Surface characterization and depth profile analysis of glasses by r.f. GDOES

Abstract

The characterization of surfaces, interfaces and interphases in glasses is analytically challenging and may benefit from recent developments in radiofrequency glow discharge optical emission spectroscopy (r.f. GDOES) applied to non-conductive materials. Thus, the main thrust of this study is to evaluate the potential of r.f. GDOES for the characterization of glass surfaces, physical heterogeneities such as discrete layers and continuous interphases and the distribution of elements in glass materials. Model glasses with increasing structural and chemical complexity thus were analysed using a Jobin Yvon GDOES system (5000 RF): the glasses included a multilayered glass (triple-coated glass), two photoreactive glasses (with potential chemical diffusion gradients) and acid-leached glass with an alteration layer. Concurrently, surface characterization of the glasses was conducted using scanning electron microscopy or transmission electron microscopy with energy-dispersive x-ray imaging to assess the chemical and physical gradients in the materials and to investigate the glow discharge sputtering process. From this the capability of r.f. GDOES for elemental depth profiling in glass materials is established. However, although the sputtering rates for glass are greatly reduced compared with conductive materials (∼2 nm s −1 compared with 50-150 nm s −1 for metals), r.f. GDOES offers good spatial depth resolution (nm) and elemental sensitivity for several applications, such as the characterization of interfaces or interphases and the determination of chemical gradients in glasses. Furthermore, the technique distinguishes submicrometre discrete layers in the coated glass, and the diffusion of elements within glass matrices may be monitored.

Biomedical properties and preparation of iron oxide-dextran nanostructures by MAPLE technique

“…The technique is dedicated for thin film analysis and helps in determining the chemical gradient composition from the surface to the bulk and -if the ablation rate can be estimated - to precise the thickness of the different layers of the nanocomposite materials [29]. …”

Quantitative determination of carbon concentration profiles by GD‐OES for the study of decarburization in low‐carbon steels

“…at the surface. Its occurrence has been interpreted as contamination by carbon deposition at the surface, also by the presence of oil mist from the glow discharge vacuum pumps or by contamination of the anode . Its presence can affect the determination of the carbon concentration for short sputtering times.…”

“…Its occurrence has been interpreted as contamination by carbon deposition at the surface, also by the presence of oil mist from the glow discharge vacuum pumps or by contamination of the anode. [20,35] Its presence can affect the determination of the carbon concentration for short sputtering times. The calibration measurements are typically averaged over a 10-s period after an initial pre-burn time during which the signal is not recorded.…”

Determination of the Immobilization Manner of Amine-Terminated Poly(Ethylene Glycol) Electrodeposited on a Titanium Surface with XPS and GD-OES

“…The spectral wavelengths (nm) employed for detecting various elements were as follows: H, 121.57; C, 156.14; N, 149.26; Ti, 365.35; and O, 130.00. 12,13) The sputtering time was converted directly to the depth, assuming that the sputtering rate was constant throughout the analysis of the PEG-electrodeposited layer and titanium substrate. Table 2 shows the thicknesses of the PEG deposition layers determined by ellipsometry.…”