Structure and surface termination of ZnO films grown on (0001)- and (112¯0)-oriented Al2O3

We have studied the surface termination of ZnO(0001¯) films grown on Al₂O₃ substrates with high epitaxial quality. The structural properties of the ZnO films were investigated by X-ray scattering, revealing a predominant (0001¯)ZnO out-of-plane texture with the [112¯0]_ZnO[0001]_Al2O3 and [112¯0]_ZnO[101¯0]_Al2O3 azimuthal orientations for (112¯0)Al₂O₃ and(0001)Al₂O₃ substrates, respectively. The surface termination was determined by X-ray photoemission spectroscopy (XPS) via pyridine (C₅H₅N) adsorption at the ZnO surface. XPS data recorded at different temperatures after exposure to pyridine revealed that for both orientations of the Al₂O₃ substrates the deposited ZnO films were terminated by oxygen atoms, i.e. corresponding to a ZnO (0001¯) surface.     

Preparation and photoluminescence properties of Eu-doped Ga2O3 nanorods

GaOOH:Eu³⁺ nanorods with different aspect ratios were prepared by hydrothermal method at 140 °C. - and β-Ga₂O₃:Eu³⁺ were converted from as-prepared GaOOH:Eu³⁺ particles by calcination at 500 and 850 °C, respectively. The products were characterized with X-ray diffraction (XRD), transmission electron microscope (TEM) and photoluminescence (PL). Results show that solution pH values play a key role in the formation of the GaOOH:Eu³⁺ powders with different morphologies and - and β-Ga₂:Eu³⁺ inherit the morphology of GaOOH:Eu³⁺ exactly. The photoluminescence characteristics of β-Ga₂O₃:Eu³⁺ were also investigated. Experimental results reveal that the color purity of β-Ga₂O₃:Eu³⁺ nanorods with high aspect ratio is enhanced in comparison with β-Ga₂O₃:Eu³⁺ nanorods with low aspect ratio.     

In:Ga2O3氧化物半导体晶体的生长与性能研究

β-Ga₂O₃晶体是一种新型宽禁带氧化物半导体材料, 本征导电性差。为了在调控导电性能的同时兼顾高的透过率和结晶性能, 离子掺杂是一种有效的途径。采用光学浮区法生长出ϕ8 mm×50 mm蓝色透明In:Ga₂O₃晶体, 晶体具有较高的结晶完整性。In³⁺离子掺杂后, β-Ga₂O₃晶体在红外波段出现明显的自由载流子吸收, 热导率稍有减小。室温下, In:Ga₂O₃晶体的电导率和载流子浓度分别为4.94×10^-4 S/cm和1.005×10¹⁶ cm^-3, 其值高于β-Ga₂O₃晶体约1个数量级。In:Ga₂O₃晶体电学性能对热处理敏感, 1200℃空气气氛和氩气气氛退火后电导率降低。结果表明, In³⁺离子掺杂能够调控β-Ga₂O₃晶体的导电性能。     

Growth and stability of Ga2O3 nanospheres

Gallium oxide thin films were prepared by thermal evaporation and deposition of Ga₂O₃ on NaCl(001) cleavage planes at varying substrate temperatures, oxygen pressures and deposition rates. The structure of the so-prepared thin films was checked by Transmission Electron Microscopy and Selected Area Diffraction and also characterized by X-ray Photoelectron Spectroscopy and Atomic Force Microscopy, both in the as-deposited state and after different oxidative and reductive treatments. The substrate temperature proved to be most crucial for the structure of the gallium oxide films, ranging from low-contrast amorphous structures at low substrate temperatures (298 K) to nanosphere structures at higher temperatures (580 K). The stability of the films was found to be mainly determined by the interaction of substrate temperature and deposition rate. Crystalline β-Ga₂O₃ structures were obtained after oxidative, reductive and annealing treatments at and beyond 773 K suggesting that the crystallization is mainly a thermal annealing effect.     

Synthesis of MoSi2–Al2O3 nanocomposite by mechanical alloying

MoSi₂–Al₂O₃ nanocomposite was synthesized by mechanical alloying (MA) of MoO₃, SiO₂ and Al powder mixture. The structural evolution of the powders was studied by X-ray diffraction (XRD). Both β-MoSi₂ and -MoSi₂ were obtained after 3 h of milling. The spontaneous formation of β-MoSi₂ during milling proceeded by a mechanically induced self propagating reaction (MSR), analogous to that of the self propagating high temperature synthesis (SHS). After 70 h of milling the β-phase transformed to -phase. The crystallite size of -MoSi₂ and Al₂O₃ after milling for 100 h was 12 and 17 nm, respectively. Residual Mo and Si in the 3 and 70 h milled samples formed β-MoSi₂ and Mo₅Si₃ during heating at 1000 °C, respectively.     

Formation of MgAl2O4 in Al2O3-(Al-4wt.%Mg) composites

The Al₂O₃ particles are introduced into the Al-4wt.%Mg melt by the “vortex” method. After being cast, Al₂O₃-(Al-4wt.%Mg) composites are remelted at 700, 750, 800 and 850°C for different residence times to investigate the formation of MgAl₂O₄ (spinel).

The results show that MgAl₂O₄ is the unique interface of the Al₂O₃-(Al---Mg) composites held at 700–850°C. Fine MgAl₂O₄ crystals grow on the surface of the Al₂O₃ particle but, as the holding temperature and the residence time increase, some spinels will form themselves into pyramidal shape. The MgAl₂O₄ grows not only at the matrix-particle interface but also on the surface of the composite specimens. The formation reactions of interfacial MgAl₂O₄ are as follows: Mg(1) + 2Al(1) + 2O₂(g) = MgAl₂O₄(s)3Mg(1) + 4Al₂O₃(s) = 3MgAl₂O₄(s) + 2Al(1) Both of them are equally important.     

Microstructure of Al2O3 nanocrystalline/cobalt-based alloy composite coatings by laser deposition

Composite coatings, made of nano-Al₂O₃/cobalt-based alloy, produced by a 5-kW CO₂ laser on Ni-based superalloy were investigated. The coatings were examined to reveal their microstructure using optical microscope, scanning electron microscope, transmission electron microscope and X-ray diffraction instrument. The results showed that some equilibrium or non-equilibrium phases, such as γ-Co, Cr₂₃C₆, CoAl₂O₄, Al₂O₃ and ε-Co existed in the coatings. Fine and short dendritic microstructure and columnar to equiaxed transition occurred by adding nano-Al₂O₃ particle. With the increase of nano-materials (1%, mass fraction), fully equiaxed crystallization appeared. These were contributed to that nano-Al₂O₃ particles acted as new nucleation site and rapid solidification of the melted pool. The results also showed inhomogeneous dispersion of nano-Al₂O₃ that resulted in the formation of ε-Co phase in the coatings. The sub-microstructure of the clad was stacking fault. The mechanism of formation of equiaxed grains was also analyzed.     

Infrared optical properties of Bi2Ti2O7 thin films by spectroscopic ellipsometry

Bi₂Ti₂O₇ thin films have been grown directly on n-type GaAs (1 0 0) by the chemical solution decomposition technique. X-ray diffraction analysis shows that the Bi₂Ti₂O₇ thin films are polycrystalline. The optical properties of the thin films are investigated using infrared spectroscopic ellipsometry (3.0–12.5 μm). By fitting the measured ellipsometric parameter (Ψ and Δ) data with a three-phase model (air/Bi₂Ti₂O₇/GaAs), and Lorentz–Drude dispersion relation, the optical constants and thickness of the thin films have been obtained simultaneously. The refractive index and extinction coefficient increase with increasing wavelength. The fitted plasma frequency ω_p is 1.64×10¹⁴ Hz, and the electron collision frequency γ is 1.05×10¹⁴ Hz, and it states that the electron average scattering time is 0.95×10⁻¹⁴ s. The absorption coefficient variation with respect to increasing wavelength has been obtained.     

Influence of rare-earth oxides on structure and crystallization properties of Bi2O3–B2O3 glass

Bi₂O₃·B₂O₃ glasses doped with rare-earth oxides (RE₂O₃) (RE³⁺ = La³⁺, Pr³⁺, Sm³⁺, Gd³⁺, Er³⁺ and Yb³⁺) were prepared by the melting–quenching method. The relationships between composition and properties were demonstrated by IR, DSC, XRD and SEM analysis. The results show that the network structure resembles that of undoped Bi₂O₃·B₂O₃ glass, composing of [BO₃], [BO₄] and [BiO₆] units. RE₂O₃ stabilizes the glass structure as a modifier. Transition temperature (T_g) increases linearly with cationic field strength (CFS) of RE³⁺. La₂O₃, Pr₂O₃, Sm₂O₃ and Gd₂O₃ are benefit to promote the formation of BiBO₃ crystal. When Er₂O₃ and Yb₂O₃ are introduced, respectively, the main crystal phase changes to Bi₆B₁₀O₂₄. Transparent surface crystallized samples are obtained by reheating at 460–540 °C for 5 h. In this case, needle like BiBO₃ crystal or rare-earth-doped BiBO₃ crystal (Pr_xBi_1−xBO₃ and Gd_xBi_1−xBO₃) are observed, which is promising for non-linear optical application.     

Molecular beam epitaxial growth of SmBa2Cu3O7−δ thin films and effect of substrate temperature on the surface roughness

Stoichiometrically optimized, epitaxial SmBa₂Cu₃O_7-δ thin films with high T_{c, R = 0} and high critical current densities j_c have been prepared for the first time in a tightly controlled molecular beam epitaxy process in non-reactive molecular oxygen, followed by an in situ loading process with molecular oxygen. The surface roughness (on a submicrometre scale) of single-crystal films with their c axes perpendicular to the surface depends markedly on the surface temperature of the substrate during the deposition of the epitaxial films, within a range of only a few degrees centigrade. The calibrated optimal temperature for the preparation of epitaxial films 200 nm thick of this single orientation is found to be 680 ± 5 °C. In scanning tunnelling microscopy investigations, they show a surface roughness of less than 6 nm (five SmBa₂Cu₃O_7−δ unit cells) on a 2 μm × 2 μm scale. At deposition temperatures below this optimal deposition temperature, the well-known a-axis growth increases rapidly, whereas higher temperatures give a significantly higher surface roughness, which can be observed by scanning electron microscopy.     

Adsorption-Controlled Growth of BiFeO3 by MBE and Integration with Wide Band Gap Semiconductors

BiFeO3 thin films have been deposited on (001) SrTiO3, (101) DyScO3, (011) DyScO3, (0001) AlGaN/GaN, and (0001) 6H-SiC single crystal substrates by reactive molecular beam epitaxy in an adsorption-controlled growth regime. This is achieved by supplying a bismuth over-pressure and utilizing the differential vapor pressures between bismuth oxides and BiFeO₃ to control stoichiometry in accordance with thermodynamic calculations. Four-circle x-ray diffraction and transmission electron microscopy reveal phase-pure, epitaxial films with rocking curve full width at half maximum values as narrow as 7.2 arc seconds (0.002°). Epitaxial growth of (0001)-oriented BiFeO3 thin films on (0001) GaN, including AlGaN HEMT structures, and (0001) SiC has been realized using intervening epitaxial (111) SrTiO₃ / (100) TiO₂ buffer layers. The epitaxial BiFeO3 thin films have 2 in-plane orientations: [1120] BiFeO>sub>3 || [1120] GaN (SiC) plus a twin variant related by a 180° in-plane rotation. This epitaxial integration of the ferroelectric with the highest known polarization, BiFeO3, with high bandgap semiconductors is an important step toward novel field-effect devices.     

电纺制备多孔Ni1-xZnxFe2O4超细纤维的结构与磁性能

采用静电纺丝技术结合后期的热处理制备了具有多孔结构的Ni_1-xZn_xFe₂O₄(x=0~0.8)超细纤维. 利用X射线衍射(XRD)、傅里叶变换红外光谱(FTIR)、场发射扫描电镜(FESEM)、低温N₂吸附-脱附和振动样品磁强计(VSM)对纤维样品的晶体结构、微观形貌、孔特征和室温磁性能进行了研究. 结果表明, 550℃焙烧2?h得到的多孔Ni_1-xZn_xFe₂O₄超细纤维均为单相尖晶石结构, 平均粒径约为25~30?nm, 纤维直径主要分布在200~500?nm之间, 且具有较大的长径比; 所制备的Ni_0.5Zn_0.5Fe₂O₄多孔纤维的孔结构主要以狭缝状介孔为主, 其平均孔径约为11?nm; 随着Zn含量x由0增加0.8, Ni_1-xZn_xFe₂O₄纤维的晶格常数a线性增大, A位的红外特征振动频率单调递减, 矫顽力由13.8?kA/m逐步减小到2.3?kA/m, 比饱和磁化强度先增大后减小, 在x=0.4时达到最大值66.8?A·m²/kg. 与相近尺寸的Ni-Zn铁氧体纳米粒子相比, Ni-Zn铁氧体超细纤维由于其形状各向异性而表现出更高的矫顽力.     

Ba1-xMgxAl2Si2O8晶体结构与微波介电性能的研究

采用固相烧结法, 按化学计量比Ba_1-xMg_xAl₂Si₂O₈(x=0, 0.05, 0.1, 0.15, 0.3, 0.5)制备样品, 考察不同MgO含量对BaO-Al₂O₃-SiO₂系介电材料晶体结构及微波介电性能的影响。结果表明, MgO可以降低烧结温度, 促进六方相转变为单斜相, 当添加量x≥0.15时, 相转变可以达到100%。当x≤0.15时, 适量的MgO可以有效地促进单斜钡长石晶粒的长大。在0.05≤x≤0.1范围内, 随着MgO含量的增加, 单斜钡长石衍射峰增强, 晶粒尺寸增大, 密度、介电常数与τ_f均随MgO含量的增加而增大。在x=0.1, 烧结温度为1400℃时, 可获得综合性能相对较好的单斜钡长石, 其介电性能ε_r=6.44, Q×f=16461 GHz, τ_f= -30.6×10^-6 K^-1。     

Effect of PWVA/Sb2O3 complex inhibitor on the corrosion behavior of carbon steel in 55%LiBr solution

The inhibition performance of PWVA/Sb₂O₃ complex inhibitor on carbon steel was studied in 55%LiBr + 0.07 mol L⁻¹ LiOH solution. Results indicated that the complex inhibitor decreased both anodic and cathodic polarization current density and widened the passive potential region of carbon steel in test solution and can be classified as mixed inhibitor. The complex inhibitor exhibited excellent inhibition performance on carbon steel when the concentrations of PWVA and Sb₂O₃ were 300 and 200 mg L⁻¹, respectively. With the solution temperature increasing from 145 to 240 °C, the corrosion rates of carbon steel increased from 4.71 to 120.66 μm y⁻¹. In solution containing the complex inhibitor, the relationship between relative coverage ratio of inhibitor on carbon steel surface and inhibition efficiency at 145 °C was obtained as the equation μ = 0.94η, it was a direct proportion. This result proved that the complex inhibitor inhibited the corrosion of carbon steel by geometric blocking effect. When solution temperature was 160 °C, the adsorption Gibbs free energy of PWVA and Sb₂O₃ on carbon steel were −49.59 and −44.29 kJ mol⁻¹, respectively. It indicated that the adsorption processes of PWVA and Sb₂O₃ on carbon steel surface were spontaneous processes. As a strong oxidant, PWVA facilitated the compact passive film comprising of FeO, Fe₂O₃ and Fe₃O₄ forming on the surface and itself was reduced to heteropoly blue. Sb₂O₃ adsorbed on carbon steel surface formed an adsorption film. PWVA and Sb₂O₃ behaved synergistic effect. The corrosion resistance performance of carbon steel in 55%LiBr + 0.07 mol L⁻¹ LiOH solution was improved by PWVA/Sb₂O₃ complex inhibitor.     

γ-NaxCoO2粉体的聚丙烯酸钠凝胶法制备及其表征

本研究发展了一种用于制备氧化物热电材料γ-Na_xCoO₂粉体的化学合成方法——聚丙烯酸钠(PAAS)凝胶法。主要研究了PAAS/Co²⁺摩尔比、原料浓度和煅烧温度对产物相组成及微观形态的影响规律, 探讨了物相形成机制, 同时用该方法结合SPS制备了不同Na离子浓度的Na_xCoO₂多晶样品, 并对其热电性能进行了表征。结果表明, PAAS/Co²⁺摩尔比对产物相组成产生了显著影响, 随着PAAS/Co²⁺摩尔比的增加, 样品的相组成由Co₃O₄相向单相γ-Na_xCoO₂转变, 合适的PAAS/Co²⁺摩尔比为0.8~1.1。而反应原料浓度对产物相组成的影响存在一个临界值(0.025 mol/L), 大于临界值抑制单相形成, 小于临界值促进单相形成。煅烧温度的升高有助于γ-Na_xCoO₂单相的形成, 800℃煅烧得到γ-Na_xCoO₂单相, 晶粒形态呈片状, 平均厚度约200 nm, 片状方向的尺寸在1~4 μm之间。随着Na含量的增加, 样品的Seebeck系数增大, 电导率增加, 热导率降低, 最终导致ZT值大幅增加。     

High-resolution and analytical transmission electron microscopy of epitaxial YBa2Cu3O7−x thin films and YBa2Cu3O7/PrBa2Cu3O7 superlattices

Transmission electron microscopy (TEM) studies of epitaxial YBa₂Cu₃O_7−x thin films and YBa₂Cu₃O₇/PrBa₂Cu₃O₇ superlattices are summarized. High-resolution imaging of cross-sections and plan views and energy-dispersive X-ray microanalysis and electron energy loss spectroscopy in the transmission electron microscope were the methods applied. In the first section results on YBa₂Cu₃O_7−x thin films With varying oxygen stoichiometry deposited onto SrTiO₃ are discussed. Then, YBa₂Cu₃O₇/PrBa₂Cu₃O₇ superlattices deposited onto SrTiO₃ and MgO are investigated. Finally, an interface analysis of high-quality YBa₂Cu₃O_7−x thin films deposited onto sapphire with yttrium-stabilized zirconia buffer layers is presented.     

Microstructure and piezoelectric properties of (Na0.5K0.5)NbO3 lead-free piezoelectric ceramics with V2O5 addition

Various amounts of Nb₂O₅ in the (Na_0.5K_0.5) NbO₃ (NKN) ceramic were replaced by V₂O₅ to decrease its sintering temperature to below 950°C. A small V₂O₅ content resulted in a dense microstructure with an increased grain size for the specimen sintered at 900°C due to the presence of a liquid phase. When V₂O₅ was added to the NKN ceramics, their orthorhombic-to-tetragonal transition temperature increased from 178°C to around 200°C. However, their Curie temperature decreased from 402°C to around 330°C. The k_p, _ε3 ^T/_ε0, and Q_m values increased with V₂O₅ addition, probably due to the increased density and poling state, which was identified by the phase angle. The specimen with x = 0.05, sintered at 900°C for 8 h, exhibited the following piezoelectric properties: k_p = 0.32, _ε3 ^T/_ε0 = 245, d₃₃ = 120 (pC/N), and Q_m = 232.     

Processing, microstructure and properties of C40 Mo(Si,Al)2/Al2O3 composites

The C40 Mo(Si_0.75Al_0.25)₂/Al₂O₃ composites were prepared by spark plasma sintering (SPS) of mechanically alloyed (MA) powders. The Mo(Si_0.75Al_0.25)₂/0–20 vol.% Al₂O₃ materials, showing micron and submicron composite structure, possess a hardness of 13.9–14.6 GPa but a poor toughness of 1.78–1.80 MPa m^1/2. The addition of 30 vol.% Al₂O₃ leads to the formation of the micron C40 Mo(Si_0.75Al_0.25)₂/Al₂O₃ composite with an intergranular distribution of Al₂O₃, that results in a drop of the hardness to 10.2 GPa and an improvement of the toughness to 3.67 MPa m^1/2. The transition of the cleavage facets to the intergranular fracture with the addition of Al₂O₃ is assumed as the main toughening mechanism.     

Optical nonlinearities of Fe2O3 nanoparticles investigated by Z-scan technique

The single beam Z-scan technique has been used to measure the third-order nonlinear refractive index, γ, the two-photon absorption coefficient, ß, and the variation of refractive index per unit photoexcited carrier density σ_r, and the free carrier absorption cross section σ_ab for quantum-confined Fe₂O₃ nanoparticles coated by a layer of organic molecular in toluene and bare particles in hydrosol. For coated Fe₂O₃ nanoparticles, the ratio γ/ß is enhanced by a factor of five compared to the bare sample. Their figures of merit related to linear and two-photon absorption for ultrafast all-optical devices application were determined.     

Influence of Mn doping on microstructure and DC-accelerated aging behaviors of ZnO–V2O5-based varistors

The microstructure, electrical properties, dielectric characteristics, and DC-accelerated aging behavior of the ZnO–V₂O₅–MnO₂ system sintered were investigated for MnO₂ content of 0.0–2.0 mol% by sintering at 900 °C. For all samples, the microstructure of the ZnO–V₂O₅–MnO₂ system consisted of mainly ZnO grain and secondary phase Zn₃(VO₄)₂. The incorporation of MnO₂ to the ZnO–V₂O₅ system was found to restrict the abnormal grain growth of ZnO. The nonlinear properties and stability against DC-accelerated aging stress improved with the increase of MnO₂ content. The ZnO–V₂O₅–MnO₂ system added with MnO₂ content of 2.0 mol% exhibited not only a high nonlinearity, in which the nonlinear coefficient is 27.2 and the leakage current density is 0.17 mA/cm², but also a good stability, in which %ΔE_1 mA = −0.6%, %Δ = −26.1%, and %Δtan δ = +22% for DC-accelerated aging stress of 0.85E_1 mA/85 °C/24 h.