Raman spectroscopy of morphology-controlled deposition of Au on graphene

By tuning substrate temperatures in a thermal deposition process, Au nanostructures with different morphologies, such as polygons, dendrites, irregular islands and dense clusters have been obtained on graphene surface. The surface-enhanced Raman scattering (SERS) of graphene caused by gold decoration is systematically investigated. The enhancement factor of graphene G band and the extent of G band splitting are found to be dependent on the morphologies of gold clusters. A maximum enhancement factor as high as ∼270 is obtained for polygonal gold film deposited on monolayer graphene. Furthermore, as a SERS substrate, graphene combined with polygonal gold shows the highest Raman enhancing efficiency for crystal violet (CV) molecules. The mechanisms for the above results are discussed.     

Free growth of one-dimensional β-Ga2O3 nanostructures including nanowires,nanobelts and nanosheets using a thermal evaporation method

Large-scale β-Ga₂O₃ nanostructures (nanowires-NWs, nanobelts-NBs and nanosheets-NSs) were synthesized via thermal evaporation of GaN powder in an ambient argon atmosphere. The effect of the substrate type (Si, AlN-thin film/Si and ZnO-thin film/Si) on the growth of β-Ga₂O₃ nanostructures was investigated. The morphology changes from NWs to NBs or NSs when the substrate changes from Si to AlN-thin film/Si or ZnO-thin film/Si, respectively. The size and dimensionality were the most influential parameters on the structure of the as-grown β-Ga₂O₃. The as-grown nanostructures crystallize within the monoclinic crystal structure of the β-Ga₂O₃ phase. The obtained nanostructures show intense blue-red emission characterized by a broadband photoluminescence spectrum with peaks located at 430, 500–525 and 688–700 nm. These emissions originate from the defect-related donor-acceptor pair recombination mechanism and depend on the nanostructure dimensionality and morphology. A vapor-solid growth mechanism for the growth of various β-Ga₂O₃ nanostructures was also proposed.     

Preparation and Characterization of Covalently Binding of Rat Anti-human IgG Monolayer on Thiol-Modified Gold Surface

The 16-mercaptohexadecanoic acid (MHA) film and rat anti-human IgG protein monolayer were fabricated on gold substrates using self-assembled monolayer (SAM) method. The surface properties of the bare gold substrate, the MHA film and the protein monolayer were characterized by contact angle measurements, atomic force microscopy (AFM), grazing incidence X-ray diffraction (GIXRD) method and X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy, respectively. The contact angles of the MHA film and the protein monolayer were 18° and 12°, respectively, all being hydrophilic. AFM images show dissimilar topographic nanostructures between different surfaces, and the thickness of the MHA film and the protein monolayer was estimated to be 1.51 and 5.53 nm, respectively. The GIXRD 2θ degrees of the MHA film and the protein monolayer ranged from 0° to 15°, significantly smaller than that of the bare gold surface, but the MHA film and the protein monolayer displayed very different profiles and distributions of their diffraction peaks. Moreover, the spectra of binding energy measured from these different surfaces could be well fitted with either Au4f, S2p or N1s, respectively. Taken together, these results indicate that MHA film and protein monolayer were successfully formed with homogeneous surfaces, and thus demonstrate that the SAM method is a reliable technique for fabricating protein monolayer.     

Catalytic growth of ZnO nanostructures by r.f. magnetron sputtering

The catalytic effect of gold seed particles deposited on a substrate prior to zinc oxide (ZnO) thin film growth by magnetron sputtering was investigated. For this purpose, selected ultra thin gold layers, with thicknesses close to the percolation threshold, are deposited by thermal evaporation in ultra high vacuum (UHV) conditions and subsequently annealed to form gold nanodroplets. The ZnO structures are subsequently deposited by r.f. magnetron sputtering in a UHV chamber, and possible morphological differences between the ZnO grown on top of the substrate and on the gold are investigated. The results indicate a moderate catalytic effect for a deposited gold underlayer of 4 nm, quite close to the gold thin film percolation thickness.     

SERS substrates formed by gold nanorods deposited on colloidal silica films

We describe a new approach to the fabrication of surface-enhanced Raman scattering (SERS) substrates using gold nanorod (GNR) nanopowders to prepare concentrated GNR sols, followed by their deposition on an opal-like photonic crystal (OPC) film formed on a silicon wafer. For comparative experiments, we also prepared GNR assemblies on plain silicon wafers. GNR-OPC substrates combine the increased specific surface, owing to the multilayer silicon nanosphere structure, and various spatial GNR configurations, including those with possible plasmonic hot spots. We demonstrate here the existence of the optimal OPC thickness and GNR deposition density for the maximal SERS effect. All other things being equal, the analytical integral SERS enhancement of the GNR-OPC substrates is higher than that of the thick, randomly oriented GNR assemblies on plain silicon wafers. Several ways to further optimize the strategy suggested are discussed.     

Lamellar arrangements of linear polyethylene in ultrathin films

The crystal orientations of linear polyethylene films on silicon substrates are investigated using grazing incidence X‐ray diffraction and atomic force microscopy. From diffraction analysis, we can identify the structural arrangement of PE crystals in ultrathin film. The orientation of lamellar crystal in PE films changes from edge‐on to flat‐on with the decrease of film thickness in the film thickness below ～ 100 nm. The slightly inclined lamellae relative to the substrate are found to coexist with the flat‐on lamellae in thin PE films that we have investigated. We find that the crystal orientation and structures is governed by the constraint imposed by film thickness rather than enthalpy gain as the film got thinner especially in the thickness below 200 nm. © 2011 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Appl Polym Sci, 2012     

Spinose carbon nanotubes grown on graphitized DLC film by low frequency r.f. plasma-enhanced chemical vapor deposition

Spinose carbon nanotubes (SCNTs) are grown on silicon substrates covered with diamond-like carbon film and iron catalyst film (Fe/DLC/Si structure) by low frequency r.f. plasma-enhanced chemical vapor deposition (LFRF-PECVD). During the pre-treatment of the Fe/DLC/Si substrate, there are three processes happened, namely, iron film spalled to small islands, the DLC film graphitized, and the iron island reacted partially with the graphitized DLC (GDLC), which can be deduced from the Raman spectroscopy and SEM pictures. SCNTs film grew from C₂H₂---H₂ mixture under low plasma density. The good contact of carbon nanotube with GDLC film was acquired by the accumulation of the graphite sheets and the reaction between the iron particles and GDLC film. The homogeneous spines with the length of approximately 15 nm and the thickness of <5 nm burgeoned from the defects at the wall of carbon nanotube and distributed uniformly, which were in fact thin bent or rolled-up graphite sheets.     

Hydrogel-Assisted 3D Volumetric Hotspot for Sensitive Detection by Surface-Enhanced Raman Spectroscopy

Effective hotspot engineering with facile and cost-effective fabrication procedures is critical for the practical application of surface-enhanced Raman spectroscopy (SERS). We propose a SERS substrate composed of a metal film over polyimide nanopillars (MFPNs) with three-dimensional (3D) volumetric hotspots for this purpose. The 3D MFPNs were fabricated through a two-step process of maskless plasma etching and hydrogel encapsulation. The probe molecules dispersed in solution were highly concentrated in the 3D hydrogel networks, which provided a further enhancement of the SERS signals. SERS performance parameters such as the SERS enhancement factor, limit-of-detection, and signal reproducibility were investigated with Cyanine5 (Cy5) acid Raman dye solutions and were compared with those of hydrogel-free MFPNs with two-dimensional hotspots. The hydrogel-coated MFPNs enabled the reliable detection of Cy5 acid, even when the Cy5 concentration was as low as 100 pM. We believe that the 3D volumetric hotspots created by introducing a hydrogel layer onto plasmonic nanostructures demonstrate excellent potential for the sensitive and reproducible detection of toxic and hazardous molecules.     

Polytetrafluorethylene-Au as a substrate for surface-enhanced Raman spectroscopy

This study deals with preparation of substrates suitable for surface-enhanced Raman spectroscopy (SERS) applications by sputtering deposition of gold layer on the polytetrafluorethylene (PTFE) foil. Time of sputtering was investigated with respect to the surface properties. The ability of PTFE-Au substrates to enhance Raman signals was investigated by immobilization of biphenyl-4,4'-dithiol (BFD) from the solutions with various concentrations. BFD was also used for preparation of sandwich structures with Au or Ag nanoparticles by two different procedures. Results showed that PTFE can be used for fabrication of SERS active substrate with easy handle properties at low cost. This substrate was sufficient for the measurement of SERS spectrum of BFD even at 10-8 mol/l concentration.     

热处理工艺对减反膜性能的影响

以本实验室制备的高性能减反膜为研究对象,利用溶胶一凝胶法合成SiO：溶液,采用高速旋涂法制备纳米多孔SiO2减反膜,测试结果表明涂覆在白玻基材上的减反膜在可见光波段（400～800nm）范围内的透过率为94．6％±0．3％,其在405nm波长处的透过率达到1198．27％;同时进一步研究了热处理工艺在减反膜涂覆阶段对其减反性能的影响,研究发现：如果在基材表面涂覆一定厚度的减反膜,不同的热处理工艺对其的减反效果影响很大;如果热处理工艺选择不当,会使最终得到的涂层失去减反效能,甚至大幅度降低基材本身的透过率,为84．9％±1．1％。     

One-dimensional ZnO nanostructure growth prepared by thermal evaporation on different substrates: Ultraviolet emission as a function of size and dimensionality

Large-scale uniform one-dimensional ZnO nanostructures were fabricated through thermal evaporation via the vapor solid mechanism on different substrates. The effects of Si (100), Si (111), SiO₂ and sapphire substrates with constant oxygen treatment on the morphology and diameter of ZnO nanostructures were investigated. It is found that the type of substrate has a great effect on the shape and diameter of the synthesized nanowires, nanorods, and nanotubes. It is noticed that the size and dimensionality were the most influential parameters on both structural and optical properties of the grown ZnO nanostructures. X-ray diffraction analysis confirms the stability of the wurtzite crystal structure for all grown ZnO nanostructures and the preferred orientation is substrate dependent. The crystallinity as well as the defects within the crystal lattice of the grown ZnO nanostructures was studied through Raman spectroscopy. The photoluminescence spectra of ZnO nanostructures grown on Si (100), Si (111), SiO₂ and sapphire substrates showed two peaks at a near-band-edge (NBE) emission in the ultraviolet region and a broad deep-level emission (DLE) around the green emission.     

LaNiO3缓冲层厚度对Ca0.4Sr0.6Bi4Ti4O15薄膜结构和电性能的影响

利用溶胶–凝胶法在Si（100）衬底上制备了具有（110）取向的LaNiO3薄膜,然后在LaNiO3/Si（100）上制备了Ca0.4Sr0.6Bi4Ti4O15（Ca0.4Sr0.6BTi）薄膜。研究了LaNiO3缓冲层厚度对Ca0.4Sr0.6BTi薄膜结构和电性能的影响。结果表明,当引入LaNiO3厚度为250 ...     

Excitation wavelength dependent surface enhanced Raman scattering of 4-aminothiophenol on gold nanorings

Detailed understanding of the underlying mechanisms of surface enhanced Raman scattering (SERS) remains challenging for different experimental conditions. We report on an excitation wavelength dependent SERS of 4-aminothiophenol molecules on gold nanorings. SERS and normal Raman spectra, combined with well-characterized surface morphology, optical spectroscopy and electromagnetic (EM) field simulations of gold nanoring substrates indicate that the EM enhancement occurs at all three excitation wavelengths (532, 633 and 785 nm) employed but at short wavelengths (532 and 633 nm) charge transfer (CT) results in additional strong enhancements of particular Raman transitions. These results pave the way to further understanding the origin of the SERS mechanism.     

Interfacial Chemistry of Langmuir-Blodgett Deposited Polyimide Films on Si (100)

Using the Langmuir-Blodgett (LB) technique, ultrathin films of the octadecylammonium salt of polyamic acid (PACS) on (100) oriented silicon wafers with one, three and five monolayers were prepared. The imidization of the films was investigated with x-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS) during a stepwise heating procedure in vacuum. Significant differences in the XPS spectra indicate an incomplete polymerization of the films as a function of film thickness. It is believed that the chemical interaction at the interface between Si substrate and PACS is responsible for the incomplete polymerization of the LB film in direct contact with the substrate. From ellipsometric measurements the absolute thickness of a PACS and a polyimide layer has been determined to be 1.7 nm and 0.6nm, respectively. These measurements allow us to determine the electron mean free path for the Si2p electrons (E_k=1153 eV) of λ = 4.2±0.1 nm through these films.     

Optical and microstructural properties of ZnO/TiO2 nanolaminates prepared by atomic layer deposition

ZnO/TiO₂ nanolaminates were grown on Si (100) and quartz substrates by atomic layer deposition at 200°C using diethylzinc, titanium isopropoxide, and deionized water as precursors. All prepared multilayers are nominally 50 nm thick with a varying number of alternating TiO₂ and ZnO layers. Sample thickness and ellipsometric spectra were measured using a spectroscopic ellipsometer, and the parameters determined by computer simulation matched with the experimental results well. The effect of nanolaminate structure on the optical transmittance is investigated using an ultraviolet–visible-near-infrared spectrometer. The data from X-ray diffraction spectra suggest that layer growth appears to be substrate sensitive and film thickness also has an influence on the crystallization of films. High-resolution transmission electron microscopy images show clear lattice spacing of ZnO in nanolaminates, indicating that ZnO layers are polycrystalline with preferred (002) orientation while TiO₂ layers are amorphous.     

Optimizing catalyst nanoparticle distribution to produce densely-packed carbon nanotube growth

The experimental parameters involved in the formation of the Ni catalytic nanoparticles on Si/SiO₂ substrates that seed carbon nanotube growth were investigated. It was found that after deposition of a nickel film on the substrate, the temperature and time of the thermal and reduction catalyst pre-treatment steps are crucial variables for optimized nanoparticle distribution with different average diameters, depending on the initial film thickness. Densely-packed carbon nanotube forests with interesting potential applications have been grown from this nanoparticle distribution.     

Gold nanolayer and nanocluster coatings induced by heat treatment and evaporation technique

The paper is focused on the preparation and surface characterization of gold coatings and nanostructures deposited on glass substrate. Different approaches for the layer preparation were applied. The gold was deposited on the glass with (i) room temperature, (ii) glass heated to 300°C, and (iii) the room temperature-deposited glass which was consequently annealed to 300°C. The sheet resistance and concentration of free carriers were determined by the van der Pauw method. Surface morphology was characterized using an atomic force microscopy. The optical properties of gold nanostructures were measured by UV–vis spectroscopy. The evaporation technique combined with simultaneous heating of the glass leads to change of the sheet resistance, surface roughness, and optical properties of gold nanostructures. The electrically continuous layers are formed for significantly higher thickness (18 nm), if the substrate is heated during evaporation process. The annealing process influences both the structure and optical properties of gold nanostructures. The elevated temperature of glass during evaporation amplifies the peak of plasmon resonance in the structures, the surface morphology being significantly altered.     

Strong Eu2+ light emission in Eu silicate through Eu3+ reduction in Eu2O3/Si multilayer deposited on Si substrates

Eu₂O₃/Si multilayer nanostructured films are deposited on Si substrates by magnetron sputtering. Transmission electron microscopy and X-ray diffraction measurements demonstrate that multicrystalline Eu silicate is homogeneously distributed in the film after high-temperature treatment in N₂. The Eu²⁺ silicate is formed by the reaction of Eu₂O₃ and Si layers, showing an intense and broad room-temperature photoluminescence peak centered at 610 nm. It is found that the Si layer thickness in nanostructures has great influence on Eu ion optical behavior by forming different Eu silicate crystalline phases. These findings open a promising way to prepare efficient Eu²⁺ materials for photonic application.     

Preparation of anodic aluminum oxide (AAO) nano-template on silicon and its application to one-dimensional copper nano-pillar array formation

Anodized aluminum oxide (AAO) nanotemplates were prepared using the Al/Si substrates with an aluminum layer thickness of about 300 nm. A two-step anodization process was used to prepare an ordered porous alumina nanotemplate, and the pores of various sizes and depths were constructed electrochemically through anodic oxidation. The optimum morphological structure for large area application was constructed by adjusting the applied potential, temperature, time, and electrolyte concentration. SEM investigations showed that hexagonal-close-packed alumina nano-pore arrays were nicely constructed on Si substrate, having smooth wall morphologies and well-defined diameters. It is also reported that one dimensional copper nanopillars can be fabricated using the tunable nanopore sized AAO/Si template, by controlling the copper deposition process.     

An amorphous Si thin film anode with high capacity and long cycling life for lithium ion batteries

A Si thin film of thickness 275 nm was deposited on rough Cu foil by magnetron sputtering for use as lithium ion battery anode material. X-ray diffraction (XRD) and TEM analysis revealed that the Si thin film was completely of amorphous structure. The electrochemical performance of the Si thin film was investigated by cyclic voltammetry and constant current charge/discharge test. The film exhibited a high capacity of 3,134 mAh g⁻¹ at 0.025 C rate. The capacity retention was 61.3% at 0.5 C rate for 500 cycles. An island structure formed on the Cu foil substrate after cycling adhered to the substrate firmly and provided electrical connection. This is the possible reason for the long cycling life of Si thin film anode. Moreover, the cycling performance was further improved by annealing at 300 °C. The Li⁺ diffusion coefficients (D ₀) of Si thin film, measured by cyclic voltammetry, are 1.47 × 10⁻⁹ cm² s⁻¹ and 2.16 × 10⁻⁹ cm² s⁻¹ for different reduced peaks.