STM/AFM studies of the evolution of morphology of electroplated Ni/W alloys

The surface morphology evolution of Ni/W alloys was studied, as a function of the alloy composition. Using the modified plating baths developed in our laboratory recently, electroplated Ni/W alloys with different W content, in the range of 7–67 atom percent (a/o), can be obtained. This was found to lead to different structures, ranging from polycrystalline fcc-Ni type structure to amorphous, followed by orthorhombic with increasing W content in the alloy. Powder XRD was studied to determine the crystal structures. Ex situ STM, AFM and SEM were used to study in detail the surface morphologies of the different alloys, and their evolution with increasing W content.

The important findings are that a mixture of two crystalline forms can give rise to an amorphous structure. Hillocks that are usually a characteristic of epitaxial growth can also exist in the amorphous alloys. Oriented scratches caused by stress can also be formed.

Up to 20 a/o of W is deposited in the alloys in crystalline form, with the fcc-Ni type structure. Between 20 and about 40 a/o an amorphous structure is observed, and above that an orthorhombic crystal structure is seen, which is characteristic of the NiW binary alloy. Careful choice of the composition of the plating bath allowed us to deposit an alloy containing 67 a/o W, which corresponds to the composition NiW₂.     

Behavior of zirconium in the ZrOW(100) system at high temperature, studied by ISS, AES and work-function measurements

The behavior of zirconium atoms at the W(100) surface associated with oxygen adsorption at different sample temperatures has been studied by Auger electron spectroscopy (AES), ion scattering spectroscopy (ISS), and the relative change of the work function (Δф) measured by the onset of the secondary electron energy distribution. The results have revealed: (i) adsorption of zirconium onto the W(100) surface followed by the elevation of the sample temperature up to 1710 K in an oxygen partial pressure of 2.7 × 10⁻⁴ induces complete diffusion of zirconium atoms into the W(100) substrate; (ii) further exposure of oxygen induces co-existence of oxygen and tungsten on the surface at 1710 K, resulting in a work function of 4.37 eV; (iii) keeping the sample temperature at 1710 K, simple evacuation of the system has resulted in surface segregation of zirconium atoms to the surface to form a zirconium atomic layer on the top-most surface, reducing the work function to 2.7 eV. The results have revealed that this specific behavior of zirconium atoms at high temperature assures, with very good reproducibility, the highly stable performance and long service life of Zr---O/W(100)-emitters in practical use, even in a low vacuum of 10⁻⁶ Pa.     

氧化钨薄膜微型电化学器件的研究

本文论述了WO_3薄膜氢离子敏器件的结构、原理、制备技术和测试分析。利用WO_3薄膜在H+溶液中由绝缘转化为导电特性,成功地研制成氢离子敏器件。这是一种简易而经济的微型pH敏器件技术。     

强冲击加载条件下的钨合金的界面研究

借助定量金相、扫描电子显微镜、透射电子显微镜等微观分析手段对钨质量分数为９３％的钨合金在１５～５０ＧＰａ冲击压力下微观结构响应性态进行了考察，发现了一些钨合金所特有的现象，即钨颗粒与粘结相交界处出现成分迁移，新相析出；并结合断口分析，探讨了钨合金在冲击作用下发生断裂的微观特征与韧脆转化间的关系及其物理本质。     

Oxidation of allylic alcohols, amines, and sulfides mediated by assembled triphase catalyst of phosphotungstate and non-cross-linked amphiphilic copolymer

A novel catalyst PWAA, an assembled complex of phosphotungstic acid (H₃PW₁₂O₄₀) and a non-cross-linked copolymer of N-isopropylacrylamide with an ammonium, was developed. It is an amphiphilic, cross-linked, and supramolecular insoluble complex and showed catalytic activity on oxidation with aqueous hydrogen peroxide. PWAA, used in 2.7×10⁻⁵-2.0×10⁻³ mol equiv., catalyzed oxidation of allylic alcohols, amines, and sulfides efficiently. The turnover number (TON) of PWAA reached up to 35,000. PWAA showed a good stability in organic/aqueous media and was reused three to five times.     

Electrochromic properties of WO<Subscript>3</Subscript> and WO<Subscript>3</Subscript>:P thin films

WO₃ and WO₃:P (5 mol% H₃PO₄) thin films were prepared using the sol-gel route and the electrochromic properties of the films were investigated using in situ spectroelectrochemical methods. The measurements were performed in propylene carbonate solution with 0.1 M LiClO₄ as electrolyte. During the cathodic polarization at –0.8 V a blue coloration is observed with a reversible variation between 14% and 84% of the transmittance at λ=633 nm. The kinetics for the bleaching process is faster for the WO₃:P film than for the undoped WO₃ film. Electronic Publication     

A surface adsorption model for electroless cobalt alloy thin films

Thin cobalt alloy films have been obtained using electroless deposition solution with two reducing agents: dimethylamine borane (DMAB) and sodium hypophosphite. This system allows spontaneous and self-activated deposition of barrier layers on Cu lines and via contacts for ultra large scale integration (ULSI) interconnects applications. This work presents a study of the solution composition effects on the material properties and composition of the films. First, we present the deposition rates, the electrical resistance, the various element profiles in the thin film, and the thin film roughness. Next, we discuss the film’s composition and its dependence on the ratio between the reducing agents composition in the solution. The experimental results suggest that the film phosphorous and boron composition is determined by the surface adsorption rates of the reducing agents. Therefore, a surface co-adsorption model of the two reducing agents is proposed, formulated, analyzed, and compared to the experimental results. Finally, we discuss the model and its significance to the formation of high-quality ultra-thin barrier layers. Dedicated to Professor Dr. Algirdas Vaskelis on the occasion of his 70th birthday.     

Rare earth tungsten bronzes: a new method of synthesis. Perspectives for their application as inert matrices for transmutation of long-life actinide elements

A new method of synthesis of oxide tungsten bronzes containing lanthanide (Ln) Nd and Eu, based on thermal degradation of polyoxotungstate compounds, is proposed. The simplicity of the method allows to consider this class of compounds with chemical formula, Ln_xWO₃, as potential inert target for incineration or transmutation of minor actinides, Am and Cm, in neutron reactors. Nd and Eu were used as analogues of transplutonium elements. Powder X-ray diffraction patterns of compounds synthesized reveal a cubic perovskite structure. The lanthanide content in bronzes was determined by optical spectroscopy analysis. The experimental density of the pressed bronze samples was estimated at 6.58 g cm⁻³, i.e., 89% of the crystallographic value. The thermal stability of the bronzes synthesized was checked up to 900°C in an inert atmosphere. Leaching tests were performed for europium bronzes in nitric acid solutions using luminescence technique.     

催化极谱法连续测定岩石中钨和钼

本文提出了在二苯基乙醇酸-二苯胍-氯酸钠催化极谱体系测钨后,加入少许钛铁试剂,使钼产生一个极灵敏的导数波。谊波形尖锐、对称,便于测量钼。建立的连测体系简便灵敏,用于岩石样品中钨和钼的测定,取得了满意的效果。     

阳极氧化膜WO3（Ⅱ）：电显色的介质效应

用循环计时电量法、循环伏安法、电化学现场(in-situ)紫外可见反射光谱技术和光电流谱技术研究了溶剂和阳离子(H~+,Li~+)对阳极氧化膜WO_3电显色稳定性和过程的影响。从循环计时电量图可以测定表征膜稳定性的氢或锂的累积量和暂态周期数。实验发现W/WO_3/LiCLO_4乙腈溶液体系具有高的电显色稳定性。引起WO_3膜可逆电显色的H~+和Li~+离子的嵌-脱过程的界面电化学机理不同。着色态WO_3膜的色心是自由电子,其密度超过10~(21)/cm~3,生色机理是等离子体振荡。