Oxide nanotemplates for self-assembling "solid" building blocks

It is widely accepted that self-assembling building blocks is one of the promising ways for engineering new materials. Recent years reveal substantial progress in fabricating colloidal particles, polymer blocks and supramolecular aggregates of organic molecules. Despite of substantial progress in molecular self-assembly there is still a lack of simple blocks made of "solid matter" (e.g. metals, oxides etc.) with well-defined crystal structure and spatial order. Here we demonstrate that ordered arrays of metal nanoclusters can be fabricated by self-assembly on a wide range of oxide templates. These nano-templates are produced either by depositing an alien oxide film or by oxidizing a metal/metal oxide substrate.Comment: 11 pages, 2 figures added DFT calculations and Fig.

Self-assembly of iron nanoclusters on the Fe3O4(111) superstructured surface

We report on the self-organized growth of a regular array of Fe nanoclusters on a nanopatterned magnetite surface. Under oxidizing preparation conditions the (111) surface of magnetite exhibits a regular superstructure with three-fold symmetry and a 42 A periodicity. This superstructure represents an oxygen terminated (111) surface, which is reconstructed to form a periodically strained surface. This strain patterned surface has been used as a template for the growth of an ultrathin metal film. A Fe film of 0.5 A thickness was deposited on the substrate at room temperature. Fe nanoclusters are formed on top of the surface superstructure creating a regular array with the period of the superstructure. We also demonstrate that at least the initial stage of Fe growth occurs in two-dimensional mode. In the areas of the surface where the strain pattern is not formed, random nucleation of Fe was observed.Comment: 6 pages, 3 figure

Dynamic scanning probe microscopy of adsorbed molecules on graphite

We have used a combined dynamic scanning tunneling and atomic force microscope to study the organisation of weakly bound adsorbed molecules on a graphite substrate. Specifically we have acquired images of islands of the perylene derivative molecules. These weakly bound molecules may be imaged in dynamic STM, in which the probe is oscillated above the surface. We show that molecular resolution may be readily attained and that a similar mode of imaging may be realised using conventional STM arrangement. We also show, using tunnelling spectroscopy, the presence of an energy gap for the adsorbed molecules confirming a weak molecule-substrate interaction.Comment: 11 pages, 2 figure

Atomically Resolved Spin-Dependent Tunnelling on the Oxygen-Terminated Fe3O4 (111)

We employ spin-polarized (SP) STM to study the spin-dependent tunneling between a magnetite (111) sample and an antiferromagnetic tip through a vacuum barrier at room temperature. Atomic scale STM images show significant magnetic contrast corresponding to variations in the local surface states induced by oxygen vacancies. The estimated variations in tunneling magnetoresistance (TMR) of 250% suggest that the spin-transport properties are significantly altered locally by the presence of surface defects.Comment: 10 pages, 4 figure

Highly Stable and Reactive Platinum Single Atoms on Oxygen Plasma-Functionalized CeO₂ Surfaces: Nanostructuring and Peroxo Effects

Atomically dispersed precious metals on oxide supports have recently become increasingly interesting catalytic materials. Nonetheless, their non-trivial preparation and limited thermal and environmental stability constitutes an issue for their potential applications. Here we demonstrate that an oxygen plasma pre-treatment of the ceria (CeO2 ) surface serves to anchor Pt single atoms, making them active and resistant towards sintering in the CO oxidation reaction. Through a combination of experimental results obtained on well-defined CeO2 films and theory, we show that the O2 plasma causes surface nanostructuring and the formation of surface peroxo (O22-) species, favoring the uniform and dense distribution of isolated strongly bonded Pt2+ atoms. The promotional effect of the plasma treatment was further demonstrated on the powder Pt/CeO2 catalysts. We believe that plasma functionalization can be applied to other metal/oxide systems to achieve tunable and stable catalysts with a high density of active sites

Highly Stable and Reactive Platinum Single Atoms on Oxygen Plasma-Functionalized CeO₂ Surfaces: Nanostructuring and Peroxo Effects

Atomically dispersed precious metals on oxide supports have recently become increasingly interesting catalytic materials. Nonetheless, their non-trivial preparation and limited thermal and environmental stability constitutes an issue for their potential applications. Here we demonstrate that an oxygen plasma pre-treatment of the ceria (CeO2 ) surface serves to anchor Pt single atoms, making them active and resistant towards sintering in the CO oxidation reaction. Through a combination of experimental results obtained on well-defined CeO2 films and theory, we show that the O2 plasma causes surface nanostructuring and the formation of surface peroxo (O22-) species, favoring the uniform and dense distribution of isolated strongly bonded Pt2+ atoms. The promotional effect of the plasma treatment was further demonstrated on the powder Pt/CeO2 catalysts. We believe that plasma functionalization can be applied to other metal/oxide systems to achieve tunable and stable catalysts with a high density of active sites

Method for increasing sensitivity of shear-force distance control for scanning near-field microscopy

Scanning-near field optical microscopy requires a distance control mechanism. In most cases, it is based on the shear-force detection. In this paper we report how the performance of the shear-force detection based on the most common nonoptical approach, a Quartz tuning fork, can be improved. Our approach is based on exciting oscillations in just one arm of the fork, not two. This approach reduces the response time of the shear-force detection system. We also introduce an ultra-sensitive system with a long free fiber tip. © 1999 Elsevier Science B.V. All rights reserved

Optimisation of Perioperative Cardiovascular Management to Improve Surgical Outcome II (OPTIMISE II) trial: study protocol for a multicentre international trial of cardiac output-guided fluid therapy with low-dose inotrope infusion compared with usual care in patients undergoing major elective gastrointestinal surgery.

INTRODUCTION: Postoperative morbidity and mortality in older patients with comorbidities undergoing gastrointestinal surgery are a major burden on healthcare systems. Infections after surgery are common in such patients, prolonging hospitalisation and reducing postoperative short-term and long-term survival. Optimal management of perioperative intravenous fluids and inotropic drugs may reduce infection rates and improve outcomes from surgery. Previous small trials of cardiac-output-guided haemodynamic therapy algorithms suggested a modest reduction in postoperative morbidity. A large definitive trial is needed to confirm or refute this and inform widespread clinical practice. METHODS: The Optimisation of Perioperative Cardiovascular Management to Improve Surgical Outcome II (OPTIMISE II) trial is a multicentre, international, parallel group, open, randomised controlled trial. 2502 high-risk patients undergoing major elective gastrointestinal surgery will be randomly allocated in a 1:1 ratio using minimisation to minimally invasive cardiac output monitoring to guide protocolised administration of intravenous fluid combined with low-dose inotrope infusion, or usual care. The trial intervention will be carried out during and for 4 hours after surgery. The primary outcome is postoperative infection of Clavien-Dindo grade II or higher within 30 days of randomisation. Participants and those delivering the intervention will not be blinded to treatment allocation; however, outcome assessors will be blinded when feasible. Participant recruitment started in January 2017 and is scheduled to last 3 years, within 50 hospitals worldwide. ETHICS/DISSEMINATION: The OPTIMISE II trial has been approved by the UK National Research Ethics Service and has been approved by responsible ethics committees in all participating countries. The findings will be disseminated through publication in a widely accessible peer-reviewed scientific journal. TRIAL REGISTRATION NUMBER: ISRCTN39653756.The OPTIMISE II trial is supported by Edwards Lifesciences (Irvine, CA) and the UK National Institute for Health Research through RMP’s NIHR Professorship

Method for increasing sensitivity of shear-force distance control for scanning near-field microscopy

Scanning-near field optical microscopy requires a distance control mechanism. In most cases, it is based on the shear-force detection. In this paper we report how the performance of the shear-force detection based on the most common nonoptical approach, a Quartz tuning fork, can be improved. Our approach is based on exciting oscillations in just one arm of the fork, not two. This approach reduces the response time of the shear-force detection system. We also introduce an ultra-sensitive system with a long free fiber tip. © 1999 Elsevier Science B.V. All rights reserved