Origin of Anomalous Activities for Electrocatalysts in Alkaline Electrolytes

Pt extended surfaces and nanoparticle electrodes are used to understand the origin of anomalous activities for electrocatalytic reactions in alkaline electrolytes as a function of cycling/time. Scanning tunneling microscopy (STM) of the surfaces before and after cycling in alkaline electrolytes was used to understand the morphology of the impurities and their impact on the catalytic sites. The nature of the contaminant species is identified as 3d-transition metal cations, and the formation of hydr(oxy)oxides of these elements is established as the main reason for the observed behavior. We find that, while for the oxygen reduction reaction (ORR) and the hydrogen oxidation reaction (HOR) the blocking of the sites by the undesired 3d-transition metal hydr(oxy)oxide species leads to deactivation of the reaction activities, the CO oxidation reaction and the hydrogen evolution reaction (HER) can have beneficial effects from the same impurities, the latter being dependent on the exact nature of the adsorbing species. These results show the significance of impurities present in real electrolytes and their impact on electrocatalysis.

Very Intense Distinct Blue and Red Photoluminescence Emission in MgTiO3 Thin Films Prepared by the Polymeric Precursor Method: An Experimental and Theoretical Approach

MgTiO3 (MTO) thin films were prepared by the polymeric precursor method with posterior spin-coating deposition. The films were deposited on Pt(111)/Ti/SiO2/Si(100) substrates and heat treated at 350 degrees C for 2 h and then heat treated at 400, 450, 500, 550, 600, 650 and 700 C for 2 h. The degree of structural order disorder, optical properties, and morphology of the MTO thin films were investigated by X-ray diffraction (XRD), micro-Raman spectroscopy (MR), ultraviolet-visible (UV-vis) absorption spectroscopy, photoluminescence (PL) measurements, and field-emission gun scanning electron microscopy (FEG-SEM) to investigate the morphology. XRD revealed that an increase in the annealing temperature resulted in a structural organization of MTO thin films. First-principles quantum mechanical calculations based on density functional theory (B3LYP level) were employed to study the electronic structure of ordered and disordered asymmetric models. The electronic properties were analyzed, and the relevance of the present theoretical and experimental results was discussed in the light of PL behavior. The presence of localized electronic levels and a charge gradient in the band gap due to a break in the symmetry are responsible for the PL in disordered MTO lattice.

Femtosecond laser-based investigations of magnetic circular dichroism in near-threshold photoemission

During the last decades magnetic circular dichroism (MCD) has attracted much interest and evolved into various experimental methods for the investigation of magnetic thin films. For example, synchrotron-based X-ray magnetic circular dichroism (XMCD) displays the absolute values of spin and orbital magnetic moments. It thereby benefits from large asymmetry values of more than 30% due to the excitation of atomic core-levels. Similarly large values are also expected for threshold photoemission magnetic circular dichroism (TPMCD). Using lasers with photon energies in the range of the sample work function this method gives access to the occupied electronic structure close to the Fermi level. However, except for the case of Ni(001) there exist only few studies on TPMCD moreover revealing much smaller asymmetries than XMCD-measurements. Also the basic physical mechanisms of TPMCD are not satisfactorily understood. In this work we therefore investigate TPMCD in one- and two-photon photoemission (1PPE and 2PPE) for ferromagnetic Heusler alloys and ultrathin Co films using ultrashort pulsed laser light. The observed dichroism is explained by a non-conventional photoemission model using spin-resolved band-structure calculations and linear response theory. For the two Heusler alloys Ni2MnGa and Co2FeSi we give first evidence of TPMCD in the regime of two-photon photoemission. Systematic investigations concerning general properties of TPMCD in 1PPE and 2PPE are carried out at ultrathin Co films grown on Pt(111). Here, photon-energy dependent measurements reveal asymmetries of 1.9% in 1PPE and 11.7% in 2PPE. TPMCD measurements at decreased work function even yield larger asymmetries of 6.2% (1PPE) and 17% (2PPE), respectively. This demonstrates that enlarged asymmetries are also attainable for the TPMCD effect on Co(111). Furthermore, we find that the TPMCD asymmetry is bulk-sensitive for 1PPE and 2PPE. This means that the basic mechanism leading to the observed dichroism must be connected to Co bulk properties; surface effects do not play a crucial role. Finally, the enhanced TPMCD asymmetries in 2PPE compared to the 1PPE case are traced back to the dominant influence of the first excitation step and the existence of a real intermediate state. The observed TPMCD asymmetries cannot be interpreted by conventional photoemission theory which only considers direct interband transitions in the direction of observation (Γ-L). For Co(111), these transitions lead to evanescent final states. The excitation to such states, however, is incompatible with the measured bulk-sensitivity of the asymmetry. Therefore, we generalize this model by proposing the TPMCD signal to arise mostly from direct interband transitions in crystallographic directions other than (Γ-L). The necessary additional momentum transfer to the excited electrons is most probably provided by electron-phonon or -magnon scattering processes. Corresponding calculations on the basis of this model are in reasonable agreement with the experimental results so that this approach represents a promising tool for a quantitative description of the TPMCD effect. The present findings encourage an implementation of our experimental technique to time- and spatially-resolved photoemission electron microscopy, thereby enabling a real time imaging of magnetization dynamics of single excited states in a ferromagnetic material on a femtosecond timescale.

Controlled assembly and single electron charging of monolayer protected Au 144 clusters: an electrochemistry and scanning tunneling spectroscopy study

Single gold particles may serve as room temperature single electron memory units because of their size dependent electronic level spacing. Here, we present a proof-of-concept study by electrochemically controlled scanning probe experiments performed on tailor-made Au particles of narrow dispersity. In particular, the charge transport characteristics through chemically synthesized hexane-1-thiol and 4-pyridylbenzene-1-thiol mixed monolayer protected Au144 clusters (MPCs) by differential pulse voltammetry (DPV) and electrochemical scanning tunneling spectroscopy (EC-STS) are reported. The pyridyl groups exposed by the Au-MPCs enable their immobilization on Pt(111) substrates. By varying the humidity during their deposition, samples coated by stacks of compact monolayers of Au-MPCs or decorated with individual, laterally separated Au-MPCs are obtained. DPV experiments with stacked monolayers of Au144-MPCs and EC-STS experiments with laterally separated individual Au144-MPCs are performed both in aqueous and ionic liquid electrolytes. Lower capacitance values were observed for individual clusters compared to ensemble clusters. This trend remains the same irrespective of the composition of the electrolyte surrounding the Au144-MPC. However, the resolution of the energy level spacing of the single clusters is strongly affected by the proximity of neighboring particles.

Crystallographic orientation and electrode nature are key factors for electric current generation by Geobacter sulfurreducens

We have investigated the influence of electrode material and crystallographic structure on electron transfer and biofilm formation of Geobacter sulfurreducens. Single-crystal gold - Au(110), Au(111), Au(210) - and platinum - Pt(100), Pt(110), Pt(111), Pt(210) - electrodes were tested and compared to graphite rods. G. sulfurreducens electrochemically interacts with all these materials with different attachment kinetics and final current production, although redox species involved in the electron transfer to the anode are virtually the same in all cases. Initial bacterial colonization was fastest on graphite up to the monolayer level, whereas gold electrodes led to higher final current densities. Crystal geometry showed to have an important influence, with Au(210) sustaining a current density of up to 1442 (± 101) μA cm- 2 at the steady state, over Au(111) with 961 (± 94) μA cm- 2 and Au(110) with 944 (± 89) μA cm- 2. On the other hand, the platinum electrodes displayed the lowest performances, including Pt(210). Our results indicate that both crystal geometry and electrode material are key parameters for the efficient interaction of bacteria with the substrate and should be considered for the design of novel materials and microbial devices to optimize energy production.

Direct observation of extremely low temperature catalytic dehydrochlorination of 1,1,1-trichloroethane over platinum

Fast X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy reveals that the efficient catalytic destruction of 1,1,1-trichloroethane occurs over Pt{111} surfaces at temperatures as low as 150 K. Decomposition occurs via rapid, sequential C-Cl bond scission to form an alkylidyne surface intermediate that in turn dehydrogenates above room temperature. Atomic chlorine liberated during dehydrochlorination undergoes efficient reaction with surface hydrogen, resulting in the evolution of gaseous HCl and small amounts of ethane, presumably via ethylidyne hydrogenation. Irreversible dehydrogenation of residual hydrocarbon fragments results in significant surface coking above 500 K.

Pt/ZnO/SiC thin film for hydrogen gas sensing

Zinc oxide (ZnO) is one of the most promising electronic and photonic materials to date. In this work, we present an enhanced ZnO Schottky gas sensor deposited on SiC substrates in comparison to those reported previously in literature. The performance of ZnO/SiC based Schottky thin film gas sensors produced a forward lateral voltage shift of 12.99mV and 111.87mV in response to concentrations of hydrogen gas at 0.06% and 1% in air at optimum temperature of 330 ºC. The maximum change in barrier height was calculated as 37.9 meV for 1% H2 sensing operation at the optimum temperature.

Results of the Austrian-Ceylonese hydrobiological mission 1970 of the 1st Zoological Institute of the University of Vienna (Austria) and the Department of Zoology of the Vidyalankara University of Ceylon, Kelaniya. Pt. 3. Uber einige wassermilben aus Ceylon (Hydrachnellae, Acari)

In the study are described five species of watermites, collected by the Austrian-Ceylonese hydrobiological mission 1970 in torrents of the highlands of south-west Sri Lanka. The species are: Torrenticola (Monatractides) pusta Cook, 1967, T.(M.) Oxystoma hamata (Lundbald, 1941), T.(M.) ceylonensis nov. spec., Atractides schwoerbeli Lundbald, 1969 and Arrenurus (Micruracarus) madaraszi Daday, 1898.

贵金属（Au, Ag, Pt, Pd）纳米材料的可控合成及性能研究

功能化的贵金属纳米材料的设计和可控制备在材料科学研究领域引起了人们广泛的关注。贵金属纳米材料的光学、电学、磁学和催化等物理和化学性质不但与其大小有关，而且还与其形貌息息相关。因此寻求简单而有效的低温溶液合成途径以实现对贵金属纳米材料的尺寸和形貌控制尤为重要。本论文的主要研究内容可以归纳如下： (1)在水溶液中利用种子生长方法分别制备了核壳Au-Pd/Pt三金属复合纳米粒子和三层的核壳AuAg复合纳米粒子。这些纳米粒子的尺寸和组成可以通过改变金种子的加入量来加以调控。 (2)通过种子生长和取代沉积相结合的方法制备了具有金核铂/银双金属壳的铃铛状纳米粒子。通过扫描电子显微镜、透射电子显微镜和X-射线光电子能谱对所得纳米粒子的尺寸、结构和组成进行了表征。 (3)以二肽甘氨酰甘氨酸作为模板合成了具有[111]取向的单晶银纳米片。通过改变实验条件探讨了片状银纳米结构的形成机理。片状银纳米结构的产率可达到80%，反应物之间的摩尔比对产物的尺寸和形貌有至关重要的作用。 (4)将K3[Fe(CN)6]和Na2S2O3的混合溶液进行水热处理，得到了具有立方体形貌的FeIIIFeIII(CN)6（柏林绿）微晶。实验结果显示K3[Fe(CN)6]和Na2S2O3的摩尔比及其浓度对所得产物的尺寸、形貌和组成有决定性的作用。 (5)在室温下通过混合3, 3', 5, 5'-四甲基联苯胺和氯铂酸，成功合成了有机-无机杂化的纳米纤维。纳米纤维的尺寸和形状可以通过改变反应物的比和浓度加以控制。基于不同的实验结果，提出了纳米纤维的可能形成机理。

Au(111)自组装膜表面原子力显微镜纳米刻蚀

在Au(111)硫醇自组装膜上通过原子力显微镜（AFM）纳米刻蚀加工了各种功能化纳米结构。本论文取得的主要成果如下： 1. “蘸笔”技术移除自组装膜及金基底 以烯丙基溴为墨水，用蘸笔技术在16－巯基十六羧酸（MHA）修饰的Au(111)基底上可以实现对金基底的直接加工，形成阴刻图案；并提出了详细的加工机理。 2. Au(111)自组膜表面的可逆加工 （1）利用乙醇修饰的导电AFM针尖通过电致刻蚀在Au(111)基底的烷基硫醇自组装膜上实现了阴阳刻图案的可逆加工。X射线光电子能谱分析表明阳刻图案的化学组成为氧化金，且此氧化金可被乙醇还原生成金得到阴刻图案。此阴刻图案可用作纳米模板，我们利用此模板加工了氧化铁磁性纳米结构和溶菌酶蛋白质纳米结构。 （2）用修饰硫醇的导电AFM针尖在Au(111)基底上实现了硫醇的可逆书写。 3. Au(111)自组膜表面官能团转化 用硫醇自组装膜修饰的Pt针在Au(111)基底的烷基硫醇自组装膜上实现了表面端基官能团转化。所得亲水性纳米图案可用作物理（如直接吸附纳米粒子）和化学纳米模板（如诱导硅烷自组装）。加工过程中基底自组装膜保持完整，未破坏Au-S键。 4. AFM研究适配子与血小板衍生生长因子－BB的相互作用 利用AFM电致刻蚀在HS-(CH2)12-(OCH2CH2)4-OH（EG4）/Au(111)上选择性移除EG4，在新暴露的金基底上生长血小板衍生生长因子－BB（PDGF-BB）适配子与EG4的混合自组装膜，通过PDGF-BB适配子与 PDGF-BB的特异性键合固定PDGF-BB，得到PDGF-BB的纳米图案。

Magnetic and structural properties of Co films deposited onto obliquely sputtered Pt underlayers

Co films deposited on obliquely sputtered Pt underlayers of 100 Angstrom or greater have produced coercivities in excess of 800 Oe, and anisotropy fields over 950 Oe. The coercivity and anisotropy field increase with Pt deposition angle and thickness. A Pt capping layer has a detrimental effect on properties but a Cu capping layer does not. Films with an obliquely deposited underlayer exhibit reduced density and increased interface roughness compared to normally deposited films. Normally deposited Pt underlayers display a (111) texture, while those deposited obliquely show an increasingly random texture with Pt thickness and deposition angle. The trilayers fabricated in this study are presented as candidates for use in giant magnetoresistance sensors. (C) 2002 American Institute of Physics.