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Research in the Surface Chemistry Branch is
principally directed to
- Increasing our basic understanding of the chemical, mechanical and
electronic properties of surfaces;
- Studying interactions of photons, electrons, ions and other reactive
species with surfaces;
- Developing new techniques to analyze surface-interface composition,
structure, and chemical kinetics at the atomic and molecular level;
- Developing techniques for modifying surface properties and delineating
nanostructures;
- Producing modified surfaces/films and coatings with unique properties
to provide such things as microchemical detection, wear resistance, oxidation stability, selective electrodes;
- Applying the new understanding and analytical techniques to problems
of importance to the Navy, such as the modification of metal surfaces
to reduce wear and corrosion; and
- Exploring new technologies to detect and eliminate environmental hazards
in the atmosphere and in waste streams from Navy ships and shore installations.
The Surface Chemistry Branch has an outstanding surface analytical facility
which includes such modern techniques and instruments as: scanning tunneling
microscopy, atomic force microscopy, 50 nm resolution scanning Auger microprobe,
high resolution electron energy loss spectroscopy (HREELS), reverse view
low energy electron diffraction (RVLEED), small spot (30 and 150 micron)
monochromatic X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy, secondary ion mass spectrometry
(SIMS), Fourier Transform Infrared (FTIR) spectroscopy, micro-Raman and
scanning electronic microscopy. The complementary nuclear techniques of
Rutherford Backscattering, Proton Induced X-ray Emission (PIXIE), and
nuclear reaction spectroscopies are readily available in another Branch
of NRL. The Branch also has available two X-ray absorption spectrometer
and one IR beam lines at the National Synchrotron Light Source. In addition,
the Branch pioneers the development of more powerful techniques, for example,
tip-based probes for studies in the area of nanostructures and nanomechanics
of surfaces and interfaces. Novel concepts for sensitive microsensors
for air or waterborne toxic chemicals and position sensitive detectors
are being pursued. Another program seeks to modify the properties of surfaces
by chemical vapor deposition of metastable materials such as diamond,
c-BN and products of superlattice growth of III-V materials.
A highly interdisciplinary approach that blends scientific expertise in
quantum chemistry, surface science, chemical dynamics, material science,
solid-state chemistry and physics, density-functional and many-body theories
provide the theoretical underpinning for planning, guiding, and interpreting
the experimental studies in the Chemistry Division.
One of the strengths of the Branch lies in the use of its expertise and
analytical techniques to aid the Navy with interface-related programs.
Such problem areas include lubrication, surface modification to reduce
wear or corrosion, fuel cells, electro-catalytic surfaces for environment
and contaminant control, processing electronic devices by nanofabrication,
nanolithography, sensors, dynamics of detonations, and high temperature
stability of turbine components. The personnel in the Surface Chemistry
Branch have an understanding of Navy problems and a reputation for willingness
to assist the SYSCOMS, the Naval repair facilities and the fleet with
problems relating to interface phenomena. In addition, Branch personnel
are working with industrial partners to transfer Branch developed technologies
to commerical applications and new products.
The Branch has moved into the area of environmental science and technology,
one of the few true growth areas in DoD, with three projects related to
waste remediation and pollution prevention. For the former, a 75 kW plasma
torch is utilized to investigate the pyrolysis of simulated shipboard
aqueous waste and electrified microheterogeneous catalysis is being studied
for the decomposition of polychlorinated organic molecules. For the latter,
PVD coating technologies are being investigated as alternatives to hazardous-waste-generating
electroplating techniques.
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