Hydrogenated amorphized surface layer

Quantum-chemical simulation in a cluster approach has shotvn that introduction of hydrogen in silicon nanoclusters leads to initial stages of silicon layers amorphization, whereas oxygen atoms play a role of the stabilizing factor forming initial stmctures of silicon oxide from amorphized silicon layers. The experiments have demonstrated that H, He and Ar ion-beam treatments have a qualitatively similar impact on the electrical properties of Si wafers and are caused by the formation of point defects by ions (independing of ion type) and the creation of donors in the under-surface wafer region (only in a caseof H -treatment at elevated temperatures). 

Copper-based amorphous alloys also proved to be active in the oxidation of formaldehyde (108,109). As it was reported earlier in connection with the hydrogen evolution reaction (62) (see Section III,A,1), HF treatment leads to the formation of a copper-rich porous surface layer. As a result, electrodes with very high electrocatalytic activity for anodic formaldehyde oxidation could be prepared. It was found that the rate-determining step is a one-electron transfer and the oxidation proceeds via the hydroxymethanolate ion HOCH2O". However, it is not clear whether the catalytically active copper species is Cu° or Cu+. It would be interesting if either Cu° or Cu+ could be stabilized in amorphous alloys. 

Hydrogen-absorbing materials easily lose their hydrogen-uptake capability mostly by (i) degradation of crystalline structures to amorphous states, which causes a decrease in the number of interstitial sites in the crystalline lattice available for protium occupation (ii) disproportionation of crystalline compositions, which results in a decrease in hydrogen uptake capability (iii) surface contamination, which causes the formation and growth of inactive surface layers [214]. 

In addition, it is found from the spectra that the magnesium indium spinel crystal system is not likely to reveal new compounds. Further, the channeling measurement indicates that the amount of ion irradiation does not cause amorphization of the lattice surface layers and that the range of investigated doses for the defects of the interstitial hydrogen and lithium type is predominant. 

The process is called ACTIS (Amorphous Carbon Treatment on Internal Surface). It consists of coating the internal surface of a standard single-layer PET bottle with a layer of highly hydrogenated amorphous carbon, obtained from food gas in its plasma state. The coating creates a thin (about 0.1 pm thick) barrier inside the bottle. The food safety quality has been approved by the Dutch standards authority (which is also accredited to the European Union), and the coated bottle is 100% recyclable. 

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