In this paper, we report the fabrication the methacryl-oligosiloxane nano hybrid films from 3-(trimethoxysilyl)propyl methacrylate (MPTS) and diphenylsilanediol (DPSD), and the investigation of the tuneability of the optical characteristics of the films through the compositional change. The viscosity of the methacryl-oligosiloxane nano hybrid resin was altered at 102 intervals by the compositional modification without any drastic changes in the reaction parameters, and thickness-controlled (from 11 to 150 μm) and uniformly coated (less than 1 nm root-mean-square roughness) films were obtained through a single coating step. The refractive indices were tunable from 1.506 to 1.543, depending on composition. On the other hand, the thermo-optic coefficients remained constant (−2 × 10−4/°C), independent of composition. Also, we demonstrated a thick (170 μm) photo pattern with a high aspect ratio (3:1). Methacryl-oligosiloxane nano hybrid materials can be promising candidates for the optical applications due to easy and wide tuneability of their optical parameters.

Silicon carbide (SiC) microtubes were synthesized and characterized via a vapor–solid (VS) reaction of carbon fiber (Csolid) and SiO(gas). The synthesis mechanisms were investigated. The precursor led complete conversion of [SiO(gas) + C(solid)] into [SiC(solid) + CO(gas)] through overall reaction under inert gas flow at and above 1350 °C. Carbon fibers with small surface area (0.7–2.0 m2 g−1) were gradually converted to SiC microtubes with large specific surface area (45–63 m2 g−1). Inner surface of SiC microtubes indicated a villus-like morphology, which consisted of submicron-sized SiC villi. The outer surface of the SiC microtubes was smooth. Inner surface morphology of SiC microtubes was dependent upon synthesizing temperature. Thickness of villus-like layer in SiC microtubes increased with increasing synthesizing temperature, showing 0.25 and 0.5 at 1350 and 1400 °C, respectively. Both VS and gas–liquid–solid (VLS) growth mechanisms were investigated in synthesis of SiC fiber as a reaction byproduct, and the reaction was governed by both growth mechanisms.

Nanopatterned sapphire substrates offer the potential for improved performance of devices based on III-V nitrides, e.g., light-emitting diodes and laser diodes. Due to the chemical stability and hardness of sapphire, however, surface patterning is a time-consuming and expensive process. Therefore, a novel method was utilized, whereby a surface coating of Al was deposited on a sapphire substrate and patterned into an array of square mesas using e-beam lithography. The lateral dimensions of each mesa were approximately 400 × 400 nm, and the average height was approximately 100 nm. The metallic film was subsequently subjected to an oxidation treatment at 450 °C for 24 h (a heat treatment which had previously been shown to minimize hillock formation). For the second heat treatment, which is necessary to induce migration of the sapphire interface and hence achieve solid state conversion, a range of temperatures (800–1350 °C) was explored. Results showed that for a heat-treatment time of 1 h, pattern retention was achieved for annealing temperatures less than or equal to 1250 °C. Successful epitaxial conversion of the patterned mesas to sapphire was confirmed using electron backscatter diffraction.

The influences of parameters on the low-temperature combustion synthesis of alumina particles from reactant mixture of aluminum nitrate and combustion fuel were studied using the particle size of as-synthesized alumina particles as a performance index. First, when urea was used as combustion fuel, it produced a higher combustion temperature and a larger particle size than the case when carbohydrazide was the fuel. Next, the combustion in air yielded a flame propagating through the reactant mixture, in contrast to a flame simultaneously ruptured from the entire reactant when the combustion was conducted in nitrogen. The particle size of the product obtained in nitrogen was 40% smaller than that obtained in air. Increasing the heating temperature could increase the alumina particle size due to the sintering effect, while combustion failed if the heating temperature was too small. The addition of diluent, excess fuel, and gas-releasing agents reduced the particle size. The increase of stirring speed also reduced the particle size. Next, if the reactant density (the amount of reactant mixture in the reacting container) was below a certain threshold value, the combustion failed to ignite. Increasing the reactant density was found to reduce the particle size due to the simultaneous reduction of combustion time and temperature. Finally, a liquid–gas reaction model was proposed and solved to study the threshold of combustion parameters.

The connection between parameters that can be measured by means of instrumented indentation with the real mechanical properties has been a matter of discussion for several years. In fact, even hardness is not a readily measurable magnitude since the real contact area depends on both the elastic and plastic properties of the sample. Recently, Dao et al. [ Acta Mater49, 3899 (2001)] proposed a method based on numerical fittings to calculate by a forward-reverse algorithm the elastoplastic properties of a sample from the load-penetration curve obtained with a sharp indenter. This work will show, in contrast, that it is not possible to measure uniquely these mechanical properties of a sample in that way.

The crystallization kinetics and phase developments of PbO–BaO–SrO–Nb2O5–B2O3–SiO2-based glass-ceramics was investigated. Lead strontium barium niobate, (Pb,Sr,Ba)Nb2O6, with a tetragonal tungsten-bronze structure formed as the major crystalline phase, which showed evidence of both surface and bulk crystallization. The results of the present study showed significant evidence of a change in crystallization mechanism between the as-heated surface and the interior of glass-ceramics. This effect could be attributed to a volatilization of PbO taken place readily on the surface region of sample during heating. The grain size of the bulk-nucleated (Pb,Sr,Ba)Nb2O6 crystals was substantially smaller than that of surface-nucleated crystals. This result facilitated meeting the capacitors as high energy density application due to the ultrafine grains (<60 nm) obtained. The dielectric constant increased from 27 for the as-quenched glass to 200 for a highly crystallized glass-ceramic, which was attributed to a significant volume fraction of (Pb, Sr, Ba) Nb2 O6 phase.

Using transmission electron microscopy we observe the dissociation of 60° misfit dislocations at the interface of SiGe/Si multilayers, extending into the substrate for distances of 5.0–7.5 nm. Analysis using elasticity theory shows that this dissociationis the equilibrium configuration for individual 60° misfit dislocations, as it is for 60° mixed dislocations in bulk Si, and that the compressively strained multilayer film serves mainly to position the partial dislocations and stacking fault with respect to the free surface. We observe both undissociated 60° and Lomer edge dislocations after annealing, and conclude that these result from dislocation climb in the interface. Since the dislocations move off their slip plane during climb, they cannot remain dissociated. Significant climb and Lomer dislocation formation for these low misfit layers is observed at temperatures above 850 °C and for samples with a high initial dislocation density, such as found in thicker as-grown samples. The dislocation configuration formed during annealing is distinct from that reported to form during growth of higher mismatch films: the Lomer dislocations tend to be segmented, with the segments connected by perfect 60° dislocations.

The distribution of Au and NiO in NiO/Au ohmic contact on p-type GaN was investigated in this work. Au (5 nm) films were deposited on p-GaN substrates by magnetron sputtering. Some of the Au films were preheated in N2 ambient to agglomerate into semi-connected structure (abbreviated by agg-Au); others were not preheated and remained the continuous (abbreviated by cont-Au). A NiO film (5 nm) was deposited on both types of samples, and all samples were subsequently annealed in N2 ambient at the temperatures ranging from 100 to 500 °C. The surface morphology, phases, and cross-sectional microstructure were investigated by scanning electron microscopy, glancing incident angle x-ray diffraction, and transmission electron microscopy. I-V measurement on the contacts indicates that only the 400 °C annealed NiO/cont-Au/p-GaN sample exhibits ohmic behavior and its specific contact resistance (ρc) is 8.93 × 10−3 Ω cm2. After annealing, Au and NiO contact to GaN individually in the NiO/agg-Au/p-GaN system while the Au and NiO layers become tangled in the NiO/cont-Au/p-GaN system. As a result, the highly tangled NiO-Au structure shall be the key to achieve the ohmic behavior for NiO/cont-Au/p-GaN system.

A microwave-hydrothermal process for the synthesis of crystalline zinc oxide powders has been developed in this study. Well-crystallized zinc oxide powders exhibiting different morphology, crystallinity, and particle size have been successfully prepared by controlling the process temperature and molarity of NH4OH in the starting solution. With increasing process temperature and NH4OH molarity during synthesis, the morphology of ZnO powders changes from flowerlike agglomeration to a well-developed rodlike shape. The band gap of ZnO powders increases with a decrease in the molarity of NH4OH during synthesis. Vacuum ultraviolet radiation (VUV) excited luminescence studies for ZnO powders reveal an excitation band at 161 nm possibly due to the absorption of O2− 2p electrons in the valence band. The VUV excitation band of ZnO powders observed at 161 nm will be useful for excitation of gas-discharged plasma display devices.

Oxyfluoride glasses (GeO2–PbO–PbF2) doped with erbium and/or ytterbium fluorides were prepared. Highly transparent glass-ceramics, containing β–PbF2 nanocrystallites, were successfully obtained by controlled glass devitrification and were studied as they could lead to promising optical applications. To characterize the samples, differential thermal analysis, x-ray diffraction, and transmission electron microscopy were performed, revealing a variation of the crystallites size, the crystallites number and β–PbF2 crystallization temperature according to the doping ion. Indeed, the analyses indicated differences between erbium and ytterbium fluorides in promoting the crystallization of the fluoride phase. Although both fluorides act as seeds for β–PbF2 heterogeneous nucleation, erbium fluoride has higher nucleation efficiency than ytterbium fluoride and runs the nucleation process in co-doped samples. Energy dispersive x-ray microanalysis insured high rare-earth segregation into the crystallites, proving the formation of a solid solution Pb1−x−yErxYbyF2 +x+y, also confirmed by the unit cell parameter study.

This study presents the effect of different nanoscale RE211 additions—Y2BaCuO5 (nmY211), Sm2BaCuO5 (nmSm211), and Nd4Ba2Cu2O10 (nmNd422)—on the nano-scale compositional fluctuation and associated pinning mechanism of the melt-textured growth (MTG) Sm–Ba–Cu–O [SmBCO, of which the composition is Sm123 (Sm1Ba2Cu3Oy) + 25 wt% Sm211 (Sm2BaCuO5)] superconducting bulk materials. The superconductivity and microstructure results indicated that in samples with the addition of these nano-sized particles, nanoscale compositional fluctuations form during the peritectic transformation of melt-growth process, which cause Tc variation on a nanoscale and result in the formation of δTc pinning centers at high magnetic field. The compositional fluctuation regions (δTc pinning centers) are altered by the difference in peritectic temperature, the solubility in the liquid phase, and the ion radius. The direct current transport R-T properties elucidate the change of flux pinning behavior. In addition, the different influence on microstructure and superconductivity between the two methods: mixing rare-earth elements in nanoscale RE211 or in the homogeneous mixed precursor powders [e.g., (Nd, Eu, Gd)–Ba–Cu–O (NEG)] is also discussed.

The time-dependent characteristics of incipient plasticity in Ni3Al during nanoindentation in the subcritical load regime were investigated statistically. The waiting time for incipient plasticity to occur at constant load was found to follow a Poisson-like distribution, with the peak shifting toward zero holding time as the load increased and eventually becoming an exponential distribution when the load was close to a critical value. The observed distribution of the strain burst waiting time at loads smaller than the critical value was inconsistent with the picture in which dislocations nucleated homogeneously out of the perfect crystal. The kinetics for the occurrence of strain burst in this case is thought to be governed by the accumulative growth of nucleation precursors.

In this work, the microstructure and oxidation resistance of pure Cu, Cu(0.2 at.% Zr) and Cu(2.5 at.% Zr) alloy films deposited on SiO2/Si by sputtering were explored. Upon annealing, the Zr additives diffused to the free surface and reacted with the residual oxygen in the vacuum system. An additional ZrO2 layer formed and covered the Cu(2.5 at.% Zr) film surface after annealing at 700 °C for 30 min. Simultaneously, of the three films, the Cu(2.5 at.% Zr) film exhibited the highest degree of Cu(111) preferred orientation and the lowest degree of void growth upon annealing. Additionally, the Cu(2.5 at.% Zr) film pre-annealed at 700 °C showed a superior oxidation resistance when annealed at 200 °C in air for 15 min. Microstructure and oxidation resistance of Cu(Zr) alloy films were clearly affected by the ZrO2 layer formed via the segregation of Zr additives, and the connection is discussed.

A series of abrasives with various hardness values including monocrystalline and polycrystalline diamond, α- and γ-alumina, zirconia, ceria, and silica were used to examine the concept of chemical-assisted polishing for finishing the (0001), c-plane (basal plane), of sapphire. Diaspore, a monohydrate of alumina, was also evaluated. Atomic force microscopy suggested that the hydrated layer of the c-plane surface was about 1 nm thick. Polishing experiments were designed to determine whether the chemically modified surface hydration layer forms on the basal plane in water. The results indicate that harder abrasives do not necessarily cause faster material removal and better surface finish for similar abrasive particle size. Abrasives with hardness equal to or less than sapphire such as α-Al2O3 and γ-Al2O3 achieved the best surface finish and greatest efficiency of material removal. It is proposed that the (0001) c-plane sapphire surface was modified by water to form a thin hydration layer with structure and hardness close to diaspore. This reaction layer can be removed by an abrasive that is softer than sapphire but harder than the reaction layer. α-Al2O3 was particularly effective. This result is attributed to adhesion between identical reaction layers on the basal planes of the alumina abrasive and the sapphire. This demonstrates that high removal rates and good surface finish can be achieved without costly diamond polishing.

Dimensional analysis and finite element modeling were conducted to examine conical indentation in homogeneous materials and in hard films on soft substrates. In this paper, the solid materials modeled follow the incremental theory of plasticity with a von-Mises yield surface. The validity of the Oliver–Pharr method was examined. It was found that, for hard films on soft substrates, the Oliver–Pharr method is applicable only when the indentation depth is less than 10% of the film thickness. A linear relationship between the ratio of hardness to reduced modulus and the ratio of reversible work to total work was observed for conical indentation in homogeneous materials and in hard films on soft substrates. This relationship can be used to analyze instrumented indentation experiments.

Titanium dioxide nanopowders were synthesized by in-flight oxidation of titanium nitride (TiN) in radio-frequency (rf) induction thermal plasma. The powders were characterized by x-ray diffraction, high-resolution transmission electron microscopy, field emission scanning electron microscopy, Raman spectroscopy, and optical microscopy to reveal the mechanisms of phase selection and particle morphology evolution. The reaction began with surface oxidation of TiN particles, leading to the formation of core-shell composites with oxidized shells and TiN cores, followed by gas-phase condensation of TiO2 nanoparticles. Phase selection of the resultant TiO2 powders was found to largely depend on the oxidation potential of the thermal plasma rather than on the heat transfer itself. Anatase content of the products increased steadily with increasing the O2 input, and TiO2 nanoparticles (∼50 nm) containing ∼90% of anatase were obtained through O2/Ar plasma treatment. Phase-pure rutile nanoparticles (∼50 nm, on average) were also synthesized in H2/Ar plasma injected with O2 as the powder carrier gas.

In this study, we compare the effects of pyridine (C5H5N) and pyrimidine (C4H4N2) precursors, using ferrocene as a metal source, in the production of nitrogen containing multiwalled carbon nanotubes. Using standard chemical vapor deposition techniques, highly aligned mats of carbon-nitrogen carbon nanotube were synthesized. The maximum nitrogen concentration in these materials is between 1% and 2% when pyridine is used as the precursor and can be increased to 3.2% when pyrimidine is used as the precursor. However, the electronic structure of both materials, as determined using scanning tunneling spectroscopy, suggests that the nitrogen is incorporated into the nanotube lattice in the same way for both precursors.