Study of elastic modulus and yield strength of polymer thin films using atomic force microscopy

Nanometer-scale elastic moduli and yield strengths of polycarbonate (PC) and polystyrene (PS) thin films were measured with atomic force microscopy (AFM) indentation measurements. By analysis of the AFM indentation force curves with the method by Oliver and Pharr, Young's moduli of PC and PS thin films could be obtained as 2.2 +/- 0.1 and 2.6 +/- 0.1 GPa, respectively, which agree well with the literature values. By fitting Johnson's conical spherical cavity model to the measured plastic zone sizes, we obtained yield strengths of 141.2 MPa for PC thin films and 178.7 MPa for PS thin films, which are similar to2 times the values expected from the literature. We propose that it is due to the AFM indentation being asymmetric, which was not accounted for in Johnson's model. A correction factor, epsilon, of similar to0.72 was introduced to rescale the plastic zone size, whereupon good agreement between theory and experiment was achieved.

Characteristics in frequency domain by inductively coupled plasma atomic emission spectrometry with charge injection detection

The charactesistics of two-dimension spectra obtained by inductively coupled plasma atomic emission spectrometry (ICP-AES) with charge injection detection (CID) in frequency domain were studied in the present paper. The measurement spectra were Fourier transformed and the frequency distribution of the spectra was obtained. Results showed that the spectra in frequency domain could he divided into two parts:high frequency and low frequency signals. The later stood for measurement spectra and the former for background and noises. However, the high frequecny signals could not be smoothed simply to reduce noises because the background was deteriorated even though the spectral signal did not change significantly.

Direct measurement of plowing friction and wear of a polymer thin film using the atomic force microscope

Nanometer-scale plowing friction and wear of a polycarbonate thin film were directly measured using an atomic force microscope (AFM) with nanoscratching capabilities. During the nanoscratch tests, lateral forces caused discrepancies between the maximum forces for the initial loadings prior to the scratch and the unloading after the scratch. In the case of a nanoscratch test performed parallel to the cantilever probe axis, the plowing friction added another component to the moment acting at the cantilevered end compared to the case of nanoindentation, resulting in an increased deflection of the cantilever. Using free-body diagrams for the cases of nanoindentation and nanoscratch testing, the AFM force curves were analyzed to determine the plowing friction during nanoscratch testing. From the results of this analysis, the plowing friction was found to be proportional to the applied contact force, and the coefficient of plowing friction was measured to be 0.56 +/- 0.02. Also, by the combination of nanoscratch and nanoindentation testing, the energetic wear rate of the polycarbonate thin film was measured to be 0.94 +/- 0.05 mm(3)/(N m).

Atomic force microscopy imaging of molybdenum oxide film electrodeposited on a carbon electrode

Non-stoichiometric mixed-valent molybdenum(VI, V) oxide film was grown on carbon substrates by the electrodeposition method. Responses of the prepared molybdenum oxide thin films to potential and to different solution acidities were studied by cyclic voltammetry, and the corresponding morphological changes of the film were monitored by atomic force microscopy (AFM). AFM images of the molybdenum oxide film show that the characteristic domed structure on the film surface increased during the transition from the oxidized state to the reduced state without signification change in the KMS surface roughness value. Furthermore, AFM studies show that the solution acidity has great effect on the morphology of the films, and the films undergo a homogenizing process with increasing pH of the solutions. (C) 1999 Elsevier Science S.A. All rights reserved.

Determination of rare-earth impurities in ultra-highly pure Er2O3 and Ho2O3 by [HEH(HEP)] extraction chromatography-atomic emission spectrometry

This article applied [HEH(HEP)] (2-ethyhexyldrogen-2-ethylhexyl phosphonate)extraction chromatography to separate 14 rare earth impurities from ultra-highly pure Er2O3 and Ho2O3, and then the impurities were determined by atomic emission spectrometry. The average percentage recovery for each element is in the range of 70%similar to 140%. The relative standard deviations of the determination are +/-3.3%similar to 2.2%. This method can be applied to the determination of the trace amounts of rare eath impurities in Er2O3 and Ho2O3 with a purity of 99.999 9%-99.999 99%.

Determination of mercury in biological samples using organic compounds as matrix modifiers by inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometry

A method was developed for the determination of total mercury in biological samples. The effects of aqueous ammonia, ethylenediamine and triethanolamine on Hg signal intensity by inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometry has been evaluated and the possible mechanisms discussed. It has been proved that the signal intensity of Hg significantly increases with adding, in the presence of small amounts of aqueous ammonia, ethylenediamine or triethanolamine. The normalized intensity (the signal intensity ratio with amine and without amine) of Hg increases as the concentration of aqueous ammonia, ethylenediamine or triethanolamine increases, but the degree of enhancement of aqueous ammonia was smaller than that of ethylenediamine and triethanolamine. The normalized intensity of Hg with aqueous ammonia, ethylenediamine and triethanolamine decreases as the nebulizer flow rate increases, but decreasing degree of aqueous ammonia was smaller than that of ethylenediamine and triethanolamine. The higher the RF powers the higher the normalized intensity of Hg at the same nebulizer flow rate. The addition of aqueous ammonia, ethylenediamine and triethanolamine into analytical solutions significantly improved the transport efficiency of Hg. The detection limit of Hg is improved about ten times by the addition of ethylenediamine or triethanolamine under the optimum experimental parameters. The method has been used to determine mercury in biological standard reference materials (SRM). The analytical results are very close to the certified values and the determined values for similar samples.

Factor analysis used to peak position optimization and spectral interference correction in inductively coupled plasma atomic emission spectrometry

Target transformation factor analysis was used to correct spectral interference in inductively coupled plasma atomic emission spectrometry (ICP-BES) for the determination of rare earth impurities in high purity thulium oxide. Data matrix was constructed with pure and mixture vectors and background vector. A method based on an error evaluation function was proposed to optimize the peak position, so the influence of the peak position shift in spectral scans on the determination was eliminated or reduced. Satisfactory results were obtained using factor analysis and the proposed peak position optimization method.

Analysis of mussel standard reference material by inductively coupled plasma atomic emission spectrometry and inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometry

A method for the analysis of mussel standard reference material by inductively coupled plasma atomic emission spectrometry( ICP-AES) and inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometry(ICP-MS) was developed. K, Na, Ca, Mg, P, Al, Fe, Zn, Mn and Sr were determined by ICP-AES and As, B, Cd, Co, Cr, Cu, Ga, Ge, Mn, Mo, Ni, Pb, Se, Sr, U and V by ICP-MS, The interference coefficients at the Mn-55, Se-78, Cu-63, Co-59, Ni-58, Ni-60, As-75, Se-77, V-51, Cr-53 and Cr-52 originating from polyatomic ion of the matrix elements (KO)-K-39-O-16, K-39(2), (ArNa)-Ar-40-Na-23, (CaO)-Ca-43-O-16, (CaO)-Ca-42-O-16, (CaO)-Ca-44-O-16, (PO2)-P-31-O-16, (ArCl)-Ar-40-Cl-35, (ArCl)-Ar-40-Cl-37, (ClO)-Cl-35-O-16, (ClO)-Cl-37-O-16 and (ArC)-Ar-40-C-12 were determined under the selected operation parameters. The major matrix elements, such as K, Na and Ca, result in the suppression of analytes signals. The apparent concentration at the significant biological element which was produced by the different digestion methods, (.) HNO3 + H2O2 (3 + 2), HNO3 + HClO4 (3 + 0.5) and HNO3 + H2SO4 (3 + 0.5),was determined. The sample digested by HNO3 + H2O2 did not give rise to interfere on the analyte, and the backgrounds of Se-77, Ga-69, Zn-67, As-75, V-51, Cr-53 and Cr-52 were increased by HNO3 + HClO4 digestion method, that affected the determination of these elements, especially the monoisotope As and V. Sample digested by HNO3 + H2SO4 increased the backgrounds at Cu-65, Zn-64 and Zn-67. Detection limits of ICP-AES are 0.001 similar to 0.75 mg/L and those of ICP-MS are 0.005 similar to 1.01 mu g/L. The relative standard derivations of ICP-AES and ICP-MS are 2.7% similar to 12.8%, 3.4% similar to 24.8%, respectively.

Effect of Eu3+ on the domain structures in phosphatidylcholine LB monolayer film observed by atomic force microscopy

Ordered domain structures were observed by atomic force microscope in dipalmitoylphosphatidycholine monolayer film, which was spread on the subphase of Eu3+ solution.

Rapid automated in-situ monitoring of total dissolved iron and total dissolved manganese in underground water by reverse-flow injection with chemiluminescence detection during the process of water treatment

Measurement of iron and manganese is very important in evaluating the quality of natural waters. We have constructed an automated Fe(II), total dissolved iron(TDI), Mn(II), and total dissolved manganese(TDM) analysis system for the quality control of underground drinking water by reverse flow injection analysis and chemiluminescence detection(rFIA-CL), The method is based on the measurement of the metal-catalyzed light emission from luminol oxidation by potassium periodate. The typical signal is a narrow peak, in which the height is proportional to light emitted and hence to the concentration of metal ions. The detection limits were 3 x 10(-6) mu g ml(-1) for Fe(II) and the linear range extents up to 1.0 x 10(-4) and 5 x 10(-6) mu g ml(-1) for Mn(II) cover a linear range to 1.0 x 10(-4) mu g ml(-1). This method was used for automated in-situ monitoring of total dissolved iron and total dissolved in underground water during water treatment. (C) 1997 Elsevier Science B.V.

Dependence of linear electro-optic coefficient on difference in the atomic sizes in zinc blende crystals

Covalent radii of the bonding elements have strong effects on the linear electro-optic coefficients of zinc blende crystals; these effects can be quantitatively determined by investigating the relation between the difference in the atomic sizes rho and the magnitude of the linear electro-optic tensor coefficient r(41). It is interesting to note that for the same cation Zn2+, Ga3+, or In3+ the magnitude of r(41) increases with increased covalent radius of the bonded anion r(beta). Especially with the increasing tendency of the parameter rho, the magnitude of r(41) of crystals that have a same cation will increase suddenly when the value of r(beta) becomes larger. (C) 1997 Academic Press.

Electrochemical studies of lipophilic ion transport through BLM. The influence of sterols on its transport

Cyclic voltammetry was employed to study the influence of sterols on the lipophilic ion transport through the BLM. The mole fraction of the sterols (cholesterol, oxidized cholesterol). as referred to total lipid, was varied in a range of 0-0.8. Data demonstrate that a thin-layer model is suitable to this BLM system. By this model, the number of charges transported per lipophilic ion, the concentration of the ion in the membrane bulk phase and the aqueous/membrane phase partition coefficient could be calculated. These parameters proved that sterols had an obvious influence on the lipophilic ion transport. Cholesterol had a stronger influence on the ion transport than oxidized cholesterol. Its incorporation into egg lecithin membranes increased the partition coefficient beta of the ion up to more than 3-fold. Yet, oxidized cholesterol incorporated into egg lecithin membranes only increased the beta up to less than 2-fold, and the beta had no great variation at different oxidized cholesterol mole fractions. The higher beta obtained was partly due to the trace amount of solvent existing in the core of the lipid bilayers. At the different sterol mole fractions, combining the change of beta with the change of peak current, we also concluded that sterols had somewhat inhibiting effect on the ion transport at the higher sterols mole fraction (>0.4). These results are explained in terms of the possible change of dipole potential of the membrane produced by sterols and the decrease of the membrane fluidity caused by the condensation effect of sterols and the thinning effect caused by sterols. The substituting group (in the oxidized cholesterol) had some inhibiting effects on the ion transport at higher mole fractions (oxidized cholesterol mole fraction >0.4).

Lanthanide ion induced formation of stripes domain structure in phospholipid Langmuir-Blodgett monolayer film observed by atomic force microscopy

Long-range ordered stripes domain structures were observed in Dipalmitoylphosphatidylcholine (DPPC) Langmuir-Blodgett monolayer film which was spread on the subphase of lanthanide ion (Eu3+) solution and transferred to a freshly cleaved mica substrate by vertical deposition. This novel phenomenon was discussed in terms of the competitive interaction of dipole-dipole and electrostatic interactions of the DPPC molecules combined with lanthanide ions with those DPPC molecules free of lanthanide ions.

ON HALL AND KIERS TOPOLOGICAL STATE AND TOTAL TOPOLOGICAL INDEX

The topological state and the total topological index, tau, have been tested systematically. Counterexamples are provided proving that the topological state method cannot determine classes of symmetrically equivalent atoms in a molecule fully correct. The