ASSIGNMENT
Submitted by X.Y.Z
Submitted to X.Y.Z
DECEMBER 14, 2022
Table of Contents
Question 1 ....................................................................................................................................... 2
Part (a) ......................................................................................................................................... 2
Part (b) ......................................................................................................................................... 2
Part (c) ......................................................................................................................................... 2
Part (d) ......................................................................................................................................... 3
Question 2 ....................................................................................................................................... 3
Part (a) ......................................................................................................................................... 3
Part (b) ......................................................................................................................................... 3
Part (c) ......................................................................................................................................... 4
Question 1
Part (a)
Thin film formation on clean crystal substrates can be classified into three basic growth mode
1. Frank–Van der Merwe model
In this model, the interaction between film atoms is smaller than their bonding to the
substrate. First, a monolayer is formed and then the deposition of the second layer begins,
e.g. rare gases on graphite
2. Volmer–Weber model
The bonding between atoms is larger than that to the substrate, causing the film atoms
bonding strongly to each other and growing into many three-dimensional nucleus islands,
e.g. lead on graphite
3. Stranski–Krastanov model
This combines the features of layer-by-layer growth and island growth. Thin films firstly
grow two-dimensionally in layer-by-layer mode and then grow three-dimensionally in
island mode.
Part (b)
A thin film is a layer of material ranging from fractions of a nanometer (monolayer) to
several micrometers in thickness. The controlled synthesis of materials as thin films (a process
referred to as deposition) is a fundamental step in many applications. Reconfiguration of structure
can be used to alter structure of thin films most common example is off household mirror. It can
be done by several methods i.e. nucleation, deposition, through stress and strain and also from
various type of coatings as well.
Part (c)
The intensity of the X-ray photoelectron spectrum tells us about the no. of elements present in
the thin film. The multiple intensities peak denotes the various no. of elements present for that
configuration.
So, the no. of elements present in this thin film are No. =
= Sum of (Peak 1 + Peak 2+ Peak 3 + Peak 4 + Peak 5)
= (80kcps + 120kcps + 50kcps + 70kcps + 40kcps)
= 360kcps = 360*10^3 count per seconds
= 360*10^3 elements per seconds (collectively for whole thin film)
For individual configuration, the respective peaks are considered to be the no. of elements
present in that configuration in the thin film.
Part (d)
The graph clearly indicates that the vertical distance, which corresponds to Ra value, exceeds the
threshold of 20 nm.
Below are the points which cross the threshold: -
Between 50-60 nm, 70-80 nm and 90-100 nm horizontal distance
Thus, it is unlikely to meet the requirements Ra<20 nm.
Question 2
Part (a)
Solid colloidal is suspension of solid particles in a liquid. Foam is formed when many gas particles
are trapped in a liquid or solid. Aerosol contains small particles of liquid or solid dispersed in a
gas. The stability of colloidal solutions varies in a very wide range: their life lasts from fractions
of a second to hundreds of years. It depends on many factors: particles' size and concentration,
process temperature, presence of electrolytes. Hence this is how thermal energy influences the
stability of solid colloidal nanoparticles suspended in a liquid.
Part (b)
Given:
R1 = 1.8 μm
R2 = 1.4 μm
Hamaker constant = A = 0.44 aJ
So,
𝐴 R1 𝑅 2
F𝑣𝑤 (r) =
6 𝑟2 (R1 + 𝑅2 )
0.44 × 10−18 × 1.8 × 1.4
F𝑣𝑤 (r) =
6 × 10−6 (1.8 + 1.6) × 10−6
1.1088 × 10−18
F𝑣𝑤 (r) =
20.4 × 10−12
F𝑣𝑤 (r) = 5.4 × 10−8 𝑁
Part (c)
Suspensions are kinetically stable, but thermodynamically unstable system. Physical stability is
defined as the condition in which the particles remain uniformly distributed throughout the
dispersion without any signs of sedimentation. The particles of a suspension are of a size > 20 nm.
So they are considered to be stable.
