Covalently bonded networks through surface-confined polymerization

The prospect of synthesizing ordered, covalently bonded structures directly on a surface has recently attracted considerable attention due to its fundamental interest and for potential applications in electronics and photonics. This prospective article focuses on efforts to synthesize and characterize epitaxial one- and two-dimensional (1D and 2D, respectively) polymeric networks on single crystal surfaces. Recent studies, mostly performed using scanning tunneling microscopy (STM), demonstrate the ability to induce polymerization based on Ullmann coupling, thermal dehalogenation and dehydration reactions. The 2D polymer networks synthesized to date have exhibited structural limitations and have been shown to form only small domains on the surface. We discuss different approaches to control 1D and 2D polymerization, with particular emphasis on the surface phenomena that are critical to the formation of larger ordered domains.

Do bacteria differentiate between degrees of nanoscale surface roughness?

Whereas the employment of nanotechnology in electronics and optics engineering is relatively well established, the use of nanostructured materials in medicine and biology is undoubtedly novel. Certain nanoscale surface phenomena are being exploited to promote or prevent the attachment of living cells. However, as yet, it has not been possible to develop methods that completely prevent cells from attaching to solid surfaces, since the mechanisms by which living cells interact with the nanoscale surface characteristics of these substrates are still poorly understood. Recently, novel and advanced surface characterisation techniques have been developed that allow the precise molecular and atomic scale characterisation of both living cells and the solid surfaces to which they attach. Given this additional capability, it may now be possible to define boundaries, or minimum dimensions, at which a surface feature can exert influence over an attaching living organism.This review explores the current research on the interaction of living cells with both native and nanostructured surfaces, and the role that these surface properties play in the different stages of cell attachment.

Characters of Surface Deformation and Surface Wave in Thermal Capillary Convection

In the field of fluid mechanics, free surface phenomena is one of the most important physical processes. In the present research work, the surface deformation and surface wave caused by temperature difference of sidewalls in a rectangular cavity have been investigated. The horizontal cross-section of the container is 52 mmx42 mm, and there is a silicon oil layer of height 3.5 mm in the experimental cavity. Temperature difference between the two side walls of the cavity is increased gradually, and the flow on the liquid layer will develop from stable convection to un-stable convection. An optical diagnostic system consisting of a modified Michelson interferometer and image processor has been developed for study of the surface deformation and surface wave of thermal capillary convection. The Fourier transformation method is used to interferometer fringe analysis. The quantitative results of surface deformation and surface wave have been calculated from a serial of the interference fringe patterns.The characters of surface deformation and surface wave have been obtained. They are related with temperature gradient and surface tension. Surface deformation is fluctuant with time, which shows the character of surface wave. The cycle period of the wave is 4.8 s, and the amplitudes are from 0 to 0.55 mu m. The phase of the wave near the cool side of the cavity is opposite and correlative to that near the hot side. The present experiment proves that the surface wave of thermal capillary convection exists on liquid free surface, and it is wrapped in surface deformation.

INFRARED SURFACE-PLASMONS ON PLATINUM SILICIDE

It is shown that surface plasmons (SPs) are supported on thin PtSi films. Using a prism-air gap-sample configuration, p-polarised infra-red light (3.39-mu-m) has been coupled with approximately 95% efficiency to SPs on the silicide electrode of PtSi-Si Schottky barrier structures. Stimulating SPs offers both a means of optically characterising silicide films and of enhancing optical absorption with a view to significantly increasing the Schottky barrier photoresponse.

Measuring surface forces to explore surface chemistry : mica, sapphire and silica

In this paper measurements of the forces acting between two solid surfaces separated by a thin liquid film are discussed. By investigating these forces in a range of different liquids and solutions, it is possible to acquire an understanding of the surface properties of the solid material. The surface of mica has been studied extensively in this way, and the results obtained are reviewed to illustrate how the surface force measurements can give surface chemical information. Recent measurements on two other materials, sapphire and silica, which are of greater practical interest are also discussed.

Contact electrification induced by monolayer modification of a surface and relation to acid-base interactions

Electrical charge separation following contact between two materials (contact electrification or the triboelectric effect) is well known to occur between different materials as a consequence of their different electronic structures. Here we show that the phenomenon occurs between two surfaces of the same material if one is coated with a single chemisorbed monolayer. We use the surface force apparatus to study contact electrification and adhesion between two silica surfaces, one coated with an amino-silane. The presence of this monolayer results in significantly enhanced adhesion between the surfaces, owing to electrostatic attraction following contact electrification, in accord with Derjaguin's electrostatic theory of adhesion. At the same time, the observed increase in adhesion is consistent with Fowkes' acid-base model (in which acid-base interactions between surface groups are considered to be the predominant factor determining adhesion), as the monolayer converts the originally acidic silica surface to a basic (amine-terminated) one. These observations demonstrate a link between acid- base interactions and contact electrification.

Electrical charge separation following contact between two materials (contact electrification or the triboelectric effect) is well known to occur between different materials as a consequence of their different electronic structures. Here we show that the phenomenon occurs between two surfaces of the same material if one is coated with a single chemisorbed monolayer. We use the surface force apparatus to study contact electrification and adhesion between two silica surfaces, one coated with an amino-silane. The presence of this monolayer results in significantly enhanced adhesion between the surfaces, owing to electrostatic attraction following contact electrification, in accord with Derjaguin's electrostatic theory of adhesion. At the same time, the observed increase in adhesion is consistent with Fowkes' acid-base model (in which acid-base interactions between surface groups are considered to be the predominant factor determining adhesion), as the monolayer converts the originally acidic silica surface to a basic (amine-terminated) one. These observations demonstrate a link between acid-base interactions and contact electrification.

Surface:plasma interactions in GaAs subjected to capacitively coupled RF plasmas

Surface compositional changes in GaAs due to RF plasmas of different gases have been investigated by XPS and etch rates were measured using AFM. Angular Resolved XPS (ARXPS) was also employed for depth analysis of the composition of the surface layers. An important role in this study was determination of oxide thickness using XPS data. The study of surface - plasma interaction was undertaken by correlating results of surface analysis with plasma diagnosis. Different experiments were designed to accurately measure the BEs associated with the Ga 3d, Ga 2P3/2 and LMM peaks using XPS analysis and propose identification in terms of the oxides of GaAs. Along with GaAs wafers, some reference compounds such as metallic Ga and Ga2O3 powder were used. A separate study aiming the identification of the GaAs surface oxides formed on the GaAs surface during and after plasma processing was undertaken. Surface compositional changes after plasma treatment, prior to surface analysis are considered, with particular reference to the oxides formed in the air on the activated surface. Samples exposed to ambient air for different periods of time and also to pure oxygen were analysed. Models of surface processes were proposed for explanation of the stoichiometry changes observed with the inert and reactive plasmas used. In order to help with the understanding of the mechanisms responsible for surface effects during plasma treatment, computer simulation using SRIM code was also undertaken. Based on simulation and experimental results, models of surface phenomena are proposed. Discussion of the experimental and simulated results is made in accordance with current theories and published results of different authors. The experimental errors introduced by impurities and also by data acquisition and processing are also evaluated.

The role of V2O5 on the dehydrogenation and hydrogenation in magnesium hydride : An ab initio study

Ab initio density functional theory calculations are performed to study the experimentally observed catalytic role of V2O5 in the recycling of hydrogen in magnesium hydride. We find that the Mg–H bond length becomes elongated when MgH2 clusters are positioned on single, two, and three coordinated oxygen sites (O1, O2, and O3) on the V2O5(001) surface. Molecular hydrogen is predicted to spontaneously form at the hole site on the V2O5(001) surface. Additionally, the activation barrier for the dissociation of hydrogen on V-doped Mg(0001) surface is 0.20 eV, which is only 1/5 of that on pure Mg(0001) surface. Our results indicate that oxygen sites on the V2O5(001)surface and the V dopant in Mg may be important facilitators for dehydrogenation and rehydrogenation, respectively. The understanding gained here will aid in the rational design and development of Mg-based hydrogen storage materials.

Support-Dependent Activity of Noble Metal Substituted Oxide Catalysts for the Water Gas Shift Reaction

The water gas shift reaction was carried out over noble metal ion substituted nanocrystalline oxide catalysts with different supports. Spectroscopic studies of the catalysts before and after the reaction showed different surface phenomena occurring over the catalysts. Reaction mechanisms were proposed based upon the surface processes and intermediates formed. The dual site mechanism utilizing the oxide ion vacancies for water dissociation and metal ions for CO adsorption was proposed to describe the kinetics of the reaction over the reducible oxides like CeO2. A mechanism based on the interaction of adsorbed CO and the hydroxyl group was proposed for the reaction over ZrO2. A hybrid mechanism based on oxide ion vacancies and surface hydroxyl groups was proposed for the reaction over TiO2. The deactivation of the catalysts was also found to be support dependent. Kinetic models for both activation and deactivation were proposed. (C) 2010 American Institute of Chemical Engineers AIChE J, 56: 2662-2676, 2010

Mining Land Cover Information Using Multilayer Perceptron and Decision Tree from MODIS Data

Land cover (LC) changes play a major role in global as well as at regional scale patterns of the climate and biogeochemistry of the Earth system. LC information presents critical insights in understanding of Earth surface phenomena, particularly useful when obtained synoptically from remote sensing data. However, for developing countries and those with large geographical extent, regular LC mapping is prohibitive with data from commercial sensors (high cost factor) of limited spatial coverage (low temporal resolution and band swath). In this context, free MODIS data with good spectro-temporal resolution meet the purpose. LC mapping from these data has continuously evolved with advances in classification algorithms. This paper presents a comparative study of two robust data mining techniques, the multilayer perceptron (MLP) and decision tree (DT) on different products of MODIS data corresponding to Kolar district, Karnataka, India. The MODIS classified images when compared at three different spatial scales (at district level, taluk level and pixel level) shows that MLP based classification on minimum noise fraction components on MODIS 36 bands provide the most accurate LC mapping with 86% accuracy, while DT on MODIS 36 bands principal components leads to less accurate classification (69%).

Low temperature CO oxidation and water gas shift reaction over Pt/Pd substituted in Fe/TiO2 catalysts

We demonstrate the activity of Ti0.84Pt0.01Fe0.15O2-delta and Ti0.73Pd0.02Fe0.25O2-delta catalysts towards the CO oxidation and water gas shift (VMS) reaction. Both the catalysts were synthesized in the nano crystalline form by a low temperature sonochemical method and characterized by different techniques such as XRD, FT-Raman, TEM, FT-IR, XPS and BET surface analyzer. H-2-TPR results corroborate the intimate contact between noble metal and Fe ions in the both catalysts that facilitates the reducibility of the support. In the absence of feed CO2 and H-2, nearly 100% conversion of CO to CO2 with 100% H-2 selectivity was observed at 300 degrees C and 260 degrees C respectively, for Ti0.84Pt0.01Fe0.15O2-delta and Ti0.73Pd0.02Fe0.25O2-delta catalyst. However, the catalytic performance of Ti0.73Pd0.02Fe0.25O2-delta deteriorates in the presence of feed CO2 and H-2. The change in the support reducibility is the primary reason for the significant increase in the activity for CO oxidation and WGS reaction. The effect of Fe addition was more significant in Ti0.73Pd0.02Fe0.25O2-delta than Ti0.84Pt0.01Fe0.15O2-delta. Based on the spectroscopic evidences and surface phenomena, a hybrid reaction scheme utilizing both surface hydroxyl groups and the lattice oxygen was hypothesized over these catalysts for WGS reaction. The mechanisms based on the formate and redox pathway were used to fit the ldnetic data. The analysis of experimental data shows the redox mechanism is the dominant pathway over these catalysts. Copyright (C) 2012, Hydrogen Energy Publications, LLC. Published by Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.

Nanostructured electrode materials for electrochemical energy storage and conversion

Manipulation of matter at the nanoscale is a way forward to move beyond our current choices in electrochemical energy storage and conversion technologies with promise of higher efficiency, environmental benignity, and cost-effectiveness. Electrochemical processes being basically surface phenomena, tailored multifunctional nanoarchitecturing can lead to improvements in terms of electronic and ionic conductivities, diffusion and mass transport, and electron transfer and electrocatalysis. The nanoscale is also a domain in which queer properties surface: those associated with conversion electrodes, ceramic particles enhancing the conductivity of polymer electrolytes, and transition metal oxide powders catalyzing fuel cell reactions, to cite a few. Although this review attempts to present a bird's eye view of the vast literature that has accumulated in this rather infant field, it also lists a few representative studies that establish the beneficial effects of going `nano'. Investigations on nanostructuring and use of nanoparticles and nanoarchitectures related to lithium-ion batteries (active materials and electrolytes), supercapacitors (electrical double-layer capacitors, supercapacitors based on pseudo-capacitance, and hybrid supercapacitors), and fuel cells (electrocatalysts, membranes and hydrogen storage materials) are highlighted. (C) 2012 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.

Wind-driven desertification: process modeling, remote monitoring, and forecasting

Arid and semiarid landscapes comprise nearly a third of the Earth's total land surface. These areas are coming under increasing land use pressures. Despite their low productivity these lands are not barren. Rather, they consist of fragile ecosystems vulnerable to anthropogenic disturbance.

The purpose of this thesis is threefold: (I) to develop and test a process model of wind-driven desertification, (II) to evaluate next-generation process-relevant remote monitoring strategies for use in arid and semiarid regions, and (III) to identify elements for effective management of the world's drylands.

In developing the process model of wind-driven desertification in arid and semiarid lands, field, remote sensing, and modeling observations from a degraded Mojave Desert shrubland are used. This model focuses on aeolian removal and transport of dust, sand, and litter as the primary mechanisms of degradation: killing plants by burial and abrasion, interrupting natural processes of nutrient accumulation, and allowing the loss of soil resources by abiotic transport. This model is tested in field sampling experiments at two sites and is extended by Fourier Transform and geostatistical analysis of high-resolution imagery from one site.

Next, the use of hyperspectral remote sensing data is evaluated as a substantive input to dryland remote monitoring strategies. In particular, the efficacy of spectral mixture analysis (SMA) in discriminating vegetation and soil types and detennining vegetation cover is investigated. The results indicate that hyperspectral data may be less useful than often thought in determining vegetation parameters. Its usefulness in determining soil parameters, however, may be leveraged by developing simple multispectral classification tools that can be used to monitor desertification.

Finally, the elements required for effective monitoring and management of arid and semiarid lands are discussed. Several large-scale multi-site field experiments are proposed to clarify the role of wind as a landscape and degradation process in dry lands. The role of remote sensing in monitoring the world's drylands is discussed in terms of optimal remote sensing platform characteristics and surface phenomena which may be monitored in order to identify areas at risk of desertification. A desertification indicator is proposed that unifies consideration of environmental and human variables.

Contact electrification and adhesion between dissimilar materials

Simultaneous measurements of surface force and surface charge demonstrate strong attraction due to the spontaneous transfer of electrical charge from one smooth insulator (mica) to another (silica) as a result of simple, nonsliding contact in dry nitrogen. The measured surface charge densities are 5 to 20 millicoulombs per square meter after contact. The work required to separate the charged surfaces is typically 6 to 9 joules per square meter, comparable to the fracture energies of ionic-covalent materials. Observation of partial gas discharges when the surfaces are approximately 1 micrometer apart gives valuable insight into the charge separation processes underlying static electrical phenomena in general.

Influence of chromate, molybdate and tungstate on pit formation in chloride medium

It has been characterized and evaluated the 2024-T351 and 7050-T7451 aluminum alloys pitting corrosion in naturally aerated chloride aqueous solutions containing chromate, molybdate and tungstate. It has been carried out electrochemical and non-electrochemical immersion corrosion tests accompanied by surface metallography analysis using an optical microscopy. Chromate for the two alloys and in molybdate for 7050 has corrosion inhibiting effects, whereas tungstate promotes the pitting corrosion for these alloys. Quantitative surface analysis upon the alloys after immersion has indicated that pits are predominantly conical or quasi-conical and irregular. In general, pits have been wider than deep and the widest have been also the deepest. Despite inhibitor presence, when pits have been nucleated, they grow with the same intensity. © 2005 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.