A correction to the nanoindentation technique taking into account the elastic recovery at extremely shallow contact depths was proposed. Using a high-sensitivity nanoindentation system with a sharp indenting tip, the magnitude of the elastic recovery could be obtained directly from very low-force load–unload curves, which was then used to correct the contact area used for hardness measurements. Nanoindentation experiments were performed on a standard fused quartz sample and, compared to standard nanoindentation techniques, the proposed method was found to be more accurate at ultrashallow indenting depths of <3 nm.

We present a new process based on the electrolysis of glass, which allows the transfer of a single-crystal silicon film while creating an in situ barrier layer free of mobile ions in the glass. This barrier layer consists only of network-forming elements (i.e., aluminum, silicon, and boron) and is free of modifiers. The barrier layer glass is unusual and cannot be synthesized via any of the known glass-forming processes. The barrier layer is thermally stable and thus allows the fabrication of displays with ultimate performance. The process consists of the hydrogen ion implantation of silicon to create a defect structure followed by bringing the glass and the silicon wafer in contact, and finally applying electrical potential to cause the electrolysis of glass.

Phase change materials possess a unique combination of properties, which includes a pronounced property contrast between the amorphous and crystalline state, i.e., high electrical and optical contrast. In particular, the latter observation is indicative of a considerable structural difference between the amorphous and crystalline state, which furthermore is characterized by a very high vacancy concentration unknown from common semiconductors. Through the use of ab initio calculations, this work shows how the electric and optical contrast is correlated with structural differences between the crystalline and the amorphous state and how the vacancy concentration controls the optical properties. Furthermore, crystal nucleation rates and crystal growth velocities of various phase change materials have been determined by atomic force microscopy and differential thermal analysis. In particular, the observation of different recrystallization mechanisms upon laser heating of amorphous marks is explained by the relative difference of just three basic parameters among these alloys, namely, the melt-crystalline interfacial energy, the entropy of fusion, and the glass transition temperature.

Zn1−xMnxS nanoparticles with x = 0.08, 0.16, and 0.32 were synthesized by a coprecipitation reaction between nitrate and sodium sulfide at room temperature in air. The magnetic properties of the Zn1−xMnxS nanoparticles were investigated by alternating-current (ac) susceptibility and direct-current (dc) magnetization measurements. The Mn3O4 phase was observed to exist in the Zn1−xMnxS nanoparticles as x ⩾ 0.16. The actual concentrations (x) of Mn-doped ZnS nanoparticles were determined by energy-dispersive x-ray analysis (EDAX) to be 0.06, 0.11, and 0.20, respectively, corresponding to the initial concentrations x = 0.08, 0.16, and 0.32. All the nanoparticles had the cubic structure and the lattice constant of Zn1−xMnxS phase increased with increasing Mn dopant concentration. For the Zn0.68Mn0.32S nanoparticles, there was evidence for appearance of cluster spin-glasslike behavior, as indicated by two maxima around 15 and 25 K in temperature dependence of ac susceptibility. The frequency independence of the peak at higher temperature is related to the intracluster ferromagnetic (FM) interactions, and the frequency dependence of the peak at lower temperature is associated with the spin glass. All the results revealed that the concentration of Mn2+ in Mn–ZnS and the amount of Mn3O4 were crucial for the cluster spin-glass behavior, which was not found when the real concentration (x) was unequal to 0.20 in Zn1−xMnxS.

We report that bulk metallic glasses (BMGs) with large plasticity can be obtained in conventional brittle BMGs by a shrink-fit metal sleeve. The mechanical performance especially the plasticity in the Zr41.2Ti13.8Cu12.5Ni10Be22.5 BMG with a shrink-fit copper sleeve is much enhanced. The approach results in the formation of the highly dense and frequent interacting and arresting events of shear bands and is the origin of the observed large global plasticity. The results present another simple step toward toughening the inherently brittle BMGs.

Anatase nitrogen and fluoride codoped TiO2 sol (N–F–TiO2) catalysts were fabricated by a modified sol-gel hydrothermal method, using tetrabutyl titanate as precursor. The microstructure and morphology of sol sample were characterized by x-ray diffraction (XRD), transmission electron microscopy (TEM), ultraviolet-visible dielectric relaxation spectroscopy (UV-VIS-DRS), x-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS), etc. It was shown that N–F–TiO2 particles in sol were partly crystallized to anatase structure and dispersed in the aqueous medium homogeneously. The average particle size was ∼12.0 nm calculated from XRD patterns, and the particle size distribution was narrow. It was noteworthy that the N–F-codoped TiO2 sol particles showed strong visible-light response and high photocatalytic activity for formaldehyde degradation under irradiation by visible light (400–500 nm); we suggested that it may result from the generation of additional band of N 2p in the forbidden band and the synergetic effect of codoping nitrogen and fluorine.

New single-buffer layers of YBiO3 and SmBiO3 have been proposed for YBa2Cu3O7−y (YBCO) and SmBa2Cu3O7−y coated conductors. Highly c-axis oriented YBiO3 and SmBiO3 buffer layers have been deposited on single-crystal LaAlO3 and SrTiO3, respectively, by a low-cost chemical solution deposition method in a temperature range as low as 730 to 800 °C in air. Precursor solution of yttrium nitrate, samarium nitrate, and bismuth nitrate has been deposited using spin coating and heat treated in air in a single stage to yield textured YBiO3 and SmBiO3 buffers. A very dense, smooth, pinhole-free, and crack-free morphology has been observed for both buffers. Dense, homogeneous, and epitaxially grown YBCO film with thickness about 300 nm has been obtained on YBiO3 buffer with onset critical temperature 90 K and Jc (77 K, self-field) over 3 MA/cm2. These results offer an effective alternative to prepare desirable buffer layer(s) for YBCO-coated conductors.

The luminescent property of ZnO nanoparticles prepared using the wet chemical method has been investigated. The ZnO nanoparticles in the range 5–10 nm exhibit hexagonal Wurtzite structure, and the photoluminescence (PL) spectrum at room temperature shows a broad visible luminescence band and insignificant near-bandgap emission. The broad green luminescence is dominant at both room and boiled off liquid-nitrogen temperature, while the ultraviolet band edge emission is strongly quenched. The prepared ZnO nanoparticles have residual intermediate compound on the surface in the form of an acetate group, which acts as defect centers for the emission of green luminescence. A trace amount of zinc hydroxide is observed in one of the samples and is found to further enhance the intensity of the green luminescence. Raman scattering studies on nanoparticles indicate that the acetate/hydroxyl groups are loosely bound on the surface and are not present in the interior of the ZnO crystal structure

For low-temperature firing of Pb0.94Sr0.06(Ni1/2W1/2)0.02(Mn1/3Nb2/3)0.07(Zr0.51Ti0.49)0.91O3 (PNW–PMN–PZT) system, BiFeO3 is selected as the sintering agent. In this study, the effects of BiFeO3 addition and sintering temperature on the microstructures and piezoelectric properties of the ceramics were investigated in detail. The ceramic with 10 mol% BiFeO3 sintered at 950 °C possesses optimal microstructure and piezoelectric properties. However, with the increase of sintering temperature the lower relative density, abnormal grain growth, and secondary phase accumulated at grain boundaries are observed, which deteriorates the piezoelectric properties. For the ceramics with different BiFeO3 addition sintered at 950 °C, the densification process and the grain growth are improved by suitable BiFeO3, while the morphotropic phase boundary (MPB) moving to the Ti-rich direction and the shrinkage of crystal cell occur. However, extra BiFeO3 inhabits the grain growth and introduces more cavities into the materials. Because of the microstructural changes that accompany the addition of BiFeO3 and the resulting decrease in sintering temperature, the maximum values of the piezoelectric properties are attained. By doping with 10 mol% BiFeO3, the sintering temperature of the PNW–PMN–PZT system can be lowered successfully from 1200 to 950 °C, while the excellent electric properties are kept.

Deformation-induced γ → DI-α2 phase transformation was verified to occur in the twin-intersection region of a Ti–45Al–8Nb (at.%) alloy compressed at room temperature. High-resolution image observations of the deformation-induced DI-α2 phase suggested that the orientation relationship between the DI-α2 and γ phases remained the typical one: (0001)DI−α2//{111}γ, [11¯20]DI−α2//〈101]γ. The conversion of stacking sequence from ordered face-centered tetragonal to ordered nonequilibrium hexagonal close-packed structure was accomplished by the movement of a/6〈11¯2] Shockley partial dislocations on every other {111}γ plane. Compositional analysis based on energy dispersive spectra revealed that the DI-α2 phase had the same composition as the matrix γ phase. No compositional diffusion occurred because the plastic deformation was carried out at room temperature. The strong stress concentration in the intersection region was the major force to induce the γ → DI-α2 phase transformation in the process of room-temperature compression.

The effects of Sr and B addition on the microstructure and mechanical properties of AZ91 alloy were studied. The results of this work show that a small amount of Sr addition to AZ91 refined the grain size. The highest tensile strength was obtained from the alloy with the optimal composition of 0.5% Sr and 0.09% B added, in which the average grain size was 42 μm. The tensile strength and elongation of the AZ91–0.5%Sr–0.09%B alloy were 151 MPa and 1.62%, respectively. Some needle-shaped Al4Sr particles distributed mainly at grain boundaries have been observed in the alloys with Sr and B additions. The fluidity is improved significantly, and the solidification range decreased by adding Sr and B. The liquidus of AZ91 alloy decreased markedly with the addition of Sr and B, but the solidus hardly changed. Therefore, the solidification range can be decreased, which will improve the die-casting properties.

A novel stearic acid (SA)/3-aminopropyltrethoxysilane (APS) composite structure was fabricated using the combined method of the Langmuir–Blodgett technique and self-assembly monolayer (SAM) technique. Its frictional, adhesive properties and interface contact types between the atomic force microscope tip and the samples were evaluated based on Amonton’s laws and the general Carpick’s transition equation, respectively. The results showed that the tip–sample contacts corresponded to the Johnson–Kendall–Robert/Derjaguin–Muller–Toporov (DMT) transition model for SiO2, APS-SAMs, and the unheated SA-APS composite structure, and for the heated SA-APS bilayer to the DMT model. Frictional forces for the four samples were linearly dependent on external loads at higher loads, and at lower loads they were significantly affected by adhesive forces. Frictional and scratching tests showed that the heated SA-APS composite structure exhibited the best lubricating properties and adhesion resistance ability, and its wear resistance capacity was greatly improved due to the binding-mode conversion from hydrogen bonds to covalent bonds. Thus, this kind of composite bilayer might be promising for applications in the lubrication of nano/microelectromechanical systems.

Cs-type layered manganese oxide with a novel hexagonal-like morphology (Cs–BirMO) was prepared by a solid-state reaction procedure. The Cs+ extraction and alkali–metal ion insertion reactions were investigated by chemical analyses, x-ray analyses, scanning electron microscopy observation, Fourier transform-infrared spectroscopy, thermogravimetric differential thermal analyses, pH titration, and distribution coefficient (Kd) measurements. A considerable percentage (88%) of Cs+ ions in the interlayer sites were topotactically extracted by acid treatment, accompanied by a slight change of the lattice parameters. Alkali–metal ions could be inserted into the interlayer of the acid-treated sample (H–BirMO), mainly by an ion-exchange mechanism. The pH titration curve of the H–BirMO sample showed a simple monobasic acid toward Li+, Rb+, and Cs+ ions, and dibasic acid behavior toward Na+ and K+ ions. The order of the apparent capacity was K+ > Li+ ≈ Na+ ≈ Rb+ ≈ Cs+ at pH < 6. The Kd study showed the selectivity sequence of K+ > Rb+ > Na+ > Li+ for alkali–metal ions at the range of pH <5; H–BirMO sample showed markedly high selectivity for the adsorption of K+ ions. Preliminary investigations of the electrochemical properties of the Li+-inserted sample Li–BirMO(1M, 6d) showed that the obtained samples had a relatively high discharge capacity of 115 mAh g−1 and excellent layered stability.

We demonstrate the aqueous self-assembly of ligand-assisted SnO2 sol precursors onto preformed poly-l-lysine templates through interfacial electrostatic forces (COO−/NH3+). On the removal of organics, two unique coral-like and sea worm-like textures consisting of hierarchical pores (macropores and mesopores) and nanocrystalline SnO2 frameworks are synthesized, mainly depending on the chelator/Sn molar ratio. Structural formation is discussed based on acid-base interaction and interfacial charge density matching. For the first time, metal oxide structures mediated by polypeptides are reported. More importantly, the method described here might open a generally attractive route for synthesizing complex nanostructures of other oxides (e.g., ZnO, TiO2, and ZrO2).

We present evidence that a minor adjustment in Zr/Ni concentration ratio can dramatically enhance the plasticity of monolithic Zr-based bulk metallic glasses (BMGs) from about 2.2% for Zr65Al8Ni10Cu17 BMG to 14% for Zr62Al8Ni13Cu17 BMG. No deformation-induced nanocrystallization appears in a 55% strained Zr62Al8Ni13Cu17 BMG without catastrophic failure while pre-existing nanocrystals in Zr65Al8Ni10Cu17 BMG result in its limited plasticity. Also note that the stability of Zr62Al8Ni13Cu17 BMG against crystallization upon deformation is somewhat higher than that of Zr65Al8Ni10Cu17 BMG. As determined by x-ray diffraction using synchrotron radiation, the enhanced plasticity of Zr62Al8Ni13Cu17 BMG seems to be related to the relative homogeneity of the amorphous structure.

High-resolution transmission electron microscopy, x-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS), and Raman spectroscopy were used to study phase configuration and nanostructure evolutions of Ti–Cx–Ny thin films with different amounts of C incorporation. It was found that the atomic ratio of (C + N)/Ti played a crucial role in phase configuration and nanostructure evolutions as well as mechanical behaviors. When the ratio was less than one unit, a nanocrystalline (nc-) Ti(C, N) solid solution was formed by way of dissolution of C into TiN lattice. When this dissolution reached saturation, precipitation of a small amount of amorphous (a-) C phase along nc-Ti(C, N) grains was followed with more C incorporation. Further increase of C content (up to ∼19 at.% C) made the amorphous phase fully wet nanocrystallites, which resulted in the formation of two-phase nanocomposite thin films with microstructures comprising of ∼5 nm nc-Ti(C,N) crystallites separated by ∼0.5 nm a-(C, CNx) phase. Thicker amorphous walls and smaller sized grains were followed when the C content was further increased, accompanying with the formation of some disorders and defects in nc-grains and amorphous matrices. When the C content was increased to ∼48 at.%, 1–3 nm nanocrystallites with an average size of ∼2 nm were embedded into amorphous matrices. Both microhardness and residual compressive stress values were increased with increase of the atomic ratio in solid solution thin films when the atomic ratio value was less than one unit. Their maximums were obtained at stiochiometry nc-Ti(C,N) solid solution. Enhancement of hardness values was attributed to solid solution effect.

In this work, instrumented nanoindentation experiments with two spherical tips with radii of 13.5 and 1 μm were used to explore the deformation behavior of ZnO single crystals with two orientations, C (basal) and A (prism). By converting the nanoindentation load–displacement data to stress–strain curves, we show that the main reason the hardening rates are higher for the C plane than they are for the A plane is the activation of dislocations—with widely different flow stresses—on different sets of slip planes. For the former, glide occurs on basal planes as well as pyramidal planes; for the latter, glide occurs predominantly on basal planes. The C plane is roughly twice as hard as the A plane, probably due to the orientation of basal planes with respect to the indentation axis. A Weibull statistical analysis of the pop-in stresses indicates that the inherent defect concentration at or near the surface is the main factor for the initiation of plastic deformation. The strain energy released when the pop-ins occur determines their extent. The elastic moduli values, determined by Berkovich nanoindentation, are 135 ± 3 GPa and 144 ± 4 GPa for the C and A planes, respectively. In the C orientation repeated indentations to the same stress result in fully reversible hysteretic loops that are attributed to the formation of incipient kink bands.

Damage behavior of Cu–Ta bilayered films bonded to polyimide (PI) substrates has been investigated by cyclic loading tests. Experimental results show that fatigue cracks preferentially initiated in the Ta layer close to the Ta–PI interface and propagated into the Cu layer perpendicular to the interface. The alignment of nanometer-sized Cu grains resulted from the potential GB sliding combined with a small amount of grain rotation was found in the damage zone ahead of the crack tip, and that is suggested to be a likely damage mechanism to accommodate cyclic plastic strain ahead of the fatigue crack tip of the submicrometer-thick Cu layer.

For a number of polymers with a variety of chemical structures and different properties, we have performed scratch-resistance tests and investigated the profiles of the grooves formed using a profilometer. Three main kinds of material response are seen: plowing; cutting; and densification. The cross-sectional areas of the grooves include the groove and side top-ridge areas. The latter are smaller than the former, an indication of densification at the bottom and the sides of the groove; the effect can be connected to molecular dynamics simulations of scratch testing. The sum of the groove and top-ridge areas is the highest for Teflon, thus providing another measure of its poor scratch resistance. The Vickers hardness of the polymers was also determined. An approximate relationship exists between the hardness and the groove area. An unequivocal relationship between the hardness and the total cross-sectional area of the material displaced by the indenter is found. The resulting curve can be represented by an exponential decay function.

Highly dispersed uniform silver nanoparticles were prepared by reducing silver diamine ions [Ag(NH3)2]+ with D-glucose in the presence of a stabilizing agent. Along with the nature of the dispersing agent, the pH and the temperature of the reaction had the most pronounced effect on the reduction rate, the nucleation of the metallic phase, and ultimately the size and dispersion of the resulting particles. Through suitable manipulations of these parameters, it was possible to prepare uniform Ag nanoparticles ranging in size from 30 to 120 nm. A rapid and complete reduction of the silver species was possible only at elevated pH and temperatures above 50 °C. The reduction of silver diamine ions in these conditions caused the complete cleavage of the C–C bond, resulting in the release of 12 electrons per molecule of D-glucose. It was also found that the addition of ammonia to an already acidified silver nitrate solution leads to the formation of a much more stable and safe-to-handle diamine complex.