X-ray microanalysis of thin HfO₂ films, in particular the possibility to determine mass thickness correlated to the density of the layer material, are discussed. For comparison, Al₂O₃, Ta₂O₅ and TiO₂ films grown onto both semiconductive Si and insulating quartz substrates were also analysed. All the films studied were synthesized by atomic layer deposition method.     

Role of the surface heterogeneity in adsorption of hydrogen ions on metal oxides: theory and simulations

In this article we study the effect of energetic heterogeneity of a crystalline surface on the adsorption of hydrogen ions (protons) from the liquid phase. In particular, we examine the influence of the shape of the adsorption energy distribution on the equilibrium isotherms of hydrogen ions. To that purpose, a few popular distribution functions, including rectangular, exponential, and asymmetric Gaussian are considered. Additionally, multimodal distribution functions, which may correspond to the adsorption on different crystal planes of the oxide, are also used. Lateral interactions between adsorbed charges are modeled using the potential function proposed by Borkovec et al., which accounts also for polarization of the liquid medium. The results presented here are obtained using both Monte Carlo (MC) simulations and theoretical calculations involving Mean Field Approximation (MFA). They indicate that increased energetic heterogeneity of the adsorbing surface may, in general, considerably change the behavior of the adsorption isotherms, regardless of the assumed distribution function. It is also shown that the predictions of the proposed theory are consistent with the data obtained from the MC simulations.     

Crystal Structures of 1,3-Calix[4]-bis-crown-6·3CH3CN and 1,3-Calix[4]-bis-(benzo-crown-6)·3 CH3CN

The crystal structures of a new solvate of the ditopic receptor 1,3-calix[4]-bis-crown-6, Bis-C6, and of 1,3-calix[4]-bis-(benzo-crown-6), Bis-benzoC6, are reported. Bis-C6.3 CH3CN (1) crystallizes in the monoclinic space group P21/n, a = 14.388(3), b = 26.947(8), c = 14.707(4) Å, = 113.19(3)°, V = 5241(5) Å3, Z = 4. Refinement led to a final conventional R value of 0.092 for 2723 reflections. The structure of (1) differs from the previously reported structure of Bis-C6.4 CH3CN by the conformation of one crown either chain. Two acetonitrile molecules are in the close neighbourhood of the crown ether cavities. Bis-benzoC6.3 CH3CN (2) crystallizes in the monoclinic space group P21/c, a = 10.391(4), b = 17.264(11), c = 30.426(9) Å, = 94.62(3)°, V = 5440(7) Å3, Z = 4. Refinement led to a final conventional R value of 0.106 for 2965 reflections. Two acetonitrile molecules are located near the crown ether cavities, as in (1). One of the crown ether conformations is the same as in the binuclear caesium complex of Bis-benzoC6, supporting the hypothesis of a preorganization of this ligand towards the complexation of this ion; the second crown ether chain is partially disordered.     

A new method for the synthesis of diorganylvinylphosphine oxides

Diorganylvinylphosphine oxides were synthesized in 31–38% yields on heating (50°C) diorganylphosphine oxides with vinyl sulfoxides or divinyl sulfone in the presence of KOH. Translated fromIzvestiya Akademii Nauk. Seriya Khimicheskaya, No. 10, pp. 1895–1896, October, 1997.     

The surface and materials science of tin oxide

The study of tin oxide is motivated by its applications as a solid state gas sensor material, oxidation catalyst, and transparent conductor. This review describes the physical and chemical properties that make tin oxide a suitable material for these purposes. The emphasis is on surface science studies of single crystal surfaces, but selected studies on powder and polycrystalline films are also incorporated in order to provide connecting points between surface science studies with the broader field of materials science of tin oxide. The key for understanding many aspects of SnO₂ surface properties is the dual valency of Sn. The dual valency facilitates a reversible transformation of the surface composition from stoichiometric surfaces with Sn⁴⁺ surface cations into a reduced surface with Sn²⁺ surface cations depending on the oxygen chemical potential of the system. Reduction of the surface modifies the surface electronic structure by formation of Sn 5s derived surface states that lie deep within the band gap and also cause a lowering of the work function. The gas sensing mechanism appears, however, only to be indirectly influenced by the surface composition of SnO₂. Critical for triggering a gas response are not the lattice oxygen concentration but chemisorbed (or ionosorbed) oxygen and other molecules with a net electric charge. Band bending induced by charged molecules cause the increase or decrease in surface conductivity responsible for the gas response signal. In most applications tin oxide is modified by additives to either increase the charge carrier concentration by donor atoms, or to increase the gas sensitivity or the catalytic activity by metal additives. Some of the basic concepts by which additives modify the gas sensing and catalytic properties of SnO₂ are discussed and the few surface science studies of doped SnO₂ are reviewed. Epitaxial SnO₂ films may facilitate the surface science studies of doped films in the future. To this end film growth on titania, alumina, and Pt(1 1 1) is reviewed. Thin films on alumina also make promising test systems for probing gas sensing behavior. Molecular adsorption and reaction studies on SnO₂ surfaces have been hampered by the challenges of preparing well-characterized surfaces. Nevertheless some experimental and theoretical studies have been performed and are reviewed. Of particular interest in these studies was the influence of the surface composition on its chemical properties. Finally, the variety of recently synthesized tin oxide nanoscopic materials is summarized.     

Towards supramolecular fixation of NOX gases: encapsulated reagents for nitrosation

The use of simple calix[4]arenes for chemical conversion of NO2/N2O4 gases is demonstrated in solution and in the solid state. Upon reacting with these gases, calixarenes 1 encapsulate nitrosonium (NO+) cations within their cavities with the formation of stable calixarene-NO+ complexes 2. These complexes act as encapsulated nitrosating reagents; cavity effects control their reactivity and selectivity. Complexes 2 were effectively used for nitrosation of secondary amides 5, including chiral derivatives. Unique size-shape selectivity was observed, allowing for exclusive nitrosation of less crowded N-Me amides 5 a-e (up to 95 % yields). Bulkier N-Alk (Alk>Me) substrates 5 did not react due to the hindered approach to the encapsulated NO+ reagents. Robust, silica gel based calixarene material 3 was prepared, which reversibly traps NO2/N2O4 with the formation of NO+-storing silica gel 4. With material 4, similar size-shape selectivity was observed for nitrosation. The N-Me-N-nitroso derivatives 6 d,e were obtained with approximately 30 % yields, while bulkier amides were nitrosated with much lower yields (<8 %). Enantiomerically pure encapsulating reagent 2 d was tested for nitrosation of racemic amide 5 t, showing modest but reproducible stereoselectivity and approximately 15 % ee. Given high affinity to NO+ species, which can be generated by a number of NOX gases, these supramolecular reagents and materials may be useful for NOX entrapment and separation in the environment and biomedical areas.     

Synthesis of Sulfur-Containing Bis-Terpenoids Based on Monoterpene Oxides

Ethanedithiol and di(mercaptoethyl)sulfide react regio- and stereoselectively with (+)-3-carene and -hydroxy(-)--pinene -oxides in the presence of sodium ethoxide to give the corresponding bis- and tris-sulfides with two terpene fragments     

ZrxTixAl1-2xO2的制备及其在三效催化剂上的应用

Zr_0.5Ti_0.5O₂(ZT) and Zr_0.25Ti_0.25Al_0.5O₂(ZTA) mixed oxides were prepared by co-precipitation method and characterized by low temperature adsorption-desorption， XRD and NH₃-TPD. The activity of Pt/Zr_0.5Ti_0.5O₂ and Pt/ Zr_0.5Ti_0.5Al_0.5O₂ catalysts was evaluated using the simulated gases. The results show that ZTA samples exhibit higher specific surface area， larger pore volume and proper surface acidic amount and acidity in comparison with ZT. The results of the catalytic test indicate that Pt/ZT and Pt/ZTA catalysts exhibit excellent low-temperature catalytic activity and lower light-off temperatures of hydrocarbon， carbon monoxide and nitrogen oxides， especially better conversion for nitrogen oxides (NO_x). The addition of Al₂O₃ into ZT enhanced the anti-aging property of Pt/ ZTA catalysts due to the excellent textural， structural， surface acidity and thermal stability.     

Rapid Synthesis of Nanocrystalline TiO2/SnO2 Binary Oxides and Their Photoinduced Decomposition of Methyl Orange

A rapid and simple method, the so-called stearic acid method (SAM) was developed to prepare nanostructured TiO₂/SnO₂ binary oxides by combustion of stearic acid precursors. The preparative process was studied by Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FT-IR). During the preparative process, metal precursors were dispersed in stearic acid at molecular level. Microstructure of the samples was investigated by X-ray diffraction (XRD), transmission electron microscopy (TEM), BET specific surface area measurement and the results were compared with those obtained by conventional sol-gel method. The photocatalytic decomposition of methyl orange was used as a model system to determine the relative influences of the preparation method and the concentration of SnO₂ on the photocatalytic activities. It was found that preparative methods affected the crystalline structure of TiO₂/SnO₂ powders and the anatase phase of TiO₂ was stabilized by the addition of SnO₂ in SAM. The samples prepared by SAM showed better dispersity, larger specific surface area and the TiO₂/SnO₂ (r=0.15, SAM) catalyst showed higher photocatalytic activity than Degussa P25.