National Institute Of Materials Physics - Romania

Since the discovery of carbon nanotubes, Raman Scattering Spectroscopy and transmission Electron Microscopy have been proved to be powerful for a detailed investigation of their properties. In TEM, a direct observation can be made, whereas Raman Scattering is used extensively to probe the different samples via their vibrational properties. In this paper, we report on recent results obtained in both single-walled carbon nanotubes (SWNTs), multiwalled-carbon nanotubes (MWNTs) and PMMA/nanotubes composites. In addition, in the case of SWNTs, we present studies carried out in Raman scattering when SERS (Surface Enhanced Raman Scattering) conditions are used. In particular, we put in evidence an increased state of disorder at the interface nanotubes/metallic support when the nanotube film thickness is decreased. Strong degradations can be observed primarily on metallic tubes with a concomitant formation of C-60-like molecules. In the case of MWNTs, calculations of interactions between concentric tubes lead to the occurrence of low frequency vibrational modes, in good agreement with experiments.

Polyaniline-fullerene (PA-C-60) composites have been studied by Surface Enhanced Raman scattering (SERS) spectroscopy and X-ray diffraction. They were obtained by mixing solutions of polyaniline-emeraldine base (PA-EB) and C-60, as well as by chemical synthesis from aniline, sulfuric acid and potassium dichromate, with addition of C-60. The Raman bands peaking at 1330-1370 cm(-1). associated with a protonated structure Were used as indicative for changes of the PA-EB phonon spectrum resulting from C-60 doping. The two types of compounds show different SERS spectra, also dependent on the metallic support used (An or Ag). Variation of the SERS spectra with the type of metallic support is related to a chemical interface interaction between composite and metal. In mixture samples, a doped polymeric chain (with ionically attached C-60(-)) was evidenced by an increased fraction of quinoid rings. The SERS spectra of the chemically synthesized PA-C-60 reveals the existence of two polymeric structures: a doped PA (doped with C-60(-) ions) and an undoped one, the latter with a structure of 'pendant chain' type. Structural (XRD) data reveal the presence of C-60 nano-zones, with a lattice parameter increase of 0.3-0.6%, attributed to slight oxidation. Detailed analysis of the fcc(111) line asymmetry suggests, in mixture samples, a boundary zone with an 'expanded' lattice. induced by ionic interface effects. (C) 2002 Elsevier Science Ltd. All rights reserved.

Pigments based on cadmium selenide sulphides and cadmium sulfides were analysed as regarding their structure and stability against the laser irradiation, a new technique for cleaning the painted surfaces in artwork restoration, The pulsed Nd:YAG laser radiation determines the effusion of some sulphur from the red pigment Cd(S,Se) and significant decrease of the average size of the crystallites. The color turns to dark red. For yellow pigment (CdS) no change of crystallite size was detected after laser irradiation.

It is presented a study of PbSe1-xTex thick films electrodeposition on glassy carbon and ITO electrodes in acid solutions (0.1M HNO3), using cyclic voltammetry and rotating-disk techniques. Electrochemical impedance spectroscopy study of PbSe1-xTex film in 0.1M HNO3 is reported.

The luminescence spectra of fully oxidized porous silicon show two broad bands and one vibronic structure between 2 and 3.3 eV, all excited at 340 or 275 nm (3.65 and 4.51 eV). Two of these structures have not been described previously. Interestingly, these emissions are found in other forms of amorphous or disordered silica with high specific surfaces: frosted silica glass, silica gel, even various natural opals. These emissions disappear when the surface is passivated. They are, therefore, attributed to surface-related defects. The vibronic structure involves a nearly free SiO4 tetrahedron. Another vibronic structure found only in some opals is attributed to the uranyl group. (C) 2001 American Institute of Physics.

The glass system (As2S3)(1-x)(Sb2S3)(x), 0 less than or equal tox less than or equal to0.65, has been studied by X-ray diffraction and microhardness measurements. The long-time Irradiation of the samples by ultraviolet rays has been carried out and its structural effect was investigated. The substitutional model and the microphase separation model have been discarded. A new intermediate model, whose main feature is the formation of mezoscopic Sb2S3 clusters, has been advanced.

The luminescence spectra of some Cd1-xMnxS nanocrystals have been measured at room and liquid nitrogen temperature. The Mn2+ ions give rise to a broad emission band centered at about 580 nm, between the emission bands of CdS host.

Pure and tin-doped AsSe amorphous films were investigated. The changes in the MRO induced by Sn were analysed be accurate profiling the first sharp diffraction peak (FSDP) in the X-ray diffraction diagram. A shift of FSDP as a function of tin concentration was observed. The structural changes induced by ultraviolet rays (lambda = 336 nm) for various time intervals of irradiation were revealed by small angle X-ray diffraction. It was revealed the formation of a special layer at the surface of the films. whose thickness increases during UV irradiation.

The luminescence and thermoluminescence have been measured in vitreous materials doped with Nd3+. The luminescence spectra show a maximum at 400 nm and a shoulder at about 440 nm. The measured global thermoluminescence shows a broad band with a maximum at 270 degreesC, which suggest a continuous distribution of electron traps induced by ionizing radiation. Thermoluminescence measured through two optical filters which transmit at about 400 nm and 440 nm wavelength shows a structured behavior with two glow peaks at 270 degreesC and 330 degreesC. This apparently contradictory behavior has been explained by the existence in this material of a continuous distribution of tr ap levels and a discrete distribution of recombination levels. The 270 degreesC and 330 degreesC glow peaks have been interpreted as being due to recombination of the electrons released from electron traps with O2-. and Nd3+ hole centers. Due to the high stability of the defects induced by the radiation observed from thermoluminescence measurements, this material could be used as a new radiation detector.

The SERS technique has been proved to be successful to study Single-Walled Carbon Nanotubes (SWNT's), with the observation of peculiar features. In this study, we present more specifically the Raman features which are strongly dependent on the morphology of the nanotube thin films, their thickness, the interfacial effects between films and support, the effect of solvent used to disperse the nanotubes onto the metallic surface.