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At least 325 records · Page 18

A new adsorption model based on generalized van der Waals partition function for the description of all types of adsorption isotherms

A new adsorption model is proposed based on the Generalized van der Waals partition function by introducing the concept of attractive region, which integrates the effects of the adsorption sites of adsorbent and represents pore space where adsorbates concentrate. A theoretical expression for the chemical potential of adsorbates in the attractive region is derived and used to calculate the adsorbate density in each attractive region. The model can generate all the six types of isotherms classified by the International Union of Pure and Applied Chemistry (IUPAC) report including those with hysteresis and is easy to use. It is a generalized model that can be applied to various types of porous materials. With the fitted parameters, the model can predict the adsorption isotherms even for adsorbents with wide pore size distributions. It also well captures the isotherm-type transition as temperature changes and can estimate the hysteresis when capillary condensation exists.

37 INORGANIC, ORGANIC, PHYSICAL, AND ANALYTICAL CH↗

Adsorption of simple square-well fluids in slit nanopores: Modeling based on Generalized van der Waals partition function and Monte Carlo simulation

A model based on the Generalized van der Waals partition function is derived to predict the adsorption of square-well fluid in slit pores of any size, the walls of which also have square-well potential. The space inside the pore is divided into several regions based on the extent of the attractive regions generated by the walls. Closed-form expressions of the chemical potentials of the confined fluid in different regions in the pore are obtained. The densities of fluid in different regions are calculated by equalizing the chemical potentials of fluid in those regions to that of the bulk phase. To examine the accuracy of the model, the Grand Canonical Monte Carlo (GCMC) simulation is also conducted. Here we find that the model well captures the effects of the bulk conditions and the properties of adsorbate and pore on the density of adsorbate in the pore. The model is also shown to be able to predict the adsorption of real gases in various activated carbons.

37 INORGANIC, ORGANIC, PHYSICAL, AND ANALYTICAL CH↗

Exchange bias and interface-related effects in two-dimensional van der Waals magnetic heterostructures: Open questions and perspectives

The exchange bias (EB) effect is known as a fundamentally and technologically important magnetic property of a magnetic bilayer film. It is manifested as a horizontal shift in a magnetic hysteresis loop of a film subject to cooling in the presence of a magnetic field. The EB effect in van der Waals (vdW) heterostructures offers a novel approach for tuning the magnetic properties of the newly discovered single-layer magnets, as well as adds a new impetus to magnetic vdW heterostructures. Indeed, intriguing EB effects have recently been reported in a variety of low-dimensional vdW magnetic systems ranging from a weakly interlayer-coupled vdW magnet (e.g., Fe 3 GeTe 2 ) to a bilayer composed of two different magnetic vdW materials (e.g., Fe 3 GeTe 2 /CrCl 3 , Fe 3 GeTe 2 /FePS 3 , Fe 3 GeTe 2 /MnPS 3 , Fe 3 GeTe 2 /CrSe, Fe 3 GeTe 2 /CrOCl, Fe 3 GeTe 2 /CoPc, Fe 5 GeTe 2 /FePS 3 ), to bilayers of two different vdW defective magnets (e.g., VSe 2 /MoS 2 ), or to metallic ferromagnet/vdW defective magnet interfaces (e.g., Fe/MoS 2 ). Despite their huge potential in spintronic device applications, the physical origins of the observed EB effects have remained elusive to researchers. Here, we present here a critical review of the EB effect and associated phenomena such as magnetic proximity (MP) in various vdW heterostructure systems and propose approaches to addressing some of the emerging fundamental questions.

2D magnets↗

An oscillation free shock-capturing method for compressible van der Waals supercritical fluid flows

Numerical solutions of the Euler equations using real gas equations of state (EOS) often exhibit serious inaccuracies. The focus here is the van der Waals EOS and its variants (often used in supercritical fluid computations). The problems are not related to a lack of convexity of the EOS since the EOS are considered in their domain of convexity at any mesh point and at any time. The difficulties appear as soon as a density discontinuity is present with the rest of the fluid in mechanical equilibrium and typically result in spurious pressure and velocity oscillations. This is reminiscent of well-known pressure oscillations occurring with ideal gas mixtures when a mass fraction discontinuity is present, which can be interpreted as a discontinuity in the EOS parameters. We are concerned with pressure oscillations that appear just for a single fluid each time a density discontinuity is present. As a result, the combination of density in a nonlinear fashion in the EOS with diffusion by the numerical method results in violation of mechanical equilibrium conditions which are not easy to eliminate, even under grid refinement.

37 INORGANIC, ORGANIC, PHYSICAL, AND ANALYTICAL CH↗

Two-dimensional ferromagnetism in few-layer van der Waals crystals: Renormalized spin-wave theory and calculations

Dimensionality shapes the behavior of magnetism. Recent experiments on quasi two-dimensional (2D) van der Waals crystals have demonstrated unusual ferromagnetic orders and phase transitions distinct from their bulk counterparts. In this work, we present a method using renormalized spin-wave theory to study the ferromagnetic behavior in Heisenberg-type 2D ferromagnets, and apply our method to few-layer Cr 2 Ge 2 Te 6 crystals. Here we present the details of the method, which includes a self-consistent updating scheme of the spin-wave spectra at the Hartree-Fock level. The theoretical results obtained quantitatively explain the experimental measurements, showing strong dimensionality effects and sensitive external magnetic-field dependence which leads to easily tunable magnetism in this class of 2D materials. This method can be generalized to study various magnetic phenomena in other systems.

36 MATERIALS SCIENCE↗

Frank-van der Merwe growth in bilayer graphene

Bilayer graphene has attracted significant interest because of its unique properties, including fascinating electrical behavior when one layer is slightly rotated relative to the other. However, the quality of large-area bilayer graphene is often limited by the layer-plus-island growth mode in which islands of thicker graphene present as unavoidable impurities. Here, we report the observation of the layer-by-layer, Frank-van der Merwe (FM) growth mode in bilayer graphene where multilayer impurities are suppressed. Instead of the conventional surface adhesive energy, we found it possible to tune interface adhesive energy with an oxidative pretreatment. Finally, the FM-grown bilayer graphene is of AB stacking or with small twisting angle (θ = 0°–5°), which is more mechanically robust compared with monolayer graphene, facilitating a free-standing wet transfer technology.

36 MATERIALS SCIENCE↗

Twisted cuprate van der Waals heterostructures with controlled Josephson coupling

Twisted van derWaals (vdW) heterostructures offer a unique platform for engineering the efficient Josephson coupling between cuprate thin crystals harboring the nodal superconducting order parameter. Preparing the vdW heterostructures-based Josephson junction comprising stacked cuprates requires maintaining an ordered interface with preserved surface superconductivity. Here, we report the preparation of the Josephson junction out of the stacked Bi 2 Sr 2 CaCu 2 O 8+d crystals using the cryogenic dry transfer technique and encapsulating the junction with an insulating layer, that protects the interface during the electrical contacts evaporation at the 1×10 -6 mbar base pressure. We find that the Josephson critical current $I$ c has a maximum at low twist angles, comparable to that of the bulk intrinsic Josephson junctions, and is reduced by two orders of magnitude at twist angles close to 45°. In conclusion, the reduction of $I$ c occurs due to a mismatch between superconducting $d$-wave order parameters, which suppresses the direct Cooper pair tunneling.

2D materials↗

Origins of heat transport anisotropy in MoTe2 and other bulk van der Waals materials

Knowledge of how heat flows anisotropically in van der Waals (vdW) materials is crucial for thermal management of emerging 2D materials devices and design of novel anisotropic thermoelectric materials. Despite the importance, anisotropic heat transport in vdW materials is yet to be systematically studied and is often presumably attributed to anisotropic speeds of sound in vdW materials due to soft interlayer bonding relative to covalent in-plane networks of atoms. In this work, we investigate the origins of the anisotropic heat transport in vdW materials, through time-domain thermoreflectance (TDTR) measurements and first-principles calculations of anisotropic thermal conductivity of three different phases of MoTe 2 . MoTe 2 is ideal for the study due to its weak anisotropy in the speeds of sound. We find that even when the speeds of sound are roughly isotropic, the measured thermal conductivity of MoTe 2 along the c-axis is 5–8 times lower than that along the in-plane axes. We derive meaningful characteristic heat capacity, phonon group velocity, and relaxation times from our first principles calculations for selected vdW materials (MoTe 2 , BP, h-BN, and MoS 2 ), to assess the contributions of these factors to the anisotropic heat transport. Interestingly, we find that the main contributor to the heat transport anisotropy in vdW materials is anisotropy in heat capacity of the dominant heat-carrying phonon modes in different directions, which originates from anisotropic optical phonon dispersion and disparity in the frequency of heat-carrying phonons in different directions. Further, the discrepancy in frequency of the heat-carrying phonons also leads to ~2 times larger average relaxation times in the cross-plane direction, and partially explains the apparent dependence of the anisotropic heat transport on the anisotropic speeds of sound. This work provides insight into understanding of the anisotropic heat transport in vdW materials.

36 MATERIALS SCIENCE↗

A van der Waals Inclusive Density Functional Theory Study of the Nature of Bonding for Thiophene Adsorption on Ni(100) and Cu(100) Surfaces

We report the results of the first-principles density functional theory calculations for the adsorption of thiophene (C 4 H 4 S) on Cu(100) and Ni(100) surfaces. The adsorption properties on these surfaces are evaluated for several adsorption configurations, and the calculations are performed with the inclusion of van der Waals (vdW) interactions invoking the optimized vdW (optB86b-vdW, optB88-vdW, and optPBE-vdW) as well as revPBE-vdW and rPW86-vdW2 functionals. In agreement with the earlier reports, on both surfaces, the most stable adsorption configurations correspond to the hollow-45 at which the thiophene adsorbs parallel to the surface. For the adsorption on Ni(100), in agreement with the experimental observations, we confirm that thiophene spontaneously ruptures via breaking of a C–S bond when the center of the molecule is placed over a bridge site. On the basis of both the bond distribution and charge transfer analysis, we conclude that the rupturing of thiophene observed at the bridge-45 configuration on Ni(100) may result from large charge transfer from the surface. The analyses of the electronic and geometric structures and charge transfer reveal that the interaction of the thiophene molecule with Ni(100) is much stronger than that of the Cu(100) surface. Upon adsorption of the molecule, for the former surface, we observed much larger charge transfer, non-negligible changes in the positions of the surface atoms, and appreciable electronic structure changes (i.e., in the center and width of the d-band). The adsorption of thiophene on Ni(100) also leads to the decrease in the magnetic moment of the surface Ni atoms particularly those in the vicinity of the adsorbed molecule. All these observations considered, we conclude that the nature of bonding on Ni(100) can be classified as strong chemisorption, while on Cu(100) it can be classified between weak and strong physisorption depending on the vdW functional used.

36 MATERIALS SCIENCE↗

Emerging Magnetic Interactions in van der Waals Heterostructures

Vertical van der Waals (vdWs) heterostructures based on layered materials are attracting interest as a new class of quantum materials, where interfacial charge-transfer coupling can give rise to fascinating strongly correlated phenomena. Transition metal chalcogenides are a particularly exciting material family, including ferromagnetic semiconductors, multiferroics, and superconductors. Here, we report the growth of an organic–inorganic heterostructure by intercalating molecular electron donating bis(ethylenedithio)tetrathiafulvalene into (Li,Fe)OHFeSe, a layered material in which the superconducting ground state results from the intercalation of hydroxide layer. Molecular intercalation in this heterostructure induces a transformation from a paramagnetic to spin-glass-like state that is sensitive to the stoichiometry of molecular donor and an applied magnetic field. Besides, electron-donating molecules reduce the electrical resistivity in the heterostructure and modify its response to laser illumination. In conclusion, this hybrid heterostructure provides a promising platform to study emerging magnetic and electronic behaviors in strongly correlated layered materials.

36 MATERIALS SCIENCE↗

Manipulation of the van der Waals Magnet Cr 2 Ge 2 Te 6 by Spin–Orbit Torques

In this work, we report measurements of current-induced thermoelectric and spin-orbit torque effects within devices in which multilayers of the semiconducting 2-dimensional van der Waals magnet Cr 2 Ge 2 Te 6 (CGT) are integrated with Pt and Ta metal overlayers. We show that the magnetic orientation of the CGT can be detected accurately either electrically (using an anomalous Hall effect) or optically (using magnetic circular dichroism) with good consistency. The samples exhibit large thermoelectric effects, but nevertheless the spin-orbit torque can be measured quantitatively using the angle-dependent second harmonic Hall technique. For CGT/Pt we measure the spin-orbit torque efficiency to be similar to conventional metallic-ferromagnet/Pt devices with the same Pt resistivity. The interfacial transparency for spin currents is therefore similar in both classes of devices. Our results demonstrate the promise of incorporating semiconducting 2D magnets within spin-orbitronic and magneto-thermal devices.

2D magnets↗

Twisted van der Waals Josephson Junction Based on a High-T c Superconductor

Stacking two-dimensional van der Waals (vdW) materials rotated with respect to each other show versatility for studying exotic quantum phenomena. In particular, anisotropic layered materials have great potential for such twistronics applications, providing high tunability. In this work, we report anisotropic superconducting order parameters in twisted Bi 2 Sr 2 CaCu 2 O 8+x (Bi-2212) vdW junctions with an atomically clean vdW interface, achieved using the microcleave-and-stack technique. The vdW junctions with twist angles of 0° and 90° showed the maximum Josephson coupling, comparable to that of intrinsic Josephson junctions. As the twist angle approaches 45°, Josephson coupling is suppressed, and eventually disappears at 45°. The observed twist angle dependence of the Josephson coupling can be explained quantitatively by theoretical calculation with the d-wave superconducting order parameter of Bi-2212 and finite tunneling incoherence of the junction. Our results revealed the anisotropic nature of Bi-2212 and provided a novel fabrication technique for vdW-based twistronics platforms compatible with air-sensitive vdW materials.

75 CONDENSED MATTER PHYSICS, SUPERCONDUCTIVITY AND↗

Reflective Phase-Contrast for High-Contrast Imaging of van der Waals Heterostructure

Optical microscopy plays a critical role in the fabrication of two-dimensional (2D) van der Waals heterostructures. An outstanding challenge in conventional microscopy is to visualize transparent 2D layers as well as embedded monolayers in a stacked heterostructure with high optical contrast. Phase-contrast microscopy, first developed by Frits Zernike in the 1930s, leverages the interference effect between specimen scattered light and background light to increase the contrast of transparent specimens. Such phase-contrast microscopy, always in a transmission configuration, revolutionized the study of transparent cellular structures in biology. Here, we develop a versatile reflective phase-contrast microscopy for imaging 2D heterostructures. We employ two spatial light modulators to flexibly control the intensity and phase of the illumination and the reflected light. This reflective phase-contrast microscopy achieves unprecedented high contrast for imaging a transparent 2D monolayer. In conclusion, it also enables direct observation of 2D monolayers embedded inside a thick heterostructure that are "invisible" in conventional microscopy.

77 NANOSCIENCE AND NANOTECHNOLOGY↗

Electronic Structure of Above-Room-Temperature van der Waals Ferromagnet Fe 3 GaTe 2

Fe 3 GaTe 2 , a recently discovered van der Waals ferromagnet, demonstrates intrinsic ferromagnetism above room temperature, necessitating a comprehensive investigation of the microscopic origins of its high Curie temperature ($T$ C ). In this study, we reveal the electronic structure of Fe 3 GaTe 2 in its ferromagnetic ground state using angle-resolved photoemission spectroscopy and density functional theory calculations. Our results establish a consistent correspondence between the measured band structure and theoretical calculations, underscoring the significant contributions of the Heisenberg exchange interaction ($J$ ex ) and magnetic anisotropy energy to the development of the high-$T$ C ferromagnetic ordering in Fe 3 GaTe 2 . Intriguingly, we observe substantial modifications to these crucial driving factors through doping, which we attribute to alterations in multiple spin-splitting bands near the Fermi level. In conclusion, these findings provide valuable insights into the underlying electronic structure and its correlation with the emergence of high-$T$ C ferromagnetic ordering in Fe 3 GaTe 2 .

36 MATERIALS SCIENCE↗

Nanoscale Ferroelectric Programming of van der Waals Heterostructures

We demonstrate an approach to creating nanoscale potentials in van der Waals layers integrated with a buried programmable ferroelectric layer. Using ultra-low-voltage electron beam lithography (ULV-EBL), we can program the ferroelectric polarization in Al 1–x B x N (AlBN) thin films, generating structures with sizes as small as 35 nm. We demonstrate the ferroelectric field effect with a graphene/vdW stack on AlBN by creating a p–n junction. This resist-free, high-resolution, contactless patterning method offers a new pathway to integrate ferroelectric films with a wide range of two-dimensional layers including transition-metal dichalcogenides (TMD), enabling arbitrary programming and top-down creation of multifunctional devices.

37 INORGANIC, ORGANIC, PHYSICAL, AND ANALYTICAL CH↗

Electric Field Control of Magnetic Skyrmion Helicity in a Centrosymmetric 2D van der Waals Magnet

Two-dimensional van der Waals magnets hosting topological magnetic textures, such as skyrmions, show promise for spintronics and quantum computing. Electrical control of these topological spin textures is crucial for enhancing operational performance and functionality. Here, using electron microscopy combined with in situ electric and magnetic biasing, we show that the skyrmion helicity in insulating Cr 2 Ge 2 Te 6 can be controlled by the direction of the external electric field applied during the field cooling process. The electric field-tuned helicity remains stable at low temperature, even amid variations in magnetic and electric fields. Our theoretical investigation reveals that nonzero Dzyaloshinskii-Moriya interactions between nearest neighbors, induced by the electric field, change their sign upon reversing the electric field direction, thereby facilitating helicity selection. The electrical control of magnetic helicity demonstrated in this study can be extended to other centrosymmetric skyrmion-hosting magnets, paving the way for future device designs in topological spintronics and quantum computing.

75 CONDENSED MATTER PHYSICS, SUPERCONDUCTIVITY AND↗

Coherent Spins in van der Waals Semiconductor GeS 2 at Ambient Conditions

Optically active spin defects in van der Waals (vdW) materials have emerged as versatile quantum sensors, enabling applications for a wide range of quantum phenomena in condensed matter systems. Their ease of exfoliation and compatibility with device integration make them promising candidates for future quantum technologies. Here we report the observation and room-temperature coherent control of ensemble spin defects in the high-temperature crystalline phase of germanium disulfide (β-GeS 2 ), a two-dimensional (2D) semiconductor with low nuclear spin density. The defects exhibit spin-1/2 behavior, and their dynamics can be explained by a weakly coupled spin-pair model. We implement dynamical decoupling techniques to extend the coherence time (T 2 ) by a factor of 20. Finally, we use density functional theory (DFT) calculations to estimate the structures and spin densities of two possible spin defect candidates. This work will help to expand the field of quantum sensing with spin defects in 2D materials.

2D materials↗

Unusual exciton–phonon interactions at van der Waals engineered interfaces

Raman scattering is a ubiquitous phenomenon in light–matter interactions, which reveals a material’s electronic, structural, and thermal properties. Controlling this process would enable new ways of studying and manipulating fundamental material properties. Here, we report a novel Raman scattering process at the interface between different van der Waals (vdW) materials as well as between a monolayer semiconductor and 3D crystalline substrates. We find that interfacing a WSe 2 monolayer with materials such as SiO 2 , sapphire, and hexagonal boron nitride (hBN) enables Raman transitions with phonons that are either traditionally inactive or weak. This Raman scattering can be amplified by nearly 2 orders of magnitude when a foreign phonon mode is resonantly coupled to the A exciton in WSe 2 directly or via an A 1 ' optical phonon from WSe 2 . We further showed that the interfacial Raman scattering is distinct between hBN-encapsulated and hBN-sandwiched WSe 2 sample geometries. Finally, this cross-platform electron–phonon coupling, as well as the sensitivity of 2D excitons to their phononic environments, will prove important in the understanding and engineering of optoelectronic devices based on vdW heterostructures.

36 MATERIALS SCIENCE↗