Characterization of epitaxial CVD graphene on Ir(111)/α-Al2O3(0001) by photoelectron momentum microscopy

We characterized CVD-grown graphene with high single-crystallinity on Ir(111)/α-Al2O3(0001) by photoelectron momentum microscopy. A multi-functional photoelectron momentum microscope (PMM), which is installed with element-specific valence band photoelectron spectroscopy and X-ray absorption spectroscopy, is a complementary characterization tool to conventional methods, such as Raman spectroscopy and atomic force microscopy, for comprehensive and quantitative characterization of graphene/Ir(111). Using PMM, we characterized the properties of CVD-grown graphene including the single-crystallinity, number of layers, crystal orientation, and degree of interaction between graphene and Ir(111) and clarified the relationship between these properties and the CVD growth conditions.

Silicate and Hydroxide Concentration Influencing the Properties of Composite Al2O3-TiO2 PEO Coatings on AA7075 Alloy

This work evaluates the effect of sodium meta-silicate pentahydrate (SMS) and potassium hydroxide concentrations on properties of Al2O3-TiO2 coatings produced through plasma electrolytic oxidation in a solution containing 3 g L−1 potassium titanyl oxalate, (PTO), using a unipolar waveform with constant current density. The surface and cross-section characteristics of PEO coatings including morphology, elemental distribution, and phase composition were evaluated using FESEM, EDS, and XRD techniques. Voltage-time response indicated the concentration of SMS and KOH had a significant effect on the duration of each stage of the PEO process. More cracks and pores were formed at the higher concentrated solutions that resulted in the incorporation of solution components especially Si into the coating inner parts. Ti is distributed throughout the coatings, but it had a dominant distribution in the Si-rich areas. The coating prepared in the electrolyte containing no silicate consisted of non-stoichiometric γ-Al2O3 and/or amorphous Al2O3 phase. Adding silicate into the coating electrolyte resulted in the appearance of α-Al2O3 besides the dominant phase of γ-Al2O3. The corrosion behaviour of the coatings was investigated using the EIS technique. It was found that the coating prepared in the presence of 3 g L−1 SMS and 2 g L−1 KOH, possessed the highest barrier resistance (~10 MΩ cm2), owing to a more compact outer layer, thicker inner layer along with appropriate dielectric property because this layer lacks the Si element. It was discovered that the incorporation of Ti4+ and especially Si4+ in the coating makes the dielectric loss in the coating.