Raman spectroscopy and in situ Raman spectroelectrochemistry of bilayer ¹²C/¹³C graphene

Bilayer graphene was prepared by the subsequent deposition of a (13)C single-layer graphene and a (12)C single-layer graphene on top of a SiO(2)/Si substrate. The bilayer graphene thus prepared was studied using Raman spectroscopy and in situ Raman spectroelectrochemistry. The Raman frequencies of the (13)C graphene bands are significantly shifted with respect to those of (12)C graphene, which allows us to investigate the single layer components of bilayer graphene individually. It is shown that the bottom layer of the bilayer graphene is significantly doped from the substrate, while the top layer does not exhibit a signature of the doping from the environment. The electrochemical doping has the same effect on the charge carrier concentration at the top and the bottom layer despite the top layer being the only layer in contact with the electrolyte. This is here demonstrated by essentially the same frequency shifts of the G and G' bands as a function of the electrode potential for both the top and bottom layers. Nevertheless, analysis of the intensity of the Raman modes showed an anomalous bleaching of the Raman intensity of the G mode with increasing electrode potential, which was not observed previously in one-layer graphene.     

Size-evolution towards metallic behavior in nano-sized gold and platinum clusters as revealed by 197Au Mössbauer spectroscopy

Four types of molecular Au₅₅ clusters, with different types of ligands, have been studied using ¹⁹⁷Au Mössbauer spectroscopy. Emission Mössbauer measurements were also performed on the larger Pt309 cluster, in which ¹⁹⁷Au was produced by neutron activation. There is a large influence of the ligands on the charge densities at the surface atoms of the metal atom cluster cores. For the Au₅₅ clusters, the inner core atoms have a different charge density at the nucleus than the bulk metal, and it depends also slightly on the type of ligands on it. For the Pt₃₀₉ compound, the inner core atoms have the same charge density at the nucleus as in the corresponding bulk metal. We, therefore, conclude that the inner core of the Pt₃₀₉ cluster is metallic with respect to the electronic charge densities, while this is not yet the case for the Au₅₅ cluster.     

Formation of porous Pd black induced by in situ catalytic reaction

The in situ heterogeneous catalytic reaction of formic acid decomposition was applied as a 'reaction template' in the synthesis of porous Pd black. The obtained porous Pd black was characterized by transmission electron microscopy, electrochemical measurements and x-ray photoelectron spectroscopy. It was found that the porous Pd black had a high electrochemical active surface area of about 40.2 m2 g(-1) and a clean surface. It could be used directly as a catalyst in many fields such as fuel cells.     

Revealing molecular-level surface structure of amyloid fibrils in liquid by means of frequency modulation atomic force microscopy

We have investigated the surface structure of islet amyloid polypeptide (IAPP) fibrils and α-synuclein protofibrils in liquid by means of frequency modulation atomic force microscopy (FM-AFM). ?ngstr?m-resolution FM-AFM imaging of isolated macromolecules in liquid is demonstrated for the first time. Individual β-strands aligned perpendicular to the fibril axis with a spacing of 0.5?nm are resolved in FM-AFM images, which confirms cross-β structure of IAPP fibrils in real space. FM-AFM images also reveal the existence of 4?nm periodic domains along the axis of IAPP fibrils. Stripe features with 0.5?nm spacing are also found in images of α-synuclein protofibrils. However, in contrast to the case for IAPP fibrils, the stripes are oriented 30° from the axis, suggesting the possibility of β-strand alignment in protofibrils different from that in mature fibrils or the regular arrangement of thioflavin T molecules present during the fibril preparation aligned at the surface of the protofibrils.     

The controlling biodegradation of chitosan fibers by N-acetylation in vitro and in vivo

Aim In the present study, we investigated the biodegradation of the fibers of chitosan and its acetylated derivatives in vitro and in vivo. Methods A series of chitosan fibers, with acetylation degrees of 7.7%, 21.6%, 40.9%, 61.2%, 82.5% and 93.4%, were obtained by acetylating chitosan filament with acetic anhydride, and were investigated by FT-IR analysis, elemental analysis and scanning electron microscopy analysis. Results The in vitro experimental data indicated that the degradation rate of chitosan fiber was strongly dependent on the degree of acetylation, and the degradation rate increased with an enhancement of the acetylation degree of chitosan fibers. In vivo degradation experiment evaluated by light microscopy as well as scanning electron microscopy, was studied by implanting the fibers between the two nerve stumps of the rat sciatic nerve gap (6 months). The findings demonstrated that acetylation degree could influence the degradation rate of chitosan fibers in vivo. Conclusion These results suggested that acetylated chitosan (chitin) fibers were more biodegradable than chitosan and the biodegradation rate of chitin fiber can be controlled to desirable extent by the variation of acetylation degree.     

The Li stance on precipitation in Al–Li-based alloys: an investigation by X-ray Raman spectroscopy

Journal of Materials Science - Decomposition and precipitation processes in a binary Al–Li alloy and a technical Al–Li–Cu–Mg alloy were investigated using differential...     

Gold mesoflower arrays with sub-10 nm intraparticle gaps for highly sensitive and repeatable surface enhanced Raman spectroscopy

Self-assembling Au mesoflower arrays are prepared using a polymethylmethacrylate (PMMA) template on an iron substrate via a combined top-down/bottom-up nanofabrication strategy. The PMMA template with the holes around 300-500 nm in diameter is first fabricated by using polymer blend lithography on iron substrates, and the highly homogeneous Au mesoflower arrays with less than 10 nm intraparticle gaps are subsequently obtained by an in situ galvanic reaction between HAuCl4 solution and the iron substrate under optimal stirring of the solution as well as reaction time. Owing to the unique mesostructures and uniformity, Raman measurements show that the gold mesoflower arrays obtained demonstrated a strong and reproducible surface enhanced Raman scattering (SERS) enhancement on the order of ～10(7)-10(8). The development of a SERS substrate based on the Au mesoflowers with high spatial density of hot spots, relatively low cost and facial synthesis provides a novel strategy for applications in chemical and biomolecular sensing.     

Observation of the Semiconductor-Semimetal and Semimetal-Semiconductor Transitions in Bi Quantum Wires Induced by Anisotropic Deformation and Magnetic Field

The semimetal-semiconductor transition is observed in glass-coated quantum single-crystal bismuth wires with diameters less than 70 nm due to the quantum size effect. It is found that elastic deformation of Bi nanowires (10 $\bar{1}$ 1) oriented along the wire axis with the semiconductor dependence R(T) leads to the approaching of L and T bands and to the semiconductor-semimetal transition; as a result, Shubnikov-de Haas oscillations appear on the magnetoresistance dependences R(H). It is shown that strong magnetic field and elastic deformation are the tools to control gap size in quantum bismuth wires, which is principal for their practical use in particular in thermoelectricity.     

Bone–titanium oxide interface in humans revealed by transmission electron microscopy and electron tomography

Osseointegration, the direct contact between an implant surface and bone tissue, plays a critical role in interfacial stability and implant success. Analysis of interfacial zones at the micro- and nano-levels is essential to determine the extent of osseointegration. In this paper, a series of state-of-the-art microscopy techniques are used on laser-modified implants retrieved from humans. Partially laser-modified implants were retrieved after two and a half months'' healing and processed for light and electron microscopy. Light microscopy showed osseointegration, with bone tissue growing both towards and away from the implant surface. Transmission electron microscopy revealed an intimate contact between mineralized bone and the laser-modified surface, including bone growth into the nano-structured oxide. This novel observation was verified by three-dimensional Z-contrast electron tomography, enabling visualization of an apatite layer, with different crystal direction compared with the apatite in the bone tissue, encompassing the nano-structured oxide. In conclusion, the present study demonstrates the nano-scale osseointegration and bonding between apatite and surface-textured titanium oxide. These observations provide novel data in human specimens on the ultrastructure of the titanium–bone interface.     

Composition-dependent ultra-high photoconductivity in ternary CdS x Se1−x nanobelts as measured by optical pump-terahertz probe spectroscopy

We employ optical pump-terahertz probe spectroscopy to investigate the composition-dependent photoconductivity in ternary CdSxSel_x nanobelts. The observed carrier dynamics of CdS nanobelts display much shorter lifetime than those of ternary CdSKSel_K nanobelts. This indicates the implementation of CdS nanobelts as ultrafast switching devices with a switching speed potentially up to 46.7 GHz. Surprisingly, ternary CdS,-Sel_x nanobelts are found to exhibit much higher photoconductivity than binary CdS and CdSe. This is attributed to the higher photocarrier densities in ternary compounds. In addition, the presence of Se in samples resulted in prominent CdSe-like transverse optical （TO） phonon modes due to electron-phonon interactions. The strength of this mode shows a large drop upon photoexcitation but recovers gradually with time. These results demonstrated that growth of ternary nanostructures can be utilized to alleviate the high surface defect density in nanostructures and improve their photoconductivity.     

Temperature and voltage sensings by mode‐mode interference in polarization‐maintaining optical fibers

Abstract

Two optic fiber sensing systems for temperature and voltage have been developed which utilize the mode‐mode interference of the two orthogonally polarized modes, HE^x _II and HE^y _II, in two commencal polarization‐maintaining fibers (bow‐tie and elliptical core fibers). A package of controlled programs in a Macintosh computer, which can record and process all related data automatically, is established for temperature sensing. The signal drifting problem in voltage sensings has been investigated, and the elimination of signal drifting is obtained by the phase tracking with direct current technology The agreement between the sensing results for temperature and dynamic voltage and those predicted by experimental principles is satisfactory, which confirms the validity of the developed sensing systems.     

Correlation between spin–phonon coupling and magneto-electric effects in CoFe2O4/PMN-PT nanocomposite: Raman spectroscopy and XMCD study

We have investigated strain-induced spin lattice coupling in the CoFe₂O₄/0.65Pb (Mg_1/3Nb_2/3)O₃–0.35PbTiO₃(PMN-PT) composite system, evident by temperature-dependent Raman spectroscopy and magnetization measurements. The strain interactions lead to magneto-electric coupling, and the measured magneto-electric voltage coefficient is 40 mV/cm^?1Oe^?1 for the CoFe₂O₄/PMN-PT composite samples. X-ray magnetic circular dichroism (XMCD) analysis establishes modified spin structure in the electrically poled CoFe₂O₄/PMN-PT composite, further validating the coupling between magnetic and electric ordering in the composite. The magneto-electric coupling coefficient α vs dc magnetic field curves revealed hysteretic behavior and enhanced α values after electric poling, which originates from the strain-induced modifications in the magnetic structure of composite in the electrically poled samples. These findings suggest that the existence of spin lattice coupling may lead to the mechanism of strong magneto-electric effects via strain interactions in CoFe₂O₄/PMN-PT composite.

     

Structural and optical studies of Zn1−xCdxS quantum dots synthesized by in situ technique in PVA matrix

Zn_1−xCd_xS (x = 0.1, 0.2, 0.3, 0.4, 0.5 … 0.9) quantum dots were synthesized successfully using novel in situ technique in polyvinyl alcohol (PVA) matrix. The PVA acted as a capping agent as well as a reducing agent. The structural and optical properties of the samples were studied by X-ray diffraction (XRD), TEM analysis, UV–Visible absorption and photoluminescence spectroscopy (PL). X-ray diffraction patterns revealed cubic zinc blende phase of the samples with lattice parameter in the range 5.47–5.75 Å. Optical band gap values were calculated from the absorption spectra and observed a decreasing band gap with increasing Cd:Zn ratio. The Raman spectra were recorded using conventional Micro Raman technique. Photoluminescence spectra showed asymmetric broad emission with multiple maxima. The concentration dependent quenching of PL intensity with increasing Cd:Zn ratio was observed along with a red shift. The nonlinear optical (NLO) and limiting properties were studied using Z-scan technique.     

Observation of Single Compton-Electron Tracks in Superfluid Helium-4 and Trace Detection of Metastable Helium Molecules by Laser-Induced-Fluorescence Imaging

We use laser-induced fluorescence enhanced by a cycling transition to image metastable helium molecules in liquid helium-4. We demonstrate that the method achieves sufficient sensitivity to image the trail of helium molecules that forms along the track of a single high-energy electron created by Compton scattering of a 511 keV gamma ray in liquid helium. The experiments show that a liquid helium detector with optical readout can function as an electron-tracking Compton camera when combined with conventional gamma-ray detectors. The demonstrated sensitivity for imaging helium molecules could also find application in the spectroscopy and imaging of neutrons, detection of electronic and nuclear recoil events, and investigation of superfluid or normal-fluid flow in liquid helium using the molecules as passive tracer particles.     

Experimental Presentation of Microwave Absorption due to Shaking of JV by AC Magnetic Field in Bi2212 and Bi2223

The Josephson Vortex dynamics in high anisotropy superconductors Bi2212 and Bi2223 induced by AC magnetic field collinear to DC magnetic field and parallel to the layers is studied via their interaction with microwave field. Experimental results as function of DC magnetic field, AC magnetic field and temperature are presented. The AC induced microwave dissipation is larger than dissipation without AC field. The results are explained by the theoretical interpretation reported recently due to shaking by the AC field that depins the JV (Shaltiel et al., Phys. Rev. B 77, 014508, 2008). Similar behavior in these two compounds as a function of the variables involved discloses that the shaking effect should be observed in any high anisotropy superconductors. It shows that the AC field interacting with JV has an active and not the usual passive modulating role of the DC field in EPR dissipation experiments. The technique can be used to investigate JV dynamics and JV phase diagram.     

Investigation of the emission mechanism in milled SrAl₂O₄:Eu, Dy using optical and synchrotron X-ray spectroscopy

There currently exists much debate as to the active state related to the "long afterglow" effect in europium doped oxide materials. Redox couples that consist of Eu(+/2+) and Eu(2+/3+) are discussed, but no common answer is currently accepted. Here, we present a comparison of the optical properties of a commercially available SrAl(2)O(4):Eu, Dy phosphor, as a function of nanoparticle size reduction via dry mechanical milling. X-ray and optical spectroscopic data indicate a significant decrease in phosphorescence efficiency and an increase in laser stimulated emission efficiency as near surface Eu(2+) ions are oxidized to Eu(3+) as a consequence of increased exposure during the milling process. These results show evidence only for Eu(2+/3+) oxidation states, suggesting the mechanism related to long afterglow effect does not arise from Eu(+) species. We also suggest that size reduction, as a rule, cannot be universally applied to improve optical properties of nanostructures.