Fatigue deformation behavior of nitrogen-ion-implanted surface layers of type 304 stainless steel

Flexural fatigue experiments were conducted on austenitic type 304 stainless steel specimens whose surface layers had been ion implanted with nitrogen. For comparison, identical tests were carried out on unimplanted specimens. The damage in the surface layer due to ion implantation and the dislocation slip modes after fatigue deformation were investigated by transmission electron microscopy. Persistent slip bands parallel to the {111} crystal planes of individual grains were found in the surface layers of both the fatigued unimplanted and the implanted specimens. Slip was profuse in the unimplanted condition, and sparse and highly localized in the nitrogen-implanted condition.     

聚苯乙烯-银胶体晶体的制备及自组装行为

利用冠醚可与银离子复合的特性,制备了聚苯乙烯-冠醚乳胶粒,采用原位还原的方法在乳胶粒表面引入银纳米颗粒,通过垂直沉降,乳胶粒子可自组装成紧密堆积具有面心立方的聚苯乙烯-银胶体晶体。结果表明:引入聚苯乙烯-银乳胶粒表面的银为胶粒总质量的6.7%,乳胶粒具有以银纳米颗粒为壳,聚苯乙烯为核的核壳结构,乳胶粒大小为260 nm,并具有很好的单分散性。由于Bragg散射,该胶体晶带隙位于580 nm,在可见光区域产生明显的光子带隙而呈现出亮丽的绿色。     

甲烷浓度对CVD金刚石薄膜晶体学生长过程的影响

采用X射线衍射技术、电子背散射衍射技术和扫描电镜分别观察了不同甲烷浓度条件下沉积的CVD自支撑金刚石薄膜的宏观织构、微区晶界分布和表面形貌.研究了金刚石晶体{100}面和{111}面生长的晶体学过程.研究表明,{100}面通过吸附活性基团CH^2- 2,而{111}面通过交替吸附活性基团CH^-3和CH^-3后脱氢堆积碳原子.低甲烷浓度时,{111}面表面能低于{100}面,使{111}面生长略快于{100}面.甲烷浓度升高,动力学作用增强使{100}面生长明显快于{111}面,使金刚石薄膜产生{100}纤维织构;同时显露的{100}面平行于薄膜表面,竞争生长使位于晶体侧面的{111}面由于相互覆盖而减小,形成了不同于单晶体自由生长的薄膜表面形貌组织.     

Effect of aggregates on the magnetization property of ferrofluids: A model of gaslike compression

The effect of field-induced aggregation of particles on the magnetization property of ferrofluids is investigated. From the viewpoint of energy, magnetizability of ferrofluids is more complicated than predicted by Langevin theory because the aggregation, i.e., the transition of ferrofluid microstructure, would consume the energy of the applied magnetic field. For calculating the effect of aggregates on the magnetization of ferrofluids, a model of gaslike compression (MGC) is proposed to simulate the evolution of the aggregate structure. In this model, the field-induced colloidal particles aggregating in ferrofluids is equivalent to the “gas of the particles” being compressed by the applied magnetic field. The entropy change of the ferrofluid microstructure is proportional to the particle volume fraction in field-induced aggregates ø_H. On the basis of the known behavior of ferrofluid magnetization and the aggregate structure determined from the present experiments, ø_H is obtained and found to depend on the aggregating characteristic parameter of ferrofluid particles γ in addition to the particle volume fraction in ferrofluids ø and the strength of applied magnetic field H. The effect of the nonmagnetic surface layer of ferrofluid particles is also studied. The theory of MGC conforms to our experimental results better than Langevin theory.     

Effect of aggregates on the magnetization property of ferrofluids: A model of gaslike compression

The effect of field-induced aggregation of particles on the magnetization property of ferrofluids is investigated. From the viewpoint of energy, magnetizability of ferrofluids is more complicated than predicted by Langevin theory because the aggregation, i.e., the transition of ferrofluid microstructure, would consume the energy of the applied magnetic field. For calculating the effect of aggregates on the magnetization of ferrofluids, a model of gaslike compression (MGC) is proposed to simulate the evolution of the aggregate structure. In this model, the field-induced colloidal particles aggregating in ferrofluids is equivalent to the “gas of the particles” being compressed by the applied magnetic field. The entropy change of the ferrofluid microstructure is proportional to the particle volume fraction in field-induced aggregates φ_H. On the basis of the known behavior of ferrofluid magnetization and the aggregate structure determined from the present experiments, φ_H is obtained and found to depend on the aggregating characteristic parameter of ferrofluid particles γ in addition to the particle volume fraction in ferrofluids φ and the strength of applied magnetic field H. The effect of the nonmagnetic surface layer of ferrofluid particles is also studied. The theory of MGC conforms to our experimental results better than Langevin theory.     

AFM Study on Interface of HTHP As-grown Diamond Single Crystal and Metallic Film

The study for the interface of as-grown diamond and metallic film surrounding diamond is an attractive way for understanding diamond growth mechanism at high temperature and high pressure (HTHP), because it is that through the interface carbon atom groups from the molten film are transported to growing diamond surface. It is of great interest to perform atomic force microscopy (AFM) experiment; which provides a unique technique different from that of normal optical and electron microscopy studies, to observe the interface morphology. In the present paper,we report first that the morphologies obtained by AFM on the film are similar to those of corresponding diamondsurface, and they are the remaining traces after the carbon groups moving from the film to growing diamond. The fine particles and a terrace structure with homogeneous average step height are respectively found on the diamond(100) and (111) surface. Diamond growth conditions show that its growth rates and the temperature gradients inthe boundary layer of the molten film at HTHP result in the differences of surface morphologies on diamond planes,being rough on (100) plane and even on the (111) plane. The diamond growth on the (100) surface at HPHT could be considered as a process of unification of these diamond fine particles or of carbon atom groups recombination on the growing diamond crystal surface. Successive growth layer steps directly suggest the layer growth mechanism of the diamond (111) plane. The sources of the layer steps might be two-dimensional nuclei and dislocations.     

Precipitation of Epsilon Copper in Ferrite Antibacterial Stainless Steel

The precipitation of epsilon copper at 1023 K ageing in ferrite antibacterial stainless steel was investigated by a combination of electron microscopy and micro-Vickers hardness measurement. The results show that epsilon copper precipitation occurs within 90 s, Complex multilayer structure confirmed as twins and stacking faults on {111}ε-Cu planes was observed in the precipitates. The precipitates grow by the lengthwise enlargement of a set of parallel layers, having [111]ε-Cu and [112]ε-Cu preferred growth orientations. The volume fraction of precipitates f formed within 120 min can be predicted by a modified Avrami equation （In1/1-f= kt ＋ b）. Simultaneously, substituent atom clusters with a size of 5-10 nm was found to occur in the solution and cause matrix strain. The precipitate morphology and distribution on the surface of ferrite antibacterial stainless steel are associated with surface crystallographic orientation of the matrix. The precipitates are predominantly located within the ferrite grains of 〈110〉 orientation. The precipitates located on {111}α-Fe surface planes have sphere or ellipse shape.     

Development of an intelligent polymerized crystalline colloidal array colorimetric reagent.

We have developed a novel colorimetric reagent for the determination of Pb2+, pH, and temperature. This colorimetric reagent consists of a dispersion of approximately 100-microm particles composed of an intelligent polymerized crystalline colloidal array (IPCCA). The IPCCA particles are composed of a hydrogel polymerized around a face-centered cubic (fcc) array of monodisperse, highly charged polystyrene colloidal particles. These IPCCA particles diffract visible light because the (111) planes of the fcc polystyrene colloidal particle array have an approximately 200-nm lattice constant. The IPCCA particles also contain a molecular recognition agent that actuates array volume changes as a result of changes in analyte concentration or temperature. This results in changes in the IPCCA lattice constants, which shifts the wavelength of light diffracted. We report here the use of these sensing materials in a liquid dispersion that can be poured into a sample solution. This diffraction measurement method is analogous to X-ray powder diffraction measurements. The diffraction wavelength is monitored at a defined angle relative to the incident light.     

Structural characterization of GaN epilayers on silicon: Effect of buffer layers

Cross-sections of GaN/AlN/3C-SiC/Si(111) system have been studied by electron microscopy techniques. A nanometer thick buffer layer of silicon carbide on Si(111) substrate was formed using an original solid-phase epitaxy method. The subsequent layers of gallium nitride and aluminum nitride were grown by the method hydride-chloride vapor phase epitaxy. The resulting GaN layers display neither threading dislocations nor cracks on any scale. The main fraction of defects in GaN layers have the form of dislocation pileups that are localized at and oriented parallel to the GaN/AlN interface. The dislocation density in the obtained GaN layers is (1–2) × 10⁹ cm⁻², which corresponds to a minimum level reported in the available literature. The buffer AlN layer contains nanopores, which reduce the level of stresses at the GaN/AlN interface and thus almost completely inhibit the formation of threading dislocations.     

Optical properties of self assembled oriented island evolution of ultra-thin gold layers

Gold layers with a thickness of only 8 to 21 nm were sputtered on soda-lime-silica glasses. Subsequent annealing at 300 and 400 °C for 1 and 24 h resulted in the formation of separated round gold particles with diameters from 8 to 200 nm. Crystal orientations were described using X-ray diffraction and electron backscatter diffraction. The gold particles are oriented with their (111) planes perpendicular to the surface. Most gold nano particles are single crystalline, some particles are twinned. Thermal annealing of sputtered gold layers resulted in purple samples with a coloration comparable to that of gold ruby glasses. The color can be controlled by the thickness of the sputtered gold layer and the annealing conditions. The simple method of gold film preparation and the annealing temperature dependent properties of the layers make them appropriate for practical applications.     

Fabrication of large-area and high-quality colloidal crystal films on nanocrystalline porous substrates by a room temperature floating self-assembly method

When colloidal crystal films are deposited onto nanocrystalline porous substrates by the commonly used colloidal crystallization method of vertical deposition self-assembly, the colloidal crystal tends to be poorly adhered to the porous film. Herein, we present a fabrication of large-area, three-dimensional (3D) colloidal crystal thin films on nanocrystalline porous substrates by a room temperature floating self-assembly method that has recently been developed for colloidal crystal deposition. Firstly, colloidal suspensions were prepared by dispersing monodisperse colloidal microspheres at high volume fraction in a mixture of ethanol and water. At room temperature, these suspensions were spread onto nanocrystalline porous TiO₂ films. The colloidal particles assembled into 3D ordered structures at the air−liquid interface of the suspensions as a result of rapid evaporation of the solvents. After the solvents (water and ethanol) had evaporated completely, the colloidal crystals were directly deposited on the nanocrystalline porous TiO₂ films. Scanning electron microscopy images and normal-incidence transmission spectra of the samples showed that the colloidal crystal films deposited on the nanocrystalline porous TiO₂ substrates by this method had very high crystalline quality. In addition, the effect of the degree of surface roughness of the nanocrystalline porous substrate on the crystalline quality of the colloidal crystals has been studied.     

Temperature‐Sensitive Hydrogel‐Particle Films from Evaporating Drops

A simple method to prepare temperature‐sensitive films composed of micrometer‐sized colloidal hydrogel particles using evaporating drops of colloidal suspensions is demonstrated. The films range in thickness from a monolayer to approximately fifty particle diameters depending on initial particle volume fraction. Sessile droplets of hydrogel‐particle suspensions are evaporated on silicon wafers. The film is formed from particles spread densely over the air–water interface which then cross‐link and are deposited on the surface during the evaporation process. The resultant thin films exhibit a temperature‐responsiveness characteristic of the individual particles permitting modulation of size, shape, porosity, and optical transmission.     

Adlayer‐Free Large‐Area Single Crystal Graphene Grown on a Cu(111) Foil

To date, thousands of publications have reported chemical vapor deposition growth of “single layer” graphene, but none of them has described truly single layer graphene over large area because a fraction of the area has adlayers. It is found that the amount of subsurface carbon (leading to additional nuclei) in Cu foils directly correlates with the extent of adlayer growth. Annealing in hydrogen gas atmosphere depletes the subsurface carbon in the Cu foil. Adlayer‐free single crystal and polycrystalline single layer graphene films are grown on Cu(111) and polycrystalline Cu foils containing no subsurface carbon, respectively. This single crystal graphene contains parallel, centimeter‐long ≈100 nm wide “folds,” separated by 20 to 50 µm, while folds (and wrinkles) are distributed quasi‐randomly in the polycrystalline graphene film. High‐performance field‐effect transistors are readily fabricated in the large regions between adjacent parallel folds in the adlayer‐free single crystal graphene film.     

Structural properties of the formation of yttrium germanides thin films on the Si(111) surface

We have performed first principles total energy calculations to investigate the deposit of yttrium digermanide on the Si(111) surface. We have used the periodic density functional theory as implemented in the Quantum-ESPRESSO package. For the adsorption of a monolayer of yttrium digermanide on the Si(111)-(1 × 1) surface, we have found that the most stable geometry corresponds to a configuration with Y atoms occupying the T4 site above a second layer Si atom, and with a Ge bilayer on top of the structure. The atomic structure of the Ge bilayer is similar to that of Si (Ge) in the bulk but rotated 180° with respect to the crystal. For the three dimensional growth of a few layers of yttrium digermanide on Si(111) we have considered a hexagonal structure with (√3 × √3) periodicity, similar to the one found in the growth of few layers of YSi₂ on Si(111): graphite-like Ge planes (with vacancies) intercalated with yttrium planes. As in the case of a single layer of YGe₂, there is a formation of a Ge bilayer on top of the structure. In this case, the Ge_down atoms of the bilayer, which are on top the vacancies, move down towards the vacancy, while Ge atoms in the graphitic layer, which are below the Ge_up atoms of the bilayer, are displaced towards the vacancy.     

Optical properties caused by periodical array structure with colloidal particles and their applications

High quality opal films have been attracting much attention due to their novel properties and applications, such as smart materials with structural color, novel photonic/optical devices and three-dimensional photonic crystals. In this article, the author reported a colloidal crystal consisting of cubic closely packed (ccp) polystyrene particles and filled with polydimethylsiloxane (PDMS) elastomer. The array of ccp (111) planes diffracts light of selective wavelengths according to Bragg’s law. The PS-PDMS hybrid opal films exhibit dynamic tuning structural colors. The lattice distance of ccp (111) planes is variable by swelling PDMS elastomer with hydrophobic liquid or by applying mechanical deformation. The hybrid opal films have potential applications in wide fields, for example, in smart sensing materials, color imaging without pigments and strain mapping of plastic deformation.     

Oxides formed on the (111) surface of lead I: Orthorhombic PbO or massicot

The structure of oxide films formed on the (111) surface of polycrystalline but highly textured lead films was determined by transmission electron microscopy and diffraction. It was found that most of the lead surface was covered by a thin layer of yellow orthorhombic PbO or massicot. The yellow PbO grains were small compared with those of lead and tended to be oriented with their (001) plane parallel to the (111) surface of lead. There was also a tendency for the (010) plane of PbO to be parallel to one of the three {$\text{1}$10} lead planes that were perpendicular to the specimen plane. The preference for this orientation relationship is a little surprising. This is because there are orientation relationships that lead to a small misfit between lead and yellow lead oxide but this is not one of them. A small fraction of the lead surface was covered by small grains of red tetragonal PbO or litharge.     

Atomistic features of the amorphous–crystal interface in silicon

We simulate the amorphous–crystal interface in silicon using a combination of interatomic potential molecular-dynamics and tight- binding conjugate-gradient relaxation. The samples we create have high quality crystalline and amorphous portions. We develop some localized measures of order to characterize the interface, including a missing neighbor vector and the bond angle deviation. We find that the measures of order interpolate smoothly from a bulk crystal value to a bulk amorphous value across a 7 Å thick interface region. The interface structures exhibit a number of interesting features. The crystal planes near the interface are nearly perfect, with a few dimer defects similar to the Si(100) 2×1 reconstruction. Interfaces produced with one constant temperature simulation method are rough, with several layers of atoms forming <110> chains and (111) facets. A different simulation method produces more planar interfaces with only a few <110> chains.     

Real‐Time Monitoring of Colloidal Crystallization in Electrostatically‐Levitated Drops

Colloidal crystallization is analogous to the crystallization in bulk atomic systems in various aspects, which has been explored as a model system. However, a real‐time probing of the phenomenon still remains challenging. Here, a levitation system for a study of colloidal crystallization is demonstrated. Colloidal particles in a levitated droplet are gradually concentrated by isotropic evaporation of water from the surface of the droplet, resulting in crystallization. The structural change of the colloidal array during crystallization is investigated by simultaneously measuring the volume and reflectance spectra of the droplet. The crystal nucleates from the surface of the droplet at which the volume fraction exceeds the threshold and then the growth proceeds. The crystal growth behavior depends on the initial concentrations of colloidal particles and salts which determine the overall direction of crystal growth and interparticle spacing, respectively. The results show that a levitating bulk droplet has a great potential as a tool for in situ investigation of colloidal crystallization.     

Nanocrystalline SnO2 from thermal decomposition of tin citrate crystal: Luminescence and Raman studies

Nanocrystalline SnO₂ particles are prepared by thermal decomposition of tin citrate crystal. Distinction between the surface traps and lattice defects is carried out by the photoluminescence emission study, which gives two characteristic peaks at ∼400 and 470 nm respectively. The peak at ∼400 nm shifts toward the lower wavelength with increase of heat treatment because of decrease of defects. The intensity of peak at 470 nm due to the surface traps decreases with increase in particle size. Raman spectra exhibited new peaks, which are related to a surface layer of small crystals, and shift in peaks are found with different particle sizes.     

Self-assembly of colloidal crystals from polystyrene emulsion at elevated temperature by dip-drawing method

The self-assembly of colloidal crystal arrays from polystyrene (PS) sphere emulsion at elevated temperature by dip-drawing method was investigated. The dependence of effective sphere transfer in the meniscus of emulsion on temperature was discussed. The results show that the assembled arrays formed at 50 °C have fewer defects than those at room temperature. The elevated emulsion temperature during the ordered arrangement of colloidal crystals causes quicker solvent evaporation, hence quicker sphere transfer. However, exceeding solvent flux and crystal growth induced by over high temperatures result in more fracture lines displayed in arrays. At 50 °C, the effective sphere transfer by the solvent flux to the array edge can also be enhanced by increasing the PS volume fraction of emulsion, which obviously reduces fracture lines on the surface of multilayer.