Lateral resolution of electrostatic force microscopy for mapping of dielectric interfaces in ambient conditions

The attainable lateral resolution of electrostatic force microscopy (EFM) in an ambient air environment on dielectric materials was characterized on a reference sample comprised of two distinct, immiscible glassy polymers cut in a cross-section by ultramicrotomy. Such a sample can be modeled as two semi-infinite dielectrics with a sharp interface, presenting a quasi-ideal, sharp dielectric contrast. Electric polarizability line profiles across the interface were obtained, in both lift-mode and feedback-regulated dynamic mode EFM, as a function of probe/surface separation, for different cases of oscillation amplitudes. We find that the results do not match predictions for dielectric samples, but comply well or are even better than predicted for conductive interfaces. A resolution down to 3 nm can be obtained by operating in feedback-regulated EFM realized by adopting constant-excitation frequency-modulation mode. This suggests resolution is ruled by the closest approach distance rather than by average separation, even with probe oscillation amplitudes as high as 10 nm. For better comparison with theoretical predictions, effective probe radii and cone aperture angles were derived from approach curves, by also taking into account the finite oscillation amplitude of the probe, by exploiting a data reduction procedure previously devised for the derivation of interatomic potentials

Preparation of new proton exchange membranes using sulfonated poly(ether sulfone) modified by octylamine (SPESOS)

Sulfonated poly(arylene ether sulfone) (SPES) has received considerable attention in membrane preparation for proton exchange membrane fuel cell (PEMFC). But such membranes are brittle and difficult to handle in operation. We investigated new membranes using SPES grafted with various degrees of octylamine. Five new materials made from sulfonated polyethersulfone sulfonamide (SPESOS) were synthetized with different grades of grafting. They were made from SPES, with initially an ionic exchange capacity (IEC) of 2.4 meq g−1 (1.3 H+ per monomer unit). Pristine SPES with that IEC is water swelling and becomes soluble at 80 °C, its proton conductivity is in the range of 0.1 S cm−1 at room temperature in aqueous H2SO4 1 M, similar to that of Nafion®. After grafting with various amounts of octylamine, the material is water insoluble; membranes are less brittle and show sufficient ionic conductivity. Proton transport numbers were measured close to 1

Triisobutylaluminium (TIBAL) Promoted Rearrangement of C-glycosides

Triisobutylaluminium-promoted rearrangement of unsaturated glycosides containing electron-donating aglycons, such as C-aryl glycosides, provides direct access to highly functionalised cyclohexane derivatives

Le recrutement des jeunes travailleurs - une analyse économique et économétrique

Document de Recherche CRESE

Une analyse économétrique des aspects quantitatifs et qualitatifs de l'entrée des jeunes dans la vie active

Rapport pour le Centre d'Etudes et de Recherche sur les Qualifications (Céreq

Triisobutylaluminium (TIBAL) Promoted Rearrangement of C-glycosides

Triisobutylaluminium-promoted rearrangement of unsaturated glycosides containing electron-donating aglycons, such as C-aryl glycosides, provides direct access to highly functionalised cyclohexane derivatives

Synthesis of a novel bis-amino-modified thymidine monomer for use in DNA triplex stabilisation

A novel thymidine analogue containing both 5-aminopropargyl and 2'-aminoethoxy modifications has been synthesised and incorporated into a triplex-forming oligonucleotide; the combination of the two amino groups on the same nucleoside greatly enhances triplex stability