High-temperature Fiber Matrices: Electrospinning and Rare-earth Modification

We demonstrate the production of nonwoven mats of high-temperature organic and inorganic fibers by electrospinning. Specifically, glass/ceramic (tetraethylorthosilicate-SiO) and fire-blanket (polydiphenoxyphosphazene-PDPP) precursors are electrospun, and the resulting fibers are characterized by scanning electron microscopy, thermogravimetric analysis, and infrared (IR) spectroscopy. We find that the SiO fibers are smaller in diameter and more uniform than the PDPP fibers, and stable to higher temperatures. We also coat these fiber systems with several rare-earth nitrates, and find that these coatings can be used to selectively modify the near-IR spectra of the fibers. This work extends the use of electrospinning into two new classes of materials, and demonstrates that we can subsequently modify the optical properties of the electrospun fibers. (C) 2003 American Vacuum Society

Synthesis and Characterization of Erbia Doped Metal Oxide Nanofibers for Applications in the Rmophotovoltaics

Titania (TiO2) nanofibers doped with erbia (Er2O3) have been synthesized by electrospinning mixtures of polymers, titanium-containing materials, and erbia particles. These electrospun nanofibers are subsequently annealed at temperatures of 800, 900, 1000, and 1050 degrees C to remove the organics and leave behind the metal oxides. The crystal structure and optical properties of the metal oxides depend on the annealing temperature, and we characterize these nanofibers using x-ray diffraction and Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR). An Er2Ti2O7 phase is formed in an amount which depends on the annealing temperature, and relationships between the nature of FTIR spectra and the relative amounts of different phases are demonstrated. Finally, the relevance of this work to thermophotovoltaics and other applications is discussed. (c) 2007 American Vacuum Society

Characterization of Zirconium Nitride Films Sputter Deposited with an Extensive Range of Nitrogen Flow Rates

ZrNx films are deposited by rf magnetron sputtering using a wide range of nitrogen flow rates to control film properties. Scanned probe microscope (SPM) oxidation is presented as a complimentary characterization tool to x-ray diffraction, colorimetric, and four point probe analyses. The SPM oxidation behavior of the ZrNx films is related to their structural, optical, and electrical properties. Whereas stoichiometric ZrN films have applications as protective and/or decorative coatings, ZrNx films sputtered with higher nitrogen flow rates have potential applications in devices where arrays of high aspect ratio nanostructures would be useful. (C) 2008 American Vacuum Society

High-voltage Parallel Writing on Iron Nitride Thin Films

We report large area patterning of sputter-deposited FeN thin films by a high-voltage parallel writing technique that was recently developed to modify ZrN surfaces. Systematically patterned 15-100-nm-thick FeN films consisting of features with well-defined sizes and shapes are obtained by applying high dc voltages between a stamp and the samples. During the process the oxide dissolves, exposing the substrate beneath. This controlled breakdown eliminates the need for any postexposure etching. The single-step imprinting method presented here provides an emerging route to fabricate isolated FeN geometrical structures on silicon substrates for magnetic applications. (c) 2006 American Vacuum Society

Nanoscale Oxidation of Zirconium Surfaces: Kinetics and Mechanisms

We show that atomic force microscope-induced oxide features can be formed reproducibly on both Zr and ZrN surfaces, and that the growth rate decreases rapidly with increasing time. There is an increase in oxide-feature height with humidity for both systems, and an approximately linear dependence of the height of the structures on the applied voltage for all films for short exposure times. As the anodization time increases, only the thinnest (6 nm) films show a large enhancement in oxide-feature height, demonstrating the role of the film/substrate interface. Under the same conditions, the height of features grown on ZrN films is greater than for those grown on Zr films, indicating that nitrogen plays a role in the oxidation process. (C) 2003 American Vacuum Society

Palladium Nanoparticles Supported by Alumina Nanofibers Synthesized by Electrospinning

Palladium nanoparticles supported by alumina nanofibers have been successfully synthesized by electrospinning using palladium chloride incorporated into a solution of polyvinyl pyrrolidone and aluminum acetate. Palladium agglomerate sizes and the surface morphology of the electrospun nanofibers were determined by transmission electron microscopy. Palladium nanoparticles appeared to be well dispersed within the electrospun nanofiber structure. X-ray diffraction, x-ray photoelectron spectroscopy, and Raman scattering spectroscopy techniques were used to identify the crystalline form and distinguish between oxidized and metallic palladium particles after heating and hydrogenation

Investigation of the Physical and Electronic Properties of Indium Doped Zinc Oxide Nanofibers Synthesized by Electrospinning

Nanostructured metal oxides and particularly nanofiber based materials can provide significant advances for the miniaturization of electronic, optoelectronic, photonic, sensor, and energy conversion devices with enhanced performance based on their unique material properties. In this study, indium doped zinc oxide (IZO) nanofibers were synthesized by electrospinning. These nanofibers have diameters in the range 50-100 nm. The effects of indium addition on the structural, optical, and electrical properties of the zinc oxide nanofiber matrices were investigated. The IZO nanofibers undergo significant changes in their optical and electrical properties compared to undoped zinc oxide nanofibers

Electrical, Structural, and Chemical Properties of Semiconducting Metal Oxide Nanofiber Yarns

The electrical, structural, and chemical properties of twisted yarns of metal-oxide nanofibers, fabricated using a modified electrospinning technique, are investigated in this report. In particular, synthesized zinc oxide and nickel oxide yarns having diameters in the range of 4-40 mu m and lengths up to 10 cm were characterized, whose constituent nanofibers had average diameters of 60-100 nm. These yarns have one macroscopic dimension for handling while retaining some of the properties of nanofibers. (C) 2008 American Institute of Physics

Parallel Writing on Zirconium Nitride Thin Films by Local Oxidation Nanolithography

Parallel pattern transfer of submicrometer-scale oxide features onto zirconium nitride thin films is reported. The oxidation reaction was verified by Auger microprobe analysis and secondary ion mass spectrometry. Oxide features of similar to70 nm in height can be formed and selectively etched in a dilute aqueous hydrogen fluoride solution. This provides an interesting route to potential new applications for high-melting point, biocompatible surfaces that possess small feature sizes with controlled geometries. (C) 2004 American Institute of Physics