Abstract: Both an organically modified commercial clay of montmorillonite type (MMT) and its nanocomposites, based either on polyamide 6 (PA6) or an epoxy resin, as matrix polymer, have been characterized by transmission electron microscopy (TEM). Sample micrographs, taken at increasing exposure times (t(e)), have shown the gradual disappearance of clay layers, because of an amorphisation of the MMT crystalline structures caused by prolonged sample exposure to electron beam. Indeed, the above phenomenon, which is mostly evident in the case of intercalated nanocomposites, makes the detection of the layered silicate dispersion in the polymer matrix rather difficult and compels to perform TEM measurements using very short exposure times. Moreover, the microscopy accelerating voltage has turned out to affect sample stability; namely, when decreasing the above parameter, the disappearance of clay structure occurs at lower exposure times. (C) 2006 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.

Abstract: The aged Ni-rich NiTi shape memory alloys (SMAs) exhibit the multi-stage martensitic transformation (MMT), which has important influences on functional properties and practical applications of the NiTi SMAs. A hidden single-stage martensitic transformation from B2 parent phase to B19' martensite phase is found in an aged Ni51Ti49 alloy, which happens concurrently with a commonly observed two-stage martensitic transformation B2-R-B19' (R: martensite phase) and actually composes one stage of a multi-stage martensitic transformation (MMT) together with the two-stage one. B2-B19' martensitic transformation occurs in the NiTi matrix containing Ni4Ti3 precipitates with relatively large inter-particle space, while B2-R-B19' transformation takes place in the NiTi matrix with Ni4Ti3 precipitates having relatively small inter-particle space. (C) 2019 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.

Abstract: When modelling the turbulent dispersion of a passive tracer using Reynolds-averaged Navier-Stokes (RANS) simulations, two different approaches can be used. The first consists of solving a transport equation for a scalar, where the governing parameters are the mean velocity field and the turbulent diffusion coefficient, given by the ratio of the turbulent viscosity and the turbulent Schmidt number Sc (t) . The second approach uses a Lagrangian particle tracking algorithm, where the governing parameters are the mean velocity and the fluctuating velocity field, which is determined from the turbulence kinetic energy and the Lagrangian time T (L) . A comparison between the two approaches and wind-tunnel data for the dispersion in the wake of a rectangular building immersed in a neutral atmospheric boundary layer (ABL) is presented. Particular attention was paid to the influence of turbulence model parameters on the flow and concentration field. In addition, an approach to estimate Sc (t) and T (L) based on the calculated flow field is proposed. The results show that applying modified turbulence model constants to enable correct modelling of the ABL improves the prediction for the velocity and concentration fields when the modification is restricted to the region for which it was derived. The difference between simulated and measured concentrations is smaller than 25% or the uncertainty of the data on 76% of the points when solving the transport equation for a scalar with the proposed formulation for Sc (t) , and on 69% of the points when using the Lagrangian particle tracking with the proposed formulation for T (L) .

Abstract: The changes induced by exposing multi-walled carbon nanotubes (CNTs) to atomic nitrogen were analysed by high-resolution transmission electron microscopy (HRTEM), x-ray and ultraviolet photoelectron spectroscopy. It was found that the atomic nitrogen generated by a microwave plasma effectively grafts chemical groups onto the CNT surface altering the density of valence electronic states. HRTEM showed that the exposure to atomic nitrogen does not significantly damage the CNT surface.

Abstract: As electron energy-loss spectroscopy (EELS) and x-ray absorption spectroscopy (XAS) probe the same transitions from coreshell states to unoccupied states above the Fermi energy, it should always be possible to apply the two techniques to the same physical phenomena, such as magnetic dichroism, and obtain the same information. Indeed, the similarity in the expression of the electron and x-ray cross-sections had been already exploited to prove the equivalence of x-ray magnetic linear dichroism and anisotropy in EELS, by noting that the polarization vector of a photon plays the same role as the momentum transfer in electron scattering. Recently, the same was proven true for x-ray magnetic circular dichroism (XMCD) by establishing a new TEM technique called EMCD (electron energy-loss magnetic chiral dichroism) (Schattschneider P et al 2006 Nature 441 4868), which makes use of special electron scattering conditions to force the absorption of a circularly polarized virtual photon. The intrinsic advantage of EMCD over XMCD is the high spatial resolution of electron microscopes, which are readily available. Among the particular obstacles in EMCD that do not exist for synchrotron radiation, is the notoriously low signal and the very particular scattering conditions necessary to observe a chiral dichroic signal. In spite of that, impressive progress has been made in recent years. The signal strength could be considerably increased, and some innovations such as using a convergent beam have been introduced. EMCD has evolved into several techniques, which make full use of the versatility of the TEM and energy filtering, spectroscopy or STEM conditions (Rubino S 2007 Magnetic circular dichroism in the transmission electron microscope PhD Thesis Vienna University of Technology, Vienna, Austria).

Abstract: Using a molecular dynamics model the crystallinity of MgxAlyOz thin films with a variation in the stoichiometry of the thin film is studied at operating conditions similar to the experimental operating conditions of a dual magnetron sputter deposition system. The films are deposited on a crystalline or amorphous substrate. The Mg metal content in the film ranged from 100% (i.e. MgO film) to 0% (i.e. Al2O3 film). The radial distribution function and density of the films are calculated. The results are compared with x-ray diffraction and transmission electron microscopy analyses of experimentally deposited thin films by the dual magnetron reactive sputtering process. Both simulation and experimental results show that the structure of the MgAlO film varies from crystalline to amorphous when the Mg concentration decreases. It seems that the crystalline MgAlO films have a MgO structure with Al atoms in between.

Abstract: The size and lattice constant evolution of Pb nanoparticles (NPs) synthesized by high fluence implantation in crystalline Si have been studied with a variety of experimental techniques. Results obtained from small-angle x-ray scattering showed that the Pb NPs grow with increasing implantation fluence and annealing duration. The theory of NP growth kinetics can be applied to qualitatively explain the size evolution of the Pb NPs during the implantation and annealing processes. Moreover, the lattice constant of the Pb NPs was evaluated by conventional x-ray diffraction. The lattice dilatation was observed to decrease with increasing size of the Pb NPs. Such lattice constant tuning can be attributed to the pseudomorphism caused by the lattice mismatch between the Pb NPs and the Si matrix.

Abstract: The effect of ion etching on exchange bias in IrMn3/Co70Fe30 bilayers is investigated. In spite of the reduction of saturation magnetization caused by the embedding of Tr from the capping layer into the Co70Fe30 layer during the etching process, the exchange bias in samples with the same thickness of the Co70Fe30 layer is reducing in proportion to the etching power. X-ray magnetic circular dichroism measurements revealed the emergence of an uncompensated Mn magnetization after etching, which is antiferromagnetically coupled to the ferromagnetic layer. This suggests etching induced formation of small interfacial FeMn regions which leads to the decrease of effective exchange coupling between ferromagnetic and antiferromagnetic layers.

Abstract: Atomic layer deposition (ALD) is a vapor based technique which allows to deposit uniform, conformal films with a thickness control at the atomic scale. In this research, Al 2 O 3 coatings were deposited on micrometer-sized Fe and Cu powder (particles) using the thermal trimethylaluminum (TMA)/ water (H 2 O) process in a rotary pump-type ALD reactor. Rotation of the powder during deposition was required to obtain a pinhole-free ALD coating. The protective nature of the coating was evaluated by quantifying its effectiveness in protecting the metal particles during oxidative annealing treatments. The Al 2 O 3 coated powders were annealed in ambient air while in-situ thermogravimetric analysis (TGA) and in-situ x-ray diffraction (XRD) data were acquired. The thermal stability of a series of Cu and Fe powder with different Al 2 O 3 thicknesses were determined with TGA. In both samples a clear shift in oxidation temperature is visible. For Cu and Fe powder coated with 25 nm Al 2 O 3 , we observed an increase of the oxidation temperature with 300-400°C. For the Cu powder a thin film of only 8 nm is required to obtain an initial increase in oxidation temperature of 200°C. In contrast, for Fe powder a thicker coating of 25 nm is required. In both cases, the oxidation temperature increases with increasing thickness of the Al 2 O 3 coating. These results illustrate that the Al 2 O 3 thin film, deposited by the thermal ALD process (TMA/H 2 O) can be an efficient and pinhole-free barrier layer for micrometer-sized powder particles, provided that the powder is properly agitated during the process to ensure sufficient vapour-solid interaction.

Abstract: Nanocrystalline ZnO doped with Ag-nanoclusters has been synthesized by a salt solid state reaction. Three overlapping broad emission bands due to the Ag nanoclusters have been detected at about 570, 750 and 900 nm. These emission bands are excited by an energy transfer from the exciton state of the ZnO host when pumped in the wavelength range from 250 to 400 nm. The 900 nm emission band shows characteristic orbital splitting into three components pointing out that the anisotropic crystalline wurtzite host of ZnO is responsible for this feature. Heat-treatment and temperature dependence studies confirm the origin of these emission bands. An energy level diagram for the emission process and a model for Ag nanoclusters sites are suggested. The emission of nanocrystalline ZnO doped with Ag nanoclusters may be applied for white light generation, displays driven by UV light, down-convertors for solar cells and luminescent lamps.

Abstract: A methodology for the quantitative compositional characterization of nickel silicides by high angle annular dark field scanning transmission electron microscopy (HAADF-STEM) imaging is presented. HAADF-STEM images of a set of nickel silicide reference samples Ni3Si, Ni31Si12, Ni2Si, NiSi and NiSi2 are taken at identical experimental conditions. The correlation between sample thickness and HAADF-STEM intensity is discussed. In order to quantify the relationship between the experimental Z-contrast intensities and the composition of the analysed layers, the ratio of the HAADF-STEM intensity to the sample thickness or to the intensity of the silicon substrate is determined for each nickel silicide reference sample. Diffraction contrast is still detected on the HAADF-STEM images, even though the detector is set at the largest possible detection angle. The influence on the quantification results of intensity fluctuations caused by diffraction contrast and channelling is examined. The methodology is applied to FUSI gate devices and to horizontal TFET devices with different nickel silicides formed on source, gate and drain. It is shown that, if the elements which are present are known, this methodology allows a fast quantitative 2-dimensional compositional analysis.

Abstract: Multiple-step martensitic transformations of an aged Ni51Ti49 single crystal using calorimetric method were investigated. Results show that for short aging times (1045 min) multiple-step martensitic transformations on cooling occur in two steps. Applying intermediate aging times (1.254 h) results in three steps and long aging times (more than 8 h) lead to two-step martensitic transformations again. This behavior has not been recognized in NiTi single crystals in literatures. It can be related to the heterogeneity of composition and stress fields around Ni4Ti3 precipitates.

Abstract: The precipitation mechanism of the Q phase in Al-Mg-Si-Cu alloys has long been the subject of ambiguity and debate since its metastable phase (Q 0) has the same crystal structure and similar lattice parameters as its equilibrium counterparts. In the present work, the evolution of the Q 0 (Q) phase during aging is studied by combination of quantitative atomic-resolution scanning transmission electron microscopy and atom probe tomography. It was found that the transformation from the Q 0 to the Q phase involves changes of the occupancy of Al atoms in atomic columns of the Q 0 (Q) phase. The Al atoms incorporated in the Cu, Si and Mg columns are gradually released into the Al matrix, while mixing between Cu and Si atoms occurs in the Si columns. This transformation process is mainly attributed to the low lattice misfit of the equilibrium Q phase. Besides, the formation of various compositions of the Q phase is due to the different occupancy in the atomic columns of the Q phase. The occupancy changes in the columns of the Q phase are kinetically controlled and are strongly influenced by the alloy composition and aging temperature.