CHE 529 End Term Examination (2020-21

Is MBE (Molecular Beam Epitaxy) a PVD or CVD based process? When

would you like to choose MBE coating method and what are the
disadvantages?
MBE is a thin film deposition technique operating under ultra-high vacuum conditions, allowing
precise layer-by-layer growth at the atomic level. It is not strictly PVD or CVD. MBE is chosen for
applications requiring atomic-level control, high purity, and low growth temperatures, especially in
semiconductor device fabrication for heterostructures. However, it comes with disadvantages like
system complexity, high cost, limited growth rates, material restrictions, and challenges in scalability.
The choice of MBE depends on the need for precise control in specific applications.

Q5 a. Increasing Surfactant Concentration:

 Effect on Particle Size: Decrease

 Explanation: Higher surfactant concentration stabilizes particles, preventing coales-
cence and leading to smaller nanoparticles.

b. Increasing Initiator Concentration:

 Effect on Particle Size: Decrease (up to an optimum point)

 Explanation: Higher initiator concentration accelerates polymerization, resulting in
smaller particles, but there is an optimum concentration.

Q7 RF sputtering is preferred for depositing silica gate oxide layers in PVD due to
its advantages in preventing charging, providing stable plasma, achieving better
step coverage, reducing substrate damage, and ensuring film quality and
uniformity.

 Q8
 Low Temperatures:
 Dominant Mechanism: Diffusion-controlled growth.
 Explanation: Limited by the slow diffusion of precursor molecules to the
substrate surface.
 Increasing Temperature:
 Effect: Enhances diffusion rates, promoting more efficient precursor
transport.
 Moderate to High Temperatures:
 Dominant Mechanism: Transition to reaction-controlled growth.
 Explanation: Surface reactions become rate-limiting, shifting away from dif-
fusion control.
 Effect of Further Temperature Increase:
  Reaction-controlled Growth: Deposition rate may not significantly increase
as chemical reactions at the surface become dominant.

Q9

**Preference: PECVD for Silica on Soft Polymeric Substrate**

1. **Lower Temperature:**
- PECVD operates at lower temperatures, preventing thermal damage to the
soft polymeric substrate.

2. **Improved Step Coverage:**

- PECVD provides better step coverage, ensuring uniform deposition on
irregular surfaces.

3. **Enhanced Adhesion:**
- Plasma activation in PECVD improves adhesion of the silica film to the
polymer.

4. **Conformal Coating:**
- PECVD's conformal deposition suits complex shapes of soft polymeric
substrates.

5. **Reduced Substrate Damage:**

- Lower energy in PECVD minimizes the risk of damaging the soft polymer.

6. **Control over Film Properties:**

- PECVD allows precise control of film properties like composition and
density.
7. **Compatibility:**
- PECVD is compatible with insulating materials like silica, addressing
charging issues.

Q10
**Binding Energy vs. Work Function:**

- **Binding Energy:** Energy to remove an electron from an atom, typically a

few electron volts.

- **Work Function:** Minimum energy to free an electron from a material's

surface, varies across materials, generally higher than binding energies.
**Difference:**
- Binding energy is intrinsic to electrons within, while work function is about
freeing electrons from a material's surface.

**Magnitude:**
- Binding energies are smaller (few eV), while work functions can be higher
(several eV).

Q 11
Doping with arsenic introduces additional electrons, shifting the Fermi level upwards towards
the conduction band. This results in an increase in the energy of the Fermi level.

Q13
Detergent-A with a highly branched alkyl chain in its molecular structure would likely be less
biodegradable and could persist longer in water bodies. The increased branching in the alkyl
chain can make the detergent molecule less susceptible to microbial degradation.
Microorganisms play a crucial role in breaking down organic compounds through
biodegradation, and a highly branched structure may hinder their ability to efficiently
metabolize and degrade the detergent. As a result, Detergent-A is more likely to persist in
water, leading to potential environmental concerns.
Q15
The observation is due to the difference in wetting behavior
between the hydrophilic glass and the hydrophobic PTFE.
Glass promotes a thin, continuous water layer, while PTFE
resists water spreading, resulting in a thicker and less
continuous water layer. The replacement of glass with PTFE
alters the surface properties, leading to the observed
differences in water adsorption.

Q16

Q19**Information from TEM:**

1. **High-Resolution Imaging:**
- TEM provides high-resolution images, allowing visualization of the internal structure of materials
at the nanoscale.

2. **Crystallography:**
- Crystallographic information, including crystal structure, lattice spacing, and defects, can be
determined through electron diffraction patterns.

3. **Elemental Analysis:**
- Energy-dispersive X-ray spectroscopy (EDS) in TEM allows for elemental analysis, revealing the
chemical composition of the sample.

4. **Thickness Measurement:**
- TEM can be used to measure the thickness of thin samples with atomic-scale precision.

5. **Nanoparticle Characterization:**
- TEM is valuable for characterizing nanoparticles, nanotubes, and other nanostructures.

**Significance of Concentric Circles:**

In TEM images, concentric circles, often observed in diffraction patterns, represent information
about the crystal structure of the sample:

1. **Diffraction Pattern:**
- The concentric circles in a diffraction pattern result from the interference of diffracted electron
waves.

2. **Crystal Orientation:**
- The position and intensity of circles provide information about crystal orientation and lattice
spacing.

3. **Crystallographic Information:**
- By analyzing the diffraction pattern, crystallographic information such as the crystal structure and
symmetry can be determined.

4. **Defect Analysis:**
- Presence of additional spots or streaks in the diffraction pattern can indicate defects or
dislocations in the crystal lattice.

5. **Material Identification:**
- The diffraction pattern is unique for each crystalline material, aiding in material identification.

In summary, TEM provides detailed information about the internal structure, crystallography, and
elemental composition of materials at the nanoscale. The concentric circles in diffraction patterns
are significant for understanding crystal orientation, lattice spacing, and overall crystallographic
information.

Q20
21 a. The isoelectric point (pI) or point of zero charge, representing the pH at which a
molecule or surface is electrically neutral, has broad applications. It is key in surface
modification by adjusting pH for desired charges. In colloidal systems, it stabilizes
suspensions through pH control. Electrophoresis and protein purification utilize pI for
manipulating charged particle movement and protein separation. Biosensor design
considers pI in creating surfaces for biomolecule immobilization. In adsorption processes
and soil science, it guides surface interactions and influences nutrient adsorption and soil
structure. Overall, understanding the isoelectric point is crucial for tailoring surface charges
in diverse applications.
B
The sol-gel method and hydrothermal synthesis are distinct approaches for nanoparticle
synthesis. In the sol-gel method, a precursor solution undergoes hydrolysis and
condensation reactions, forming a sol that transforms into a gel, and subsequent thermal
treatment yields nanoparticles.
Thisapproach allows for precise control over nanoparticle size and composition. On the
other hand, hydrothermal synthesis involves the reaction of precursors under elevated
temperature and pressure in a sealed vessel. This method promotes crystalline growth and
phase control, often resulting in nanoparticles with improved crystallinity and unique
morphologies. While both methods offer advantages, such as tunable properties and
scalability, they differ in terms of reaction conditions and mechanisms, making them suitable
for specific applications and desired nanoparticle characteristics.

E
Dynamic Light Scattering (DLS) measures particle sizes based on the Brownian motion of
particles in a fluid. A laser beam is scattered by particles in suspension, causing fluctuations
in the scattered light intensity. The Brownian motion induces a Doppler shift in the scattered
light, and the resulting intensity fluctuations are analyzed through the dynamic correlation
function. The decay rate of these fluctuations is inversely proportional to the diffusion
coefficient, which is related to particle size. By applying the Stokes-Einstein equation, the
hydrodynamic radius of the particles is determined. Data analysis, often using mathematical
models, yields the particle size distribution and average particle size. DLS provides a non-
invasive and quick method for characterizing the size of particles in solution, making it
widely used in the study of colloidal and nanoscale systems.
F
Magnetron sputtering, a technique within physical vapor deposition (PVD), offers several
advantages. It facilitates high deposition rates, ensuring faster film growth, and its magnetic
field promotes uniform coating, particularly beneficial for complex-shaped substrates and 3D
structures. The process provides improved step coverage, making it suitable for coating
intricate surfaces in microelectronics and MEMS. Enhanced ionization, a result of the
magnetic confinement of electrons, contributes to better film adhesion and density.
Magnetron sputtering is compatible with reactive sputtering, allowing for the deposition of
compound films. Additionally, its high target utilization efficiency minimizes material waste
and extends target lifespan, contributing to cost-effectiveness in thin film deposition
processes

M
The key difference between direct and indirect band gap materials lies in the momentum
conservation during electronic transitions. In a direct band gap material, both the electron
and hole involved in a transition have nearly the same momentum, allowing for efficient
emission or absorption of photons without a change in momentum. In contrast, indirect
band gap materials require a change in momentum for electronic transitions, often involving
the assistance of phonons (vibrational quanta).

**Direct Band Gap Materials:**

- In direct band gap materials, the maximum energy of the valence band and the minimum
energy of the conduction band occur at the same momentum.
- Efficient radiative transitions (emission or absorption of photons) are possible without a
change in momentum.
- Examples: Gallium arsenide (GaAs), Indium phosphide (InP), and some III-V compounds.

**Indirect Band Gap Materials:**

- In indirect band gap materials, the maximum energy of the valence band and the minimum
energy of the conduction band occur at different momenta in the Brillouin zone.
- Electronic transitions involve a change in momentum, often requiring the participation of
phonons to conserve momentum.
- Examples: Silicon (Si), Germanium (Ge), and many elemental semiconductors.

The choice between direct and indirect band gap materials is crucial for various
optoelectronic applications. Direct band gap materials are preferred for devices like light-
emitting diodes (LEDs) and lasers, where efficient radiative transitions are essential. In
contrast, indirect band gap materials are used in applications like transistors and solar cells,
where non-radiative transitions and the assistance of phonons are more acceptable for
electronic processes.