Graduation Semester and Year
2020
Language
English
Document Type
Thesis
Degree Name
Master of Science in Physics
Department
Physics
First Advisor
Alexander Weiss
Abstract
This thesis reports on the characterization of a clinoptilolite zeolite (〖Na〗_3 [〖Al〗_3 〖Si〗_15 O_36 ]12H_2 O) using Energy-dispersive X-ray spectroscopy (EDX/EDS) for chemical analysis, low energy Secondary Electron (SE) analysis for three-dimensional imaging and topography, and Transmission Electron Microscopy (TEM) for two-dimensional imaging at the nanometer level. The goal of this work was to provide additional information that can aid in the interpretation of the data obtained using positron beam based spectroscopies. The measurements were performed using the Hitachi S-3000N Variable Pressure Scanning Electron Microscope (SEM) integrated with a NORAN 7 EDS/EBSD system, the Hitachi S-4800 II Field Emission Scanning Electron Microscope (FESEM), and the Hitachi H-9500 High-Resolution Transmission Electron Microscope (HRTEM) all located in the Characterization Center for Materials and Biology (CCMB) laboratory at the University of Texas at Arlington (UTA). The data assisted in the characterization of the crystal structure and chemical composition of the zeolite samples. The properties determined were used in calculations to estimate the fraction of positrons that will diffuse to the internal surfaces of the zeolite and to provide insight into the possible outcomes of the positron experiments.
Keywords
Clinoptilolite, Positron annihilation, Auger
Disciplines
Physical Sciences and Mathematics | Physics
License
This work is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial-Share Alike 4.0 International License.
Recommended Citation
Perez, Edward, "Investigation of Clinoptilolite Zeolite as a Candidate System for Study by Positron Annihilation" (2020). Physics Theses. 71.
https://mavmatrix.uta.edu/physics_theses/71
Comments
Degree granted by The University of Texas at Arlington