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At least 55 records · Page 3

Thermal stability and oxidation of layer-structured rhombohedral In{sub 3}Se{sub 4} nanostructures

The thermal stability and oxidation of layer-structured rhombohedral In{sub 3}Se{sub 4} nanostructures have been investigated. In-situ synchrotron X-ray diffraction in a sealed system reveals that In{sub 3}Se{sub 4} has good thermal stability up to 900 °C. In contrast, In{sub 3}Se{sub 4} has lower thermal stability up to 550 or 200 °C when heated in an atmosphere flushed with Ar or in air, respectively. The degradation mechanism was determined to be the oxidation of In{sub 3}Se{sub 4} by O{sub 2} in the heating environment. This research demonstrates how thermal processing conditions can influence the thermal stability of In{sub 3}Se{sub 4}, suggesting that appropriate heating environment for preserving its structural integrity is required.

77 NANOSCIENCE AND NANOTECHNOLOGY↗

Cs[Tf 2 N]: a second polymorph with a layered structure

The structural determination of the ionic liquid, caesium bis[(trifluoromethyl)sulfonyl]imide or poly[[μ 4 -bis[(trifluoromethyl)sulfonyl]imido]caesium(I)], Cs[N(SO 2 CF 3 ) 2 ] or Cs[Tf 2 N], reveals a second polymorph that also crystallizes in a layer structure possessing monoclinic P 2 1 / c symmetry at 120 K instead of C 2/ c for the known polymorph [Xue et al. (2002). Solid State Sci. 4 , 1535–1545]. The caesium ions in the cationic layers are coordinated by the sulfonyl groups of the bistriflimide molecules from anion layers while the trifluoromethyl groups are oriented in the opposite direction, forming a non-polar surface separating the layers. The layer direction is (100).

36 MATERIALS SCIENCE↗

Layered structure and related magnetic properties for annealed Fe/Ir(111) ultrathin films

After annealing treatments for fcc-Fe/Ir(111) below 600 K, the surface layers remain pseudomorphic. The Ir(111) substrate plays an important role on the expanded Fe lattice. At temperatures between 750 and 800 K, the surface composition shows a stable state and a c(2 × 4) structure is observed. We discover a layered structure composed of some Fe atoms on the top of a Fe{sub 0.5}Ir{sub 0.5} interfacial alloy supported on the Ir(111) substrate. The competition between the negative formation heat of Fe{sub 0.5}Ir{sub 0.5} and surface free energy of Fe causes the formation of layered structure. The existence of ferromagnetic dead layer coincides with the formation of fcc-Fe for ultrathin Fe on Fe{sub 0.5}Ir{sub 0.5}/Ir(111). For Fe films thicker than three monolayers, the linear increase of the Kerr intensity versus the Fe coverage is related to the growing of bcc-Fe on the surface where the Fe layer is incoherent to the underlying Fe{sub 0.5}Ir{sub 0.5}/Ir(111). These results emphasize the importance of the substrate induced strain and layered structure of Fe/Fe{sub 0.5}Ir{sub 0.5}/Ir(111) on the magnetic properties and provide valuable information for future applications.

75 CONDENSED MATTER PHYSICS, SUPERCONDUCTIVITY AND↗

Effect of interfacial interactions on the thermal conductivity and interfacial thermal conductance in tungsten–graphene layered structure

Graphene film was deposited by microwave plasma assisted deposition on polished oxygen free high conductivity copper foils. Tungsten–graphene layered film was formed by deposition of tungsten film by magnetron sputtering on the graphene covered copper foils. Tungsten film was also deposited directly on copper foil without graphene as the intermediate film. The tungsten–graphene–copper samples were heated at different temperatures up to 900 °C in argon atmosphere to form an interfacial tungsten carbide film. Tungsten film deposited on thicker graphene platelets dispersed on silicon wafer was also heated at 900 °C to identify the formation of tungsten carbide film by reaction of tungsten with graphene platelets. The films were characterized by scanning electron microscopy, Raman spectroscopy, and x-ray diffraction. It was found that tungsten carbide film formed at the interface upon heating only above 650 °C. Transient thermoreflectance signal from the tungsten film surface on the samples was collected and modeled using one-dimensional heat equation. The experimental and modeled results showed that the presence of graphene at the interface reduced the cross-plane effective thermal conductivity and the interfacial thermal conductance of the layer structure. Heating at 650 and 900 °C in argon further reduced the cross-plane thermal conductivity and interface thermal conductance as a result of formation nanocrystalline tungsten carbide at the interface leading to separation and formation of voids. The present results emphasize that interfacial interactions between graphene and carbide forming bcc and hcp elements will reduce the cross-plane effective thermal conductivity in composites.

36 MATERIALS SCIENCE↗

Quantitative analysis of total reflection X-ray fluorescence from finely layered structures using XeRay

Total reflection x-ray fluorescence (TXRF) is a widely applicable experimental technique for studying chemical element distributions across finely layered structures at extremely high sensitivity. To promote and facilitate scientific discovery using TXRF, we developed a MATLAB-based software package with a graphical user interface, named XeRay, for quick, accurate, and intuitive data analysis. XeRay lets the user model any layered system, each layer with its independent chemical composition and thickness, and enables fine-tuned data fitting. The accuracy of XeRay has been tested in the analysis of TXRF data from both air/liquid interface and liquid/liquid interfacial studies and has been compared to literature results. In an air/liquid interface study, Ca 2+ sequestration was measured at a Langmuir monolayer of 1-stearoyl-2-oleoyl-sn-glycero-3-phosphatidic acid (SOPA) on a buffer solution of 1 mM CaCl2 at pH 7.5. Data analysis with XeRay reveals that each 1 nm2 of interfacial area contains 2.38 ± 0.06 Ca 2+ ions, which corresponds to a 1:1 ratio between SOPA headgroups and Ca 2+ ions, consistent with several earlier reports. For the liquid/liquid interface study of Sr 2+ enrichment at the dodecane/surfactant/water interface, analysis using XeRay gives a surface enrichment of Sr 2+ at $68^{+6}_{-5}$ Å 2 per ion, consistent with the result published for the same dataset.

46 INSTRUMENTATION RELATED TO NUCLEAR SCIENCE AND ↗

Corrosion Behavior of Zinc-Nickel and Graphene Layered Structures on Steel Substrates

Large–area single layers of graphene are synthesized using chemical vapor deposition techniques and are assembled onto steel substrates that are finished with a thin layer of electrodeposited zinc–nickel (ZnNi). Atomic force microscopy combined with Raman spectroscopy is used to determine the number of the assembled graphene layers and to characterize the defects in their crystal structure. The graphene–ZnNi–steel layered specimens are exposed to a salt–fog environment. The defects in the structure of the graphene single layers are found to accelerate corrosion and the formation of a resistive oxide layer. The chemical composition and element map of the reacted surfaces are studied by x–ray photoelectron spectroscopy. In conclusion, the electrical properties of the samples before and after the salt–fog testing are evaluated using sheet resistance measurements.

36 MATERIALS SCIENCE↗

A novel design of transitional layer structure between reduced activation ferritic martensitic steels and tungsten for plasma facing materials

Plasma-facing components (PFCs) are among the most critical gaps for fusion energy to establish technical and economic feasibility. Tungsten as a first wall/blanket material in PFCs requires to be integrating with reduced activation ferritic martensitic (RAFM) steels as a structural component. Currently, major drawbacks are the requirement of brazing, the formation of a brittle interface, and a large difference between the coefficients of thermal expansion of tungsten and steel. Here, a novel transitional multilayer structure was designed and investigated to join tungsten and RAFM steels using three interlayers. The composition of each interlayer was selected based on computational thermodynamics and diffusion kinetics to ensure a body-centered cubic (bcc) single-phase structure and prevent the formation of a brittle intermetallic phase region in the temperature range of 600–1150 °C. Although the transitional layer structure was designed for additive manufacturing, spark plasma sintering (SPS) as proof of concept was used to bond the individual layers. Interfaces were investigated using scanning and transmission electron microscopy methods but no layered intermetallic phase was observed. Nanoindentation maps across the interface suggest major hardness differences at the interface between tungsten and the vanadium interlayer, as well as the interface between RAFM steel and the FeCrAl interlayer.

36 MATERIALS SCIENCE↗

Reduced thermal conductivity by nanoscale intergrowths in perovskite like layered structure La{sub 2}Ti{sub 2}O{sub 7}

The effect of substitution and oxidation-reduction on the thermal conductivity of perovskite-like layered structure (PLS) ceramics was investigated in relation to mass contrast and non-stoichiometry. Sr (acceptor) was substituted on the A site, while Ta (donor) was substituted on the B site of La{sub 2}Ti{sub 2}O{sub 7}. Substitution in PLS materials creates atomic scale disorders to accommodate the non-stoichiometry. High resolution transmission electron microscopy and X ray diffraction revealed that acceptor substitution in La{sub 2}Ti{sub 2}O{sub 7} produced nanoscale intergrowths of n = 5 layered phase, while donor substitution produced nanoscale intergrowths of n = 3 layered phase. As a result of these nanoscale intergrowths, the thermal conductivity value reduced by as much as ∼20%. Pure La{sub 2}Ti{sub 2}O{sub 7} has a thermal conductivity value of ∼1.3 W/m K which dropped to a value of ∼1.12 W/m K for Sr doped La{sub 2}Ti{sub 2}O{sub 7} and ∼0.93 W/m K for Ta doped La{sub 2}Ti{sub 2}O{sub 7} at 573 K.

75 CONDENSED MATTER PHYSICS, SUPERCONDUCTIVITY AND↗

Effect of transition metal composition on electrochemical performance of nickel-manganese-based lithium-rich layer-structured cathode materials in lithium-ion batteries

To evaluate the effect of transition metal composition on the electrochemical properties of Li-rich layer-structured cathode materials, Li{sub 1.2}Ni{sub x}Mn{sub 0.8−x}O{sub 2} (x=0.2, 0.25, 0.3, and 0.4) were synthesized, and their electrochemical properties were investigated. As nickel content x increased in Li{sub 1.2}Ni{sub x}Mn{sub 0.8−x}O{sub 2} (x=0.2, 0.25, 0.3, and 0.4), charge-discharge capacities at a low C-rate (0.05 C) decreased. The results obtained by dQ/dV curves indicate that, as the nickel content increased, the discharge capacity below 3.6 V greatly decreased, but that above 3.6 V increased. As the C-rate of the discharge process increased, the discharge reaction of Li{sub 1.2}Ni{sub x}Mn{sub 0.8−x}O{sub 2} (x=0.2) below 3.6 V greatly decreased. In contrast, that above 3.6 V slightly decreased. This indicates that the discharge reaction above 3.6 V exhibits higher rate performance than that below 3.6 V. For the high-nickel-content cathodes, the ratio of the discharge capacity above 3.6 V to the total discharge capacity was high. Therefore, they exhibited high rate performance. - Graphical abstract: Figure shows the discharge curves of Li{sub 1.2}Ni{sub x}Mn{sub 0.8−x}O{sub 2} (x=0.2 and 0.3) within potential range of 2.5−4.6 V (vs. Li/Li{sup +}) at 0.05 and 3 C. At low C-rate (0.05 C), the discharge capacity of high-nickel-content cathode (Li{sub 1.2}Ni{sub 0.3}Mn{sub 0.5}O{sub 2}) was less than that of low-nickel-content cathode (Li{sub 1.2}Ni{sub 0.2}Mn{sub 0.6}O{sub 2}); however, the discharge potential and capacity of Li{sub 1.2}Ni{sub 0.3}Mn{sub 0.5}O{sub 2} was higher than those of Li{sub 1.2}Ni{sub 0.2}Mn{sub 0.6}O{sub 2} at high C-rate (3 C). This means that the increase in Ni/Mn ratio was effective in improving rate-performance.

37 INORGANIC, ORGANIC, PHYSICAL, AND ANALYTICAL CH↗

Layered-structural monoclinic–orthorhombic perovskite La{sub 2}Ti{sub 2}O{sub 7} to orthorhombic LaTiO{sub 3} phase transition and their microstructure characterization

The layered-structural ceramics, such as lanthanum titanate (La{sub 2}Ti{sub 2}O{sub 7}), have been known for their good temperature and low dielectric loss at microwave frequencies that make them good candidate materials for high frequency applications. However, few studies have been conducted on the synthesis optimization by sol gel reaction, in particular by acrylamide polymerization route. The interest in La{sub 2}Ti{sub 2}O{sub 7} ceramic has been greatly increased recently due to the effect of oriented grains. This anisotropy of the microstructure leads to anisotropy in dielectric, electrical and mechanical properties. In this study, grain oriented lanthanum titanate was produced by the sol–gel acrylamide polymerization route. The characterizations of the samples were achieved by thermal analysis, X-ray diffraction (XRD), scanning electron microscopy (SEM), atomic force microscopy (AFM), and transmission electron microscopy (TEM). X-ray diffraction indicates that the formation of monoclinic perovskite La{sub 2}Ti{sub 2}O{sub 7} nanocrystals is a necessary first step to obtain orthorhombic LaTiO{sub 3} nanocomposites (with space group Pbnm). In this work we identified that the monoclinic perovskite La{sub 2}Ti{sub 2}O{sub 7} with space group P2{sub 1} transforms its structure into one with the orthorhombic space group Cmc2{sub 1} at approximately 1073 K. The microstructure associated consisted of flaky monoclinic La{sub 2}Ti{sub 2}O{sub 7} nanocomposites in comparison with round-shaped LaTiO{sub 3} nanocomposites. - Highlights: • The flaky-like La{sub 2}Ti{sub 2}O{sub 7} compound was synthesized by sol–gel acrylamide route. • Simultaneous monitoring of the DTA and XRD with temperature was performed. • Phase transformation characterization of La{sub 2}Ti{sub 2}O{sub 7} has been carried out. • The variation of the La{sub 2}Ti{sub 2}O{sub 7} and LaTiO{sub 3} grain morphology has been compared.

36 MATERIALS SCIENCE↗

Mechanical Behavior of Titanium-Based Layered Structures Fabricated Using Blended Elemental Powder Metallurgy

Mechanical behavior of bilayered structures composed of the layer of Ti-6Al-4 V (wt.%) (Ti-64) alloy and metal matrix composite (MMC) on the base of this alloy reinforced with 5 and 10% (vol.) of either TiB or TiC particles has been studied. Structures were fabricated using blended elemental powder metallurgy and studied by tensile and three-point flexural tests. Mechanical tests were performed on uniform single-layer samples of the alloy as well as individual MMCs. In addition, bilayered structures were also tested in three-point flexural experiment. Posttest fractographic inspections were made using the SEM. The deformation energy was measured based on engineering stress–strain curves obtained on tensile test. The results were compared with the data previously reported on Ti-64 alloy fabricated using cast and wrought technique. The presence of TiB and TiC reinforcement particles in the alloy causes substantial drop in strength and ductility of MMCs as compared to uniform sintered Ti-64 alloy, since those particles provide additional sites for the cracks and pores nucleation and promote the embrittlement of material. However, when MMC layers are used in bilayered structures with Ti-64 alloy layers, the three-point flexural test demonstrates significant increase in flexure stress compared to uniform Ti-64 alloy and uniform structures of MMCs. The suitability of studied structures for antiballistic impact application is discussed.

36 MATERIALS SCIENCE↗

A new Pb{sup II}(ethylenediaminetetraacetate) coordination polymer with a two-dimensional layer structure

A new Pb{sup II}−edta{sup 4–} coordination polymer, Pb{sub 2}(edta)(H{sub 2}O){sub 0.76} (edta{sup 4–} = ethylenediaminetetraacetate) was synthesized under hydrothermal condition. Single crystal X-ray analysis reveals that it represents a novel two-dimensional (2D) Pb{sup 2+}–edta{sup 4–} layer structure with a (4,8{sup 2})-topology. Each edta{sup 4–} ligand employs its four carboxylate O and two N atoms to chelate one Pb{sup II} atom (hexa-coordinated) and connects five Pb{sup II} atoms (ennea-coordinated) via its four carboxylate groups to form 2D layer framework. Adjacent layers are packed into the overall structure through vander Waals interactions.

75 CONDENSED MATTER PHYSICS, SUPERCONDUCTIVITY AND↗

New Layered Structures of Cuprous Chalcogenides as Thin Film Solar Cell Materials: Cu 2 Te and Cu 2 Se

The stable crystal structures of two cuprous chalcogenides of Cu 2 X (X = Te or Se) are predicted using an adaptive genetic algorithm in combination with first-principles density functional theory calculations. Both systems are found to prefer a unique and previously unrecognized layered structure, with the total energies much lower than all structures proposed in the literature so far. The newly discovered structures are further shown to be dynamically and mechanically stable, and possess electronic properties consistent with existing experimental observations. In particular, their layered nature is expected to prevail over other structural forms at the interfaces of thin-film solar cells, and knowledge about the precise atomic structures of the interfaces is a prerequisite for achieving long-term stability and high efficiency of CdTe and Cu(In; Ga)Se 2 solar cells.

14 SOLAR ENERGY↗

TEM investigation of the surface layer structure [111]{sub B2} of the single NiTi crystal modified by the Si-ion beam implantation

The study was carried on for the single NiTi crystals subjected to the Si-ion beam implantation. Using the transmission electron microscopy technique (TEM), the surface layer structure [111]{sub B2} was examined for the treated material. The modified near-surface sublayers were found to have different composition. Thus the uppermost sublayer contained mostly oxides; the lower-lying modified sublayer material was in an amorphous state and the thin underlying sublayer had a defect structure.

36 MATERIALS SCIENCE↗

A dual-layer structure with record-high solar reflectance for daytime radiative cooling

We demonstrate a diffusive solar reflector with record high reflectance when integrated over the wavelength region from 0.28-4.0 μm. The reflector has a dual-layer structure consisting of a polytetrafluoroethylene (PTFE) sheet on top of a silver film. The thickness of the PTFE varies from 0.25 mm to 1 mm. Spectral reflectance and transmittance of the PTFE sheets (with and without a silver film) were measured using a monochromator and a Fourier-transform infrared spectrometer, with integrating spheres, at wavelengths from 0.28 μm to 15 μm. The scattering and absorption coefficients of the PTFE samples were obtained by fitting the reflectance and transmittance spectra. Integration over the solar irradiation spectrum (AM1.5) reveals that the total solar reflectance is approximately 0.99 for the reflector. This is the highest solar reflectance reported to date. A Monte Carlo ray-tracing method and a modified two-flux model were used to calculate the reflectance and compare with the experiments to shed light on mechanisms for the high reflectance. Our measurements also suggest that PTFE has a high emittance around 0.9 in the mid-infrared region. Therefore, we conclude the proposed structure holds promise for passive daytime radiative cooling.

14 SOLAR ENERGY↗

Tunable surface acoustic wave device using semiconducting MgZnO and piezoelectric NiZnO dual-layer structure on glass

Tunable surface acoustic wave (SAW) devices have attracted considerable interests due to its applications in emerging fields, such as secured wireless communication, adaptive signal processing, and smart sensing systems. We report a dual-input-voltage-controlled tunable SAW built on glass, which uses a ZnO-based dual-layer structure consisting of a piezoelectric Ni- doped ZnO (NZO) and semiconducting Mg-doped ZnO (MZO). The interdigital (IDT) electrodes are buried in the piezoelectric NZO layer to form the delay line for SAW propagation, while the semiconductor MZO layer serves as the channel of a thin film transistor (TFT) to modulate the conductivity. Results show the interface between MZO channel and SiO 2 gate dielectric layer of the TFTT significantly impacts on SAW tuning performances due to Zn diffusion from MZO into SiO 2 . The TFT-SAW device using an ultra-thin MgO layer as interface modification enables SAW frequency tuning of 0.53% under solely V gs control with 0–12 V. The required voltage range is significantly reduced compared regular MZO-NZO TFT-SAW counterpart (Δf/f c ~ 0.25%; V gs –30 to –14 V) without interface modification. With additional control of V ds , the SAW frequency tunability is further expanded from 0.46% to 0.63%. As a result, this dual-input voltage-controlled frequency tuning device on glass is promising for low-voltage, low-cost portable smart sensors and voltage-controlled reconfigurable radio-frequency identification tags.

36 MATERIALS SCIENCE↗

Ablating nanoscale pores in crystalline quartz using laser-induced micro-plasmas in tri-layer structures

We demonstrate a novel approach for achieving rapid, consistent, and controllable micro-pore fabrication in single-crystalline quartz. These micro-pores are essential for applications in biology, i.e., studying ion channels in general and mechano-sensitive channels (MSC) in particular. The fabrication process consists of direct material ablation using pulsed UV light from a 193 nm excimer laser. These pulses ablate single-crystalline quartz chips by burning a laser-induced plasma in a tri-layer structure. Controllable plasma confinement and thus pore size is achieved by sandwiching a thin layer of a selected organic solution between the quartz chip and different substrates. This solution causes the confined micro-plasma to generate special ablation conditions, to create uniformly sized and shaped nanopores.

36 MATERIALS SCIENCE↗

Giant interfacial perpendicular magnetic anisotropy in MgO/CoFe/capping layer structures

Magnetic tunnel junction based on the CoFeB/MgO/CoFeB structures is of great interest due to its application in the spin-transfer-torque magnetic random access memory (STT-MRAM). Large interfacial perpendicular magnetic anisotropy (PMA) is required to achieve high thermal stability. Here, we use the first-principles calculations to investigate the magnetic anisotropy energy (MAE) of the MgO/CoFe/capping layer structures, where the capping materials include 5d metals Hf, Ta, Re, Os, Ir, Pt, and Au and 6p metals Tl, Pb, and Bi. We demonstrate that it is feasible to enhance PMA by using proper capping materials. Relatively large PMA is found in the structures with the capping materials of Hf, Ta, Os, Ir, and Pb. More importantly, the MgO/CoFe/Bi structure gives rise to giant PMA (6.09 mJ/m 2 ), which is about three times larger than that of the MgO/CoFe/Ta structure. The origin of the MAE is elucidated by examining the contributions to MAE from each atomic layer and orbital. Lastly, these findings provide a comprehensive understanding of the PMA and point towards the possibility to achieve the advanced-node STT-MRAM with high thermal stability.

36 MATERIALS SCIENCE↗