Papers by Author: J. Telegdi

Abstract: The layer formation of phosphonic acids on mica surface as a model system, from aqueous and ethanol solutions has been investigated. The aggregation behavior (critical micelle concentration, cmc) of molecules in the solution phase has been determined by surface tension measurements in order to select the appropriate concentration for the layer formation experiments. Layer formation of self-assembling molecules of alkyl-phosphonic acids has been followed by atomic force microscopy (AFM). Nucleation, growth and coalescence of densely packed islands of phosphonates from ethanol solution have been recorded on mica surface. The structure of islands depends on the length of alkyl-chains. Self-assembly of phosphonates has been also observed from aqueous solution, as presented by octyl-phosphonic acid (OcPA). The height of OcPA islands is 1.46 􀁲 0.22 nm, which is practically equal with the length of molecule (1.4 nm). This shows that OcPA molecules form monolayer height domains on the mica surface.

Abstract: In order to alter the physical/chemical characteristics of multi-walled carbon nanotubes (MWNTs) we modified them by different organic reactions (Diels-Alder and Sand-Meyer reaction, oxidation) and their d properties were characterized by thermogravimetry/mass spectrometry, photoelectron spealterectroscopy, and nuclear magnetic resonance spectroscopy, as well as by dispersion. The results proved that, depending on the groups built in the MWNTs, the modified carbon nanotubes are more dispersible either in polar or apolar solvents and the suspensions are stable for long time. The presence of the substituents in the MWNTs was proved by methods listed above, e.g. high concentration of sulfur was detected when SO3H groups were inserted onto the MWNTs. The enhanced thermal stability of the modified carbon nanotubes allows their further application.

Abstract: Langmuir-Blodgett films (LB) of hydroxamic amphiphiles were used as coating barriers on metal surface against corrosion. Two long-chain hydroxamic acids [CH3(CH2)16CONHOH] monolayers in the presence of some divalent cations (Ca2+, Mg2+, and Cu2+) have been studied at different pH of the subphase. The monolayer was characterized by surface pressure-area isotherms and visualized by Brewster angle microscope (BAM). Compact Langmuir layers were deposited on copper surface, where the modified surfaces were characterized by contact angle measurement as well as by electrochemical techniques. The morphology of LB coated copper surface was visualized by atomic force microscopy (AFM). The coated copper surfaces were tested in corrosive media at acidic and neutral pH. The results show that the multi-molecular LB films of hydroxamic acid salts form good barriers against copper corrosion. The comparison of these results with copper coated by LB layers without divalent cations shows that the presence of divalent cations in the subphase increases the copper corrosion inhibition. The octadecanoyl hydroxamic acid (C18N) results in better and more stable monolayer with cations in the subphase.