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DOE OSTI2020

Effects of Intercalating Molecules on the Polymer Properties of DNA

Atomic force microscopy (AFM) enables determination of physical properties from single DNA molecules. Insertion of aromatic molecules into the structure of DNA results in morphological changes. However, the accompanying changes to elastic properties due to this insertion are not fully understood. AFM was used to examine the morphological effects of intercalator binding and report changes in the elastic properties of intrinsically straight DNA molecules. The persistence length and polymer extension were characterized in the presence of three intercalating molecules: ethidium bromide and the less well studied chloroquine and acridine. It was found that all three intercalators significantly increased the bending persistence length. In addition, an analysis of the normal bending modes of the static molecules corroborated these results. Furthermore, this approach of measuring binding effects of intercalators on DNA physical properties using a model system of intrinsically straight DNA is applicable to other DNA binding ligands and other modes of DNA interaction.

37 INORGANIC, ORGANIC, PHYSICAL, AND ANALYTICAL CH↗

DOE OSTI2016

Thin yttrium iron garnet films grown by pulsed laser deposition: Crystal structure, static, and dynamic magnetic properties

Pulsed laser deposition has been used to grow thin (10–84 nm) epitaxial layers of Yttrium Iron Garnet Y{sub 3}Fe{sub 5}O{sub 12} (YIG) on (111)–oriented Gadolinium Gallium Garnet substrates at different growth conditions. Atomic force microscopy showed flat surface morphology both on micrometer and nanometer scales. X-ray diffraction measurements revealed that the films are coherent with the substrate in the interface plane. The interplane distance in the [111] direction was found to be by 1.2% larger than expected for YIG stoichiometric pseudomorphic film indicating presence of rhombohedral distortion in this direction. Polar Kerr effect and ferromagnetic resonance measurements showed existence of additional magnetic anisotropy, which adds to the demagnetizing field to keep magnetization vector in the film plane. The origin of the magnetic anisotropy is related to the strain in YIG films observed by XRD. Magneto-optical Kerr effect measurements revealed important role of magnetization rotation during magnetization reversal. An unusual fine structure of microwave magnetic resonance spectra has been observed in the film grown at reduced (0.5 mTorr) oxygen pressure. Surface spin wave propagation has been demonstrated in the in-plane magnetized films.

75 CONDENSED MATTER PHYSICS, SUPERCONDUCTIVITY AND↗

DOE OSTI2017

Cultured human amniocytes express hTERT, which is distributed between nucleus and cytoplasm and is secreted in extracellular vesicles

Background: An increasing number of studies on stem cells suggests that the therapeutic effect they exert is primarily mediated by a paracrine regulation through extracellular vesicles (EVs) giving solid grounds for stem cell EVs to be exploited as agents for treating diseases or for restoring damaged tissues and organs. Due to their capacity to differentiate in all embryonic germ layers, amniotic fluid stem cells (AFCs), represent a highly promising cell type for tissue regeneration, which however is still poorly studied and in turn underutilized. In view of this, we conducted a first investigation on the expression of human hTERT gene − known to be among the key triggers of organ regeneration − in AFCs and in the EVs they secrete. Methods: Isolated AFCs were evaluated by RT-qPCR for hTERT expression. The clones expressing the highest levels of transcript, were analyzed by Immunofluorescence imaging and Nuclear/cytoplasmic fractionation in order to evaluate hTERT subcellular localization. We then separated EVs from FBS depleted culture medium by serial (ultra) centrifugations steps and characterized them using Western blotting, Atomic force Microscopy and Nanoplasmonic assay. Results: We first demonstrated that primary cultures of AFCs express the gene hTERT at different levels. Then we evidenced that in AFCs with the higher transcript levels, the hTERT protein is present in the nuclear and cytoplasmic compartment. Finally, we found that cytosolic hTERT is embodied in the EVs that AFCs secrete in the extracellular milieu. Conclusions: Our study demonstrates for the first time the expression of the full protein hTERT by AFCs and its release outside the cell mediated by EVs, indicating a new extra telomeric role for this protein. This finding represents an initial but crucial evidence for considering AFCs derived EVs as new potential sources for tissue regeneration. - Highlights: • Primary cultures of AFCs express the gene hTERT at different levels. • hTERT protein is present in the nuclear and cytoplasmic compartment of AFCs. • Cytosolic hTERT is embodied in AFCs secreted extracellular vesicles. • Those findings indicate a new potential extra telomeric role for hTERT. • AFCs derived EVs might represent a useful tool for regenerative medicine.

60 APPLIED LIFE SCIENCES↗

DOE OSTI2016

Calibration of higher eigenmodes of cantilevers

A method is presented for calibrating the higher eigenmodes (resonant modes) of atomic force microscopy cantilevers that can be performed prior to any tip-sample interaction. The method leverages recent efforts in accurately calibrating the first eigenmode by providing the higher-mode stiffness as a ratio to the first mode stiffness. A one-time calibration routine must be performed for every cantilever type to determine a power-law relationship between stiffness and frequency, which is then stored for future use on similar cantilevers. Then, future calibrations only require a measurement of the ratio of resonant frequencies and the stiffness of the first mode. This method is verified through stiffness measurements using three independent approaches: interferometric measurement, AC approach-curve calibration, and finite element analysis simulation. Power-law values for calibrating higher-mode stiffnesses are reported for several cantilever models. Once the higher-mode stiffnesses are known, the amplitude of each mode can also be calibrated from the thermal spectrum by application of the equipartition theorem.

46 INSTRUMENTATION RELATED TO NUCLEAR SCIENCE AND ↗

DOE OSTI2016

Adsorption, desorption, and film formation of quinacridone and its thermal cracking product indigo on clean and carbon-covered silicon dioxide surfaces

The evaporation of quinacridone from a stainless steel Knudsen cell leads to the partial decomposition of this molecule in the cell, due to its comparably high sublimation temperature. At least one additional type of molecules, namely indigo, could be detected in the effusion flux. Thermal desorption spectroscopy and atomic force microscopy have been used to study the co-deposition of these molecules on sputter-cleaned and carbon-covered silicon dioxide surfaces. Desorption of indigo appears at temperatures of about 400 K, while quinacridone desorbs at around 510 K. For quinacridone, a desorption energy of 2.1 eV and a frequency factor for desorption of 1 × 10{sup 19} s{sup −1} were calculated, which in this magnitude is typical for large organic molecules. A fraction of the adsorbed quinacridone molecules (∼5%) decomposes during heating, nearly independent of the adsorbed amount, resulting in a surface composed of small carbon islands. The sticking coefficients of indigo and quinacridone were found to be close to unity on a carbon covered SiO{sub 2} surface but significantly smaller on a sputter-cleaned substrate. The reason for the latter can be attributed to insufficient energy dissipation for unfavorably oriented impinging molecules. However, due to adsorption via a hot-precursor state, the sticking probability is increased on the surface covered with carbon islands, which act as accommodation centers.

37 INORGANIC, ORGANIC, PHYSICAL, AND ANALYTICAL CH↗

DOE OSTI2015

Surface plasmon resonance in nanostructured Ag incorporated ZnS films

Silver incorporated zinc sulfide thin films are prepared by RF magnetron sputtering technique and the influence of silver incorporation on the structural, optical and luminescence properties is analyzed using techniques like grazing incidence X-Ray diffraction (GIXRD), atomic force microscopy (AFM), field emission scanning electron microscopy (FESEM), energy dispersive X-ray spectroscopy (EDS), micro-Raman spectroscopy, UV-Vis spectroscopy and laser photoluminescence spectroscopy. XRD analysis presents hexagonal wurtzite structure for the films. A reduction of crystallinity of the films is observed due to Ag incorporation. The Raman spectral analysis confirms the reduction of crystallinity and increase of strain due to the Ag incorporation. AFM analysis reveals a rough surface morphology for the undoped film and Ag incorporation makes the films uniform, dense and smooth. A blue shift of band gap energy with increase in Ag incorporation is observed due to quantum confinement effect. An absorption band (450-650 nm region) due to surface plasmon resonance of the Ag clusters present in the ZnS matrix is observed for the samples with higher Ag incorporation. The complex dielectric constant, loss factor and distribution of volume and surface energy loss of the ZnS thin films are calculated. Laser photoluminescence measurements gives an intense bluish green emission from the ZnS films and a quenching of the PL emission is observed which can be due to the metal plasmonic absorption and non-radiative energy transfer due to Ag incorporation.

36 MATERIALS SCIENCE↗

DOE OSTI2018

Biophysical characteristics of hematopoietic cells during division

Cell division is managed by a complex and coordinated sequence of cytoskeleton alterations that give rise to major morphological changes. During dividing the cleavage furrow of the cell is significantly stiffened due to the accumulation of actomyosin. However, it is unclear whether the stiffness on top of the cell is changed or not. Here, we used atomic force microscopy to measure stiffness on this location of non-adhesion Jurkat T cell and its derivative D1.1 cell from interphase to cytokinesis. The results showed that during division the cell stiffness significantly increases at anaphase and telophase. These increases in cell stiffness are most likely due to the cell surface tension created by the pulling forces of the microtubules to separate sister chromatids in the anaphase and the contraction forces of the contractile ring to separate the mother cell into daughters in the telophase. The dynamic measurement of cell elasticity during cell division may be used as a tool to gain further insight into the involved molecules and mechanisms.

60 APPLIED LIFE SCIENCES↗

DOE OSTI2020

Nanomechanical sampling of material for nanoscale mass spectrometry chemical analysis

The ability to spatially resolve the chemical distribution of compounds on a surface is important in many applications ranging from biological to material science. To this extent, we have recently introduced a hybrid atomic force microscopy (AFM)-mass spectrometry (MS) system for direct thermal desorption and pyrolysis of material with nanoscale chemical resolution. However, spatially resolved direct surface heating using local thermal desorption becomes challenging on material surfaces with low melting points, because the material will undergo a melting phase transition due to heat dissipation prior to onset of thermal desorption. Therefore, here we developed an approach using mechanical sampling and collection of surface materials on an AFM cantilever probe tip for real-time analysis directly from the AFM tip. This approach allows for material to be concentrated directly onto the probe for subsequent MS analysis. We evaluate the performance metrics of the technique and demonstrate localized MS sampling from a candelilla wax matrix containing UV stabilizers avobenzone and oxinoxate from areas down to 250 nm × 250 nm. Overall, this approach removes heat dissipation into the bulk material allowing for a faster desorption and concentration of the gas phase analyte from a single heating pulse enabling higher signal levels from a given amount of material in a single sampling spot.

37 INORGANIC, ORGANIC, PHYSICAL, AND ANALYTICAL CH↗

DOE OSTI2020

Direct nanoscale mapping of open circuit voltages at local back surface fields for PERC solar cells

The open circuit voltage (V OC) is a critical and common indicator of solar cell performance as well as degradation, for panel down to lab-scale photovoltaics. Detecting V OC at the nanoscale is much more challenging, however, due to experimental limitations on spatial resolution, voltage resolution, and/or measurement times. Accordingly, in this work an approach based on Conductive Atomic Force Microscopy is implemented to directly detect the local V OC , notably for monocrystalline Passivated Emitter Rear Contact (PERC) cells which are the most common industrial-scale solar panel technology in production worldwide. This is demonstrated with cross-sectioned monocrystalline PERC cells around the entire circumference of a poly-Aluminum-Silicide via through the rear emitter. The V OC maps reveal a local Back Surface Field extending ~2 μm into the underlying p-type Si absorber due to Al in-diffusion as designed. Such high spatial resolution methods for photovoltaic performance mapping are especially promising for directly visualizing the effects of processing parameters, as well as identifying signatures of degradation for silicon and other solar cell technologies.

14 SOLAR ENERGY↗

DOE OSTI2018

Tuning of Magnetic and Optical Properties of Co{sub 0.8}Zn{sub 0.2}Fe{sub 2}O{sub 4} Spinel Ferrite Thin Films Based on Post Annealing Temperature

This paper is dedicated to deposit zinc substituted cobalt ferrite (Co{sub 0.8}Zn{sub 0.2}Fe{sub 2}O{sub 4}) thin films on glass substrate using electron beam deposition technique. The effect of post annealing temperature on structural, magnetic, and optical properties of thin films has been investigated. Thin films have been characterized using x-ray diffraction (XRD), Raman spectroscopy, atomic force microscopy (AFM), vibrating sample magnetometer (VSM), UV-VIS spectroscopy, and spectroscopic ellipsometry (SE) analysis. The as-deposited thin films are amorphous in nature. After deposition, these thin films post annealed at different temperature ranges from 200 to 500 {sup ∘}C to enhance the crystallinity of films. The film post annealed at 200 {sup ∘}C is also amorphous in nature. As the post annealing temperature increases, the thin films become more crystalline. X-ray diffractometer and Raman analysis confirm the formation of cubical inverse spinel structure of thin films. The saturation magnetization of the thin films decreases with the annealing temperature due to the sites occupancy of cations between tetrahedral and octahedral. The reduction in coercivity is correlated with the anisotropy constant, but the anisotropy value is still high which is suitable to form stable magnetic storage memories. The band gap energy are decreased which is mainly attributed due to increase in grain size of the film. It is noted that the band gap energy of these thin films are higher than that of bulk material, so these may be suggested for use in wide band gap applications.

75 CONDENSED MATTER PHYSICS, SUPERCONDUCTIVITY AND↗

DOE OSTI2018

In Situ Measurement of the Plane-Strain Modulus of the Solid Electrolyte Interphase on Lithium-Metal Anodes in Ionic Liquid Electrolytes

In this paper, we present an experimental approach for in situ measurement of elastic modulus of the solid electrolyte interphase (SEI), which is formed from reactions between a lithium thin-film [on a polydimethylsiloxane (PDMS) substrate] and a room-temperature ionic liquid (RTIL) electrolyte. The SEI forms under a state of compressive stress, which causes buckling of the sample surface. In situ atomic force microscopy is used to measure the dominant wavelength of the wrinkled surface topography. A mechanics analysis of strain-induced elastic buckling instability of a stiff thin film on a soft substrate is used to determine the plane strain modulus of the SEI from the measured wavelength. The measurements are performed for three RTIL electrolytes: 1-butyl 1-methylpiperidinium bis(trifluoromethylsulfonyl)imide (P 14 TFSI) without any lithium salt, 1.0 M lithium bis(trifluoromethylsulfonyl)imide (Li TFSI) in P 14 TFSI, and 1.0 M lithium bis(fluorosulfonyl)imide (Li FSI) in P 14 TFSI to investigate the influence of lithium salts on the plane strain modulus of the SEI. The measurements yield plane-strain moduli of approximately 1.3 GPa for no-salt P 14 TFSI and approximately 1.6 GPa for 1.0 M Li TFSI in P 14 TFSI and 1.0 M Li FSI in P 14 TFSI. Finally, the experimental technique presented here eliminates some of the uncertainties associated with traditional SEI mechanical characterization approaches and offers a platform to engineer an SEI with desired mechanical properties by approaches that include altering the electrolyte composition.

37 INORGANIC, ORGANIC, PHYSICAL, AND ANALYTICAL CH↗

DOE OSTI2015

Magnetic behavioural change of silane exposed graphene nanoflakes

The electronic structures and magnetic properties of graphene nanoflakes (GNFs) exposed to an organo-silane precursor [tetra-methyl-silane, Si(CH{sub 3}){sub 4}] were studied using atomic force microscopy, electron field emission (EFE), x-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS), and magnetization. The result of XPS indicates that silyl radical based strong covalent bonds were formed in GNFs, which induced local structural relaxations and enhanced sp{sup 3} hybridization. The EFE measurements show an increase in the turn-on electric field from 9.8 V/μm for pure GNFs to 26.3 V/μm for GNFs:Si having highest Si/(Si + C) ratio ( ≅ 0.35) that also suggests an enhancement of the non-metallic sp{sup 3} bonding in the GNFs matrix. Magnetic studies show that the saturation magnetization (Ms) is decreased from 172.53 × 10{sup −6} emu/g for pure GNFs to 13.00 × 10{sup −6} emu/g for GNFs:Si with the highest Si/(Si + C) ratio 0.35, but on the other side, the coercivity (Hc) increases from 66 to 149 Oe due to conversion of sp{sup 2} → sp{sup 3}-hybridization along with the formation of SiC and Si-O bonding in GNFs. The decrease in saturation magnetization and increase in coercivity (Hc) in GNFs on Si-functionalization are another routes to tailor the magnetic properties of graphene materials for magnetic device applications.

36 MATERIALS SCIENCE↗

DOE OSTI2016

Structure and physicochemical properties of thin film photosemiconductor cells based on porphine derivatives

Photosemiconductor thin films based on two organic porphine derivatives have been investigated. These compounds have different pendent groups; the film morphology, along with the specific fabrication technique, is determined to a great extent by these groups. The films have been fabricated by vacuum sputtering and using the Langmuir−Schaefer method. According to the atomic force microscopy (AFM) data, the Langmuir−Schaefer films are more homogeneous than the sputtered ones. It is shown that the sputtered films based on substituted porphine have a looser stacking than the initial analog. A spectroscopy study revealed a bathochromic shift of the Soret band in the Langmuir−Schaefer films–sputtered films series. This shift is explained by the increase in the concentration and size of molecular aggregates in sputtered films. It is shown that a polycrystalline C{sub 60} fullerene film deposited onto an amorphous substituted porphine layer improves the photoelectric characteristics of the latter. Both the time stability of the photodiode structure and its ampere‒watt sensitivity increase (by a factor of 10 in the transition regime). The steady-state current does not change. The effect of polarity reversal of the photovoltaic signal is observed in a planar C{sub 60}‒substituted metalloporphine heterostructure, which is similar to the pyroelectric effect. The polarity reversal can be explained by the contribution of the trap charge and discharge current at the interface between the amorphous photosemiconductor and crystalline photosemiconductor to the resulting photoelectric current.

75 CONDENSED MATTER PHYSICS, SUPERCONDUCTIVITY AND↗

DOE OSTI2020

Machine learning-based multidomain processing for texture-based image segmentation and analysis

Atomic and molecular resolved atomic force microscopy (AFM) images offer unique insights into materials' properties such as local ordering, molecular orientation, and topological defects, which can be used to pinpoint physical and chemical interactions occurring at the surface. Utilizing machine learning for extracting underlying physical parameters increases the throughput of AFM data processing and eliminates inconsistencies intrinsic to manual image analysis, thus enabling the creation of reliable frameworks for qualitative and quantitative evaluation of experimental data. Here, we present a robust and scalable approach to the segmentation of AFM images based on flexible pre-selected classification criteria. The usage of supervised learning and feature extraction allows us to retain the consideration of specific problem-dependent features (such as types of periodical structures observed in the images and the associated numerical parameters: spacing, orientation, etc.). We highlight the applicability of this approach for the segmentation of molecular resolved AFM images based on the crystal orientation of the observed domains, automated selection of boundaries, and collection of relevant statistics. Finally, we outline a general strategy for machine learning-enabled analysis of nanoscale systems exhibiting periodic order that could be applied to any analytical imaging technique

36 MATERIALS SCIENCE↗

DOE OSTI2025

Predictive numerical modeling of plasma-induced surface roughness and wettability evolution in LM-PAEK/CF tape

Plasma surface modification effectively enhances adhesion in thermoplastic composites, yet its impacts on high-performance polymers like low-melting polyaryletherketone (LM-PAEK) remain inadequately quantified. Here, this study integrates experimental analysis and numerical modeling to characterize surface roughness and wettability changes in LM-PAEK/carbon fiber composites treated with atmospheric plasma. Atomic Force Microscopy quantified surface topography (n = 10 per condition for contact angles), while static contact-angle assessments measured wettability. Roughness rapidly increased from ∼0.2 nm to 1.6 nm, and contact angle reduced from ∼90° to 24°, both stabilizing after 25–30 s of exposure. A semi-empirical, physics-informed framework was calibrated to these data, coupling surface chemistry via the Owens–Wendt decomposition with topography via the Wenzel roughness factor, and evaluated using out-of-sample (cross-validated) tests, while static contact angle assessments measured wettability. Numerical predictions matched experimental results closely (RMSE <5%, R 2 > 0.95). Incorporating material-specific parameters, the calibrated model supports plasma-treatment optimization and provides quantitative guidance for improving interfacial adhesion in thermoplastic composite manufacturing.

Atomic Force Microscopy↗

DOE OSTI2015

Effect of the annealing temperature and ion-beam bombardment on the properties of solution-derived HfYGaO films as liquid crystal alignment layers

Hafnium yttrium gallium oxide (HfYGaO) films were applied to liquid crystal displays (LCDs) as liquid crystal (LC) alignment layers, replacing conventional polyimide (PI) layers. The HfYGaO alignment layers were prepared by fabricating solution-processed HfYGaO films, annealing them, and treating them with ion-beam (IB) irradiation. The authors studied the effects of annealing temperature and IB irradiation of the solution-derived HfYGaO films on the orientation of LC molecules. The LC molecules on the solution-derived HfYGaO films were homogeneously and uniformly aligned by IB irradiation, irrespective of the annealing temperature. Atomic force microscopy analyses revealed that the surface reformation of the HfYGaO films induced by IB irradiation strengthened the van der Waals force between the LC molecules and the HfYGaO films, leading to uniform LC alignment. Enhanced electro-optical characteristics were observed in the twisted-nematic (TN) LCDs based on IB-irradiated HfYGaO films compared with those of TN-LCDs based on PI layers, demonstrating the high application potential of the proposed solution-derived HfYGaO films as LC alignment layers.

42 ENGINEERING↗

DOE OSTI2019

The Effect of Crystallographic Orientation and Nanoscale Surface Morphology on Poly -Si/SiO x Contacts for Silicon Solar Cells

High-efficiency crystalline silicon (Si) solar cells require textured surfaces for efficient light trapping. However, passivation of a textured surface to reduce carrier recombination is difficult. Here, we related the electrical properties of cells fabricated on a KOH-etched, random pyramidal textured Si surface to nanostructure of the passivated contact and the textured surface morphology. The effects of both microscopic pyramidal morphology and nanoscale surface roughness on passivated contacts consisting of a polycrystalline Si (poly-Si) deposited on top of an ultrathin, 1.5-2.2 nm, SiO x layer is investigated. Using atomic force microscopy we show a pyramid face, which is predominantly a Si(111) plane to be significantly rougher than a polished Si(111) surface. This roughness results in a nonuniform SiOx layer as determined by transmission electron microscopy (TEM) of a poly-Si/SiO x contact. Our device measurements also show an overall more resistive, and hence thicker SiO x layer over the pyramidal surface as compared to a polished Si(111) surface, which we relate to increased roughness. Using electron-beam-induced current measurements of poly-Si/SiO x contacts we further show that the SiO x layer near the pyramid valleys is preferentially more conducting, and hence likely thinner than over pyramid tips, edges and faces. Hence, both the microscopic pyramidal morphology and nanoscale roughness lead to nonuniform SiO x layer, thus leading to poor poly-Si/SiO x contact passivation. Finally, we report >21% efficient and =80% fill factor front/back poly-Si/SiO x solar cells on both single-side and double-side textured wafers without the use of transparent conductive oxide layers and show that the poorer contact passivation on a textured surface is limited to boron-doped poly-Si/SiO x contacts.

14 SOLAR ENERGY↗

DOE OSTI2016

Fabrication of electrocatalytic Ta nanoparticles by reactive sputtering and ion soft landing

About 40 years ago, it was shown that tungsten carbide exhibits similar catalytic behavior to Pt for certain commercially relevant reactions, thereby suggesting the possibility of cheaper and earth-abundant substitutes for costly and rare precious metal catalysts. In this work, reactive magnetron sputtering of Ta in the presence of three model hydrocarbons (2-butanol, heptane, and m-xylene) combined with gas aggregation and ion soft landing was employed to prepare organic-inorganic hybrid nanoparticles (NPs) on surfaces for evaluation of catalytic activity and durability. The electro-catalytic behavior of the NPs supported on glassy carbon was evaluated in acidic aqueous solution by cyclic voltammetry. The Ta-heptane and Ta-xylene NPs were revealed to be active and robust toward promotion of the oxygen reduction reaction, an important process occurring at the cathode in fuel cells. In comparison, pure Ta and Ta-butanol NPs were essentially unreactive. Characterization techniques including atomic force microscopy (AFM), X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS), and transmission electron microscopy (TEM) were applied to probe how different sputtering conditions such as the flow rates of gases, sputtering current, and aggregation length affect the properties of the NPs. AFM images reveal the focused size of the NPs as well as their preferential binding along the step edges of graphite surfaces. In comparison, TEM images of the same NPs on carbon grids show that they bind randomly to the surface with some agglomeration but little coalescence. The TEM images also reveal morphologies with crystalline cores surrounded by amorphous regions for NPs formed in the presence of 2-butanol and heptane. In contrast, NPs formed in the presence of m-xylene are amorphous throughout. XPS spectra indicate that while the percentage of Ta, C, and O in the NPs varies depending on the sputtering conditions and hydrocarbon employed, the electron binding energies of the elements are similar for all of the NPs. Here, the difference in reactivity between the NPs is attributed to their Ta/C ratios. Collectively, the findings presented herein indicate that reactive magnetron sputtering and gas aggregation combined with ion soft landing offer a promising physical approach for the synthesis of organic-inorganic hybrid NPs that have potential as low-cost durable substitutes for precious metals in catalysis

37 INORGANIC, ORGANIC, PHYSICAL, AND ANALYTICAL CH↗