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Static TOF-SIMS results strongly underpin earlier conclusions from ESCA, XANES, and tracer studies that the accumulation of fluorine and chlorine at the surface of chromia by a heterogeneous reaction with a chlorofluorocarbon compound results in the formation of mixed chromium oxide halide species and not in the nucleation of CrCl3 and/or CrF3 phases.
The dismutation of CCl2F2 was used to probe the effect of halogenation of chromia by Cl/F exchange reactions to find out the difference between the halogenated inactive and active catalysts. The heterogeneous reactions were performed in a continuous flow Ni reactor and also under simulated reaction conditions in a reactor where after the reaction X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS) and X-ray excited Auger electron spectroscopy (XAES) analyses are possible without air exposure of the catalyst, i.e., under so-called "in situ" conditions. The Cr(III) 2p XP spectra, which revealed multiplet splitting features and satellite emission, were used for chemical analysis by using a simple evaluation procedure which neglects this inherent complexity. Chemical analysis was also applied by using chemical state plots for Cr 3s in order to cross-check Cr 2p related results. Both ex and in situ XPS show that as soon as Cr2O3 is exposed to CCl2F2 at 390°C fluorination as well as chlorination takes place at the catalyst surface. When the XPS surface composition reaches approximately 4 at. % fluorination and 6 at. % chlorination, maximum catalytic activity was obtained. Application of longer reaction times did not change significantly the obtained surface composition of the activated chromia. The fluorination and chlorination of chromia was further investigated by various HF and HCl treatments. The activated chromia samples and the Cr2O3, Cr(OH)3, CrF2OH, CrF3·H2O, α-CrF3, β-CrF3, and CrCl3 reference samples with well-known chemical structures were also characterized by X-ray absorption near edge structure (XANES), time-of-flight secondary ion mass spectroscopy (TOF-SIMS), pyridine-FTIR, wet chemical (F and Cl) analysis, X-ray powder diffraction (XRD), and surface area (BET) analysis. The results suggest that the formation of chromium oxide chloride fluoride species, e.g., chromium oxide halides, at the surface is sufficient to provide catalytic activity. The presence of any CrF3 and/or CrCl3 phases on the activated chromia samples was not found.
Role of metal cations in plasmon-catalyzed oxidation: A case study of p-aminothiophenol dimerization
(2017)
The mechanism of the plasmon-catalyzed reaction of p-aminothiophenol (PATP) to 4,4′-dimercaptoazobenzene (DMAB) on the surface of metal nanoparticles has been discussed using data from surface-enhanced Raman scattering of DMAB. Oxides and hydroxides formed in a plasmon-catalyzed process were proposed to play a central role in the reaction. Here, we report DMAB formation on gold nanoparticles occurring in the presence of the metal cations Ag+, Au3+, Pt4+, and Hg2+. The experiments were carried out under conditions where formation of gold oxide or hydroxide from the nanoparticles can be excluded and at high pH where the formation of the corresponding oxidic species from the metal ions is favored. On the basis of our results, we conclude that, under these conditions, the selective oxidation of PATP to DMAB takes place via formation of a metal oxide from the ionic species in a plasmon-catalyzed process. By evidencing the necessity of the presence of the metal cations, the reported results underpin the importance of metal oxides in the reaction.
Chemical derivatization XPS is used for the quantitative determination of amines at conventional organic surfaces, and it is also applied to plasma-processed aminated surfaces. When using TFBA and PFB as derivatization reagents for tagging primary amino groups, unexpected fluorine species were observed in the second case. The existence of reaction pathways other than those expected for amine derivatization with PFB or TFBA has to be assumed. This phenomenon is tentatively interpreted as the result of C—F bond cleavage during derivatization reactions of TFBA and PFB at plasma-polymerized allylamine and other plasma-processed aminated surfaces. As a consequence, quantification procedures based on derivatization by PFB or TFBA will underestimate amine surface concentrations.
A toluene solution of 4,4´-methylenebis(2,6-diethylaniline) was spin coated on Si wafers. The samples were derivatized with pentafluorobenzaldehyde (PFB) in order to determine the primary amino groups on the surface. XPS C 1s and N 1s and C and N K-edge NEXAFS of underivatized and derivatized films were carefully analyzed. The result was that after 10 min of exposure the gas-surface reaction was already completed. A reasonable derivatization reaction yield in the order of 90% is derived from the experiments. This number correlates well to a reaction yield obtained by a wet chemical approach.
AZ31 Mg alloy sheet was welded using a gas-tungsten arc (GTA) process over inserts containing 2.3-9.3 wt.% Al. The welded specimens were susceptible to SCC in distilled water, with susceptibility increasing with decreasing weld metal Al (or β particle) concentration. Primary stress corrosion cracks initiated at the weld metal-HAZ interface by stress-assisted localised dissolution and propagated through the weld and base metals by transgranular and intergranular H-assisted fracture (TG-HAF and IG-HAF) respectively. The IG fracture mode may be intrinsic to the texture imparted upon the base metal by rolling. The increase in SCC susceptibility with decreasing weld metal Al concentration is contrary to the purported roles of β particles in promoting localised corrosion and as crack nucleation sites, but corresponds with increases in weld - base metal galvanic current density and weld metal localised corrosion susceptibility.
Since more than 40 years ammonia plasma exposure of polyolefins is used for introduction of primary amino groups. The selectivity of this reaction and the yield in primary amino groups was found to be low. Here, a prominent side-reactions of this process was investigated, the hydrogenation by NH3 plasma. For identification of hydrogenation ammonia (NH3) and deuterated ammonia (ND3) were exposed to Polyethylene (h-PE) and fully deuterated polyethylene (d-PE) as well as hexatriacontane (h-HTC) and fully deuterated hexatriacontane (d-HTC) as low-molecular weight model for PE. HD exchange was assumed and detected by Time-of-Flight Secondary Ion Mass Spectrometry (ToFSIMS), X-ray Photoelectron Spectroscopy (XPS), Attenuated Total Reflectance (ATR-FTIR) and 1H and 2H Nuclear magnetic Resonance. Results show a significant HD exchange within the sampling depth of ATR (2.5 µm). However, N- and NH2 introduction was limited to the topmost surface as shown by SIMS and XPS (a few nanometers).
Controlling thickness and tightness of surface passivation shells is crucial for many applications of core–shell nanoparticles (NP). Usually, to determine shell thickness, core and core/shell particle are measured individually requiring the availability of both nanoobjects. This is often not fulfilled for functional nanomaterials such as many photoluminescent semiconductor quantum dots (QD) used for bioimaging, solid state lighting, and display technologies as the core does not show the applicationrelevant functionality like a high photoluminescence (PL) quantum yield, calling for a whole nanoobject approach. By combining high-resolution transmission electron microscopy (HR-TEM) and X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS), a novel whole nanoobject approach is developed representatively for an ultrabright oleic acid-stabilized, thick shell CdSe/CdS QD with a PL quantum yield close to unity. The size of this spectroscopically assessed QD, is in the range of the information depth of usual laboratory XPS. Information on particle size and monodispersity were validated with dynamic light scattering (DLS) and small angle X-ray scattering (SAXS) and compared to data derived from optical measurements. In addition to demonstrating the potential of this novel whole nanoobject approach for determining architectures of small nanoparticles, the presented results also highlight challenges faced by different sizing and structural analysis methods and method-inherent uncertainties.
Reversible light-modulation of fulgimide based monolayers on Si(1 1 1) and Si(1 0 0) was investigated using ATR-FTIR spectroscopy. Fulgimide monolayers were prepared from neat COOH-terminated SAMs on Si(1 1 1) obtained from methyl undec-10-enoate, (1:1)-diluted COOH-terminated monolayers on Si(1 1 1), and GPTMS monolayers on Si(1 0 0). The epoxy-terminated monolayer on oxidized Si(1 0 0) was characterized with ellipsometry, XPS, as well as contact angle measurements, and ATR-FTIR spectroscopy revealed a strong influence of toluene water content on reproducible high-quality monolayer formation. The results of this study show that environmental polarity has a strong influence on fulgimide imide IR band locations and read-out options for the two photostationary states PSS(365 nm), containing E/Z- and C-isomers, and PSS(545 nm), with solely the E/Zisomers.
Neat COOH-terminated monolayers on flat Si(1 1 1) have the Advantage of high functional Group concentration, orientation and stability, and an upright arrangement of fulgimide head groups.
The formation of plasma-deposited materials made from organic molecules is a technologically attractive way to obtain films with unique properties, e.g. adhesion, wettability, conductivity or selected chemical functionalization. A detailed chemical characterization of these films is a great challenge for the analyst because of the co-existence of a large number of chemical species in plasma-deposited films. We investigated these types of organic films using photoelectron spectroscopy for chemical analysis (ESCA, XPS), near edge X-ray absorption fine structure (NEXAFS) spectroscopy at synchrotron radiation source BESSY II and time-of-flight secondary ion mass spectroscopy (ToF-SIMS). A dedicated plasma preparation chamber was designed and added to the main analysis chamber of the respective spectrometers. This approach offers the possibility of studying plasma-deposited films without exposure to air before analysis (often called in-situ analysis) and the influence of post-plasma reactions, i.e. the ageing process. The present investigations are aimed at finding correlations between basic chemical properties of the deposited films and the plasma deposition parameters, e.g. duty cycle in pulsed plasmas and the power of discharge.
Soft x-ray spectromicroscopy techniques have seen great amount of development in the recent years, and with the development of new diffraction limited synchrotron source, many new nanoscale and mesoscale characterization opportunities of applied materials are foreseen. In this perspective, the authors present some examples that illustrate the capabilities of spectromicroscopy techniques, namely, 2D and 3D spatially resolved chemical quantification, surface and bulk sensitive measurements, and polarization dependent measurements as applied to iron oxide nanoparticulate materials of biological, geological, and other origins.
Imaging and small-spot (small area) XPS have become increasingly important components of surface chemical analysis during the last three decades, and its use is growing. Some ambiguity in the use of terminology, understanding of concepts, and lack of appropriate reference materials leads to confusing and not always reproducible data. In this paper, it is shown that by using existing knowledge, appropriate test specimens, and standardized approaches, problems of comparability and such reproducibility issues recently observed for XPS data reported in the scientific literature can be overcome. The standardized methods of ISO 18516:2019, (i) the straight-edge, (ii) the narrow-line, and (iii) the grating method, can be used to characterize and compare the lateral resolution achieved by imaging XPS instruments and are described by reporting examples. The respective measurements are made using new test specimens. When running an XPS instrument in the small-spot (small area) mode for a quantitative analysis of a feature of interest, the question arises as to what contribution to the intensity originates from outside the analysis area. A valid measurement approach to control the intensity from outside the nominal analysis area is also described. As always, the relevant resolution depends on the specific question that needs to be addressed. The strengths and limitations of methods defining resolution are indicated.
The certified reference material BAM-L200, a nanoscale stripe pattern for length calibration and specification of lateral resolution, is described. BAM-L200 is prepared from a cross-sectioned epitaxially grown layer stack of AlxGa1-xAs and InxGa1 xAs on a GaAs substrate. The surface of BAM-L200 provides a flat pattern with stripe widths ranging down to 1 nm. Calibration distances, grating periods and stripe widths have been certified by TEM with traceability to the length unit. The combination of gratings, isolated narrow stripes and sharp edges of wide stripes offers a plenty of options for the determination of lateral resolution, sharpness and calibration of length scale at selected settings of imaging surface analytical instruments. The feasibility of the reference material for an analysis of the lateral resolution is demonstrated in detail by evaluation of ToF-SIMS, AES and EDX images. Other applications developed in the community are summarized, too. BAM-L200 fully supports the implementation of the revised International Standard ISO 18516 (in preparation) which is based on knowledge outlined in the Technical Report ISO/TR 19319:2013.
ISO 18516:2019 Surface chemical analysis—Determination of lateral resolution and sharpness in beam-based methods with a range from nanometres to micrometres revises ISO 18516:2006 Surface chemical analysis—Auger electron spectroscopy and X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy—Determination of lateral resolution. It implements three different methods delivering parameters useful to express the lateral resolution: (1) the straight edge method, (2) the narrow line method and (3) the grating method. The theoretical background of these methods is introduced in ISO/TR 19319:2013 Surface chemical analysis—Fundamental approaches to determination of lateral resolution and sharpness in beam-based methods. The revised International Standard ISO 18516 delivers standardized procedures for the determination of the (1) effective lateral resolution by imaging of square-wave gratings, the (2) lateral resolution expressed as the parameter D12–88 characterizing the steepness of the sigmoidal edge spread function (ESF) determined by imaging a straight edge and (3) the lateral resolution expressed as the full width of half maximum of the line spread function (LSF), wLSF, determined by imaging a narrow line. The last method also delivers information on the shape of the LSF, which characterizes an individual imaging instrument. Finally, the implementation of all three standardized methods in the field of imaging laboratory X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS) is shortly presented. This part of the letter is based on the use of a new test sample developed at ETH Zurich, Switzerland. This test sample displays a micrometre scaled pattern motivated by the resolving power of recent imaging XPS instruments.
The photoinduced pseudorotaxane formation between a photoresponsive axle and a tetralactam macrocycle was investigated in solution and on glass surfaces with immobilized multilayers of macrocycles. In the course of this reaction, a novel photoswitchable binding station with azobenzene as the photoswitchable unit and diketopiperazine as the binding station was synthesized and studied by NMR and UV/Vis spectroscopy. Glass surfaces have been functionalized with pyridine-terminated SAMs and subsequently withmultilayers of macrocycles through layer-by-layer self assembly.
A preferred orientation of the macrocycles could be confirmed by NEXAFS spectroscopy. The photocontrolled Deposition of the axle into the surface-bound macrocycle-multilayers was monitored by UV/Vis spectroscopy and led to an increase of the molecular order, as indicated by more substantial linear dichroism effects in angle-resolved NEXAFS spectra.
Implantable drug delivery systems that provide controlled and sustained release of a therapeutic agent are used in a wide variety of applications. Drug eluting stents, which are used to treat coronary artery disease, are among the most widespread of these devices, with an estimated 3x10⁶ implants annually worldwide. Controlling the rate of drug release from these devices relies on precise control of the three dimensional (3D)-distribution of the drug, so methods for measuring this distribution are of great importance. The aims of this work were to determine how 3D-imaging of polymer-free sirolimus/probucol drug eluting stent coatings could be improved through the use of laser postionization secondary neutral mass spectrometry (Laser-
SNMS) and Ar cluster sputtering with time-of-flight secondary ion mass spectrometry (ToF-SIMS) and to optimize conditions for this analysis. In this study, 3D-imaging of a sirolimus/probucol dual drug eluting stent has been investigated using Laser-SNMS and ToF-SIMS. Laser-SNMS studies of pure sirolimus and probucol were undertaken using 30 keV Bi₃⁺ primary Ions and a 157 nm excimer postionization laser. Under optimal conditions, a greater than 100-fold increase in detected ion yield was observed for Laser-SNMS when compared to ToF-SIMS, although ToF-SIMS provided equal or greater yields for higher mass characteristic ions. Although the optimal laser power density for detecting probucol (5x10⁶W/cm²) was significantly lower than the optimum for sirolimus(7x10⁷W/cm²), an intermediate laser power density of 1x10⁷W/cm² was sufficient to allow imaging of both drugs. Using individual selected ion signals, ToF-SIMS and Laser-SNMS produced similar images of the two drug species. When using, however, a multivariate approach (Maximum autocorrelation factors), Laser-SNMS provided significant improvements in image contrast and small area detection when compared to ToF-SIMS.
Following optimization of the technique, 3D-images of the dual drug eluting stent coating were obtained using 10 keV Ar₂₀₀₀⁺ cluster ions for sputtering and 30 keV Bi₃⁺ cluster ions for Analysis for both ToF-SIMS and Laser-SNMS. This work demonstrates the advantages of Laser-SNMS for 3D-imaging of pharmaceutical devices, which has not been previously published. Both ToF-SIMS and Laser-SNMS revealed that the outermost surface of the drug eluting coating contained pure sirolimus to a depth of a few tens of nanometers, with a few channels of sirolimus extending to a depth of around 1 lm. Below about 1 lm, the two drugs were uniformly mixed. Using the 10 keV Ar₂₀₀₀⁺ sputter beam, the authors were able to sputter through the complete drug coating (~6 μm) without observing any accumulated damage in the organic layer. The two techniques showed complementary strengths: ToF-SIMS offers faster data collection and better detected ion yield for larger characteristic ions than Laser-SNMS, and Laser-SNMS offers significantly enhanced detected ion yield for smaller fragment ions, allowing for improved Image contrast and Resolution of smaller features.
Self-assembled octadecyltrichlorosilane (CH3(CH2)17SiCl3, OTS) films were deposited on an oxidized silicon wafer. They were carefully exposed to a low-pressure oxygen direct current (dc) plasma and/or Cr vapor. Subsequently, they were characterized by X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy, near-edge X-ray absorption fine structure spectroscopy, and atomic force microscopy. Detailed information on the oxygen functionalization and the molecular conformation of the OTS films was obtained. The main result was that functionalization conditions can be found where the order of the film remains almost unaffected. Similarly, Cr evaporation of pure OTS films revealed only slight effects on the order in the film. Cr evaporation of an ordered but functionalized OTS film immediately changes its state toward a fully isotropic one. In the course of interaction, oxygen sites at the surface of the functionalized OTS film are reduced whereas Cr becomes oxidized. A redox reaction scheme is proposed for this interfacial reaction. Finally, it is concluded that the given study should be of importance for advanced plasma processing of polyolefins.
Preparation of graphene oxide by cyanuric chloride as an effective and non-corrosive oxidizing agent
(2016)
In this work, we report a new method for the synthesis of graphene oxide (GO) using cyanuric chloride as a non-corrosive oxidizing agent.
The mild conditions, simple purification, and scalability of this method are significant advantages over common approaches in which harsh oxidizing agents are used. Moreover, a major drawback with the Hummers' method, the production of toxic gases, is not an issue with this process. This method is a safe and large-scale alternative for the production of GO under mild conditions.
A novel Infinitesimal Columns (IC) simulation model is introduced in this study for the quantitativeanalysis of core-shell nanoparticles (CSNP) by means of XPS, which combines the advantages of exist-ing approaches. The IC model is applied to stabilised Lumidot™CdSe/ZnS 610 CSNP for an extensiveinvestigation of their internal structure, i.e. calculation of the two shell thicknesses (ZnS and stabiliser)and exploration of deviations from the idealised CSNP composition. The observed discrepancies betweendifferent model calculations can be attributed to the presence of excess stabiliser as well as synthesisresidues, demonstrating the necessity of sophisticated purification methods. An excellent agreement isfound in the comparison of the IC model with established models from the existing literature, the Shardmodel and the software SESSA.
Overlayers of SiO2 (nominally 4, 6 and 8 nm thick) on silicon, prepared by thermal oxidation, were investigated using x-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS). The thickness of these overlayers was obtained from a measurement of the photoelectron intensities originating from the substrate and the oxide overlayer by applying an appropriate quantitative model. The uncertainty budget of that thickness measurement method is given. The relative combined standard uncertainty of the method was found to be 15%. The effective attenuation lengths or the corresponding electron inelastic mean free paths are of considerable importance for both the estimated values of overlayer thickness and combined standard uncertainties. The XPS results were compared with ellipsometry data.
Die Akkreditierung für Prüfverfahren in der Oberflächenanalytik wird gemeinhin als sehr schwierig angesehen. Durch das unlängst eingeführte flexible Konzept der Akkreditierung, auch Prüfartenakkreditierung genannt, eröffnen sich nunmehr neue Möglichkeiten. Aus dem Bereich des Normenwesens in der Oberflächenanalytik erhalten die Prüflaboratorien zusätzliche Unterstützung. Die Validierung von ESCA-Prüfverfahren und ein wohldokumentiertes Prüfmittelmanagement sind weitere Bausteine auf dem Weg zur erfolgreichen Akkreditierung. Oberflächenanalyseverfahren sind akkreditierfähig.
First results of an inter-laboratory comparison (27 participants in Europe, Japan and USA) of XPS data obtained with non-conducting samples are presented. Binding energies of Al 2s for alumina, N 1s and imide C 1s for Kapton and Sr 3p3/2 for a strontium titanate film on glass were obtained after static charge referencing with the help of 15 nm gold particles deposited at the surface of the test samples. For the alumina sample C 1s static charge referenced data are also presented. Repeat standard deviations (sr), between standard deviations (sb), reproducibility standard deviations (sR) and total means are evaluated from the experimental data. It can be stated that although the repeat standard deviation is as small as 0.05 eV in the best case, the standard deviation characterizing the reproducibility of the method is obviously not better than 0.15 eV in the best case at the present time. The knowledge of these standard deviations is important for metrology, validations of analytical procedures relying on qualitative photoelectron spectroscopy and XPS databanking.
Dr Martin Seah, NPL, was the initiator, founder, and first chairman of the Surface Analysis Working Group (SAWG) at the Consultative Committee for Amount of Substance, Metrology in Chemistry and Biology (CCQM) at the Bureau International des Poids et Mesures (BIPM), the international organization established by the Metre Convention. This tribute letter summarizes his achievements during his chairmanship and his long-running impact on the successful work of the group after his retirement.
In this work, fullerene has been functionalized with cyanuric Chloride at room temperature by a nitrene mediated [2 + 1] cycloaddition reaction. The adduct after functionalization is inherently in the form of azafulleroid and shows broad UV absorption in the wavelength range of 200–800 nm, as well as photothermal conversion and fluorescence with a high quantum yield.
Es wird gezeigt, dass mit einer Kombination der Oberflächenanalyseverfahren ESCA, ToF- SIMS und XAS eine erfolgreiche chemische Charakterisierung von Plasmapolymerfilmen erreicht werden kann. Es werden Elemente und Bindungstypen identifiziert und (semi-)quantitativ bestimmt. Eine Korrelation zwischen Abscheidebedingungen und chemischen Eigenschaften der Plasmapolymerschichten kann hergestellt werden; eine kontrollierte Abscheidung wird damit möglich. Alterungsprozesse, die als Folge einer Atmosphärenexposition auftreten, können beobachtet werden. Die direkte Verbindung der Analysetechniken mit einem Plasmareaktor ermöglicht es, die Alterungsphänomene der Schichten systematisch mit Bezug auf eine frisch abgeschiedene und keinerlei Atomsphäre ausgesetzte Plasmapolymerschicht zu studieren.
Die Verfahrensweise wird exemplarisch am Beispiel von Ethylen-, Allylamin- und Allylalkohol-Plasmapolymerschichten demonstriert.
A survey is given on how a combination of modern methods of surface analysis with appropriate data evaluation procedures can be used to provide a thorough chemical characterization of plasma polymerized organic films often called plasma polymers. Technologically relevant parameters can be monitored versus variation of plasma process parameters and during ageing of the films on air. The level of development of analytical approaches reached during the last ten years opens many options which are useful to be applied in plasma process development, optimization and control. However, in a number of important cases further development of analytical methods is required. Another future challenge is to develop standards with metrological underpinning to reach comparability of measurements in the community.
Translated Abstract
Chemische Oberflächencharakterisierung von Plasmapolymerschichten: Was leisten die Messverfahren heute?
Es wird ein Überblick gegeben, wie mit dem kombinierten Einsatz moderner Methoden der Oberflächenanalytik und fortgeschrittener Datenreduktionsverfahren eine umfassende chemische Charakterisierung von plasmachemisch abgeschiedenen organischen Schichten, oft als Plasmapolymere bezeichnet, erreicht werden kann. Die chemischen Eigenschaften sind bestimmend für wichtige technologische Parameter der Schichten und können sowohl durch Plasmaprozessparameter als auch von der Liegezeit bestimmt werden. Eine Standardisierung von Prozeduren der Oberflächenanalytik zur Charakterisierung von Plasmapolymeren und ihre metrologische Begründung sind Schwerpunkte in der weiteren Entwicklung.
The status of standardization related to x-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS, ESCA) at ASTM International (Subcommittee E42.03) and ISO (TC 201) is presented and commented upon in a structured manner. The survey also identifies other active bodies, here VAMAS Technical Working Area 2 and the Surface Analysis Working Group at the International Meter Convention, contributing to prestandardization Research and metrology of XPS and reports their specific activities. It is concluded that existing standardization is delivering good practices in the use of XPS and has a high potential to avoid the recently observed erroneous use, misapplications, and misinterpretation by new and inexperienced users of the method—which seems to be the main reason for the “reproducibility crisis” in the field of XPS applications. A need for a more proactive publicizing of international documentary standards by experienced XPS users, specifically those who are involved in standardization, is identified. Because the existing portfolio of standards addressing the use of XPS is not complete, future standardization projects planned or already ongoing are mentioned. The way the standardization bodies are identifying future needs is shortly explained.
Multidrug resistance resulting from a variety of defensive pathways in Cancer has become a global concern with a considerable impact on the mortality associated with the failure of traditional chemotherapy. Therefore, further research and new therapies are required to overcome this challenge. In this work, a cyclic R10 peptide (cR10) is conjugated to polyglycerol-covered nanographene oxide to engineer a nanoplatform for the surmounting of multidrug resistance. The nuclear translocation of the nanoplatform, facilitated by cR10 peptide, and subsequently, a laser-triggered release of the loaded doxorubicin result in efficient anticancer activity confirmed by both in vitro and in vivo experiments. The synthesized nanoplatform with a combination of different features, including active nucleus-targeting, highloading capacity, controlled release of cargo, and photothermal property, provides a new strategy for circumventing multidrug resistant cancers.
Low- and atmospheric-pressure plasma co-polymerisations of binary gas mixtures of C2H4 and NH3 or N2, respectively, were investigated for depositing N-rich plasma polymer coatings for biomedical applications. Deposition kinetics and relevant surface characteristics of resulting plasma polymerised ethylene enriched with nitrogen, PPE:N, coatings were investigated as a function of the gas mixture ratio, X = NH3(N2)/C2H4. Physico-chemical properties of the coatings were determined using a combination of complementary surface-sensitive techniques: for example, total nitrogen concentrations, [N], up to 40 at.% were measured by X-ray Photoelectron Spectroscopy, XPS, while those of primary amines, [NH2], were determined by performing chemical derivatisation followed by XPS analyses. PPE:N films were further characterised by UVVIS Ellipsometry, Near Edge X-ray Absorption Fine Structure Spectroscopy, IR Spectroscopy and by Contact Angle Goniometry measurements. The stability of the coatings was tested, both in terms of water solubility and of ageing in ambient atmosphere. For the latter, selected samples were stored in the laboratory for different durations, in order to assess possible changes in their chemical structures.
Coordination chemistry was applied to deposit pyridine-functionalized gold nanoparticles on silicon substrates. The particles were synthesized through the Brust/Schiffrin route with a subsequent ligand exchange reaction yielding well-defined particles of two different sizes. Multilayer deposition was carried out on a pyridine-terminated SAM, anchored on a hydroxyl-terminated silicon surface. Analogously, Hunter/Vögtle-type tetralactam macrocycle multilayers were deposited as well as mixed layers containing both either in an alternating sequence or as a macrocycle multilayer with a terminating nanoparticle layer. These composite layers were examined with respect to their ability to bind squaraine axles in the macrocycle cavities. The amount of guest bound is higher for the composite layer with alternating macrocycles and nanoparticles.
Aiming at the functionalization of surfaces with terpyridine anchors for the coordinative deposition of additional layers, mixed self-assembled monolayers (SAMs) were prepared from binary solutions of 12-(2,2':6',2''-terpyridine-4'-yl)dodecane-1-thiol (TDT) and 1-decanethiol (DT). The SAMs and the order of the constituting molecules were analyzed by X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS), near-edge X-ray absorption fine structure spectroscopy (NEXAFS), and time-of-flight-secondary ion mass spectrometry (ToF-SIMS). The composition of the (TDT/DT)-SAMs and with it the surface density of terpyridyl groups correlates linearly with the relative concentrations of the two compounds in the solution used for depositing them. In marked contrast, the amount of terpyridine-coordinated PdII ions significantly deviates from this trend with an optimum at a 1:3 ratio of TDT/DT. This indicates a major fraction of the terpyridines in TDT-rich SAMs not to be accessible for PdII ion coordination. In agreement, NEXAFS spectroscopy reveals the alkyl backbones in TDT-rich SAMs not to be ordered, while they are preferentially upright oriented in the optimal 1:3-(TDT/DT)-SAMs. We interpret this in terms of terpyridine backfolding in TDT-rich SAMs, while they are located in accessible positions on top of the SAM in the 1:3-(TDT/DT)-SAM. While the alkyl backbones in the 1:3-(TDT/DT)-SAM are ordered, NEXAFS spectroscopy shows the terpyridyl groups not to have a preferential orientation in this SAM and thus retain enough flexibility to adjust to molecules that are deposited on top of the mixed SAM. In conclusion, the novel SAM does not undergo phase separation and consists predominantly of intermixed phases with adjustable surface density of quite flexible terpyridine anchor groups. The terpyridine–PdII anchors are not only available for a future deposition of the next layer, but the metal ions also represent a sensitive probe for the accessibility of the terpyridyl groups.
Graphene and its derivatives have recently attracted much attention for sensing and deactivating pathogens. However, the mechanism of multivalent interactions at the graphene–pathogen interface is not fully understood. Since different physicochemical parameters of graphene play a role at this interface, control over graphene’s structure is necessary to study the mechanism of these interactions. In this work, different graphene derivatives and also zwitterionic graphene nanomaterials (ZGNMs) were synthesized with defined exposure, in terms of polymer coverage and functionality, and isoelectric points. Then, the switchable interactions of these nanomaterials with E. coli and Bacillus cereus were investigated to study the validity of the generally proposed “trapping” and “nano-knives” mechanisms for inactivating bacteria by graphene derivatives. It was found that the antibacterial activity of graphene derivatives strongly depends on the accessible area, i.e. edges and basal plane of sheets and tightness of their agglomerations. Our data clearly confirm the authenticity of “trapping” and “nano-knives” mechanisms for the antibacterial activity of graphene sheets.
Plasma deposited ethylene/allylamine and styrene/allylamine copolymer films were prepared and analyzed using XPS, NEXAFS and ToF-SIMS. The relative partial flow rate of the each monomer was used as the variable deposition parameter, while the other deposition parameters were kept constant at optimized values for the retention of functional groups. The effect of the variation in the relative partial flow rates of co-monomers on various chemical aspects of the films like unsaturation, nitrogen retention and branching was investigated revealing several non-linear correlations. This observation is taken as an indication for chemical copolymerization processes during film deposition. An attempt is made to compare these non-linear correlations with approaches which have been developed for classic radical copolymerization processes. The aging behavior of these plasma copolymer films was also studied; the results indicated a stabilization against oxidation in comparison to the aging of allylamine plasma homopolymers.
XPS and NEXAFS spectroscopy were used for the chemical characterization of pulsed plasma-deposited ethylene films before and after exposure to ambient air. The influence of external plasma parameters on the spectroscopic results was investigated. Information on the chemical character of the plasma-polymerized films, such as the regularity of the primary structure, the amount of long-living radicals, and branching or cross-linking or both was derived from this data. Irregularity and radical concentration for post-plasma reactions of the plasma-deposited films increased with the duty cycle or power. A decreased level of monomer fragmentation and, consequently, an increase in regularity is partially concluded from the experimental data when the monomer pressure is increased. The concentration of surface radicals available for post-plasma reactions also increased with monomer pressure. The correlation found between the degree of the post-plasma oxygen incorporation and the variation of the various external parameters agreed with earlier ToF-SSIMS findings.
Chemical properties of plasma-polymerized styrene films can be effectively controlled by the appropriate choice of external plasma parameters, such as duty cycle, power and monomer pressure. Chemical properties here are the regularity of the primary structure, the amount of long living radicals and branching or cross-linking or both in plasma polymerized styrene films, which can be indirectly monitored by X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS) and near edge X-ray absorption fine structure (NEXAFS) spectroscopy. Principally, XPS and NEXAFS spectra of plasma-polymerized styrene show all the spectroscopic fingerprints characteristic of atactic polystyrene indicating an inherent similarity of the respective primary chemical structures. There is an increase in irregularity and radical concentration for the plasma deposited films with increasing duty cycle or power. With an increase in monomer pressure, a decreased level of monomer fragmentation and, consequently, an increase in regularity must be concluded from the experimental data. The applied power regulates the fragmentation of the monomers as monitored by spectroscopic signals correlated to the aromatic rings. A trend in the extent of the post-plasma oxygen incorporation according to the variation of the various external plasma parameters was deduced, which agrees with earlier ToF-SIMS findings
Plasma-deposited polymer films were prepared from organic molecules and investigated using near edge X-ray absorption fine structure (NEXAFS) and X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS) for aging effects after exposure to air. Results from the investigation of homopolymers are summarized. Primarily the effect of the deposition parameters duty cycle and power are dealt with. The effect of the deposition parameter pressure is briefly discussed. An example to show the effect of feed gas composition on the aging of plasma polymerized ethylene/allyl alcohol and styrene/allyl alcohol copolymer is also given. In general, change in content of unsaturated or aromatic species, change in concentration of monomer functionality, and change in the oxygen content was observed in the plasma polymerized films on aging.
Plasma polymerised films of acrylic acid, allyl alcohol and allyl amine were prepared and studied by XPS (X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy) and XAS (X-ray absorption spectroscopy). The influence of external plasma parameters on certain chemical aspects of the films was investigated. The use of XPS and NEXAFS (near edge X-ray absorption fine structure) as complimentary tools in the surface characterisation of thin films has been highlighted. Certain chemical aspects of the plasma polymerised films such as presence of ROCdouble bond; length as m-dashO in the case of plasma polymerised acrylic acid films, presence of RCdouble bond; length as m-dashO and RCOR bonds in case of plasma polymerised allyl alcohol films and presence of RCdouble bond; length as m-dashN and C?N in case of plasma polymerised allyl amine films were studied. The concentration of ROCdouble bond; length as m-dashO species was found to decrease with increase in r.f. duty cycle in the case of plasma polymerised acrylic acid films. In case of plasma polymerised allyl alcohol films there is a decrease in the concentration of RCdouble bond; length as m-dashO species and increase in the concentration of RCOR species at higher pressures, while in the case of plasma polymerised allyl amine films the concentration of RCdouble bond; length as m-dashN and C?N increases at higher powers, with an increase in C?N more pronounced at higher powers.
Plasma deposited styrene/allyl alcohol and ethylene/allyl alcohol copolymer films were prepared and characterized using XPS, NEXAFS and ToF-SIMS. The relative partial flow rates of the co-monomers are used as deposition process parameters to vary and all other process parameters were constrained to conditions optimized for retention of functional groups. By doing this it is possible to control certain chemical properties of the copolymer films such as unsaturation, oxygen and hydroxyl group relative surface contents. The aging behavior of the plasma copolymer films on air was studied, too. Non-linear variations of relative oxygen contents, contents of C—OR species and contents of carbonyl species are obtained vs. variation of feed gas composition for both monomer combinations. The chemical character of the plasma copolymer films varies between the limits given by the respective plasma homopolymers. The observed non-linear correlations are discussed in terms of approaches developed for classic radical copolymerization. The aging behavior of the different plasma copolymers films depends on the feed gas composition. Principally these aging phenomena known from plasma polymer aging studies of that respective monomer which dominates the character of the plasma copolymer are observed.
Magnetic iron oxide nanoparticle clusters (mnpc) coated with organic stabilizers were investigated using scanning transmission x-ray microscopy (STXM). Simultaneous surface and bulk sensitive Fe L3 edge absorption spectra, obtained using a photomultiplier tube and a channeltron, were used to detect subtle changes in the oxidation state in the surface and bulk of Iron Oxide mnpc.
The effectiveness of this mode of STXM operation is demonstrated for These nanoparticle clusters.
Magnetic iron oxide nanoparticle clusters (mnpc) coated with organic stabilizers were investigated using scanning transmission x-ray microscopy (STXM). Simultaneous surface and bulk sensitive Fe L₃ edge absorption spectra, obtained using a photomultiplier tube and a channeltron, were used to detect subtle changes in the oxidation state in the surface and bulk of Iron Oxide mnpc. The effectiveness of this mode of STXM operation is demonstrated for these nanoparticle clusters.
In this article the question of the certification of calibration samples for the characterisation of advanced thin film materials is addressed within the framework of reliable process control or quality management purposes. Reference measurement techniques can be used in order to address the gap in appropriate certified reference materials (CRMs) for thin film analyses. They allow for qualifying out-of-production samples originating from an operating production line as calibration samples. As a template for this procedure, CIGS [Cu(In,Ga)Se2] layers, that are absorber layers for high efficiency thin-film solar cells, have been used for establishing and validating reference-free X-ray fluorescence (XRF) analysis and Auger-electron spectroscopy (AES) as reference measurement techniques. The focus was on determining the average mole fractions in the CIGS layers obtaining results traceable to the SI unit system. Reference-free XRF is physically traceable and is based upon radiometrically calibrated instrumentation and knowledge of atomic fundamental data. Sputter-assisted AES can be established as a chemically traceable method after careful calibration using a certified reference material (CRM) based on a total number counting method.
Time-of-flight secondary ion mass spectrometry (TOF-SIMS) mappings provide a visualization of the distribution of chemical elements and phases on polished duplex steel surfaces as element and fragment secondary ion signals. The advantage of TOF-SIMS, compared to optical microscopy, is its potential to analyze the chemical composition with a lateral resolution at a submicrometer scale. TOF-SIMS mappings allow distinguishing between ferritic and austenitic phases because of the phase selective detection method without any requirement of etching or other processing.
Small-area/spot photoelectron spectroscopy (SAXPS) is a powerful tool for the investigation of small surface features like microstructures of electronic devices, sensors or other functional surfaces, and so forth. For evaluating the quality of such microstructures, it is often crucial to know whether a small signal in a spectrum is an unwanted contamination of the field of view (FoV), defined by the instrument settings, or it originated from outside. To address this issue, the d80/20 parameter of a line scan across a chemical edge is often used. However, the typical d80/20 parameter does not give information on contributions from the long tails of the X-ray beam intensity distribution or the electron-optical system as defined by apertures. In the VAMAS TWA2 A22 project “Applying planar, patterned, multi-metallic samples to assess the impact of analysis area in surface-chemical analysis,” new test specimen was developed and tested. The here presented testing material consists of a silicon wafer substrate with an Au-film and embedded Cr circular and square spots with decreasing dimensions from 200 μm down to 5 μm. The spot sizes are traceable to the length unit due to size measurements with a metrological SEM. For the evaluation of the FoV, we determined the Au4f intensities measured with the center of the FoV aligned with the center of the spot and normalized to the Au4f intensity determined on the Au-film. With this test specimen, it was possible to characterize, as an example, the FoV of a Kratos AXIS Ultra DLD XPS instrument.
Influence of oxygen vacancies on core-shell formation in solid solutions of (Na,Bi)TiO3 and SrTiO3
(2021)
Solid solutions of (Na,Bi)TiO3 (NBT) and SrTiO3 (ST) are materials of interest for high-strain or high-energy density capacitor applications. Often, they exhibit chemical heterogeneity and develop core-shell structures during regular solid-state synthesis with an NBT-rich core. In this case, the NBT forms first so that the strontium needs to diffuse into the material to reach chemical homogeneity. Depending on the presence of core-shell structures, the electrical properties can vary drastically. In this work, we rationalize the effect of variations in oxygen vacancy concentration by Fe-acceptor and Nb-donor doping. It can be shown that a diffusion couple of strontium and oxygen is responsible for chemical homogenization and that the oxygen vacancy content can control the formation of a core-shell structure.
The amine headgroup, NH2, in aminothiolate monolayers can often generate unexpectedly rich structures in its N K-edge X-ray photoelectron spectra (XPS) and near-edge X-ray absorption fine structure (NEXAFS) spectra that are difficult to assign. We have carried out density functional theory (DFT) calculations to study the XPS and NEXAFS of amine headgroup in four different aminothiolate monolayers, namely, aliphatic 11-aminoundecane-1-thiol (AUDT), aromatic 4-aminobenzenethiol (ABT), araliphatic 4-aminophenylbutane-1-thiol (APBT), and 3-(4''-amino-1,1':4',1''-terphenyl-4-yl)propane-1-thiol (ATPT), with the focus on structure changes caused by protonation, hydrogen bonding, and X-ray damaging. Spectra of all possible saturated and unsaturated species, as well as X-ray damage products, such as imine, nitrile, azo species, and cumulative double bonds, have been thoroughly examined. It is found that extra spectral structures observed in the experimental XPS spectra do not result from protonation but from the formation of a primary ammonium. The X-ray excitation can induce cross-linking between two neighboring molecules to form different complexes that contribute to the π* features in NEXAFS spectra.
Real Time Imaging of Deuterium in a Duplex Stainless Steel Microstructure by Time-of-Flight SIMS
(2016)
For more than one century, hydrogen assisted degradation of metallic microstructures has been identified as origin for severe technical component failures but the mechanisms behind have not yet been completely understood so far. Any in-situ observation of hydrogen transport phenomena in microstructures will provide more details for further elucidation of these degradation mechanisms. A novel experiment is presented which is designed to elucidate the permeation behaviour of deuterium in a microstructure of duplex stainless steel (DSS). A hydrogen permeation cell within a TOF-SIMS instrument enables electrochemical charging with deuterium through the inner surface of the cell made from DSS. The outer surface of the DSS permeation cell exposed to the vacuum has been imaged by TOF-SIMS vs. increasing time of charging with subsequent chemometric treatment of image data. This in-situ experiment showed evidently that deuterium is permeating much faster through the ferrite phase than through the austenite phase. Moreover, a direct proof for deuterium enrichment at the austenite-ferrite interface has been found.
The effect of electrochemical charging of hydrogen on the structure of a lean duplex stainless steel LDX 2101® (EN 1.4162, UNS S32101) was examined by both Time-of-Flight secondary ion mass spectrometry and electron back-scatter diffraction. The goal is to correlate hydrogen concentration and induced structural changes. Chemical and structural characterizations were done for the same region at the sample's surface with sub-micron spatial resolution. Regions of interest were varying in size between 50 × 50 μm and 100 × 100 μm. The results show a phase transformation of austenite to mainly a defect-rich BCC and scarcely a HCP phase. The phase transformation occurred in deuterium rich regions in the austenite.
In the present work, the influence of deuterium on the microstructure of a duplex stainless steel type EN 1.4462 has been characterized by Time-of-Flight Secondary Ion Mass Spectrometry (ToF-SIMS) supported by scanning electron microscopy (SEM), focused ion beam (FIB), electron back scattered diffraction(EBSD) and energy dispersive x-ray (EDX) investigations. Characterization has been carried out before and after electrochemical charging with deuterium which has been used as a tracer, due to its similar behavior to hydrogen in the steel microstructure. In a first approach, the distribution of the deuterium occurring at temperatures above 58 °C has been visualized. Further it turned out that sub-surface micro blisters are formed in the ferrite-austenite interface, followed by the formation of needle shaped plates and subsequent cracking at the ferrite surface. In the austenite phase, parallel cracking alongside twins and hexagonal close packed (martensitic) regions has been observed. In both phases and even in the apparent interface, cracking has been associated with high deuterium concentrations, as compared to the surrounding undamaged microstructure. Sub-surface blistering in the ferrite has to be attributed to the accumulation and recombination of deuterium at the ferrite-austenite interface underneath the respective ferrite grains and after fast diffusing through this phase. Generally, the present application of chemometric imaging and structural analyses allows characterization of hydrogen assisted degradation at a sub-micron lateral resolution.
Time-of-flight secondary ion mass spectrometry (ToF-SIMS) and high-resolution scanning electron microscopy are well-acknowledged tools in materials characterization. The ability to map chemical species on the surface of an investigated sample with often low mass detection limits makes ToF-SIMS an essential tool in fields where many question marks concerning Degradation processes and damage mechanisms exist. The aim of this paper is to describe the power of data fusion of ToF-SIMS and high-resolution scanning electron microscopy results employing computational methods for multivariate data Analysis such as principal component analysis. As a case study the investigation of hydrogen distribution in an artificially charged Duplex stainless steel microstructure is presented aiming on a better understanding of hydrogen embrittlement.
The CCQM-K136 key comparison for determination of the porosity properties of aluminum oxide has been organized jointly by the surface and micro/nano analysis working groups of CCQM to test the abilities of the metrology institutes to measure the porosity properties (specific adsorption, BET specific surface area, specific pore volume and pore diameter) of nanoporous Al2O3.
Ural Scientific Research Institute for Metrology (UNIIM) acted as the coordinating laboratory for this comparison with BAM Federal Institute for Materials Research and Testing (BAM) as co-coordinating laboratory. Five NMIs and one DI participated in this key comparison. All participants used a gas adsorption method, here nitrogen adsorption at 77.3 K, for analysis according to the international standards ISO 15901-2 and 9277.
This paper describes austenitic-ferritic duplex stainless steels, SAF 2205, in the presence of hydrogen. The duplex stainless steels (DSS) properties include excellent resistance to stress corrosion cracking, high strength and good weldability. Those steels are preferably used in industries combining hydrogen and loads. Hydrogen location in addition to hydrogen binding energy with the steel's defects are of great importance for the analysis of hydrogen embrittlement model in that steel. It is known from previously published works that the susceptibility to hydrogen embrittlement will depend on the competition between reversible and irreversible traps; meaning a direct relation to the hydrogen's state and position in the steel. In this work, we examine the local hydrogen concentration, trapping and distribution by two modern and advanced techniques: thermal desorption spectrometry (TDS) and we support it by time of flight-secondary ion mass spectrometer (ToF-SIMS). In this paper, we support and give for the first time new insights and better understanding to the hydrogen embrittlement mechanism in SAF 2205. The trapping energies levels were calculated using TDS and Lee and Lee's model. This model revealed reversible in addition to irreversible trapping sites. Also the trapping controlling mechanism was found to be a combination of detrapping controlled mechanism and diffusion controlled mechanism. The use of ToF-SIMS for local imaging the distribution of hydrogen species supports the discussion of the different hydrogen traps in this type of steel. The hydrogen embrittlemet phenomenon in SAF 2205 will be discussed in details in that paper.
etracyano-p-quinodimethane (TCNQ) molecules encapsulated single-walled carbon nanotubes (SWNTs) were investigated by using core level and valence band x-ray photoemission spectroscopy as well as near-edge x-ray-absorption fine structure spectroscopy. The pi-band and pi*-band structures in these molecular systems were investigated, and it was clearly confirmed that a charge transfer occurred in TCNQ-doped SWNTs. TCNQ molecules were negatively charged as to be expected. A depletion of the pi-band density of states of the SWNTs caused by the charge transfer to the TCNQ molecules was observed.
A new type of test sample for the determination of lateral resolution in surface analysis is presented. The certified reference material BAM-L002 Nanoscale strip pattern for length calibration and testing of lateral resolution is an embedded cross-section of epitaxially grown layers of AlxGa1-xAs and InxGa1-xAs on GaAs substrate. The surface of the sample provides a flat pattern with strip widths of 0.4-500 nm. The combination of gratings, isolated narrow strips and sharp edges of wide strips offers improved possibilities for the calibration of a length scale, the determination of lateral resolution and the optimization of instrument settings. The feasibility of the reference material for an analysis of lateral resolution is demonstrated for SIMS.
Lateral resolution, also called image resolution, is the most relevant quality parameter of maps and line scans. Therefore well defined procedures for the determination of lateral resolution are required. In the surface analysis community different definitions of lateral resolution are in use and there is no generally accepted method for the determination of lateral resolution which meets the demands of the state-of-the-art in surface analysis. We propose the determination of lateral resolution by imaging of well defined square-wave gratings with finely graded periods. This method enables the real time estimation of lateral resolution and the adjustment of instrument settings with respect to lateral resolution. The effect of noise and contrast on lateral resolution has been analysed by numerically simulated images of square-wave gratings. A new resolution criterion has been developed which is based on the dip-to-noise ratio and takes into account the sampling step width by introducing a "reduced noise". The contrast transfer function has been introduced and its relation to lateral resolution in the presence of noise was analysed. For that reason an "effective cut-off frequency" was defined which is the reciprocal of the lateral resolution. Normalized values of lateral resolution and their relation to signal-to-noise ratio and sampling step width were given for Gaussian and Lorentzian line spread functions. These values enable the calculation of experimental parameters which are necessary to get a required value of lateral resolution. Finally the successful application of the proposed approach to determine lateral resolution has been demonstrated by ToF-SIMS element mapping of the certified reference material BAM-L200.
Zusammenfassung
Some methods of nano-scale analysis are on the threshold of being a standard method in industry and therefore quality assurance becomes important. But, at the present time, there are deficits in standardisation and validation of these methods. Therefore, we have organised method comparisons and interlaboratory comparisons to overcome these deficits. We report the results of an interlaboratory comparison in step-height determination by atomic force microscopy and the development of a reference material for laterally resolving methods of material analysis.
Lateral resolution of secondary ion mass spectrometry - results of an inter-laboratory comparison
(2007)
Recently, BAM organised an inter-laboratory comparison focussed on lateral resolution and accuracy of sub-micron length measurements by secondary ion mass spectrometry (SIMS). Results were submitted by 16 laboratories from 10 countries. The task was to analyse a cross-sectioned semiconductor multilayer stack. The resulting strip pattern in the surface of the sample shows narrow strips, step transitions and gratings of different periods. Imaging analysis of this pattern enables the determination of relevant parameters related to the lateral resolution: (i) The width (FWHM) of the primary ion beam, (ii) the distance between 16% and 84% intensity points in a profile across the image of a step transition and (iii) the modulation of intensity in the images of gratings with different periods. The parameter's data reported by the participants vary in a wide range. A strong variation in the data of primary ion beam width was observed for results measured with the same type of instrument. The distance between two narrow strips was measured with high accuracy. Twelve of sixteen of the submitted values are within the limits of uncertainty of the reference value 964 ± 35 nm. This result shows that the calibration of the length scale of the SIMS instruments is already rather precise in most of the participating laboratories.
This Technical Report revises ISO/TR 19319:2003 - Surface chemical Analysis-Auger electron spectroscopy and X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy-Determination of lateral resolution, analysis area and sample area viewed by the analyser. The revised Technical Report gives a short introduction to basic models of image formation and introduces functions which characterize the performance of imaging instruments with respect to lateral resolution and sharpness. The determination of lateral resolution by imaging of square-wave gratings and the determination of sharpness by imaging of narrow stripes and straight edges are described in detail. Finally, physical factors affecting lateral resolution, analysis area and sample area viewed by the analyser are discussed.
Secondary Ion Mass Spectrometry (SIMS) enables surface chemical analysis of nano-scaled objects and chemical imaging of nano-scaled details of natural or artificial objects. This review presents the state of the art in nanoscale SIMS analysis. At first a short introduction into recent instrumentation for high resolution SIMS imaging and the limiting factors of lateral resolution is given. The next section covers the chemical analysis of nanoparticles. Recent applications of nanoscale imaging SIMS in geology, cosmochemistry, materials research, cellular biology, ecology and medical research are summarized and illustrated by examples.
The certified reference material BAM-L200, a nanoscale stripe pattern for length calibration and specification of lateral resolution, is described. BAM-L200 is prepared from a cross-sectioned epitaxially grown layer stack of AlxGa1–xAs and InxGa1–xAs on a GaAs substrate. The surface of BAM-L200 provides a flat pattern with stripe widths ranging down to 1 nm. Calibration distances, grating periods and stripe widths have been certified by TEM with traceability to the length unit. The combination of gratings, isolated narrow stripes and sharp edges of wide stripes offers plenty of options for the determination of lateral resolution, sharpness and calibration of length scale at selected settings of imaging surface-analytical instruments. The feasibility of the reference material for an analysis of the lateral resolution is demonstrated in detail by evaluation of ToF-SIMS, AES and EDX images. Other applications developed in the community are summarized, too. BAM-L200 fully supports the implementation of the revised International Standard ISO 18516 (in preparation) which is based on knowledge outlined in the Technical Report ISO/TR 19319:2013.
Results from a study conducted between National Metrology Institutes (NMIs) for the measurements of the absolute thicknesses of ultra-thin layers of SiO2 on Si are reported. These results are from a key comparison and associated pilot study under the auspices of the Consultative Committee for Amount of Substance. ´Amount of substance´ may be expressed in many ways, and here the measurand is the thickness of the silicon oxide layers with nominal thicknesses in the range 1.5-8 nm on Si substrates, expressed as the thickness of SiO2. Separate samples were provided to each institute in containers that limited the carbonaceous contamination to approximately < 0.3 nm. The SiO2 samples were of ultra-thin on (100) and (111) orientated wafers of Si. The measurements from the laboratories which participated in the study were conducted using ellipsometry, neutron reflectivity, X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy or X-ray reflectivity, guided by the protocol developed in an earlier pilot study. A very minor correction was made in the different samples that each laboratory received. Where appropriate, method offset values attributed to the effects of contaminations, from the earlier pilot study, were subtracted. Values for the key comparison reference values (agreed best values from a Consultative Committee study) and their associated uncertainties for these samples are then made from the weighted means and the expanded weighted standard deviations of the means of these data. These results show a dramatic improvement on previous comparisons, leading to 95% uncertainties in the range 0.09-0.27 nm, equivalent to 0.4-1.0 monolayers over the 1.5-8.0 nm nominal thickness range studied. If the sample-to-sample uncertainty is reduced from its maximum estimate to the most likely value, these uncertainties reduce to 0.05-0.25 nm or ~1.4% relative standard uncertainties. The best results achieve ~1% relative standard uncertainty. It is concluded that XPS has now been made fully traceable to the SI, for ultra-thin thermal SiO2 on Si layers, by calibration using wavelength methods in an approach that may be extended to other material systems.
A novel photoswitchable rotaxane was synthesised and its switching behaviour in solution was analysed with NMR and UV-Vis. A monolayer of rotaxanes was deposited on glass surfaces and the on-surface photoswitching was investigated. Angle-resolved NEXAFS spectra revealed a preferential orientation that reversibly changes upon switching.
While noncovalent interactions at two-dimensional nanobiointerfaces are extensively investigated, less knowledge about covalent interactions at this interface is available. In this work, boronic acid-functionalized 2D MoS2 was synthesized and its covalent multivalent interactions with bacteria and nematodes were investigated. Polymerization of glycidol by freshly exfoliated MoS2 and condensation of 2,5-thiophenediylbisboronic acid on the produced platform resulted in boronic acid-functionalized 2D MoS2. The destructive interactions between 2D MoS2 and bacteria as well as nematodes were significantly amplified by boronic acid functional groups. Because of the high antibacterial and antinematodal activities of boronic acid-functionalized 2D MoS2, its therapeutic efficacy for diabetic wound healing was investigated. The infected diabetic wounds were completely healed 10 days after treatment with boronic acid-functionalized 2D MoS2, and a normal structure for recovered tissues including different layers of skin, collagen, and blood vessels was detected.
The damaging impact of hydrogen on the austenitic stainless steel AISI 304 L was analysed.
To this aim, samples were charged electrochemically with the hydrogen isotope deuterium (2H, D) and examined with time-of-flight secondary ion mass spectrometry (ToF-SIMS) and electron backscatter diffraction (EBSD). The fusion of the obtained chemical and structural information revealed local enrichment of deuterium in austenite, transformation into martensite, crack formation and severe roughening of the specimen surface. The results indicated that martensite was not only formed during charging but also during Desorption and ToF-SIMS examinations. Furthermore, cross-sections of deuterium-charged samples revealed that in preferred deformation bands a g/ε/a 0 evolution is taking place.
By means of microscopic analyses and carrier gas hot extraction (CGHE), it was found that the use of NaAsO2 as recombination poison decreased the uptake of hydrogen significantly and resulted in severe precipitation on the specimen surfaces. This is in contrast to the popular presumption that NaAsO2 enhances the uptake of hydrogen (and
deuterium) during electrochemical charging by hampering its recombination from Atoms to molecules.
The deposition of tetralactam macrocycles and the corresponding benzyl ether rotaxanes on gold substrates is investigated for the first time exploiting metallo-supramolecular chemistry. Two pyridine-terminated self-assembled monolayers (SAMs) are developed that are used as well-ordered template layers. The two SAMs differ with respect to the rigidity of the terminal pyridines as shown by angle-resolved near-edge X-ray absorption fine structure (NEXAFS) spectroscopy. The template layers are then used for the metal-mediated self-assembly of macrocylces and rotaxanes on solid supports. The SAM with the more rigid terminal pyridine shows a higher coverage with the macrocycles and is therefore preferable. Angle-resolved NEXAFS spectroscopy also shows the deposited supramolecules to be oriented preferentially upright. This order is only achieved for the macrocycles through the deposition on the more rigid SAM template, whereas rotaxanes form oriented layers on both SAMs. Time-of-flight secondary-ion mass spectrometry analysis was used to determine the deposition time required for the self-assembly process.
Analysis of carbon materials by X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy and X-ray absorption spectroscopy
(2003)
Since hard coating such as ta:C films are of growing interest for protecting surfaces of industrial machines and high capacity tools against wear and friction or for biomedical applications, more information about the structure-to-property relation is required. Therefore, core level X-ray photoelectron sprectroscopy and X-ray absorption spectroscopy and spectromicroscopy are used to derive chemical information about selected carbon species.
Selected FTIR, XPS and NEXAFS spectroscopy results obtained with films deposited with different plasma polymerization processes and different monomers (styrene, acetylene, ethylene and butadiene) are presented. In detail FTIR spectra, XPS surveys, XPS valence bands and core level signals including shake-up features as well as carbon K-edge absorption spectra are qualitatively and, in some cases, semi-quantitatively considered. Information on the film formation, the chemistry of the films and the film stability against air exposure are derived from spectroscopic features. With styrene chemically rather well defined plasma polymer layers can be formed with rather high deposition rates applying a pulse plasma process. Using ethylene, acetylene or butadiene as a monomer in the plasma deposition process the deposition rates are smaller. Using these monomers plasma polymer films can be obtained with a primary chemical structure which is similar to each other but more or less different from those of the respective conventional polymers. The main difference between these samples is their individual concentration of unsaturated carbon species. Finally, a technologically relevant example, i.e. a plasma deposited polymer barrier layer deposited on the inner wall of a poly(ethylene) vessel is briefly considered.
Plasma-Polymerized C60 Films
(2001)
We studied the polymerization of C60 under different Ar plasma conditions. Films were either deposited in the pressure range between 1.3 and 40 Pa applying input power of 50 W or evaporated C60 films were exposed to Ar plasma of 30 and 50 W. The films were investigated by Raman spectroscopy, X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS) and carbon K near-edge X-ray-absorption fine structure spectroscopy (NEXAFS). The films were non-uniform and consisted of unpolymerized C60, dimers, linear chains and polymeric planes. In comparison with evaporated C60 the XPS C 1s peak is broader and asymmetric for the C60 polymer and its shake-up satellites diminished. Furthermore, the features of the valence band as well as the features of the p * antibonding orbitals of the C60 polymer are broader and reduced in intensity.
High-priority industrial nanomaterials like SiO2, TiO2, and Ag are being characterized on a systematic basis within the framework of the EU FP7 research project NanoValid. Silica nanoparticles from an industrial source have been analyzed by Auger electron spectroscopy. Point, line, and map spectra were collected. Material specific and methodological aspects causing the special course of Auger line scan signals will be discussed.
The combination of complementary characterization techniques such as SEM (Scanning Electron Microscopy), T-SEM (Scanning Electron Microscopy in Transmission Mode), EDX (Energy Dispersive X-ray Spectroscopy) and SAM (Scanning Auger Microscopy) has been proven to be a powerful and relatively quick characterization strategy for comprehensive morphological and chemical characterization of individual silica and titania nanoparticles. The selected real life test materials, silica and titania, are listed in the OECD guidance manual as representative examples because they are often used as commercial nanomaterials. Imaging by high resolution SEM and in the transmission mode by T-SEM allows almost simultaneous surface and in-depth inspection of the same particle using the same instrument. EDX and SAM enable the chemical characterization of bulk and surface of individual nanoparticles. The core–shell properties of silica based materials are addressed as well. Titania nominally coated by silane purchased from an industrial source has been found to be inhomogeneous in terms of chemical composition.
Mechanically interlocked molecules (MIMs) such as rotaxanes and catenanes are capable of mechanical motion on the nanoscale and are therefore promising prototypes for molecular machines in recent nanotechnology. However, most of the existing examples are isotropically distributed in solution, which prohibits concerted movement and with it the generation of macroscopic effects. Thus, arranging them in ordered arrays is of huge interest in recent research. We report the deposition of quite densely packed multilayers of tetralactam macrocycles on gold surfaces by metal-coordinated layer-by-layer self-assembly. Linear dichroism effects in angle-resolved NEXAFS spectra indicate a preferential orientation of the macrocycles. The sequence of the metal ions can be programmed by the use of different transition metal ions at each deposition step. Additionally, reversible on-surface pseudorotaxane formation was successfully realized by repeated uptake and release of axle molecules inside the macrocycles cavities.
Mechanically interlocked molecules (MIMs) such as rotaxanes and catenanes are capable of mechanical motion on the nanoscale and are therefore promising prototypes for molecular machines in recent nanotechnology. However, most of the existing examples are isotropically distributed in solution, which prohibits concerted movement and with it the generation of macroscopic effects. Thus, arranging them in ordered arrays is of huge interest in recent research. We report the deposition of quite densely packed multilayers of tetralactam macrocycles on gold surfaces by metal-coordinated layer-by-layer self-assembly. Linear dichroism effects in angle-resolved NEXAFS spectra indicate a preferential orientation of the macrocycles. The sequence of the metal ions can be programmed by the use of different transition metal ions at each deposition step. Additionally, reversible on-surface pseudorotaxane formation was successfully realized by repeated uptake and release of axle molecules inside the macrocycles cavities.
The deposition of palladium on a novel, reversibly protonatable, pyridyl-terminated self-assembled monolayer on gold substrates has been studied by X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS), near-edge X-ray absorption fine structure spectroscopy (NEXAFS spectroscopy) and time of flight-secondary ion mass spectrometry (ToF-SIMS). For this purpose, 12-(pyridin-4-yl)dodecane-1-thiol, consisting of a surface-active head group, an unfunctionalized hydrocarbon backbone and a terminal pyridyl group, has been synthesized and deposited on gold surfaces. Coordination of Pd(II) ions to the pyridyl group was examined. Furthermore, a reversible protonation/deprotonation cycle has been applied, and the relation between protonation and the amount of complexed palladium was studied. Investigation of the SAM by angle-resolved NEXAFS spectroscopy revealed the aliphatic backbone to be preferentially upright oriented with the aromatic head group being not preferentially oriented. The palladium layer was further coordinated with a CF3-labeled terpyridine ligand in order to prove the accessibility of the Pd(II) ions to further complexation and the platform useful for deposition of further layers toward a multi-layered system.
Micropatterns and nanopatterns of gold embedded in silver and titanium embedded in gold have been prepared by combining either photolithography or electron-beam lithography with a glue-free template-stripping procedure. The obtained patterned surfaces have been topographically characterized using atomic force microscopy and scanning electron microscopy, showing a very low root-mean-square roughness (<0.5 nm), high coplanarity between the two metals (maximum height difference ≈ 2 nm), and topographical continuity at the bimetallic interface. Spectroscopic characterization using X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS), time-of-flight secondary-ion mass spectrometry (ToF-SIMS), and Auger electron spectroscopy (AES) has shown a sharp chemical contrast between the two metals at the interface for titanium patterns embedded in gold, whereas diffusion of silver into gold was observed for gold patterns embedded in silver. Surface flatness combined with a high chemical contrast makes the obtained surfaces suitable for applications involving functionalization with molecules by orthogonal adsorption chemistries or for instrumental calibration. The latter possibility has been tested by determining the image sharpness and the analyzed area on circular patterns of different sizes for each of the spectroscopic techniques applied for characterization.This is the first study in which the analyzed area has been determined using XPS and AES on a flat surface, and the first example of a method for determining the analyzed area using ToF-SIMS.
We report polyethylene glycol (PEG)-grafting antifouling surfaces using a plasma copolymerized (PcP) technique to monitor protease activity in complex media. By varying the mixing ratio of the PEG and ethylenediamine (EDA) precursors, the PcP-PEG-EDA (PcP-PE) film was able to easily control surface amine density with good preservation of the internal PEG structure. We found that nonspecific protein adsorption was dramatically reduced in serum-containing media on the PcP-PE films, as opposed to that on plasma polymerized-EDA (PP-E) films without PEG. When SPR sensor chips coated with PcP-PE film were employed to detect protease activity, biotinylated luciferase probes (luciferase-peptide-biotin) on streptavidin-conjugated SPR chips enabled real-time and label-free measurement of matrix metalloproteinase activity in cell culture media. Owing to its excellent antifouling ability, this newly developed method boasts minimal nonspecific binding and can serve as a biochip platform to promote a wide range of applications in the biological field.
Analytical routines for a comprehensive in-depth morphological, structural, and chemical characterization of functionalized TiO2 films by using different state-of-the-art analytical techniques are presented and discussed with the main objective to identify potential reference TiO2 coating parameters able to be certified at a later stage. TiO2 films fabricated by two different synthetic procedures as representative for two main large-scale applications were selected: (i) pulsed d.c. magnetron sputtering for photocatalytic applications and (ii) screen printing from preformed anatase nanoparticles. The screen-printed films were further loaded with a sensitizing dye for application as a dye-sensitized solar cell. Film properties such as microstructure and crystallographic texture of pulsed d.c. magnetron sputtering synthesized films were systematically studied by means of scanning nanobeam electron diffraction in a transmission electron microscope and the surface and inner morphology by scanning electron microscopy. The dye distribution over the depth of screen-printed TiO2 layers was analyzed before and after dye-loading by means of energy dispersive X-ray spectroscopy at scanning electronmicroscope, Auger electron spectroscopy and time-of-flight secondary ion mass spectrometry. The long-term goal of the present study is the improvement of quality of the TiO2 film parameters as measured by using different types of reference TiO2 coatings having specific parameters certified.
Pure and PDMS contaminated PS oligomers films were investigated both by time-of-flight static secondary ion mass spectrometry (TOF-SSIMS) and X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS).
The secondary ion spectra from the PDMS contaminated PS oligomers were almost completely related to PDMS. XPS revealed a PDMS contamination characterized by a silicon surface concentration of 6 at.%. Obviously siloxane contaminants existing on the surface of a silicon wafer may diffuse towards the PS oligomers outermost surface resulting in a rather high PDMS surface concentration of about 85%. Due to the known differences in the information depth and sensitivity of SSIMS and XPS very different detection limits are to be considered.
In elimination of siloxane contaminants by ultrasonication in hexane was found to be an effective way. Another common organic cleaning procedure, which is ultrasonication in trichloroethylene (TCE), subsequently in isopropanol and finally in acetone was found to be ineffective for cleaning of PDMS contaminated silicon wafers.
Plasma deposited allylamine films were studied by in situ ToF-SSIMS, XPS and NEXAFS Spectroscopy before exposure to ambient air. The influence of external plasma parameters such as duty cycle, plasma power, and monomer flow rate on (i) unsaturation, (ii) branching and cross-linking, (iii) nitrogen surface concentration and (iv) retention of amino groups was investigated. Harder plasma conditions, which can be obtained when high duty cycles, high plasma power, and low monomer flow rates are employed, increase the unsaturated, branched and cross-linked character of the plasma deposited films, while the surface concentration of N as well as the retention of the monomer's amino group decrease. As proven by NEXAFS findings and cross-checked by ToF-SSIMS results, the allylamine monomer's primary amino groups are partially transformed into other nitrogen functionalities during its plasma polymerization. Amongst them imines and nitriles are the conversion products with the highest probabilities of formation. Another conversion channel is the formation of nitrogen species not participating in the film growth. This is the reason for an increased N loss in plasma deposited allylamine films as observed independently by XPS and ToF-SSIMS when the plasma parameters are changed from mild to hard.
The effect of the composite plasma parameter P/F, where P is the plasma power and F is the monomer flow rate, on the chemical character of pulsed plasma deposited allyl alcohol films was investigated by ToF-SSIMS. Information on the unsaturated character, the cross-linked and/or branched character of the plasma polymer films was derived in detail. The problem of the retention of OH groups in plasma deposited allyl alcohol films was elucidated in detail using SSIMS data. The lowest conversion rate from the monomer's hydroxyl groups to other oxygen functionalities in the plasma was concluded for the plasma polymer film produced at a P/F ratio of 0.05 W · sccm-1. It was found that the overall oxygen content of the films decreased vs. increasing P/F ratio. Because the freshly prepared films were investigated without air exposure, ageing on ambient air could be studied in detail. It was found that in the case of plasma deposited allyl alcohol films the ageing on air is probably based on two competing processes which are discussed in detail. Additionally, a review of literature data on the characterization of plasma deposited allyl alcohol films is given.
Static ToF-SIMS analysis of plasma chemically deposited ethylene/allyl alcohol co-polymer films
(2006)
A plasma co-polymerization of ethylene as a chain extending monomer and allyl alcohol as a carrier monomer for hydroxyl groups was studied. The composition of the feed gas was systematically varied and the plasma co-polymers were analyzed in terms of their relative concentrations of OH functional groups by static Time of Flight Secondary Ion Mass Spectrometry (ToF-SIMS) immediately after their preparation without any air contact, i.e., under so called in situ conditions.
The relative OH group concentration involved in the CH2OH groups was derived from the normalized yields of the CH3O+ secondary fragment ion. The density of functional groups in the plasma co-polymers was found to vary non-linearly with respect to the mole percentage of the monomers in the feed gas.
Co-polymerization phenomena, i.e. chemical interactions and recombination reactions taking place between monomer molecules in the plasma and/or during the deposition process, become evident in ToF-SIMS spectra.
Pulsed-plasma-deposited ethylene films were studied by time-of-flight static secondary ion mass spectrometry (ToF-SSIMS) before and after exposure to ambient air. The influence of the external plasma parameters on the secondary ion mass spectra of plasma-deposited ethylene films was investigated. From these data, information on the chemical character of the plasma-deposited ethylene films was derived. The investigation of the effect of external plasma parameters on the chemical character of the plasma-deposited ethylene films revealed that there were some drastic changes in the secondary ion mass spectra of the films. It was found that fragmentation and re-arrangement of the monomer molecules in the plasma, which affects the chemical character of the deposited films, vary according to the external plasma parameters. When the plasma polymers are exposed to air, extensive oxygen incorporation occurs. The oxygen uptake is high at the beginning and then it levels of. Some indications for the formation and decay of peroxy radicals (COO) and, subsequently, hydroperoxides (COOH) are found. It was observed that the oxygen uptake of the plasma deposited ethylene films increase when the plasma conditions become harder.
Pulsed plasma deposited styrene and ethylene films were studied by Time of Flight Static Secondary Ion Mass Spectrometry (ToF-SSIMS) before and after exposure to ambient air. The influence of the external plasma parameters on the secondary ion mass spectra of plasma deposited films was investigated. Approaches for the interpretation of SSIMS spectra of organic materials were reviewed and applied to the evaluation of SSIMS data of plasma deposited films. From these data, information on the chemical character of the plasma deposited films was derived.
When the plasma polymers are exposed to air oxygen incorporation occurs. The oxygen uptake is high at the beginning and then it levels of.
A relation that higher the regularity of the film lower is the oxygen uptake was found. Harder plasma conditions, which could be obtained by applying higher plasma power or lower monomer flow rate, result in higher oxygen uptake and vice versa.
Pulsed plasma-deposited polystyrene films were studied by time-of-flight static secondary ion mass spectrometry (ToF-SSIMS) before and after exposure to ambient air. The influence of the external plasma parameters on the secondary ion mass spectra of plasma-deposited polystyrene films was investigated. From these data, information on the chemical character of the plasma polystyrene films was derived. In the range of deposition conditions applied in this study, the fragmentation of styrene is a minor process. The main process is probably the radical chain propagation to polymers. All the polystyrene plasma polymers, relying on ToF-SIMS, seem to be rather similar to a reference polystyrene oligomer sample. When the plasma polymers are exposed to air, extensive oxygen incorporation occurs. Oxygen uptake was found to alter the emission probabilities of secondary ions. A relation between the regularity of the plasma polymers and the amount of oxygen incorporation was found. The result was that the chemical regularity of the plasma polystyrene decreases when the effective power in the plasma is increased.
Research on carbohydrate based interactions with proteins, nucleic acids or antibodies has gained increased interest in the last years especially in clinical diagnosis or drug development. The efficiency of diagnostic interfaces depends upon the number of probe molecules, e.g. carbohydrates. The control of surface parameters as density and distribution of immobilized carbohydrates is essential for a reliable interaction with protein analytes. A controlled production of biomolecular interfaces can be reached by a stepwise quality control during buildup of these biointerfaces.
Here, ß-amino-cyclodextrin molecules were attached to amine-reactive silicon oxide surfaces via click chemistry to construct a model biosensor surface. The amount of surface bound carbohydrates was determined indirectly after chemical derivatization with 4-(trifluoromethyl)-benzylamine (TFMBA). Moreover, these surfaces were used to form host-guest complexes of ferrocene (guest) and β-cyclodextrin (host) moieties to mimic the target binding (sensing) of the model biosensor. Surface chemical analysis of all steps during biosensor construction was performed using X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS) and near-edge X-ray absorption fine structure spectroscopy (NEXAFS). Our approach widens the possibilities to generate switchable surfaces based on ß-Cyclodextrin surfaces for biosensor applications.
In this study, epoxy-terminated silicon oxide surfaces were chemically derivatized with trifluoroacetic anhydride (TFAA) and 4-(trifluoromethyl)-benzylamine (TFMBA) and analyzed by X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy, near-edge X-ray absorption fine structure spectroscopy and water contact angle measurements. TFAA was used for quantitative derivatization to determine the amount of reactive epoxy groups on these surfaces. Furthermore, epoxy-terminated surfaces were derivatized with TFMBA (a model compound for biomolecules with an amino linker) yielding secondary amines because of formation of covalent C–N bonds between TFMBA and the epoxy films. Fluorine being part of TFAA and TFMBA composition was used to follow the progress of the chemical derivatization reaction. Both derivatization agents – TFAA and TFMBA – gave comparable reaction yields of ~60% on epoxy silicon surfaces, whereas on epoxy glass slides, the derivatization yields were considerably lower (30–40%).The protocol for attachment of TFMBA (model compound) on epoxy-modified surfaces was adapted to (bio)molecules with an amino linker, e.g. carbohydrates to prepare carbohydrate-functionalized biointerfaces.
Biomedical applications, including functional biomaterials, carbohydrate-arrays, and glycan-based biosensors.
The chemistry of glycan immobilization plays an essential role in the bioavailability and function of surface bound carbohydrate moieties. For biomedical applications the stability over time (shelf life) of glycan arrays is a crucial factor. Herein we report on approaches for surface and interface characterization relevant to the needs of production of glycan microarrays which were tested using model carbohydrate surfaces. For detailed characterization of glycan model surfaces we used a combination of X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS), near edge X-ray absorption fine structure spectroscopy (NEXAFS) and ToF SIMS which are complementary techniques of surface chemical analysis. Links to fluorescence spectroscopy often used for characterization in the microarray community were established as well. In detail, amine-reactive silicon oxide and glass surfaces were used for anchoring oligosaccharides with an amino linker. The amount of surface bound carbohydrates was estimated by X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS). Glycan immobilization was investigated using lectins, which are glycan-binding molecules. A shelf life study of model glycan microarrays on epoxy-coated glass surfaces was done over a period of 160 days under different storage conditions utilizing fluorescence, ToF-SIMS and XPS analysis. It was shown that glycan activity of the models used can be maintained at least for half a year of storage at 4 °C.
This survey will discuss current and emerging isothermal and rapid polymerase chain reaction (PCR) based nucleic acid amplification methods for patient near diagnostics. To assess the clinical need of rapid diagnostics for infectious diseases based on nucleic acid tests (NATs) we performed and analysed a questionnaire among laboratories participating in corresponding INSTAND ring trials for external quality assurance. The questions concerning new amplification technologies like isothermal nucleic acid amplification, potentially suited to significantly decrease turnaround times, were complemented by questions to evaluate the present status of NATs. Besides end-users, companies were also addressed by sending out a manufacturer specific questionnaire. Analysis of the answers from 48 laboratories in 14 European countries revealed that a much shorter turnaround time is requested for selected pathogens compared to about 2 h or longer when applying temperature cycling amplification, i.e. PCR. In this context, most frequently mentioned were MRSA, norovirus, influenza A and B viruses, cytomegalovirus (CMV) as well as hepatitis B virus (HBV) and hepatitis C virus (HCV). At present, 8% of the laboratories having participated in this survey apply isothermal amplification of nucleic acid to identify infectious pathogens.
A scanning transmission X‐ray microscopy (STXM)‐based methodology is introduced for determining the dimensions (shell thickness, core and total diameter) of core‐shell nanoparticles, which exhibit a strong X‐ray absorption contrast and a well‐defined interface between core and shell material. A low radiation dosage during data acquisition and, therefore, less X‐ray beam‐induced damage of the sample is achieved by recording STXM images only at 2 predetermined energies of maximum Absorption contrast, instead of recording a stack of images across the whole absorption edge.
A model core‐shell nanoparticle, polytetrafluoroethylene (PTFE) cores with polystyrene (PS) shell, is used for demonstration. Near‐edge X‐ray absorption fine structure spectroscopy confirms the significant difference in X‐ray absorption behavior between PTFE and PS. Additionally, because of the insolubility of styrene in PTFE a well‐defined interface between particle core and shell is expected. To validate the STXM results, both the naked PTFE cores as well as the complete core‐shell nanoparticles are examined by scanning electron microscopy (SEM). The introduced STXM‐based methodology yields particle dimensions in agreement with the SEM results and provides additional information such as the position of the particle core, which cannot be extracted from a SEM micrograph.
Most real core-shell nanoparticle (CSNP) samples deviate from an ideal core-shell structure potentially having significant impact on the particle properties. An ideal structure displays a spherical core fully encapsulated by a shell of homogeneous thickness, and all particles in the sample exhibit the same shell thickness. Therefore,
analytical techniques are required that can identify and characterize such deviations.
This study demonstrates that by analysis of the inelastic background in X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS) survey spectra, the following types of deviations can be identified and quantified: the nonuniformity of the shell thickness within a nanoparticle sample and the incomplete encapsulation of the cores by the shell material. Furthermore, CSNP shell thicknesses and relative coverages can be obtained. These results allow for a quick and straightforward comparison between several batches of a specific CSNP, different coating approaches, and so forth. The presented XPS methodology requires a submonolayer distribution of CSNPs on a substrate.
Poly(tetrafluoroethylene)-poly(methyl methacrylate) and poly(tetrafluoroethylene)-polystyrene polymer CSNPs serve as model systems to demonstrate the applicability of the approach.