Comparative study of self-assembling of multilayers using reactive sputter deposition and mass selective ion beam deposition

While experimenting with the growth of metal-containing amorphous carbon (a-c:Me) thin films using two different growth processes, self-assembled multilayered structures were observed. One of the processes is a reactive magnetron sputter deposition process. The other process is a mass selective ion beam deposition process. Despite of the differences in the growth method and the growth condition, self-assembled multilayered thin films, consisting of alternating dark layer and bright layer, were obtained in both processes. Based on the consideration of energy for atomic diffusion in the thin films, the growth mechanism is discussed.     

Nanostructured carbide surfaces prepared by surfactant sputtering

Nanostructured surface layers of titanium carbide and tungsten carbide were prepared on tetrahedral amorphous carbon (ta-C) films using the surfactant sputtering technique. Surfactant sputtering is a novel ion beam erosion technique, which utilizes the steady state coverage of a substrate surface with foreign atoms simultaneously during sputter erosion by combined ion irradiation and atom deposition. These foreign atoms act as surfactants, which strongly modify the substrate sputtering yield on atomic to macroscopic length scales. The novel technique allows smoothing of surfaces, the generation of novel surface patterns and nanostructures, controlled shaping of surfaces on the nanometer scale and the formation of ultra-thin compound surface layers. We have sputter eroded ta-C films using 5 keV Xe ions under continuous deposition of either tungsten or titanium surfactants. This leads to the steady state formation of a W_xC or a TiC/a-C nanocomposite surface layer of few nm thickness. Depending on the ion angle of incidence the layer is either smooth or nanostructured with a ripple- or dot-like surface topography. We have analyzed the surface topography, the composition and microstructure of the metal-carbon nanocomposites, and compare coverage dependent sputtering yields with SRIM and TRIDYN simulations.     

Effects of Radiographic Contrast Media on the Micromorphology of the Junctional Complex of Erythrocytes Visualized by Immunocytology

Effects of radiographic contrast media (RCM) application were demonstrated in vitro and in vivo where the injection of RCM into the A. axillaris of patients with coronary artery disease was followed by a significant and RCM-dependent decrease of erythrocyte velocity in downstream skin capillaries. Another study in pigs revealed that the deceleration of erythrocytes coincided with a significant reduction of the oxygen partial pressure in the myocardium—supplied by the left coronary artery—after the administration of RCM into this artery. Further reports showed RCM dependent alterations of erythrocytes like echinocyte formation and exocytosis, sequestration of actin or band 3 and the buckling of endothelial cells coinciding with a formation of interendothelial fenestrations leading to areas devoid of endothelial cells. Key to morphological alterations of erythrocytes is the membrane cytoskeleton, which is linked to the band 3 in the erythrocyte membrane via the junctional complex. Fundamental observations regarding the cell biological and biochemical aspects of the structure and function of the cell membrane and the membrane cytoskeleton of erythrocytes have been reported. This review focuses on recent results gained, e.g., by advanced confocal laser scanning microscopy of different double-stained structural elements of the erythrocyte membrane cytoskeleton.     

优化设计水泥基复合材料应变硬化性能研究

对比研究了不同试验方法和纤维掺量下优化设计水泥基复合材料(ECC)的应变硬化性能。各种试验方法下ECC性能差别较大,楔形劈裂、单轴拉伸、三点弯曲、四点弯曲试验所得断裂能依次增大,说明裂缝开展区对ECC应变硬化性能具有很大影响。通过研究认为,四点弯曲试验是较为适合的试验方法。纤维掺量增加能提高ECC的断裂能,但掺量较高时易发生纤维结团现象,对其性能造成不利影响。     

Photo‐induced Charge Transfer and Relaxation of Persistent Charge Carriers in Polymer/Nanocrystal Composites for Applications in Hybrid Solar Cells

The photo‐induced charge transfer and the dynamics of persistent charge carriers in blends of semiconducting polymers and nanocrystals are investigated. Regioregular poly(3‐hexylthiophene) (P3HT) is used as the electron donor material, while the acceptor moiety is established by CdSe nanocrystals (nc‐CdSe) prepared via colloidal synthesis. As a reference system, organic blends of P3HT and [6,6]‐phenyl C₆₁‐butyric acid methyl ester (PCBM) are studied as well. The light‐induced charge transfer between P3HT and the acceptor materials is studied by photoluminescence (PL), photo‐induced absorption (PIA) and light‐induced electron spin resonance spectroscopy (LESR). Compared to neat P3HT samples, both systems show an intensified formation of polarons in the polymer upon photo‐excitation, pointing out successful separation of photogenerated charge carriers. Additionally, relaxation of the persistent charge carriers is investigated, and significant differences are found between the hybrid composite and the purely organic system. While relaxation, reflected in the transient signal decay of the polaron signal, is fast in the organic system, the hybrid blends exhibit long‐term persistence. The appearance of a second, slow recombination channel indicates the existence of deep trap states in the hybrid system, which leads to the capture of a large fraction of charge carriers. A change of polymer conformation due to the presence of nc‐CdSe is revealed by low temperature LESR measurements and microwave saturation techniques. The impact of the different recombination behavior on the photovoltaic efficiency of both systems is discussed.     

混凝土构件中钢筋锈蚀的中子断层扫描成像

制备了小型混凝土构件,通过三点弯曲诱导裂缝和氯盐溶液干湿循环加速其中钢筋锈蚀,采用自然电位法监测钢筋的腐蚀电位,并采用中子断层扫描成像技术对钢筋锈蚀产物分布进行了分析.结果表明:钢筋混凝土构件经过85次氯盐溶液干湿循环后,采用中子断层扫描成像技术对其进行三维扫描成像,可直观呈现钢筋锈蚀产物分布状况;钢筋锈蚀产物集中分布于裂缝断面钢筋与基体界面的底部区域,并沿界面逐渐向外扩展,符合氯盐诱导钢筋锈蚀的坑蚀规律.这为研究混凝土结构中钢筋的锈蚀机理提供了一种新的试验方法.     

Neutron radiography, a powerful method to determine time-dependent moisture distributions in concrete

Service life of reinforced concrete structures is often limited by penetration of water and compounds dissolved in water into concrete. Concrete can be damaged in this way and corrosion of steel reinforcement can be initiated. There is an urgent need to study water penetration into concrete in order to better understand deterioration mechanisms and to find appropriate ways to improve durability. Neutron radiography provides us with an advanced non-destructive technique with high spatial resolution and extraordinary sensitivity. In this contribution, neutron radiography was successfully applied to study the process of water absorption of two types of concrete with different water–cement ratios, namely 0.4 and 0.6. The influence cracks and of water repellent treatment on water absorption has been studied on mortar specimens. It is possible to visualize migration of water into concrete and other cement-based composites and to quantify the time-dependent moisture distributions as function of time with high spatial resolution by means of neutron radiography. Water penetration depth obtained from neutron radiography is in good agreement with corresponding values obtained from capillary suction tests. Surface impregnation of concrete with silane prevents capillary uptake of water. Even fine cracks are immediately filled with water as soon as the surface gets in contact. Results provide us with a solid basis for a better understanding of deteriorating processes in concrete and other cement-based materials.     

海水暴露环境下带裂缝混凝土的表面防水处理

对带裂缝混凝土表面进行了4种不同硅烷防水处理,通过770次海水干湿循环暴露试验,研究了表面防水处理对带裂缝混凝土水分和Cl-渗透的影响.结果表明,对于无裂缝混凝土而言,硅烷防水处理有效抑制了水分和Cl-的渗透;混凝土开裂后及时进行特定的硅烷防水处理,那么即使裂缝宽度达0.2 mm,仍可建立有效的Cl-隔离层;防水处理后混凝土再开裂时,则防水效果对裂缝宽度的敏感性较大.因此,对带裂缝的钢筋混凝土结构进行硅烷防水处理前,必须对其裂缝状态进行正确评估,以保证硅烷防水处理的有效性.