Four brief vignettes briefly describe ways that Dr. Martin Seah influenced my career and those of many others. These brief stories highlight aspects of his (i) career-long contributions to the quantification and accuracy of surface analysis, (ii) ability to identify and willingness to fill information gaps and needs, (iii) significant efforts to communicate the nature of the challenges and what was

In 8- to 20-keV photon energy region, ruthenium and carbon thin films are used in multilayer monochromators. In the present study, this material combination is explored for X-ray waveguide applications in hard X-ray region. The structural parameters (thickness of each layer) of Ru/C/Ru waveguide structure are optimized to get maximum intensity enhancement of fundamental mode inside carbon guiding layer

The present study investigates the glassy and crystalline phases of silica content in different fly ash sources by X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS). The X-ray diffraction (XRD) patterns of fly ash show the existence of crystalline quartz, aluminosilicate, and hematite phases. Other minor phases viz., CaO, TiO2, and K2O have also been identified in the fly ash samples. The signature of glassy

To efficiently address environmental pollution, we synthesized AC-coupled TiO2 nano-photo-catalysts and applied it to the degradation of high concentration 2,4-dichlorophenols (2,4-DCP). Herein, we have successfully coupled activated carbon (AC) to TiO2 by a sol gel method. The as-prepared optimized-amount TO/10AC nano-composites delivered unprecedented photo-catalytic activity as compared to the pristine

The formation of polar nanoregions with a smaller doping concentration of Sn into BaTiO3 nanostructures governs significantly better gas-sensing response for a NO2 gas at room temperature. Appropriate Sn doping in BaTiO3 nanostructures not only modifies the electronic structure but is also responsible for diffused phase transition in its crystal structure. Here, in this study, we performed high-resolution

In this paper, Cu-Ni NPs @ a-C:H thin films with different Ni layers thickness by co-deposition of RF-sputtering and RF-plasma enhanced chemical vapor deposition (RF-PECVD) were prepared using acetylene gas and Ni and Cu targets. The absorption edge and the optical dispersion parameters in CNTs synthesized by Cu-Ni @ a-C:H catalyst were studied. RBS measurements were performed, which confirmed the

Microstructure characterization is of great value to understanding nuclear graphite's properties and irradiation behavior. However, graphite is soft and could be easily damaged during sample preparation. A three-step polishing method involving mechanical polishing, ion milling, and rapid oxidation is proposed for graphite. Ion milling is adopted to remove the broken graphite pieces produced by mechanical

In this paper, three commercial polymers (polytetrafluoroethylene [PTFE], polyetheretherketone [PEEK], and polyimide [PI]) were irradiated by gamma rays in the ambient air. The changes in microstructure, mechanical, and tribological properties of these three polymers after irradiation were investigated comparatively. The results display that both the surface and internal structures of PTFE are degraded

The chemical analysis of microparticles is challenging due to the need to mount the particles on a substrate for analysis; double-sided adhesive tape is often used (sometimes conductive), however that is usually coated with poly (dimethyl siloxane) (PDMS) that is often used as a release agent. PDMS is a common surface contamination that can mask surface chemistries and hinder material performance where

In this paper, we report the surface activation of polycarbonate by linear dielectric barrier plasma treatment at one atmospheric pressure. Different analytical techniques were used to determine the changes in the surface characteristics of polycarbonate: Static and dynamic water contact angle examinations showed that the hydrophobicity of the surface decreased after being exposed to linear atmospheric

No abstract is available for this article.

The interfacial properties between carbon fiber (CF) and polymer matrix are critical to the performance of CF reinforced composites. Herein, we reported a new method of tailoring the interfacial properties by grafting graphene oxide (GO) onto the CF surface with hyperbranched polyglycerol (HPG), which could improve the interfacial shear strength (IFSS) and heat resistance of CF/PA6 and CF/epoxy (EP)

Amorphous vanadium pentoxide (major phase) thin films of various thicknesses were grown on the substrates that possessed low (aluminized quartz) and high (quartz) infrared (IR) emittance property utilizing radio frequency (RF) magnetron sputtering technique. Microstructural characterizations are carried out by several techniques such as noncontact optical profilometry, energy dispersive X-ray (EDX)

MgO and SiO2 are the natural oxide layer on the surface of Mg2Si and the excellent gate dielectric layer materials. MgO/Mg2Si and SiO2/Mg2Si heterojunctions were successfully prepared by magnetron sputtering. The valence band offset (VBO) and conduction band offset (CBO) of the two heterojunctions were measured by X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS) method, and the values were 2.64 and 3.90 eV for

For the reverse flotation of phosphate ore, a high amount of sulfuric acid is required. In this study, we used NaF as a flotation activator to separate dolomite and fluorapatite to reduce acid consumption in the flotation process. Both single and actual mineral flotations were conducted. The NaF addition significantly improved the floatability of dolomite and reduced the flotation system's acid consumption

A surface acoustic wave (SAW) relative humidity (RH) sensor was prepared by sputtering SiO2 sensing film on the total surface of an SAW resonator. The prepared humidity sensor exhibits good linear relationship under wide RH range of 10%–80%. Small hysteresis is observed during the adsorption and desorption processes. The sensitivity of the sensor is −1.14 kHz/% for the adsorption process and −1.06 kHz/%

Self-passivating tungsten-based alloys may provide a major safety advantage in comparison with pure tungsten, which is presently the main candidate material for the plasma-facing protection of future fusion power reactors. Advanced “smart” tungsten-based alloys adjust their properties to the environment: during the plasma operation, preferential sputtering will form almost pure tungsten surface facing

In this work, we investigate the influence of the molecular weight of poly(methyl methacrylate) (PMMA) thin films coated on silicon wafer on the time-of-flight secondary ion mass spectrometry (ToF-SIMS) sputtering mechanisms and kinetics during depth profiling using low-energy monoatomic caesium ions. The sputtering yield volumes are determined as function of molecular weight, film thickness and beam

ISO Technical Report 23173 describes methods by which electron spectroscopies, including X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS), Auger electron spectroscopy (AES) and synchrotron techniques, can be employed to calculate the coating thicknesses and compositions of nanoparticles. The document has been developed to review and outline the current state-of-the-art for such measurements. Such analyses of

Electrodeposition of Pd provides excellent chemical and low-contact resistance with good electrical properties, such as different types of electrical contacts in the electronics industry. The conventional Pd plating process utilizes ammonia-based electrolytes. Ammonia was added continuously to maintain the optimum pH range in Pd electrolyte. In addition, the harmful and strong odor of the evaporating

The study aimed to synthesize calcium fluoride (CaF2) nanoparticles and compare the push-out bond strength and viscosity of experimental adhesive (EA) and EA with 5 wt.% CaF2 (CAF-5%). The CaF2 nanoparticles were synthesized and then characterized with scanning electron microscopy (SEM)-energy-dispersive X-ray spectroscopy (EDX), Fourier transform infrared (FTIR), and micro-Raman spectroscopies. CaF2

N-containing heterocyclic compound (NCHC) was a common used green lubricant addictive due to their extreme pressure, antiwear and friction–reduction performance, and high thermal stability, and ethylene glycol (EG) as lubricant exhibited superior tribological performance, combining of NCHCs, which was a suitable candidate for further improving the tribosystems' tribological properties. Thus, in this

Hard x-ray emission spectroscopy (XES) has been used to study buried layers and interfaces in a Fe/Si periodic multilayer. Until now, buried layers could be studied using the XES in the soft x-ray range. Here, we extend the methodology to study the buried interfaces in hard x-ray region (photon energy ≥ 5 keV). We report the formation of FeSi2 at all the interfaces with thicknesses of 1.4 nm. X-ray

Marine facilities and ships are easily plagued by biofouling. Synergistic surfaces combining surface reactive ion etching and peptide modification were designed and prepared to tackle surface biofouling. Six microstructural surfaces were first designed and machined based on the contact point theory; the synergistic surfaces were then prepared by peptide modification. Laser confocal scanning microscope

In this study, an environmentally friendly molybdate (Mo) conversion coating was deposited on the surface of aluminum (Al) foil for use as the packaging film of lithium-ion battery, and the surface morphology and chemical composition were characterized by field emission scanning electron microscopy (FE-SEM), atomic force microscopy (AFM), energy dispersive spectroscopy (EDS), and X-ray photoelectron

In this paper, the dual-component silane films composed of trimethoxysilane and bis[3-(triethoxysilyl)propyl]tetrasulfide (BTESPT) were prepared on the surface of AZ31B Mg alloys. The selected trimethoxysilanes had different chain length. The results showed that the dual-component silane films could effectively enhance the corrosion resistance of Mg alloys. Moreover, with the enlarging of the chain

A study of VN/TiN multilayers grown by direct current magnetron sputtering is presented. The systems are produced by maintaining a constant thickness of 500 nm and using three, four, or five bilayers. The coatings are initially characterized using X-ray diffraction. We observe the formation of TiN and VN phases and obtain values of the texture and stress developed during their growth. The chemical

An highly electrochemically active surface area and the efficient carrier transfer between catalysts and their carriers are the basis of an efficient hydrogen evolution reaction (HER). Here, petal-like Ni (OH)2 nanosheets with tunable size and thickness, which represent controllable electrocatalytically active areas, are directly grown on conductive Ni foam. As a result, the optimized in situ-grown

Atom probe tomography (APT) analysis often produces artifacts in atomic position owing to the difference in evaporation fields in materials. The atomic density profiles of grain boundaries, plate-shaped low-field precipitates (cementite), and high-field precipitates (vanadium carbide) in steels were investigated via two analyses in directions perpendicular and parallel to the boundaries and platelets

No abstract is available for this article.

Although a semiconductor gas sensor is promising in the future gas sensing technology, the material design for highly sensitive and selective gas sensing is quite challenging. The crystal plane dependence of gas sensing has been studied using various nano-crystal samples with a controlled crystal facet to obtain a clue for designing the sensing material, but the contact effect between nano-crystal

In this study, He/O2 plasma mixture, induced in a radio frequency (RF) low-pressure remote plasma system, has been characterized and employed for polymer surface modification. Actinometry optical emission spectroscopy (AOES) and Langmuir probe techniques were used to evaluate the plasma active species contributing to polymer surface modification. These active species involve the atomic oxygen [O] and

Triethanolamine functionalized reduced graphene oxide (rGO-TEA(s)) nanocomposites have been synthesized by the hydrothermal method. The physical and chemical properties of rGO-TEA(s) with different degrees of functionalization were characterized by transmission electron microscopy, X-ray powder diffraction, Raman spectroscopy, and X-ray photon spectroscopy. The cold rolling lubrication of the rGO-TEA(s)

A large bandgap significantly suppress the development of ferroelectric photovoltaic (FE-PV). The bandgap of BaTiO3 decreases to 1.49 eV from 2.46 eV by the formation of the lateral interface structure with BaO based on first principles calculations, which is beneficial to enhance the visible-light adsorption of FE-PV materials. The electronic structures of BaO/BaTiO3 show that the lateral interface

The triazole inhibitive film was assembled on copper surface via the click reaction between p-toluenesulfonyl azide (TA) and propiolic acid (PA) in presence of Cu2S quantum dots (CuDs). The click-assembled film on copper surface has good anticorrosion property in 3 wt.% NaCl solution. The best protective efficiency is 93.7%. The role of CuDs for the click assembly is investigated by the spectral analysis

Angular distributions of atoms sputtered from a copper target under 5-keV Kr+ bombardment at normal incidence were simultaneously and independently studied by experiments and computer simulation. The sputtered particles are collected on a Mylar™ foil placed around the target. Deposited particles on the substrate were analyzed by optical transmission spectroscopy. The surface roughness of the irradiated

The X-ray photoelectron spectrum (XPS) core-level spectra of pristine and doped bulk BiFeO3, namely Bi0.9BaxCayFeO3 with x + y = 0 and 0.1 were recorded on the Ar+-ion sputtered sample surface at room temperature. Afterward, the obtained XPS spectra of Bi 4f, Fe 2p, O 1 s, Ba 3d and Ca 2p levels were inspected using the symmetric Gaussian-Lorentzian product function, to study the influence of the spin-orbit

FeNi film was fabricated on Cu/MgO (001) substrates using thermal evaporation technique of a FeNi target to realize the formation of an L10-FeNi phase. The magnetic anisotropy of FeNi film was systematically investigated by means of X-ray absorption spectroscopy (XAS) and X-ray magnetic circular dichroism (XMCD) techniques. Our L-edge XAS and XMCD analysis is performed for 30-nm FeNi film grown on

Secondary ion mass spectrometry using the argon cluster primary ion beam enables molecular compositional depth profiling of organic thin films with minimal loss of chemical information or changes in sputter rate. However, for depth profiles of thicker organic films (>10 μm of sputtered depth), we have observed the rapid formation of micron-scale topography in the shape of pillars that significantly

Au10Cu90 and Au76Cu24 nanoparticles (NPs) were directly fabricated on a glass substrate by spark discharge deposition technique. The prepared NPs were characterized by FE-SEM, and XPS techniques. The substrate composition was controlled by simply changed the electrode type that connected to a high voltage power supply. The generated substrates were evaluated of surface-enhanced Raman scattering (SERS)

Design of robust separation materials with superwettability for efficient oil–water separation is of great significance because of the serious problem of oil leakage. Herein, we have fabricated a superwetting material based on copper foam via chemical oxidation and hydrothermal method for oil–water separation. These modified copper foam with rough structure exhibit excellent superhydrophilicity and

Argon Gas Cluster-Ion Beam sources have become widely-used on X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS) and secondary ion mass spectrometry (SIMS) instruments in recent years, but there is little reference data on sputter yields in the literature as yet. Total sputter yield reference data is needed in order to calibrate the depth scale, of XPS or SIMS depth profiles. We previously published a semi-empirical

Membrane materials have been extensively applied in the field of separation of oil–water mixtures. However, most membrane materials are limited to separate oil–water mixtures and difficult to separate stable oil–water emulsions. Therefore, the polymer membrane, which is a type of underwater superoleophobic membrane material, has attracted extensive attention for its excellent antipollution performance

For improving the dispersion of iron oxide yellow pigments (FeOOH) in organic solvents, a layer of silica was coated on the surface of FeOOH, and then further modified by silane coupling agent, as a heterogeneous coating was formed on the surface of FeOOH. The modified FeOOH was characterized by TEM, XRD, IR, XPS, TG-DTA, and zeta potential. The dispersibility of modified FeOOH under different conditions

Chemical treatments are used to introduce active functional groups and/or to increase the surface roughness of carbon fibres (CF) aiming to improve their interaction with polar polymeric matrices in composites. Considering the new challenges in the field of composite materials, such as the processing of hybrid composites and the growing use of thermoplastic structural composites, the modification of

This study investigates the role of sliding counterbodies, which significantly affect the wear properties and friction of nanocrystalline diamond (NCD) film. The bearing steel balls exhibit a high friction coefficient of 0.12, whereas a ceramic ball of Si3N4 achieves an ultralow friction coefficient of 0.06. The evolution of different friction coefficients with different counterbodies is associated

No abstract is available for this article.

Artifact-free depth profiles of alkali ions in SiO2 were obtained using a time-of-flight secondary ion mass spectrometer (ToF-SIMS) equipped with a Cs+ beam as sputter gun. Samples were set to low temperature (~−100°C) using a heating/cooling sample holder. The effects of temperature on the depth profiles was determined with multiple measurements at different temperatures. To validate the described

Natural lacquer has been used as a coating material for daily necessities for thousands of years. In the archeology and conservation science, identifying them provides useful information for the lacquer culture research and restoration work. In this study, an eared cup excavated in China was investigated by multiple analytical methods. The surface structure of ancient lacquerware has a multilayered

Although the fundamental, theoretical peak shape in X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS) is Lorentzian, some Gaussian character is observed in most XPS signals. Additional complexity in the form of asymmetry is also found in many XPS signals, which requires more advanced peak shapes than the traditional, symmetric Voigt and Gaussian-Lorentzian sum and product (pseudo-Voigt) functions. Here, we discuss

A series of Ce-doped lanthanum zirconate (LZO) thin films were fabricated by chemical solution deposition method on textured metallic substrates. Orientation growth and morphological developments of chemically deposited doped LZO films were studied. Thus, characteristics, including X-ray diffraction, X-ray photoelectron spectra, and atomic force microscopy, were applied. The results show that a single

In this study, multiwalled carbon nanotube (MWCNT)-supported M (Pd, Ni, Co, Mn, V, Zn)/MWCNT monometallic and M (Ni, Co, Zn, V, Ag, Mn)@(Pd/MWCNT) binary nanocatalysts were investigated to examine the effect of second metal promotion to Pd on formic acid electrooxidation (FAEO) activity. The sequential sodium borohydride (SBH) reduction technique was used for the preparation of nanocatalysts. For binary

In order to enable the application of atomic probe tomography combinatorial processing platforms for atomic-scale investigations of phase evolution at elevated temperatures, the pre-sharpened Si tip of 10–20 nm in diameter must be protected against interdiffusion and reaction of the reactive Si with a film of interest by a conformal coating on the Si tip. It is shown that unwanted reactions can be

No abstract is available for this article.

X-ray photoemission spectroscopy (XPS) measurements in near-ambient pressure (NAP) conditions result in a signal loss of the primary spectrum as a result of inelastic scattering of photoelectrons in the gas phase. The inelastic scattering of the primary electrons gives rise to a secondary signal that can result in additional and often unwanted features in the measured spectrum. In the present work

Spherical gold nanoparticles (NPs), 10 nm in diameter, have been dispersed in a type of polydimethylsiloxane, whose polymerisation requires accurate temperature control. At the temperature of 100°C, the polymerisation of the polydimethylsiloxane matrix is completed in 15 min, whereas at room temperature (∼20°C), it takes about 24–48 h. Gold NPs were incorporated into polydimethylsiloxane after which

In this study, nickel ions were implanted in brass at 2.0-MeV energy doses ranging from 1.9 × 1014, 4.8 × 1014, and 1.0 × 1015 ions cm−2 at room temperature. Formation of micro size particle cluster, crater, void, rust, and flower-like structure were observed in scanning electron microscope (SEM) micrographs. XRD patterns explain the plane (1 1 1) and plane (2 2 0) under abrupt fluctuations, but in

We study energy loss spectra of bromine ions scattered from silver thin films in the energy range of 4 to 36 MeV in forward reflection geometry. The different contributions to the energy loss are analyzed by complementary Monte Carlo simulations. We assess the dependence of the scattering yield and nuclear and electronic losses on the penetration depth of detected ions. For scattering from larger depth

Diamond-like carbon (DLC) thin films constitute proven protective coatings due to their outstanding mechanical and tribological properties, combined with a relative chemical inertness and long-term stability. These make them particularly attractive to protect metallic medical implants from corrosion and erosion. However, lack of adhesion between DLC and metallic surfaces is a recurrent problem due