RESUMEN
Graphene films were grown by chemical vapor deposition on Cu foil. The obtained samples were characterized by Raman spectroscopy, ellipsometry, X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy and electron back-scatter diffraction. We discuss the time-dependent changes in the samples, estimate the thickness of emerging Cu2O beneath the graphene and check the orientation-dependent affinity to oxidation of distinct Cu grains, which also governs the manner in which the initial strong Cu-graphene coupling and strain in the graphene lattice is released. Effects of electropolishing on the quality and the Raman response of the grown graphene layers are studied by microtexture polarization analysis. The obtained data are compared with the Raman signal of graphene after transfer on glass substrate revealing the complex interaction of graphene with the Cu substrate.
RESUMEN
The physical properties of ZnO can be tuned efficiently and controllably by doping with the proper element. Doping of ZnO thin films with 3D transition metals that have unpaired electron spins (e.g., Fe, Co, Ni, etc.) is of particular interest as it may enable magnetic phenomena in the layers. Atomic layer deposition (ALD) is the most advanced technique, which ensures high accuracy throughout the deposition process, producing uniform films with controllable composition and thickness, forming smooth and sharp interfaces. In this work, ALD was used to prepare Ni- or Fe-doped ZnO thin films. The dielectric and electrical properties of the films were studied by measuring the standard current-voltage (I-V), capacitance-voltage (C-V), and capacitance-frequency (C-f) characteristics at different temperatures. Spectral ellipsometry was used to assess the optical bandgap of the layers. We established that the dopant strongly affects the electric and dielectric behavior of the layers. The results provide evidence that different polarization mechanisms dominate the dielectric response of Ni- and Fe-doped films.
RESUMEN
The field of bone tissue engineering is steadily being improved by novel experimental approaches. Nevertheless, microbial adhesion after scaffold implantation remains a limitation that could lead to the impairment of the regeneration process, or scaffold rejection. The present study introduces a methodology that employs laser-based strategies for the development of antimicrobial interfaces on tricalcium phosphate-hydroxyapatite (TCP-HA) scaffolds. The outer surfaces of the ceramic scaffolds with inner porosity were structured using a femtosecond laser (λ = 800 nm; τ = 70 fs) for developing micropatterns and altering local surface roughness. The pulsed laser deposition of ZnO was used for the subsequent functionalization of both laser-structured and unmodified surfaces. The impact of the fs irradiation was investigated by Raman spectroscopy and X-ray diffraction. The effects of the ZnO-layered ceramic surfaces on initial bacterial adherence were assessed by culturing Staphylococcus aureus on both functionalized and non-functionalized scaffolds. Bacterial metabolic activity and morphology were monitored via the Resazurin assay and microscopic approaches. The presence of ZnO evidently decreased the metabolic activity of bacteria and led to impaired cell morphology. The results from this study have led to the conclusion that the combination of fs laser-structured surface topography and ZnO could yield a potential antimicrobial interface for implants in bone tissue engineering.
RESUMEN
The magneto-optical (MO) Kerr effects for ZnO and ZnO:Ni-doped nanolaminate structures prepared using atomic layer deposition (ALD) have been investigated. The chemical composition and corresponding structural and morphological properties were studied using XRD and XPS and compared for both nanostructures. The 2D array gradient maps of microscale variations of the Kerr angle polarization rotation were acquired by means of MO Kerr microscopy. The obtained data revealed complex behavior and broad statistical dispersion and showed distinct qualitative and quantitative differences between the undoped ZnO and ZnO:Ni-doped nanolaminates. The detected magneto-optical response is extensively inhomogeneous in ZnO:Ni films, and a giant Kerr polarization rotation angle reaching up to ~2° was established. This marks the prospects for further development of magneto-optical effects in ALD ZnO modified by transition metal oxide nanostructures.
RESUMEN
In this work, a novel approach is suggested to grow bilayer fibers by combining electrospinning and atomic layer deposition (ALD). Polyvinyl alcohol (PVA) fibers are obtained by electrospinning and subsequently covered with thin Al2O3 deposited at a low temperature by ALD. To burn the PVA core, the fibrous structures are subjected to high-temperature annealing. Differential scanning calorimetry (DSC) analysis of the PVA mat is performed to establish the proper annealing regime for burning off the PVA core and obtaining hollow fibers. The hollow fibers thus formed are covered with a ZnO layer deposited by ALD at a higher temperature within the ALD window of ZnO. This procedure allows us to prepare ZnO films with better crystallinity and stoichiometry. Different characterization methods-SEM, ellipsometry, XRD, and XPS-are performed at each step to investigate the processes in detail.
RESUMEN
In this paper we report the crystal growth conditions and optical anisotropy properties of Tungsten ditelluride (WTe2) single crystals. The chemical vapor transport (CVT) method was used for the synthesis of large WTe2 crystals with high crystallinity and surface quality. These were structurally and morphologically characterized by means of X-ray diffraction, optical profilometry and Raman spectroscopy. Through spectroscopic ellipsometry analysis, based on the Tauc-Lorentz model, we identified a high refractive index value (~4) and distinct tri-axial anisotropic behavior of the optical constants, which opens prospects for surface plasmon activity, revealed by the dielectric function. The anisotropic physical nature of WTe2 shows practical potential for low-loss light modulation at the 2D nanoscale level.