Ştefan Ţălu

Topographic Characterization of Cu–Ni NPs @ a-C:H Films by AFM and Multifractal Analysis

In the present work three-dimensional (3-D) surface topography of Cu-Ni nanoparticles in hydrogenated amorphous carbon (Cu-Ni NPs @ a-C:H) with constant thickness of Cu and three thicknesses of Ni prepared by RF-Plasma Enhanced Chemical Vapor Deposition (RF-PECVD) system were investigated. The thin films of Cu-Ni NPs @ a-C:H with constant thickness of Cu and three thicknesses of Ni deposited by radio frequency (RF)-sputtering and RF-PECVD systems, were characterized. To determine the mass thickness and atomic structure of the films, the Rutherford backscattering spectroscopy (RBS) spectra was applied. The absorption spectra were applied to study localized surface plasmon resonance (LSPR) peaks of Cu-Ni NPs (observed around 608 nm in visible spectra), which is widened and shifted to lower wavelengths as the thickness of Ni over layer increases, and their changes are also evaluated by the 3-D surface topography. These nanostructures were investigated over square areas of 1 μm × 1 μm using atomic force microscopy (AFM) and multifractal analysis. Topographic characterization of surface samples (in amplitude, spatial distribution, and pattern of surface characteristics) highlighted 3-D surfaces with multifractal features which can be quantitatively estimated by the multifractal measures. The 3-D surface topography Cu-Ni NPs @ a-C:H with constant thickness of Cu and three thicknesses of Ni prepared by RF-PECVD system can be characterized using the multifractal geometry in correlation with the surface statistical parameters.

Surface micromorphology and fractal geometry of Co/CP/X (X = Cu, Ti, SM and Ni) nanoflake electrocatalysts

This paper analyses the three-dimensional (3-D) surface texture of Co/CP/X (X = Cu, Ti, SM and Ni, CP: carbonaceous paste) nanoflakes prepared electrochemically using a conventional three electrode system. The surface chemical composition of the samples was investigated by X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS). Surface images were recorded using scanning electron microscopy (SEM) and analyzed by means of the fractal geometry. Statistical, fractal and functional surface properties of the prepared samples were computed. The statistical functions applied to the SEM data were employed in order to characterise the surfaces topographically (in amplitude, spatial distribution and pattern of surface characteristics). The analysis of the 3-D surface texture of Co/CP/X nanoflakes is essential to control the surface topography and for the correct interpretation of surface topographic features as well as its functional role. It also provides a compact representation of complex micromorphology information.

Fractal features and surface micromorphology of diamond nanocrystals.

This paper analyses the three‐dimensional (3‐D) surface texture of growing diamond nanocrystals on Au thin films as catalyst on p‐type Si substrate using hot filament chemical vapour deposition (HFCVD). Rutherford backscattering spectrometry (RBS), atomic force microscopy (AFM), Raman, X‐ray diffraction (XRD) and scanning electron microscopy (SEM) analyses were applied also to characterize the 3‐D surface texture data in connection with the statistical, and fractal analyses. This type of 3‐D morphology allows a deeper understanding of structure/property relationships and surface defects in prepared samples. Our results indicate a promising way for preparing high‐quality diamond nanocrystals on Au thin films as catalyst on p‐type Si substrate via HFCVD method.

Multifractal characterization of water soluble copper phthalocyanine based films surfaces

This paper presents a multifractal approach to characterize the structural complexity of 3D surface roughness of CuTsPc films on the glass and quartz substrate, obtained with atomic force microscopy (AFM) analysis. CuTsPc films prepared by drop cast method were investigated. CuTsPc films surface roughness was studied by AFM in tapping-mode™, in an aqueous environment, on square areas of 100 μm2 and 2500 μm2. A detailed methodology for CuTsPc films surface multifractal characterization, which may be applied for AFM data, was also presented. Analysis of surface roughness revealed that CuTsPc films have a multifractal geometry at various magnifications. The generalized dimension Dq and the singularity spectrum f(α) provided quantitative values that characterize the local scale properties of CuTsPc films surface morphology at nanometer scale. Multifractal analysis provides different yet complementary information to that offered by traditional surface statistical parameters.

Morphological features in aluminum nitride epilayers prepared by magnetron sputtering

Abstract The aim of this study is to characterize the surface topography of aluminum nitride (AlN) epilayers prepared by magnetron sputtering using the surface statistical parameters, according to ISO 25178-2:2012. To understand the effect of temperature on the epilayer structure, the surface topography was investigated through atomic force microscopy (AFM). AFM data and analysis of surface statistical parameters indicated the dependence of morphology of the epilayers on their growth conditions. The surface statistical parameters provide important information about surface texture and are useful for manufacturers in developing AlN thin films with improved surface characteristics. These results are also important for understanding the nanoscale phenomena at the contacts between rough surfaces, such as the area of contact, the interfacial separation, and the adhesive and frictional properties.

Surface Roughness Characterization of Poly(methylmethacrylate) Films with Immobilized Eu(III) β-Diketonates by Fractal Analysis

The structural complexity of the 3-D surface of poly(methylmethacrylate) films with immobilized europium β-diketonates was studied by atomic force microscopy and fractal analysis. Fractal analysis of surface roughness revealed that the 3-D surface has fractal geometry at the nanometer scale. Poly(methylmethacrylate) (PMMA) as immobilization matrix is dense and uniform, and a tendency for formation of chain structures was observed. Fractal analysis can quantify key elements of 3-D surface roughness such as the fractal dimensions D f determined by the morphological envelopes method of the Eu(DBM)3 and Eu(DBM)3 · dpp nanostructures, which are not taken into account by traditional surface statistical parameters.

Effect of electric field direction and substrate roughness on three-dimensional self-assembly growth of copper oxide nanowires

This paper analyses the three-dimensional (3-D) surface texture of Copper oxide nanowires grown on different substrates and in an electric field. Atomic force microscopy, X-ray diffraction and field emission scanning electron microscopy analyses were applied also to characterize the 3-D surface texture data in connection with the statistical, and fractal analyses. This type of 3-D morphology allows a deeper understanding of structure/property relationships and studies the effect of micromorphology on CuO nanowires grown in electric field and the impact of growth direction on their properties. It also provides a compact representation of complex micromorphology information.

Microstructure, morphology and electrochemical properties of Co nanoflake water oxidation electrocatalyst at micro- and nanoscale

Nowadays, fossil fuel limitations and environmental concerns push researchers to find clean and renewable energy resources. Solar hydrogen production via water splitting reactions in electrochemical and/or photo-electrochemical systems has been accepted as a promising route and efficient electrocatalysts are involved in both. Here, cobalt nanoflakes with an oxide/hydroxide surface and a conductive metallic core are grown on commercially available steel mesh modified with carbon based nanocomposites as a support layer. The portion of reduced graphene oxide sheets was changed from 0 to 100 wt% and the correlation of this concentration with the surface morphology and electro-catalytic activity of the final electrode was studied systematically for the first time. Obtained results revealed the least over potential (224.2 mV) for the sample with 50 wt% rGO in the water splitting reaction which is promising for use in alkaline electrolysis devices.

Morphology and Optical Properties of SiO2-Based Composite Thin Films with Immobilized Terbium(III) Complex with a Biscoumarin Derivative

The complex of Tb(III) with the biscoumarin derivative 3,3′-[(4-hydroxyphenyl)methyl)]bis-(4-hydroxy-2H-1-benzopyran-2-one), Tb(C25H15O7)3 · 5H2O, was successfully immobilized by a simple technique in transparent SiO2-based matrix. The films and monoliths obtained were studied by IR spectroscopy, fluorescent spectroscopy, and microscopy. The micromorphology of the films was studied by atomic force microscopy, proving their homogeneity. The 3-D surface of the films is very complex geometrically and appears relatively smooth, with very fine nano-asperities spread on the surface due to the preparation process. A detailed surface description of the surface morphology at nanometer scale using statistical parameters, according to ISO 25178-2: 2012, was made. The presence of the Tb(III) complex in the films and monoliths was proven by the characteristic emission bands of the Tb(III) ions. The lifetime of the immobilized Tb(III) complex was determined, showing better protection of the SiO2 matrix in the monoliths than with the films.

Multifractal Geometry in Analysis and Processing of Digital Retinal Photographs for Early Diagnosis of Human Diabetic Macular Edema

Abstract Objective: The purpose of this paper is to determine a quantitative assessment of the human retinal vascular network architecture for patients with diabetic macular edema (DME). Multifractal geometry and lacunarity parameters are used in this study. Materials and methods: A set of 10 segmented and skeletonized human retinal images, corresponding to both normal (five images) and DME states of the retina (five images), from the DRIVE database was analyzed using the Image J software. Statistical analyses were performed using Microsoft Office Excel 2003 and GraphPad InStat software. Results: The human retinal vascular network architecture has a multifractal geometry. The average of generalized dimensions (Dq) for q = 0, 1, 2 of the normal images (segmented versions), is similar to the DME cases (segmented versions). The average of generalized dimensions (Dq) for q = 0, 1 of the normal images (skeletonized versions), is slightly greater than the DME cases (skeletonized versions). However, the average of D2 for the normal images (skeletonized versions) is similar to the DME images. The average of lacunarity parameter, Λ, for the normal images (segmented and skeletonized versions) is slightly lower than the corresponding values for DME images (segmented and skeletonized versions). Conclusion: The multifractal and lacunarity analysis provides a non-invasive predictive complementary tool for an early diagnosis of patients with DME.