Microstructural and compositional characteristics of GaN films grown on a ZnO-buffered Si(111) wafer

Polycrystalline GaN thin films have been deposited epitaxially on a ZnO-buffered (111)-oriented Si substrate by molecular beam epitaxy. The microstructural and compositional characteristics of the films were studied by analytical transmission electron microscopy (TEM). A SiO2 amorphous layer about 3.5 nm in thickness between the Si/ZnO interface has been identified by means of spatially resolved electron energy loss spectroscopy. Cross-sectional and plan-view TEM investigations reveal (GaN/ZnO/SiO2/Si) layers exhibiting definite a crystallographic relationship: [111](Si)//[111](ZnO)//[0001](GaN) along the epitaxy direction. GaN films are polycrystalline with nanoscale grains (similar to100 nm in size) grown along [0001] direction with about 20degrees between the (1 (1) over bar 00) planes of adjacent grains. A three-dimensional growth mode for the buffer layer and the film is proposed to explain the formation of the as-grown polycrystalline GaN films and the functionality of the buffer layer. (C) 2004 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.

Microstructural and compositional characteristics of GaN films grown on a ZnO-buffered Si(111) wafer

Polycrystalline GaN thin films have been deposited epitaxially on a ZnO-buffered (111)-oriented Si substrate by molecular beam epitaxy. The microstructural and compositional characteristics of the films were studied by analytical transmission electron microscopy (TEM). A SiO2 amorphous layer about 3.5 nm in thickness between the Si/ZnO interface has been identified by means of spatially resolved electron energy loss spectroscopy. Cross-sectional and plan-view TEM investigations reveal (GaN/ZnO/SiO2/Si) layers exhibiting definite a crystallographic relationship: [111](Si)//[111](ZnO)//[0001](GaN) along the epitaxy direction. GaN films are polycrystalline with nanoscale grains (similar to100 nm in size) grown along [0001] direction with about 20degrees between the (1 (1) over bar 00) planes of adjacent grains. A three-dimensional growth mode for the buffer layer and the film is proposed to explain the formation of the as-grown polycrystalline GaN films and the functionality of the buffer layer. (C) 2004 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.

Morphology and crystalline transition of poly (3-butylthiophene) associated with its polymorphic modifications

Poly (3-butylthiophene) (P3BT) is a much less studied conjugated polymer despite its high crystallizability and thus excellent electrical property. In this work, morphology of P3BT at different crystalline polymorphs and solvent/thermal induced phase transition between form I and U modifications have been intensively investigated by using optical microscopy, electron microscopy, differential scanning calorimetry, and X-ray diffraction. It is shown that a direct deposition from carbon disulfide (CS2) at fast evaporation results in P3BT crystals in form I modification, giving typical whiskerlike morphology. In contrast, low evaporation rate from CS, leads to formation of form II crystals with spherulitic morphology, which is so far scarcely observed in polythiophene.

Self-Assembled Growth of Agln(MoO4)(2) Submicroplates into Hierarchical Structures and Their Near-Infrared Luminescent Properties

Layer-controlled hierarchical flowerlike AgIn(MoO4)(2) microstructures with "clean" surfaces using submicroplates as building blocks without introducing any template have been fabricated through a low-cost hydrothermal method. The near-infrared luminescence of lanthanide ion (Nd, Er, and Yb) doped AgIn(MoO4)(2) microstructures, in the 1300-1600 nm region, was discussed and is of particular interest for telecommunication applications. X-ray diffraction, scanning electron microscopy, transmission electron microscopy, electron diffraction, and photoluminescence spectra were used to characterize these materials.

CuIn(WO4)(2) nanospindles and nanorods: controlled synthesis and host for lanthanide near-infrared luminescence properties

CuIn(WO4)(2) porous nanospindles and nanorods were synthesized through a low-cost hydrothermal method without introducing any template or surfactants. An interesting formation mechanism, namely "oriented attachment", was observed for the growth of nanorods based on the experimental process and the anisotropic intrinsic crystalline structure of CuIn(WO4)(2), which is uncommon in such a system. The near-infrared luminescence of lanthanide ions (Er, Nd, Yb and Ho) doped CuIn(WO4)(2) nanostructures, especially in the 1300-1600 nm region, was discussed and of particular interest for telecommunications applications. X-Ray diffraction, scanning electron microscopy, transmission electron microscopy, electron diffraction and photoluminescence spectra were used to characterize these materials.

Synthesis of Titanate-Based Nanotubes for One-Dimensionally Confined Electrical Properties

Structural tailoring for dimensionally confined electrical properties is fundamentally important for nanodevices and the relevant technologies. Titanate-based nanotubes were taken as a prototype one-dimensional material to study. First, Na0.96H1.04Ti3O7 center dot 3.42H(2)O nanotubes were prepared by a simple hydrothermal condition, which converted into Na0.036H1.964Ti3O7 center dot 3.52H(2)O nanotubes by a subsequent acidic rinsing. Systematic sample characterization using combined techniques of X-ray diffraction, field emission scanning electron microscopy, high resolution transmission electron microscopy, electron paramagnetic resonance, Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy, elemental analyses, and alternative current impedance indicated that both nanotubes possessed a scrolled trititanate-type structure with the (200) crystal face predominant on the tube surface. With increasing temperature, both nanotubes underwent a continuous dehydration process, which however imposed different impacts oil the structures and electrical properties, depending on the types of the nanotubes

Extended-chain lamellar packing of poly(3-butylthiophene) in single crystals

We developed an approach, i.e. solvent-assist crystallization (SAC), for growing high quality single crystals of head-to-tail regio-regular poly(3-butylthiophene) (P3BT). By means of atomic force microscopy, electron diffraction and X-ray diffraction, we found that P3BT macromolecules formed lamella single crystals through gradient crystallization, and in the single crystals, molecules packed normal to the lamella with extended-chain conformation with alkyl side chains in the growth front during crystallization.

Morphology and structure of poly(di-n-butylsilane) single crystals prepared by controlling kinetic process of solvent evaporation

The silicon backbone conformation in poly(di-n-butylsilane) (PDBS) has been shown to be a 7/3 helix at ambient conditions, which is in marked contrast to the near-planar conformation of its homologous polymers with side chain lengths of one to three or six to eight carbon atoms. In this work, both the 7/3 helical and near-planar chain conformations are achieved by controlling the solvent evaporation rate around room temperature. The chain conformation and crystal structure obtained in this method have been correlated to the crystal morphology by wide-angle X-ray diffraction, transmission electron microscopy, electron diffraction, optical microscopy, atomic force microscopy, and UV absorption spectrum. The lath-shaped single crystals obtained at 12 degreesC correspond to an orthorhombic form with near-planar chain conformation whereas the lozenge-shaped single crystals obtained at 30 degreesC (in coexistence with the lath-shaped crystals) are orthohexagonal with a 7/3 helix.

Systematic synthesis and characterization of single-crystal lanthanide phenylphosphonate nanorods

Using low-temperature hydrothermal methods, nanoscale lanthanide phenylphosphonates species with different morphologies, namely, nanoparticles and nanorods, have been systematically synthesized. The possible growth mechanism of these nanorods was discussed. X-ray diffraction, transmission electron microscopy, electron diffraction, and photoluminescence spectra were used to characterize these materials. The photoluminescent properties of EU(O3PC6H5)(HO3PC6H5) and La0.91EU0.09(O3PC6H5)(HO3PC6H5) nanorods were discussed.

AFM studies of DNA structures on mica in the presence of alkaline earth metal ions

As counterions of DNA on mica, Mg2+, Ca2+, Sr2+ and Ba2+ were used for,clarifying whether DNA molecules equilibrate or are trapped on mica surface. End to end distance and contour lengths were determined from statistical analysis of AFM data. It was revealed that DNA molecules can equilibrate on mica when Mg2+, Ca2+ and Sr2+ are counterions. When Ba2+ is present, significantly crossovered DNA molecules indicate that it is most difficult for DNA to equilibrate on mica and the trapping degree is different under different preparation conditions. In the presence of ethanol, using AFM we have also observed the dependence of B A conformational transition on counterion identities. The four alkaline earth metal ions cause the B-A transition in different degrees, in which Sr2+ induces the greatest structural transition.

Colloid chemical approach to nanoelectrode ensembles with highly controllable active area fraction

A novel "bottom-up" approach to highly controllable nanoelectrode ensembles (NEEs) has been developed using colloidal nanoparticle self-assembly techniques. Ibis solution-based strategy allows flexible control over nanoelectrode size, shape, and interspacing of the as-prepared NEEs. Atomic force microscopy (AFM) was proved to be a powerful tool to monitor the NEE topography, which yields parameters that can be used to calculate the fractional nanoelectrode area of the NEEs. AFM, ac impedance, and cyclic voltammetry studies demonstrate that most of nanoelectrodes on the NEEs (at least by 9-min self-assembly) are not diffusionally isolated under conventional ac frequency range and scan rates. As a result, the NEEs behave as "nanoelectrode-patch" assemblies. Besides, the as-prepared NEEs by different self-assembling times show an adjustable sensitivity to heterogeneous electron-transfer kinetics, which may be helpful to sensor applications. Like these NEEs constructed by other techniques, the present NEEs prepared by chemical self-assembly also exhibit the enhancement of electroanalytical detection limit consistent with NEE theory prediction.

A COMPARATIVE-STUDY ON STM IMAGING AND ELECTROCATALYTIC ACTIVITY OF DIFFERENT SURFACES MODIFIED WITH FLAVIN ADENINE-DINUCLEOTIDE

Flavin adenine dinucleotide (FAD) was modified onto the highly oriented pyrolytic graphite (hopg) and glassy carbon electrode (gee) surfaces with three methods, respectively. Corresponding image analysis for FAD-modified hopg surfaces has been performed by scanning tunnelling microscope (STM) for the first time. The molecular resolution STM image of FAD adsorbed on the freshly-cleaved hopg was obtained, the quantitative size determination suggests that the FAD molecules adsorb side lying on the substrate surface. The anodization treatment of hopg surface yields many pits, which were clearly observed under STM. These pits provide active sites on the hopg surface for modification and the treated hopg can strongly adsorb FAD molecules, the latter exhibiting an irregular cluster structure on such a surface. When FAD was electrochemically deposited on the substrate surface, a chain structure was successfully observed. The adsorbed FAD on anodized glassy carbon electrode (gee) surface can effectively catalyze the reduction of glucose oxidase, hemoglobin and myoglobin, with a large decrease in the overvoltage, whereas the deposited FAD film exhibits excellent electrocatalysis towards dioxygen reduction.

Synthesis and characterization of manganese-modified MCM-41

Manganese-modified mesoporous MCM-41 molecular sieves were synthesized at the absence of alkaline metal ions under mild alkaline condition using cetylpyridinium bromide surfactant as a template, and characterized with X-ray diffraction, N-2 adsorption, transmission electron microscopy, electron spin resonance (ESR), and nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR) spectroscopies. The synthesized MnMCM-41 has a high pore volume of 1.30 cm(3) g(-1) with a corresponding surface area of 1510 m(2) g(-1). The ESR and Si-29 MAS NMR spectra revealed the presence of framework manganese ions in either the as-synthesized or calcined forms. (C) 2002 Elsevier Science B.V. All rights reserved.

Functional properties of cell-seeded three-dimensionally woven poly(epsilon-caprolactone) scaffolds for cartilage tissue engineering.

Articular cartilage possesses complex mechanical properties that provide healthy joints the ability to bear repeated loads and maintain smooth articulating surfaces over an entire lifetime. In this study, we utilized a fiber-reinforced composite scaffold designed to mimic the anisotropic, nonlinear, and viscoelastic biomechanical characteristics of native cartilage as the basis for developing functional tissue-engineered constructs. Three-dimensionally woven poly(epsilon-caprolactone) (PCL) scaffolds were encapsulated with a fibrin hydrogel, seeded with human adipose-derived stem cells, and cultured for 28 days in chondrogenic culture conditions. Biomechanical testing showed that PCL-based constructs exhibited baseline compressive and shear properties similar to those of native cartilage and maintained these properties throughout the culture period, while supporting the synthesis of a collagen-rich extracellular matrix. Further, constructs displayed an equilibrium coefficient of friction similar to that of native articular cartilage (mu(eq) approximately 0.1-0.3) over the prescribed culture period. Our findings show that three-dimensionally woven PCL-fibrin composite scaffolds can be produced with cartilage-like mechanical properties, and that these engineered properties can be maintained in culture while seeded stem cells regenerate a new, functional tissue construct.

Inkless microcontact printing on SAMs of Boc- and TBS-protected thiols.

We report a new inkless catalytic muCP technique that achieves accurate, fast, and complete pattern reproduction on SAMs of Boc- and TBS-protected thiols immobilized on gold using a polyurethane-acrylate stamp functionalized with covalently bound sulfonic acids. Pattern transfer is complete at room temperature just after one minute of contact and renders sub-200 nm size structures of chemically differentiated SAMs.