Search results for "Atomic force microscopy"

Smooth crack-free targets for nuclear applications produced by molecular plating

2013

The production process of smooth and crack-free targets by means of constant current electrolysis in organic media, commonly known as molecular plating, was optimized. Using a Nd salt, i.e., [Nd(NO3)(3)center dot 6H(2)O], as model electrolyte several constant current density electrolysis experiments were carried out to investigate the effects of different parameters, namely the plating solvent (isopropanol and isobutanol mixed together, pyridine, and N,N-dimethylformamide), the electrolyte concentration (0.11, 0.22, 0.44 mM), the applied current density (0.17, 0.3, 0.7, and 1.3 mA/cm(2)), and the surface roughness of the deposition substrates (12 and 24 nm). Different environments (air and …

Mechanical and electroconductive properties of spatially distributed double stranded DNA arrays on Au (111)

2008

Abstract Conductive AFM was used to investigate electroconductivity through 10 nm long double stranded DNA molecules in mixed monolayers of thioalkylated-DNA and mercaptohexanol (MCH) on Au (111) surface. The distribution of DNA molecules on the surface was analyzed by tapping mode AFM. Measurements performed in lift mode confirmed that the DNA molecules protrude from the surface rather than lie horizontally adsorbed on the interface. The optimal conductivity measurement time, which is shorter than the mechanical relaxation time of oligonucleotide duplexes, was determined. It was concluded that oligonucleotide duplexes have a resistance of the order of ~ 2 Ω ⁎ m at 1 V.

Structural, electronic, and electrical properties of an Undoped n-Type CdO thin film with high electron concentration

2014

Transparent conducting metal oxides (TCOs) combine the properties of optical transparency in the visible region with a high electrical conductivity. They are a critical component as the window electrode in liquid crystal and electroluminescent display devices, as well as in many designs of solar cells now under development. Sn-doped In2O3 is currently the most important TCO, but it suffers from some drawbacks. These include the high cost of indium, weak optical absorption in the blue-green region, as well as chemical instability that leads to corrosion phenomena in organic light-emitting devices. Indium tin oxide (ITO) films are also brittle and of relatively low durability. A number of oth…

Formation and evolution of self-organized Au nanorings on indium-tin-oxide surface

2011

This work reports on the formation of Au nanoclusters and on their evolution in nanoring structures on indium-tin-oxide surface by sputtering deposition and annealing processes. The quantification of the characteristics of the nanorings (surface density, depth, height, and width) is performed by atomic force microscopy. The possibility to control these characteristics by tuning annealing temperature and time is demonstrated establishing relations which allow to set the process parameters to obtain nanostructures of desired morphological properties for various technological applications. © 2011 American Institute of Physics.

Identification of lead pigments in nanosamples from ancient paintings and polychromed sculptures using voltammetry of nanoparticles/atomic force micr…

2007

Voltammetry of nanoparticles coupled with atomic force microscopy was used to identify lead pigments in nanosamples proceeding from works of art. Upon mechanical attachment of few nanograms of sample to a graphite plate, well-defined voltammetric responses were obtained for lead orange, lead yellow, lead white, litharge, minium, Naples yellow, and tin-lead yellow, allowing for an unambiguous identification of such pigments. Atomic force images provide evidence for the occurrence of pigment-characteristic reduction processes accompanied by metal deposition on the graphite substrate. Electrochemical parameters are used for pigment identification. Application to the method for identifying lead…

Core-Shell Microgels with Switchable Elasticity at Constant Interfacial Interaction.

2016

Hydrogels based on poly(N-isopropylacrylamide) (pNIPAAm) exhibit a thermo-reversible volume phase transition from swollen to deswollen states. This change of the hydrogel volume is accompanied by changes of the hydrogel elastic and Young's moduli and of the hydrogel interfacial interactions. To decouple these parameters from one another, we present a class of submillimeter sized hydrogel particles that consist of a thermosensitive pNIPAAm core wrapped by a nonthermosensitive polyacrylamide (pAAm) shell, each templated by droplet-based microfluidics. When the microgel core deswells upon increase of the temperature to above 34 °C, the shell is stretched and dragged to follow this deswelling i…

Thermal Expansion of Microstructured DMPC Bilayers Quantified by Temperature-Controlled Atomic Force Microscopy

2006

Facile synthesis of L-cysteine functionalized graphene quantum dots as a bioimaging and photosensitive agent

2021

Nowadays, a larger number of aggressive and corrosive chemical reagents as well as toxic solvents are used to achieve structural modification and cleaning of the final products. These lead to the production of residual, waste chemicals, which are often reactive, cancerogenic, and toxic to the environment. This study shows a new approach to the modification of graphene quantum dots (GQDs) using gamma irradiation where the usage of reagents was avoided. We achieved the incorporation of S and N atoms in the GQD structure by selecting an aqueous solution of L-cysteine as an irradiation medium. GQDs were exposed to gamma-irradiation at doses of 25, 50 and 200 kGy. After irradiation, the optical,…

Themes of nanoscience for the introductory physics course

2009

We present three experimental themes and one discussion theme that proved to be suitable for introducing nanoscience through topics that can be integrated into the existing introductory physics or teacher training courses. The experimental themes include two teaching models of an atomic force microscope (AFM) and an experiment with an elastic optical grating. They are all based on simple experiments that give also quantitative results and can be explained using basic physics theory.

Towards an atomistic understanding of solid friction by computer simulations

2002

Friction between two solid bodies in sliding motion takes place on a large spectrum of length and time scales: From the nanometer/second scale in an atomic force microscope up to the extremely macroscopic scales of tectonic motion. Despite our familiarity with friction, fundamental questions about its atomistic origins remain unanswered. Phenomenological laws that describe the friction in many systems were published more than 300 years ago by Amontons: The frictional force is proportional to the applied load and independent of the apparent area of contact. The atomistic origins of this simple law is still controversial. Many explanations, which seemed to be well-established until recently, …