Hot-Drawing of Ultrahigh-Molecular-Weight Polyethylene Gel Films

The three stages in the hot-drawing process of ultrahigh-molecular-weight polyethylene gel films can be detected by x-ray diffraction, infrared spectroscopy, birefringence and scanning electron microscopy. In the first stage of the drawing process, the lamellae in the gel films rotate and/or slip with the b-axis preferentially perpendicular to the drawing direction. With increased drawing, the c-axis of the lamellae become parallel to the stretching direction while unfolding of the chain begins, and the chains of the amorphous phase also orient along the drawing direction in the strain-chain domain. When the draw ratio is large enough, the lamellar structure is transformed into a fibrillar structure in a two-dimensional fashion.

Sol-gel Preparation and Preliminary in vitro Evaluation of Fluorapatite/Hydroxyapatite Solid Solution Films

Fluorapatite/hydroxyapatite solid solution has better biological properties than other apatites, especially used as films or coatings. In this work, sol-gel preparation and in vitro behavior of fluorapatite/hydroxyapatite solid solution films on titanium alloy were investigated. Ca(NO3)2·4H2O and PO(OH)K(OEt)3-x. were selected as precursors, and hexafluorophosphoric acid (HPF6) was used as a fluorine containing reagent. The Ca and P precursors were mixed with HPF6 to keep the Ca/P molar ratio 1.67. The mixtures refluxed for 12 h were used as dipping sols for the preparation of the films. The phase of the films obtained at 600℃ was apatite. The F contents in the films increased with the concentrations of HPF6 in the dipping sols. The solid solution films were shown to have better stability than hydroxyapatite films, and a reasonably good bioactivity in the in vitro evaluation.

Upconversion properties of Y_2O_3:Er films prepared by sol-gel method

Y2O3：Er^3＋ films were prepared by a simple sol-gel process. The structural properties of Y2O3：Er^3＋ films were characterized with X-ray diffraction, Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy and field emission scanning electron microscopy. The results indicated that the Y2O3：Er^3＋ films might have high upconversion efficiency because of their low vibrational energy. Under 785 and 980 nm laser excitation, the samples showed green （^2H11/2→^4I15/2, ^4S3/2→^4I15/2） and red （^4F9/2→^4I15/2） upconversion emissions. The upconversion mechanisms were studied in detail through laser power dependence. Excited state absorption and energy transfer process were discussed as possible upconversion mechanisms. The cross relaxation process in Er^3＋ was also investigated.

Preparation and Characterization of Sol-Gel Derived Au Nanoparticle Dispersed Y_2O_3∶Eu Films

Gold nanoparticles dispersed Y2O3 films were prepared through a sol-gel method by using yttrium acetate and Au nanoparticles colloid as precursors. The films were characterized by X-ray diffraction （XRD）, transmission electron microscopy （TEM） and UV-VIS absorption spectra. XRD patterns and TEM images of Y2O3 ＋ Au films give the same resuits on structure and particle size as that of pure Y2O3 films. The surface plasma resonance （SPR） of Au nanoparticles in Y2O3 ＋ Au film was observed around 550 nm in the absorption spectrum and its position shifts to red with increasing annealing temperature is caused by the increase of dielectric constant of Y2O3 matrix and the size of Au nanoparticles. The second and third order nonlinear optical effects of Y2O3 ＋ Au films were also observed. The photoluminescent properties of Y2O3 ： Eu ＋ Au films were investigated and results indicate that there exist an energy transfer from Eu^3 ＋ to Au nanoparticles and this energy transfer decreases the emission of Eu^3 ＋ in Y2O3 ： Eu ＋ Au film.

Grain Size and Photocatalytic Activity of Nanometer TiO_2 Thin Films Prepared by the Sol-gel Method

Transparent anatase TiO2 nanometer thin films with photocatalytic activity were prepared via the sol-gel method on soda-lime glass. The thickness , crystalline phase, grain size, surface hydroxyl amount and so on were characterized by scanning electron microscopy (SEM) , X-ray diffraction (XRD), transmission electron microscopy ( TEM), X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS) and UV-visible spectrophotometer ( UV-VIS). The photocatalytic activity of TiO2 thin films was evaluated for the photocatalytic decolorization of aqueous methyl orange . The effects of film thickness on the crystalline phase, grain size, transmittance and photocatalytic activity of nanometer Ti02 thin films were discussed.

Infrared Thermochromic Properties of VO_2 Thin Films Prepared through Aqueous Sol-gel Process

The stoichiometric vanadium（IV） oxide thin films were obtained by controlling the temperature, time and pressure of annealing. The thermochromic phase transition and the IR thermochromic property of 400 nm and 900 nm VO2 thin films in the 7.5 μm-14 μm region were discussed. The derived VO2 thin film samples were characterized by Raman, XRD, XPS, AFM, SEM, and DSC. The resistance and infrared emissivity of VO2 thin films under different temperature were measured, and the thermal images of films were obtained using infrared imager. The results show that the VO2 thin film annealed at 550 ℃ for 10 hours through aqueous sol-gel process is pure and uniform. The 900 nm VO2 thin film exhibits better IR thermochromic property than the 400 nm VO2 thin film. The resistance of 900 nm VO2 film can change by 4 orders of magnitude and the emissivity can change by 0.6 during the phase transition, suggesting the outstanding IR thermochromic property. The derived VO2 thin film can control its infrared radiation intensity and lower its apparent temperature actively when the real temperature increases, which may be applied in the field of energy saving, thermal control and camouflage.

Preparations of TiO_2 film coated on foam nickel substrate by sol-gel processes and its photocatalytic activity for degradation of acetaldehyde

Anatase TiO2 films were successfully prepared on foam nickel substrates by sol-gel technique using tetrabutyl titanate as precursor. The characteristics of the TiO2 films were investigated by XPS, XRD, FE-SEM, TEM and UV-Vis absorption spectra. The photocatalytic activities of TiO2 films were investigated by photocatalytic degradation reactions of gaseous acetaldehyde, an indoor pollutant, under ultraviolet light irradiation. It was found that Ni^2＋ doping into TiO2 films due to the foam nickel substrates resulted in the extension of absorption edges of TiO2 films from UV region to visible light region. The pre-heating for foam nickel substrates resulted in the formation of NiO layer, which prevented effectively the injection of photogenerated electrons from TiO2 films to metal nickel. The TiO2 films displayed high photocatalytic activity for the degradation of acetaldehyde, and were enhanced by calcining the substrates and coating TiO2 films repeatedly. The high activity was mainly attributed to the improvement of the characteristics of substrate surface and the increase of active sites on photocatalyst.

Study of NiCuZn ferrite powders and films prepared by sol gel method

This paper reports that a series of NiCuZn ferrite powders and films are prepared by using sol-gel method. The effects of raw material composition and the calcinate temperature on magnetic properties of them are investigated. The NiCuZn ferrite powders are prepared by the self-propagating high-temperature synthesis method and subsequently heated at 700 ℃-1000 ℃. The results show that NiCuZn ferrite powders with single spinel phase can be formed after heat-treating at 750 ℃. Powders obtained from Ni0.4Cu0.2Zn0.4Fel.904 gel have better magnetic properties than those from gels with other composition. After heat-treating at 900 ℃for 3 h, coercivity Hc and saturation magnetization Ms are 9.70e （i Oe = 80 A/m） and 72.4 emu/g, respectively. Different from the powders, NiCuZn films produced on Si （100） from the Ni0.4Cuo.2Zno.4Fe204 gel formed at room temperature possess high properties. When heat-treating condition is around 600 ℃for 6 rain, samples with low Hc and high Ms will be obtained. The minimal Hc is 16.70e and Ms is about 300 emu/cm3. In comparison with the films prepared through long-time heat treating, the films prepared through short heat-treating time exhibits better soft magnetic properties.

Preparation of Scratch-Resistant Nano-Porous Silica Films Derived by Sol-Gel Process and Their Anti-reflective Properties

Structural strengthening of the nano porous silica films has been reported. The films were prepared with a base/acid two-step catalyzed TEOS-based sol-gel processing and dip-coating, and then baked in the mixed gas of ammonia and water vapor. The silica films were characterized with TEM, AFM, FTIR, spectrophotometer, ellipsometer, and abrasion test, respectively. The experimental results have shown that the films have a nanostructure with a low refractive index and can form an excellent scratch-resistant broadband anti-reflectance. The two-step catalysis noticeably strengthens the films, and the mixed gas treatment further improves mechanical strength of the silica network. Finally the strengthening mechanism has been discussed.

Hydrothermal Treatment of Sol-Gel TiO_2 Film

The preparation of TiO_2 film has been an important research area.In our work,we obtained the TiO_2 film by hydrothermal treating the amorphous film prepared by sol-gel method or the hydrolysis of titanium alkoxide.The influence of temperature and duration time on the film properties was investigated.The photo degradation of methyl orange in aqueous solution of the film was studied.The films were characterized by XRD and Uv-Vis spectroscope.

Study on UV Shielding TiO_2 Thin Film Prepared by Sol-Gel Method

Titanium dioxide (TiO_2) thin films were prepared on microscopes slides by sol-gel and dip-coating processes from specially formulated sols.The results show that there exists anatase and rutile structure of TiO_2 when heat treatment temperature is 450℃,and at 800℃,TiO_2 particle size is of below 100 nm and rutile structure is presented.In the range of 360 nm～400 nm the transmittance of TiO_2 sol increases with the increasing of the concentration of Ti(OC_4H_9)_4 in ethanol solution. The transmittance of TiO_2 films with various number of the layer is measured to be 0% below 320 nm,and the three-layer TiO_2 film is of the best UV resistance in the range of 320 nm～400 nm.

Characterization of Sol-gel-derived TiO_2 and TiO_2-SiO_2 Films for Biomedical Applications

In order to improve the corrosion resistance and biocompatibility of NiTi surgical alloy, TiO2 and TiO2-SiO2 thin films were prepared by sol-gel method. The surface characteristics of the film, which include surface composition, microstructure and surface morphology, were studied by X-ray diffraction (XRD), atomic force microscopy (AFM) and X-ray photoelectron spectra (XPS), respectively. A scratching test was used to assess the interface adhesive strength between the film and substrate. The corrosion resistance of NiTi alloy coated with oxide films were studied by anodic polarization curves measurement in biological solution. Additionally, a preliminary study of the in vitro bioactivity of the films was conducted. The results indicated that TiO2 and TiO2-SiO2 (Ti/Si=4:1) films have higher electrochemical corrosion resistance and can be used as protective layers on NiTi alloy. In addition, TiO2-SiO2 composite films have better bioactivity than TiO2 film.

Luminescence Properties of Tb^(3+)-Doped LuAG Films Prepared by Pechini Sol-Gel Method

Lu3Al5O12（LuAG） thin films with different Tb^3＋ concentration were prepared on carefully cleaned （111 ） silicon wafer by a Peehini process and dip-coating technique. Heat treatment was performed in the temperature range from 800 to 1100 ℃. The crystal structure was analyzed by XRD. The results show that LuAG film starts to crystallize at about 900 ℃, and the particle size increases with the sintering temperature. Excitation and emission spectra of Tb^3＋ doped LuAG films were measured. The effects of heat-treatment temperature and doping concentration of Th3 ＋ on the luminescent properties were also investigated. For a comparison study, Th^3＋-doped LuAG powders were also prepared by the same sol-gel method.

Sol-gel Processing of a Transparent Upconversion Luminescent Film with β-Na YF_4:Yb^(3+), Er^(3+) Microrods as Activator

β-Na YF4:Yb3+,Er3+ microrods were synthesized through hydrothermal methods. Polyethylene glycol with molecular weight of 6000 was used as surfactant. A series of transparent silica gel films with upconversion luminescence property was prepared through sol-gel method; the prepared β-Na YF4:Yb3+,Er3+ microrods were used as activator. The silica gel films show strong upconversion emission under excitation of 980-nm laser beam.

Effects of heat treatment on morphological,optical and electrical properties of ITO films by sol-gel technique

Indium-tin-oxide(ITO)films were prepared on the quarts glass by sol-gel technique.Effects of different heat treatment temperatures and cooling methods on the morphological,optical and electrical properties of ITO films were measured by TG/DTA, IR,XRD,SEM,UV-VIS spectrometer and four-probe apparatus.It is found that the crystallized ITO films exhibit a polycrystalline cubic bixbyite structure.The heat treatment process has significant effects on the morphological,optical and electrical properties of ITO films.Elevating the heat treatment temperature can perfect the crystallization process of ITO films,therefore the optical and electrical properties of ITO films are improved.But the further increasing of heat treatment temperature results in the increment of ITO films’resistivity.Compared with ITO films elaborated by furnace cooling,those prepared through air cooling have following characteristics as obviously decreased crystalline size,deeply declined porosity,more compact micro-morphology,improved electrical property and slightly decreased optical transmission.

Preparation of Nanometer-structured TiO_2 Thin Films by Sol-Gel Method

The transparent anatase TiO 2 nanometer thin films were prepared by the sol-gel method on soda-lime glass.X-ray diffraction,thermal analysis and UV-visible spectrophotometer were used to analyze the formation of the phases.Only increasing the heat-treatment time,the average grain size has no obvious change.The mechanism of grain growth in TiO 2 thin film is probably as follows:the grain of coating will become grain core later;TiO 2 sol constantly deposited on the surface of TiO 2 grain and formed membrane with increasing of coating cycle times;TiO 2 grain in the film grow steadily.

Effect of surfactants on the structure and photoelectric properties of ITO films by sol-gel method

The Indium tin oxide（ITO） thin film possesses excellent photoelectric properties that enable it to act as an ideal transparent conductor.To obtain high-quality ITO films through sol-gel method, the ionic surfactant monoethanolamine and the non-ionic surfactant polyethylene glycol（PEG） were added to the ITO precursor slurry.The influences of surfactants on the structural and photoelectric properties of ITO film samples were investigated.XRD patterns indicated that surfactant monoethanolamine contributed to film predominant grain orientation along the（400） plane.The high transmittance（over 95%） was attributed to the preferred orientation and the grain size expansion of ITO films.SEM showed that the surface particle size and the morphology of ITO films were strongly dependent on the kind of surfactants used.Moving to the shortwave region, the absorption edge of the films exhibited the Burstein-Moss shift.

Effect of Annealing on Ferroelectric Properties of Bi_ (3.25)La_(0.75)Ti_3O_ (12) Thin Films Prepared by the Sol-gel Method

Bi3.25La0.75Ti3O12（BLT）thin films were prepared on Pt/Ti/SiO2/Si substrate by the sol-gel method.The effect of annealing on their structures and ferroelectric properties was investigated.The XRD patterns indicate that the BLT films annealed at different temperatures are randomly orientated and the single perovskite phase is obtained at 550℃.The remmant polarization increnses and the coercive field decreases with the annealing temperature increasing.The leakage current density of the BLT films annealed at 700℃ is about 5.8×10^-8A/cm^2 at the electrie field of 250kv/cm.

Structure and Waveguide Properties of Sol-Gel Derived Gd_2O_3 Films

Pure and rare earth doped gadolinium oxide (Gd 2O 3) waveguide films were prepared by a simple sol-gel process and dip-coating method. Structure of Gd 2O 3 films annealed at different temperature was investigated by X-ray diffraction and transmission electron microscopy. Oriented growth of (400) face of Gd 2O 3 has been observed when the films were deposited on amorphous substrate. The refractive index and thickness of films were determined by m-lines spectroscopy. The laser beam (λ=632.8 nm) was coupled into the film by a prism coupler and the propagation length is about 3.5 cm. Luminescence properties of europium ions doped films were measured by waveguide fluorescence spectroscopy, which shows disordered environment for Eu 3+ at 400 ℃.

The Effect of SiO_2 Additive on Super-hydrophilic Property of TiO_2-SiO_2 Thin Film by Sol-gel Method

TiO2-SiO2 thin films have been prepared on slide glass substrates by sol-gel method, and the effect of SiO2 additive on photo-generated hydrophilicity of TiO2 thin film was investigated by measuring the contact angle of water, the microstructure, the transmittance, the photocatalytic activity and the specific surface area . The results showed that 10mol% of SiO2 additive was the most effective for decreasing contact angle of water. The SiO2 additive of less than 30mol% has a suppressive effect on the crystal growth of anatase in calcinations, resulting in a large surface area. Consequently, the super-hydrophilicity was improved.