Review
Chemistry, Multidisciplinary
Anukul K. Thakur, Klaudia Kurtyka, Mandira Majumder, Xiaoqin Yang, Huy Q. Ta, Alicja Bachmatiuk, Lijun Liu, Barbara Trzebicka, Mark H. Rummeli
Summary: This review summarizes the synthesis strategies, charge conduction mechanism, and applications of B, N co-doped carbon in electrocatalysis, energy storage, and sensors. It also discusses the challenges and future directions in this field.
ADVANCED MATERIALS INTERFACES
(2022)
Article
Chemistry, Multidisciplinary
James Nicolas Pagaduan, Ayush Bhardwaj, Tailynn Y. McCarty, Stephan Kraemer, Cathal J. Kearney, James J. Watkins, Todd Emrick, Reika Katsumata
Summary: This study reports a simple and scalable method for fabricating porous carbon materials using low-cost chemical compounds while maintaining morphological and chemical control. Nitrogen and oxygen-doped porous carbon frameworks were synthesized by rapid thermal annealing and subsequent burning of degradable components. Introduction of boron-containing reagent resulted in boron doping and pore size reduction, enhancing material performance.
ADVANCED FUNCTIONAL MATERIALS
(2023)
Article
Materials Science, Multidisciplinary
H. Ouaddah, G. Regula, G. Reinhart, I. Perichaud, F. Guittonneau, L. Barrallier, J. Baruchel, T. N. Tran Caliste, N. Mangelinck-Noel
Summary: Controlling grain boundaries, dislocations, and impurity contamination during solidification is a major challenge in improving the electrical properties of silicon-based photovoltaics. Carbon is found to be a harmful impurity for solar cells. By using X-ray radiography and Bragg diffraction imaging techniques, the dynamic characteristics of grain structure formation and carbon-related defects during silicon solidification were characterized. Ex situ techniques were used for a more precise analysis of the grain structure and defects. The presence of carbon resulted in a higher proportion of high-order and incoherent twin boundaries in the grain structure. Crystal distortion was observed at both the grain and lower scales, accentuated during solidification cooling-down. Locally distorted regions and sub-grains were observed in various carbon-containing samples during solidification and after cooling-down. A model involving the presence of SiC precipitates at the solid-liquid interface was proposed to explain the formation of these sub-grains and their associated local distortion.
Article
Nanoscience & Nanotechnology
Jinghai Li, Adara Babuji, Lamiaa Fijahi, Ann Maria James, Roland Resel, Tommaso Salzillo, Raphael Pfattner, Carmen Ocal, Esther Barrena, Marta Mas-Torrent
Summary: In this study, it was found that contact resistance and charge trapping are two key obstacles that negatively affect the performance of organic field-effect transistors (OFETs). By using CH3CN vapor annealing and doping procedures, the interfacial shallow traps and deeper traps in the organic semiconductor (OSC) film can be effectively reduced, resulting in a significant reduction of contact resistance. Moreover, the devices treated with I2/CH3CN demonstrate ideal electrical characteristics with negligible levels of shallow/deep traps and highly gate-independent mobility. Therefore, this work highlights the promising synergistic effects of simultaneous solvent vapor annealing and doping, which can effectively eliminate contact resistance problems in OSC films.
ACS APPLIED MATERIALS & INTERFACES
(2023)
Article
Chemistry, Inorganic & Nuclear
V. P. Sanygin, O. N. Pashkova
Summary: The InSb + 1 at % Ni + 1 at % Mn alloy was investigated, revealing the presence of a Heusler phase based on NiMnSb in the form of microinclusions on InSb dislocations. However, the synthesis process leads to the formation of bulk structural defects and elastic deformations, which hinder the unhindered movement of polarized electrons throughout the material.
RUSSIAN JOURNAL OF INORGANIC CHEMISTRY
(2023)
Article
Materials Science, Multidisciplinary
T. S. Prithiv, Baptiste Gault, Yujiao Li, Dustin Andersen, Nathalie Valle, Santhana Eswara, Dirk Ponge, Dierk Raabe
Summary: The addition of boron (B) to steels significantly suppresses the austenite to ferrite phase transformation, increasing their hardenability. The mechanisms of B segregation and how exactly B suppresses the ferrite nucleation remain elusive.
Article
Chemistry, Physical
Ye Yuan, Yufang Xie, Ning Yuan, Mao Wang, Rene Heller, Ulrich Kentsch, Tianrui Zhai, Xiaolei Wang
Summary: In this study, co-doping of (In,Mn)As diluted magnetic semiconductors by Al was conducted for the first time using co-implantation and pulsed laser annealing technique. The structural and magnetic properties were systematically investigated, showing a decrease in Curie temperature, magnetization, and uniaxial magnetic anisotropies with increased aluminum incorporation, possibly due to enhanced carrier localization or suppression of substitutional Mn atoms.
Article
Physics, Applied
Hayato Hasebe, Kazuki Kido, Haruki Takenaka, Masami Mesuda, Kaoru Toko, Dmitri B. B. Migas, Takashi Suemasu
Summary: BaSi2 is an important material for thin-film solar cell applications and the control of conductivity through impurity doping is crucial. B-doped p-BaSi2 films were successfully fabricated by molecular beam epitaxy and vacuum evaporation. In this study, B-doped BaSi2 films were prepared on Si substrates by co-sputtering BaSi2, Ba, and B-doped Si targets at 600 degrees C, followed by post-annealing at 900 degrees C or 1000 degrees C in an Ar atmosphere. Surprisingly, as-grown and 900 degrees C annealed samples exhibited n-type conductivity, while the 1000 degrees C annealed sample showed p-type conductivity. The possibility of n-type conductivity in B-doped BaSi2 was discussed based on first-principles calculations considering the presence of oxygen atoms.
JAPANESE JOURNAL OF APPLIED PHYSICS
(2023)
Article
Physics, Applied
Norio Akiyama, Tsukasa Dohi
Summary: The current-voltage characteristics of trigonal selenium nanowire crystals made via immersion in ethanol were studied, revealing a steep increase in current at the trap-filled limit voltage. Analysis based on a three-dimensional model estimated trap concentration and trap energy, compared with trap levels obtained from a photocurrent spectrum analysis. Different trap levels were attributed to deformation, OH- stretching mode, and CH- stretching mode.
JAPANESE JOURNAL OF APPLIED PHYSICS
(2021)
Article
Materials Science, Multidisciplinary
M. M. Tagiyev
Summary: Bi85Sb15 + 0.01 at % Pb materials have been synthesized and shown to have improved electrical conductivity and thermal conductivity by introducing 0.1 at% tellurium impurities, leading to increased carrier concentration and lattice thermal conductivity.
INORGANIC MATERIALS
(2022)
Article
Materials Science, Multidisciplinary
Kailin Xu, Qiuya Zhang, Weiguo Xu, Xudong Kang, Liping Wang
Summary: This study successfully synthesized Er-doping g-C3N4/BCNQDs and investigated their photocatalytic degradation ability towards tetracycline. The results showed that ErCN/BCNQDs photocatalyst exhibited significant degradation efficiency. Characterization techniques revealed that the doping of Er and the introduction of BCNQDs increased the number of effective photogenerated electrons and holes, which hindered the recombination of photogenerated carriers.
Article
Engineering, Electrical & Electronic
Shu Qin
Summary: In advanced CMOS device processes, the use of one-step plasma doping (PLAD) technique with ULE high dose regime has shown to be more effective in reducing channeling effects and improving device performance compared to traditional methods. This results in cost reduction, increased throughput, and significant improvements in device characteristics.
IEEE TRANSACTIONS ON ELECTRON DEVICES
(2021)
Review
Materials Science, Multidisciplinary
Changming Fang, Zhongyun Fan
Summary: This article provides an overview of recent studies on prenucleation at liquid-metal/oxide interfaces using ab initio molecular dynamics simulation techniques. The formation of an ordered metal layer terminating the oxide substrates in liquid light metals has been observed, which strongly affects the prenucleation process. The manipulation of nucleation potency of substrate surfaces through elemental segregation is suggested to control the solidification processes.
Article
Multidisciplinary Sciences
I. Medouni, A. Portavoce, P. Maugis, P. Eymeoud, M. Yescas, K. Hoummada
Summary: This study experimentally investigated the influence of the elastic field on atomic segregation in Fe-based alloys, finding that each element segregates either in the edge dislocation core or forms atmospheres. The elastic field strongly affects segregation atmospheres, but has no effect on dislocation core segregation. The theory is in good agreement with experimental results, supporting dislocation engineering.
SCIENTIFIC REPORTS
(2021)
Article
Materials Science, Multidisciplinary
Peijing Kuang, Keisuke Natsui, Yasuaki Einaga, Chuanping Feng, Yubo Cui, Wanjun Zhang, Yang Deng
Summary: This study demonstrates the enhancement of nitrate reduction process using copper modified BDD (Cu-BDD) with higher stability after annealing treatment. Annealing process promoted the homogeneity of copper oxides on the surface of Cu-BDD, enhancing the stability and conductivity for nitrate reduction. The formation of cuprous ions and metallic Cu during annealing treatment further improved the catalytic capability for nitrate reduction, providing a promising technology for remediation of nitrate-contaminated groundwater.
DIAMOND AND RELATED MATERIALS
(2021)
Article
Chemistry, Multidisciplinary
Ting Luo, Jimmy J. Kuo, Kent J. Griffith, Kazuki Imasato, Oana Cojocaru-Miredin, Matthias Wuttig, Baptiste Gault, Yuan Yu, G. Jeffrey Snyder
Summary: The study found that Nb does not enter the Mg3Sb2 matrix but forms a wetting layer along the grain boundary, modifying the interfacial energy and accelerating grain growth. Modeling suggests that the grain boundary resistivity appears to be reduced by Nb-enrichment. This study confirms grain boundary scattering in Mg3Sb2 and reveals the potential role of metallic additives in enhancing grain growth and reducing grain boundary resistivity.
ADVANCED FUNCTIONAL MATERIALS
(2021)
Article
Chemistry, Multidisciplinary
Yu Liu, Mariano Calcabrini, Yuan Yu, Seungho Lee, Cheng Chang, Jeremy David, Tanmoy Ghosh, Maria Chiara Spadaro, Chenyang Xie, Oana Cojocaru-Miredin, Jordi Arbiol, Maria Ibanez
Summary: This study optimizes the thermoelectric performance of polycrystalline SnSe by surface engineering and consolidating solution-processed SnSe particles. The resulting SnSe-CdSe nanocomposites exhibit high thermoelectric figures of merit due to the presence of CdSe nanoparticles and a large number of defects.
Article
Energy & Fuels
Anna Koprek, Pawel Zabierowski, Marek Pawlowski, Luv Sharma, Christoph Freysoldt, Baptiste Gault, Roland Wuerz, Oana Cojocaru-Miredin
Summary: The study reveals that thermally-induced degradation processes in Cu(In,Ga)Se2 (CIGSe)-based solar cells involve enhanced short-range Cd diffusion and the formation of CdCu + donor-like defects deep inside the p-type CIGSe layer, leading to a significant deterioration of cell efficiency. Understanding these degradation processes opens up new opportunities for further improvement of long-term device performance.
SOLAR ENERGY MATERIALS AND SOLAR CELLS
(2021)
Article
Chemistry, Physical
Guangyuan Bai, Yuan Yu, Xuelian Wu, Junqin Li, Yucheng Xie, Lipeng Hu, Fusheng Liu, Matthias Wuttig, Oana Cojocaru-Miredin, Chaohua Zhang
Summary: Adding boron simultaneously enhances the ZT and mechanical properties of GeTe-based alloys, resulting in improved stability and efficiency of TE modules at high temperatures.
ADVANCED ENERGY MATERIALS
(2021)
Article
Chemistry, Multidisciplinary
James P. Male, Lamya Abdellaoui, Yuan Yu, Siyuan Zhang, Naomi Pieczulewski, Oana Cojocaru-Miredin, Christina Scheu, Gerald Jeffrey Snyder
Summary: This study identifies the connections between dislocations, point defects, and brittleness in PbTe materials with various dopants. The results illustrate the consequences of excessive defect engineering and the necessity to consider both mechanical and thermoelectric performance when researching thermoelectric materials for practical applications.
ADVANCED FUNCTIONAL MATERIALS
(2021)
Article
Materials Science, Multidisciplinary
Qi Zhang, Yangjian Lin, Nan Lin, Yuan Yu, Feng Liu, Chenguang Fu, Binghui Ge, Oana Cojocaru-Miredin, Tiejun Zhu, Xinbing Zhao
Summary: Introducing low-angle grain boundaries in n-type Bi2Te2.7Se0.3 through a simple step-hot-pressing procedure resulted in a high room temperature zT value, while also proving effective in promoting the room temperature zT of p-type Bi2Te3-based polycrystals.
MATERIALS TODAY PHYSICS
(2022)
Article
Chemistry, Multidisciplinary
Mohit Raghuwanshi, Manjusha Chugh, Giovanna Sozzi, Ana Kanevce, Thomas D. Kuehne, Hossein Mirhosseini, Roland Wuerz, Oana Cojocaru-Miredin
Summary: This study investigates both Cu-poor and Cu-rich CIGS solar cells and shows the superior properties of the internal interfaces of Cu-poor cells, such as p-n junction and grain boundaries, which make them the highest-efficiency devices. By employing a correlative microscopy approach, key factors governing the device performance are discovered.
ADVANCED MATERIALS
(2022)
Article
Chemistry, Multidisciplinary
Rui Shu, Zhijia Han, Anna Elsukova, Yongbin Zhu, Peng Qin, Feng Jiang, Jun Lu, Per O. A. Persson, Justinas Palisaitis, Arnaud le Febvrier, Wenqing Zhang, Oana Cojocaru-Miredin, Yuan Yu, Per Eklund, Weishu Liu
Summary: An unconventional Janus-type nanoprecipitate has been discovered, which can be used to tailor the thermoelectric properties of materials through solid-state precipitation.
Article
Chemistry, Physical
Jiang-Jing Wang, Suyang Sun, Lu Lu, Hongchu Du, Chun-Lin Jia, Oana Cojocaru-Miredin, Jian Yang, Guiwu Liu, Chongjian Zhou, Guanjun Qiao, Zhongqi Shi, En Ma, Bangzhi Ge, Yuan Yu, Matthias Wuttig, Wei Zhang
Summary: A design strategy to stabilize the excess zinc ions in β-Zn4Sb3 material and achieve a homogeneous distribution of zinc interstitials has been presented. This design strategy not only improves the carrier mobility and conductivity but also leads to excellent thermoelectric performance of the material.
Article
Materials Science, Multidisciplinary
Jacques Perrin Toinin, Constantinos Hatzoglou, Justine Voronkoff, Herve Montigaud, Denis Guimard, Matthias Wuttig, Francois Vurpillot, Oana Cojocaru-Miredin
Summary: Insulating glazings used in building and automotive industry have low-emissivity coatings and the challenge is to increase infrared reflectance while maintaining high transmittance. This study uses atom probe tomography (APT) to precisely quantify chemical interdiffusion and overcomes the fracturing issue with an unconventional cross-section configuration. The research provides insights into early-stage interdiffusion, which is crucial for low-E glass applications.
ADVANCED MATERIALS TECHNOLOGIES
(2023)
Article
Energy & Fuels
Mohit Raghuwanshi, Jens Keutgen, Antonio Massimiliano Mio, Hossein Mirhosseini, Thomas D. Kuehne, Oana Cojocaru-Miredin
Summary: The grain boundaries (GBs) in CIGS solar cells are important for their efficiency, especially in cells with polycrystalline absorbers. Previous studies have shown that the traits of GBs in CIGS are directly related to their composition. However, this relationship cannot be determined for twin boundaries (TBs). In this study, high-resolution scanning transmission electron microscopy is used to investigate TBs and their differences, and it is found that electrically neutral TBs are cation-anion terminated, while electrically beneficial TBs are cation-cation terminated. The presence of Cu vacancies near cation-cation TBs leads to a passivated TB and better electron transport.
Article
Multidisciplinary Sciences
Riga Wu, Yuan Yu, Shuo Jia, Chongjian Zhou, Oana Cojocaru-Miredin, Matthias Wuttig
Summary: Grain boundaries (GBs) are important for controlling mass, heat, and charge transport. The scattering of charge carriers at GBs is found to depend on the misorientation angle, with low-angle GBs experiencing disruption of metavalent bonding (MVB) at dislocation cores and high-angle GBs completely destroying MVB due to Peierls distortion. The collapse of MVB leads to an enlargement of the GB barrier height, affecting charge transport.
NATURE COMMUNICATIONS
(2023)
Article
Materials Science, Multidisciplinary
Oana Cojocaru-Miredin, Arun Devaraj
Summary: In the past decade, the applicability of atom probe tomography (APT) has been extended to a wide range of materials including semiconductors and insulators. However, APT can only provide information about composition, making it challenging to analyze the correlation between composition and other material properties. Therefore, researchers worldwide have been combining APT with other microscopy methods to understand the composition-property interrelationships at the same position of the sample. This article provides an overview of these efforts and presents three examples of opportunities in materials science when using correlative microscopy with APT.
Proceedings Paper
Energy & Fuels
Svitlana Taranenko, Jiro Nishinaga, Oana Cojocaru-Miredin
Summary: The conversion efficiency of Cu(In,Ga)Se-2 (CIGS) thin film solar cells with an epitaxial monocrystalline absorber (mono-CIGS) is slightly lower compared to those with a polycrystalline absorber (poly-CIGS), but the former has fewer structural defects in the absorber. Dislocations in mono-CIGS absorber are characterized using atom probe tomography, and their impact on cell parameters is discussed in this study.
2021 IEEE 48TH PHOTOVOLTAIC SPECIALISTS CONFERENCE (PVSC)
(2021)
Article
Multidisciplinary Sciences
Baptiste Gault, Ann Chiaramonti, Oana Cojocaru-Miredin, Patrick Stender, Renelle Dubosq, Christoph Freysoldt, Surendra Kumar Makineni, Tong Li, Michael Moody, Julie M. Cairney
Summary: APT provides three-dimensional compositional mapping with sub-nanometre resolution and high sensitivity for all elements. The overview covers the development, specimen preparation, data reconstruction, analysis, applications, performance underpinning, strengths, limitations, and potential improvements of APT. Future advancements aim for true atomic-scale tomography through new specimen preparation methods, novel technologies, and interoperability with complementary techniques.
NATURE REVIEWS METHODS PRIMERS
(2021)
