Interface phenomena in magnetron sputtered Cu2O/ZnO heterostructures

The interface between ZnO and Cu₂O has been predicted to be a good candidate for use in thin film solar cells. However, the high predicted conversion efficiency has yet to be fully realized experimentally. To explore the underlying causes of this we investigate the interface between ZnO and Cu₂O in magnetron sputtered samples. Two different sample geometries were made: In the first set thin layers of ZnO were deposited on Cu₂O (type A), while in the second set the order was reversed (type B). Using x-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS), an intermediate CuO layer was identified regardless of the order in which the Cu₂O and ZnO layers were deposited. The presence of a CuO layer was supported by transmission electron microscopy (TEM) results. Changes in the electron hole screening conditions were observed in CuO near the interface with ZnO, manifested as changes in the relative peak-to-satellite ratio and the degree of asymmetric broadness in the Cu 2p peak. The suppression of the Cu 2p satellite characteristic of CuO may cause the CuO presence to be overlooked and cause errors in determinations of valence band offsets (VBOs). For the type A samples, we compare four different approaches to XPS-based determination of VBO and find that the most reliable results are obtained when the thin CuO layer and the altered screening conditions at the interface were taken into account. The VBOs were found to range between 2.5 eV and 2.8 eV. For the B type samples a reduction of the Cu 2p-LMM Auger parameter was found as compared to bulk Cu₂O, indicative of quantum confinement in the Cu₂O overlayer.

Covalent attachment of a bioactive hyperbranched polymeric layer to titanium surface for the biomimetic growth of calcium phosphates

This work is investigating the chemical grafting on Ti surface of a polymer/calcium phosphate coating of improved adhesion for enhanced bioactivity. For this purpose, a whole new methodology was developed based on covalently attaching a hyperbranched poly(ethylene imine) layer on Ti surface able to promote calcium phosphate formation in a next deposition stage. This was achieved through an intermediate surface silanization step. The research included optimization both of the reaction conditions for covalently grafting the intermediate organosilicon and the subsequent hyperbranched poly(ethylene imine) layers, as well as of the conditions for the mechanical and chemical pretreatment of Ti surface before coating. The reaction steps were monitored employing FTIR and XPS analyses, whereas the surface morphology and structure of the successive coating layers were studied by SEM combined with EDS. The analysis confirmed the successful grafting of the hybrid layer which demonstrated very good ability for hydroxyapatite growth in simulated body fluid.

Electronic structure studies of Ni-X (X: B, S, P) alloys using x-ray photoelectron spectroscopy, x-ray induced Auger electron spectroscopy and density functional theory calculations

The electronic structure of Ni-X (X = B, S, P) alloys was studied using x-ray photoelectron spectroscopy, x-ray induced Auger electron spectroscopy and density functional theory. The spectroscopic data in the form of the Ni 2p shake-up satellite and the Ni 2p LMM, P 2p KLL and S 2p KLL Auger parameters combined with density of states (DOS) and charge difference plots suggest an overall charge transfer from the Ni sites towards the alloying addition sites. However, this is masked, with intra-atomic charge redistribution leading to an increased occupancy of the Ni 3d states in the alloys. The Ni 3d DOS shows strong similarity to that of Pt which is the best catalyst for hydrogen evolution.

A quantitative study of valence electron transfer in the skutterudite compound CoP(3) by combining x-ray induced Auger and photoelectron spectroscopy

We use the sum of the ionization and Auger energy, the so-called Auger parameter, measured from the x-ray photoelectron spectrum, to study the valence electron distribution in the skutterudite CoP(3). The electron transfer between Co and P was estimated using models relating changes in Auger parameter values to charge transfer. It was found that each P atom gains 0.24 e(-), and considering the unit formula CoP(3) this is equivalent to a donation of 0.72 e(-) per Co atom. This is in agreement with a recent electron energy-loss spectroscopy study, which indicates a charge transfer of 0.77 e(-)/atom from Co to P.