Micro-structure of ITO ceramics sintered at different temperatures and its effect on the properties of deposited ITO films

Structural characterizations of two ITO ceramics that were respectively sintered at 1560 °C and 1600 °C were focused on and the results indicate that the lower sintering temperature is good for ITO ceramics to have the triangle fine grains, larger elemental concentration gradients of indium and tin and more content of In₄Sn₃O₁₂ phase which displays the stronger grain orientation growth along the crystallographic direction of [0-11]. ITO films with 100 nm thickness deposited at 25 °C–230 °C were used to investigate the effect of micro-structure on the film properties. Grain orientation growth of In₄Sn₃O₁₂ phase is conductive to form ITO films of columnar structure. Otherwise, uniform micro-structure and higher solubility of SnO₂ in In₂O₃ main phase contribute to deposit ITO films of higher sheet resistance, less thickness uniformity and higher transmittance at 25 °C, smaller etching angle and lower etching rate at 230 °C.     

Influence of an In2O3 buffer layer on the properties of ITO thin films

In the present study, an indium oxide (In₂O₃) thin film was deposited as a buffer layer between ITO (indium tin oxide) and PES (polyestersulfone) by RF (radio frequency) magnetron sputtering at room temperature, and X-ray diffraction (XRD) and field emission scanning electron microscopy (FESEM) were conducted to characterise the structural variation. The random texture of the ITO/In₂O₃ multilayered film favoured the (2 2 2) crystallographic plane rather than the (4 0 0) plane, which was favoured in single-layer ITO films. Transmission electron microscopy (TEM) observations further indicated that the buffer layer of In₂O₃ film was amorphous, while the ITO film was characterised by a columnar structure that was oriented perpendicular to the substrate surface. The electrical and optical properties of ITO/In₂O₃ multilayered films were enhanced due to the superior crystallinity and larger grain size of the material, as observed by XRD and FESEM. The multilayered film presented an electrical resistivity of 3.1 × 10⁻⁴ Ω cm, which is significantly better than that of a single-layer ITO film without an In₂O₃ buffer layer (4.7 × 10⁻⁴ Ω cm). In addition, optical transmission through the multilayered film increased by 2-4% due to the widening of the band gap by 0.2 eV, which was attributed to a Burstin-Moss shift.     

Effects of residual stress and intragranular particles on mechanical properties of hot-pressed Al2O3/SiC ceramic composites

Al₂O₃/SiC ceramic composites with different SiC contents have been prepared by powder metallurgy at 1600 °C for 120 min at 30 MPa pressure. The effect of second phase particles on the microstructure and mechanical properties of composites have been studied. The results show that SiC particle has a significant impact on the matrix subjected to residual stress, and on the microstructure of the composites as well. The average grain size of alumina matrix decreases as the SiC particle content increases. Simultaneously, it has been found that the mechanical properties of the material are significantly enhanced in comparison with monolithic Al₂O₃. The highest strength and toughness are obtained when the SiC content is 15 vol%, and the values are 1237 MPa and 5.68 MPa m^1/2, respectively. The mechanisms of strengthening and toughening have been discussed.     

Composite polypyrrole-containing particles and electrical properties of thin films prepared therefrom

Preparation of core-shell particles consisting of polystyrene-poly(ethylene glycol) monomethacrylate (PS-PEGMA) core covered with polypyrrole (PPy) shell is described. The thickness of PPy shell, which strongly influences electrical properties of the films prepared from the particles, can be varied by changing pyrrole load, controlling the overall template surface area in the system and by influencing the pyrrole polymerization kinetics in the presence of different oxidants. The type of anions and PPy loading strongly influence the electrical conductivity. Typical value of the resistivity of thin film consisting of core-shell particles was 34 Ωm (PPy oxidized by FeCl₃, shell thickness 3 nm). Current-voltage dependences of low conductivity samples (thin PPy shell layer) are characteristic of contact-limited currents. The conductivity of the particles changes with humidity, which can be utilized in humidity sensors.     

Structural and photoelectrochemical properties of SrTaO2N oxynitride thin films deposited by reactive magnetron sputtering

In this study, the influence of the degree of crystallization and thickness of films was correlated with the photoelectrochemical performance of SrTaO₂N semiconductor films for O₂ evolution reaction under visible light irradiation. Oxynitride films were deposited on various substrates using the sputtering in Ar + N₂ reactive atmosphere from a home-made SrTaO₂N target. Films with stoichiometric composition were obtained at a high temperature (T_S =800 °C) with reduced bandgap. The different substrates led to diverse degrees of film crystallization, from weakly crystallized to fully c-axis oriented. The photoelectrochemical performance was improved by improving the film crystallinity and the thickness. For further improvement of the photoelectrochemical performance, the following three limiting factors are identified: 1) low absorption coefficient, especially in the visible domain from 500 to 600 nm; 2) short lifetimes of excited charge carriers; and 3) permittivity with only moderate values lower than 10 in the visible-light domain.     

Electrochromism of dinitrobenzoyl-derivatised polypyrrole films deposited on ITO/glass electrodes

Poly[(R)-(-)-3-(1-pyrrolyl)propyl-N-(3,5-dinitrobenzoyl)-α-phenylglycinate] films of various thicknesses were galvanostatically deposited on ITO/glass electrodes using different deposition charges (Q_dep), and their electrochromic properties were investigated. Depending on the Q_dep employed, the polymeric films presented green-yellow or green-brown colours in the reduced state (λ_max at 350 nm and shoulder at 390 nm) and a blue-grey colour in the oxidised state (λ_max at 460 nm) with high absorption in the near infrared region (λ_max > 800 nm). Whilst films deposited with a Q_dep of 40 mC cm⁻² presented the highest chromatic contrast (20%), films with a Q_dep of 50 mC cm⁻² exhibited greater stability to redox cycling (ca. 350 cycles), high coulombic efficiency (>73%) and good optical memory in the reduced state (E = 0.0 V).     

元素成分对磁控溅射TiNi薄膜结构性能的影响及其控制

描述了TiNi形状记忆合金薄膜的一般特性及成分对其组织及性能的重要影响.磁控溅射法是应用最为广泛的制备TiNi基形状记忆薄膜的方法之一,但由于Ti与Ni的溅射产额不同,很难得到理想成分的TiNi薄膜.目前主要采用改变工艺参数或靶材成分补偿的方法控制薄膜的成分.借鉴反应磁控溅射沉积薄膜时成分控制方法,提出了一种利用溅射靶表面光发射谱的控制技术,理论上可以达到精确检测或控制TiNi形状记忆合金薄膜成分的目的.     

Effects of element chemical states and grain orientation growth of ITO targets on photoelectric properties of the film

A study was carried out to compare element chemical states and grain orientation growth between two ITO targets, which were respectively sintered at 1560 °C (target A#) and 1600 °C (target B#). The lower sintering temperature can be beneficial to increase mass content ratio of In₂O₃ to SnO₂, reduce the production of Sn²⁺ ions and the component of O-In as well as increase oxygen holes, and can also promote grain orientation growth of In₂O₃ and In₄Sn₃O₁₂ phase. Three groups of ITO films were deposited at 230 °C using these targets to investigate the effects of sputtering parameters on the photoelectric properties of ITO films. Under different sputtering pressures, the sheet resistance for target A# has higher sensitivity to low O₂ flow, while target B# displays higher sensitivity to high O₂ flow. In the case of sputtering pressure of 0.5 Pa, ITO films for target A# displays the highest visible transmittance. In addition, annealing process could decrease the sheet resistance and improve the transmittance of ITO films because of its effect on the crystallinity and surface morphology of ITO films.     

Structure and properties of composite films prepared from cellulose and nanocrystalline titanium dioxide particles

Composite films were successfully prepared from cellulose and two kinds of nanocrystalline TiO₂ particles in a NaOH/urea aqueous solution (7.5 : 11 in wt %) by coagulation with H₂SO₄ solution. The structure, morphology, and properties of the films were characterized by transmission electron microscopy, scanning electron microscopy, X‐ray diffraction, TGA, tensile testing, UV–vis spectroscopy, and antibacterial test. The results indicated that TiO₂ particles in a cellulose matrix maintained the original nanocrystalline structure and properties. TiO₂(I) (anatase) and TiO₂(II) (the mixture of anatase and rutile) particles exhibited a certain miscibility with cellulose. The tensile strength of two kinds of composite films was higher than 70 and 75 MPa, when the content of TiO₂(I) and TiO₂(II) was 4 and 11 wt %, respectively. The cellulose composite films containing nanocrystalline TiO₂ particles displayed distinct antibacterial abilities and excellent UV absorption. This work provides a potential way for preparing functional composite materials from cellulose and inorganic nanoparticles in a NaOH/urea aqueous solution, without a destruction of the structure and properties of the particles. © 2006 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Appl Polym Sci 101: 3600–3608, 2006     

Mechanical performance of ITO/Ag/ITO multilayer films deposited on glass substrate by RF and DC magnetron sputtering

ITO/Ag/ITO multilayer thin films have been a potential substitute of the conventional single-layer transparent conducting film. Nevertheless, the mechanical stability under preparation and in-service conditions still limits their applications and developments. In this paper, the influences of different structural properties as well as layer structure on both surface morphological properties and mechanical properties of the ITO/Ag/ITO multilayer thin films in comparison with commercial single-layer ITO thin film were systematically investigated. The results demonstrate that, i) the tri-layer composite has large impacts on the preferential orientation, and exhibits the decreased values of surface roughness, net lattice distortion and residual stress; ii) the increased hardness (H) and decreased Young's modulus (E) for full annealed ITO/Ag/ITO multilayer films indicate that it is possible to tailor mechanical properties of the materials by manufacturing multilayer composite; iii) the ITO/Ag/ITO multilayer thin film exhibits remarkable improvements in wear resistance with the increase of annealing temperature, which is mainly attributed to the increased ratios of H/E and H³/E².     

Effects of ITO thin films on microstructural and photocatalytic properties of layered TiO2/ITO films prepared via an extended deposition period

This study elucidates how indium tin oxide (ITO) thin film affects the microstructural and photocatalytic properties of layered TiO₂/ITO films prepared by DC magnetron sputtering. Two ITO substrates, as-received ITO (aITO) and in situ sputtered ITO (sITO), are adopted herein. Photocatalytic measurements of methylene blue and dimethyl sulfoxide indicate that the layered TiO₂/sITO film has greater photocatalytic oxidation than the TiO₂/aITO catalyst. According to photoelectrochemical tests, the latter exhibits a completely opposite activity to that of the former. Secondary ion mass spectrometry elemental depth profiles reveal that tin atoms in the sITO film really permeate into the growing TiO₂ film and promote the formation of the crystalline Ti_1−xSn_xO₂ layer. Additionally, cross-sectional transmission electron microscopy images and the selective area diffraction patterns show the difference between the diffusion of tin in the two catalysts. The photocatalytic oxidation capability is further enhanced in the layered TiO₂/sITO film because of an increase in the bandgap energy and a positive shift in the Fermi level energy of the Ti_1−xSn_xO₂ layer. Conversely, tin diffusion is limited in the aITO substrate under controlled conditions, in such a manner that a Schottky barrier can form at the TiO₂/aITO interface. Therefore, photogenerated electrons can be efficiently transferred from the overlaid TiO₂ film to the aITO substrate, producing a remarkable photocurrent density under UV illumination. Microstructural measurements reveal that the growth of the reactive {0 0 1} facets and columnar porous structure are favored by the synergetic effect of ITO substrate and an extended period of deposition. Accordingly, the photocatalytic capabilities are further raised.     

Enhanced dielectric properties and discharged energy density of composite films using submicron PZT particles

Flexible dielectric composite films are highly desirable materials with potential application in capacitors due to their high energy density and discharged efficiency. However, agglomeration induced by the large surface energy of nanoparticles and their large dielectric losses are unfavorable to the improvement of energy density. Submicron lead zirconate titanate (PZT) particles have shown great potential as filler in achieving a high energy storage capacity because of their excellent dielectric properties and good dispersion. In this work, calcined PZT particles were used to prepare PZT/polyvinylidene fluoride (PVDF) composite films. The results showed that composite films of high quality could be obtained even with high contents of submicron PZT particles. The introduction of PZT particles significantly improved the dielectric performance of composite films compared with that of the pristine PVDF film. The discharged energy density of composite films with 10?vol% PZT particles achieved 6.41?J/cm³ at 250?kV/mm. A high efficiency of 87.25% was obtained at 50?kV/mm. These findings confirm the feasibility of PZT particles as inorganic filler in composite films for energy storage applications.     

Effects of crystallinity and crosslinking on the thermal and rheological properties of ethylene vinyl acetate copolymer

Effects of crosslinking and crystallinity on the properties of the thermal and rheological properties of the EVA were studied. From the studies of storage modulus of the EVA with VA content in the solid temperature range (about −70 to 50 °C), the storage modulus decreased with increasing the VA content. This result suggested that the crystallinity of the EVA affected the storage modulus of the EVA because of the weak crosslinking of the EVA by DCP. From the studies of complex viscosity of the EVA with and without DCP in the melt state, the values of the power law parameter of the EVA without DCP ranged from 0.39 to 0.50 and the EVA with DCP ranged from 0.03 to 0.12. In the measurement of the complex viscosity of the EVA in the melt state, the crosslinking affected the complex viscosity of the EVA with DCP.     

粒度分布对磷石膏-石灰-粉煤灰胶结材物理性能的影响

针对磷石膏-石灰-粉煤灰体系胶结材大量利用磷石膏时,强度发展以及耐水性能的缺陷,采用机械粉磨以改善其粒度分布。探究了不同粒度分布对磷石膏-石灰-粉煤灰体系胶结材的物理性能和耐水性的影响。将磷石膏样品与生石灰以及粉煤灰按一定比例混合,陈化24h再通过粉磨不同时间,达到不同的粒度分布。将不同粒度的样品外掺5%水泥,3%AC增强剂以及0.5%聚羧酸减水剂,按照标准稠度用水量加水在160 mm×40 mm×40 mm试模中成型,在养护室中养护到规定龄期再测定试件的物理性能以及微观分析。结果表明,磷石膏掺量达到40%,通过粉磨的物理活化,该体系按照水泥砂浆砌块成型,28 d抗压强度≥27.76 MPa,软化系数达到86%的胶凝材料,并且无废水排除,杜绝二次污染。     

Ferroelectric properties of ZrO2 films deposited on ITO-coated glass

In this work, the ferroelectric characteristics of ZrO₂ thin films grown on ITO-coated glass have been investigated. The ferroelectric nature of the ZrO₂ films has been studied by polarization-electric field (P-E) hysteresis loops and found to be optimum for the films processed by rapid thermal annealing at 600 °C. The increase in the annealing temperature improves the ferroelectric properties through the increase of the in-plane strain that causes the formation of the ferroelectric orthorhombic phase. The formation of the orthorhombic phase was confirmed through high-resolution transmission electron microscopy. The effect of the electric field on the polarization switching kinetics of ZrO₂ films has been investigated revealing that the switching kinetics follows the nucleation limited switching (NLS) model. The activation fields estimated from the peak values of the polarization currents (i_m) and the time (t_m) at which i_m occurs are in good agreement with the values obtained from the switching characteristic time of the NLS model. This work paves the way towards the integration of (pseudo)-binary oxide thin films on cheap substrates like glass for the next-generation of non-volatile memories.     

Molecular weight averages and distributions of unsaturated polyesters: Their effect on the properties of styrene-crosslinked networks

Unsaturated polyesters have been synthesised and modified to determine the effect of number-average molecular weight (M̄_n) and molecular weight distribution (MWD) on the following properties of the polyesters after crosslinking with styrene: (i) water absorption, (ii) initial mechanical properties and (iii) property retention after immersion The most important factor was found to be the very low molecular weight ‘tail’ which adversely affected behaviour in several respects. Above a certain M̄_n, initial mechanical properties were insensitive to the variables mentioned, but mechanical property retention after immersion closely reflected the water absorption behaviour by its dependence on the average chain length and the low molecular weight constituents. The importance of removing such constituents is apparent.     

Structural reorganization in films of cellulose derivatives in the presence of colloidal particles

Water-cast films of two ethers of cellulose, hydroxypropylcellulose (HPC) and hydroxyethylcellulose (HEC), with dispersed silica particles, were deposited on flat substrates. X-ray specular reflectivity was used to characterize the structure of these solid ca. 1000 Å thick films as a function of the added colloidal fraction. It was shown that the structural changes resulting from increasing amounts of incorporated silica particles pass through distinctively different routes in the case of HPC- and HEC-based films. However, the structures in the two cases are similar at sufficiently high colloidal fraction.     

The effect of the polymerization route on the amount of interphase in structured latex particles and their corresponding films

Three series of hard/soft styrene-acrylic latex based systems with equivalent compositions were prepared either by blending of homopolymer latexes or by preparing structured latex particles having core shell (CS) or inverted core shell (ICS) morphologies. Transmission electron microscopy (TEM) was used to investigate the particle morphologies, which were correlated to the calculated fractional radical penetration for the propagating species during the reactions. The thermo-mechanical properties as well as the morphology of the resulting latex films were analyzed by differential scanning calorimetry (DSC), dynamic mechanical analysis (DMA) and TEM. The viscoelastic properties of the interphase between the first and second-stage polymers formed in the structured hard/soft latex films, as well as its qualitative amount and also the film morphologies were found to depend on the interplay between thermodynamic and kinetic parameters during the synthesis of the samples.     

Structure and properties of epoxy resins modified with acrylic particles

The morphology and material properties of dicyandiamide (DICY)‐cured epoxy resins modified with acrylic particles consisting of a PBA (polybutyl acrylate) core and a PMMA (polymethyl methacrylate) shell and epoxy resins modified with acrylic rubber (PBA) particles alone were studied. It was found that the epoxy system modified with core/shell acrylic particles showed higher fracture toughness, indicating that the modification had a larger effect on improving the material properties of the epoxy resin. A characteristic shown by the core/shell acrylic particles is that they swell along with the epoxy resin under exposure to heat and gel before the latter cures. In this process, the epoxy resin penetrates the surface of the shell layer and a bond is formed between the epoxy matrix and the core/shell acrylic particles. This suggests that the epoxy matrix around the core/shell acrylic particles has the effect of increasing the level of energy absorption due to plastic deformation of the matrix. This is thought to explain why the epoxy resin modified with core/shell acrylic particles showed higher fracture toughness. © 1999 John Wiley & Sons, Inc. J Appl Polym Sci 74: 2955–2962, 1999