Article
Chemistry, Physical
Lars J. Bannenberg, Herman Schreuders, Hyunjeong Kim, Kouji Sakaki, Shigenobu Hayashi, Kazutaka Ikeda, Toshiya Otomo, Kohta Asano, Bernard Dam
Summary: The study reveals that the nanostructuring and nanoconfinement of metal hydrides have significant impacts on their structural response to hydrogen, leading to higher hydrogen-to-metal ratio, reduced tetragonality of the fct phase, and suppressed phase coexistence. These effects ensure a hysteresis free response of hafnium to hydrogen, demonstrating remarkable performance as a hydrogen-sensing material.
JOURNAL OF PHYSICAL CHEMISTRY LETTERS
(2021)
Article
Electrochemistry
Monika Wojtysiak, Anna Jedraczka, Michal Stepien, Dawid Kutyla, Remigiusz Kowalik
Summary: The research demonstrates the electrochemical synthesis of Pd-Se thin films under different potential conditions, with postdeposition heat treatment confirming the variation in composition of the coatings under different potential ranges.
ELECTROCHEMISTRY COMMUNICATIONS
(2021)
Article
Chemistry, Multidisciplinary
Baizhang Cheng, Haifeng Cheng, Yan Jia, Tianwen Liu, Dongqing Liu
Summary: This study demonstrates the use of thin metal films for infrared electrochromic devices with tunable emissivity. The devices operate via a hydrogen-induced metal-insulator transition, achieving reversible regulation of emissivity. The construction of sandwich-structured devices simplifies the structure and allows for large changes in emissivity. These devices have the potential for applications in adaptive thermal camouflage, smart thermal management, and dynamic information displays.
ADVANCED MATERIALS INTERFACES
(2023)
Article
Materials Science, Coatings & Films
Stephen Muhl, Julio Cruz, Ivan Camps, Angelica Garzon-Fontecha
Summary: Approximately 30 to 40 years ago, the group of Stan Vep.rek at the University of Zurich described the fabrication of silicon thin films using silicon hydride formation and decomposition. They found that exposing silicon to low-pressure hydrogen plasma could promote the formation of volatile silicon hydride, which was then decomposed on a hot substrate to form a silicon film. In another study, the group observed deposition of a metal thin film instead of etching when using a high-density hydrogen plasma to etch quartz. In this paper, they discuss the etching of a water-cooled cylindrical hollow cathode's metal lining by a high-density hydrogen plasma, which results in the thermal decomposition of metal hydride on quartz substrates and the formation of a thin metal film. They also describe a substrate heater to improve experimental reproducibility.
SURFACE & COATINGS TECHNOLOGY
(2022)
Article
Chemistry, Physical
D. Andersen, H. Chen, S. Pal, L. Cressa, O. De Castro, T. Wirtz, G. Schmitz, S. Eswara
Summary: In this study, high-resolution imaging of hydrogen and deuterium within Mg2Ni/Mg2NiH4 hydrogen storage thin films was achieved using a self-developed secondary ion mass spectrometer (SIMS) system attached to a commercially available dual-beam focused ion beam - scanning electron microscope (FIB-SEM) instrument. A novel approach using laser scanning confocal microscopy (LSCM) was demonstrated to measure the size, shape, and distribution of the hydride phase in partially transformed films. The combination of these techniques provides new insights on hydride nucleation and growth within the Mg2NiHx system. Additionally, the efficacy of tracking deuterium as a hydrogen analog for SIMS imaging in high-vacuum chambers was demonstrated.
INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF HYDROGEN ENERGY
(2023)
Article
Chemistry, Multidisciplinary
Lars Thole, Christopher Belke, Sonja Locmelis, Peter Behrens, Rolf J. Haug
Summary: This study reports measurements of key properties of the two-dimensional transition metal trichalcogenide ZrSe3, showing its potential for new electronic devices.
Article
Materials Science, Multidisciplinary
Muthukkumaran Karthikeyan, Yi-Rui Tang, Niraj Kumar, Dongyu Xu, Zongjin Li, Guoxing Sun
Summary: This study reports the impact of Mo doping on the structure and low-temperature electrical transport properties of V2O3 thin films. The Mo-doped V2O3 films exhibit modified crystallinity and trigger a metal-insulator transition at low temperatures. The higher metal-insulator transition temperature of the Mo-doped films suggests their potential use in high-performance low-temperature engineering applications.
MATERIALS SCIENCE AND ENGINEERING B-ADVANCED FUNCTIONAL SOLID-STATE MATERIALS
(2023)
Review
Materials Science, Multidisciplinary
Tomasz Blachowicz, Andrea Ehrmann
Summary: Exchange bias is an effect that occurs in coupled ferromagnetic/antiferromagnetic materials, resulting in a shift of the hysteresis loop and increased coercivity, potentially creating asymmetric hysteresis loops. Despite some drawbacks and unanswered questions in existing models, exchange bias systems are widely used in hard drive read heads and spintronics applications.
Article
Engineering, Electrical & Electronic
Mohammadreza Farjadian, Majid Shalchian
Summary: A comprehensive model is proposed for describing the insulator to metal phase transition in vanadium dioxide thin film under external electrical stimulus. By dividing the film layer into segments and solving relevant equations, the model successfully replicates experimental results, providing a useful tool for designing and analyzing vanadium dioxide structures with different electrode distances.
IEEE TRANSACTIONS ON ELECTRON DEVICES
(2021)
Review
Chemistry, Multidisciplinary
Olivier Thomas, Stephane Labat, Thomas Cornelius, Marie-Ingrid Richard
Summary: X-ray imaging of strains has made impressive progress recently, with improved resolution and optical elements. Development of new detectors has revolutionized measurement strategies. The introduction of a new accelerator ring concept has significantly increased brightness and coherent flux. In the next decade, fast three-dimensional imaging methods will emerge to track the evolution of strains in materials.
Article
Chemistry, Physical
Gabriel Rodrigues de Almeida Neto, Cesar Augusto Goncalves Beatrice, Daniel Rodrigo Leiva, Luiz Antonio Pessan
Summary: This study investigated the preparation of PEI-LaNi5 composite films for hydrogen storage, demonstrating that PEI films filled with LaNi5 are promising materials for this purpose. The membranes were successfully produced through solvent casting assisted by an ultrasonic bath, and the results showed that the film morphology remained unchanged after hydrogenation cycles.
INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF HYDROGEN ENERGY
(2021)
Article
Chemistry, Inorganic & Nuclear
Fred Robinson, Daniel W. Newbrook, Peter Curran, C. H. (Kees) de Groot, Duncan Hardie, Andrew L. Hector, Ruomeng Huang, Gillian Reid
Summary: This work demonstrates the growth of continuous and stoichiometric SnTe thin films using a single source precursor at lower temperatures, showing p-type semiconductor behavior and advantageous thermoelectric properties. The precursor also enables area selective growth onto patterned substrates, which could be beneficial for micro-thermoelectric generator fabrication.
DALTON TRANSACTIONS
(2021)
Article
Materials Science, Multidisciplinary
Joachim Scheller, Pascal Joel Baur
Summary: The study found that high compression and high hardness of O-rings are crucial for achieving high external clamping forces and low leakages in thin film sealing solutions for tempered injection molds. Choosing the right O-ring and groove size should be based on the sealing performance requirements of the sealing frame.
Article
Chemistry, Multidisciplinary
Yuki Sasahara, Takashi Hirose, Masataka Yoshimoto, Naoki Matsui, Shigeru Kobayashi, Hiroki Ubukata, Fumitaka Takeiri, Kota Suzuki, Masaaki Hirayama, Kazunori Nishio, Ryota Shimizu, Ryoji Kanno, Genki Kobayashi, Taro Hitosugi
Summary: We report the formation of La2LiHO3 epitaxial thin films and the high H- conductivities in the ab-planes of the crystals. The H- conductivity in the ab-plane of La2LiHO3 thin films is found to be significantly higher than that of bulk polycrystals, and the activation energy is lower. The results also suggest that the H- conductivities of bulk polycrystals can be enhanced by controlling the properties of the grains and aligning the orientations of the crystallites.
CRYSTAL GROWTH & DESIGN
(2023)
Article
Materials Science, Multidisciplinary
Marcos V. Moro, Sigurbjorn M. Aoalsteinsson, Tuan. T. Tran, Dmitrii Moldarev, Ayan Samanta, Max Wolff, Daniel Primetzhofer
Summary: Photochromic oxygen-containing yttrium-hydride thin films were synthesized using argon magnetron sputtering on microscope slides, some of which were encapsulated with thin, transparent diffusion-barrier layers to provide stability and maintain photochromic performance. The study showed that environmental factors have minimal impact on the photochromic process, and encapsulation effectively prevents degradation in aging of the films.
PHYSICA STATUS SOLIDI-RAPID RESEARCH LETTERS
(2021)
Article
Chemistry, Physical
Diana Chaykina, Fahimeh Nafezarefi, Giorgio Colombi, Steffen Cornelius, Lars J. Bannenberg, Herman Schreuders, Bernard Dam
Summary: Thin films of rare earth metal oxyhydrides exhibit a photochromic effect, and the composition and encapsulation of the films can modify their band gap, crystal structure, photochromic contrast, and lifetime. The annealing process and defects are found to be crucial for the reversibility of the bleaching speed.
JOURNAL OF PHYSICAL CHEMISTRY C
(2022)
Article
Chemistry, Physical
Anirudh Venugopal, Laurentius H. T. Egberts, Jittima Meeprasert, Evgeny A. Pidko, Bernard Dam, Thomas Burdyny, Vivek Sinha, Wilson A. Smith
Summary: This study investigates the tuning of surface electronic properties of electrocatalysts through polymer modification, which allows for a shift in reaction selectivity. The introduction of stable Ni-CFx bonds at the nickel oxide/polymer interface leads to a transition from the oxygen evolution reaction towards hydrogen peroxide formation. The results highlight the possibility of modifying the surface electronic properties of electrocatalysts through stable polymer modification, providing an alternative pathway for tuning multipathway reactions in polymer/electrocatalyst environments.
ACS ENERGY LETTERS
(2022)
Article
Materials Science, Multidisciplinary
Ziying Wu, Tom de Krom, Giorgio Colombi, Diana Chaykina, Gijs van Hattem, Henk Schut, Marcel Dickmann, Werner Egger, Christoph Hugenschmidt, Ekkes Bruck, Bernard Dam, Stephan W. H. Eijt
Summary: Rare-earth oxyhydride thin films exhibit a color-neutral, reversible photochromic effect. By investigating the lattice defects, electronic structure, and crystal structure of the films, we found the presence of cation monovacancies, vacancy clusters, and nanopores. The transition from a metallic to an insulating nature of the films and the formation of metallic domains were observed. In addition, the reversible formation of metallic nanodomains and the trapping of photoexcited electrons were proposed as possible explanations for the photochromic effect.
PHYSICAL REVIEW MATERIALS
(2022)
Correction
Chemistry, Physical
Diana Chaykina, Ismene Usman, Giorgio Colombi, Herman Schreuders, Beata Tyburska-Pueschel, Ziying Wu, Stephan W. H. Eijt, Lars J. Bannenberg, Gilles A. de Wijs, Bernard Dam
Summary: The energy axes of the RBS and ERD data were initially underestimated, but the correction does not affect the data conclusions and peak assignments.
JOURNAL OF PHYSICAL CHEMISTRY C
(2022)
Article
Chemistry, Physical
Diana Chaykina, Ismene Usman, Giorgio Colombi, Herman Schreuders, Beata Tyburska-Pueschel, Ziying Wu, Stephan W. H. Eijt, Lars J. Bannenberg, Gilles A. de Wijs, Bernard Dam
Summary: In this study, the photochromic effect in rare-earth metal oxyhydride thin films was investigated through aliovalent doping of the RE cation. It was found that Ca doping influences the photochromic properties, leading to a lower photochromic contrast and a faster bleaching speed.
JOURNAL OF PHYSICAL CHEMISTRY C
(2022)
Article
Nanoscience & Nanotechnology
Lars J. Bannenberg, Herman Schreuders, Nathan van Beugen, Christy Kinane, Stephen Hall, Bernard Dam
Summary: In the future hydrogen economy, accurate, cost-efficient, and safe hydrogen sensors based on metal hydrides will be important. Alloying can tune the properties of hydrogen-sensing materials, as demonstrated by thin films of tantalum doped with ruthenium. The alloying effects include modifying the enthalpy of hydrogenation, shifting the pressure window for hydrogen absorption, and reducing the amount of hydrogen absorbed by the material, allowing for tunable sensitivity and a wide sensing range.
ACS APPLIED MATERIALS & INTERFACES
(2023)
Article
Nanoscience & Nanotechnology
Diana Chaykina, Giorgio Colombi, Herman Schreuders, Bernard Dam
Summary: Rare-earth metal oxyhydride thin films exhibit photochromism, causing reversible darkening when exposed to high-energy light. In this study, samarium oxyhydrides were included in the range of known photochromic RE-oxyhydrides. The properties of the Sm-oxyhydride film, such as optical bandgap, lattice constant, photochromic contrast, and bleaching speed, were controlled by the deposition pressure during reactive magnetron sputtering of SmH1.9+delta and post-oxidation. The slower bleaching speeds in Sm oxyhydrides compared to other lanthanides are attributed to the stability of the Sm2+ state and the difficulty in oxidizing it back to the original RE3+ state.
Article
Materials Science, Multidisciplinary
Giorgio Colombi, Bart Boshuizen, Diana Chaykina, Leyi Hsu, Herman Schreuders, Tom J. Savenije, Bernard Dam
Summary: Rare-earth oxyhydride thin films exhibit reversible photochromism and photoconductivity at ambient conditions, but the underlying mechanism and relationship are not clear. In this study, in situ time-resolved measurements of optical and transport properties were performed on Gd-based oxyhydride thin films to investigate this question. It was found that the initial mechanism of charge transport is p-type large polaron conduction; however, upon photo-darkening, a 10(4)-fold increase in conductivity occurs, and n-type carriers dominate. Furthermore, both photochromism and photoconductivity were shown to originate from a single process, as the photoconductivity is exponentially proportional to the increase in optical absorption. This exponential relationship suggests that the formation of optically absorbing species responsible for photochromism is accompanied by a concerted increase in negative charge carriers in the Gd oxyhydride films.
ADVANCED OPTICAL MATERIALS
(2023)
Article
Materials Science, Multidisciplinary
Lars J. Bannenberg, Larissa Blom, Kouji Sakaki, Kohta Asano, Herman Schreuders
Summary: Nanostructured metal hydrides have a crucial role in a hydrogen economy, as the nanostructuring or confinement of these materials significantly affects their structural and functional properties. We demonstrate that confining tantalum as a thin film extends its solubility limit, suppressing the phase transition observed in bulk upon hydrogenation. The continuous elastic deformation of the tantalum unit cell with unequal lattice constants and angles ensures volumetric expansion in the out-of-plane direction, resulting in superb performance as a hysteresis-free optical hydrogen sensor over a wide hydrogen pressure/concentration range.
ACS MATERIALS LETTERS
(2023)
Article
Chemistry, Physical
Shrestha Banerjee, Diana Chaykina, Rens Stigter, Giorgio Colombi, Stephan W. H. Eijt, Bernard Dam, Gilles A. A. de Wijs, Arno P. M. Kentgens
Summary: Rare earth oxyhydrides REOxH(3-2x), with RE = Y, Sc, or Gdand a cationic FCC lattice, show reversible photochromic behavior. The efficiency of the photochromism is determined by the structural details and anion composition. In this study, NMR spectroscopy and DFT calculations are used to investigate the local environments, oxidation states, and dynamics of yttrium, hydrogen, and oxygen in YOxH(3-2x). The results suggest that the samples consist of domains with different hydride contents rather than a homogeneous anion mixing.
JOURNAL OF PHYSICAL CHEMISTRY C
(2023)
Letter
Multidisciplinary Sciences
Thomas Burdyny, Bernard Dam
Article
Materials Science, Multidisciplinary
Giorgio Colombi, Rens Stigter, Diana Chaykina, Shrestha Banerjee, Arno P. M. Kentgens, Stephan W. H. Eijt, Bernard Dam, Gilles A. de Wijs
Summary: In this study, the influence of O:H ratio on the formation, lattice energy, metastability, and optical properties of ROxH3-2x oxyhydrides was investigated using ab initio DFT. It was found that the anion-disordered phase showed comparable energy to the anion-ordered phase, especially in the H-rich composition range. The metastability of the anion-disordered phase depended on the cation size, with the CaF2-type structure becoming unstable above a certain H content. The electronic properties were studied using the modified Becke-Johnson scheme, and significant differences were observed between H-rich and O-rich oxyhydrides. The results suggest that anion-disorder is present in H-rich films, while some degree of anion ordering is observed in O-rich films. This study demonstrates a strategy to calculate the electronic/optical properties of materials with occupational disorder.
