Publications

Biological and synthetic molecular motors, fueled by various physical and chemical means, can perform asymmetric linear and rotary motions that are inherently related to their asymmetric shapes. Here, we describe silver-organic micro-complexes of random shapes that exhibit macroscopic unidirectional rotation on water surface through the asymmetric release of cinchonine or cinchonidine chiral molecules from their crystallites asymmetrically adsorbed on the complex surfaces. Computational modeling indicates that the motor rotation is driven by a pH-controlled asymmetric jet-like Coulombic ejection of chiral molecules upon their protonation in water. The motor is capable of towing very large cargo, and its rotation can be accelerated by adding reducing agents to the water.

A measurement of the top-quark mass (m_t) in the tt¯ → lepton + jets channel is presented, with an experimental technique which exploits semileptonic decays of b-hadrons produced in the top-quark decay chain. The distribution of the invariant mass m_ℓμ of the lepton, ℓ (with ℓ = e, μ), from the W-boson decay and the muon, μ, originating from the b-hadron decay is reconstructed, and a binned-template profile likelihood fit is performed to extract m_t. The measurement is based on data corresponding to an integrated luminosity of 36.1 fb⁻¹ of √s = 13 TeV pp collisions provided by the Large Hadron Collider and recorded by the ATLAS detector. The measured value of the top-quark mass is m_t = 174.41 ± 0.39 (stat.) ± 0.66 (syst.) ± 0.25 (recoil) GeV, where the third uncertainty arises from changing the Pythia8 parton shower gluon-recoil scheme, used in top-quark decays, to a recently developed setup. [Figure not available: see fulltext.].

Metal-free halide perovskites (MFHaPs) have garnered significant attention in recent years due to their desirable properties, such as low toxicity, light weight, chemical versatility, and potential for optoelectronics. MFHaPs with the formula A2+B+X−3 (where A is a large organic divalent cation, B+ is typically NH4+, and X is a halide) have been studied extensively, but few studies have examined alternative cations at the B position. This paper reports the synthesis of three MFHaP-related single crystals, DABCO-N2H5-X3 (DABCO = N-N-diazabicyclo[2.2.2]octonium, X = Br and I) and (DABCO)3-N2H5(NH4)2Cl9, which feature hydrazinium (N2H5) at the B position. The crystals have a perovskite-like, one-dimensional, edge-connected structure and exhibit optical and band structure properties. The crystals were then tested as X-ray detectors, where they showed excellent photoresponsivity, stability, and low background noise, owing to the large semi-gap that dictates long lifetimes. The detectors exhibited sensitivity as high as 1143 ± 10 µC Gyair−1 cm−2 and a low detection limit of 2.68 µGy s−1 at 10 V. The researchers suggest that the stronger hydrogen bonding in N2H5+ compounds compared to NH4+ MFHaPs may contribute to the detectors’ enhanced stability.

A search for the pair production of heavy leptons as predicted by the type-III seesaw mechanism is presented. The search uses proton–proton collision data at a centre-of-mass energy of 13 TeV, corresponding to 139fb^-1 of integrated luminosity recorded by the ATLAS detector during Run 2 of the Large Hadron Collider. The analysis focuses on final states with three or four electrons or muons from the possible decays of new heavy leptons via intermediate electroweak bosons. No significant deviations above the Standard Model expectation are observed; upper and lower limits on the heavy lepton production cross-section and masses are derived respectively. These results are then combined for the first time with the ones already published by ATLAS using the channel with two leptons in the final state. The observed lower limit on the mass of the type-III seesaw heavy leptons combining two, three and four lepton channels together is 910 GeV at the 95% confidence level.

A protocol for successfully depositing [001] textured, 2–3 µm thick films of Al0.75Sc0.25N, is proposed. The procedure relies on the fact that sputtered Ti is [001]-textured α-phase (hcp). Diffusion of nitrogen ions into the α-Ti film during reactive sputtering of Al0.75,Sc0.25N likely forms a [111]-oriented TiN intermediate layer. The lattice mismatch of this very thin film with Al0.75Sc0.25N is ~3.7%, providing excellent conditions for epitaxial growth. In contrast to earlier reports, the Al0.75Sc0.25N films prepared in the current study are Al-terminated. Low growth stress (

A search for the Higgs boson decaying into a pair of charm quarks is presented. The analysis uses proton–proton collisions to target the production of a Higgs boson in association with a leptonically decaying W or Z boson. The dataset delivered by the LHC at a centre-of-mass energy of √s=13TeV and recorded by the ATLAS detector corresponds to an integrated luminosity of 139 fb^-1. Flavour-tagging algorithms are used to identify jets originating from the hadronisation of charm quarks. The analysis method is validated with the simultaneous measurement of WW, WZ and ZZ production, with observed (expected) significances of 2.6 (2.2) standard deviations above the background-only prediction for the (W/ Z) Z(→ cc¯) process and 3.8 (4.6) standard deviations for the (W/ Z) W(→ cq) process. The (W/ Z) H(→ cc¯) search yields an observed (expected) upper limit of 26 (31) times the predicted Standard Model cross-section times branching fraction for a Higgs boson with a mass of 125GeV, corresponding to an observed (expected) constraint on the charm Yukawa coupling modifier |κ_c|

A search for invisible decays of the Higgs boson as well as searches for dark matter candidates, produced together with a leptonically decaying Z boson, are presented. The analysis is performed using proton−proton collisions at a centre-of-mass energy of 13 TeV, delivered by the LHC, corresponding to an integrated luminosity of 139 fb⁻¹ and recorded by the ATLAS experiment. Assuming Standard Model cross-sections for ZH production, the observed (expected) upper limit on the branching ratio of the Higgs boson to invisible particles is found to be 19% (19%) at the 95% confidence level. Exclusion limits are also set for simplified dark matter models and two-Higgs-doublet models with an additional pseudoscalar mediator.

The process of amyloid nanofibril formation has broad implications including the generation of the strongest natural materials, namely silk fibers, and their major contribution to the progression of many degenerative diseases. The key question that remains unanswered is whether the amyloidogenic nature, which includes the characteristic H-bonded β-sheet structure and physical characteristics of protein assemblies, can be modified via controlled intervention of the molecular interactions. Here we show that tailored changes in molecular interactions, specifically in the H-bonded network, do not affect the nature of amyloidogenic fibrillation, and even have minimal effect on the initial nucleation events of self-assembly. However, they do trigger changes in networks at a higher hierarchical level, namely enhanced 2D packaging which is rationalized by the 3D hierarchy of β-sheet assembly, leading to variations in fibril morphology, structural composition and, remarkably, nanomechanical properties. These results pave the way to a better understanding of the role of molecular interactions in sculpting the structural and physical properties of protein supramolecular constructs.

Symmetry-imposed restrictions on the number of available pyroelectric and piezoelectric materials remain a major limitation as 22 out of 32 crystallographic material classes exhibit neither pyroelectricity nor piezoelectricity. Yet, by breaking the lattice symmetry it is possible to circumvent this limitation. Here, using a unique technique for measuring transient currents upon rapid heating, direct experimental evidence is provided that despite the fact that bulk SrTiO3 is not pyroelectric, the (100) surface of TiO2-terminated SrTiO3 is intrinsically pyroelectric at room temperature. The pyroelectric layer is found to be ≈1 nm thick and, surprisingly, its polarization is comparable with that of strongly polar materials such as BaTiO3. The pyroelectric effect can be tuned ON/OFF by the formation or removal of a nanometric SiO2 layer. Using density functional theory, the pyroelectricity is found to be a result of polar surface relaxation, which can be suppressed by varying the lattice symmetry breaking using a SiO2 capping layer. The observation of pyroelectricity emerging at the SrTiO3 surface also implies that it is intrinsically piezoelectric. These findings may pave the way for observing and tailoring piezo- and pyroelectricity in any material through appropriate breaking of symmetry at surfaces and artificial nanostructures such as heterointerfaces and superlattices.

Chemically resolved electrical measurements of zinc oxysulfide over-layers on gold show very poor conductance under either electrical or optical input signals, whereas simultaneous application of the two yields extremely high sample currents. The effect and its dependence on the wavelength and electrical parameters are explained by the in-situ derived band diagram, in which a buffer level of charge traps cannot contribute directly to conductance, while yet amplifying the photoconductance by orders of magnitudes under sub-bandgap illumination. This AND-type doubly triggered response proposes interesting applications and an answer to problems encountered in related optoelectronic devices.

The pyroelectricity of AgI crystals strongly affects the icing temperature of super-cooled water, as disentangled from that of epitaxy. This deduction was achieved by the design of polar crystalline ceramic pellets of AgI, with experimentally determined sense of polarity. These pellets are suitable for measuring both their pyroelectric properties as well as the icing temperature of super-cooled water, separately on each of the expressed Ag+ and I- hemihedral surfaces. The positive pyroelectric charge at the silver-enriched side elevates the icing temperature, whereas the negative charge at the iodide side decreases that temperature. Moreover, the effect of pyroelectric charge remains dominant despite the presence of contaminants on both the silver and the iodide-enriched surfaces. Consequently an electrochemical process for ice nucleation is suggested, which might be of relevance for understanding the role played by electric charges in heterogeneous icing processes in general.

Direct exploration of the mutually interfering morphological and charge-transport characteristics in self-assembled monolayers (SAMs) is reported. These strongly coupled properties are addressed by means of surface spectroscopy techniques, combined so as to consistently account at high sensitivity for a broad range of surface properties without any use of a top contact. Applied to doped bovine serum albumin (BSA) SAMs, we show how the BSA conformation, its dehydration, and monolayer assembly are all correlated. Moreover, the electrical properties, transport, and charge trapping are highly affected by the SAM compositional and structural state, with a specific role of water molecules. Our results reveal and further demonstrate a useful approach to the complex challenges presented by (bio) molecular electronics.

A simple method for preparation of hybrid of graphene oxide (GO) and Laponite (Lap), obtained by solvent evaporation from their highly stable aqueous dispersions is reported. The dispersion up to ~ 1 mg/ml of GO in 1% Lap dispersion, i.e., 10:1 of Lap:GO was found to be stable without flocculation for several months; lower mass ratios of Lap to GO than this showed marginal flocculation with time. The electrostatic interaction between cations present in the interlayers of Lap and the functional groups of GO is envisaged to be the cause for the stable dispersion, which was confirmed by the presence of cations; viz., Na⁺ and small amounts of K⁺ and Mg^2 + in the aqueous filtrate of the hybrid. Their interaction was further confirmed by higher absorption of GO in aqueous Lap dispersion than that in water using UV–vis spectroscopy. The resulting hybrid material was found to be partially reduced and self-assembled to form layered structure in its dry state. The hybrids further showed improved electrical conductivity (~ 0.01 S/cm) upon chemical reduction. The present study demonstrates a facile method for preparation of a new hybrid material and greener pathway for GO reduction; though partially. This hybrid has potential as multifunctional filler for clay polymer nanocomposites.

Effective control of chemistry at interfaces is of fundamental importance for the advancement of methods of surface functionalization and patterning that are at the basis of many scientific and technological applications. A conceptually new type of interfacial chemical transformations has been discovered, confined to the contact surface between two solid materials, which may be induced by exposure to X-rays, electrons or UV light, or by the application of electrical bias. One of the reacting solids is a removable thin film coating that acts as a reagent/catalyst in the chemical modification of the solid surface on which it is applied. Given the diversity of thin film coatings that may be used as solid reagents/catalysts and the lateral confinement options provided by the use of irradiation masks, conductive AFM probes or stamps, and electron beams in such solid-phase reactions, this approach is suitable for precise targeting of different desired chemical modifications to predefined surface sites spanning the macro- to nanoscale.

The excitation of cavity standing waves in double-slit structures in thin gold films, with slit lengths between 400 and 2560 nm, was probed with a strongly focused electron beam in a transmission electron microscope. The energies and wavelengths of cavity modes up to the 11th mode order were measured with electron energy loss spectroscopy to derive the corresponding dispersion relation. For all orders, a significant redshift of mode energies accompanied by a wavelength elongation relative to the expected resonator energies and wavelengths is observed. The resultant dispersion relation is found to closely follow the well-known dispersion law of surface-plasmon polaritons (SPPs) propagating on a gold/air interface, thus providing direct evidence for the hybridized nature of the detected cavity modes with SPPs.

The author Hagai Cohen is incorrectly omitted from the list of corresponding authors. The corresponding authors are Peter Rez and Hagai Cohen. The correct information for correspondence is: ‘Correspondence and requests for materials should be addressed to P.R. (Peter.Rez@asu.edu) or to H.C. (Hagai.Cohen@Weizmann.ac.il).’

The present work reports a simple and direct sputtering deposition to form solid state TiO2 vertical bar Ag independent plasmonic solar cells. The independent plasmonic solar cells are based on a Schottky barrier between two materials, TiO2 and Ag. The Ag functions as the absorber generating "hot" electrons, as well as the contact for the solar cell. The Ag sputtering is performed for different durations, to form Ag nanoparticles with a wide size distribution on the surface of rough spray pyrolysis deposited TiO2. Incident photon to current efficiency (IPCE) measurements show photovoltaic activity below the TiO2 bandgap, which is caused by the silver nanoparticles that have a wide plasmonic band, leading to the generation of "hot" electrons. X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy analysis supports the "hot" electron injection mechanism by following the Ag plasmon band and detecting local photovoltages. The measurements show that electrons are formed in the Ag upon illumination and are injected into the TiO2, producing photovoltaic activity. J-V measurements show photocurrents up to 1.18 mA cm(-2) and photovoltages up to 430 mV are achieved, with overall effi ciencies of 0.2%. This is, to our knowledge, the highest performance reported for such independent plasmonic solar cells.

Palladium nanoparticles were deposited on multiwall WS₂ nanotubes. The composite nanoparticles were characterized by a variety of techniques. The Pd nanoparticles were deposited uniformly on the surface of WS₂ nanotubes. An epitaxial relationship between the (111) plane of Pd and the (013) plane of WS₂ was mostly observed. The composite nanoparticles were found to perform efficiently as catalysts for cross-coupling (Heck and Suzuki) reactions. The role of the nanotubes′ support in the catalytic process is briefly discussed.

Manganese(IV,V)-hydroxo and oxo complexes are often implicated in both catalytic oxygenation and water oxidation reactions. Much of the research in this area is designed to structurally and/or functionally mimic enzymes. On the other hand, the tendency of such mimics to decompose under strong oxidizing conditions makes the use of molecular inorganic oxide clusters an enticing alternative for practical applications. In this context it is important to understand the reactivity of conceivable reactive intermediates in such an oxide-based chemical environment. Herein, a polyfluoroxometalate (PFOM) monosubstituted with manganese, [NaH₂(Mn-L)W₁₇F₆O₅₅]^q-, has allowed the isolation of a series of compounds, Mn(II, III, IV and V), within the PFOM framework. Magnetic susceptibility measurements show that all the compounds are high spin. XPS and XANES measurements confirmed the assigned oxidation states. EXAFS measurements indicate that Mn(II)PFOM and Mn(III)PFOM have terminal aqua ligands and Mn(V)PFOM has a terminal hydroxo ligand. The data are more ambiguous for Mn(IV)PFOM where both terminal aqua and hydroxo ligands can be rationalized, but the reactivity observed more likely supports a formulation of Mn(IV)PFOM as having a terminal hydroxo ligand. Reactivity studies in water showed unexpectedly that both Mn(IV)-OH-PFOM and Mn(V)-OH-PFOM are very poor oxygen-atom donors; however, both are highly reactive in electron transfer oxidations such as the oxidation of 3-mercaptopropionic acid to the corresponding disulfide. The Mn(IV)-OH-PFOM compound reacted in water to form O₂, while Mn(V)-OH-PFOM was surprisingly indefinitely stable. It was observed that addition of alkali cations (K⁺, Rb⁺, and Cs⁺) led to the aggregation of Mn(IV)-OH-PFOM as analyzed by electron microscopy and DOSY NMR, while addition of Li⁺ and Na⁺ did not lead to aggregates. Aggregation leads to a lowering of the entropic barrier of the reaction without changing the free energy barrier. The observation that O₂ formation is fastest in the presence of Cs⁺ and ∼fourth order in Mn(IV)-OH-PFOM supports a notion of a tetramolecular Mn(IV)-hydroxo intermediate that is viable for O₂ formation in an oxide-based chemical environment. A bimolecular reaction mechanism involving a Mn(IV)-hydroxo based intermediate appears to be slower for O₂ formation.

This article reports on a facile and fast strategy for the self-assembled monolayer (SAM) functionalization of nickel surfaces, employing cyclic voltammetry (CV) cycling of a suitable tailored solution containing the species to be adsorbed. Results are presented for ultrathin films formed on Ni by 1-hexadecanethiol (C16), l-cysteine (l-cys), and the poly{methyl (2R)-3-(2,2'-bithiophen-4-ylsulfanyl)-2-[(tert-butoxycarbonyl)amino]propanoate} (PCT-L) thiophene-based chiral polymer. The effective formation of high-quality ultrathin organic films on the nickel was verified both electrochemically and by exploiting typical surface characterization techniques such as contact angle, ellipsometry, atomic force microscopy (AFM), polarization modulation-infrared reflection-absorption spectroscopy (PM-IRRAS), and X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS).

Tailor-made metal oxide (MO) thin films with controlled compositions, electronic structures, and architectures are obtained via molecular layer deposition (MLD) and solution treatment. Step-wise formation of permeable hybrid films by MLD followed by chemical modification in solution benefits from the versatility of gas phase reactivity on surfaces while maintaining flexibility which is more common at the liquid phase.

One-dimensional arrays of submicrometer rectangular holes in 200 nm thin gold films are investigated using electron energy loss spectroscopy combined with scanning transmission electron microscopy (STEM-EELS). Improved energy resolution, down to 0.11 eV, is accomplished in our monochromated transmission electron microscope, allowing the reliable quantification of signals at loss energies as small as 0.43 eV. The standing-wave resonances of individual holes are thus investigated at nanometer-scale spatial resolution, focusing in particular on the effect of neighboring holes. We show how the coupling between holes is facilitated by surface plasmon polaritons (SPPs) propagating on the top and bottom surfaces of the separating metal-film strips. Thus, complex spatiotemporal coupling dynamics emerges, characterized by strong interslit interactions and a phase that can be controlled by varying the width of the metal strip between adjacent holes. Applying real-space real-time numerical simulations and exploiting the short interaction time of 300 keV electrons with the thin gold film, we reveal intriguing features of these ultrafast coupling mechanisms, including unusual line-narrowing and marked SPP signal enhancements in the corresponding EEL spectra. Complementary aspects of the far-field and near-field components in the SPP eigenstates are further demonstrated. Our combined analysis effectively equips STEM-EELS with an excellent temporal resolution and further yields a consistent description of the entangled femtosecond-scale SPP dynamics.

The interface level alignment of alkyl and alkenyl monolayers, covalently bound to oxide-free Si substrates of various doping levels, is studied using X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy. Using shifts in the C 1s and Si 2p photoelectron peaks as a sensitive probe, we find that charge distribution around the covalent Si-C bond dipole changes according to the initial position of the Fermi level within the Si substrate. This shows that the interface dipole is not fixed but rather changes with the doping level. These results set limits to the applicability of simple models to describe level alignment at interfaces and show that the interface bond and dipole may change according to the electrostatic potential at the interface.

Non-contact pyroelectricity measurements based on x-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS) are presented. Applied to Lithium Tantalate crystals, we demonstrate how the XPS-derived surface potential provides a simple probe of the desired property, free of all top-contact related difficulties. In particular, the increase in Lithium Tantalate spontaneous polarization under cooling, an experimentally challenging feature, is evaluated. We further inspect the roll of surface contaminants and the control over trapped surface charge in the XPS vacuum environment. Our approach can be extended to other non-contact probes, as well as to measuring additional electrical properties, such as piezoelectricity and ferroelectricity.

The first case of phosphonic acid terminated, environmentally friendly silver nanoparticles (NPs) is described. The NPs are produced by a simple one-step synthesis using commercially available reagents, furnishing stable, rather monodisperse, size-controlled, aqueous-based Ag NPs, stabilized by aminomethylene phosphonic acid (AMP) molecules. In this synthesis the commercial reagent ethylenediamine tetra(methylene phosphonic acid) (EDTMP) serves as a reducing agent for Ag⁺ ions, while its oxidation product AMP is the stabilizer of the generated Ag NPs. The negatively charged, phosphonate- stabilized NPs were characterized by UV-vis spectroscopy, transmission electron microscopy (TEM), and X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS). Variation of the EDTMP/AgNO₃ molar ratio enables simple and efficient control of the average particle diameter in the range ∼5.5 to 15 nm. The AMP-stabilized Ag NPs are stable in water under an inert atmosphere for at least 2 months with no observed aggregation. Self-assembled layers of phosphonate-coated Ag NPs were prepared on substrates primed with positively charged molecular self-assembled monolayers (SAMs) or with polyelectrolyte (PE) layers. The NP films were studied by UV-vis spectroscopy, polarization modulation Fourier-transform infrared reflection-absorption spectroscopy (PM-IRRAS), and high-resolution scanning electron microscopy (HRSEM). While NP monolayers commonly undergo extensive aggregation upon drying, the present phosphonate-stabilized Ag NP monolayers display homogeneously dispersed, mostly isolated NPs over large areas after adsorption and drying. The NP distribution and degree of aggregation can be modulated by the substrate type (gold, glass), the colloid solution pH, the nature of the primer layer (charged molecules, PEs), and the surface charge density. Phosphonate-terminated Ag NPs provide unique physical and chemical properties, including a negatively charged surface in a wide pH range, long-term stability, size control, and the possibility of participating in electrostatic and coordination binding processes.

Dr Williams (AIP Adv., 2012, 2, 010701) suggested that cleaning Teflon by high pressure oxygen plasma may have affected our result that Cu ²⁺ and Pd ²⁺ ions can be absorbed but not chemically reduced by a Teflon surface rubbed by PMMA (Phys. Chem. Chem. Phys., 2012, 14, 5551). In response, we show that this treatment does not affect the adsorption of Cu ²⁺ and Pd ²⁺. We reaffirm our statement that Cu ²⁺ and Pd ²⁺ ions can be adsorbed by a Teflon surface only after rubbing with the organic polymers, not before rubbing.

Electrical transport studies across nm-thick dielectric films can be complicated, and datasets compromised, by local electrical breakdown enhanced by nm-sized features. To avoid this problem we need to know the minimal voltage that causes the enhanced electrical breakdown, a task that usually requires numerous measurements and simulation of which is not trivial. Here we describe and use a model system, using a "floating" gold pad to contact Au nanoparticles, NPs, to simultaneously measure numerous junctions with high aspect ratio NP contacts, with a dielectric film, thus revealing the lowest electrical breakdown voltage of a specific dielectric-nanocontact combination. For a 48 ± 1.5 Å SiO ₂ layer and a ∼7 Å monolayer of organic molecules (to link the Au NPs) we show how the breakdown voltage decreases from 4.5 ± 0.4 V for a flat contact, to 2.4 ± 0.4 V if 5 nm Au NPs are introduced on the surface. The fact that larger Au NPs on the surface do not necessarily result in significantly higher breakdown voltages illustrates the need for combining experiments with model calculations. This combination shows two opposite effects of increasing the particle size, i.e., increase in defect density in the insulator and decrease in electric field strength. Understanding the process then explains why these systems are vulnerable to electrical breakdown as a result of spikes in regular electrical grids. Finally we use XPS-based chemically resolved electrical measurements to confirm that breakdown occurs indeed right below the nm-sized features.

Structural changes in multi-walled carbon nanotubes (CNTs) resulting from covalent functionalization during oxidation were studied by transmission electron microscopy, X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS) and Raman spectroscopy. Strong correlation is found between the oxidation progress (i.e. increase in the amount of oxygen and oxidized carbon) and the degradation in inter-atomic conjugation, the latter being inferred from the intensity of satellite ('shake-up') lines in the C1s XPS spectrum. Moreover, defects appear to cluster rather than distribute at random along the CNTs. Hints on the sites most vulnerable to the progress of the chemical attack are provided. Defect clustering leads as well to deterioration of inner layers of nanotubes at relatively early stages of the chemical attack. As a consequence, the mechanical strength of the CNTs degrades but the resultant interface with a host matrix can become physically intermittent, which may positively contribute to the composite strength and toughness. (C) 2011 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.

We report near-perfect transfer of the electrical properties of oxide-free Si surface, modified by a molecular monolayer, to the interface of a junction made with that modified Si surface. Such behavior is highly unusual for a covalent, narrow bandgap semiconductor, such as Si. Short, ambient atmosphere, room temperature treatment of oxide-free Si(100) in hydroquinone (HQ)/alkyl alcohol solutions, fully passivates the Si surface, while allowing controlled change of the resulting surface potential. The junctions formed, upon contacting such surfaces with Hg, a metal that does not chemically interact with Si, follow the Schottky-Mott model for metal-semiconductor junctions closer than ever for Si-based junctions. Two examples of such ideal behavior are demonstrated: a) Tuning the molecular surface dipole over 400 mV, with only negligible band bending, by changing the alkyl chain length. Because of the excellent passivation this yields junctions with Hg with barrier heights that follow the change in the Si effective electron affinity nearly ideally. b) HQ/methanol passivation of Si is accompanied by a large surface dipole, which suffices, as interface dipole, to drive the Si into strong inversion as shown experimentally via its photovoltaic effect. With only ∼0.3 nm molecular interlayer between the metal and the Si, our results proves that it is passivation and prevention of metal-semiconductor interactions that allow ideal metal-semiconductor junction behavior, rather than an insulating transport barrier.

A combined electronic transport-structure characterization of self-assembled monolayers (MLs) of alkyl-phosphonate (AP) chains on Al-AlOx substrates indicates a strong molecular structural effect on charge transport. On the basis of X-ray reflectivity, XPS, and FTIR data, we conclude that "long" APs (C14 and C16) form much denser MLs than do "short" APs (C8, C10, C12). While current through all junctions showed a tunneling-like exponential length-attenuation, junctions with sparsely packed "short" AP MLs attenuate the current relatively more efficiently than those with densely packed, "long" ones. Furthermore, "long" AP ML junctions showed strong bias variation of the length decay coefficient, β, while for "short" AP ML junctions β is nearly independent of bias. Therefore, even for these simple molecular systems made up of what are considered to be inert molecules, the tunneling distance cannot be varied independently of other electrical properties, as is commonly assumed.

The internal fields and band offsets developing at individual interfaces, a critical aspect of device performance, are generally inaccessible by standard electrical tools. To address this problem, we propose chemically resolved electrical measurements (CREM) capable of resolving the internal details layer-by-layer. Applied to nanoporous photovoltaic cells, we thus extract a realistic band diagram for the multi-interfacial structure and, in particular, resolve the two p-n-like junction fields built spontaneously in the device. The lack of homogeneity common to many of these nanoporous cells is exploited here to "see" deep into the cell structure, beyond the typical depth limitations of the surface-sensitive technique. Further information on the cell operation under "real" working conditions is achieved by studying the charge trapping at each specific layer under optical and electrical stimuli. Our methodology overcomes a missing link in device characterization and in fundamental studies of nanoscale solid-state devices.

The presence of water at the surface of sputtered thin films of Ce _0.8Gd_0.2O_1.9, which display elastic anomalies as a function of thermal treatment, and of stoichiometric CeO₂ films, which do not, was monitored using X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy. We find that considerably more water is strongly bound at the surface of the Ce _0.8Gd_0.2O_1.9 films than of the CeO₂ films. This supports the theoretical prediction that water binds preferentially at the oxygen vacancy sites. In addition, all films were treated according to the protocol which has been shown to produce inelastic behavior in the doped films: annealed at 500 °C, exposed to ambient atmosphere for one month and then heated to 250 °C in ultra-high vacuum. Neither the Ce _0.8Gd_0.2O_1.9 nor the CeO₂ films show any change in the amount of adsorbed water. We therefore conclude that changes in the amount of surface adsorbed water do not play a role in the elastic anomalies observed as a function of thermal treatment of Ce_0.8Gd _0.2O_1.9 films.

Polymers offer the advantage that they may independently combine desirable supramolecular structure with useful local monomeric properties to yield optimal performance of different tasks. Here we utilise the remarkable lubricating properties both of dense polymer brushes, and of hydration sheaths about charges via the emerging paradigm of hydration lubrication, to design a grafted-from polyzwitterionic brush system, where each of the monomers has a structure similar to the highly-hydrated phosphorylcholine headgroups of phosphatidylcholine lipids. Such polyzwitterions are grown from a macroinitiator coating the substrate (mica) surface using atom transfer radical polymerisation (ATRP) of 2-(methacryloyloxy)ethyl phosphorylcholine (MPC) to form exceptionally robust poly(MPC) brushes. We have characterized these brush layers via X-ray reflectometry, X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy, surface forces measurements and atomic force microscopy. Such brushes, designed to optimise their lubrication properties, are indeed found to provide state of the art boundary lubrication, achieving friction coefficients as low as 0.0004 at pressures up to 75 atmospheres over a wide range of sliding velocities. Such low friction is comparable with that of articular cartilage in healthy mammalian joints, which represents nature's benchmark for boundary lubrication in living organisms, and suggests that hydration lubrication plays a major role in reducing friction in biological systems.

A nanostructure, being either an Inorganic Fullerene-like (IF) nanostructure or an Inorganic Nanotube (INT), A1-x-Bx-chalcogenide are described. A being a metal or transition metal or an alloy of metals and/or transition metals, B being a metal or transition metal B different from that of A and x being ≤0.3. A process for their manufacture and their use for modifying the electronic character of A-chalcogenide are described.

Friction and wear of copper rubbed in a wide range of loads and sliding velocities were studied. The results of friction and wear experiments in PAO-4 lubricant are presented as the Stribeck curve where the boundary, mixed and elasto-hydrodynamic lubrication regimes are considered. The structural state of surface layers in different lubricant regimes is studied by optical and scanning electron microscopy and X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy analyses. The dominant friction and wear mechanisms in different lubrication regimes are discussed. Severe plastic deformation of subsurface layers under friction is correlated with the nanocrystalline structure obtained by different methods of grain refinement.

The spectroscopy of charged particles, e.g. X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS), proposes unique capabilities for electrical studies of nanometric heterostructures. By turning the problem of surface charging into a consistent and general method for chemically resolved electrical measurements (CREM), selected surface and sub-surface regions can be probed in a non-contact manner, with useful advantages over standard electrical tools. When applied to organic systems, CREM can read electrical information out of atomic sites within molecular assemblies, and hence, map the electrostatic potential variations under external stimuli, approaching atomic resolution. This paper reviews CREM studies of self-assembled monolayers (SAMs), with an emphasis on questions regarding the surface charge distribution. Surprising observations in work function changes under self-assembly of dipolar molecules are presented, as well as the direct detection of sub-molecular polarization effects, and photo-induced charge redistribution across SAMs that are situated between semiconducting media. The review concludes by suggesting future applications of CREM and further challenges that may arise.

We suggest a universal method for the mass production of nanometer-sized molecular transistors. This vertical-type device was fabricated using conventional photolithography and self-assembly methods and was processed in parallel fashion. We used this transistor to investigate the transport properties of a single layer of bovine serum albumin protein. This 4-nm-channel device exhibits low operating voltages, ambipolar behavior, and high gate sensitivity. The operation mechanism of this new device is suggested, and the charge transfer through the protein layer was explored.

Passage of polymers through pores narrower than the hydrodynamic diameter is impeded by an entropic penalty for their confinement. This might be balanced by an attractive interaction with the pore walls. We found that the hydrogen-bonding polymer, poly(isopropylacrylamide) (pNIPAM), diffused readily through narrow pores in polycarbonate track-etched membranes. The trans side accumulation of pNIPAM followed a stretched exponential behavior. By contrast, a much smaller dextran diffused at a comparable or slower rate and showed ordinary Fick-like behavior. Comparison between the influence of pNIPAM surface adsorption and chemical grafting to the pores points to weak interpolymeric bonds as the source for the transport-accelerating surface interactions. We interpret the results as evidence for anomalous diffusion of pNIPAM inside the pores.

We point to the ability of noncontact measurements of electron transport via self-assembled monolayers to provide chemical, Å-resolved information about the underlying molecule. A conceptual framework is presented to model a current flow of soft electrons through a molecular monolayer to a substrate and explore the information content of this and other emerging noncontact measurements. A numerical scheme is developed where advantage is taken of the split-operator formalism to propagate the incident electronic wave function over a suitable periodic potential energy surface representing the self-assembled monolayer. The (experimentally observable) potential difference introduced by the transmitted electrons is extracted from the time-averaged electron density using the Poisson equation of classical electrostatics.

The preparation of alkoxy monolayers on oxide-free Si (100) and on electronic current transport measurements through junctions that are made up of these monolayers, sandwiched between Si as one electrode and a Hg drop as the other electrode, was reported. Based on the polarized IR spectra, the average tilt angles of the alkoxy and alkyl chains with respect to the surface normal are found to be very similar at 28° and 27° respectively. The monolayer thickness value for the OC12 layer, calculated using an inelastic mean free path of 3.3 nm, is 15∓2Å. The atomic force microscopy (AFM) and contact angle measurements indicate that neither binding chemistry nor molecular length alter the monlayer density. The X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS) binding energy of the C atom closets to the Si is lower than that of the C atom of the alkyl backbone.

The time dependent chemical changes occurring at the surface of inorganic fullerene-like (IF) nanoparticles of WS₂ were investigated using X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS) and compared to those of bulk powder, 2H-WS₂. It was possible to follow the long term surface oxidation and carbonization occurring at defects on the outermost surface (0001) molecular layers of the inorganic fullerene-like nanoparticles. Vacuum annealing was shown to remove most of these contaminants and bring the surface close to its pristine stoichiometric composition. In accordance with previous measurements, further evidence was obtained for the existence of water molecules, which were entrapped in the hollow core and interstitial defects of the fullerene-like nanoparticles during the synthesis. These water molecules were also shown to be removable by the vacuum annealing process. Chemically resolved electrical measurements (CREM) in the XPS showed that the IF samples had become less p-type after the vacuum annealing. Finally, tribological measurements showed that the vacuum annealed IF samples performed better as an oil additive than the non-annealed IF samples and the 2H-WS₂ powder.

n-Si/C_nH_2n+1/Hg junctions (n = 12, 14, 16 and 18) can be prepared with sufficient quality to assure that the transport characteristics are not anymore dominated by defects in the molecular monolayers. With such organic monolayers we can, using electron, UV and X-ray irradiation, alter the charge transport through the molecular junctions on n- as well as on p-type Si. Remarkably, the quality of the self-assembled molecular monolayers following irradiation remains sufficiently high to provide the same very good protection of Si from oxidation in ambient atmosphere as provided by the pristine films. Combining spectroscopic (UV photoemission spectroscopy (UPS), X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS), Auger, near edge-X-ray absorption fine structure (NEXAFS)) and electrical transport measurements, we show that irradiation induces defects in the alkyl films, most likely C=C bonds and C-C crosslinks, and that the density of defects can be controlled by irradiation dose. These altered intra- and intermolecular bonds introduce new electronic states in the highest occupied molecular orbital (HOMO)-lowest unoccupied molecular orbital (LUMO) gap of the alkyl chains and, in the process, dope the organic film. We demonstrate an enhancement of 1-2 orders of magnitude in current. This change is clearly distinguishable from the previous observed difference between transport through high quality and defective monolayers. A detailed analysis of the electrical transport at different temperatures shows that the dopants modify the transport mechanism from tunnelling to hopping. This study suggests a way to extend significantly the use of monolayers in molecular electronics.

Nonpolar amorphous and polar quasiamorphous phases of substrate-supported BaTi O3 and SrTi O3 were studied with x-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS) to characterize the structural and chemical changes accompanying the transformation of the former into the latter. It was found that there are two spectral features distinguishing the amorphous from the quasiamorphous films: (1) an extra peak in the valence band spectra of amorphous films and (2) a satellite line in the XPS O 1s spectra of the amorphous films. On the basis of literature data, we suggest that both these features may be interpreted as originating from an oxygen-oxygen chemical bond. During the thermally driven transformation of an amorphous into a polar quasiamorphous phase, the oxygen-oxygen chemical bond breaks, leading to volume expansion and the development of inhomogeneous in-plane mechanical stress.

Experimental evidence derived from a comprehensive study of a self-assembled organosilane multilayer film system undergoing a process of postassembly chemical modification that affects interlayer-located polar groups of the constituent molecules while preserving its overall molecular architecture allows a quantitative evaluation of both the degree of intralayer polymerization and that of interlayer covalent bonding of the silane headgroups in a highly ordered layer assembly of this type. The investigated system consists of a layer-by-layer assembled multilayer of a bifunctional n-alkyl silane with terminal alcohol group that is in situ converted, via a wet chemical oxidation process conducted on the entire multilayer, to the corresponding carboxylic add function. A combined chemical-structural analysis of data furnished by four different techniques, Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR), synchrotron X-ray scattering, X-ray photoelectron spectmscopy (XPS), and contact angle measurements, demonstrates that the highly ordered 3 D molecular arrangement of the initial alcohol-silane multilayer stack 6 well preserved upon virtually quantitative conversion of the alcohol to carboxyric add and the concomitant irreversible cleavage of interlayer covalent bonds. Thus, the correlation of quantitative chemical and structural data obtained from such unreacted and fully reacted film samples offers an unprecedented experimental framework within which it becomes possible to differentiate between intralayer and interlayer covalent bonding. In addition, the use of a sufficiently thick multilayer effectively eliminates the interfering contributions of the underlying silicon oxide substrate to both the X-ray scattering and XPS data. The present findings contribute a firm experimental basis to the elucidation of the self-assembly mechanism, the molecular organization, and the modes and dynamics of intra- and interlayer bonding prevailing in highly ordered organosilane films; with further implications for the rational exploitation of some of the unique options such supramolecular surface entities can offer in the advancement of a chemical nanofabrication methodology.

IF-MO_1-xNb_xS₂ nanoparticles have been synthesized by a vapor-phase reaction involving the respective metal halides with H₂S. The IF-MO_1-xNb_xS₂ nanoparticles, containing up to 25% Nb, were characterized by a variety of experimental techniques. Analysis of the powder X-ray powder diffraction, X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy, and different electron microscopy techniques shows that the majority of the Nb atoms are organized as nanosheets of NbS₂ within the MoS₂ host lattice. Most of the remaining Nb atoms (3%) are interspersed individually and randomly in the MoS₂ host lattice. Very few Nb atoms, if any, are intercalated between the MoS₂ layers. A sub-nanometer film of niobium oxide seems to encoat the majority of the nanoparticles. X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy in the chemically resolved electrical measurement mode (CREM) and scanning probe microscopy measurements of individual nanoparticles show that the mixed IF nanoparticles are metallic independent of the substitution pattern of the Nb atoms in the lattice of MoS₂ (whereas unsubstituted IF-MoS₂ nanoparticles are semiconducting). Furthermore the IF-MO_1-xNb_xS₂ nanoparticles are found to exhibit interesting single electron tunneling effects at low temperatures.

Electron irradiation can alter electronic charge transport through Si-CH₂(CH₂)₁₂-CH₃//Hg molecular junctions. Applying UPS, XPS, Auger, NEXAFS, and electrical transport measurements, we show that irradiation induces defects, most likely C=C bonds and C-C cross-links, which introduce new electronic states into the HOMO-LUMO gap of the alkyl chains, and, hence, effectively dope these layers. We demonstrate a 1-2 order of magnitude enhancement in current, clearly distinguishable from that of defects in as-prepared layers.

A model of structural transformations of amorphous into quasi-amorphous BaTiO₃ is suggested. The model is based on previously published data and on X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy data presented in the current report Both amorphous and quasi-amorphous phases of BaTiO₃ are made up of a network of slightly distorted TiO₆ octahedra connected in three different ways: by apices (akin to perovskite), edges, and faces. Ba ions in these phases are located in the voids between the octahedra, which is a nonperovskite environment. These data also suggest that Ba ions compensate electrical-charge imbalance incurred by randomly connected octahedra and, thereby, stabilize the TiO₆ network. Upon heating, the edge-to-edge and face-to-face connections between TiO₆ octahedra are severed and then reconnected via apices. Severing the connections between TiO₆ octahedra requires a volume increase, suppression of which keeps some of the edge-to-edge and face-to-face connections intact. Transformation of the amorphous thin films into the quasi-amorphous phase occurs during pulling through a steep temperature gradient. During this process, the volume increase is inhomogeneous and causes both highly anisotropic strain and a strain gradient. The strain gradient favors breaking those connections, which aligns the distorted TiO₆ octahedra along the direction of the gradient. As a result, the structure becomes not only anisotropic and non-centrosymmetric, but also acquires macroscopic polarization. Other compounds may also form a quasi-amorphous phase, providing that they satisfy the set of conditions derived from the suggested model.

Chemical bath deposited PbSe films were subjected to postdeposition treatment with aqueous (typically 0.25-0.5 M) KOH. For films deposited using a citrate complex, this treatment resulted in dissolution of surface lead oxides (seen from XPS and EXAFS measurements) and growth of the nanocrystals (from ca. 5 to as much as 20 nm, measured by XRD and TEM) by an Ostwald ripening mechanism and formation of a porous network. For films deposited using KOH-complexed Pb, this growth did not occur. The latter films are made up of PbSe crystals (ca. 4 nm) embedded in an amorphous matrix of lead oxide. Successful etching of the crystallite surface passivation is found to be critical for the growth progress. While the KOH treatment removed most of this matrix, the individual crystals of PbSe still remained passivated with a surface where Pb was apparently bonded to both O and Se. With use of a concentrated KOH solution (3 M) for long periods of time (> 1 h), this surface could be removed and crystal growth occurred to give a network of PbSe crystals several tens of nanometers in size. This study, besides explaining the very different chemical behaviors of the two types of PbSe films, demonstrates the important role of what appear to be small differences in surface chemistries in determining the chemical properties of nanocrystals.

Potential profiles across molecular layers are constructed by means of noncontact electrically stimulated photoelectron spectroscopy, probing for the first time the molecule-substrate interface potential and resolving local screening effects across inner phenyl groups.

A series of p- and n-GaAs-S-C_nH2_n+1 ∥ Hg junctions are prepared, and the electronic transport through them is measured. From current-voltage measurements, we find that, for n-GaAs, transport occurs by both thermionic emission and tunneling, with the former dominating at low forward bias and the latter dominating at higher forward bias. For p-GaAs, tunneling dominates at all bias voltages. By combining the analysis of the transport data with results from direct and inverse photoemission spectroscopy, we deduce an energy band diagram of the system, including the tunnel barrier and, with this barrier and within the Simmons tunneling model, extract an effective mass value of 1.5-1.6m_e for the electronic carriers that cross the junctions, We find that transport is well-described by lowest unoccupied and highest occupied states at 1.3-1.4 eV above and 2.0-2.2 eV below the Fermi level. At the same time, the photoemission data indicate that there are continua of states from the conduction band minimum and the valence band maximum, the density of which varies with energy. On the basis of our results, it appears likely that, for both types of junctions, electrons are the main carrier type, although holes may contribute significantly to the transport in the p-GaAs system.

Submolecular electrical information is successfully derived by applying element-specific, chemically resolved electrical measurements to a covalently bound stilbazole-based monolayer on a silicon substrate. Pronounced affinity effects are found in the response of adjacent atomic sites to external charge injection, accompanied by intramolecular polarization variations. These noncontact electrical read-out capabilities may provide a first entry toward the realization of organic devices based on submolecular electrical units.

A C₃-symmetric tridentate hexahydroxamate ligand molecule was specially synthesized and used for coordination self-assembly of branched multilayers on Au surfaces precoated with a self-assembled monolayer (SAM) of ligand anchors. Layer-by-layer (LbL) growth of multilayers via metal-organic coordination using Zr⁴⁺ ions proceeds with high regularity, adding one molecular layer in each step, as shown by ellipsometry, wettability, UV-vis spectroscopy, and atomic force microscopy (AFM). The branched multilayer films display improved stiffness, as well as a unique defect self-repair capability, attributed to cross-linking in the layers and lateral expansion over defects during multilayer growth. Transmetalation, i.e., exposure of Zr ⁴⁺-based assemblies to Hf⁴⁺ ions, was used to evaluate the cross-linking. Conductive atomic force microscopy (AFM) was used to probe the electrical properties of the multilayers, revealing excellent dielectric behavior. The special properties of the branched layers were emphasized by comparison with analogous multilayers prepared similarly using linear (tetrahydroxamate) ligand molecules. The process of defect annihilation by bridging over defective areas, attributed to lateral expansion via the excess bishydroxamate groups, was demonstrated by introduction of artificial defects in the anchor monolayer, followed by assembly of two layers of either the linear or the branched molecule. Analysis of selective binding of Au nanoparticles (NPs) to unblocked defects emphasized the superior repair mechanism in the branched layers with respect to the linear ones.

The charge redistribution that occurs within dipolar molecules as they self-assemble into organized organic monolayer films has been studied. The extent of charge transfer is probed by work function measurements, using low-energy photoelectron spectroscopy (LEPS), contact potential difference (CPD), and X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS), with the latter providing fine details about the internal charge distribution along the molecule. In addition, two-photon photoelectron spectroscopy is applied to investigate the electronic structure of the adsorbed layers. We show that charge transfer acts to reduce the dipole-dipole interaction between the molecules but may either decrease or increase the molecule-to-surface dipole moment.

Diodes made by (indirectly) evaporating Au on a monolayer of molecules that are adsorbed chemically onto GaAs, via either disulfide or dicarboxylate groups, show roughly linear but opposite dependence of their effective barrier height on the dipole moment of the molecules. We explain this by Au-molecule (electrical) interactions not only with the exposed end groups of the molecule but also with its binding groups. We arrive at this conclusion by characterizing the interface by in situ UPS-XPS, ex situ XPS, TOF-SIMS, and Kelvin probe measurements, by scanning microscopy of the surfaces, and by current-voltage measurements of the devices. While there is a very limited interaction of Au with the dicarboxylic binding groups, there is a much stronger interaction with the disulfide groups. We suggest that these very different interactions lead to different (growth) morphologies of the evaporated gold layer, resulting in opposite effects of the molecular dipole on the junction barrier height.

If a thin film (tens of nm) of CdSe quantum dots (4 nm diameter) is deposited by chemical bath deposition onto various substrates, the films, although essentially intrinsic, behave as if they were n-type with respect to charge separation. However, films deposited under certain deposition conditions on Si (both n⁺- and p⁺-type) behave as if they were p-type. In this case, we show that it is possible to switch this p-type photoresponse by either light illumination intensity or injection of electrons from an external filament. Using both surface photovoltage spectroscopy and a novel adaptation of X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy, we show how this behavior results from a Cd(OH)₂ layer adsorbed at the Si surface at the beginning of the deposition. This response is explained by a competition between a high concentration of relatively shallow hole traps in the CdSe and a lower concentration of deeper electron traps in the Cd(OH)₂. The relative occupancies of these traps determine the fields in the film and their response to external parameters.

Coordination self-assembly of bishydroxamate-based metal-organic multilayers on gold employing a layer-by-layer (LbL) approach was investigated. It is shown that the solution chemistry of the participating metal ion has a marked influence on the composition and properties of the multilayers. Use of Ce4+ and particularly zirconium(IV) acetylacetonate (Zr(acac)(4)) solutions in the ion-binding step of multilayer construction leads to multilayers with a near-stoichiometric metal ion-to-ligand ratio, suggesting a structure close to that predicted by a simple coordination self-assembly scheme. On the other hand use of a ZrCl4 solution as the source of metal ions in the multilayer construction leads to a multilayer with greater thickness and a large excess of Zr(IV), evenly distributed between the organic layers. In the latter case, a ratio of ca. 1:2 between the excess Zr and oxygen, as well as long-term Zr4+ binding experiments showing deposition of ZrO2, suggest the formation of a zirconia-type nanophase between the bishydroxamate organic repeat units during multilayer self-assembly. Hence, while the multilayer prepared using Zr(acaC)(4) solution appears to represent a "true" coordination-based structure, the one prepared using ZrCl4 is best described as a composite organic-ceramic multilayer. Composite multilayers prepared in this way display different properties from those of the stoichiometric ones, such as improved dielectric behavior and higher stiffness. Even greater mechanical stability is obtained with multilayers constructed using alternate binding of ZrCl4 and Ce4+. The concept of LbL formation of coordination-based composite organic-ceramic structures may be useful in obtaining nanometer-scale structures with tunable properties.

Combinations of alkylated polyethylenimine and polyoxometalates yield water-soluble synzymes with hydrophobic regions that allowed the aqueous biphasic selective oxidation of very hydrophobic, water-insoluble substrates with hydrogen peroxide. With the alkylated PEI/{PO₄[WO(O₂)₂]₄}³- highly effective C-C bond cleavage of alkenes to aldheydes was observed. The synzymes have both tertiary and quaternary amine centers as shown by a combination of ¹⁵N-¹H HMBC and XPS measurements. The existence of hydrophobic regions was concluded from the measurement of contact angles and a hypsochromic shift of a fluorescent probe.

Pronounced surface diffusion is observed during x-ray photoelectron spectroscopy measurements of 2H platelets and inorganic fullerene-like (IF) MS2 (M=WMo) powders, intercalated with alkaline (A=K,Na) elements. Using controlled surface charging the intercalants migrate towards the surface, where they oxidize. This dry deintercalation is controllable via external charging parameters, yet showing that internal chemical and structural parameters play an important role in the process. Diffusion rates out of 214 matrixes are generally higher than in corresponding IF samples. Clear differences are also found between Mo and W-based systems. Application of this approach into surface modification and processing is, proposed. (C) 2003 American Vacuum Society.

A composite surface comprising evenly distributed silicon oxide islands on a gold substrate is described. The composite surface is prepared by evaporation of a thin (50 nm) gold layer on oxide-free (H-passivated) silicon, followed by thermal diffusion of Si through the Au layer, gradually forming islands of SiO₂ on the Au surface. The rate of Si diffusion through the Au, and hence, the rate of SiO₂ island formation, is controlled by the annealing temperature, the Si crystallographic face, the Au film thickness, and the contacting atmosphere. The Au-SiO₂ composite surfaces can be used in applications requiring substrates patterned on a mesoscopic scale, while exposing two chemically dissimilar phases. One such application is shown here, namely, the formation of thiol-silane monolayers, for which the distribution of the different molecules in the resultant monolayer is determined by the substrate composition. The XPS controlled surface charging (CSC) method is used to establish a site-selective adsorption. The SiO₂ islands are found to be rather labile, shifting and aggregating upon self-assembly of alkanethiol molecules on the Au exposed areas. Pretreatment of the islands with a long-chain silane stabilizes the morphology.

CdS quantum particles (QPs) assembled at predetermined distances from a gold substrate are prepared within a Langmuir-Blodgett film that forms an organic host matrix. The system is characterized by controlled surface charging (CSC) in X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS) and complementary methods, successfully resolving the discrete QP layers. A quantitative study of substrate-QPs charge-transfer channels is provided by laser-intensity dependent contact potential difference (CPD) measurements. The extracted electron-transfer rate constants exhibit marked differences in electron transfer from the film toward the substrate versus the backward process. The charging of the hybrid film was found to be either negative or positive depending on the intensity of the laser that photoexcites the QPs.

Pronounced electromagnetic quantum-size effects are observed in directional near-field electron energy loss spectroscopy of rectangular nanocrystals. A theoretical analysis, exploiting a unique coincidence of all relevant length parameters in this spectroscopy and the momentum space filtering imposed by the exponentially decaying electron-plasmon interaction in the vacuum, reveals strong sensitivity of the EEL signal to the size and shape of the nanocrystal. The breakdown of momentum conservation along the beam direction, associated with the finite size of the nanocrystal, drastically alters the EEL signal pattern.

Elliptically shaped (Pb_1-xCd_x)S nanoparticles (NPs) of average size 2.3 × 2.9 nm (minor axis × major axis) have been prepared via reaction of a solid [oligo(p-phenylene-ethynylene) dicarboxylate]Pb_0.9Cd_0.1 salt matrix, with gaseous H₂S. A significantly long emission lifetime, with multi-exponential behavior, is detected in time-resolved photoluminescence measurements, substantially different from the decay patterns of pure PbS and CdS NPs within the same organic matrix. Evidence for the co-existence of Cd and Pb within the same particle is provided by light-induced X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy.

Layered metal disulfides-MS₂ (M = Mo, W) in the form of fullerene-like nanoparticles and in the form of platelets (crystallites of the 2H polytype) have been intercalated by exposure to alkali metal (potassium and sodium) vapor using a two-zone transport method. The composition of the intercalated systems was established using X-ray energy dispersive spectrometer and X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS). The alkali metal concentration in the host lattice was found to depend on the kind of sample and the experimental conditions. Furthermore, an inhomogeneity of the intercalated samples was observed. The product consisted of both nonintercalated and intercalated phases. X-ray diffraction analysis and transmission electron microscopy of the samples, which were not exposed to the ambient atmosphere, showed that they suffered little change in their lattice parameters. On the other hand, after exposure to ambient atmosphere, substantial increase in the interplanar spacing (3-5 Å) was observed for the intercalated phases. Insertion of one to two water molecules per intercalated metal atom was suggested as a possible explanation for this large expansion along the c-axis. Deintercalation of the hydrated alkali atoms and restacking of the MS₂ layers was observed in all the samples after prolonged exposure to the atmosphere. Electric field induced deintercalation of the alkali metal atoms from the host lattice was also observed by means of the XPS technique. Magnetic moment measurements for all the samples indicate a diamagnetic to paramagnetic transition after intercalation. Measurements of the transport properties reveal a semiconductor to metal transition for the heavily K intercalated 2H-MOS₂. Other samples show several orders of magnitude decrease in resistivity and two- to five-fold decrease in activation energies upon intercalation. These modifications are believed to occur via charge transfer from the alkali metal to the conduction band of the host lattice. Recovery of the pristine compound properties (diamagnetism and semiconductivity) was observed as a result of deintercalation.

Composite materials of quantum particles (Q-particles) arranged in layers within crystalline powders of π-conjugated, rodlike dicarboxylic acids are reported. The synthesis of the composites, either as three-dimensional crystals or as thin films at the air-water interface, comprises a two-step process: 1) The preparation of the Cd salts 6(Cd), 8(Cd) or Pb salts 6(Pb), 8(Pb) of the oligo(p-phenyleneethynylene)dicarboxylic acids 6(H), 8(H), in which the metal ions are arranged in ribbons and are separated by the long axis of the organic molecules, as demonstrated by X-ray powder diffraction analysis of the solids and grazing incidence X-ray diffraction analysis of the films on water. 2) Topotactic solid/gas reaction of these salts with H₂S to convert the metal ions into Q-particles of CdS or PbS embedded in the organic matrix that consists of the acids 6 (H) and 8 (H). These hybrid materials have been characterized by X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy and transmission electron microscopy.

Probing the structure of material layers just a few nanometres thick requires analytical techniques with high depth sensitivity. X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy(1) (XPS) provides one such method, but obtaining vertically resolved structural information from the raw data is not straightforward. There are several XPS depth-profiling methods, including ion etching(2), angle-resolved XPS (ref. 2) and Tougaard's approach(3), but all suffer various limitations(2-5). Here we report a simple, non-destructive XPS depth-profiling method that yields accurate depth information with nanometre resolution. We demonstrate the technique using self-assembled multilayers on gold surfaces; the former contain 'marker' monolayers that have been inserted at predetermined depths. A controllable potential gradient is established vertically through the sample by charging the surface of the dielectric overlayer with an electron flood gun. The local potential is probed by measuring XPS line shifts, which correlate directly with the vertical position of atoms. We term the method 'controlled surface charging', and expect it to be generally applicable to a large variety of mesoscopic heterostructures.

Oriented crystalline monolayers, ~ 14 Å thick, of a 2 x 2 Ag⁺ grid complex, self-assembled at the air-solution interface starting from an waterinsoluble ligand 3,6-bis[2-(6-phenylpyridine)]pyridazine spread on silver-ion-containing solutions, were examined by grazing-incidence X-ray diffraction and specular X-ray reflectivity using synchrotron radiation. The monolayer structure was refined, including a determination of the positions of the counterions, with the SHELX-97 computer program. The monolayers were transferred from the interface onto various solid supports and visualized by scanning force microscopy, and characterized by X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy in terms of molecular structure. On surface compression, the initial selfassembled monolayer undergoes a transition to a crystalline bilayer in which the two layers, almost retaining the original arrangement, are in registry. Such a phase transition is of relevance to the understanding of crystal nucleation.

A method is described for the preparation of hybrid organic/inorganic structures where the inorganic component comprises semiconductor nanoparticles aligned in periodic layers within three-dimensional (3-D) crystalline powders and Langmuir-Blodgett (LB) films. The preparation process comprises the organization of metal ions in the form of periodic arrays within 3-D crystals or the LB films, followed by a topotactic gas/solid reaction. The method is illustrated for the organization of CdS nanoparticles within alkanoic acids. The order of the nanoparticles is achieved by introducing site directing nucleation centers of Cd thioalkanoates within Cd alkanoates, in the form of solid solutions. The formed particles are attached to the organic matrix via -C(O)S-Cd-S- bonds. The structure of those supramolecular architectures has been characterized by a variety of complementary methods, including transmission electron microscopy (TEM) and electron diffraction (ED), X-ray powder diffraction (XRD), X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS), and other spectroscopic measurements.

Recently, new structural formulations of metal dichalcogenides have resulted in greatly enhanced lubricant properties, placing the mechanisms of lubrication for this class of materials under closer scrutiny. In this work, scanned probe microscope techniques have been used to probe the surface on a nanoscale, comparing friction and adhesion at specific surface sites. In addition, the role of interlayer shear and subsurface defects in moderating friction are examined. (C) 1999 Elsevier Science B.V. All rights reserved.

Li samples were freshly prepared (shearing) and stored (2 days) in dimethyl carbonate (DMC), and ethyl carbonate-diethyl carbonate (EC-DEC), and dry (20 ppm of H₂O) and wet (500 ppm of H₂O) EC-DMC solutions of LiAsF₆ (1 M), and were then studied by X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS). The XPS analysis, including depth profiling of these surface films, appears to be reliable on the qualitative level only, because both the X-ray beam and sputtering should be suspected as being partially destructive to the surface films on lithium. These studies basically confirm previous conclusions obtained by Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy spectroscopic studies of Li surfaces. Surface films formed on Li in alkyl carbonate solutions of LiAsF₆ are comprised of ROCO₂Li, Li₂CO₃, LiF, Li_xAsF_y, and Li oxides. XPS could also detect surface species with Li-C bonds (e.g., LiCH₂CH₂OCO₂Li). When EC is present, its reduction dominates the surface film formation. The presence of water suppresses both solvent and salt anion reduction and enriches the surface films with Li₂CO₃ (because of secondary reactions of water with surface species), LiOH, and Li₂O. These studies also confirm that the surface films formed on Li have a multilayer structure.

Recently, inorganic fullerene-like (IF) supramolecules of metal dichalcogenide MX₂ (M = Mo, W, etc.; X = S, Se), materials with structures closely related to (nested) carbon fullerenes and nanotubes have been synthesized. The main goal of the present work was to study the tribological properties of IF-WS₂ in comparison to 2H-WS₂ and MoS₂ platelets over a wide range of loads and sliding velocities. The size and shape distributions of the nanoparticles were studied by transmission electron microscopy (TEM). The average size of the IF-WS₂ particles was 120 nm, while that of 2H-WS₂ and 2H-MoS₂ was 0.5 μm and 4 μm. The chemical reactivity of the different powders in an oxygenated atmosphere was verified by heating the powders in ambient atmosphere. The friction experiments were performed in laboratory atmosphere (humidity ∼ 50%) using a ring-block tester. Complementary information on the state of wear of the powders in the lubricating fluid and on the metal surfaces of the specimens was obtained using a combination of TEM, scanning electron microscopy (SEM) and X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS). It has been established that IF-WS₂ nanoparticles appear to have excellent tribological properties in definite loading range in comparison to typical metal dichalcogenides. The oxidation of the IF particles and the wear track was essentially less than with solid lubricants made of platelets of the same chemical compound (WS₂). The main advantages of IF nanoparticles lie in their round shape and the absence of dangling bonds.

A Reply to the Comment by P. M. Echenique, A. Howie, and R. H. Ritchie.

Self-assembly (SA) of long-chain alkanethiols on copper was studied. Two factors were found to have substantial influence on the SA process: (i) the chemical reactivity of Cu toward substances present in the adsorption solution, particularly the solvent, and (ii) surface pretreatment, which influences the amount of oxide and the surface morphology. Both factors are less important in the case of SA onto gold because of its chemical inertness. Monolayers of octadecanethiol (C18SH) were adsorbed from different solvents (ethanol, toluene, and bicyclohexyl) at various thiol concentrations onto Cu surfaces pretreated in several different ways. The monolayers were characterized by contact-angle measurements, grazing-incidence Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy, and scanning force microscopy. Ethanol, the most common solvent for alkanethiol SA, is found to have a negative effect on monolayer SA apparently because of its chemical reactivity toward copper. With toluene as a solvent, better oriented and more crystalline monolayers are obtained provided that a higher thiol concentration is used to compensate for the higher solubility of thiols in toluene. Treatment of the Cu surface prior to SA is shown to significantly improve the SA by reducing the amount of surface oxide and the surface corrugation. The effect of the solvent is more critical than surface oxidation; hence, high-quality monolayers are formed in the presence of thin oxide layers on Cu surfaces. Superior C18SH monolayers, in terms of organization and crystallinity, are obtained by SA from toluene onto Cu surfaces sputtered-annealed in high vacuum, even when the Cu surface is subjected to short exposure to air before SA.

The tribological properties of textured WS₂, MoS₂ and WSe₂ films, which were prepared using an ultra-thin interlayer of Ni/Cr (van der Waals rheotaxy technique) on quartz substrate, were determined in ambient conditions. Using scanning force microscope adapted for tribological measurements, very low (0.04 and below) friction coefficients and little wear were measured on flat areas of the films. Macroscopic (engineering) tribological measurements, using the reciprocating ball on flat tribometer, exhibit somewhat higher friction coefficients. Compactization of the films under the load and little wear were observed for the films even after a few hundred cycles. X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy of the WS₂ film after the wear experiment confirmed that some oxidation took place within the wear track, but the overall integrity of the film was preserved. These measurements indicate that highly textured films of this kind are promising candidates for tribological coatings, where oil-free lubrication is required.

A novel type of bilayer on a gold surface, based upon metal-ion coordination to hydroxamate moieties, is described, Tailor-made bifunctional ligands containing hydroxamate groups (for metal coordination) and a cyclic disulfide residue (for surface attachment) have been prepared. The bishydroxamate binding site forms 2:1 ligand/metal complexes with octacoordinating metal ions such as Zr-IV Ce-IV, and Ti-IV:the cyclic disulfide moiety anchors the complex to the gold surface, Two routes to bilayer formation are demonstrated: i) a one-step process from preformed 2:1 complexes, and ii) a stepwise process including formation of the ligand monolayers followed by binding of a guest ion and a second layer of ligand molecules. The former approach allows full characterization of the complexes before bilayer assembly, whereas the latter enables construction of either symmetric (identical) or asymmetric (nonidentical) bilayers. Both types of bilayers were characterized by ellipsometry, contact angle, and XPS measurements. Symmetric bilayers obtained by the two processes have similar properties.

Self-assembled coatings of long chain thiols on nanoparticles of amorphous iron as well as on amorphous Fe₂O₃ were formed. The thermal stability of these coatings was investigated by thermal gravimetric analysis (TGA) and differential scanning calorimetry (DSC) of the particles and by mass spectrometric analysis of the molecules desorbed from the surface by heating the amorphous substrates. The results showed a sharp weight loss centered at about 200 °C for the thiol-coated particles. The mass spectrometric study of the molecules removed from the surface of the amorphous iron revealed the formation of a dialkyl thioether. For the amorphous Fe₂O₃ surfaces, a dialkyl disulfide was removed from the surface. The desorptions from the Fe₂O₃ surface occurred at higher temperatures than those for the amorphous iron. The different mechanisms responsible for these desorption reactions are discussed.

Nanostructured particles of amorphous carbon-activated palladium metallic clusters have been prepared (in situ) at room temperature by ultrasound irradiation of an organometallic precursor, tris-μ-[dibenzylideneacetone]-dipalladium [(φ-CH=CH-CO-CH=CH-φ)₃Pd₂] in mesitylene. Characterization by elemental analysis, transmission electron microscopy, differential scanning calorimetry, X-ray diffraction, X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy, and BET surface area measurements shows that the product powder consists of nanosize particles, agglomerated in clusters of approximately 800 Å. Each particle is found to have a metallic core, covered by a carbonic shell that plays an important role in the stability of the nanoparticles. The catalytic activity in a Heck reaction, in the absence of phosphine ligands, has been demonstrated.

Thin films of metal dichalcogenide compounds with a layered structure, such as MoS₂ (WSe₂), play an important role in a number of technologies, like solid lubrication, experimental photovoltaic cells, etc. Such films usually adopt a type-I texture, in which case the c-axis of the crystallites is parallel to the substrate plane. However, for the aforementioned applications, type-II texture, where the c-axis of the crystallite is perpendicular to the substrate, is required. We have recently demonstrated a novel growth technique (Van der Waals rheotaxy, VdWR) which yields a crystalline film having exclusively type-II texture on amorphous, (quartz) substrate. In the present work superior crystalline, optical and electronic properties of the overlying WSe₂ (WS₂) film together with an improved adhesion of the film to the quartz substrate are obtained by replacing the ultra thin Ni film with a Ni/Cr film.

Electronic excitations of solid C60 have been studied using the reflection EELS technique with a 0.2 eV energy resolution. A comparison with graphite revealed an overall similarity of the spectral gross features, while significant differences were observed in the fine details, mainly at low loss energies. A similar dominant plasmon was observed in C60 at a slightly shifted energy of 23.2 eV. For C60, in contrast to graphite, a clear energy loss onset was found at 1.7 eV and up to 6 eV six loss peaks were clearly observed. It was found that minima in the loss spectrum fit well with reported optical transitions. This observation supports an interpretation which attributes a significant collective character to the loss peaks.