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At least 1,279 records · Page 71

Synthesis of magnesiowüstite nanocrystallites embedded in an amorphous silicate matrix via low energy multiple ion implantations

The synthesis process is presented for experimentally simulating modifications in cosmic dust grains using sequential ion implantations or irradiations followed by thermal annealing. Cosmic silicate dust analogues were prepared via implantation of 20–80 keV Fe - , Mg - , and O - ions into commercially available p-type silicon (100)wafers. The as-implanted analogues are amorphous with a Mg/(Fe+Mg) ratio of 0.5 tailored to match theoretical abundances in circumstellar dusts. Before the ion implantations were performed, Monte-Carlo-based ion-solid interaction codes were used to model the dynamic redistribution of the implanted atoms in the silicon substrate. 600 keV helium ion irradiation was performed on one of the samples before thermal annealing. Two samples were thermally annealed at a temperature appropriate for an M-class stellar wind, 1000 K, for 8.3 h in a vacuum chamber with a pressure of 1 x 10 -7 torr. The elemental depth profiles were extracted utilizing Rutherford Backscattering Spectrometry (RBS) in the samples before and after thermal annealing. X-ray diffraction (XRD)analysis was employed for the identification of various phases in crystalline minerals in the annealed analogues. Transmission electron microscopy (TEM) analysis was utilized to identify specific crystal structures. RBS analysis shows redistribution of the implanted Fe, Mg, and O after thermal annealing due to incorporation into the crystal structures for each sample type. XRD patterns along with TEM analysis showed nanocrystalline Mg and Fe oxides with possible incorporation of additional silicate minerals.

79 ASTRONOMY AND ASTROPHYSICS↗

Magnetic properties and crystallization kinetics of (Fe 100–x Ni x ) 80 Nb 4 Si 2 B 14 metal amorphous nanocomposites

Fe-Ni based metal amorphous nanocomposites (MANCs) are investigated in the pseudo-binary alloys (Fe 100–x Ni x ) 80 Nb 4 Si 2 B 14 . To optimize the soft magnetic properties of the nanocomposites, primary and secondary crystallization kinetics must be understood. As such, primary and secondary crystallization temperatures are determined by differential scanning calorimetry, and activation energies are calculated, along with the resulting crystalline phases. Time-temperature-transformation diagrams for primary and secondary crystallization in (Fe 70 Ni 30 ) 80 Nb 4 Si 2 B 14 are presented. Saturation magnetization and Curie temperature are determined. In conclusion, the shape of magnetization vs. time curves for (Fe 30 Ni 70 ) 80 Nb 4 Si 2 B 14 at various temperatures suggest that the secondary crystal product often consumes some of the primary crystalline product.

36 MATERIALS SCIENCE↗

Virtual bound states elements and their effects on magnetic and electrical properties of Fe-Ni based metal amorphous nanocomposites

Metal amorphous nanocomposite alloys, with compositions (Fe 70 Ni 30 ) 80-x Nb 4 Si 2 B 14 TE x (0 ≤ x ≤ 5), where TE is a transition element, and (Fe 70 Ni 30 ) 80-y Nb 4+y Si 2 B 14 (0.5 ≤ y ≤ 2) were synthesized. Samples were annealed at 440 °C and strain-annealed at 440 °C and 300 MPa. Resistivity was found to increase with small substitutions of TE elements. Increasing V resulted in reduced B s from 1.2 T to 0.5 T. Further Mo additions lowered B s to 0.6 T, and consistently reduced the permeability. For Cr and Nb, resistivity increased, and strain-annealed permeability was lower than the annealed permeability. Finally, toroidal core losses on (Fe 70 Ni 30 ) 79.5 Nb 4 Si 2 B 14 V 1 yielded W1.0/400 = 2.1 W/kg, and W1.0/1 k = 6.0 W/kg.

36 MATERIALS SCIENCE↗

Reactive flash sintering of the complex oxide Li 0.5 La 0.5 TiO 3 starting from an amorphous precursor powder

We report the transformation of an amorphous mixture of Li 0.5 La 0.5 TiO 3 (LLTO) directly into a single phase dense polycrystal, all within a few seconds at about 800°C by the flash method. The starting material is a chemically-prepared precursor powder that experiences concurrent crystallization and densification to cubic LLTO during the flash event, as shown by in-situ X-ray measurements. The experiments were conducted at a constant heating rate with fields from 80 to 120 V cm –1 and a current limit of 60 mA mm –2 . Here, the resulting polycrystal yielded a bulk conductivity of 0.5 mS cm –1 .

36 MATERIALS SCIENCE↗

How arsenic makes amorphous GeSe a robust chalcogenide glass for advanced memory integration

The 3D integration technology in semiconductor fabrication requires a key component, the ovonic threshold switching (OTS) selector, to suppress the current leakage. The As doped amorphous (a-) GeSe glass is a commercialized OTS material in 3D phase-change memory, but the understanding of such a doping mechanism is still inadequate. Here we systematically explore the effect of As doping on the structural, bonding, and dynamics properties of a-GeAsSe using ab initio molecular dynamics simulations. The results reveal that As atoms form strong bonds with both Ge and Se atoms. The distorted octahedral structures and the 5-fold rings linked by atoms are increased. All of these structural features lead to a more disordered configuration. Moreover, as atoms have notably slowed down the atomic mobility, rendering a-GeAsSe a high stability. Overall, our studies offer insightful understanding of As-doping in OTS materials, paving the way for the design and application of advanced selector devices.

36 MATERIALS SCIENCE↗

Probing Li ion dynamics in amorphous xLi 2 SO 4 ∙(1-x)LiPO 3 by quasielastic neutron scattering

The diffusion dynamics of a series of lithium sulfate substituted phosphate glass materials xLi 2 SO 4 ∙(1-x)LiPO 3 has been probed by quasielastic neutron scattering. Amorphous Li ion conductors are attractive as electrolyte materials for all-solid state batteries because they are highly isotropic and chemically stable. Local disorder is expected to reduce barriers to ion migration – leading to improved ionic conductivity relative to their crystalline counterpart – while minimizing unwanted electron transport. We report Li self-diffusion in these materials on a length scale comparable to the interatomic spacings, obtaining values D ≃ 55 ± 4 × 10 -8 cm 2 /s at 450 K. Elastic neutron scattering measurements show an alteration of the phosphate chain backbone of the glass material.

36 MATERIALS SCIENCE↗

Effects of amorphous silica coating on cerium oxide nanoparticles induced pulmonary responses

Recently cerium compounds have been used in a variety of consumer products, including diesel fuel additives, to increase fuel combustion efficiency and decrease diesel soot emissions. However, cerium oxide (CeO{sub 2}) nanoparticles have been detected in the exhaust, which raises a health concern. Previous studies have shown that exposure of rats to nanoscale CeO{sub 2} by intratracheal instillation (IT) induces sustained pulmonary inflammation and fibrosis. In the present study, male Sprague–Dawley rats were exposed to CeO{sub 2} or CeO{sub 2} coated with a nano layer of amorphous SiO{sub 2} (aSiO{sub 2}/CeO{sub 2}) by a single IT and sacrificed at various times post-exposure to assess potential protective effects of the aSiO{sub 2} coating. The first acellular bronchoalveolar lavage (BAL) fluid and BAL cells were collected and analyzed from all exposed animals. At the low dose (0.15 mg/kg), CeO{sub 2} but not aSiO{sub 2}/CeO{sub 2} exposure induced inflammation. However, at the higher doses, both particles induced a dose-related inflammation, cytotoxicity, inflammatory cytokines, matrix metalloproteinase (MMP)-9, and tissue inhibitor of MMP at 1 day post-exposure. Morphological analysis of lung showed an increased inflammation, surfactant and collagen fibers after CeO{sub 2} (high dose at 3.5 mg/kg) treatment at 28 days post-exposure. aSiO{sub 2} coating significantly reduced CeO{sub 2}-induced inflammatory responses in the airspace and appeared to attenuate phospholipidosis and fibrosis. Energy dispersive X-ray spectroscopy analysis showed Ce and phosphorous (P) in all particle-exposed lungs, whereas Si was only detected in aSiO{sub 2}/CeO{sub 2}-exposed lungs up to 3 days after exposure, suggesting that aSiO{sub 2} dissolved off the CeO{sub 2} core, and some of the CeO{sub 2} was transformed to CePO{sub 4} with time. These results demonstrate that aSiO{sub 2} coating reduce CeO{sub 2}-induced inflammation, phospholipidosis and fibrosis. - Highlights: • Both CeO{sub 2} and aSiO{sub 2}/CeO{sub 2} particles were detected in the respective particle-exposed lungs. • The dissolution of aSiO{sub 2} coating from CeO{sub 2} particle core with time was demonstrated in the particle-exposed lungs. • aSiO{sub 2} coating significantly protected CeO{sub 2}-induced pulmonary inflammatory responses. • aSiO{sub 2} coating showed a protective effect on CeO{sub 2}-induced lung fibrosis.

60 APPLIED LIFE SCIENCES↗

Zwitterion Moieties in Polypeptides Synergistically Enhance the Release of Cellulose and Amorphous Polysaccharides from Plant Cell Walls

This study demonstrated that covalently localized zwitterionic moieties in zwitterionic polypeptides (ZIPs) effectively disrupt hydrogen bonds in cellulosic substrates, including filter paper and plant cell wall materials, without significant cytotoxicity. ZIPs with varying densities of zwitterionic side chains were synthesized via the postpolymerization modification of histidinecontaining oligopeptides. The newly developed ZIPs predominantly comprised repeating units with zwitterionically converted side chains. Such ZIPs can cleave multiple hydrogen bonds by anchoring the zwitterionic structure at specific sites, thereby partially dissociating the polysaccharide chains in the cell wall. They are especially effective in dissolving amorphous cellulose, even at low concentrations in aqueous solutions. Importantly, this effect was achieved with minimal cellular toxicity, harnessing the advantages of ionic liquid-like properties while mitigating their high-toxicity limitations. This biofriendly approach to cell wall denaturation highlights a novel method for controlling hydrogen bond networks in polysaccharides and cell walls. These findings indicate a new approach for reducing biomass recalcitrance and developing next-generation biobased materials and fuels derived from plant cell walls.

37 INORGANIC, ORGANIC, PHYSICAL, AND ANALYTICAL CH↗

Phase Transformation Mechanism of Amorphous Calcium Phosphate to Hydroxyapatite Investigated by Liquid-Cell Transmission Electron Microscopy

Crystallization via phase transformation of a metastable precursor is a ubiquitous and effective strategy used by living systems to direct the growth of crystalline nanomaterials with remarkable functional properties. However, determining the exact process by which transformation occurs at the nanoscale is a difficult challenge. In this work, the recrystallization process of amorphous calcium phosphate (ACP) to hydroxyapatite (HAP) is explored by liquid-cell transmission electron microscopy. The effect of confinement in the liquid-cell is found to increase the size of ACP nanoparticles. In the presence of Mg 2+ , these large ACP nanoparticles transform to HAP by first dissolving from the interior to create a hollow structure, after which HAP forms preferentially on the surface and then subsequently in the bulk solution. We propose that the preferential dissolution within ACP particles is due to a change in the structure and/or chemistry of the ACP surface, likely associated with dehydration before crystallization of HAP. These results imply an important role of the confined environment of the liquid-cell in regulating the size of ACP particles, which then affects the surface structure and the detailed dissolution–recrystallization pathway. Moreover, we stress the key role of Mg 2+ in controlling HAP formation by stabilizing ACP via reduction in ACP solubility. This work provides a better understanding of the roles of additives and confinement during the phase transformation of ACP to HAP through dissolution and recrystallization.

37 INORGANIC, ORGANIC, PHYSICAL, AND ANALYTICAL CH↗

Soft Nanoconfinement Nucleates and Stabilizes Ultrasmall Amorphous Calcium Carbonate from Aggregation

Organisms use soft confinement structures, such as vesicles and compartments, to direct the nucleation of calcium carbonate (CaCO 3 ) and its subsequent processes during biomineralization. Despite recent efforts elucidating confinement’s effects on CaCO 3 polymorph selection, we still poorly understand how the size and distribution of CaCO 3 are controlled within soft confinement. Here, using a size-controlled nanoemulsions system made from isooctane, Span 80, Tween 80, and aqueous solutions, we studied CaCO 3 formation in soft confinement. Small angle X-ray scattering (SAXS) confirmed that a 72 nm aqueous core in nanoemulsions served as the confined space for CaCO 3 formation. Unlike the ~ 50 nm CaCO 3 particles that formed in the unconfined solution, small angle neutron scattering (SANS) and transmission electron microscope (TEM) showed that ultrasmall and amorphous calcium carbonate precipitated within soft confinement and did not exhibit any aggregation/coalescence of nanoparticles even after 24 hrs of reaction.

37 INORGANIC, ORGANIC, PHYSICAL, AND ANALYTICAL CH↗

Effect of pH on Amorphous Calcium Carbonate Structure and Transformation

A number of organisms produce crystalline calcium carbonate via a metastable precursor phase termed amorphous calcium carbonate (ACC). ACC also forms during production of CaCO 3 for industrial purposes, e.g., paper manufacturing and synthesis of fillers for polymers. Previous studies suggest that the local structure of ACC controls crystallization kinetics and pathways, i.e., the crystalline polymorph(s) that form(s) in the process. We used pair distribution function (PDF) analysis to provide evidence that the local structure of ACC gradually changes as the pH of the synthesis solutions is increased from 10.6 to 12.7, at ambient conditions. Here, these changes correlate with the mole fraction of incorporated hydroxide ions, which varies gradually from negligible at pH 10.6 to 0.12 at pH 12.7. At lower pH (10.5), vaterite and calcite formed in less than 2 min, but as the pH increased, the lifetime of ACC increased, and it transformed directly to calcite (i.e., no vaterite intermediate). Although higher pH led to a preferable transformation into calcite with decreasing crystal size, variations in ACC local structure cannot be linked to development of a calcite like motif, as has been suggested. On the basis of comparing the measured vaterite PDF to a range of structural models to determine Ca–Ca distances, we found no obvious structural similarity between vaterite and the ACC precursor either, although such analysis is complicated by the ambiguity of the vaterite structure. Presumably, the absence of vaterite and the prolonged ACC stability with increasing synthesis pH could indicate inhibition of crystal nucleation and growth by hydroxide ions.

37 INORGANIC, ORGANIC, PHYSICAL, AND ANALYTICAL CH↗

Rapid Assessment of the Physical Stability of Amorphous Solid Dispersions

Amorphous solid dispersions (ASDs) can potentially increase the apparent solubility and thereby the oral bioavailability of poorly soluble compounds. Furthermore, their physical instability, i.e., potential to crystallize, is a major concern. Our objective was to explore methods for rapid assessment of the physical stability of ASDs. Ketoconazole ASDs were prepared with each of the three polymers, poly(acrylic acid) (PAA), poly(2-hydroxyethyl methacrylate) (PHEMA), and polyvinylpyrrolidone (PVP). The physical stability of these ASDs was evaluated after exposure to 90% RH (25 °C) in an automated water sorption analyzer. The onset time for ketoconazole crystallization, induced by water sorption, was rank ordered as PAA > PHEMA > PVP. Additionally, the ability of the polymers to inhibit crystallization on contact with aqueous medium was studied by powder X-ray diffractometry using synchrotron radiation. In this case, the rank ordering was PAA ~ PHEMA > PVP. To check the validity of our approach, the long-term stability of ketoconazole in ASDs was evaluated in the glassy state, both at 25 and at 40 °C, and was rank ordered as PAA > PHEMA > PVP. Crystallization, accelerated by water vapor sorption, can serve as an effective preliminary screening tool to rapidly evaluate and rank order the physical stability of ASDs.

60 APPLIED LIFE SCIENCES↗

The Role of Cation Coordination in the Electrical and Optical Properties of Amorphous Transparent Conducting Oxides

Amorphous oxide semiconductor materials have demonstrated numerous advantages without compromise of electrical properties as compared to their crystalline counterparts, yet understanding of the fundamental principles allowing this has remained elusive. To study the origins of enhanced optoelectronic properties, we apply high-throughput, combinatorial sputtering, structural and spectral mapping, and computationally intensive ab initio molecular dynamics simulations with density functional theory to a ternary, post-transition metal oxide system, namely, zinc tin oxide. The deposited thin films exhibit a high figure of merit, achieving carrier densities in the range of 1019 to 1020 cm–3 and carrier mobilities up to 35 cm2/Vs. These results highlight the role of local distortions and cation coordination in determining the microscopic origins of carrier generation and transport. In particular, we identify the strong likelihood of Sn undercoordination in both Zn-poor and Zn-rich phases leading to the high carrier concentrations observed. This not only diverges from the still widespread historical indictment of oxygen vacancies controlling carrier population in crystalline oxides but also provides a comprehensive framework to describe the unique structure–property relationships using specific structural and electronic descriptors in disordered phase materials.

CLASSICAL AND QUANTUM MECHANICS, GENERAL PHYSICS,M↗

Extreme Ultraviolet and Beyond Extreme Ultraviolet Lithography Using Amorphous Zeolitic Imidazolate Resists Deposited by Atomic/Molecular Layer Deposition

Amorphous zinc-imidazolate (aZnMIm) resists show potential to meet the demands for next-generation high-numerical aperture (high-NA) metal-containing extreme ultraviolet (EUV) resist materials, given their ease of deposition by atomic/molecular layer deposition (ALD/MLD) at thicknesses of 20 nm and below. Here, this study demonstrates that aZnMIm thin films, previously identified as high-resolution electron beam resists, can also function as negative-tone EUV photoresists. Water development achieves high sensitivity (5 mJ/cm 2 ) but leaves significant residue, while acetic acid development results in poor contrast. A hybrid approach─water followed by acetic acid─enables residue-free development with a sensitivity of 181 mJ/cm 2 . Dry development using 1,1,1,5,5,5-hexafluoroacetylacetone (hfacH) is also possible but shows lower sensitivity (375 mJ/cm 2 ) compared to wet development methods. EUV photoelectron spectroscopy (PES), reflectometry/EUV absorption, total electron yield (TEY), residual gas analysis (RGA), and time-of-flight secondary ion mass spectrometry (TOF-SIMS) were used to investigate the effects of EUV irradiation on aZnMIm resists. Reflectometry experiments reveal an aZnMIm EUV absorption coefficient of 6.2 μm –1 , while PES and TEY analyses show that, compared to poly(4-hydroxystyrene) (PHS), a polymer-based reference resist, aZnMIm emits more primary and secondary electrons but generates fewer slow electrons relative to its primary electron emission; its total electron yield is similar to that of poly(methyl methacrylate) (PMMA) resists. When exposed to EUV, aZnMIm predominantly outgasses H 2 , as determined by RGA. TOF-SIMS measurements demonstrate that high-dose EUV exposure only partially fragments the 2-methylimidazole (2MIm) organic linkers, unlike high-dose electron beam exposure, which is known to completely degrade them. Additionally, aZnMIm resists show promise for potential beyond EUV lithography (BEUVL) due to the presence of Zn, which provides higher sensitivity at a wavelength of 6.7 nm compared to other metal ions, such as Sn, that are currently used in the best-performing EUV metal–organic resists. TEY measurements demonstrate that aZnMIm emits nearly twice as many electrons as PHS at 6.7 nm. The BEUV TEY of aZnMIm also surpasses that of PMMA, poly(pentafluorostyrene), and poly(4-iodostyrene), with the latter two being known for their high EUV TEYs. This work provides insight into zeolitic imidazolate framework (ZIF)-based EUV and BEUV resists and highlights their potential for both wet and dry development.

lithography↗

Zero Thermal Expansion and Abrupt Amorphization on Compression in Anion Excess ReO 3 -Type Cubic YbZrF 7

In this paper, heat treatment of cubic YbZrF 7 , after quenching from 1000 °C, leads to a material displaying precisely zero thermal expansion at ~300 K and negative thermal expansion at lower temperatures. The zero thermal expansion is associated with a minimum in the lattice constant at ~300 K. X-ray total scattering measurements are consistent with a previously proposed model in which the incorporation of interstitial fluoride into the ReO 3 -related structure leads to both edge and corner sharing coordination polyhedra. The temperature dependence of the experimental pair correlation functions suggests that the expansions of edge and corner sharing links partly compensate for one another, supporting the hypothesis that the deliberate incorporation of excess fluoride into ReO 3 structure materials can be used as a design strategy for controlling thermal expansion. Cubic YbZrF 7 has a bulk modulus, K 0 , of 55.4(7) GPa and displays pronounced pressure-induced softening [K 0 ' = -27.7(6)] prior to an abrupt amorphization on compression above 0.95 GPa. Finally, the resulting glass shows a single sharp scattering maximum at Q ~ 1.6 Å –1 .

36 MATERIALS SCIENCE↗

Interfacial Hydrophilicity Controls Mineral Transformation Outcomes for Enstatite and Amorphous MgSiO 3

Subsurface injection of carbon dioxide (CO 2 ) into mafic-ultramafic rocks for permanent storage via mineralization is being studied to reduce emissions. Here, we investigated the carbonation products of enstatite (MgSiO 3 ) to assess its efficiency in sequestering CO 2 for safe and permanent storage as carbonate minerals. This was accomplished by conducting variable temperature carbonation reactions with samples of differing crystallinities and surface chemistries. Reaction progress was monitored utilizing in situ X-ray diffraction, and the presence of carbonate products was confirmed using additional techniques, such as thermogravimetric analysis coupled with mass spectrometry and scanning electron microscopy with energy dispersive spectrometry. Our results show that crystalline enstatite produces small amounts of the anhydrous form of MgCO 3 (magnesite), while amorphous MgSiO 3 , which was used to simulate mafic glass, more readily converts to the hydrated/hydroxylated hydromagnesite [Mg 5 (CO 3 ) 4 (OH) 2 ·4H 2 O]. These results, supplemented with dynamic vapor sorption experiments, suggest that surface properties play a significant role in the pathway and degree of carbonation. These developments concerning the reactivity of CO 2 with reactive mafic phases will help further our understanding of the reactivity of these mafic-ultramafic minerals with implications for permanent carbon storage and other subsurface engineering scenarios involving reactive reservoirs.

basalt↗

Diverse Physical States of Amorphous Precursors in Zeolite Sol Gel Syntheses

The assembly and structural evolution of amorphous precursors during zeolite crystallization is an important area of interest owing to their putative roles in the nucleation and growth of aluminosilicate microporous materials. Precursors range in complexity from oligomeric molecules and colloidal particles to gels comprised of heterogeneous silica and alumina domains. The physical state of precursors in most zeolite syntheses is generally not well understood; however, it is evident that the physicochemical properties of precursors depend on a wide range of conditions that include (but are not limited to) the selection of reagents, the composition of growth mixtures, the methods of preparation, and the use of inorganic and/or organic structure-directing agents. The fact that precursors evolve in size, shape, and/or microstructure during the course of nucleation and potentially throughout crystallization leads to questions pertaining to their mode of action in the formation of zeolites. Finally, this also highlights the diversity of species that are present in growth media, thus rendering the topic of zeolite synthesis essentially a black box to those attempting to better understand the fundamental role(s) of precursors. Here in this Article, we discuss the wide variety of precursors encountered in the synthesis of various framework types, emphasizing their complex physical states and the thermodynamic and kinetic factors that govern their heterogeneity.

36 MATERIALS SCIENCE↗

Affinity for OH – Produces Four-Coordinated Zn 2+ Impurities in Hydrated Amorphous Calcium Carbonate

Using ab initio based molecular dynamics and electronic structure calculations, we show that Zn impurities in hydrated amorphous calcium carbonate (ACC) have a much lower coordination number than other divalent impurities due to covalent interactions between the 3d Zn shell and the oxygen atoms of the carbonate and water groups. Further, the local structure around Zn in ACC, including the predicted low coordination number, is confirmed by X-ray absorption spectroscopy of synthetic Zn-bearing ACC. The strong Zn–O chemical interaction leads to substantial water dissociation and slightly disrupts the hydrogen bonding network. Implications of Zn 2+ incorporation for ACC stability are discussed.

37 INORGANIC, ORGANIC, PHYSICAL, AND ANALYTICAL CH↗