Article
Chemistry, Inorganic & Nuclear
Mark A. Rambaran, Andras Gorzsas, Michael Holmboe, C. Andre Ohlin
Summary: Niobium oxide thin films were prepared by spin-coating aqueous solutions of tetramethylammonium salts of isostructural polyoxometalate clusters onto silicon wafers and annealing them, resulting in different crystal phases. A protocol for depositing successive layers of metal oxide films was demonstrated, and factors affecting the roughness of the films were explored.
DALTON TRANSACTIONS
(2021)
Article
Chemistry, Inorganic & Nuclear
Parmish Kaur, Arbresha Muriqi, Jan-Lucas Wree, Ramin Ghiyasi, Muhammad Safdar, Michael Nolan, Maarit Karppinen, Anjana Devi
Summary: A novel atomic/molecular layer deposition process for cerium-based metal-organic hybrid films is presented in this study. Using a highly reactive cerium(iii) guanidinate precursor in combination with specific organic precursors, the hybrid films were grown at high growth rates. The films showed favorable UV absorption properties and potential applications as redox active materials and UV-absorbing materials.
DALTON TRANSACTIONS
(2022)
Article
Materials Science, Multidisciplinary
Camila Ianhez-Pereira, Akhil Kuriakose, Ariano De Giovanni Rodrigues, Ana Luiza Costa Silva, Ottavia Jedrkiewicz, Monica Bollani, Marcio Peron Franco de Godoy
Summary: This study aims to evaluate the crystalline changes induced by ultrafast laser micromachining on manganese oxide thin films using micro-Raman spectroscopy. The results show that laser-writing is effective in locally modifying low-crystallinity films and increasing crystallite sizes, highlighting an interesting approach to evaluate laser-induced structural modifications on metal oxide thin films.
Article
Chemistry, Multidisciplinary
Zachary R. Lindsey, Malachi West, Peter Jacobson, John Robert Ray
Summary: Compared to Si, GaAs has advantages such as high carrier mobility and energy conversion efficiency, making it a leading competitor in optoelectronics and solar energy conversion. This research demonstrates the electrodeposition and controlled alloying of polycrystalline InxGa1-xAs films at ambient pressure and near-room temperature using the electrochemical liquid-liquid-solid (ec-LLS) process.
CRYSTAL GROWTH & DESIGN
(2022)
Article
Chemistry, Physical
Osmary Depablos-Rivera, Ana Martinez, Sandra E. Rodil
Summary: Bismuth oxide thin films were studied under different deposition conditions, leading to the identification of various crystallographic phases. An unknown broad band at 600 cm(-1) in the Raman spectra was found for all films, attributed to residual weakly bonded [BiOn] units at grain boundaries. Theoretical estimations and density functional approximation were used to support the experimental data, showing good agreement.
JOURNAL OF ALLOYS AND COMPOUNDS
(2021)
Article
Chemistry, Physical
Xiangnan Gong, Menglei Feng, Hong Wu, Hongpeng Zhou, Chunhung Suen, Hanjun Zou, Lijie Guo, Kai Zhou, Shijian Chen, Jiyan Dai, Guoyu Wang, Xiaoyuan Zhou
Summary: This work focuses on improving the quality of highly (100)-oriented SnSe thin films for thermoelectric applications. By controlling key parameters during pulsed-laser deposition and performing vacuum thermal annealing, the film quality was enhanced. The best crystal quality and uniform orientation were achieved on SiO2/Si substrate at 673 K followed by thermal annealing at 673 K for 30 min, showcasing promising Seebeck coefficient and power factor values.
APPLIED SURFACE SCIENCE
(2021)
Article
Chemistry, Multidisciplinary
Gideon Henkelmann, Diana Waldow, Maowen Liu, Lukas Luehrs, Yong Li, Joerg Weissmueller
Summary: Experimental results show that thin films of dealloyed nanoporous gold (NPG) spontaneously detach from massive gold base layers and densify near the external surface. This behavior is reproduced by kinetic Monte Carlo (KMC) simulation and is common for nanoscale network materials evolving by surface diffusion.
Article
Chemistry, Physical
Longxing Su, Yuan Zhu, Yuanyuan An, Jin Xie, Zikang Tang
Summary: II-VI ternary alloy is a promising material for advanced optoelectronic devices, with careful tuning of band structures for novel optoelectronic properties. Resonant Raman spectroscopy reveals a prominent two-mode behavior in BexZn1-xO alloy, leading to a high performance UV photodetector.
JOURNAL OF ALLOYS AND COMPOUNDS
(2021)
Article
Materials Science, Multidisciplinary
S. Kurtaran, M. Kellegoz, S. Kose
Summary: CeO2 thin films doped with Gd through spray pyrolysis technique exhibit enhanced optical, structural, and electrical properties, showing high transmittance and promising photoluminescence characteristics. These films may be considered as potential materials for optoelectronic applications.
Article
Chemistry, Multidisciplinary
Ilhem Bargaoui, Nabila Bitri, Jean-Michel Menard
Summary: A comparative investigation was conducted on thin films of graphene oxide (GO) and chemically reduced graphene oxide (rGO) deposited onto glass substrates via spray pyrolysis. Two reduction techniques were studied: (1) exposure of a sprayed layer of GO to hydrazine hydrate vapors to produce rGOV, and (2) addition of liquid hydrazine hydrate to a suspended GO solution followed by spray deposition to produce rGOL. Three different spectroscopy techniques showed that the two reduced samples had less lattice disorder compared to GO, with rGOL having the highest degree of reduction. Atomic force microscopy revealed a morphological change in the films during exposure to hydrazine hydrate vapors, resulting in a 16-fold increase in thickness for the rGOV film compared to rGOL and GO. I-V measurements confirmed a significant decrease in resistivity after reduction, with rGOL exhibiting a resistivity 90 times lower than rGOV, indicating the highest degree of reduction. These findings suggest that the reduction process for rGOV is prone to introducing intercalated water molecules, while the fabrication technique for rGOL is a suitable method to obtain a material with minimal lattice disorder and properties approaching those of graphene.
Article
Materials Science, Multidisciplinary
Yue Xiao, Qiyu Chen, Qing Hao
Summary: Nanoporous thin films have been widely studied for enhancing thermoelectric performance and manipulating thermal transport in thin-film-based devices, showing potential applications in the field.
MATERIALS TODAY PHYSICS
(2021)
Article
Chemistry, Multidisciplinary
Chonghang Zhao, Kim Kisslinger, Xiaojing Huang, Jianming Bai, Xiaoyang Liu, Cheng-Hung Lin, Lin-Chieh Yu, Ming Lu, Xiao Tong, Hui Zhong, Ajith Pattammattel, Hanfei Yan, Yong Chu, Sanjit Ghose, Mingzhao Liu, Yu-chen Karen Chen-Wiegart
Summary: Thin-film solid-state interfacial dealloying is an emerging technique for designing nanoarchitecture thin films, promising controllable 3D bicontinuous nanostructures and very fine nanoporous structures. By combining different microscopy methods and utilizing multimodal analysis, detailed characterization of materials' chemical and structural evolution is achieved, with the consideration of entropy contribution in addition to the commonly used enthalpy term in metal-agent dealloying.
Article
Chemistry, Multidisciplinary
Jianqiang Ma, Sien Wang, Xiao Wan, Dengke Ma, Yue Xiao, Qing Hao, Nuo Yang
Summary: This study investigates the 3D morphological evolution of a membrane with periodic nanopores by thermal annealing, and proposes a new model to explain the mechanism behind this evolution. The study provides guidance for the production of nanoporous membranes.
Article
Chemistry, Multidisciplinary
P. Velusamy, M. Sathiya, R. Ramesh Babu, Awais Ahmad, Asma A. Alothman, Mohammed Sheikh Saleh Mushab, Elangovan Elamurugu, M. Senthil Pandian, P. Ramasamy
Summary: The study investigated the optoelectronic and gas sensing characteristics of Ti-doped CdO thin films, revealing that Ti doping significantly modifies the surface microstructure and optical properties of CdO films, leading to a high response rate to formaldehyde gas.
NEW JOURNAL OF CHEMISTRY
(2022)
Article
Chemistry, Multidisciplinary
Anish Philip, Ramin Ghiyasi, Maarit Karppinen
Summary: Curcumin, known for its antimicrobial effects, is embedded in TiO2 using ALD/MLD thin-film technique to create different superlattice structures for potential synergistic effects. The extension of light absorption to the entire visible range is shown, suggesting the possibility of using these films for light-driven pathogen destruction.
Article
Electrochemistry
Shanshan Qin, Zdenek Badura, Nikita Denisov, Ondrej Tomanec, Shiva Mohajernia, Ning Liu, Stepan Kment, Giorgio Zoppellaro, Patrik Schmuki
Summary: This study investigates a self-assembling photocatalytic system formed when grey titania nanoparticles are illuminated in an aqueous Ni2+ solution, resulting in the production of H-2 under UV light. The research shows that the activation is not a result of deposition of Ni-0 or other Ni-catalyst compounds on the titania surface, but rather due to the light-induced formation of a suitable defect structure on the titania combined with an intermediate Ni(I) electron transfer relay. The resulting Ni+/TiO2/Ti3+ photocatalyst operates without the need for noble metals or sacrificial agents.
ELECTROCHEMISTRY COMMUNICATIONS
(2021)
Article
Electrochemistry
Xin Zhou, Nikita Denisov, Gihoon Cha, Imgon Hwang, Patrik Schmuki
Summary: This study compares the photoresponse of vertically erected single crystal anatase layers with that of TiO2 nanotube layers, showing that the de-fluorinated VE-anatase layers exhibit significantly higher photocurrents due to faster electron transport in these single crystal electrodes.
ELECTROCHEMISTRY COMMUNICATIONS
(2021)
Article
Chemistry, Physical
Rambabu Yalavarthi, Radek Zboril, Patrik Schmuki, Alberto Naldoni, Stepan Kment
Summary: This study provides a comprehensive analysis of the recombination phenomenon of BiVO4 with Mo doping, highlighting the importance of V4+ species, MoOx species, and CoOOH co-catalyst coating in enhancing the photoelectrochemical performance. By reducing charge recombination rates, the photocurrent of BiVO4 is significantly enhanced, demonstrating the potential for improved water splitting efficiency.
JOURNAL OF POWER SOURCES
(2021)
Article
Engineering, Chemical
Tobias Weissenberger, Albert G. F. Machoke, Joel M. Kolle, Yamini S. Avadhut, Martin Hartmann, Wilhelm Schwieger
Summary: The one-pot synthesis of aluminium-containing mesoporous silica particles (Al-MSPs) utilizing polyvinyl alcohol (PVA) as steric stabilization agent prevents particle agglomeration and allows for high yield and easy adjustment of the Si/Al ratio. The Al-MSPs exhibit spherical morphology, high surface area, and activity for the liquid-phase Beckmann rearrangement of cyclohexanone to caprolactam.
CHEMIE INGENIEUR TECHNIK
(2021)
Article
Electrochemistry
Nikita Denisov, Xin Zhou, Gihoon Cha, Patrik Schmuki
Summary: The photoresponse of TiO2 nanotube photoanodes is significantly influenced by the illumination intensity, with a significant increase in IPCE magnitude as the illumination intensity decreases. Higher illumination intensities lead to hole accumulation and trapping. At low light intensities, there are noticeable changes in IPCE spectra and a slowing of transient photocurrent kinetics.
ELECTROCHIMICA ACTA
(2021)
Article
Chemistry, Physical
Benedict Osuagwu, Waseem Raza, Alexander B. Tesler, Patrik Schmuki
Summary: This study investigates the growth of vertically aligned SnS2 nanoflakes on quartz glass/FTO substrates through sulfidation. The effects of FTO thickness and H2S treatment time on the properties are systematically examined, leading to the discovery of optimal conditions for achieving high incident photon to current conversion efficiency and photocurrent generation.
ACS APPLIED ENERGY MATERIALS
(2021)
Article
Chemistry, Physical
Lukas Zdrazil, Sergii Kalytchuk, Michal Langer, Razi Ahmad, Jan Pospisil, Oldrich Zmeskal, Marco Altomare, Andres Osvet, Radek Zboril, Patrik Schmuki, Christoph J. Brabec, Michal Otyepka, Stepan Kment
Summary: Luminescent solar concentrators (LSCs) have high potential for generating electricity by redirecting solar light to photovoltaic cells; the key challenge lies in replacing toxic, lead-containing perovskites with lead-free PNCs, such as Bi-doped Cs2Ag0.4Na0.6InCl6 double perovskites, to maintain high optical efficiency. The study demonstrates significant promise of Bi-doped lead-free PNCs for LSCs, with potential efficiency of 39.4% for larger scale LSCs.
ACS APPLIED ENERGY MATERIALS
(2021)
Article
Chemistry, Multidisciplinary
Zhenni Wu, Imgon Hwang, Gihoon Cha, Shanshan Qin, Ondrej Tomanec, Zdenek Badura, Stepan Kment, Radek Zboril, Patrik Schmuki
Summary: Anodic TiO2 nanotubes are shown to have excellent properties for harvesting Pt single atoms from highly dilute solutions. The tube walls provide suitable trapping sites for Pt SAs, and a high activity for photocatalytic H-2 generation can be achieved by immersing the nanotubes in a low concentration Pt solution. Overall, these findings demonstrate the potential of anodic TiO2 nanotubes for efficient Pt extraction and recovery, leading to highly active photocatalysts.
Article
Chemistry, Multidisciplinary
Shanshan Qin, Lancang Shui, Benedict Osuagwu, Nikita Denisov, Alexander B. Tesler, Patrik Schmuki
Summary: The study suggests that octahedral nanocubes with abundant {101} facets in anatase TiO2 nanocrystals produce over 4 times more H2 in photocatalytic H2 evolution compared to nanosheets enriched in {001} facets under co-catalyst-free conditions. However, when samples carry Pt co-catalyst on both {001} and {101} facets, the significance of faceting diminishes, indicating that the beneficial role of faceting is relevant only for co-catalyst-free surfaces.
Article
Energy & Fuels
Shanshan Qin, Nikita Denisov, Johannes Will, Jan Kolarik, Erdmann Spiecker, Patrik Schmuki
Summary: Removing non-active Pt SAs on TiO2 by cyanide leaching dramatically increases the co-catalytic activity of remaining Pt SAs, achieving a remarkable turnover frequency of 4.87 x 10(5) h(-1) for H-2 evolution.
Article
Energy & Fuels
Amer Inayat, Alexandra Inayat, Wilhelm Schwieger, Barbora Sokolova, Pavel Lestinsky
Summary: This study investigates the thermo-catalytic pyrolysis of LDPE using HZSM-5 catalysts with different acid site densities. The results show that the catalyst with the highest acid site density produces the highest concentration of aromatics, while the catalyst with the lowest acid site density produces the highest concentration of C-2-C-4 olefins. These findings are important for the chemical recycling of plastic wastes.
Article
Chemistry, Physical
Amara Nasir, Anca Mazare, Xin Zhou, Shanshan Qin, Nikita Denisov, Lukas Zdrazil, Stepan Kment, Radek Zboril, Tariq Yasin, Patrik Schmuki
Summary: This study presents a low-cost, one-step photocatalytic method for synthesizing graphene oxide (GO) using commercial graphite and grey TiO2. GO formation is achieved through UV illumination of a slurry containing well-dispersed grey TiO2 and commercial graphite. The resulting GO-decorated TiO2 acts as a visible-light-active photocatalyst for applications such as pollutant degradation.
Article
Chemistry, Physical
Christoph W. Thurner, Nicolas Bonmassar, Daniel Winkler, Leander Haug, Kevin Plover, Parastoo Delir Kheyrollahi Nezhad, Xaver Drexler, Asghar Mohammadi, Peter A. van Aken, Julia Kunze-Liebhaeuser, Aligholi Niaei, Johannes Bernardi, Bernhard Kloetzer, Simon Penner
Summary: In this study, we compared the beneficial role of Cu/perovskite and CuyPdx/perovskite interfaces in NO + CO reaction using pure and Pd-doped LaCuxMn1-xO3 perovskite catalysts. We found that the oxygen-deficient perovskite interface provided efficient NO activation sites in contact with surface-bound monometallic Cu and bimetallic CuPd nanoparticles, leading to enhanced activity and N-2 selectivity. Our findings suggest that intelligent Cu/perovskite interfacial design is a prerequisite for replacing noble metals with equally potent metal-mixed-oxide interfaces.
Article
Chemistry, Physical
Daniel Hauser, Christoph Griesser, Eva-Maria Wernig, Thomas Goetsch, Johannes Bernardi, Julia Kunze-Liebhaeuser, Simon Penner
Summary: This study investigates the effect of varying key reaction parameters on the stoichiometry of zirconium oxy-carbide films prepared by reactive magnetron sputtering. The composition of the films was confirmed by depth profiling X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy and electron microscopy analysis. The study also demonstrates the formation of well-defined metal/oxy-carbide interfaces by embedding ordered Cu particles in zirconium oxy-carbide matrices.
SURFACES AND INTERFACES
(2022)
Article
Green & Sustainable Science & Technology
Lukas Szabados, Daniel Winkler, David Stock, Thoeny Alexander, Thomas Loerting, Julia Kunze-Liebhaeuser, Engelbert Portenkirchner
Summary: In sodium-ion storage, titanium dioxide nanotubes (NTs) show excellent self-improving sodiation rate capabilities and high capacity retention by forming an acicular surface film for sodium-ion storage. This self-improving behavior has also been observed on other metal oxide surfaces.
ADVANCED ENERGY AND SUSTAINABILITY RESEARCH
(2022)
