A Model for the Magnetoimpedance Effect in Non-Symmetric Nanostructured Multilayered Films with Ferrogel Coverings

Magnetoimpedance (MI) biosensors for the detection of in-tissue incorporated magnetic nanoparticles are a subject of special interest. The possibility of the detection of the ferrogel samples mimicking the natural tissues with nanoparticles was proven previously for symmetric MI thin-film multilayers. In this work, in order to describe the MI effect in non-symmetric multilayered elements covered by ferrogel layer we propose an electromagnetic model based on a solution of the 4Maxwell equations. The approach is based on the previous calculations of the distribution of electromagnetic fields in the non-symmetric multilayers further developed for the case of the ferrogel covering. The role of the asymmetry of the film on the MI response of the multilayer–ferrogel structure is analyzed in the details. The MI field and frequency dependences, the concentration dependences of the MI for fixed frequencies and the frequency dependence of the concentration sensitivities are obtained for the detection process by both symmetric and non-symmetric MI structures.

Free-Standing, Flexible Nanofeatured Polymeric Films Prepared by Spin-Coating and Anodic Polymerization as Electrodes for Supercapacitors

Flexible and self-standing multilayered films made of nanoperforated poly(lactic acid) (PLA) layers separated by anodically polymerized poly(3,4-ethylenedioxythiophene) (PEDOT) conducting layers have been prepared and used as electrodes for supercapacitors. The influence of the external layer has been evaluated by comparing the charge storage capacity of four- and five-layered films in which the external layer is made of PEDOT (PLA/PEDOT/PLA/PEDOT) and nanoperforated PLA (PLA/PEDOT/PLA/PEDOT/PLA), respectively. In spite of the amount of conducting polymer is the same for both four- and five-layered films, they exhibit significant differences. The electrochemical response in terms of electroactivity, areal specific capacitance, stability, and coulombic efficiency was greater for the four-layered electrodes than for the five-layered ones. Furthermore, the response in terms of leakage current and self-discharge was significantly better for the former electrodes than for the latter ones.

Structure and Characterization of TiC/GLC Multilayered Films with Various Bilayers Periods

The spontaneously self-organizing multilayered graphite-like carbon (denoted as GLC) /TiC films with various bilayer periods in the range of 13.3–17.5 nm were deposited on silicon and 1Cr18Mn8Ni5N stainless steel substrates using closed field magnetron sputtering deposition facility. The microstructures and chemical compositions of the prepared multilayered films were characterized by scanning electron microscopy, high resolution transmission electron microscopy, X-ray diffraction and X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy respectively. The self-organizing multilayered structures in all of the films consisted of titanium carbide layers and sp2-rich carbon layers periodically alternate arrangement. The TiC contents and bilayer periods of the multilayered films can be controlled by means of adjusting of sputtering current of graphite target. Furthermore, the mechanical and tribological performances of the prepared films were appraised by nano-indentor, scratch measures, and ball-on-plate tribometer respectively. The results indicated that multilayer structure endowed the as-deposited TiC/GLC films outstanding mechanical and tribological properties, especially the multilayer film with 15.9 nm bilayer period deposited at 10 A sputtering current showed the excellent adhesion strength and hardness; Simultaneously it also exhibited the lowest average friction coefficient in the humid environment owing to its high content of sp2 hybrid carbon.

Effects of Anisotropy and In-Plane Grain Boundary in Cu/Pd Multilayered Films with Cube-on-Cube and Twinned Interface

In crystalline materials, grain boundary and anisotropy of crystal structure affect their mechanical properties. The effects of interfacial structure on the mechanical properties may be diverse when the multilayer film is loaded along different directions. In this work, we performed a series of molecular dynamics simulations of the tension of in-plane single and polycrystalline Cu/Pd multilayered films with cube-on-cube (COC) and twinned interfaces to explore the effects of the interfacial structure, loading direction and in-plane grain boundaries on their mechanical properties. The interfacial misfit dislocation lines become bent after relaxation, and the high temperature of 300 K was found as a necessary condition. When stretched along 〈110〉 direction, the strengthening effect of the COC interface is more noticeable; however, when stretched along 〈112〉 direction, the twin interface's strengthening effect is more visible, showing the anisotropic effect of interfacial structure on mechanical properties. However, in the in-plane honeycomb polycrystalline sample, the twin interface showed a pronounced strengthening effect, and no jogged dislocations were observed.