A new surface characterization technique: RIMAPS (Rotated Image with Maximum Average Power Spectrum)

This work introduces a new imaging technique, Rotated Image with Maximum Average Power Spectrum (RIMAPS), for use in determining orientation and characteristics of surface topography. It consists of computing the maximum value of the averaged power spectrum, given by one step of the two‐dimensional Fourier transform, for each angle of rotation of a digitized image. The basic measurement science of this technique is described and different cases are studied. The characterization of simple geometrical figures explains the meaning of peaks and their angular positions given by RIMAPS analysis. A known surface pattern made on a sample of pure copper, mechanically ground, is used to study reproducibility, dependence on image quality and topography scale relative to pixel size and magnification. Samples of pure zinc, mechanically ground and chemically etched, were used to show the main features of RIMAPS analysis when characterizing a more complicated pattern on a real surface. All the studies performed under different conditions for observation and acquisition of images give strong evidence of the stability and robustness of RIMAPS as a technique for the characterization of topography.     

Screening of supports for the immobilization of pectinmethylesterase from acerola (Malpighia glabra L)

A partially purified extract of pectinmethylesterase (PME) from acerola fruit was immobilized on various supports: glass, celite, chrysotile, agarose, concanavalin A Sepharose 4B, egg shell, polyacrylamide and gelatin. In addition, reticulation with glutaraldehyde was assessed, as well as the use of gelatin in the presence of celite, glass and silica. The highest immobilization yields were obtained when the pectinmethylesterase was immobilized in concanavalin A Sepharose 4B (81.7%) and in gelatin‐water (78.0%). Copyright © 2004 Society of Chemical Industry     

The catalytic activity and surface characterization of Ln2B2O7 (Ln=Sm, Eu, Gd and Tb; B=Ti or Zr) with pyrochlore structure as novel CH4 combustion catalyst

Ln₂B₂O₇ (Ln=Sm, Eu, Gd and Tb; B=Zr or Ti) with pyrochlore structure was prepared by sol–gel method for the high-temperature catalytic combustion. The crystal structure of Ln₂B₂O₇ was identified by XRD and their surface area was about 4 m²/g after calcinations at 1200 °C. Catalytic activity of methane combustion was observed for Ln₂Zr₂O₇ series and the best catalyst was Sm₂Zr₂O₇. Its relative reaction rate per unit surface area at 600 °C was 2 cm³/m² min, which was twice higher than that of Mn-substituted Sr hexaaluminate. From surface analysis by XPS, the low binding energy of each Ln element of Ln₂Zr₂O₇ compared to that of Ln₂Ti₂O₇, gave the catalytic activity of methane combustion.     

Instrumental characterization of clay by XRF,XRD and FTIR

Instrumental characterizations of the clay were performed by different techniques such as XRF, XRD and FTIR. XRF shows the chemical compositions of the clay where Al-oxide and silica oxide are present in major quantity whereas XRD confirms the presence of these minerals in clay. FTIR studies show the presence of quartz, alumina, haematite and different mineral matters.     

Electron spectroscopies and their use for materials characterization

We present here a general overview of electron spectroscopies from a practical point of view. The most frequently used ones are described and the type of structural information they can provide on materials is explained in relation to the physical processes on which they are based. Furthermore, we explore critically and in detail various tools that have been developed to allow a systematic solving of structures by these spectroscopies.     

Young’s modulus of crystalline C60 nanotubes studied by in situ transmission electron microscopy

Bending tests of crystalline nanotubes composed of fullerene C₆₀ molecules are performed inside a high-resolution transmission electron microscope. We fixed one side of a C₆₀ nanotube with a body-centered tetragonal structure with typical inner and outer diameters, i.e., 180 nm and 510 nm, respectively, and then applied concentrated forces on the other side using piezomanipulation of a silicon nanotip. The bending process was observed in situ by transmission electron microscopy with simultaneous measurements of the forces by an optical deflection method. It was found that the Young’s modulus of the nanotube was estimated to be 62–107 GPa, which was 1.1–3.3 times larger than that of C₆₀ nanowhiskers. The result concerning the increase in the Young’s modulus of the C₆₀ nanotube provided an experimental evidence for the structural model composed of an inner core and a surface shell for C₆₀ nanowhiskers.     

Preparation and Characterization of Zeolite Beta with Low SiO_2/Al_2O_3 Ratio

Zeolite beta with a low SiO2/Al2O3 ratio was synthesized by a novel two-step process.The synthesized sample was characterized with XRD,SEM,FTIR,and N2 adsorption-desorption and solid-state MAS NMR.The results showed that aluminium species were inserted into the framework of zeolite beta.The BET surface area,volume,and particle size of the zeolite beta sample decreased with decreasing SiO2/Al2O3 ratio.Our process was proved an efficient route to synthesize zeolite beta with a low SiO2/Al2O3 ratio.     

Quantitative non-destructive characterization of damage in graphite-epoxy composites

We investigated the effect of controlled damage on the residual strength, failure mechanism and acoustic emission (AE) activity of graphite epoxy composites. The controlled damage was introduced by indenting unidirectional tensile specimens using a hardness machine with a diamond indentor. The specimens were loaded parallel to the fiber direction. The damage progression mechanisms operating upon subsequent loading and the failure modes were found to be different for sound and indented specimens. The difference in mechanical behavior affected also the AE, as displayed by the statistical moments of the peak amplitude distribution. Specifically, the variation of moment values with stress level were found to be different for the two groups. This difference can be used to sort sound from defective material during loading. In addition, this approach can in future be used as a means to ratify the soundness of structures, if a reliable database can be generated.     

甲醇气相氧化羰化合成碳酸二甲酯 Ⅲ.复合载体铜基催化剂的表征

采用X射线衍射、表面物理吸附、CO原位吸附红外光谱、X射线光电子能谱以及热重分析方法对甲醇直接气相氧化羰化合成碳酸二甲酯的复合载体铜基催化剂(Cu(Ⅱ)/Naβ-AC)的物化性能进行了表征。实验结果表明,微波辐射条件下制备的Cu(Ⅱ)/Naβ-AC催化剂中,活性组分CuC l2一方面与分子筛载体间发生了固相离子交换反应,并形成了铜分子筛物种,另一方面,可直接高度分散在复合载体表面。反应后Cu(Ⅱ)/Naβ-AC催化剂中部分Cu2+被还原为Cu+或Cu0,Cu2+的结合能峰向低结合能方向迁移,但微波辐射处理并未破坏分子筛载体的骨架结构。采用复合载体增加了催化剂的比表面积,并产生一定量的微孔,从而提高了催化剂的氧化羰化反应活性。热重分析表明,当温度低于350℃时,Cu(Ⅱ)/Naβ-AC催化剂稳定性较好。