Characteristics of Ti–Ni–Pd shape memory alloy thin films

Ti–Ni–Pd thin films were deposited by RF magnetron sputtering. Microstructure and phase transformation behaviors were studied by X-ray diffraction (XRD), by transmission electron microscopy and by differential scanning calorimeter (DSC). Also tensile tests and the internal friction characteristics were examined. Annealing at 750 °C followed by subsequent annealing at 450 °C resulted in relatively homogeneous microstructure and uniform martensite/austenite transformation. The results from DSC showed clearly the martensitic transformation upon heating and cooling, the transformation temperatures are 112 °C (M* peak) and 91 °C (M peak), respectively. The transformation characteristics are also found in strain–temperature curves and internal friction–temperature curves. The film had shape memory effect. The frequency had no effect on the modulus, but the internal friction decreased with increasing frequency.     

Features of photopolymerization of Langmiur–Blodgett thin films of acetylenic acids

UV-induced polymerization of thin (1–4 monolayers) Langmuir–Blodgett films of acetylenic carboxylic acids with triple bonds in different positions (terminal: 23-tetracosinic acid HC≡C(CH2)21COOH, and internal: 2-docosinic CH3(CH2)18C≡CCOOH) and their lead salts is investigated. It is shown by means of IR spectroscopy that the topochemical reaction proceeds with the participation of carboxylic groups. The differences in the structure of mono- and bilayers are demonstrated. The mechanism of the topochemical reaction depends on the method of film transfer onto the substrate. It is shown by means of UV spectroscopy that short conjugated polyenes (containing 7 to 9 carbon atoms) are formed as the product of polymerization. The mechanism of the formation of these polyene chains is proposed on the basis of the experimental data and semi-empirical calculations.     

Co Nanoislands Rooted on Co–N–C Nanosheets as Efficient Oxygen Electrocatalyst for Zn–Air Batteries

Developing non‐precious‐metal bifunctional oxygen reduction and evolution reaction (ORR/OER) catalysts is a major task for promoting the reaction efficiency of Zn–air batteries. Co‐based catalysts have been regarded as promising ORR and OER catalysts owing to the multivalence characteristic of cobalt element. Herein, the synthesis of Co nanoislands rooted on Co–N–C nanosheets supported by carbon felts (Co/Co–N–C) is reported. Co nanosheets rooted on the carbon felt derived from electrodeposition are applied as the self‐template and cobalt source. The synergistic effect of metal Co islands with OER activity and Co–N–C nanosheets with superior ORR performance leads to good bifuctional catalytic performances. Wavelet transform extended X‐ray absorption fine spectroscopy and X‐ray photoelectron spectroscopy certify the formation of Co (mainly Co⁰) and the Co–N–C (mainly Co²⁺ and Co³⁺) structure. As the air‐cathode, the assembled aqueous Zn–air battery exhibits a small charge–discharge voltage gap (0.82 V@10 mA cm^?2) and high power density of 132 mW cm^?2, outperforming the commercial Pt/C catalyst. Additionally, the cable flexible rechargeable Zn–air battery exhibits excellent bendable and durability. Density functional theory calculation is combined with operando X‐ray absorption spectroscopy to further elucidate the active sites of oxygen reactions at the Co/Co–N–C cathode in Zn–air battery.     

Effect of glow discharge plasma treatment on amorphous Co–B catalyst

Glow discharge plasma technique was firstly applied to treat amorphous Co–B catalyst. Both the amorphous Co–B particles before and after plasma treatment were characterized by X-ray powder diffraction (XRD), transmission electron microscopy (TEM), inductively coupled plasma atomic emission spectroscopy (ICP-AES), X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS), N₂ adsorption–desorption, and CO temperature-programmed desorption (TPD). After plasma treatment, relatively larger uniform spherical Co–B particles with mesopores have been formed and the synergistic effect between Co and B enhanced. Furthermore, the mesopores formed on the surface of Co–B after plasma treatment enabled it with higher specific surface area. During the liquid-phase cinnamaldehyde (CMA) hydrogenation, Co–B after plasma treatment exhibited higher CMA conversion and cinnamyl alcohol (CMO) selectivity.     

Sputter-deposited Ti–Ni–Cu shaped memory alloy thin films

Ti₅₀NiCu₅ thin films were prepared by r.f. magnetron sputtering. The compositions were determined by electron probe microanalysis. The phase transformation characteristics were examined by resistivity measurements. The substrate-curvature measurements were applied to determine the residual stress of the films based on silicon substrates. Tensile residual stress induces a two-stage transformation: B₂→orthorhombic→monoclinic; and lowers martensitic transformation temperatures, while compressive residual stress accelerates the one-stage transformation: B₂→monoclinic; and results in a transformation without temperature hysteresis. The reason is analyzed.     

Nitrogen‐Doped Carbon Nanotube Confined Co–Nx Sites for Selective Hydrogenation of Biomass‐Derived Compounds

Biomass is the most abundant renewable resource on earth and developing high‐performance nonprecious selective hydrogenation (SH) catalysts will enable the use of biomass to replace rapidly diminishing fossil resources. This work utilizes ZIF‐67‐derived nitrogen‐doped carbon nanotubes to confine Co nanoparticles (NPs) with Co–N_x active sites as a high‐performance SH catalyst. The confined Co NPs with Co–N_x exhibit excellent catalytic activity, selectivity, and stability toward a wide range of biomass‐derived compounds. Such active sites can selectively hydrogenate aldehyde, ketone, carboxyl, and nitro groups of biomass‐derived compounds into value‐added fine chemicals with 100% selectivity. The reported approach could be adopted to create other forms of catalytically active sites from other nonprecious metals.     

Indium-doped ZnO thin films deposited by the sol–gel technique

Conducting and transparent indium-doped ZnO thin films were deposited on sodocalcic glass substrates by the sol–gel technique. Zinc acetate and indium chloride were used as precursor materials. The electrical resistivity, structure, morphology and optical transmittance of the films were analyzed as a function of the film thickness and the post-deposition annealing treatments in vacuum, oxygen or argon. The obtained films exhibited a (002) preferential growth in all the cases. Surface morphology studies showed that an increase in the films' thickness causes an increase in the grain size. Films with 0.18 μm thickness, prepared under optimal deposition conditions followed by an annealing treatment in vacuum showed electrical resistivity of 1.3 × 10^− 2 Ωcm and optical transmittance higher than 85%. These results make ZnO:In thin films an attractive material for transparent electrodes in thin film solar cells.     

High-temperature stability of the mechanical and optical properties of Si–B–C–N films prepared by magnetron sputtering

Quaternary Si–B–C–N materials are becoming increasingly attractive due to their possible high-temperature and harsh-environment applications. In this work, amorphous Si–B–C–N films with two compositions (Si₃₄B₉C₄N₄₉ and Si₃₆B₁₃C₇N₄₀) and low contamination level (H + O + Ar < 4 at.%) were deposited on silicon substrates by reactive dc magnetron co-sputtering using two different targets and gas mixtures. Thermal stability of these films was investigated in terms of composition, bonding structure, as well as mechanical and optical properties after annealing in helium up to a 1300°C substrate limit. Films with a high nitrogen content (Si₃₄B₉C₄N₄₉, i.e. N/[Si + B + C]~ 1.0) were found to be stable up to 1300°C. After annealing, the hardness and elastic recovery of those films slightly increased up to 27 GPa and 84%, respectively, and the reduced Young's modulus remained practically constant (~ 170 GPa). The refractive index and the extinction coefficient at 550 nm were evaluated at 2.0 and 5 × 10^− 4, respectively, and the optical band gap was approximately 3.0 eV. In contrast, films with a lower nitrogen content (Si₃₆B₁₃C₇N₄₀, i.e. N/[Si + B + C]~ 0.7) were stable only up to 1200°C. Both Si–B–C–N materials studied here exhibited extremely high oxidation resistance in air up to the 1300°C substrate limit.     

Co–Fe Alloy/N‐Doped Carbon Hollow Spheres Derived from Dual Metal–Organic Frameworks for Enhanced Electrocatalytic Oxygen Reduction

Metal–organic framework (MOF) composites have recently been considered as promising precursors to derive advanced metal/carbon‐based materials for various energy‐related applications. Here, a dual‐MOF‐assisted pyrolysis approach is developed to synthesize Co–Fe alloy@N‐doped carbon hollow spheres. Novel core–shell architectures consisting of polystyrene cores and Co‐based MOF composite shells encapsulated with discrete Fe‐based MOF nanocrystallites are first synthesized, followed by a thermal treatment to prepare hollow composite materials composed of Co–Fe alloy nanoparticles homogeneously distributed in porous N‐doped carbon nanoshells. Benefitting from the unique structure and composition, the as‐derived Co–Fe alloy@N‐doped carbon hollow spheres exhibit enhanced electrocatalytic performance for oxygen reduction reaction. The present approach expands the toolbox for design and preparation of advanced MOF‐derived functional materials for diverse applications.     

Amperometric cholesterol biosensors based on hybrid organic–inorganic Langmuir–Blodgett films

Preparation and characterization of a thin-film cholesterol biosensor employing an organic–inorganic hybrid system of cholesterol oxidase (ChOx) and Prussian blue (PB) is described. ChOx was immobilized in Langmuir–Blodgett (LB) films consisting of positively charged octadecyltrimethylammonium (ODTA) and nano-sized PB clusters. Immobilization was performed by simple immersion of ODTA/PB LB films into an aqueous solution of ChOx. Subsequent ChOx absorption into LB films was confirmed by infrared reflection–absorption spectroscopy. Obtained ODTA/PB/ChOx LB films clearly exhibited a response current to cholesterol under an applied potential of 0.0 V (vs. Ag/AgCl). The linearity of current density versus cholesterol concentration was confirmed for the range 0.2–1.2 mmol/L. The present study indicates that simple immersion of ODTA/PB LB films into an enzyme solution is a promising method to produce many types of thin-film biosensors comprising a hybrid system of an oxidative enzyme and PB nano-clusters that work at a very low potential range.     

Self‐Catalyzed Growth of Co–N–C Nanobrushes for Efficient Rechargeable Zn–Air Batteries

Highly efficient and stable bifunctional electrocatalysts for oxygen reduction and evolution are essential for aqueous rechargeable Zn–air batteries, which require highly active sites as well as delicate structural design for increasing effective active sites and facilitating mass/electron transfer. Herein, a scalable and facile self‐catalyzed growth strategy is developed to integrate highly active Co–N–C sites with 3D brush‐like nanostructure, achieving Co–N–C nanobrushes with Co,N‐codoped carbon nanotube branches grown on Co,N‐codoped nanoparticle assembled nanowire backbones. Systematic investigations suggest that nanobrushes deliver significantly improved electrocatalytic activity compared with nanowire or nanotube counterparts and the longer nanotube branches give the better performance. Benefiting from the increase of accessible highly active sites and enhanced mass transfer and electron transportation, the present Co–N–C nanobrush exhibits superior electrocatalytic activity and durability when used as a bifunctional oxygen catalyst. It enables a rechargeable Zn–air battery with a high peak power density of 246 mW cm^?2 and excellent cycling stability. These results suggest that the reported synthetic strategy may open up possibilities for exploring efficient electrocatalysts for diverse applications.     

Sol–gel derived N-doped ZnO thin films

N-doped ZnO (NZO) thin films have been prepared by a sol–gel method and their electrical and optical properties have been investigated. The prepared NZO films were p-type, and had excellent electrical properties. They had an optical transparency above 85% in the visible range. The UV absorption edge was red-shifted with increasing N-doping concentration. Two emission bands were observed in the photoluminescence (PL) spectra, with one band located in the UV range and the other band consisting of green luminescence. Both UV and green emissions were enhanced with increasing N-doping concentration.     

PZT薄膜厚度对BMT/PZT复合薄膜结构及介电性能的影响

采用液相旋涂法制备了Ba(Mg1/3Ta2/3)O3(BMT)/Pb(Zr0.52Ti0.48)O3(PZT)复合薄膜,研究了PZT薄膜厚度对BMT/PZT复合薄膜结构及介电性能的影响。随着PZT薄膜厚度的增加,BMT/PZT复合薄膜的介电常数呈线性增加。当PZT薄膜的厚度较小时,会明显地增加BMT/PZT复合薄膜的介电损耗;当继续增加PZT薄膜的厚度,介电损耗反而下降直到与BMT薄膜的介电损耗值接近。这是由于PZT的介电常数与介电损耗均明显高于BMT薄膜所致,而异质界面的存在抑制了PZT薄膜中畴壁的运动,使其对复合薄膜介电损耗的影响减弱。研究结果表明,PZT薄膜的引入可以提升BMT薄膜的介电常数而对介电损耗的影响不大。     

退火及成分对Co-C纳米复合薄膜磁性能的影响

用磁控溅射方法制备了Co含量介于13.0%～24.6%（原子分数）的Co-C纳米复合薄膜,在真空下对薄膜进行退火处理。测试了样品在5、77和300K下的磁化曲线,详细研究了退火及成分对薄膜微结构和磁性能的影响。结果表明未经退火的样品磁性较弱,退火之后样品磁性能增强,低Co含量的薄膜经退火后呈现出低温铁磁性、室温超顺磁性的颗粒薄膜特征。随着Co含量增加,薄膜的磁化强度和矫顽力均明显增大,冻结温度也随之升高。     

电极对PZT铁电薄膜的微观结构和电性能的影响

采用溶胶—凝胶(sol—gel)工艺分别在Pt／Ti／SiO2／Si和LNO／Si电极上制备Pb(Zr0．53，Ti0．47)O3(PZT)铁电薄膜。研究了不同电极材料对PZT铁电薄膜的微结构及电性能的影响。(100)择优取向的PZT／LNO薄膜的介电性能和铁电性能较(111)／(100)取向的PZT／Pt薄膜略有下降，但在抗疲劳特性和漏电流特性方面都有了很大提高。PZT／LNO薄膜10m次极化反转后剩余极化几乎保持未变，直至10^12次反转后，剩余极化仅下降了17％。     

Influence of target-substrate distance and composition on the preferential orientation of yttria-stabilized zirconia thin films

The use of yttria-stabilized zirconia (YSZ) thin films calls for a controlled deposition with full understanding on the influence of deposition parameters on the crystallographic properties of YSZ. YSZ thin films were deposited using magnetron sputtering from two sources, enabling to modify the sample composition in a flexible way. The influence of target-substrate (T-S) distance and the Y content on the crystallographic orientation were studied under different chamber pressures. Correlations were found under both conditions. This way, a two-dimensional map was obtained by showing the change in preferential orientation as a function of sample composition. This map shows the existence of two different trends depending on the pressure. At low pressure, the addition of Y and the decrease in T-S distance, change the orientation from [200] to a complete [111] out-of-plane orientation resulting in a competition between the fastest growth direction and the lowest surface energy. However, a different trend was observed at high pressure, where T-S distance and composition do not influence the preferential orientation of the film.     

Optical and other physical characteristics of Ge–Se–Cd thin films

Amorphous Ge₂₀Se_80−xCd_x thin films with different compositions (x = 0, 2.5, 5, 7.5 and 10 at.%) were deposited onto glass substrates by thermal evaporation. The reflection spectra, R(λ), of the films at normal incidence were obtained in the spectral region from 400 to 2500 nm. Based on the use of the maxima and minima of the interference fringes, a straightforward analysis proposed by Minkov has been applied to derive the optical constants and the film thickness for the Ge₂₀Se_80−xCd_x thin films. The dispersion of the refractive index is discussed in terms of the single-oscillator Wemple and DiDomenico model. Tauc relation for the allowed non-direct transition describes the optical transition in the studied films. With increasing cadmium content the refractive index increases while the optical band gap decreases. The optical band gap decreases from 2 to 1.5 eV with increasing cadmium content from 0 to 10 at.%. The chemical-bond approach has been applied successfully to obtain the excess of Se–Se homopolar bonds and the cohesive energy of the Ge₂₀Se_80−xCd_x system.