Article
Physics, Multidisciplinary
Paul Jreidini, Tatu Pinomaa, Jorg M. K. Wiezorek, Joseph T. McKeown, Anssi Laukkanen, Nikolas Provatas
Summary: Rapid solidification experiments on thin film aluminum samples reveal lattice orientation gradients within crystallizing grains. A phase-field crystal model is proposed to quantitatively model pure aluminum, and simulations show orientation gradients within crystallizing grains observed experimentally are reproduced. A causal connection between defect formation and orientation gradients is suggested.
PHYSICAL REVIEW LETTERS
(2021)
Article
Nanoscience & Nanotechnology
Shaojun Qi, Ioannis Kiratzis, Pavan Adoni, Aekkachai Tuekprakhon, Harriet James Hill, Zania Stamataki, Aneesa Nabi, David Waugh, Javier Rodriguez Rodriguez, Stuart Matthew Clarke, Peter J. Fryer, Zhenyu J. Zhang
Summary: An effective antimicrobial surface film based on sustainable microfibrillated cellulose was developed in this study. The porous cellulose thin film showed excellent antimicrobial performance against both Gram-negative and Gram-positive bacteria, and rapid inactivation effect against SARS-CoV-2. It also exhibited nearly 100% resistance to scraping in dry conditions and good removability when wetted with water, making it suitable for daily use.
ACS APPLIED MATERIALS & INTERFACES
(2023)
Article
Materials Science, Coatings & Films
Behnam Moeini, David T. Fullwood, Paul Minson, Daniel Shollenberger, David S. Bell, Morris D. Argyle, Richard Vanfleet, Matthew R. Linford
Summary: Understanding the processing-structure-property linkages of solid-phase microextraction coating materials is crucial for their rational design and advancement. This study assesses the morphological evolution of micro/mesoporous amorphous silicon thin films and identifies valuable information for improving design and optimization of these films.
SURFACE & COATINGS TECHNOLOGY
(2023)
Article
Polymer Science
Juan Jesus Rocha-Cuervo, Esmeralda Uribe-Lam, Cecilia Daniela Trevino-Quintanilla, Dulce Viridiana Melo-Maximo
Summary: This study presents an alternative post-curing treatment for photopolymer substrates considering the plasma produced via the sputtering process. The effect of sputtering plasma on the properties of Zn/ZnO thin films deposited on photopolymer substrates, with and without UV treatment, was analyzed. The results showed the influence of plasma as a post-cured treatment alternative and the effect on film thickness and roughness values.
Article
Materials Science, Coatings & Films
Yiyong Zhang, Zhe Xu, Zhibin Zhang, Wen Yao, Xidong Hui, Xiubing Liang
Summary: In this study, Mo-Ta-W RMPEA thin hard films were successfully fabricated and exhibited high strength and thermal stability. The films showed a single solid solution structure and nanocrystalline structure, with smooth surface morphology. The Mo-Ta-W alloy thin films displayed superior mechanical properties, including high hardness and elastic modulus, indicating excellent wear resistance. These films can be considered as candidates for hard protective coating applications.
SURFACE & COATINGS TECHNOLOGY
(2022)
Article
Multidisciplinary Sciences
Ruobin Jia, Brittany N. N. Hoffman, Alexei V. V. Kozlov, Stavros G. G. Demos, Alexander A. A. Shestopalov
Summary: Three organic monolayers coatings were developed and tested to improve the cleaning efficiency of microscale particles attached to surfaces by air flows. The coatings did not affect the laser-induced-damage threshold values and exhibited significantly improved cleaning efficiency with a gas flow. Larger particles (> 5 μm) were removed from the coated substrates with almost 100% efficiency, while the coatings improved the cleaning efficiency of smaller particles (≤ 5 μm) by 17% to 30% for stainless steel and 19% to 38% for silica particles.
SCIENTIFIC REPORTS
(2023)
Article
Chemistry, Inorganic & Nuclear
Georgia Gkouzia, Damian Guenzing, Ruiwen Xie, Teresa Wessels, Andraas Kovacs, Alpha T. N'Diaye, Maïrton Major, J. P. Palakkal, Rafal E. Dunin-Borkowski, Heiko Wende, Hongbin Zhang, Katharina Ollefs, Lambert Alff
Summary: This study investigates the effect of copper substitution on the magnetic properties of SmCo5 thin films synthesized by molecular beam epitaxy. The results show that copper substitution not only stabilizes the formation of the SmCo5 structure but also enhances magnetic anisotropy and coercivity. X-ray magnetic circular dichroism and scanning transmission electron microscopy reveal the nanoscale inhomogeneities in the distribution of copper and cobalt.
INORGANIC CHEMISTRY
(2023)
Article
Materials Science, Multidisciplinary
Ravi Teja Mittireddi, Nisha Hiralal Makani, Deepak G. Prajapati, Abhay Raj Singh Gautam, Rupak Banerjee, Emila Panda
Summary: This study focuses on quantifying the impact of microstructure on the functionality of titanium dioxide films caused by minor changes in the fabrication process. Thin titanium dioxide films are deposited using sputtering with variations in target composition and working environment. Various characterization techniques are employed to quantitatively analyze the phase, chemical constitution, composition, thickness, roughness, density, etc. of the films and their link to electronic structure, electrical, optical, and surface characteristics. The insights from this study can guide the experimental design for fabricating films with desired functionalities by considering the tolerance range.
MATERIALS CHARACTERIZATION
(2023)
Article
Chemistry, Multidisciplinary
Georg Robert Johannes Artus, Davide Bottone, Stefan Seeger
Summary: Silicon oxycarbide (SiOC) materials have emerged as a promising class of glasses and glass-ceramics due to their advantageous chemical and thermal properties. This study presents a simple bottom-up approach to obtain textured SiOC coatings with high surface area by directly pyrolyzing well-defined polysiloxane structures. The thermal behavior of these structures was investigated, revealing that the rods shrink in volume while maintaining their aspect ratio until at least 1100 degrees C. The nano-sized filaments exhibited signs of viscous flow at a comparably low temperature of 900 degrees C, possibly due to the nano-size effect.
Article
Chemistry, Physical
Urszula Mizerska, Slawomir Rubinsztajn, Julian Chojnowski, Marek Cypryk, Pawel Uznanski, Agnieszka Walkiewicz-Pietrzykowska, Witold Fortuniak
Summary: The branching and cross-linking of siloxane polymers play vital roles in silicone technology. A new self-restructuring process has been developed, which transforms linear polyhydromethylsiloxane (PHMS) into highly branched siloxane polymer or cross-linked siloxane network through hydride ion transfer between silicon atoms catalyzed by tris(pentafluoromethyl)borane. Unlike existing reactions, this process operates at room temperature without the need for a low-molecular-weight cross-linker, water, silanol groups, or metal catalysts. The study of this process was conducted in toluene solution, tracking its progress through various techniques. A proposed mechanism based on quantum calculations supports this new self-restructuring process, and it has been demonstrated that a linear PHMS can serve as a precursor for pure methylsiloxane film.
Article
Materials Science, Multidisciplinary
Ronald R. Willey, Olaf Stenzel
Summary: In the field of nanomaterials and meta-materials, thin films are used with thicknesses much thinner than previously used in optical thin film coatings. However, the island structure that occurs during film nucleation and growth poses a problem. The indices of refraction, n and k, also vary with thickness, making it difficult to model. This paper introduces a tool for designing optical thin films with varying indices of refraction.
Article
Polymer Science
Saliha Mutlu, Eyup Metin, Sureyya Aydin Yuksel, Ugur Bayrak, Cigdem Nuhoglu, Nergis Arsu
Summary: The study found that nanoparticles are distributed differently in solution and in polymer matrices, and the atmosphere has an impact on the shape and size of the nanoparticles. Peroxy radicals are mainly responsible for the reduction of metal ions to form metal and metal oxide nanoparticles.
EUROPEAN POLYMER JOURNAL
(2021)
Article
Materials Science, Multidisciplinary
Guangyu Zhu, Yuting Tian, Jiang Wu, Guang Yang, Zan Hua
Summary: This study explores the use of renewable plant oil-based polysiloxanes as passive frost-resistant and anti-icing materials. The optimized polysiloxane coating effectively removes accumulated ice/frost through natural forces, presenting great potential for efficient anti-icing and frost-resistant applications.
ACS APPLIED POLYMER MATERIALS
(2022)
Article
Chemistry, Multidisciplinary
James P. Barnard, Robynne L. Paldi, Matias Kalaswad, Zihao He, Hongyi Dou, Yizhi Zhang, Jianan Shen, Dongqi Zheng, Neil R. Dilley, Raktim Sarma, Aleem M. Siddiqui, Peide D. Ye, Haiyan Wang
Summary: Nanoelectronic devices integrated with functional complex oxides have been a topic of interest, but integrating them with Si-based devices has been challenging. The BFMO supercell phase, a layered oxide system, has been mostly studied on single-crystal oxide substrates. This study successfully demonstrated the integration of BFMO on Si with high epitaxial quality using a buffer stack and showed promising physical properties for practical device applications.
CRYSTAL GROWTH & DESIGN
(2023)
Article
Chemistry, Multidisciplinary
T. Iline-Vul, S. Bretler, S. Cohen, I. Perelshtein, N. Perkas, A. Gedanken, S. Margel
Summary: Superhydrophobic coatings have gained significant attention in recent years due to their potential applications in various industries and research fields. This study introduces a relatively simple method for preparing durable, transparent, and self-cleaning superhydrophobic coatings on polymeric films, with potential applications including self-cleaning windows, snow anti-sticking, solar panels, agricultural uses, corrosion resistance, and anti-biofouling.
MATERIALS TODAY CHEMISTRY
(2021)