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TEM Observations (tem + observation)
Selected AbstractsPbS crystals with clover-like structure: Preparation, characterization, optical properties and influencing factorsCRYSTAL RESEARCH AND TECHNOLOGY, Issue 3 2004Yonghong Ni Abstract A new and simple route to synthesize Lead sulfide (PbS) crystals with the clover-like structure was described in the current paper. PbS was prepared in a simple aqueous solution employing (CH3COO)2Pb and thiourea as the initial materials under 130 W microwave irradiation. No any surfactant or template including organic polyamines with N-chelation property was needed. The phase and composition of the product were identified by X-ray powder diffraction (XRD) and X-ray photoelectron spectra (XPS). TEM observation showed that the product with the six-petal flower-shaped structures was obtained, but SEM observation confirmed the clover-like structure of the product; and the six-petal flowers were formed via the overlap of two clovers revolved 60° around the center of the flower. Some factors affected the shape of the final product were studied and the optical properties of PbS crystals with the clover-like structure were measured. (© 2004 WILEY-VCH Verlag GmbH & Co. KGaA, Weinheim) [source] The influence of in situ modification of silica on filler network and dynamic mechanical properties of silica-filled solution styrene,butadiene rubberJOURNAL OF APPLIED POLYMER SCIENCE, Issue 1 2008You-Ping Wu Abstract The influence of in situ modification of silica with bis-(3-(triethoxysilyl)-propyl)-tetrasulfide (TESPT) on filler network in silica filled solution SBR compound was investigated. In situ modification greatly increased the bound rubber content. TEM observation of silica gel showed that bridging and interlocking of absorbed chains on the surface of silica particles formed the filler network. Rubber processing analyzer (RPA) was used to characterize the filler network and interaction between silica and rubber by strain and temperature sweeps. In situ modification improved the dispersion of silica, and in the meantime, the chemical bonds were formed between silica and rubber, which conferred the stability of silica dispersion during the processing. Compared to the compound without in situ modification, the compound with in situ modification of silica exhibited higher tan , at low strains and lower tan , at high strains, which can be explained in terms of filler network in the compounds. After in situ modification, DMTA results showed silica-filled SSBR vulcanizate exhibited higher tan , in the temperature range of ,30 to 10°C, and RPA results showed that it had lower tan , at 60°C when the strain was more than 3%. © 2007 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Appl Polym Sci, 2008 [source] Combining Ar ion milling with FIB lift-out techniques to prepare high quality site-specific TEM samplesJOURNAL OF MICROSCOPY, Issue 3 2004Z. HUANG Summary Focused ion beam (FIB) techniques can prepare site-specific transmission electron microscopy (TEM) cross-section samples very quickly but they suffer from beam damage by the high energy Ga+ ion beam. An amorphous layer about 20,30 nm thick on each side of the TEM lamella and the supporting carbon film makes FIB-prepared samples inferior to the traditional Ar+ thinned samples for some investigations such as high resolution transmission electron microscopy (HRTEM) and electron energy loss spectroscopy (EELS). We have developed techniques to combine broad argon ion milling with focused ion beam lift-out methods to prepare high-quality site-specific TEM cross-section samples. Site-specific TEM cross-sections were prepared by FIB and lifted out using a Narishige micromanipulator onto a half copper-grid coated with carbon film. Pt deposition by FIB was used to bond the lamellae to the Cu grid, then the coating carbon film was removed and the sample on the bare Cu grid was polished by the usual broad beam Ar+ milling. By doing so, the thickness of the surface amorphous layers is reduced substantially and the sample quality for TEM observation is as good as the traditional Ar+ milled samples. [source] Microstructure and Creep Behavior of a Si3N4,SiC MicronanocompositeJOURNAL OF THE AMERICAN CERAMIC SOCIETY, Issue 2 2009Monika Ka, iarová The microstructure and its influence on the creep behaviour of carbon derived Si3N4 -SiC micro/nanocomposite tested in bending at temperatures from 1200° to 1400°C in air has been studied. No phase and microstructure change after creep test implied that material is stable at tested temperature range. After creep test only partial crystallization of glassy intergranular phase has been observed. Creep parameters n close to 1, apparent activation energy around 350 kJ/mol together with TEM observation indicated that the main creep mechanisms is solution precipitation controlled by interface reaction in combination with grain boundary sliding caused by the amorphous intergranular phases present in microstructure. However, the grain boundary sliding is hindered by local SiC particles interlocking neighboring Si3N4 grains. [source] Translucent ,-Sialon Ceramics by Hot PressingJOURNAL OF THE AMERICAN CERAMIC SOCIETY, Issue 4 2004Xinlu Su The single-phase ,-sialon ceramics with high optical transmittance have been prepared by hot pressing. The maximum transmittance reached 65.2% and 52.2% in the infrared wavelength region, 58.5% and 40% in the visible region for the samples 1.0 and 1.5 mm thickness, respectively. The material also exhibited good mechanical properties of high hardness (20 GPa) and better fracture toughness (5.1 MPa·m1/2). Both high optical transmittance and improved toughness of ,-sialon ceramics were attributed to the less-grain-boundary glassy phase and the homogeneous microstructure, which was obtained by a proper process and confirmed by SEM and TEM observation, compared to that prepared by ordinary sintering. It is, therefore, expected that the translucent ,-sialon ceramics could be a promising optical window material. [source] Hydrothermal Synthesis and Formation Mechanisms of Lanthanum Tin Pyrochlore OxideJOURNAL OF THE AMERICAN CERAMIC SOCIETY, Issue 11 2001Jooho Moon Well-defined La2Sn2O7 with a phase-pure pyrochlore structure was produced by hydrothermal synthesis at temperatures as low as 200°C. Production of phase-pure La2Sn2O7 requires a pH above 10, and higher pH accelerates the crystallization process. The synthesis produced spherical particles of average particle size ,0.59 ,m (±0.12) and surface area ,14.1 m2/g. SEM and TEM observation for morphologic evolution and kinetic analysis during crystallization indicated that La2Sn2O7 formation probably proceeds via a two-step reaction. First a transient dissolution,precipitation occurs. Then the primary crystallites aggregate because of their colloidal instability, and heterocoagulation with the lanthanum hydrous oxide precursor particles also occurs. The sluggish reaction rate at the later stage of reaction is characterized by an insitu transformation, where the soluble tin species is diffused through the porous La2Sn2O7 aggregates to react with entrapped lanthanum precursors. [source] Effect of Interfacial Reaction on the Thermal Conductivity of Al,SiC Composites with SiC DispersionsJOURNAL OF THE AMERICAN CERAMIC SOCIETY, Issue 4 2001Chihiro Kawai The effect of interfacial reactions between Al and SiC on the thermal conductivity of SiC-particle-dispersed Al-matrix composites was investigated by X-ray diffraction and transmission electron microscopy (TEM), and the thermal barrier conductance (hc) of the interface in the Al,SiC composites was quantified using a rule of mixture regarding thermal conductivity. Al,SiC composites with a composition of Al (pure Al or Al,11 vol% Si alloy),66.3 vol% SiC and a variety of SiC particle sizes were used as specimens. The addition of Si to an Al matrix increased the thermal barrier conductance although it decreased overall thermal conductivity. X-ray diffraction showed the formation of Al4C3 and Si as byproducts in addition to Al and SiC in some specimens. TEM observation indicated that whiskerlike products, possibly Al4C3, were formed at the interface between the SiC particles and the Al matrix. The thermal barrier conductance and the thermal conductivity of the Al,SiC composites decreased with increasing Al4C3 content. The role of Si addition to an Al matrix was concluded to be restraining an excessive progress of the interfacial reaction between Al and SiC. [source] Sintering Characteristics in the BaTiO3,Nb2O5,Co3O4 Ternary System: II, Stability of So-called "Core,Shell" StructureJOURNAL OF THE AMERICAN CERAMIC SOCIETY, Issue 1 2000Hirokazu Chazono The sintering characteristics and the reaction of additives with BaTiO3 (BT) were examined for two materials having Nb-rich composition (Comp.N) and Co-rich composition (Comp.C) to elucidate the relation between the stability of the core,shell microstructure and the Nb/Co ratio in the BT,Nb2O5,Co3O4 system. TEM observation revealed that the concentration gradient of Nb and Co existed in the shell region although Nb and Co macroscopically distributed homogeneously. X-ray diffraction analysis showed that the shell formation preceded the densification and completed at about 1280°C for both Comp.N and Comp.C as determined from differential scanning calorimetry. A diffusion couple experiment disclosed that Co had a larger diffusivity than Nb and that the diffusion of Co was suppressed when the sample was codoped with a sufficient amount of Nb. On the basis of these experimental results, new mechanisms of the formation and collapse of core,shell structure in the BT,Nb2O5,Co3O4 system were proposed. [source] Preparation and properties of ionically cross-linked chitosan nanoparticlesPOLYMERS FOR ADVANCED TECHNOLOGIES, Issue 7 2009Hui Liu Abstract Chitosan nanoparticles were fabricated by a method of tripolyphosphate (TPP) cross-linking. The influence of fabrication conditions on the physical properties and drug loading and release properties was investigated by transmission electron microscopy (TEM), dynamic light scattering (DLS), and UV,vis spectroscopy. The nanoparticles could be prepared only within a zone of appropriate chitosan and TPP concentrations. The particle size and surface zeta potential can be manipulated by variation of the fabrication conditions such as chitosan/TPP ratio and concentration, solution pH and salt addition. TEM observation revealed a core,shell structure for the as-prepared nanoparticles, but a filled structure for the ciprofloxacin (CH) loaded particles. Results show that the chitosan nanoparticles were rather stable and no cytotoxicity of the chitosan nanoparticles was found in an in vitro cell culture experiment. Loading and release of CH can be modulated by the environmental factors such as solution pH and medium quality. Copyright © 2008 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd. [source] Preparation of LLDPE/MgAl-LDH Exfoliation Nanocomposites with Enhanced Thermal Properties by Melt IntercalationCHINESE JOURNAL OF CHEMISTRY, Issue 10 2006Long-Chao Du Abstract The interlayer surface of MgAl layered double hydroxide (MgAl-LDH) was modified by exchanging about half of the interlayer nitrate anions by dodecyl sulfate anions (DS) to get MgAl(H-DS) LDH, and then the MgAl(H-DS) was melt intercalated by LLDPE to get the LLDPE/MgAl-LDH exfoliation nanocomposites. The samples were characterized by Fourier transform infrared (FTIR) spectroscopy, X-ray diffraction (XRD), ion chromatography, transmission electron microscopy (TEM), and thermogravimetry analysis (TGA). The nanoscale dispersion of MgAl-LDH layers in the LLDPE matrix was verified by the disappearance of (00l) XRD reflection of the modified MgAl-LDH and by the TEM observation. The TGA profiles of LLDPE/MgAl-LDH nanocomposites show a faster charring process between 210 and 370 °C and a higher thermal stability above 370 °C than LLDPE. The decomposition temperature of the nanocomposites with 10 wt% MgAl(H-DS) can be 42 °C higher than that of LLDPE at 40% weight loss. [source] Synthesis and tribological properties of laminated Ti3SiC2 crystalsCRYSTAL RESEARCH AND TECHNOLOGY, Issue 8 2010Qiong Wu Abstract Laminated Ti3SiC2 crystals are prepared of Ti, Si, C and Al powders by the method of hot isostatic pressing with NaCl additive in argon at 1350 °C. The laminated morphology of Ti3SiC2 is presented through the SEM and TEM observations. The results of high resolution transmission electron microscope (HRTEM) and selected area electron diffraction (SAED) patterns combined, it can be seen that the layers are of Ti3SiC2 crystals. The growth mechanism of Ti3SiC2 crystals, controlled by two-dimensional nucleation, is also explained. The tribological properties of Ti3SiC2 crystals as additives in HVI500 base oil are investigated by a UMT-2 ball-on-plate friction and wear tester. The study shows that under determinate conditions, the friction coefficient of the base oil containing Ti3SiC2 crystals is lower than that of pure base oil, and it decreases with the increase of mass percent of Ti3SiC2 nanolayers when its proportion is lower than 5wt. %. (© 2010 WILEY-VCH Verlag GmbH & Co. KGaA, Weinheim) [source] Surfactant-Assisted Preparation of Novel Layered Silver Bromide-Based Inorganic/Organic Nanosheets by Pulsed Laser Ablation in Aqueous Media,ADVANCED FUNCTIONAL MATERIALS, Issue 17 2007C. He Abstract A novel layered AgBr-based inorganic/organic nanocomposite was prepared by pulsed laser ablation (PLA) of Ag in aqueous media in the presence of cetyltrimethylammonium bromide (CTAB), and the formation mechanism of two-dimensional nanosheet was discussed. TEM observations indicate that the obtained AgBr-based inorganic/organic nanocomposite possesses a well-defined two-dimensional shape and that the size of the nanosheet can be changed with the surfactant concentration in the solution. X-ray diffraction (XRD) pattern was composed of a series of peaks that could be indexed to (00l) reflections of a layered structure, and the basal spacing of 20.0,Å indicated that the surfactant was included between the AgBr interlayers in an interdigitated bilayer arrangement. In contrast, a layered inorganic/organic nanocomposite cannot be formed at a CTAB concentration lower than the critical micelle concentration (CMC). Based on our detailed investigation, we proposed the nanocomposite formation process, that is, that negatively charged inorganic AgBr was produced by a strong reaction between the ablated Ag species and the bromide ions, which are concurrently assembling with cationic surfactant molecules controlled by the charge-matching mechanism. [source] Influence of intracoronal bleaching agents on the ultimate strength and ultrastructure morphology of dentineINTERNATIONAL ENDODONTIC JOURNAL, Issue 7 2009V. Cavalli Abstract Objective, To evaluate the effects of intracoronal bleaching on ultimate tensile strength (UTS) of sound and etched dentine and its ultrastructure morphology. Methodology, Bovine dentine specimens with (e) or without previous etching with 37% phosphoric acid for 15 s were used for the intracoronal bleaching experiments. Teeth were randomly assigned to five treatments (n = 10): (C) control , no bleaching, (SP) sodium perborate, (CP) 35% carbamide peroxide, (25% HP) 25% hydrogen peroxide and (35% HP) 35% hydrogen peroxide. Bleaching was performed four times within a 72 h interval and afterwards, dentine pulp chamber blocks were obtained. The blocks were sectioned in 0.7 mm-thick slices and these were trimmed to reduce the inner dentine to a dumbbell shape with a cross-sectional area of 0.8 mm2. Specimens were tested with the microtensile method (0.5 mm min,1) and data were analysed (two-way anova -Tukey test, P < 0.05). Additional teeth were prepared for transmission electron microscopy (TEM) to evaluate dentine ultramorphology. Results, The mean values of the UTS (SD) in MPa for sound dentine were: C = 48.3(8.5)a, SP = 34.6 (8.2)b, CP = 32.9 (8.9)b, 25% HP = 28.0(4.6)b, 35% HP = 26.4(6.6)b, and pre-etched dentine: Ce = 38.9(13.8)a, SPe = 31.3 (9.3)ab, CPe = 28.4 (6.2)ab, 25% HPe = 30.0 (7.9)ab, 35% HPe = 19.9(4.6)b. Significant differences between the means are indicated by the letters. TEM observations exhibited demineralization areas for all bleaching treatments. Conclusion, Bleaching decreased dentine UTS after treatment. Pre-etched not-bleached dentine (Ce) presented UTS similar to pre-etched bleached dentine, except for 35% HPe. The decrease of UTS of bleached dentine could be attributed to ultrastructural alterations such as loss of inorganic components. [source] Developmental strategy of the endoparasite Xenos vesparum (strepsiptera, Insecta): Host invasion and elusion of its defense reactionsJOURNAL OF MORPHOLOGY, Issue 7 2007Fabio Manfredini Abstract To successfully complete its endoparasitic development, the strepsipteran Xenos vesparum needs to elude the defense mechanisms of its host, the wasp Polistes dominulus. SEM and TEM observations after artificial infections allow us to outline the steps of this intimate host,parasite association. Triungulins, the mobile 1st instar larvae of this parasite, are able to "softly" overcome structural barriers of the larval wasp (cuticle and epidermis) without any traumatic reaction at the entry site, to reach the hemocoel where they settle. The parasite molts 48 h later to a 2nd instar larva, which moves away from the 1st instar exuvium, molts twice more without ecdysis (a feature unique to Strepsiptera) and pupates, if male, or develops into a neotenic female. Host encapsulation involves the abandoned 1st larval exuvium, but not the living parasite. In contrast to the usual process of encapsulation, it occurs only 48 h after host invasion or later, and without any melanization. In further experiments, first, we verified Xenos vesparum's ability to reinfect an already parasitized wasp larva. Second, 2nd instar larvae implanted in a new host did not evoke any response by hemocytes. Third, we tested the efficiency of host defense mechanisms by implanting nylon filaments in control larval wasps, excluding any effect due the dynamic behavior of a living parasite; within a few minutes, we observed the beginning of a typical melanotic encapsulation plus an initial melanization in the wound site. We conclude that the immune response of the wasp is manipulated by the parasite, which is able to delay and redirect encapsulation towards a pseudo-target, the exuvia of triungulins, and to elude hemocyte attack through an active suppression of the immune defense and/or a passive avoidance of encapsulation by peculiar surface chemical properties. J. Morphol., 2007 © 2007 Wiley-Liss, Inc. [source] Light and Electron Microscopy of the Compatible Interaction Between Arabidopsis and the Downy Mildew Pathogen Peronospora parasiticaJOURNAL OF PHYTOPATHOLOGY, Issue 6 2003E. M. Soylu Abstract In this study, we focused on compatible interactions between Peronospora parasitica isolate Emoy-2 and wild-type (Oy-0) and mutant (Ws- eds1) Arabidopsis thaliana accessions by using light and transmission electron microscopy (TEM). Light microscopy of compatible interactions revealed that conidia germinated and penetrated through the anticlinal cell walls of two epidermal cells. Rapid spreading of the hyphal growth with formation of numerous haustoria within the mesophyll cells was subsequently followed by profuse sporulation in the absence of host cell necrosis on both wild-type and mutant accessions. TEM observations revealed that coenocytic intercellular hyphae ramified and spread intercellularly throughout the host tissue forming several haustoria in host mesophyll cells. Intracellular haustoria were lobed with the diameter of 6,7 ,m. Each haustorium was connected to intercellular hyphae in the absence of apparent haustorial neck. The cytoplasm of the haustorium included the organelles characteristic of the pathogen. Callose-like deposits were frequently observed at sites of penetration around the proximal region of the haustorial neck. Apart from a few callose ensheatments, no obvious response was observed in host cells following formation of haustoria. Most of mesophyll cells contained normal haustoria and the host cytoplasm displayed a high degree of structural integrity. Absence of host cell wall alteration and cell death in penetrated host cell of both accessions suggest that the pathogen exerts considerable control over basic cellular processes and in this respect, response to this biotroph oomycete differs considerably from responses to other pathogens such as necrotrophs. [source] Growth and Phase Transformation of Nanometer-Sized Titanium Oxide Powders Produced by the Precipitation MethodJOURNAL OF THE AMERICAN CERAMIC SOCIETY, Issue 3 2004Gwan Hyoung Lee We report an in situ TEM investigation of the growth and transformation in nanometer-sized titania powders. The powders were produced through precipitation of titanium tetrachloride under different pH conditions. The initial phase of the produced powders was amorphous or was a mixture of anatase and brookite according to the pH conditions. During calcination, the anatase particles grew and transformed into rutile. The transformation temperature increased with increasing pH value. In situ TEM observations showed that the anatase particles were absorbed into rutile, and then rutile particles grew by coalescence. Furthermore, small pores were observed to form in samples prepared with high pH from the effects of hydroxyl ions and zeta potential. Pore formation increased the surface area, which delayed the transformation and nucleation of rutile. This explains the difference of growth and transformation of titania powders produced under different pH conditions during calcination. [source] Effect of Magnesium Oxide Addition on Surface Roughening of Alumina Grains in Anorthite LiquidJOURNAL OF THE AMERICAN CERAMIC SOCIETY, Issue 4 2003Mi Jin Kim Alumina sintered with 5 wt% anorthite at 1620°C for 48 h has grains with flat boundaries and a size distribution representing abnormal grain growth. TEM observations of the grain triple junctions show flat grain surfaces, some of which are the (0001), ([Onemacr]012), and (1[Onemacr]01) planes. HRTEM observations confirm these surfaces to be atomically flat and hence singular. When sintered further after embedding in MgO powder, the {0001} and { 01[Onemacr]2} planes remain flat, but curved surface segments also appear. These curved surface segments are confirmed to be atomically rough by HRTEM. They are connected to the flat segments with discontinuously changing slopes. Thus, when MgO is added, the singular and rough surface phases coexist. [source] Preparation of Nanometer-Sized ,-Alumina Powders by Calcining an Emulsion of Boehmite and Oleic AcidJOURNAL OF THE AMERICAN CERAMIC SOCIETY, Issue 1 2002Chih-Peng Lin This study proposes a method to form ultrafine ,-Al2O3 powders. Oleic acid is mixed with Al(OH)3 gel. The gel is the precursor of the Al2O3. After it is mixed and aged, the mixture is calcined in a depleted oxygen atmosphere between 25° and 1100°C. Oleic acid evaporates and decomposes into carbon during the thermal process. Residual carbon prevents the growth of agglomerates during the formation of ,-Al2O3. The phase transformation in this process is as follows: emulsion ,,-Al2O3,,-Al2O3,,-Al2O3,,-Al2O3. This process has no clear , phase. Aging the mixed sample lowers the formation temperature of ,-Al2O3 from 1100° to 1000°C. The average crystallite diameter is 60 nm, measured using Scherrer's equation, which is consistent with TEM observations. [source] Kinetic measurements from in situ TEM observationsMICROSCOPY RESEARCH AND TECHNIQUE, Issue 3 2009Renu Sharma Abstract Environmental transmission or scanning transmission electron microscope is ideally suited to observe gas solid interactions at nanoscale. It is shown that the time and temperature resolved data, obtained from in situ observations, can be used to obtain reaction rates and understand the kinetics of the processes. Low or high magnification images provide the change in length, area or volume with time at constant temperature and pressure conditions during nitridation of Cu,Cr thin films, deposition of Au particles, growth of Si nanowire and carbon nanotubes. Effect of electron beam is estimated by making observations with and without constant electron beam exposure. Quantitative electron energy loss spectroscopy is employed to measure the reduction rate of Ce+4 in pure ceria, mixed oxides (ceria-zirconia) and catalyst (Rh-ceria-zirconia) powders. Microsc. Res. Tech. 2009. © 2009 Wiley-Liss, Inc. [source] Combined STM/STS, TEM/EELS investigation of CNx -SWNTsPHYSICA STATUS SOLIDI (B) BASIC SOLID STATE PHYSICS, Issue 10 2008H. Lin Abstract Nitrogen doped single-walled carbon nanotubes (CNx -SWNTs) were successfully synthesized by vaporizing a C:Ni/Y target by a CO2 continuous laser under a nitrogen atmosphere. The as-grown nanotubes were investigated by combining TEM/EELS and STM/STS techniques. According to TEM observations, the tubes are mostly single-walled and few defects are found. Local chemical characterization was performed by EELS analysis, which proves the presence of nitrogen in both individual tubes and SWNTs bundles and indicates a nitrogen concentration around 1 at.%. STM observations of CNx -SWNTs have been then undertaken and atomic resolution images were obtained. First STM analyses of these nanotubes show some defects which have never been observed in pure carbon nanotubes before. (© 2008 WILEY-VCH Verlag GmbH & Co. KGaA, Weinheim) [source] Tailoring mechanical properties of nano-structured Eurofer 97 steel for fusion applicationsPHYSICA STATUS SOLIDI (C) - CURRENT TOPICS IN SOLID STATE PHYSICS, Issue 5 2010M. Kozikowski Abstract EUROFER 97 steel is a candidate structural material for future fusion reactors and Test Blanket Modules (TBMs). In the present work microstructure of Eurofer 97 was modified by hydrostatic extrusion in multi-step process with total true strain exceeding 3. TEM observations showed that HE causes significant grain refinement from about 400 to 80 nm. This is accompanied by improvement of the tensile mechanical properties and microhardness. On the other hand, there is a clear decrease in the resistance to brittle fracture as measured in the Charpy impact tests. In order to improve strength/ductility/fracture toughness balance, the extruded samples were annealed for 1 hour at temperature range of 473-1073K. The results obtained for samples after post-extrusion annealing are discussed in terms of mechanical properties of Eurofer 97 steel. (© 2010 WILEY-VCH Verlag GmbH & Co. KGaA, Weinheim) [source] GaN/AlN super-lattice structures on vicinal sapphire (0001) substrates grown by rf-MBEPHYSICA STATUS SOLIDI (C) - CURRENT TOPICS IN SOLID STATE PHYSICS, Issue 7 2005X.Q. Shen Abstract GaN/AlN super-lattice structures (SLs) grown on the vicinal sapphire (0001) substrates by rf-MBE are investigated using various characterization techniques. The satellite XRD diffraction peaks originating from the SLs are clearly observed, which indicate an abrupt interface and good periodicity of the SLs. Cross-sectional TEM observations show differnet features of SLs grown on the various vicinal substrates, depending on whether macro-steps form on the surface or not. DUV-Raman measurements show unique spectra from the SLs, which are different from the usual GaN and AlN films. The usage of a proper vicinal substrate angle shows a great merit to obtain high quality GaN/AlN SLs. (© 2005 WILEY-VCH Verlag GmbH & Co. KGaA, Weinheim) [source] Morphology and properties of SAN-clay nanocomposites prepared principally by water-assisted extrusionPOLYMER ENGINEERING & SCIENCE, Issue 1 2010Michaël Mainil An efficient extrusion process involving the injection of water while processing was used to prepare poly (styrene- co -acrylonitrile) (SAN)/clay nanocomposites with a high degree of nanoclay delamination. The usefulness of water-assisted extrusion is highlighted here, in comparison with classical extrusion and roll mill processes. Cloisite® 30B (C30B), a montmorillonite clay organomodified with alkylammonium cations bearing 2-hydroxyethyl chains, and pristine montmorillonite were melt blended with SAN (25 wt% AN) in a semi-industrial scale extruder specially designed to allow water injection. XRD analysis, visual and TEM observations were used to evaluate the quality of clay dispersion. The relationship between the nanocomposite morphology and its mechanical and thermal properties was then investigated. The superiority of the SAN/C30B nanocomposite extruded with water has been evidenced by cone calorimetry tests and thermogravimetric measurements (TGA). These analyses showed a substantial improvement of the fire behavior and the thermal properties, while a 20% increase of the Young modulus was recorded. POLYM. ENG. SCI., 2010. © 2009 Society of Plastics Engineers [source] Why does some pollen lack apertures?BOTANICAL JOURNAL OF THE LINNEAN SOCIETY, Issue 1 2007A review of inaperturate pollen in eudicots Apertures are key characters of pollen grains with systematic importance in angiosperms. They function as sites for pollen tube exit, water uptake, transfer of recognition substances and accommodation of volume changes. Not all pollen has apertures; inaperturate pollen (lacking obvious apertures) characterizes many angiosperm groups, especially in early divergent angiosperms and monocots, but also eudicots. In order to expand our knowledge of the systematic distribution, possible functional significance and development of inaperturate pollen in angiosperms, this review focuses on inaperturate and cryptoaperturate (with hidden apertures) pollen in the large eudicot clade, which comprises about 75% of present-day angiosperm species. It includes new TEM observations of inaperturate pollen from four exemplar taxa selected from different parts of the eudicot phylogeny. Two categories of inaperturate (including cryptoaperturate) pollen occur in eudicots. (1) Sterile attractant or feeding pollen associated with functional dioecy has evolved iteratively at least six times in conjunction with complex breeding systems in the core eudicots. (2) Fertile pollen has evolved numerous times independently throughout eudicots, though generally in a relatively small number of individual taxa. Notable exceptions are the petaliferous crotonoid Euphorbiaceae s.s., in which fertile inaperturate pollen occurs in c. 1500 species, and two subfamilies of Apocynaceae s.l. (Secamonoideae and Asclepiadoideae) with c. 2500 species with fertile inaperturate pollen in pollinia. Fertile inaperturate pollen is sometimes (but not always) associated with an aquatic habit, parasitism, insectivory, heterostyly, anemophily or pollinia. Most fertile inaperturate pollen has a thin exine, or the exine is largely restricted to isolated components (muri, protuberances, subunits) separated by thinner areas which probably function as apertures. In cryptoaperturate pollen, the aperture is covered by continuous exine which probably has a protective function, similar to an operculum. Developmentally, inaperturate pollen is not associated with any particular tetrad type or meiotic spindle orientation (unlike some apertures) due to the absence of a colpal shield of endoplasmic reticulum or other organelles and hence is independent of microsporogenesis type. The lack of a colpal shield during the tetrad stage of development permits complete deposition of first primexine and then exine around each microspore, possibly mediated by the action of the DEX1 protein. © 2007 The Linnean Society of London, Botanical Journal of the Linnean Society, 2007, 155, 29,48. [source] Preparation of a Transparent Spherical Polymer Matrix Containing TiO2/SiO2 Hybrid MaterialsCHEMICAL ENGINEERING & TECHNOLOGY (CET), Issue 4 2008D.-H. Zhang Abstract A transparent spherical polymer matrix containing TiO2/SiO2 hybrid materials is prepared from the copolymerization reaction between TiO2/SiO2 hybrid materials containing vinyl groups and methyl methacrylate (MMA). Transparent TiO2/SiO2 hybrid materials are prepared from the reaction between nucleophilic agents and tetrabutyl titanate (TBT). Three reaction mechanisms leading to the formation of nanometer TiO2/SiO2 hybrid materials, including the single group coordination reaction mechanism (SGCRM), double group chelation reaction mechanism (DGCRM) and bridge coordination reaction mechanism (BCRM) are discussed in detail and confirmed by FT-IR spectroscopy. The sizes of the TiO2/SiO2 hybrid material nanoparticles are also characterized and calculated by TEM and range from 20,40,nm. The diameter of the particles in the transparent spherical polymer matrix is ca. 100,200,nm and their shape is a regular spherical structure from TEM observations. The transparent spherical polymer matrix containing TiO2/SiO2 hybrid materials could be used as holographic anti-counterfeiting materials. [source] The Structure-Controlling Solventless Synthesis and Optical Properties of Uniform Cu2S NanodisksCHEMISTRY - A EUROPEAN JOURNAL, Issue 35 2008Yu-Biao Chen Dr. Abstract Uniform Cu2S nanodisks have been synthesized from a well-characterized layered copper thiolate precursor by structure-controlling solventless thermolysis at 200,220,°C under a N2 atmosphere. The development from small Cu2S nanoparticles (diameter ,3,nm) to nanodisks (diameter 8.3,nm) and then to faceted nanodisks (diameter 27.5,nm, thickness 12.7,nm) is accompanied by a continuous phase transition from metastable orthorhombic to monoclinic Cu2S, the ripening of small particles by aggregation, and finally the crystallization process. The growth of the nanoproduct is constrained by the crystal structure of the precursor and the in situ-generated thiol molecules. Such controlled anisotropic growth leads to a nearly constant thickness of faceted nanodisks with different diameters, which has been confirmed by TEM observations and optical absorption measurements. [source] | ||||||||||||||||||||||