bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Spotless arc activated high-rate deposition using novel dual crucible technology for titanium dioxide coatings
Authors: Scheffel Bert , Metzner Christoph , Modes Thomas
Published: August 2023

For deposition of thin oxide coatings there are a lot of qualified PVD processes today. If high productivity or large-area coating is necessary for economic reasons processes with high deposition rate are reasonable. Using electron beam (EB) evaporation all inorganic materials can be evaporated with high rates. Microstructure of coatings deposited by EB-evaporation depends on substrate temperature during layer growth and melting temperature of coating material. Particularly in case of high melting materials columnar and porous microstructure is obtained. For large area coating several plasma sources have been developed in order to enhance energy of condensing particles and to get denser layer microstructure.Spotless arc Activated Deposition (SAD) combines electron beam high-rate evaporation using axial gun and a spotless arc discharge burning in metal vapor on hot evaporating cathode [2]. The SAD process is suitable for evaporation of high-melting metals like titanium, zirconium or tantalum providing high deposition rate up to 2000 nm/s. Moreover plasma-activation enables reactive mode of operation and deposition of oxides, nitrides or other compounds with a high rate in the range of 20 to 100 nm/s. A Spotless arc is an arc discharge burning in metal vapor which is obtained if the cathode temperature is high enough to enable high thermionic electron emission current density. Spotless mode results in relatively low cathodic arc current density and droplets known from arc evaporators with cold cathode are completely avoided [3]. Nevertheless high DC arc current up to 2000 A is possible.Recent work has shown that SAD process is well suited for deposition of titanium dioxide coatings based on evaporation of titanium and reactive processing in oxygen atmosphere [4]. TiO2 layers were deposited at very high deposition rates between 40 and 70 nm/s. Depending on process conditions amorphous coatings or crystalline phases were obtained. Coatings consisting of anatase phase show very good properties concerning photoinduced superhydrophilicity and photocatalysis. Transparent layers with high refractive indexes in the range of 2.30 and 2.58 could be reached.
Plasma surface modification of diamond-like carbon films to graphene
Authors: Tinchev Savcho
Published: August 2023

Not available
Composite layers “MgAl intermetalic layer / PVD coating” obtained by hybrid surface treatment method on the AZ91D magnesium alloy
Authors: Smolik Jerzy , Mazurkiewicz Adam , Mizera Jaroslaw
Published: August 2023

AZ91D magnesium alloy intended for anticorrosion and anti-wear applications. The investigated composite layers were obtained with the use of the hybrid surface treatment technology, which consist of diffusion treatment in Al powder followed by electron beam deposition method. In order to present the technical realization of hybrid technology the authors designed an original technological process implemented in the hybrid multisource device (Fig.1), produced at the Institute for Sustainable Technologies – National Research Institute in Radom (Poland). The device has been equipped with two arc sources with the cathode diameter of ?=80 mm and with the 60kW electron gun with the dynamic electron beam deflection circuit and steering system. The device is equipped with modern, reliable power systems, substrate polarization system, multichannel process gases dosing system as well as the systems of monitoring and measuring substrate temperature and atmospheric gas pressure. The Al2O3 ceramic coatings was obtained on the AZ91D magnesium alloy with the intermetalic layer MgAl on the surface. The properties of the designed and created composite layers like as microstructure (optical microscopy technique), phase structure (X-ray diffraction), chemical composition (GDOES method) were investigated (Fig.2). The paper also demonstrates the results of adhesion (Scratch test), mechanical properties (Nano Hardness Tester), corrosion investigations (electrochemical corrosion test method) as well as tribology investigations (ball-on-disk method) carried out for AZ91D magnesium alloy covered by investigated composite layers. The obtained results proved that hybrid surface treatment technology – diffusion treatment in Al powder + electron beam deposition, which was developed by authors, enable to significant increase of corrosion and tribology resistance of AZ91D magnesium alloy.
Study of the growth kinetics, microhardness and morphology of PEO coatings formed on Al 2024 alloy in alkaline-silicate electrolytes using different current waveforms
Authors: Rakoch Alexander Grigorievitch , Henrion Gérard , Kovalyov Vasilij Leonifovich , Nominé Alexandre , Bardin Ilya Vyacheslavovich
Published: August 2023

Not available
Nano-Impact Tests on Micro-Blasted Coatings for Assessing Their Brittleness
Authors: Bouzakis Konstantinos-Dionysios , Gerardis Stefanos , Skordaris Georgios , Bouzakis Emmanouil
Published: August 2023

Residual compressive stresses can be induced into a PVD film up to a certain depth from the coating surface via micro-blasting. Depending on the micro-blasting conditions, the deformed film depth varies, thus affecting the coatings performance in different applications. A method has been already introduced for determining mechanical strength properties gradation in coatings after micro-blasting.
Synthesis and characterization of La2NiO4-d coatings deposited by reactive magnetron sputtering using plasma emission monitoring
Authors: Jérémie Fondard , Pascal Briois , Alain Billard , Ghislaine Bertrand
Published: August 2023

It is well known that the short life time and the high cost of each component of nowadays Solid Oxide Fuel Cells (SOFC) are induced by their high operating temperature. Many researches focus on the decrease of this operating temperature without reduction of the fuel cell performances (IT-SOFC). Regarding the cathode, one solution is to increase the electrocatalytic properties. Purely electronic conductor perovskite materials (for example LSM: La1-xSrxMnO3) are used in standard SOFC devices. A2MO4+d compounds, with K2NiF4 structure have recently been investigated as substitutes to LSM. Indeed, these materials are mixed ionic and electronic conductors (MIECs) that moreover exhibit rather high electrocatalytic properties. It is then possible to synthesize them as dense materials for SOFC cathodes. Among these materials, lanthanum nickelates La2NiO4+d exhibits convenient electrochemical characteristics. Its thermal expansion coefficient (TEC) is very close to that of the most commonly used electrolyte materials (13 10-6 K-1, 11.9 10-6 K-1 and 11.6 10-6 K-1 for La2NiO4+d, CeO2-Gd2O3 (CGO) and ZrO2-Y2O3 (YSZ) respectively). Its oxygen ionic conductivity and surface exchange coefficient are interesting and seem much better than those of La1-xSrxMnO3 (LSM) and La1-xSrxCo1-yFeyO3 (LSCF), the most commonly used cathodes.The deposition of La2NiO4 coatings by reactive magnetron sputtering has already successfully been performed under so called stable conditions in a laboratory vessel. In this study, we investigate the feasibility of La2NiO4+d coatings deposited by reactive magnetron sputtering under unstable conditions using Plasma Emission Monitoring (PEM).The chemical composition of the coatings was measured by Scanning Electron Microscopy coupled with Energy Dispersive Spectroscopy. The influence of the La/Ni ratio on the structure was checked by X-Ray Diffraction analyses.
On the Injected Gas/Electric Power Relation for Deposition Efficiency Control During the Gims Deposition
Authors: Zdunek Krzysztof , Nowakowska-Langier Katarzyna , Chodun Rafal , Dora Jerzy
Published: August 2023

During the last AEPSE2011 conference there were presented the concept as well as the first results of the use of working gas injection to control the generation of pulsed plasma. The problem was discussed on the basis of two methods: Impulse Plasma Deposition (IPD) and Magnetron Sputtering (MS) e.g. The first results indicated the desirability of a deeper interest in such a way of plasma process control. The idea of using the working gas injection instead of stationary gas flow mode assumes in the first approximation that the lack of cold gas in the chamber space prior to gas injection could next avoid the kinetic energy dissipation on collision between the plasma particles and the cold gas. Previously presented studies have shown the initial experimental results proving the positives of proposed modification of the well known methods of plasma surface deposition (in the case of IPD - possibility of exceptionally effective producing of antiabrasive layers on unheated substrates and from the other hand - the positive change in the morphology of layers as well as a different way of target erosion during the layer deposition by MS). Lately carried out experiments have showed that during the GIMS deposition of AlN coatings (GIMS - Gas Injection Magnetron Sputtering) higher amounts of Al-Al bonds have occurred in comparison with the case of continuous gas flow mode. It seems to us that the reason of that metallic “tail” could be both the diminishing of the portion of reactive gas and/or self sputtering effect of the aluminum target arising during the last phase of working gas injection. The studies describes below concerns the very last our studies on the possibilities of control the gas/electric power relation during the GIMS process.
Formation of plasma technological influence of vacuum arc on the internal surfaces of metal pipes and putting of the protecting coatings
Authors: Arustamov V.N. , Ashurov Kh.B. , Kadirov Kh.Kh. , Khudaykulov I.Kh.
Published: August 2023

In many cases of industrial applications it is economically profitable or technically necessary to combine bulk features of one material with surface features of another one in a single material. Vacuum-arc treatment of products from inexpensive materials to form new required features of surface layers is more perspective owing to its unlimited feasibility in process efficiency. Pipes are in great demand in oil-gas industries and power engineering. But there are no effective methods for pipe inner surface treatment and pipe coating deposition, which makes it impossible to use inexpensive steel pipes under conditions of aggressive liquids, high temperature, high pressure and other parameters leading to oxidation, erosion and pipe life. Therefore, development of plasma-arc technologies of pipe inner surface treatment and pipe coating deposition is very topical and actual. A specific effect of vacuum-arc discharge on material surface is due to high concentration of energy in a chaotically rapidly moving cathode spot, short-term local heating of surface and its rapid cooling. The technological effect of cathode plasma on surface is based on cathode spot movement. The effect of a plasma flow of cathode spots formed on the outer surface of a pipe cathode and controlled by a system of vacuum-arc cathode spot fixation with magnets placed inside an electrode has been considered. A great number of studies have been devoted to explaining and investigating “anomalous” movement of the cathode spots. It has been shown that the cathode spot moves in the direction of the greatest action of discharge’s own magnetic field and outer magnetic field. The magnets initiate an arc magnetic field that confines the cathode spots and makes it possible to scan (control) them on the electrode-cathode surface and act with a plasma flow and deposit coats on inner surface of a coaxially placed pipe-product. The high efficiency of the plasma vacuum-arc method for pipe inner surface treatment and coat deposition has been found.
Functional coatings for polymer composites
Authors: Babik A. , Hoferek L. , Janova D. , Cech V.
Published: August 2023

The development of high-performance polymer composites is tightly bound with the functional surface modification of reinforcements. A new method, based on the principle of the fiber-bundle pull-out test, was used to analyze the interfacial properties between the long fibers in the form of a bundle and the polymer matrix. The pull-out test can be used for a relative comparison of different surface modifications if the bundle geometry is unknown. Glass fibers coated by plasma polymer films of tetravinylsilane were tested to determine the interfacial shear strength as a function of RF power and film thickness that was varied from 50 nm to 10 µm. SEM micrographs of pulled-out (debonded) fiber bundle were used to characterize adhesion at the interlayer/fiber and polymer/interlayer interfaces.
Formation of plasma-generated nanostructures on polymer surfaces for various polymer types
Authors: Munzert P. , Praefke C. , Schulz U. , Kaiser N.
Published: August 2023

To produce functional elements for optical applications, the components often have to be coated or joined together. Low adhesion is usually caused by different polarity or surface chemistry of the individual components. Therefore, measures have to be taken to modify the respective interfaces to improve the adhesion. In the case of highly transparent polymers (e.g. PC, PMMA, COC, PA) this turns out to be problematic due to the demands on the optical properties. Many methods for adhesion promotion, as etching with chemicals or mechanical roughening, lead to a significant deterioration in the transparency of such components. In many cases a plasma treatment alone has no sufficient effect on improving the adhesion. The Fraunhofer Institute in Jena (IOF) is working several years now on the nano-structuring of polymer surfaces by plasma etching. Except for antireflection purposes, such a structure can also be used to promote adhesion. However, large structure depths and high aspect ratios are necessary therefore. In the experiments carried out here the self-organizing formation of such nanostructures on various polymer types was studied.
Self-lubricating W-S-C-Cr tribological coatings deposited by r.f. magnetron sputtering
Authors: Pimentel Joao Vitor , Evaristo Manuel , Polcar Tomas , Cavaleiro Albano
Published: August 2023

Tribological coatings composed of transition metal dichalcogenides (TMD) have long been studied for their excellent self-lubricant properties. However, they exhibit low load-bearing capacity, and their performance tends to deteriorate significantly in the presence of humidity. In previous works, doping disulfides and diselenides of tungsten and molybdenum has proven to be a way of greatly improving the tribological performance of this class of films in different environments. In this work, thin films were deposited by r.f. magnetron sputtering on silicon and steel samples, using two targets (carbon and chromium) and tungsten disulfide pellets. The final composition was controlled by the number of WS2 pellets and the ratio of the power applied to the targets. The carbon content was fixed at approximately 40 at.% in all depositions. The chromium content in the coatings was varied in the range 0 – 13.5 at.% and the S/W ratio was approximately 1.25 in all compositions in the series. The coatings were characterized in regard to their hardness, adhesion, chemical composition and bonding, microstructure and morphology, as well as their tribological behaviour.
Wear Properties of AISI 4140 Steels Modificated By Using Pulse Plasma Technique
Authors: Özbek Y.Y. , Durman M.
Published: August 2023

In this study, the microstructure and wear properties of pulse plasma treated AISI 4140 steel was investigated. The surfaces of the samples were modified by using plasma pulse technique. The only one battery capacities (800mF) and two different sample plasma gun nozzle distances of 50mm, 60mm, 70mm, 80mm and different number of pulse were chosen for surface modification. XRD analyses were done for all samples. Wear test was done in CSM-linear wear test machine with 0.15 m/s constant sliding speed under 5N, 7N, and 9N loads for 200 m. It was observed that friction coefficient and wear value were changed in accordance with load. Friction coefficient values of modified specimens were lower than that of non-modified ones. Wear resistance was increased in modified samples. Worn surfaces of specimens were studied by SEM, EDS analyses techniques. Modification layer was formed on surface (in Fig.1a).
Atmospheric pressure plasma treatments inside meander-like cavities
Authors: Quade Antje , Fricke Katja , Weltmann Klaus-Dieter
Published: August 2023

Not available
Optimization of APS Process Parameters Using a Designof Experiment for CSZ ( CeO2 Stabilized Zirconia) Coatings
Authors: Altuncu Ekrem , Uste Fatih
Published: August 2023

Air Plasma Sprayed (APS) Ceria Stabilized Zirconia (CSZ) coatings have been extensively used as alternative material yo Yttria Stabilized Zirconia (YSZ) in the gas turbine industries due to the good mechanical properties and hot corrosion resistance at an elavated temperatures. Due to the high velocity and temperature gradients in the plasma jet, any changes in the process parameters can result in significant changes in the particle properties and consequently in the microstructure of the coating. For increasing coating quality, operational primer process parameters as plasma gas flow rates, plasma current, spray distance must be optimized. The statistically designed taguchi experiments and regression analysis are used to determine the effects of processing parameters on mechanical and microstructural properties of coatings. The effect of changing the processing parameters on properties such as density, thickness, deposition efficiency and the amount of porosity in the coatings has been investigated in this study. Results showed that the CSZ has a higher deposition efficiency and denser microstructure than the YSZ systems.
Microstructure and Mechanical Behaviour Relationship of Plasma Sprayed Mullit+YSZ Coatings
Authors: Özbek Yildiz Yarali , Altuncu Ekrem , Üstel Fatih
Published: August 2023

The YSZ/mullite composite coatings have been given an impression for improved high temperature resistance over YSZ coatings under severe service conditions and should be investigated further for its possible use in thermal barrier coating (TBC) systems. In this study, a composite thermal barrier coating made from a combination of YSZ and mullite (wt%25 to 50) was investigated. Powders of each powders were mechanically mixed together and then sprayed on superalloy substrates. Microstructure and mechanical behavior relationship of these composite coatings were investigated. Crystallinity and phase ratios were determined by XRD analysis. Results showed that mullite addition improved the mechanical behaviour of YSZ coating under high temperature conditions.
Hierarchical, Plasma Nanotextured, Superamphiphobic Polymeric Surfaces
Authors: Ellinas Kosmas , Tsougeni Katerina , Tserepi Angeliki , Gogolides Evangelos
Published: August 2023

A facile, mass production amenable, rapid method for making superamphiphobic / amphiphobic surfaces by random plasma nanotexturing of polymers in plasmas is presented. Plasma etched and simultaneously randomly roughened (nanotextured) polymethylmethacrylate (PMMA) Polyether-ether-ketone (PEEK), Cyclic-olefin-copolymer (COC) and Polydimethylsiloxane (PDMS) substrates show hierarchical roughness and complex high-aspect-ratio morphology. Here, they are investigated as superamphiphilic surfaces after plasma etching or superamphiphobic surfaces, after plasma deposition of a thin fluorocarbon film following plasma etching. We show that polymer surfaces etched in oxygen (PMMA, PEEK, COC) or SF6 (PDMS) plasma for few minutes (with texture height< 600nm) exhibit excellent superamphiphobic behaviour, while surfaces treated for longer time show porous-like filamental morphology (filaments several microns height), which is coalesced and stabilized upon wetting, allowing their potential long-term use. Superamphiphobic / amphiphobic behaviour is observed in all cases.
The effectiveness of prevailing plasma spray conditions in the synthesis of protective coatings
Authors: Vitas Valincius , Grigaitiene Viktorija , Marcinauskas Liutauras , Valatkevicius Pranas
Published: August 2023

Protective and catalytic coatings of different composition are widely used in diverse fields of industry including a modification of surface layers of constructional materials. Mechanisms of film formation in plasma spray processes are not investigated thoroughly. It is not determined how the parameters of process influence the quality, specific surface area, thickness and adhesion of coatings. Therefore the investigation of the influence of formation technology on structure and properties of protective ceramic coatings is the main objective of present work.
A Comparative Study of Wear Effect on the Microstructures Behavior of CoNiCrAlY Coatings fabricated by APS, HVOF and CGDS Coatings
Authors: Gok Mustafa Sabri , Karaoglanli Abdullah Cahit , Erdogan Azmi , Türk Ahmet
Published: August 2023

This work focuses on the micro-abrasion wear and microstructural properties of CoNiCrAlY coatings fabricated on nickel based super alloy substrates by using the atmospheric plasma spraying (APS), high-velocity oxygen fuel (HVOF), cold gas dynamic spraying (CGDS) methods. Tribological tests were performed on the samples in order to understand the wear mechanism of thermally sprayed coatings and influence of the coating microstructure on wear mechanism. The microstructures of as sprayed and weared coatings were investigated by scanning electron microscopy. Initial surface topography was examined by surface profilometer. Coating hardness measurements were performed with a micro-hardness tester. The micro-abrasion tests were carried out with some different durations. The lateral fracture was observed as wear mechanism on the specimens. The wear surface resistance have changed with coating process and surface features of specimens depending on the coating process.
Photocatalytically Active Titania Produced by MOCVD Plasma Process
Authors: Moser Eva Maria , Chappuis Sidney , Olleros Javier
Published: August 2023

The deposition of photocatalytically active titania layers at ambient temperature was developed using the plasma enhanced metal organic chemical vapour deposition (PE-MOCVD) method at low and atmospheric pressure. An increase of the photo-activity in the near ultraviolet (UV) and blue light irradiation was achieved by doping the titania layers using the elements nitrogen and/or carbon. Investigation of the chemical and structural features of the titania layers was carried out by x-ray photoelectron spectroscopy, atomic force microscopy, and Raman. The optical energy bandgap and photocatalytic activity at 365/428 nm for various titania layers were analyzed using ellipsometry and the methylene blue dye bleaching according to ISO 10678:2010, respectively. The reduction of the aqueous methylene blue solution was similar for the two categories of titania layers. However, the photo-induced properties such as the mineralization of stearic acid for investigating anti-fingerprint effects evidenced a weaker interaction between the mostly hydrophobic PE-MOCVD titania surfaces than for the hydrophilic and rougher PVD produced titania layers when irradiated under UV light. The observed differences were related to the chemical and structural features since the hydrophobic PE-MOCVD produced titania layers were amorphous and nitrogen and carbon incorporation into TiO2 led to an enhanced photocatalytic ability by a factor of two regarding the dye tests, whereas the energy bandgap remained at about 3.2 eV. Substitutional and interstitial doping of nitrogen and/or carbon was evidenced by XPS. An additional benefit regarding the adhesion and abrasion resistance was observed for the tailored doping of titania layers.
Effect of Plasma Nitriding and Nitrocarburising Process on the Corrosion Resistance of Grade 2205 Duplex Stainless Steel
Authors: Mukherjee Subroto , Joseph Alphonsa , Jhala Ghanshyam , M. Satyapal , Khanna A. S. , Rayjada Pratipal , Chauhan Narendra , V. S. Raja
Published: August 2023

Grade 2205 duplex stainless steel is a type of stainless steel possessing a nearly equal amount of the ferrite (a-Fe) and austenite (?-Fe) phases as a matrix. Since this steel has a relatively low hardness of 256 HV0.1, an attempt has been made to improve its hardness and wear properties without compromising the corrosion resistance by plasma nitriding and nitrocarburising process. Plasma nitriding and plasma nitrocarburising process was performed with 80% nitrogen and 20% hydrogen gas and 78% nitrogen, 20% hydrogen and 2% acetylene gas respectively at 350, 400, 450 and 500 oC for 4 hours. The temperature played an important role in the distribution of nitrogen and carbon in the original austenite and ferrite phases present in the bulk material. As a result there was an improvement in microhardness and corrosion properties after these treatments. It was observed that plasma nitrocarburising process performed better than plasma nitriding process in improving the corrosion properties due to the presence of carbon.
Effects of ion-beam bombardment and nitridation on physical/mechanical properties of 100Cr6 TiN coated steels
Authors: Droppa Jr R. , Pinto H. , Garcia J. , Ochoa E. , Morales M. , Cucatti S. , Alvarez F.
Published: August 2023

The effect of ion-beam bombardment on the physical properties of 100Cr6 steel is reported. The energy dependence of the in-depth stress and the pattern formation are presented. The modified region by the relative low energy (< 1keV) ions extend orders of magnitude deeper than the stopping region of the projectiles. The formation of peculiar patterns on the treated surface is explained by the current model of surface instability created by preferential sputtering and surface diffusion in metals.
On the deposition rate during High-Power Impulse Magnetron Sputtering.
Authors: Konstantinidis Stephanos
Published: August 2023

Not available
Nanocomposite Nitrid Thin films for hard coatings : Applications in wear and corrosion resistance
Authors: Chala Abdelouahad , Saied Chahinez , Ghelloudj Hanane
Published: August 2023

New simple and duplex coatings were elaborated by triode sputtering and ionic nitriding, imposed to low alloy steel and characterized by the mean of various experimental techniques (EDS, XPS, XRD, SEM, TEM, FTIR, …). Their ability to protect substrate against corrosion and wear has been evaluated. These deposits are either CrN or ZrN monolayer, or nanocomposite deposits formed by the dispersion of BN into ZrN matrix. The experiments show the good physical, chemical and mechanical properties of the films. The tribological analysis permitted us to define the optimal conditions of triode sputtering and the ionic nitriding ones used in the duplex treatments. A great amelioration in the tribological properties was observed and was explained by the good stress repartition into the layers. Simples and duplex treatments were imposed to low alloy steel cutting tools. Their application in peeling of wood and corrosion shows their efficiency.
Comparison of surface properties of DLC and ultrananocrystalline diamond films with respect to their bio-applications
Authors: Jelinek Miroslav , Voss Alexandra , Kocourek Tomáš , Mozafari Mahsa , Vymetalová Veronika , Zezulová Marketa , Písarík Petr , Popov Cyril , Mikšovský Jan
Published: August 2023

DLC layers are entirely amorphous or contain micro- or nanocrystalline diamond or graphite and possess a disordered structure with a mixture of carbon bonding configurations. Furthermore, DLC can be hydrogen free (a-C) or containing hydrogen (hydrogenated amorphous carbon (a-C:H)). DLC films exhibit excellent physical and chemical properties, as well as high level of biocompatibility [1]. The films are dense, mechanically hard, smooth, abrasion resistant, IR transparent, chemically inert, resistant to attack by both acids and bases, have a low coefficient of friction, low wear rate, and are biocompatible and thromboresistant [2-3]. DLC coatings can be adherent on various biomaterials; neither toxicity toward certain living cells nor inflammatory response or loss of cell integrity were reported [4]. DLC shows an excellent hemocompatibility, a decreased tendency of thrombus formation and coated heart valves and stents are already commercially available [5]. The properties of the DLC coatings depend strongly on the hydrogen content and sp3/sp2 ratio which, in turn, depend on the deposition process and its parameters. The range of the properties of the DLC produced by different methods and under different process parameters is considerable. Diamond is a material with quite a number of excellent properties [6], like extreme hardness, high elastic modulus, high wear resistance, optical transparency in a broad spectral range, resistivity controllable by the level of dopants, etc. which make it a promising candidate for diverse applications. Due to its outstanding electrochemical properties, superior chemical inertness and biocompatibility, artificially grown diamond has been recognised as an extremely attractive material for both (bio-)chemical sensing and as an interface to biological systems. This holds for all forms of diamond: monocrystalline (natural or artificial) and poly- (PCD), nano- (NCD) and ultrananocrystalline (UNCD) films. In the current work the surface and antibacterial properties of DLC and UNCD films including the nature of the surface bonding and termination, wettability, surface energy and tests with Gram-positive and Gram-negative bacteria were studied and discussed.
Growth of Carbon Materials on Gold Substrate by Plasma Enhanced CVD
Authors: Sperka Jirí , Zajícková Lenka , Jasek Ondrej , Pamreddy Annapurna , Havel Josef , Schäfer Jan , Foest Rüdiger
Published: August 2023

Carbon is a versatile building element of many interesting materials that have already find practical applications in the form of thin films (diamond, DLC) or potential applications in the form of nanostructures (fullerenes, carbon nanotubes, graphene). For electronics or sensors, it is important to provide a very good contact to the functional structures. Gold is the best choice taking into account its inertness, i. e. oxidation resistance. From this point of view the investigation of the growth of carbon materials on gold is important. The carbon-gold interaction plays an important role in different fields of electronics such as atomic force microscope lithography, bioelectronics or semiconductor industry. Research in this field is developing rapidly e. g. the modification of interface structure and contact resistance between a CNT and gold electrode was recently modified by Joule melting and amorphous C-Au nanocomposite thin films were deposited by dc magnetron co-sputtering. Herein we report on the preparation and characterization of the carbon nanocomposites which were synthesized on gold substrate from methane precursor using low pressure thermal chemical vapor deposition technique and two different plasma-enhanced chemical vapor deposition (PECVD) methods. The former one PECVD proceeded in microwave reactor at low pressure and the latter one was carried out using non-thermal atmospheric pressure plasma jet (ntAPPJ). Presented approach is based on the deposition of carbon material on gold instead of the deposition of gold on carbon material which is more common. Surprisingly, we didnt find similar studies dealing with the synthesis of carbon nanocomposites using direct deposition from hydrocarbon precursor on the gold thin _lm. The surface morphology was studied by high resolution scanning electron microscopy (HRSEM). Depth-structure profile including the film thickness was observed using the focused ion beam ablation. Energy-dispersive X-ray spectroscopy (EDX), infrared reflection absorption spectroscopy (IRRAS) and laser desorption-ionization time of flight mass spectrometry (LDI-TOF MS) were used to study the chemical properties. Gold and carbon related clusters were observed by means of mass spectrometric study.
Thermal stability of TiZrAlN films deposited by a reactive magnetron sputtering method
Authors: Abadias G. , Saladukhin I. A. , Uglov V.V. , Zlotski S. V.
Published: August 2023

Quaternary TiZrAlN films are: • perspective for both oxidation and wear resistance applications and expectant substitution for TiN, (Ti,Al)N and (Ti,Zr)N hard films; • capable to possess by the unique properties due to possibility of nanocomposite structure formation during their synthesis. The aim of the present work is to study the thermal stability, under vacuum and air annealing, of quaternary transition metal nitride films, namely (Ti,Zr)1-xAlxN, with emphasis on the role of Al content on the structure and phase formation.
Effect of nitrogen incorporated into oxide layer, formed on the magnesium alloys by using r.f. PECVD process, on their corrosion resistance.
Authors: Kalisz Malgorzata , Grobelny Marcin , Dytkowicz Barbara
Published: August 2023

This paper presents the changes in corrosion resistance of SiO2 coatings generated in the plasma process PECVD (Plasma Enhanced Chemical Vapour Deposition), using RF plasma (13.56 MHz), under the influence of the introduction of nitrogen to their volume. Two magnesium alloys AZ32 and AZ91 were put under the tests. On each of Mg alloys the coating of SiO2 was made with a thickness of 1000 nm, and the coatings of SiOxNy (oxynitride) with a thickness of 60 nm and 500 nm. The obtained results were compiled with the reference samples of these alloys. The corrosion properties of the tested coatings were determined based on the analysis of voltammetric curves. The obtained results show that the introduction of nitrogen to a volume of a thin layer of plasma produced SiO2, which is the formation of the layer of SiOxNy improves the corrosion resistance of both examined magnesium alloys. With a much smaller thickness of SiOxNy layer in relation to the thickness of SiO2 oxide layer the similar corrosion current density decreases were obtained.
Effect of the rapid thermal annealing on the structure and optical properties of TaOxNy thin films deposited by reactive magnetron sputtering
Authors: Zoubian F. , Tomasella E. , Bousquet A. , Cellier J. , Sauvage T.
Published: August 2023

Tantalum oxynitride thin films are deposited by radio-frequency magnetron sputtering using a pure tantalum target under argon/oxygen/nitrogen gas mixture. The argon flow is kept constant while the oxygen and nitrogen flows are changed simultaneously in a way to keep constant the total flow of these reactive gases. We succeed to deposit TaOxNy films with stoichiometry ranging between those of TaN and Ta2O5. All films are deposited at room temperature without any biasing. A thermal annealing in a RTA furnace was applied to all the films in a nitrogen atmosphere. A phase transition was detected by XRD investigations and SEM scanning from as deposited to annealed films, noticing the crystallisation of all films which depends on the composition of each film.
Synthesis of intermetallic compounds in the surface layer of eutectic silumin by dense plasma impact
Authors: Cherenda Nikolai , Bibik Natalya , Uglov Vladimir , Astashynski Valentin , Kuzmitski Anton
Published: August 2023

Not available
Measurements of SiH4/H2 VHF Plasma Parameters with Heated Langmuir Probe
Authors: Yamane Tsukasa , Nakao Sachiko , Takeuchi Yoshiaki , Muta Hiroshi , Ichiki Ryuta , Uchino Kiichiro , Kawai Yoshinobu
Published: August 2023

The parameters of SiH4/H2 VHF plasma were measured as a function of silane gas concentration with a heated Langmuir probe. When the sailane gas concentration was increased, the nagative ion density increased. The negative ion density was estimated from the reduction of the electron saturation current. In addition, the dependence of the sheath potential on the silane gas concentration agreed with the theoretical values derived from the Bohm sheath equation including negative ions.
Systematic evaluation of thin electrically insulating layers on common engineering materials
Authors: Schmaljohann F. , Hagedorn D. , Löffler F.
Published: August 2023

Thin insulating layers are often required for typical engineering materials, e.g. steel, alumina, titanium and the respective alloys. A very dense insulating layer for subsequent conducting layers acting as electrical paths is crucial. Experiments have shown, however, that the electrical insulation of such substrates is often not sufficient or fails completely and is seldom repeatable. To determine the most important influences regarding the insulation, a systematic evaluation based on a screening design of experiments for the variation of ten parameters is introduced. The films were deposited using a radiofrequency magnetron sputter system and a non-reactive process as well as a SiO2 target for the deposition of the insulation. A thin layer of a Cu-Ni-alloy was successively deposited through a mask on top of the insulating layer. The resistance between the substrate material and the conducting layer was investigated to determine the major influencing parameters with respect to the quality of the insulation layer. Based on the results, further experiments on film thickness variations with less parameters were carried out and Al2O3 layers were compared to those utilizing SiO2.
Study of the chemical etching of carbon surfaces facing argon/hydrogen plasmas in a helicon type reactor
Authors: Glad Xavier , Bieber Thomas , De Poucques Ludovic , Hugon Robert , Belmahi Mohammed , Vasseur Jean-Luc , Bougdira Jamal
Published: August 2023

The study of the chemical erosion by atomic hydrogen of graphite in the purpose of characterizing etching and re deposition growth kinetics is presented. Carbon samples undergo plasma treatment under different time-exposures and gas mixtures at 10 mTorr, determined as the optimal pressure. The etching outcomes are analyzed via mass loss and structure comparison (SEM, micro-Raman spectroscopy) in order to evaluate the impact of the different experimental conditions, i.e. pressure, gas mixture, RF power coupling mode and erosion duration.
General Regularities and Differences of Nanostructured Coatings Based on Nitrides of Zr, Ti, Hf, V, Nb Metals and Their Combinations
Authors: Beresnev V.M. , Andreev A.A. , Sobol O.V. , Kolesnikov D.A. , Komarov F.F. , Mel’nik S.S. , Kaverin M.V. , Shypylenko A.P. , Pogrebnjak Alexander
Published: August 2023

Using the vacuum-arc source with the HF discharge, nano-structured hard and super-hard coatings based on Ti-Hf-N(Fe), Ti-Hf-Si-N, Ti-Zr-Si-N, and (Ti, Zr, Hf, Nb, V)N of 1.2µm to 2.5µm thickness were manufactured. The coatings were studied using the proton micro-beam µ-PIXE, RBS, SIMS, SEM with EDS, XRD, and tested for adhesion resistance, wear, and nano-hardness. It was found that a concentration of Ti, Zr, Hf, V, and Nb metals as well as a bias potential applied to a substrate and residual pressure in a chamber (N or Ar/N) affected the formation regularities of solid solutions and quasi-amorphous phases based on a-Si3N4. Hardness of the resulting coatings reached 48GPa to 52GPa, their elastic modulus was 420GPa to 535GPa. The friction coefficient was 0.12 to 0.2, and temperature resistance was as high as 1300oC.[1] Coating structures varied from a columnar to a nanosized one. Grain sizes of the phases of the solid solutions were from 4nm to 10nm or 12nm. Those of a-Si3N4 inter-layer were from 0.8nm to 1.2nm.
Persepsi Ibu Hamil Mengenai Aplikasi Augmented Reality “Bumilar”
Authors: Bestari Astuti Dyah , Marfit Nur Femmy , Wijaya Merry , Judistiani Raden Tina , Pramatirta Akhmad Yogi
Published: August 2023

Augmented Reality (AR) merupakan sebuah teknologi virtual reality yang mampumenggabungkan benda maya dalam bentuk 2D atau 3D sehingga terlihat nyata. AplikasiAR bernama BuMilAR (Ibu Hamil berbentuk Augmented Reality) dirancang untukmemberikan edukasi kepada ibu hamil mengenai ketidaknyamanan dan tanda bahayakehamilan. Tujuan penelitian ini untuk mengetahui persepsi ibu hamil mengenaipenggunaan dan konten aplikasi BuMilar. Penelitian ini merupakan penelitian deskriptifdengan pendekatan cross – sectional dengan analisis data univariat. Pengambilan sampeldilakukan menggunakan total sampling dengan responden ibu hamil yang berada di DesaCilandak dan Cirangkong Kecamatan Cibatu Kabupaten Purwakarta sebanyak 51 orang.Pengambilan data dilakukan dengan menggunakan kuesioner. Hasil penelitian untukpersepsi ibu hamil mengenai cara penggunaan aplikasi BuMilar didapatkan bahwa sebesar49% menyatakan kemudahan pengoperasian aplikasi BuMilar sangat baik sedangkanuntuk persepsi ibu hamil mengenai konten yang disajikan dalam aplikasi BuMilardidapatkan bahwa sebesar 49% menyatakan kelengkapan informasi yang disajikan padaaplikasi BuMilar sangat baik. Berdasarkan hasil penelitian ini, aplikasi BuMilar dapatdigunakan sebagai media edukasi bagi ibu hamil dengan penggunaannya yang mudahserta menarik. Selain itu, materi yang ada dalam aplikasi ini sesuai dengan kebutuhan ibuhamil terkait ketidaknyamanan dan tanda bahaya yang dapat terjadi selama hamil
Projected population- and season-dependent impacts of climate change on a migratory songbird in South America
Authors: El Hindi Talita Santos , Jahn Alex E. , Tuero Diego T. , Pizo Marco Aurélio , Da Silveira Natalia Stefanini
Published: August 2023

Migratory birds depend on resources located in distantly separated ecosystems, potentially making them vulnerable to rapid environmental changes across their range. Yet, we understand little about how such changes may impact birds in different migratory systems, in large part because of a lack of individual-level research throughout their annual cycle and on different continents. The Fork-tailed Flycatcher (Tyrannus savana) is a widely distributed Neotropical bird, whose nominate subspecies is composed of populations that breed at tropical and south-temperate latitudes of South America and then spend the non-breeding season in northern South America. Using movement data collected with light-level geolocators on individual migratory Fork-tailed Flycatchers from breeding populations at tropical and south-temperate latitudes, we evaluated whether different flycatcher populations vary in their vulnerability to future climate change. Results suggest that populations breeding at south-temperate and tropical latitudes will lose at least 22% of their breeding area, with most losses of south-temperate breeding areas occurring in the northern portions of those areas. Both south-temperate breeders and tropical breeders will also lose non-breeding area, with south-temperate breeders experiencing a loss of over a third of their non-breeding area, whereas tropical breeders will lose up to ~16% of that area. These results are the first to demonstrate population- and season-dependent risks to climate change for a migratory bird breeding in the Neotropics, and suggest that mitigating the impacts of climate change for birds in South America will require conservation planning that accounts for both seasonal and regional processes.
Macrophage susceptibility to infection by Ghanaian Mycobacterium tuberculosis complex lineages 4 and 5 varies with self-reported ethnicity
Authors: Osei-Wusu Stephen , Tetteh John K. A. , Musah Abdul Basit , Ntiamoah Desmond Opoku , Arthur Nelly , Adjei Abraham , Arbues Ainhoa , Ofori Ebenezer Addo , Mensah Kwadwo Akyea , Galevo Sutaya Elsie Afua , Frempong Abena Frema , Asare Prince , Asante-Poku Adwoa , Otchere Isaac Darko , Kusi Kwadwo Asamoah , Lenz Tobias L. , Gagneux Sebastien , Portevin Damien , Yeboah-Manu Dorothy
Published: August 2023

Background

The epidemiology of Mycobacterium tuberculosis complex (MTBC) lineage 5 (L5) infections in Ghana revealed a significantly increased prevalence in Ewes compared to other self-reported ethnic groups. In that context, we sought to investigate the early phase of tuberculosis (TB) infection using ex vivo infection of macrophages derived from the blood of Ewe and Akan ethnic group volunteers with MTBC L4 and L5 strains.

Methods

The study participants consisted of 16 controls, among which self-reported Akan and Ewe ethnicity was equally represented, as well as 20 cured TB cases consisting of 11 Akans and 9 Ewes. Peripheral blood mononuclear cells were isolated from both healthy controls and cured TB cases. CD14+ monocytes were isolated and differentiated into monocyte-derived macrophages (MDMs) before infection with L4 or L5 endemic strains. The bacterial load was assessed after 2 hours (uptake) as well as 3 and 7 days post-infection.

Results

We observed a higher capacity of MDMs from Ewes to phagocytose L4 strains (p < 0.001), translating into a higher bacillary load on day 7 (p < 0.001) compared to L5, despite the higher replication rate of L5 in Ewe MDMs (fold change: 1.4 vs. 1.2, p = 0.03) among the controls. On the contrary, within macrophages from Akans, we observed a significantly higher phagocytic uptake of L5 (p < 0.001) compared to L4, also translating into a higher load on day 7 (p = 0.04). However, the replication rate of L4 in Akan MDMs was higher than that of L5 (fold change: L4 = 1.2, L4 = 1.1, p = 0.04). Although there was no significant difference in the uptake of L4 and L5 among cured TB cases, there was a higher bacterial load of both L4 (p = 0.02) and L5 (p = 0.02) on day 7 in Ewe MDMs.

Conclusion

Our results suggest that host ethnicity (driven by host genetic diversity), MTBC genetic diversity, and individual TB infection history are all acting together to modulate the outcome of macrophage infections by MTBC.
What we do not know about advergames: a literature review
Authors: Cañete Sanz Laura , De La Hera Teresa
Published: August 2023

Introduction

This study presents the findings of a systematic literature review on the academic study of advergames. The evolution of the marketing paradigm has recently opened new avenues for the study of advergames, such as understanding how the brand narrative could be used within a game to achieve diverse marketing objectives, their value for brand engagement through games, or new applications of the specific characteristics of emerging platforms for advergaming. Therefore, this study aims to provide an overview of the state of the art in the academic study of advergames to identify necessary expansions of academic attention to advergames to encompass the full capabilities of branded entertainment and advergame design.

Methods

We conducted a systematic literature review of 122 studies on the topic of advergames published between 2005 and 2021, indexed in the Web of Science Core Collection.

Results

The results show that academic studies on advergames primarily focused on two key research areas: (1) investigating the impact of advergames on children's health through the promotion of food products (2) and examining the effects of advergames on purchase intention. However, there was a lack of emphasis on two other important themes: (3) brand narratives and innovative forms and (4) the effects on brand loyalty.

Discussion

The results of this study highlight the need for a more flexible analytical approach that considers the evolving marketing ecosystem and provides theoretical insights to explore the effectiveness of advergames from a different perspective while identifying gaps in the existing literature.