Line-width of ion beam-modified polystyrene by negative carbon ions for fine adhesion pattern of mesenchymal stem cells

The fine adhesion pattern of mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs) on polytyrene (PS) was investigated by carbon negative-ion implantation with decreasing the implanted line-width. The carbon negative ions with certain ion fluence of 3 × 10¹⁴ ions/cm² and ion energy of 10 keV were implanted through the ridge-pattern mask having slit aperture from 0 to 40 μm. After 2 days of culture of rat MSCs on the modified PS, the MSCs elongated and adhered along the implanted region due to the lowering of contact angle after the ion implantation. The cells stained with fluorescent dye of DAPI were used to observe the position of cell adhesion on the modified line-width. By decreasing the line-width from 40 to 3 μm, we found the adhesion arrangements from the gathering cells to the individual cells. The most probable adhesions of the gathering cells in a lateral direction of the line were found at a wider width than 20 μm, while that of the individual cells were found at a width of about 10 μm. The adhesion arrangement of individual cells helped to increase the distances of cell-to-cell due to the elongated adhesion of cells along the narrowed implanted line-width. The number of adhered cells decreased with a decrease in the implanted line-width, and almost all of them had the same direction of their nucleus at the narrower line-width than 12 μm. Therefore, the controls of the individual cell-adhesion arrangement in a line and the nuclei direction could be achieved by decreasing the implanted line-width to about 10 μm.     

Surface modification of cyclic olefin copolymer substrate by oxygen plasma treatment

Cyclic olefin copolymer (COC) substrate surface was modified by plasma treatment under oxygen atmosphere. The surface properties were evaluated by contact angle measurement, atomic force microscope (AFM) and X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS). It was found that the surface acquired oxygen containing polar functional groups such as C-O, C = O, which increased in number as the plasma treatment time increased. As revealed by AFM profile, these changes were accompanied by a slightly increase in roughness. The adhesive ability between the coating layer (ITO) and the COC surface can be improved after optimum plasma treating procedure, which can be proofed by the optical microscope observation after boiling test.     

Microstructure and composition analysis in plasma sprayed coatings of Al2O3/ZrSiO4 mixtures

Plasma spraying of Al₂O₃/ZrSiO₄ was performed using spray dried and plasma spheroidised powder feedstock. The mixtures were sprayed using different spray stand-off distances and plasma power levels. X-Ray diffraction (XRD) was used to characterise the phase composition and scanning electron microscopy (SEM) examined the morphology of the sprayed surface and polished cross-sections. The results showed that the plasma spray process parameters played an important role in the final outcome of microstructures of the coatings. The coatings produced with spheroidised powders displayed a much denser structure than those produced with the spray-dried powders. The phase composition analysis showed the presence of amorphous phases in addition to crystalline alumina, zircon and tetragonal (t) zirconia (ZrO₂). Transmission electron microscopy (TEM) showed that amorphous phases and t-ZrO₂ crystals with particle size 100–200 nm could coexist within a single splat due to the relatively low local cooling rate.     

Germanium negative-ion implantation into SiO2 layer on Si: Photoluminescence properties and oxidation state of Ge atoms in subsequent heat treatment

Photoluminescence properties (PL) and oxidation state of Ge atoms implanted into a thermally grown SiO₂ layers have been investigated. The samples were prepared by Ge negative-ion implantation at multi-energies of 10-50 keV with various Ge concentrations of 0.5-6 at.% and subsequent two-stage annealing in N₂ at a flow rate of 50 ml/min and in decompressed air at flow rate of 10 ml/min at temperatures of 600 °C-900 °C for 1-3 h. Results showed that the PL emission with a peak at 390 nm depended on both Ge concentration and subsequent annealing temperature. For the low Ge concentrations of 1-1.4 at.%, the strong PL emission could be obtained just after 1 h annealing in N₂ at 700-800 °C. For the high Ge concentration of 3 at.%, the PL emission was improved and increased after annealing in decompressed air, but it still was weaker than that of the Ge sample at 1.4 at.%. XPS analysis showed that almost 60% of Ge atoms were oxidized to form GeO and GeO₂, even as implanted sample and this oxidation decreased to 35% after N₂ annealing. The induced defects of SiO₂ as absorption center recovered while the oxygen defects (ODC) of GeO₂ were reduced during annealing in N₂. The deoxidation of GeO₂ is suppressed by annealing in decompressed air flow. Based on the obtained results, we have discussed the best way of heat treatment to increase ODC by two-stage annealing in N₂ and in decompressed air.     

Evaluation of surface and bonding properties of cold rolled steel sheet pretreated by Ar/O2 atmospheric pressure plasma at room temperature

In this study, cold rolled steel sheet for automotive was pretreated by the Ar/O₂ atmospheric pressure plasma at room temperature to improve the adhesive bonding properties. Through the analysis of contact angle and calculation of work of adhesion, the change of surface properties related to the plasma power, treatment time, and flow rate of O₂ gas were investigated before and after plasma treatment. Contact angle was degreased and work of adhesion was increased after plasma treatment. Meanwhile, the changes of surface roughness and morphology were observed by atomic force microscopy (AFM). And the chemical compositions of the steel sheet before and after plasma treatment were characterized by X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS). Surface roughness was slightly changed and new functional group, oxides, appeared on the surface of steel sheet after plasma treatment. Based on design of experiments and artificial neural network (ANN), the single lap shear test was performed to analyze the effect of plasma treatment parameters gas on adhesive bonding strength. From the result of the single lap shear test, the adhesive bonding strength of joint which was treated by Ar/O₂ atmospheric pressure plasma was improved about 23% compared with that of untreated sheet.     

The structure and adhesion of hydrogenated amorphous carbon (a-C:H) films synthesized on CoCrMo alloy by plasma immersion ion implantation and deposition at different flow ratios of acetylene to argon

Hydrogenated amorphous carbon (a-C:H) film is deposited on CoCrMo alloy by plasma immersion ion implantation and deposition (PIII-D) at different flow ratios of acetylene to argon (C₂H₂/Ar). The results show that Ar fraction in the C₂H₂-Ar gas mixture has an important effect on the structure and the adhesion of the a-C:H films. When Ar fraction in the C₂H₂-Ar gas mixture is less than 50%, the fabricated a-C:H film composition transfer from graphite-like to diamond-like which contains higher sp³ binding thanks to Ar ion bombardment, and the adhesion strength decreased with the increment of Ar fraction. But when Ar fraction in the C₂H₂-Ar gas mixture is beyond 50%, the fabricated film contains more sp² bonding for thermally driven and exhibits higher adhesion strength with the increment of the Ar fraction.     

Properties of hydrogenated amorphous carbon films deposited by PECVD and modified by SF6 plasma

Hydrogenated amorphous carbon (a-C:H) films were grown at room temperature on glass and polished silicon substrates using RF-PECVD (Radio-Frequency Plasma Enhanced Chemical Vapor Deposition). Plasmas composed by 30% of acetylene and 70% of argon were excited by the application of RF signal to the sample holder with power ranging from 5 to 125 W. After deposition, the films were submitted to SF₆-plasma treatment for 5 minutes. SF₆ plasmas were generated at a pressure of 13.3 Pa by a RF power supply operating at 13.56 MHz with the output fixed at 70 W. The resulting films were characterized in terms of their molecular structure, chemical composition, surface morphology, thickness, contact angle, and surface free energy. During the SF₆ plasma treatment, fluorine species were incorporated in the film structure causing chemical alterations. The interaction of chemical species generated in the SF₆ plasmas with surface species was responsible for the decrease of the film thickness and surface energy, and for the increase of the film roughness and hydrophobicity.     

In-situ TiB2-Al2O3 formed composite coatings by atmospheric plasma spraying: Influence of process parameters and in-flight particle characteristics

In the present study, mechanically alloyed Al-12Si, B₂O₃ and TiO₂ powder was deposited onto an aluminum substrate using atmospheric plasma spraying (APS). The effects of mechanical alloying (MA) time and plasma parameters (arc current and primary/secondary/carrier gas flow rate) on in-situ reaction intensity and in-flight particle characteristics (temperature and velocity) have been investigated. It has been observed that MA time has a remarkable effect on powder morphology and relative amount of in-situ formed TiB₂ and γ-Al₂O₃. In-flight particle diagnostic measurements demonstrate that among the plasma parameters arc current has the strongest effect on in-flight particle velocity and temperature. Also, results indicate that in-flight particle velocity is more dominant than temperature on the relative amount of in-situ formed phases.     

Mechanical and tribological performance of Al2O3-TiO2 coatings elaborated by flame and plasma spraying

Mechanical properties and wear rates of Al₂O₃-13 wt.% TiO₂ (AT-13) and Al₂O₃-43 wt.% TiO₂ (AT-43) coatings obtained by flame and atmospheric plasma spraying were studied. The feed stock was either ceramic cords or powders. Results show that the wear resistance of AT-13 coatings is higher than that of AT-43 and it seems that the effect of hardness on wear resistance is more important than that of toughness. Additionally, it was established that, according to conditions used to elaborate coatings and the sliding tribological test chosen, spray processes do not seem to have an important effect on the wear resistance of these coatings.     

Microstructure and mechanical properties of Al2O3-Cr2O3 composite coatings produced by atmospheric plasma spraying

Al₂O₃, Al₂O₃-Cr₂O₃ and Cr₂O₃ coatings were deposited by atmospheric plasma spraying. Phase composition of powders and as-sprayed coatings was determined by X-ray diffraction. Electron probe microanalyzer was employed to investigate the polished and fractured surface morphologies of the coatings. Mechanical properties including microhardness, fracture toughness and bending strength were evaluated. The results indicate that the addition of Cr₂O₃ is conducive to the stabilization of α-Al₂O₃. Compared with the pure Al₂O₃ and Cr₂O₃ coatings, Al₂O₃-Cr₂O₃ composite coatings show lower porosities and denser structures. Heterogeneous nucleation of α-Al₂O₃ occurs over the isostructural Cr₂O₃ lamellae and partial solid solution of Al₂O₃ and Cr₂O₃ might be occurring as well. Furthermore, grain refining and solid solution strengthening facilitate the mechanical property enhancement of Al₂O₃-Cr₂O₃ composite coatings.     

Thermal shock behavior of nanostructured and conventional Al2O3/13 wt%TiO2 coatings fabricated by plasma spraying

The thermal shock behavior of three kinds of Al₂O₃/13 wt%TiO₂ coatings fabricated by plasma spraying was studied in this paper. One kind of those coatings was derived from conventional fused and crushed feedstock powder available commercially; the other two kinds of coatings were derived from nanostructured agglomerated feedstock powders. These two nano coatings possess moderate pores and pre-existing microcracks, they were composed of fused structure and three-dimensional net or skeleton-like structure. For conventional coatings, the pores and pre-existing cracks were bigger, sharp-point and mostly distributed between splats. Thermal shock tests for the three coatings were performed by water quenching method. Testing result showed the two kinds of nano coatings had much higher thermal shock resistance than the conventional coatings. The improved thermal shock resistance for nano coatings could attribute to their improved microstructure and crack propagation mode. The damage evolution and failure mechanism of coatings was quite different at thermal shock temperature of 650 °C and 850 °C, which was explained by a simple model. Different crack propagating modes in nanostructured and conventional coatings during thermal shock tests were due to their different microstructures in these two kinds coatings. The stress state of coating surfaces during the thermal cycles was also discussed in this paper.     

Effects of alloying elements on microstructure and protective properties of Al2O3 coatings formed on aluminum alloy substrates by plasma electrolysis

Hard alumina coatings were formed on three typical Al alloys using a plasma electrolytic oxidation (PEO) process. The microstructure and protective behavior of the coatings were characterized in the context of the elements alloyed in the substrates. The substrates investigated were three commercial aluminum alloys (Al 6061, 2024, 7075) and various Al − x–Mg binary alloys with x = 0.6–4.6 wt.%. The major portion of all coating films consisted of a mixture of γ- and α-alumina on top of a very thin amorphous substrate-based layer. Examination of the coatings on the commercial alloys reveals that the ratio of α- to γ-alumina is inversely proportional to the total concentration of residual Mg, Cu, and Zn ions in the coatings. Additional experiments on Al − x–Mg binary alloy substrates suggest that Mg ions play the most important role in suppressing the transition of γ- to α-alumina. Our results suggest that Mg content ≥ 3 wt.% yields only the γ-alumina. We propose a mechanism that correlates the residual elements in the coatings to the alumina phase transition. A higher content of the dense α-alumina in the coatings yielded greater hardness as well as improved wear tolerance and crack resistance of the coating layers.     

Surface pretreatment of austenitic stainless steel and copper by chemical, plasma electrolytic or CO2 cryoblasting techniques for sol-gel coating

The surface pretreatments of the austenitic stainless steel and copper surfaces for the sol-gel coating were carried out by chemical, plasma electrolytic or CO₂ cryoblasting techniques. With the austenitic stainless steel the smoothest surfaces were obtained with plasma electrolytic cleaning, after which the measured contact angles of water were clearly decreased revealing improved hydrophilicity. As well with the copper samples the smooth surface and improved hydrophilicity was obtained with the plasma electrolytic cleaning, but oxide layer formed to the copper surface immediately after the treatment. CO₂ cryoblasting provided rough surface with wetting properties close to the original surface both for austenitic stainless steel and copper surfaces. CO₂ cryoblasting provided best appearance for the copper surface because no oxidation happened with that treatment. XPS and SIMS studies showed that with the plasma electrolytic treatment the surface layer of the austenitic stainless steel enriched of chromium and the oxide layer formed on the surface was less than 10 nm thick. With the chemical cleaning and CO₂ cryoblasting, the chromium enrichment to the stainless steel surface was less. However XPS and SIMS studies showed that chemical treatment provided thinner oxide layer to copper surface than plasma electrolytic treatment.     

Mechanochemical reduction of MoO3/SiO2 powder mixtures by Al and carbon for the synthesis of nanocrystalline MoSi2

In this investigation, MoSi₂ intermetallic compound has been synthesized by reducing of MoO₃/SiO₂ powder mixtures by Al and carbon via mechanical alloying (MA). Powder mixtures were ball milled for 0–100 h and structural evolutions have been monitored by X-ray diffraction. In the Al system, both β-MoSi₂ (high temperature phase) and -MoSi₂ (low temperature phase) were obtained after 3 h of milling and 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. In reducing with carbon, two different compositions with nominal carbon content of 13.7 and 24 wt.% were used that in both compositions, -MoSi₂ forms during 10 h of milling. Higher carbon content increases the amount of MoSi₂.     

Comparison of the structure and wear resistance of Al2O3-13 wt.%TiO2 coatings made by GSP and WSP plasma process with two different powders

The goal of this study is to compare two Atmospheric Plasma Spraying (APS) systems for elaborating alumina/titania coatings with good wear resistance. Both torches used were a common d.c. current Gas-Stabilized Plasma gun (GSP) with argon and hydrogen as plasma forming gases, and a Water-Stabilized high-throughput Plasma gun (WSP) working with water as plasma forming substance. The feedstock were either cladded alumina/titania powder or a mixture of conventional fused and crushed Al₂O₃ powder with agglomerated TiO₂ nanometric particles, the resulting mean size in both cases being about 50 µm. Feedstock material phases were α-alumina and anatase titanium dioxide and the composition of both powders was 13 wt.% of TiO₂ in Al₂O₃. Coatings obtained were analyzed by scanning electron microscopy (SEM). They presented lamellar structures with titania uniformly distributed in the alumina matrix, for both spray techniques. X-ray diffraction showed that anatase phase of titania was converted into rutile phase. The wear resistance tested by slurry abrasion (SAR) has shown that the best coating was that obtained with cladded powder sprayed by GSP process. This finding matched with the highest microhardness of this coating (Vickers indentation). It is worth noting that with these two relatively dissimilar torches similar results were obtained for the wear resistance of alumina-13 wt.% titania coating.     

Surface protection of titanium by Ti5Si3 silicide layer prepared by combination of vapour phase siliconizing and heat treatment

In this work we proposed a new method for preparation of protective Ti₅Si₃ silicide layer. The proposed method consisted of two steps: (1) silicon electron beam evaporation and (2) heat treatment. The silicide-modified titanium was subjected to structural examination, hardness profiling and isothermal oxidation tests. The investigations revealed that the proposed surface treatment produces a layer with a thickness of 1–2 μm and hardness of about 1500 HV. The isothermal oxidation tests showed that the layer is highly resistant to oxidation in air even at 900 °C. Its oxidation rate was comparable or even lower than that of some high-temperature γ-TiAl intermetallics oxidized under similar conditions. The oxidation mechanism was discussed in terms of the internal structure and chemical composition of the scales. It was demonstrated that the silicide layer could serve as excellent protection of titanium, Ti-based alloys and intermetallics against the high-temperature oxidation and wear.