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72 records · Page 4

Changes induced on the surfaces of small Pd clusters by the thermal desorption of CO

The stability and adsorption/desorption properties of supported Pd crystallites less than 5 nm in size were studied by Auger electron spectroscopy and repeated flash thermal desorption of CO. The Pd particles were grown epitaxially on heat-treated, UHV-cleaved mica at a substrate temperature of 300 C and a Pd impingement flux of 10 to the 13th atoms/sq cm s. Auger analysis allowed in situ measurement of relative particle dispersion and contamination, while FTD monitored the CO desorption properties. The results show that significant changes in the adsorption properties can be detected. Changes in the Pd Auger signal and the desorption spectrum during the first few thermal cycles are due to particle coalescence and facetting and the rate of this change is dependent on the temperature and duration of the desorption. Significant reductions in the amplitude of the desorptions peak occur during successive CO desorptions which are attributed to increases of surface carbon, induced by the desorption of CO. The contamination process could be reversed by heat treatment in oxygen or hydrogen

Doering, D. L.↗

Carbon Nanostructures in Biological Sensors for Space and Terrestrial Applications

Biosensing devices comprised of carbon nanotubes and nanofibers have been developed for astronaut crew point-of-care. Their inherent nanometer scale, high conductivity, wide potential window, good biocompatibility and well-defined surface chemistry make them ideal candidates as biosensor electrodes. Here, we report two studies using carbon nanotube and carbon nanofiber electrodes for biomedical applications. First, a 3x3 electrode device, with each electrode containing 40,000 carbon nanofiber nanoelectrodes was fabricated on silicon using traditional microfabrication processing. The device was demonstrated as a multiplexed immunosensor for simultaneous, label-free detection of cardiac troponin-I, C-reactive protein and myoglobin. Antibodies specific to cardiac troponin-I, C-reactive protein and myoglobin were covalently bound to the CNF surface and were characterized using electrochemical impedance spectroscopy and differential pulse voltammetry. Each step of the modification process resulted in changes in resistance to charge transfer due to the changes at the electrode surface upon antibody immobilization and binding to the specific cardiac protein. The real-time label free detection of the three cardiac markers from pure components and mixtures was demonstrated with high sensitivity, down to 0.2 ng/mL, and good selectivity. Detection in human blood serum did not present false positives from non-specific protein adsorption. More recently, this detection scheme has been applied to inkjet printed carbon nanotube electrodes on Kapton and paper. Printed devices have several unique advantages including simple and inexpensive fabrication. The results demonstrate that these sensors can serve a miniaturized, low cost device for detection of proteins in complex mixtures making this platform a good candidate for early stage diagnosis of myocardial infarction. Future inkjet printed devices can be fabricated have the added advantage in their suitability to be manufactured in an in-space, microgravity environment.

carbon nanotubes↗

Carbon Nanomaterials for Biosensing Applications

Biosensing devices comprised of carbon nanotubes and nanofibers have been developed for astronaut crew point-of-care. Their inherent nanometer scale, high conductivity, wide potential window, good biocompatibility and well-defined surface chemistry make them ideal candidates as biosensor electrodes. Here, we report two studies using carbon nanotube and carbon nanofiber electrodes for biomedical applications. First, a 3x3 electrode device, with each electrode containing 40,000 carbon nanofiber nanoelectrodes was fabricated on silicon using traditional microfabrication processing. The device was demonstrated as a multiplexed immunosensor for simultaneous, label-free detection of cardiac troponin-I, C-reactive protein and myoglobin. Antibodies specific to cardiac troponin-I, C-reactive protein and myoglobin were covalently bound to the CNF surface and were characterized using electrochemical impedance spectroscopy and differential pulse voltammetry. Each step of the modification process resulted in changes in resistance to charge transfer due to the changes at the electrode surface upon antibody immobilization and binding to the specific cardiac protein. The real-time label free detection of the three cardiac markers from pure components and mixtures was demonstrated with high sensitivity, down to 0.2 ng/mL, and good selectivity. Detection in human blood serum did not present false positives from non-specific protein adsorption. More recently, this detection scheme has been applied to inkjet printed carbon nanotube electrodes on Kapton and paper. Printed devices have several unique advantages including simple and inexpensive fabrication. The results demonstrate that these sensors can serve a miniaturized, low cost device for detection of proteins in complex mixtures making this platform a good candidate for early stage diagnosis of myocardial infarction. Future inkjet printed devices can be fabricated have the added advantage in their suitability to be manufactured in an in-space, microgravity environment.

carbon nanotubes↗

A spectroscopic, photometric, and magnetic study of the starspot on II Pegasi

A description is presented of extensive observations of II Peg during 1977 and 1978, taking into account multicolor broad-band photometry, high-dispersion spectroscopy, low-dispersion spectrophotometry, and Zeeman analysis. During this time the star showed periodic light variations in excess of a 0.4 mag range attributable to the presence of a large starspot or an equivalent nonuniform surface brightness distribution. The high-precision multicolor photometry, which differed greatly from previous photometric results, illustrates that the starspots on II Peg are continually evolving on time scales of approximately 1 year or less. A low-dispersion spectrum of the large spot showed pronounced VO and TiO molecular adsorption features. A high-resolution, high signal-to-noise Reticon spectrum at lambda 6707 does not show any compelling evidence of previously reported lithium in this star.

Vogt, S. S.↗

Fabrication and surface characterization of composite refractory compounds suitable for thermionic converters

Procedures for fabricating high purity single crystals of LaB6 and SmB6 have been developed. Auger spectroscopy shows that a clean surface can be obtained by thermal heating at 1700 K; such a clean surface gives a value of B/La of 2.3 to 2.6 for the (100) face. The measured thermionic and FERP work functions of the (100) face of LaB6 are 2.47 and 2.28 eV, respectively. The electron reflection coefficient for LaB6(100) increases near zero primary energy to 0.5. Flash thermal desorption of an oxygen dosed surface showed that B2O3 is the desorption product at 1600 to 1700 K. A work function increase of 1.6 eV was observed on oxygen adsorption on LaB6(100). Thermal desorption of Co occurs at approximately 1300 K. A reduction of the work function to 1.39 eV was observed on adsorption of a partial monolayer of Cs on LaB6(100). The evaporation of LaB6 occurs as atomic La and B with a value of B/La of 6 to 3 in the temperature range 1700 to 2000 K. The activation energies of desorption for La and B are 6.3 + or - 0.3 and 6.8 + or - 0.3 eV, respectively.

Swanson, L. W.↗

Ammonia Offgassing from SA9T

NH3 is a degradation product of SA9T, a solid-amine sorbent developed by Hamilton Sundstrand, that is continually emitted into the gas stream being conditioned by this sorbent. NH3 offgassing rates were measured using FTIR spectroscopy using a packed bed at similar contact times as offgassing tests conducted at Hamilton Sundstrand and at the Ames Research Center. The bed was challenged with moist air at several flow rates and humidities and NH3 concentration of the effluent was measured for several hours. The NH3 offgassing rates in open-loop testing were calculated from the steady state outlet NH3 concentration and flow rate. NH3 offgassing rates from SA9T were found to be influenced by the contact time with the adsorbent (flow rate) and by the humidity of the inlet gas stream, which are consistent with previous studies. Closed-loop vacuum-swing adsorption cycling rates verified that NH3 offgassing continues when a constant source of water vapor is present.

Monje, Oscar↗

Ordered organic thin films self-assembled from the vapor phase

Organic films self-assembled from a liquid phase, as in Langmuir-Blodgett or adsorption from solution, have received much attention in the past decade as techniques to achieve highly oriented-ordered polymeric thin films. Many organic compounds including some of the same fatty acids have been vapor deposited as well. However, organic pigments and dyes comprise a major class of important materials which have very low solubilities yet excellent thermal stabilities, making them ideally suited for film deposition from the vapor phase. Surprisingly, such molecular systems exhibit a significant propensity to self order, a high sensitivity to deposition parameters, and a range of microstructural forms that cannot be duplicated by the less energetic mechanisms associated with solution adsorption processes. Molecular solids such as heterocyclic polynuclear aromatics are excellent candidates for film formation by vacuum deposition means. Over the past decade, our work and that of others investigating a wide variety of perylene and phthalocyanine derivatives identified five deposition parameters that can significantly affect film morphology, physical microstructure, and type and extent of ordering developed in vacuum and vapor transport grown films. These parameters are substrate temperature, deposition rate, substrate chemistry and epitaxy, ambient gas convective flows, and post deposition annealing. Examples of how each of these conditions manifest themselves in the film structure and ordering, most frequently revealed by scanning electron microscopy, reflection absorption infrared spectroscopy (RAIR), and grazing incidence x-ray diffraction (GIX), are presented.

Debe, M. K.↗

Use of LEED, Auger emission spectroscopy and field ion microscopy in microstructural studies

Surface research tools such as LEED, Auger emission spectroscopy analysis, and field ion microscopy are discussed. Examples of their use in studying adhesion, friction, wear, and lubrication presented. These tools have provided considerable insight into the basic nature of solid surface interactions. The transfer of metals from one surface to another at the atomic level has been observed and studied with each of these devices. The field ion microscope has been used to study polymer-metal interactions and Auger analysis to study the mechanism of polymer adhesion to metals. LEED and Auger analysis have identified surface segregation of alloying elements and indicated the influence of these elements in metallic adhesion. LEED and Auger analysis have assisted in adsorption studies in determining the structural arrangement and quantity of adsorbed species present in making an understanding of the influence of these species on adhesion possible. These devices are assisting in the furtherance of understanding of the fundamental mechanism involved in the adhesion, friction, wear, and lubrication processes.

Ferrante, J.↗

Surface modification strategies for (100)3C-SiC

Several surface modificaation techniques were performed in situ in an ultrahigh vacuum as part of a program to develop electrical contacts on the (100) face of cubic SiC. The Auger electron spectroscopy line shapes and peak-to-peak heights of the Si LVV and CKLL transitions indicated changes in surface stoichiometry, bonding, and short range order. Changes in the low-energy electron diffraction pattern identified changes in the symmetry of long range ordering on the surface. Heating above 1050 C depleted the surface of Si with an activation energy of 120 kcal/mol, resulting eventually in a disordered graphitic layer which was several atomic layers thick. Bombardment by Ar ions of energies greater than 1000 eV enhanced the Si to C ratio on the surface and destroyed the LEED pattern. Long range order was recovered by simultaneous heating and ion bombardment. Finally, adsorption of Cr on the Ar ion damaged surface and subsequent desorption left a reconstructed, p(2 x 1)Si enriched surface. Similar treatments with Al did not produce a surface reconstruction.

Bellina, J. J., Jr.↗

X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy and friction studies of nickel-zinc and manganese-zinc ferrites in contact with metals

X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy analysis and sliding friction experiments were conducted with hot-pressed, polycrystalline Ni-Zn and Mn-Zn ferrites in sliding contact with various transition metals at room temperature in a vacuum of 30 nPa. The results indicate that the coefficients of friction for Ni-Zn and Mn-Zn ferrites in contact with metals are related to the relative chemical activity in these metals: the more active the metal, the higher is the coefficient of friction. The coefficients of friction for the ferrites correlate with the free energy of formation of the lowest metal oxide. The interfacial bond can be regarded as a chemical bond between the metal atoms and the oxygen anions in the ferrite surfaces. The adsorption of oxygen on clean metal and ferrite surfaces increases the coefficients of friction for the Ni-Zn and Mn-Zn ferrite-metal interfaces.

Miyoshi, K.↗

Surface characterization of hydrogen charged and uncharged alpha-2 and gamma titanium aluminide alloys using AES and REELS

The surfaces of selected uncharged and hydrogen charged alpha-2 and gamma titanium aluminide alloys with Nb additions were characterized by Auger electron (AES) and reflected electron energy loss (REELS) spectroscopy. The alloy surfaces were cleaned before analysis at room temperature by ion sputtering. The low energy (500 eV) ion sputtering process preferentially sputtered the surface concentration. The surface concentrations were determined by comparing AES data from the alloys with corresponding data from elemental references. No differences were observed in the Ti or Nb Auger spectra for the uncharged and hydrogen charged alloys, even though the alpha-2 alloy had 33.4 atomic percent dissolved hydrogen. Also, no differences were observed in the AES spectra when hydrogen was adsorbed from the gas phase. Bulk plasmon energy shifts were observed in all alloys. The energy shifts were induced either by dissolved hydrogen (alpha-2 alloy) or hydrogen adsorbed from the gas phase (alpha-2 and gamma alloys). The adsorption induced plasmon energy shifts were greatest for the gamma alloy and cp-Ti metal.

Shanabarger, M. R.↗

Smectite clays in Mars soil - Evidence for their presence and role in Viking biology experimental results

Evidence for the presence of smectite clays in Martian soils is reviewed and results of experiments with certain active clays simulating the Viking biology experiments are reported. Analyses of Martian soil composition by means of X-ray fluorescence spectrometry and dust storm spectroscopy and Martian geological history strongly suggest the presence of a mixture of weathered ferro-silicate minerals, mainly nontronite and montmorillonite, accompanied by soluble sulphate salts, as major constituents. Samples of montmorillonite and nontronite incubated with (C-14)-formate or the radioactive nutrient medium solution used in the Viking Labeled Release experiment, were found to produce patterns of release of radioactive gas very similar to those observed in the Viking experiments, indicating the iron-catalyzed decomposition of formate as the reaction responsible for the Viking results. The experimental results of Hubbard (1979) simulating the results of the Viking Pyrolytic Release experiment using iron montmorillonites are pointed out, and it is concluded that many of the results of the Viking biology experiments can be explained in terms of the surface activity of smectite clays in catalysis and adsorption.

Banin, A.↗

Xplo-SA9T: Optimization of Sorbent Technology With Existing and New Amine Variants for Carbon Dioxide Removal and Humidity Control

Scrubbing of the spacesuit air stream to control humidity and regulate carbon dioxide (CO 2 ) relies on amine-loaded resins, colloquially known as sorbents. The efficacy of Rapid Cycle Amine technology relies on the propensity of nitrogens toward adsorption of CO 2 while simultaneously offering regenerative properties under vacuum or positive pressure. The commonly utilized sorbent, SA9T, was recreated and evaluated further to increase stability and serve as a benchmark comparison for newly synthesized amine sorbent technologies. Ongoing storage studies with eight different environments will allow the development of applicable storage protocols and provide insight into possible ammonia generation pathways. Attempts to alleviate the known issues with SA9T included the alteration of the primary amine (tetraethylenepentamine), the choice of resin, and the particle size distribution. In-house CO 2 breakthrough experiments were conducted using a specialized apparatus that can simulate spacesuit conditions, offering high-quality triplicate capacity analysis affording direct comparison to known adsorbents in the literature. Thermo-Desorption Gas Chromatography Mass Spectrometry studies on the synthesized materials revealed any reagent or solvent offgassing while Nuclear Magnetic Resonance spectroscopy tracked the stability of the bound amine. Scanning Electron Microscope images of sieved materials provided a more accurate size interpretation facilitating synthetic design and pressure drop elimination. All efficient sorbents were synthesized to a commercial batch scale subsequent to evaluation including Xplo-SA9T.

John R Tidwell↗

Fourier transform infrared studies of the interaction of HCl with model polar stratospheric cloud films

Heterogeneous reactions involving hydrochloric acid adsorbed on the surfaces of polar stratospheric clouds (PSCs) are postulated to contribute to polar ozone loss. Using FTIR spectroscopy to probe the condensed phase, we have examined the interaction of HCl with ice and nitric acid trihydrate (NAT) films representative of types II and I PSCs, respectively. For HCl pressures in the range of 10 exp -7 to 10 exp -5 Torr, our FTIR studies show that a small amount of crystalline HCl-6H2O formed on or in ice at 155 K. However, for higher HCl pressures, we observed that the entire film of ice rapidly converted into an amorphous 4:1 H2O:HCl mixture. From HCl-uptake experiments with P(HCl) = 8 x 10 exp -7 Torr, we estimate roughly that the diffusion coefficient of HCl in ice is around 2 x 10 exp -12 sq cm/s at 158 K. For higher temperatures more closely approximating those found in the stratosphere, we were unable to detect bulk HCl uptake by ice. Indirect evidence suggests that HCl adsorption onto the surface of model PSC films inhibited the evaporation of both ice and NAT by 3-5 K.

Koehler, Birgit G.↗

Geometry and Unoccupied Electronic States of Ba and BaO on W(001)

A study aimed at understanding the geometrical and electronic properties of barium and oxygen coadsorbed on the tungsten(001) surface has been carried out by means of work-function measurements (Delta-phi), Auger-electron spectroscopy, low-energy electron diffraction, inverse photoelectron spectroscopy, and relativistic-electronic-structure calculations. A report of the experimental measurements and a comparison with theoretical results from embedded-cluster-model calculations are presented. Our experimental studies show that the work function of the W(001) surface (phi = 4.63 eV) is lowered to approximately 2.3-2.4 eV by coadsorption of 1 ML of Ba and O regardless of the order of deposition of these two species. The technique of IPS in the isochromat mode was used to determine the unoccupied electronic-energy band structure for ordered c (2 X 2) Ba and O layers on W(001). Several spectral features are observed above the Fermi level (E(F)), which we assign to transitions into Ba and W d-states. The measured two-dimensional electronic band structure is independent of the order of Ba and O deposition. Using embedded-cluster-model calculations, we investigated two possible adsorption configurations of an ordered c(2 X 2) adlayer of Ba and O on W(001): 'tilted,' where Ba and O are placed on alternate fourfold-hollow sites, and 'upright,' where the adsorbed atoms lay above the same site with Ba outer-most. The calculated densities of states for the tilted geometry show distinct peaks above E(F) originating from Ba and W d-orbitals and are in good agreement with the experimental results.

Lamouri, A.↗

Surface chemistry, friction and wear of Ni-Zn and Mn-Zn ferrites in contact with metals

X-ray photoelectron and Auger electron spectroscopy analysis were used in sliding friction experiments. These experiments were conducted with hot-pressed polycrystalline Ni-Zn and Mn-Zn ferrites, and single-crystal Mn-Zn ferrite in contact with various transition metals at room temperature in both vacuum and argon. The results indicate that Ni2O3 and Fe3O4 were present on the Ni-Zn ferrite surface in addition to the nominal bulk constituents, while MnO2 and Fe3O4 were present on the Mn-Zn ferrite surface in addition to the nominal bulk constituents. The coefficients of friction for the ferrites in contact with metals were related to the relative chemical activity of these metals. The more active the metal, the higher is the coefficient of friction. The coefficients of friction for the ferrites were correlated with the free energy of formation of the lowest metal oxide. The interfacial bond can be regarded as a chemical bond between the metal atoms and the oxygen anions in the ferrite surfaces. The adsorption of oxygen on clean metal and ferrite does strengthen the metal-ferrite contact and increase the friction. The ferrites exhibit local cracking and fracture with sliding under adhesive conditions. All the metals transferred to he surfaces of the ferrites in sliding.

Miyoshi, K.↗

Surface chemistry, friction, and wear of Ni-Zn and Mn-Zn ferrites in contact with metals

X-ray photoelectron and Auger electron spectroscopy analysis were used in sliding friction experiments. These experiments were conducted with hot-pressed polycrystalline Ni-Zn and Mn-Zn ferrites, and single-crystal Mn-Zn ferrite in contact with various transition metals at room temperature in both vacuum and argon. The results indicate that Ni2O3 and Fe3O4 were present on the Ni-Zn ferrite surface in addition to the nominal bulk constituents, while MnO2 and Fe3O4 were present on the Mn-Zn ferrite surface in addition to the nominal bulk constituents. The coefficients of friction for the ferrites in contact with metals were related to the relative chemical activity of these metals. The more active the metal, the higher is the coefficient of friction. The coefficients of friction for the ferrites were correlated with the free energy of formation of the lowest metal oxide. The interfacial bond can be regarded as a chemical bond between the metal atoms and the oxygen anions in the ferrite surfaces. The adsorption of oxygen on clean metal and ferrite does strengthen the metal-ferrite contact and increase the friction. The ferrites exhibit local cracking and fracture with sliding under adhesive conditions. All the metals transferred to the surfaces of the ferrites in sliding. Previously announced in STAR as N83-19901

Miyoshi, K.↗

Comprehensive investigation of HgCdTe metalorganic chemical vapor deposition

The principal objective of this experimental and theoretical research program was to explore the possibility of depositing high quality epitaxial CdTe and HgCdTe at very low pressures through metalorganic chemical vapor deposition (MOCVD). We explored two important aspects of this potential process: (1) the interaction of molecular flow transport and deposition in an MOCVD reactor with a commercial configuration, and (2) the kinetics of metal alkyl source gas adsorption, decomposition and desorption from the growing film surface using ultra high vacuum surface science reaction techniques. To explore the transport-reaction issue, we have developed a reaction engineering analysis of a multiple wafer-in-tube ultrahigh vacuum chemical vapor deposition (UHV/CVD) reactor which allows an estimate of wafer or substrate throughput for a reactor of fixed geometry and a given deposition chemistry with specified film thickness uniformity constraints. The model employs a description of ballistic transport and reaction based on the pseudo-steady approximation to the Boltzmann equation in the limit of pure molecular flow. The model representation takes the form of an integral equation for the flux of each reactant or intermediate species to the wafer surfaces. Expressions for the reactive sticking coefficients (RSC) for each species must be incorporated in the term which represents reemission from a wafer surface. The interactions of MOCVD precursors with Si and CdTe were investigated using temperature programmed desorption (TPD) in ultra high vacuum combined with Auger electron spectroscopy (AES). These studies revealed that diethyltellurium (DETe) and dimethylcadmium (DMCd) adsorb weakly on clean Si(100) and desorb upon heating without decomposing. These precursors adsorb both weakly and strongly on CdTe(111)A, with DMCd exhibiting the stronger interaction with the surface than DETe.

Raupp, Gregory B.↗