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Dislocation content of grain boundary phase junctions and its relation to grain boundary excess properties

In this work, we analyze the dislocation content of grain boundary (GB) phase junctions, i.e., line defects separating two different GB phases coexisting on the same GB plane. While regular GB disconnections have been characterized for a variety of interfaces, GB phase junctions formed by GBs with different structures and different numbers of excess atoms have not been previously studied. We apply a general Burgers circuit analysis to calculate the Burgers vectors b of junctions in two Σ5 Cu boundaries previously simulated with molecular dynamics. The Burgers vectors of these junctions cannot be described by the displacement shift complete (DSC) lattice alone. We show that, in general, the normal component of b is not equal to the difference in the GB excess volumes but contains another contribution from the numbers of GB atoms per unit area ΔN* required to transform one GB phase into another. In the boundaries studied, the latter component dominates and even changes the sign of b. We derive expressions for the normal and tangential components of b in terms of the DSC lattice vectors and the non-DSC part due to ΔN* and additional GB excess properties, including excess volume and shears. These expressions provide a connection between GB phase transformations driven by the GB free energy difference and the motion of GB junctions under applied normal and shear stresses. The proposed analysis quantifies b and therefore makes it possible to calculate the elastic part of the energy of these defects, evaluate their contribution to the nucleation barrier during GB phase transformations, and treat elastic interactions with other defects.

75 CONDENSED MATTER PHYSICS, SUPERCONDUCTIVITY AND↗

From weak antilocalization to Kondo scattering in a magnetic complex oxide interface

Quantum corrections to electrical resistance can serve as sensitive probes of the magnetic landscape of a material. For example, interference between time-reversed electron paths gives rise to weak localization effects, which can provide information about the coupling between spins and orbital motion, while the Kondo effect is sensitive to the presence of spin impurities. In this work, we use low-temperature magnetotransport measurements to reveal a gradual transition from weak antilocalization (WAL) to Kondo scattering in the quasi-two-dimensional electron gas formed at the interface between SrTiO 3 and the Mott insulator NdTiO 3 . This transition occurs as the thickness of the NdTiO 3 layer is increased. Analysis of the Kondo scattering and WAL points to the presence of atomic-scale magnetic impurities coexisting with nanoscale magnetic regions that affect transport via a strong magnetic exchange interaction. This leads to distinct magnetoresistance behaviors that can serve as a sensitive probe of magnetic properties in two dimensions.

36 MATERIALS SCIENCE↗

Partitioning of Complex Fluids at Mineral Surfaces

This report summarizes the results obtained during the LDRD project entitled "Partitioning of Complex Fluids at Mineral Interfaces." This research addressed fundamental aspects of such interfaces, which are relevant to energy-water applications in the subsurface, including fossil energy extraction and carbon sequestration. This project directly addresses the problem of selectivity of complex fluid components at mineral-fluid interfaces, where complex fluids are defined as a mixture of hydrophobic and hydrophilic components: e.g., water, aqueous ions, polar/nonpolar organic compounds. Specifically, this project investigates how adsorption selectivity varies with surface properties and fluid composition. Both experimental and molecular modeling techniques were used to better understand trends in surface wettability on mineral surfaces. The experimental techniques spanned the macroscale (contact angle measurements) to the nanoscale (cryogenic electronic microscopy and vibrational spectroscopy). We focused on an anionic surfactant and a well-characterized mineral phase representative of clay phases present in oil- and gas-producing shale deposits. Collectively, the results consistently demonstrate that the presence of surfactant in the aqueous fluid significantly affects the mineral-fluid interfacial structure. Experimental and molecular modeling results reveal details of the surfactant structure at the interface, and how this structure varies with surfactant coverage and fluid composition.

04 OIL SHALES AND TAR SANDS↗

Role of Pairwise Reactions on the Synthesis of Li 0.3 La 0.57 TiO 3 and the Resulting Structure–Property Correlations

The performance of single-ion conductors is highly sensitive to the material’s defect chemistry. Tuning these defects is limited for solid-state reactions as they occur at particle–particle interfaces, which provide a complex evolving energy landscape for atomic rearrangement and product formation. In this report, we investigate the (1) order of addition and (2) lithium precursor decomposition temperature and their effect on the synthesis and grain boundary conductivity of the perovskite lithium lanthanum titanium oxide (LLTO). We use an intimately mixed sol–gel, a solid-state reaction of Li precursor + La 2 O 3 + TiO 2 , and Li precursor + amorphous La 0.57 TiO x as different chemical routes to change the way in which the elements are brought together. The results show that the perovskite can accommodate a wide range of Li deficiencies (upward of 50%) while maintaining the tetragonal LLTO structure, indicating that X-ray diffraction (XRD) is insufficient to fully characterize the chemical nature of the product (i.e., Li-deficient LLTO may behave differently than stoichiometric LLTO). Variations in the relative intensities of different reflections in XRD suggest variations in the La ordering within the crystal structure between synthesis methods. Furthermore, the choice of the precursor and the order of addition of the reactants lower the time required to form a pure phase. Density functional theory calculations of the formation energy of possible reaction intermediates support the hypothesis that a greater thermodynamic driving force to form LLTO leads to a greater LLTO yield. Here, the retention of lithium is correlated with the thermal decomposition temperature of the Li precursor and the starting material mixing strategy. Taking the results together suggests that cations that share a site with Li should be mixed early to avoid ordering. Such cation ordering inhibits Li motion, leading to higher Li ion resistance.

37 INORGANIC, ORGANIC, PHYSICAL, AND ANALYTICAL CH↗

THE IMPACT OF VISCOSITY ON MATERIAL TRANSITIONS IN LARGE FORMAT ADDITIVE MANUFACTURING OF POLYMER COMPOSITES

The need to produce complex geometries incompatible with traditional manufacturing techniques has fueled rapid growth in Large-Format Additive Manufacturing (LFAM). Printing of polymer composite materials have generated significant interest, but the production of Multi-Material (MM) structures with location-based material properties continues to be a challenge. Extrusion-based techniques have utilized multiple deposition heads to successfully print MM structures with both stiff and flexible regions, but these techniques often result in discrete material boundaries that concentrate stress and act as failure points. To avoid discrete interfaces, a novel dual-hopper configuration was developed for the Big Area Additive Manufacturing (BAAM) system that creates a blended material region within the structure. The ability to blend and freely switch between stiff polymer composites and flexible polymers enables printing of robust MM structures with site-specific properties. This study characterizes the influence of viscosity on a blended material transition between carbon fiber-filled acrylonitrile butadiene styrene (CF-ABS) and unfilled thermoplastic polyurethane (TPU), which have significantly different viscoelastic behaviors

Brackett, James↗

Interfacial charge transfer and interaction in the MXene/TiO 2 heterostructures

Hybrid materials of MXenes [two-dimensional (2D) carbides and nitrides] and transition-metal oxides have shown great promise in electrical energy storage (EES) and 2D heterostructures have been proposed as the next-generation electrode materials to expand the limits of current technology. Here we use first principles density functional theory to investigate the interfacial structure, energetics, and electronic properties of the heterostructures of MXenes (Ti n+1 C n T 2 ; T = terminal groups) and anatase TiO 2 . We find that the greatest work-function differences are between OH-terminated MXene (1.6 eV) and anatase TiO 2 (101) (6.4 eV), resulting in the largest interfacial electron transfer (~0.9e/nm 2 across the interface) from MXene to the TiO 2 layer. This interface also has the strongest adhesion and is further strengthened by hydrogen bond formation. For O–, F–, or mixed O–/F– terminated Ti n+1 C n MXenes, electron transfer is minimal and interfacial adhesion is weak for their heterostructures with TiO 2 . The strong dependence of the interfacial properties of the MXene/TiO 2 heterostructures on the surface chemistry of the MXenes will be useful to tune the heterostructures for EES applications.

2-dimensinal systems↗

Reconfiguring band-edge states and charge distribution of organic semiconductor–incorporated 2D perovskites via pressure gating

Two-dimensional (2D) semiconductor heterostructures are key building blocks for many electronic and optoelectronic devices. Reconfiguring the band-edge states and modulating their interplay with charge carriers at the interface in a continuous manner have long been sought yet are challenging. Here, using organic semiconductor–incorporated 2D halide perovskites as the model system, we realize the manipulation of band-edge states and charge distribution via mechanical—rather than chemical or thermal—regulation. Compression induces band-alignment switching and charge redistribution due to the different pressure responses of organic and inorganic building blocks, giving controllable emission properties of 2D perovskites. We propose and demonstrate a “pressure gating” strategy that enables the control of multiple emission states within a single material. We also reveal that band-alignment transition at the organic-inorganic interface is intrinsically not well resolved at room temperature owing to the thermally activated transfer and shuffling of band-edge carriers. This work provides important fundamental insights into the energetics and carrier dynamics of hybrid semiconductor heterostructures.

42 ENGINEERING↗

Insights into Heterogeneous Catalysts under Reaction Conditions by In Situ/Operando Electron Microscopy

The advancement of clean energy and environment depends strongly on the development of efficient catalysts in a wide range of heterogeneous catalytic reactions, which has benefited from transmission electron microscopic techniques in determining the atomic-scale morphologies and structures. However, it is the morphology and structure under the catalytic reaction conditions that determine the performance of the catalyst, which has captured a surge of interest in developing and applying in situ/operando transmission electron microscopic techniques in heterogeneous catalysis. The major theme of this review is to highlight some of the most recent insights into heterogeneous catalysts under the relevant reaction conditions using in situ/operando transmission electron microscopic techniques. Rather than a comprehensive overview of the basic principles of in situ/operando techniques, this review focuses on the insights into the atomic-scale/nanoscale details of various catalysts ranging from single-component to multicomponent catalysts under heterogeneous catalytic, electrocatalytic, and photocatalytic reaction conditions involving both gas–solid and liquid–solid interfaces. Here, this focus is coupled with discussions of the correlation of the atomic, molecular, and nanoscale morphology, composition, and structure with the catalytic properties under the reaction conditions, shining light on the challenges and opportunities in design of nanostructured catalysts for clean and sustainable energy applications.

37 INORGANIC, ORGANIC, PHYSICAL, AND ANALYTICAL CH↗

Nanoconfinement-induced shift in photooxidative degradation pathway of polystyrene

Polymer nanocomposites with high concentrations of nanoparticles (NPs) possess exceptional mechanical, transport, and thermal properties. To enable their widespread use in structural applications and functional coatings, it is crucial to understand how nanoconfinement and the polymer-NP interface influence polymer degradation under various environmental conditions, including prolonged UV exposure. In this study, we investigate the photooxidative degradation of polystyrene (PS)-confined in the interstices of SiO 2 NP films. These nanocomposite films are prepared by the capillary rise infiltration (CaRI) of PS into interstices of SiO 2 NP packings, and subsequently subjected to UV irradiation. Our investigation reveals that PS degradation progresses uniformly across the thickness, with degradation initiating from the center of the NP interstitial pores and extending towards the NP surface. We rationalize this degradation mechanism based on the disparity in the surface energies of PS and the NP surface, as well as slow oxygen diffusion through confined PS. Here, we also demonstrate that packing smaller NPs at a given thickness or thicker packing of a specific NP size facilitates photooxidative degradation, highlighting the critical role of the number of interstitial pores in influencing degradation processes.

36 MATERIALS SCIENCE↗

Hybrid additive manufacturing of AISI 316L via asynchronous powder and hot-wire laser directed energy deposition

Hybrid Additive Manufacturing (AM) offers a way to leverage the advantages of different AM technologies, enabling the efficient production of sizeable parts without compromising material properties or geometric complexity capabilities. This study presents an asynchronous hybrid Directed Energy Deposition (DED) strategy employing laser powder DED and laser hot-wire DED. AISI 316L parts comprising multiple powder and wire segments were fabricated with optional machining on AISI 316L substrates to investigate how quality is impacted by (i) alternative process sequences (laser powder DED followed by laser hot-wire DED and vice versa), (ii) machined vs. as-printed interfacial conditions, and (iii) material deposition on top vs. alongside previously built segments. Optical microscopy, X-ray computed tomography, and Vickers hardness were used to characterize the morphology and microstructure of the parts, localized porosity and lack of fusion defects, bulk density, and mechanical properties. Interfacial machining was necessary for dimensional control but promoted lack of fusion voids, resulting in a 99.71 ± 0.01% dense part. As-printed interfaces resulted in a denser part (99.82 ± 0.02%) at the expense of dimensional accuracy. The hardness of the parts with as-printed and machined interfaces was 196 ± 0.37 HV and 192 ± 0.40 HV, respectively, compared to 156 ± 1.4 HV for the substrate. Depositing powder alongside or on top of wire sections resulted in interfaces with a hardness of 217 ± 2.2 HV, compared to 185 ± 3.4 HV for the wire-powder interfaces.

36 MATERIALS SCIENCE↗

Critical role of polymer-ceramic ion exchange for high conductivity composite electrolytes

Polymer-ceramic composites offer a path to enhance the transport and mechanical properties of solid electrolytes. However, an in-depth understanding of the extent and role of ion transport along and across polymer-ceramic interfaces in these systems is lacking. We have recently shown that Li-conducting Li 0.11 Na 0.24 K 0.02 La 0.43 TiO 2.82 (LMTO) nanorods can be prepared by a molten flux method, and the addition of 30–50 weight (wt.)% LMTO to a bis[(trifluoromethyl)sulfonyl]imide-vinyl ethylene carbonate-based single-ion conducting (SIC) polymer electrolyte leads to a two-fold enhancement in Li-ion conductivity, from 1.4 to 3.0 × 10 −5 S/cm at 30 °C. In the present study, we use NMR methods to identify the Li-ion transport pathways and determine the timescale of chemical exchange between the SIC polymer and LMTO ceramic components. Tracer exchange NMR indicates preferential transport through the polymer or polymer-interfacial regions, and exchange spectroscopy (EXSY) and a new isotope exchange method reveal negligible Li exchange between the SIC polymer and LMTO ceramic up to several days. Here, LMTO nanorods act as a passive filler. Our results further highlight that significant (e.g., 10- or 100-fold) conductivity enhancements in composite electrolytes can only be achieved 1) with ionically-conductive fillers, and 2) when both the ceramic and polymer components actively participate in long-range transport. For this, fast interfacial ion exchange is needed. In conclusion, this leads us to introduce a critical interfacial ion exchange time to evaluate whether a filler actively contributes to conduction in a composite electrolyte, and screen for promising polymer-ceramic pairings to accelerate the development of high conductivity solid electrolytes.

Battery, Solid electrolyte↗

Characterization of the acoustic cavitation in ionic liquids in a horn-type ultrasound reactor

Most ultrasound-based processes root in empirical approaches. Because nearly all advances have been conducted in aqueous systems, there exists a paucity of information on sonoprocessing in other solvents, particularly ionic liquids (ILs). In this work, we modelled an ultrasonic horn-type sonoreactor and investigated the effects of ultrasound power, sonotrode immersion depth, and solvent’s thermodynamic properties on acoustic cavitation in nine imidazolium-based and three pyrrolidinium-based ILs. The model accounts for bubbles, acoustic impedance mismatch at interfaces, and treats the ILs as incompressible, Newtonian, and saturated with argon. Following a statistical analysis of the simulation results, we determined that viscosity and ultrasound input power are the most significant variables affecting the intensity of the acoustic pressure field (P), the volume of cavitation zones (V), and the magnitude of the maximum acoustic streaming surface velocity (u). V and u increase with the increase of ultrasound input power and the decrease in viscosity, whereas the magnitude of negative P decreases as ultrasound power and viscosity increase. Probe immersion depth positively correlates with V, but its impact on P and u is insignificant. 1-alkyl-3-methylimidazolium-based ILs yielded the largest V and the fastest acoustic jets – 0.77cm 3 and 24.4ms -1 for 1-ethyl-3-methylimidazolium chloride at 60W. 1-methyl-3-(3-sulfopropyl)-imidazolium-based ILs generated the smallest V and lowest u – 0.17cm 3 and 1.7ms -1 for 1-methyl-3-(3-sulfopropyl)-imidazolium p-toluene sulfonate at 20W. Sonochemiluminescence experiments validated the model.

37 INORGANIC, ORGANIC, PHYSICAL, AND ANALYTICAL CH↗

Scaling Laws of Exciton Recombination Kinetics in Low Dimensional Halide Perovskite Nanostructures

Carrier recombination is a crucial process governing the optical properties of a semiconductor. Although various theoretical approaches have been utilized to describe carrier behaviors, a quantitative understanding of the impact of defects and interfaces in low dimensional semiconductor systems is still elusive. Here, we develop a model system consisting of chemically tunable, highly luminescent halide perovskite nanocrystals to illustrate the role of carrier diffusion and material dimensionality on the carrier recombination kinetics and luminescence efficiency. Our advanced synthetic methods provide a well-controlled colloidal system consisting of nanocrystals with different aspect ratios, halide compositions, and surface conditions. Using this system, we reveal the scaling laws of photoluminescence quantum yield and radiative lifetime with respect to the aspect ratio of nanocrystals. The scaling laws derived herein are not only a phenomenological observation but proved a powerful tool disentangling the carrier dynamics of microscopic systems in a quantitative and interpretable manner. The investigation of our model system and theoretical formulation bring to light the dimensionality, as a hidden constraint on carrier dynamics, and identify the diffusion length as an important parameter that distinguishes nanoscale and macroscale carrier behaviors. Furthermore, the conceptual distinction in carrier dynamics in different dimensionality regimes informs new design rules for optical devices where complex microstructures are involved.

37 INORGANIC, ORGANIC, PHYSICAL, AND ANALYTICAL CH↗

Observations of grain-boundary phase transformations in an elemental metal

The theory of grain boundary (the interface between crystallites, GB) structure has a long history 1 and the concept of GBs undergoing phase transformations was proposed 50 years ago 2,3 . The underlying assumption was that multiple stable and metastable states exist for different GB orientations 4,5,6 . The terminology ‘complexion’ was recently proposed to distinguish between interfacial states that differ in any equilibrium thermodynamic property 7 . Different types of complexion and transitions between complexions have been characterized, mostly in binary or multicomponent systems 8,9,10,11,12,13,14,15,16,17,18,19 . Simulations have provided insight into the phase behaviour of interfaces and shown that GB transitions can occur in many material systems 20,21,22,23,24 . However, the direct experimental observation and transformation kinetics of GBs in an elemental metal have remained elusive. In this work we demonstrate atomic-scale GB phase coexistence and transformations at symmetric and asymmetric $[11\bar{1}]$ tilt GBs in elemental copper. Atomic-resolution imaging reveals the coexistence of two different structures at Σ19b GBs (where Σ19 is the density of coincident sites and b is a GB variant), in agreement with evolutionary GB structure search and clustering analysis 21,25,26 . We also use finite-temperature molecular dynamics simulations to explore the coexistence and transformation kinetics of these GB phases. Our results demonstrate how GB phases can be kinetically trapped, enabling atomic-scale room-temperature observations. Our work paves the way for atomic-scale in situ studies of metallic GB phase transformations, which were previously detected only indirectly 9,15,27,28,29 , through their influence on abnormal grain growth, non-Arrhenius-type diffusion or liquid metal embrittlement.

36 MATERIALS SCIENCE↗

Surface localized magnetism in transition metal doped alumina

Alumina is a structural ceramic that finds many uses in a broad range of applications. It is widely employed in the aerospace and biomedical sectors due to its stability at high temperatures and in harsh chemical environments. Here, we show that magnetism can be induced at alumina surfaces by doping with 3d transition metals. We analyze the electronic structure, spin magnetic moments, and spin density of α-Al 2 O 3 as a function of both dopant species (Sc, Ti, V, Cr, Mn, Fe, Co, Ni, Cu) and depth using first principles calculations. Our results show that all dopants, with the exception of Sc, produce magnetic moments that are concentrated to the surface of alumina with varying degrees of delocalization. It is seen that all of the dopants are at least meta-stable on the surface and must overcome an energy barrier of 0.19–1.14 eV in order to diffuse from the surface into the bulk. As a result of judiciously doping with select 3$\textit{d}$ transition metals the surface of alumina can be made magnetic. This could lead to novel applications in data storage, catalysis, and biomedical engineering through an added surface functionality.

36 MATERIALS SCIENCE↗

Polyester functional graphenic materials as a mechanically enhanced scaffold for tissue regeneration

Traditional metal implants such as titanium, cobalt, and chromium have found wide utility in medicine; however, these come with a risk of toxicity. To overcome metal-related toxicity and enable degradability, polyesters including polycaprolactone (PCL), polylactic acid (PLA), and polyglycolic acid (PGA) show promise for the replacement of various biomedical applications of metals due to their accepted biocompatibility and FDA approval. However, polyesters are less stiff than their metallic counterparts, limiting their application to non-load bearing injury sites, such as fixation hardware for fingers. To improve mechanical properties, graphene oxide (GO)-polyester composites are a promising class of biodegradable scaffolds. Initial reports of these composites are encouraging, but mechanical properties still fall short. Traditional composites rely on non-covalent association between GO and the polyesters, which often leads to failure at the interface and weakens the overall strength of the material. Herein, we present a strategy for attachment of these FDA-approved polyesters onto a derivative of GO using a robust covalent bond. By covalently functionalizing the graphenic backbone with polyesters and without metal catalysts, we create functional graphenic materials (FGMs) to not only simultaneously retain biodegradability and compatibility, but also mechanically strengthen PCL, PLA, and PGA; we observed an average increase in the Young's modulus of over 140% compared to the graphenic backbone. These polyester-functionalized FGMs are a promising platform technology for tissue implants.

60 APPLIED LIFE SCIENCES↗

Magnetism in curved geometries

Curvature impacts physical properties across multiple length scales, ranging from the macroscopic scale, where the shape and size vary drastically with the curvature, to the nanoscale at interfaces and inhomogeneities in materials with structural, chemical, electronic, and magnetic short-range order. In quantum materials, where correlations, entanglement, and topology dominate, the curvature opens the path to novel characteristics and phenomena that have recently emerged and could have a dramatic impact on future fundamental and applied studies of materials. Particularly, magnetic systems hosting non-collinear and topological states and 3D magnetic nanostructures strongly benefit from treating curvature as a new design parameter to explore prospective applications in the magnetic field and stress sensing, microrobotics, and information processing and storage. This Perspective gives an overview of recent progress in synthesis, theory, and characterization studies and discusses future directions, challenges, and application potential of the harnessing curvature for 3D nanomagnetism.

71 CLASSICAL AND QUANTUM MECHANICS, GENERAL PHYSIC↗

Epitaxial (Al x Ga 1-x-y In y ) 2 O 3 Alloys Lattice Matched to Monoclinic Ga 2 O 3 Substrates

We have epitaxially stabilized a series of monoclinic (Al x Ga 1-x-y In y ) 2 O 3 alloys by careful choice of molecular beam epitaxy growth conditions, which balance alloy growth with suboxide desorption. The films are pseudomorphic to (010) β-Ga 2 O 3 substrates at thicknesses up to 150 nm with compositions ranging from (Al 0.01 Ga 0.83 In 0.16 ) 2 O 3 to (Al 0.24 Ga 0.75 In 0.03 ) 2 O 3 . The absorption edge shifts from approximately 4.62-5.14 eV with coincidently increasing Al and decreasing In mole fractions. J-V measurements reveal an increase in resistivity over four orders of magnitude with a maximum value of 4.2 x 10 5 Ω-cm for (Al 0.17 Ga 0.76 In 0.07 ) 2 O 3 , which has nearly identical lattice parameters (both in-plane and out-of-plane) to the underlying β-Ga 2 O 3 . Scanning transmission electron microscopy of this sample reveals a mostly uniform and single crystalline film, though we identify areas of non-uniform In incorporation and some γ-phase inclusions. This work demonstrates the feasibility of thick layers lattice-matched to β-Ga 2 O 3 with increased bandgap compared to phase-separation limited (Al,Ga) 2 O 3 . These alloys can enable higher bandgap epitaxial dielectrics and high sheet charge density transistors by increasing the conduction band offset with respect to β-Ga 2 O 3 .

37 INORGANIC, ORGANIC, PHYSICAL, AND ANALYTICAL CH↗