50 MeV lithium ion beam irradiation effects in poly vinylidene fluoride (PVDF) polymer

Irradiation effects of 50 MeV⁷Li⁺³ ion beam induced in bulk PVDF polymer have been studied with respect to their optical, chemical, structural and electrical behaviour by using UV-visible, FT-IR spectroscopy, XRD technique and electrical frequency response using LCR bridge. The ion fluences ranging from 1.27 X 10¹¹ to 2.15 X 10¹³ ions cm^-2 have been used to study dose effects of irradiation in PVDF. The recorded UV-visible spectra clearly shows five characteristic peaks at 315, 325, 360, 425 and 600 nm. Due to irradiation, the optical absorption initially decreases but then increases with higher fluences. In the FT-IR spectra, no appreciable change has been observed after irradiation, indicating that this polymer is chemically stable. There is exponential increase in admittance with log of frequency but the effect of irradiation is not quite appreciable. The value of tan δ and relaxation frequency are changed appreciably due to irradiation. The diffraction pattern of PVDF indicates that this polymer is in semi-crystalline form; a decrease in the crystallinity and crystallite size has been observed due to irradiation     

PLZT铁电薄膜的物理特性研究

铁电薄膜是近几年人们关注的功能材料。本文对用溶胶－凝胶技术制备的ＰＬＺＴ铁电薄膜从热处理工艺、Ｘ射线结构分析、ＦＴ－ＩＲ红外光谱等各个方面作了较为系统的研究。讨论了ＰＬＺＴ铁电薄膜的热处理工艺条件,结构特性、光谱特性与材料的表观裂纹、晶态与非晶态之间的关系。对红外光谱的特征吸收峰作了指认,得到了一系列有意义的结果。     

Textural and chemical properties of zinc chloride activated carbons prepared from pistachio-nut shells

The effects of activation temperature on the textural and chemical properties of the activated carbons prepared from pistachio-nut shells using zinc chloride activation under both inert nitrogen gas atmosphere and vacuum condition were studied. Relatively low temperature of 400 °C was beneficial for the development of pore structures. Too high an activation temperature would lead to sintering of volatiles and shrinkage of the carbon structure. The microstructures and microcrystallinity of the activated carbons prepared were examined by scanning electron microscope and powder X-ray diffraction techniques, respectively, while Fourier transform infrared spectra determined the changes in the surface functional groups at the various stages of preparation.     

Influence of 150 MeV Ni swift heavy ion irradiation on CuFe2O4 thin films prepared by radio frequency magnetron sputtering: Modification on structure and surface morphology

The bulk copper ferrite nanomaterials are synthesized by co-precipitation technique. The vibrating sample magnetometer measurement for bulk CuFe₂O₄ reveals its unsaturated superparamagnetic behavior. The crystallites of the synthesized nanomaterial are in cubic form having an average size of ~ 100 Å and are used as target to prepare thin films of various thicknesses (600, 900 and 1100 nm) by radio frequency magnetron sputtering technique. X-ray peaks arise only when films are annealed at 1200 °C and also they are found to be in tetragonal structure. The magnetic characteristics of 900 nm unirradiated CuFe₂O₄ thin film exhibit superparamagnetic behavior and have an unsaturated magnetic moment at high field. Magnetic force microscopy images of unirradiated CuFe₂O₄ thin films confirm the soft nature of the magnetic materials. The 150 MeV Ni¹¹⁺ swift heavy ion irradiation on these thin films at the fluence of 1 × 10¹⁴ ions/cm² modifies the polycrystalline nature due to electron-phonon coupling. Atomic force microscopy image shows that the swift heavy ion irradiation induces agglomeration of particles in 600 and 900 nm thin films and increases rms surface roughness from 33.43 to 39.65 and 69.7 to 102.46 nm respectively. However, in 1100 nm film, holes are created and channel-like structures are observed along with a decrease in the rms surface roughness from 75.12 to 24.46 nm. Magnetic force microscopy images of 900 nm irradiated thin film explain the formation of domains on irradiation and are also supported by the ferromagnetic hysteresis observed using vibrating sample magnetometer.     

低碳钢基体表面氧乙炔碳化焰法沉积纳米炭纤维

低碳钢经浓硝酸浸蚀预处理后,调节氧乙炔火焰成碳化焰,预处理过的低碳钢基体表面火焰沉积获得纳米炭纤维涂层。采用扫描电镜、X射线衍射和显微激光拉曼光谱等先进分析手段对其形态和结构进行了表征。研究发现纳米炭纤维相互缠绕弯曲,石墨化程度高,直径为80nm~100nm、长度为4μm~5μm,形态短而粗。纳米炭纤维相互排列紧密但与基体结合力弱易从低碳钢表面脱落,浓硝酸浸蚀预处理的低碳钢表面在火焰中形成大量氧化铁颗粒,催化纳米炭纤维成核生长。     

On the structure and surface chemical composition of indium-tin oxide films prepared by long-throw magnetron sputtering

Structures and surface chemical composition of indium tin oxide (ITO) thin films prepared by long-throw radio-frequency magnetron sputtering technique have been investigated. The ITO films were deposited on glass substrates using a 20 cm target-to-substrate distance in a pure argon sputtering environment. X-ray diffraction results showed that an increase in substrate temperature resulted in ITO structure evolution from amorphous to polycrystalline. Field-emission scanning electron microscopy micrographs suggested that the ITO films were free of bombardment of energetic particles since the microstructures of the films exhibited a smaller grain size and no sub-grain boundary could be observed. The surface composition of the ITO films was characterized by X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS). Oxygen atoms in both amorphous and crystalline ITO structures were observed from O 1 s XPS spectra. However, the peak of the oxygen atoms in amorphous ITO phase could only be found in samples prepared at low substrate temperatures. Its relative peak area decreased drastically when substrate temperatures were larger than 200 °C. In addition, a composition analysis from the XPS results revealed that the films deposited at low substrate temperatures contained high concentration of oxygen at the film surfaces. The oxygen-rich surfaces can be attributed to hydrolysis reactions of indium oxides, especially when large amount of the amorphous ITO were developed near the film surfaces.     

Phase formation, chemical composition and electrical studies of Ti/Si bilayer system

The annealing effects over a range of temperatures of the titanium film (90 nm) grown on Si(111) by electron gun evaporation technique were investigated using physical and electrical measurements. Grazing Incidence X-ray Diffraction experiment shows a stable titanium disilicides formation at higher annealing temperature. The depth profiling data using X-ray Photoelectron Spectroscopy show that the properties are closely related to the change of the interfacial layer and chemical state under the high-temperature annealing. The Schottky Barrier Height, as estimated by the current-voltage measurement is 0.75, 0.695, 0.662 and 0.60 eV for pristine and annealed samples at 450, 550 and 700 °C respectively.     

Preparation and characterization of solid dispersions of piroxicam with hydrophilic carriers

The objective of this study was to improve the dissolution rate of a poor water soluble drug, piroxicam, by solid dispersion technique. Solid dispersions were prepared by three different methods depending on the type of carrier. The dissolution rate of piroxicam was markedly increased in solid dispersion of myrj 52, Eudragit^® E100 and mannitol. Solubility studies revealed a marked increase in the solubility of piroxicam with an increase in myrj 52 and Eudragit^® E100 concentrations. Data from the X-ray diffraction and FT-IR spectroscopy showed that piroxicam was amorphous in the solid dispersions prepared with dextrin and Eudragit^® E100.     

Preparation and Characterization of Solid Dispersions of Piroxicam with Hydrophilic Carriers

ABSTRACT

The objective of this study was to improve the dissolution rate of a poor water soluble drug, piroxicam, by solid dispersion technique. Solid dispersions were prepared by three different methods depending on the type of carrier. The dissolution rate of piroxicam was markedly increased in solid dispersion of myrj 52, Eudragit® E100 and mannitol. Solubility studies revealed a marked increase in the solubility of piroxicam with an increase in myrj 52 and Eudragit® E100 concentrations. Data from the X-ray diffraction and FT-IR spectroscopy showed that piroxicam was amorphous in the solid dispersions prepared with dextrin and Eudragit® E100.     

On the observation of physical, chemical, optical and thermal changes induced by 50 MeV silicon ion in benzimidazole single crystals

The 50 MeV Si ion irradiation-induced modifications on structural, chemical, optical and thermal properties of Vertical Bridgman grown benzimidazole (BMZ) crystals have been studied. The FTIR studies have been used to analyze the variation in various bonds that are associated with the functional groups in the native and the irradiated sample. X-ray diffraction studies reveal the compressive strains that are generated due to irradiation. The effect of irradiation on the conductivity of BMZ crystals has been studied. The fluorescence spectrum shows the existence of some energy levels, which remains unaffected after irradiation. The thermal analysis reveals that the melting point remains unaffected and the sample does not decompose as a result of irradiation.     

类金刚石薄膜的紫外辐照研究

对射频等离子体方法制备的类金刚石（以下简称DLC）薄膜样品进行了紫外辐照,采用电阻率,Raman光谱及红外光谱研究了紫外光（以下简称UV）辐照对DLC薄膜结构与特征的影响,Raman光谱表明：紫外光对DLC薄膜中SP^3C-H键的破坏作用非常明显,红外（IR）光谱结果进一步验证了这一结果,经UV辐照后,DLC薄膜的电阻率呈变小趋势,这说明薄膜被强烈氧化,最后呈现石墨化趋势。     

Preparation and characterization of C60S16 and C70S48 thin films

In this study, we have investigated different methods for preparation of thin films of C₆₀ and C₇₀-sulfur compounds. Films of good quality were obtained by reaction of amorphous C₆₀ and C₇₀ films with a saturated sulfur solution in toluene at 40°C or with saturated sulfur vapour at a temperature of 140°C for several hours. The quality of the fullerene-sulfur films were strongly dependent on the microstructure of the initially deposited fullerene film and the synthesis temperature. X-ray diffraction analyses showed that both methods lead to the formation of films consisting of C₆₀S₁₆ and C₇₀S₄₈ (space groups C 2/c and Amm2, respectively). C₆₀S₁₆ films synthesised on Al₂O₃(012) and Si(100) substrates were texture-free while C₇₀S₄₈ films typically exhibited a preferential (100) orientation. The films were also characterised by Raman and IR- spectroscopy, which confirmed that the interactions between the fullerene molecules and the S₈ rings are weak. The fullerene-sulfur compounds were found to be unstable at high vacuum conditions. Both materials C₆₀S₁₆ and C₇₀S₄₈ are non-conductive at room temperature with conductivities less then 10⁻⁵ (Ω/cm).     

碳氮纳米结构材料的Raman和XPS分析

利用等离子体增强热丝化学气相沉积在不同条件下制备了不同结构的碳氮纳米结构材料。用扫描电子显微镜(SEM)、显微Raman光谱仪和X射线光电子谱(XPS)仪对它们的形貌和结构进行了分析。SEM照片表明在不同的生长条件下可制备出碳氮纳米尖锥、碳氮柱。Raman谱中位于1350和1607cm-1的D和G峰,表明制备的碳氮纳米结构材料主要由sp2碳组成。根据D和G峰的强度比,估计的sp2碳颗粒为4nm。XPS谱在398.4eV处显示出与氮有关的峰,表明制备的碳氮纳米结构材料中含有氮。对N1sXPS谱的峰进行拟合后,发现位于398.4eV的峰由位于398.3和约400.0eV的两个峰组成,分别与sp3和sp2 C—N键有关,表明材料中的部分碳原子被氮原子所替代。     

Physicochemical characterization of solid dispersions of indomethacin with PEG 6000, Myrj 52, lactose, sorbitol, dextrin, and Eudragit E100

The purpose of this study was to prepare and characterize solid dispersions of indomethacin with polyethylene glycol (PEG) 6000, Myrj 52, Eudragit® E100, and different carbohydrates such as lactose, mannitol, sorbitol, and dextrin. Indomethacin is a class II substance according to the Biopharmaceutics Classification System. It is a poorly water soluble antirheumatic agent. The goal was to investigate whether the solid dispersion can improve the dissolution properties of indomethacin. The solid dispersions were prepared by three different methods depending on the type of carrier. The evaluation of the properties of the dispersions was performed using solubility measurements, dissolution studies, Fourier-transform infrared spectroscopy, and x-ray powder diffractometery. The results indicate that lactose, mannitol, sorbitol, and especially Myrj 52 are suitable carriers to enhance the in vitro dissolution rate of indomethacin at pH 7.2. Eudragit E100, Myrj 52, and mannitol increase the dissolution properties at pH 1.2. The data from the x-ray diffraction showed that the drug was still detectable in its solid state in all solid dispersions except solid dispersions with dextrin and high amounts of mannitol. However, the results from infrared spectroscopy together with those from x-ray diffraction showed well-defined drug-carrier interactions for dextrin coevaporates.     

Catalytic graphitization of carbon fibers with electrodeposited Ni–B alloy coating

Catalytic graphitization of carbon fibers with electrodeposited Ni–B alloy coating was studied. Carbon fibers with and without electrodeposited Ni–B coating were heat treated at different temperatures and the structural changes were characterized by X-ray diffraction (XRD), Raman spectroscopy and scanning electron microscope (SEM). The results show that much better graphitization can be achieved for carbon fibers at lower heat treatment temperature (HTT) when the Ni–B coating is present. Moreover, the degree of graphitization of the Ni–B-coated carbon fibers increases with the increasing of B content in the Ni–B coating at the same HTT. The mechanism of catalytic graphitization was discussed.     

Photoelectron spectroscopy and secondary ion mass spectrometry characterization of diamond-like carbon films

Photoelectron spectroscopy at different photon energies was used to optimize the photoexcitation cross section for valence band study of diamond-like hydrogenated carbon films. The electronic states of diamond-like carbon (DLC) were studied by synchrotron radiation photoelectron spectroscopy and ultraviolet photoelectron spectroscopy. The valence band spectra measured at different excitation energies show the gradual emergence of the p-π band in relation to the sample annealing and ion bombardment amorphization. The p-π band of the annealed DLC was characterized by localized p_z states whilst the formation of the amorphous carbon surface was accompanied by appearance of the delocalized p_z states in the gap. Secondary ion mass spectrometry and thermal desorption spectroscopy showed that sample annealing was accompanied by hydrogen content decrease.     

Structure and mechanical properties of low temperature magnetron sputtered nanocrystalline (nc-)Ti(N,C)/amorphous diamond like carbon (a-C:H) coatings

This paper reports on the structure and mechanical properties of ~ 2 μm thick nanocomposite (nc-) Ti(N,C)/amorphous diamond like carbon (a-C:H) coatings deposited on 100Cr6 steel substrates, using low temperature (~ 200 °C) DC reactive magnetron sputtering. The carbon content was varied with acetylene partial pressure in order to obtain single layer coatings with different a-C:H carbon phase fractions. The nanocrystalline Ti(N,C) phase is approximately stoichiometric for all coatings and the a-C:H phase fraction increases from 31 to 47 at.% as the coatings stoichiometry changed from TiC_1.34 N_0.51 to TiC_2.48 N_0.48, respectively. TiC_1.34 N_0.51 coatings showed the highest nanoindentation hardness (H) of ~ 14 GPa and a modulus (E_r) of ~ 144 GPa; H reduced to < 6 GPa and E_r to < 70 GPa for TiC_2.48 N_0.48 coatings. nc-Ti(N,C)/a-C:H coatings are promising candidates for applications where better matching of the modulus between a relatively low modulus substrate, hard loading support layer and low modulus-high H/E ratio top layer is required.     

SiO2/TiO2 thin films with variable refractive index prepared by ion beam induced and plasma enhanced chemical vapor deposition

SiO₂/TiO₂ optical thin films with variable compositions have been prepared by ion beam induced and plasma enhanced chemical vapour deposition (IBICVD and PECVD). While the films obtained by IBICVD were very compact, the PECVD ones with a high content of Ti presented a columnar microstructure. The formation of Si–O–Ti bonds and a change in the environment around titanium from four- to six-coordinated has been proved by vibrational and X-ray absorption spectroscopies. The refractive index increased with the titanium content from 1.45 to 2.46 or 2.09 for, respectively, the IBICVD and PECVD films. Meanwhile, the band gap decreased, first sharply and then more smoothly up to the value of pure TiO₂. It is concluded that the optical properties of SiO₂/TiO₂ thin films can be properly tailored by using these two procedures.     

Effect of composition on mechanical behaviour of diamond-like carbon coatings modified with titanium

In this study, diamond-like carbon (DLC) films modified with titanium were deposited by plasma decomposition of metallorganic precursor, titanium isopropoxide in CH₄/H₂/Ar gas atmosphere. The obtained films were composed of amorphous titanium oxide and nanocrystalline titanium carbide, embedded in an amorphous hydrogenated (a-C:H) matrix. The TiC/TiO₂ ratio in the DLC matrix was found to be dependent on the deposition parameters. The dependence of the films chemical composition on gas mixture and substrate temperature was investigated by X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy, whereas the crystallinity of TiC nanoparticles and their dimension were evaluated by X-ray diffraction. The size of TiC crystallites varied from 10 to 35 nm, depending on the process parameters. The intrinsic hardness of 10-13 GPa, elastic modulus of 170-200 GPa and hardness-to-modulus ratio of obtained coatings were measured by the nanoindentation technique. Obtained results demonstrated a correlation of mechanical properties with the chemical composition and the ratio of amorphous/crystalline phases in the films. In particular, the formation of nanocrystalline TiC with atomic concentration not exceeding 10% and with grain size between 10 nm and 15 nm resulted in significantly enhanced mechanical properties of composite material in comparison with ordinary DLC films.     

Electrochemical lithium ion storage property of C60 encapsulated single-walled carbon nanotubes

This is the first study to investigate the electrochemical Li ion insertion/deinsertion property of C₆₀ encapsulated single-walled carbon nanotubes (SWCNTs) (C₆₀-peapods). It was found that the reversible Li ion storage capacity of the C₆₀-peapod per unit weight is about 1.2 times greater than that of the empty tubes. This suggests that one peapod tube can store almost 1.7 times more reversible Li ions compared to one empty SWCNT tube.