Zhang Xueao

Dynamic analysis of preferential orientation of aragonite crystals in nacre from mollusk shell

Based on the scanning electron microscope (SEM) observations, it is confirmed that the nacre is composed of aragonite crystals and organic matrix with interlaced arrangement, showing ordered “brick-mortar” structure. The dynamic analysis of preferential orientation of aragonite crystals in the nacre from the abalone (Haliotis diverscolor supertexta) with different shell ages is systematically investigated using X-ray diffraction (XRD) and high resolution transmission electron microscope (HRTEM). Experiments reveal that, in the nacre from the juvenile mollusk shell, there exist three kinds of orientations of aragonite crystals: (113), (002) and (012). However, along with the growing of the mollusk shell, the intensity of (012) and (113) becomes weak, and the (002) becomes the preferred crystal orientation of aragonite in the nacre from the adult mollusk shell, which means that the c axis of aragonite crystals is perpendicular to the nacreous layers. The results obtained show that the nacre possesses a highly ordered structure at the micrometer/nanometer multiscale levels.

Annealing effect of platinum-incorporated nanowires created by focused ion/electron-beam-induced deposition

Focused ion-beam-induced deposition (FIBID) and focused electron-beam-induced deposition (FEBID) are convenient and useful in nanodevice fabrication. Since the deposition is from the organometallic platinum precursor, the conductive lines directly written by focused ion-beam (FIB) and focused electron-beam (FEB) are carbon-rich materials. We discuss an alternative approach to enhancing the platinum content and improving the conductivity of the conductive leads produced by FIBID and FEBID, namely an annealing treatment. Annealing in pure oxygen at 500 °C for 30 min enhances the platinum content values from ~18% to 30% and ~ 50% to 90% of FIBID and FEBID, respectively. Moreover, we find that thin films will be formed in the FIBID and FEBID processes. The annealing treatment is helpful to avoid the current leakage caused by these thin films. A single electron transistor is fabricated by FEBID and the current—voltage curve shows the Coulomb blockade effect.

Confinement of gold quantum dot arrays inside ordered mesoporous silica thin film

Periodic disposed quantum dot arrays are very useful for the large scale integration of single electron devices. Gold quantum dot arrays were self-assembled inside pore channels of ordered amino-functionalized mesoporous silica thin films, employing the neutralization reaction between chloroauric acid and amino groups. The diameters of quantum dots are controlled via changing the aperture of pore channels from 2.3 to 8.3 nm, which are characterized by HRTEM, SEM and FT-IR. UV-vis absorption spectra of gold nanoparticle/mesoporous silica composite thin films exhibit a blue shift and intensity drop of the absorption peak as the aperture of mesopores decreases, which represents the energy level change of quantum dot arrays due to the quantum size effect.