Article
Materials Science, Multidisciplinary
Giji Skaria, Ashwin Kumar Saikumar, Akshaya D. Shivprasad, Kalpathy B. Sundaram
Summary: Copper indium oxide thin films were deposited using RF magnetron sputtering and annealed at various temperatures, leading to increased grain size and crystallinity. The films exhibited high optical transmission and a small bandgap change during annealing.
Article
Chemistry, Physical
Kavita Sahu, Aditi Bisht, Alapan Dutta, Tapobrata Som, Satyabrata Mohapatra
Summary: Plasmonic nanocomposite thin films of Au-Cu2O-CuO were fabricated by RF magnetron co-sputtering and thoroughly analyzed by various techniques. The nanocomposite thin film showed excellent photocatalytic performance for organic pollutants degradation and significant catalytic activity for 4-NP transformation. The presence of Au nanoparticles in the Cu2O-CuO thin film improved charge separation and transport, enhancing the catalytic and photocatalytic features of the nanocomposite.
SURFACES AND INTERFACES
(2021)
Article
Materials Science, Ceramics
Xiaomei Zeng, Vasiliy Pelenovich, Chang Xu, D. Neena, Yanghui Jiang, Xiangyu Zhang, Alexander Pogrebnjak, Rakhim Rakhimov, Jun Zhang, Bing Yang, Sheng Liu
Summary: The effects of sample position on the morphology of lithium niobium oxide thin film transducers were studied. At the center position, the thin film exhibited good ultrasonic response, while at farther positions, complex sunflower-like structures were formed, degrading the performance of the transducers. Additionally, the annealing temperature and time were observed to impact the morphology, crystal structure, element distribution, and ultrasonic response.
CERAMICS INTERNATIONAL
(2023)
Article
Chemistry, Physical
Hyun Min Kim, Jong Hoon Lee, Ahram Yom, Han Sol Lee, Dong Geun Kim, Dong Wan Ko, Hong Seung Kim, Ji-Hoon Ahn
Summary: SrRuO3 thin films have the potential for use as electrode layers, with key parameters such as oxygen flow ratio and post-deposition conditions needing to be carefully controlled for high-quality films to be deposited on SiO2 substrates.
JOURNAL OF ALLOYS AND COMPOUNDS
(2021)
Article
Materials Science, Ceramics
Khan Alam, Mohammad B. Haider, Mohammad F. Al-Kuhaili, Khalil A. Ziq, Bakhtiar Ul Haq
Summary: Chromium nitride thin films were prepared by reactive radio frequency magnetron sputtering, and their properties were studied in relation to the nitrogen to argon flow rate ratio and film composition. The results show that the film composition, band gap, and electronic phase transition are influenced by the gas flow ratio and film composition.
CERAMICS INTERNATIONAL
(2022)
Article
Chemistry, Physical
Masami Aono, Masami Terauchi, Kyoji Morita, Tasuku Inoue, Kazuhiro Kanda, Ken Yonezawa
Summary: In this study, a-CNx thin films were deposited through RF magnetron sputtering with increasing nitrogen gas pressure to provide nitrogen radicals at high concentrations. The films' chemical bonding structures were evaluated using XPS, SXES, and NEXAFS, and compared with films deposited under uniform gas pressure. Increasing the gas pressure around the graphite target slightly increased the deposition rate and changed the chemical bonding structure of a-CNx films. However, the nitrogen content did not increase with the nitrogen gas pressure. The nitrogen incorporation in a-CNx films was more effective at higher RF powers, as indicated by SXES and NEXAFS spectra.
APPLIED SURFACE SCIENCE
(2023)
Article
Materials Science, Multidisciplinary
Justin Ryan Phelps, Ashwin Kumar Saikumar, Reza Abdolvand, Kalpathy B. B. Sundaram
Summary: This study reports the material properties of gallium-doped zinc oxide grown from a high impulse magnetron sputtering system (HiPIMS) and compares them to those of radio frequency (RF) sputtering deposition. The results show that HiPIMS and RF processes yield similar outcomes under the same average power conditions. RF depositions exhibit slightly higher band gap and deposition rate, as well as lower resistivity and optical absorption coefficient. Both methods show that band gaps and grain size increase with deposition power.
Article
Materials Science, Ceramics
Chatpawee Hom-on, Napat Triroj, Mati Horprathum, Tossaporn Lertvanithphol, Chanunthorn Chananonnawathorn, Sakson Limwichean, Noppadon Nuntawong, Prayoon Songsiriritthigul, Hideki Nakajima, Annop Klamchuen, Papot Jaroenapibal
Summary: Alumina thin films prepared by pulsed DC reactive magnetron sputtering at different operating pressures exhibited hydrolysis reactions in DI water. The corrosion process involved the presence of hydroxide-containing functional groups on the film surfaces, with increasing porosity at higher operating pressures.
CERAMICS INTERNATIONAL
(2021)
Article
Anatomy & Morphology
Bandar Astinchap, Seyed Mohaiuddin Awrang, Erfan Norian
Summary: Fractal and multifractal analysis was performed on atomic force microscopy (AFM) images of nickel oxide thin films deposited at different thicknesses. The results showed that the surface of the films exhibited multifractal behavior, with the level of multifractality and complexity decreasing with increasing thickness. Statistical parameters were also used to study the effects of layer thickness on the deposited NiO thin films, showing that these parameters varied with thickness.
MICROSCOPY RESEARCH AND TECHNIQUE
(2022)
Article
Materials Science, Multidisciplinary
S. S. Oladijo, F. M. Mwema, T. C. Jen, Kipkurui Ronoh, Dinara Sobola, E. T. Akinlabi
Summary: The study investigates the surface morphology and characteristics of CrCoCuFeNi high entropy alloy thin films at different deposition times, substrate temperatures, and RF powers. Fractal characteristics of the films are observed, with average surface roughness and interface width decreasing with time while increasing with RF power.
MATERIALS TODAY COMMUNICATIONS
(2022)
Article
Chemistry, Multidisciplinary
Giovanni Morello, Stefania Milanese, Maria Luisa De Giorgi, Nicola Calisi, Stefano Caporali, Francesco Biccari, Naomi Falsini, Anna Vinattieri, Marco Anni
Summary: Halide perovskites are recognized as real contenders for the next generation of optoelectronic devices due to their high optical efficiency, low-cost fabrication, and wide variety in composition and bandgap. This study reports the amplified spontaneous emission (ASE) properties of CsPbBr3 films obtained through RF-magnetron sputtering. The films exhibited ASE over a broad temperature range, with the best performance occurring at around 50 K. The results indicate the potential for large-area, high-quality perovskite thin films for optoelectronic applications.
Article
Materials Science, Multidisciplinary
Dmitrii Sidelev, Vladislav A. Grudinin, Konstantin A. Zinkovskii, Kamila Alkenova, Galina A. Bleykher
Summary: This article presents a comparative analysis of chromium coatings deposited by magnetron sputtering with and without ion assistance induced by a RF-ICP source. The results show that RF-ICP assistance significantly enhances ion current density and improves corrosion resistance of the coatings.
Article
Materials Science, Multidisciplinary
Aihua Jiang, Xueli Cao, Zhiyong Wang, Jiafeng Ma, Jianrong Xiao, Songshan Ma
Summary: MoS2/DLC composite films prepared by dual-target co-sputtering technique exhibit smooth surface, finer crystal particles, lower friction coefficients, and excellent corrosion resistance.
RESULTS IN PHYSICS
(2021)
Article
Chemistry, Physical
Ewa Mankowska, Michal Mazur, Malgorzata Kalisz, Marcin Grobelny, Jaroslaw Domaradzki, Damian Wojcieszak
Summary: This study presents a comprehensive comparison of the mechanical properties of HfO2 thin films deposited using different conditions of reactive magnetron sputtering. The transparent HfO2 thin films deposited in the continuous process exhibit superior corrosion resistance and the highest values of Young's modulus and scratch resistance, potentially indicating a new application as a corrosion protective material.
Article
Materials Science, Coatings & Films
Jianhui Zhang, Xiu Cao, Aihua Jiang, Lu Ru, Simin Tao, Jianrong Xiao
Summary: SiC:Cu:a-C composite films with different SiC contents were prepared using RF magnetron sputtering technique. The films with SiC sputtering power of 250 W exhibited excellent corrosion resistance, with a low corrosion current density and friction coefficient. The improvement in film properties was attributed to the increase in hydrocarbon and graphite-like structures, as well as the papillae-structured surface and uniform dispersion of nano-SiC particles in the films.
SURFACE & COATINGS TECHNOLOGY
(2023)
Article
Chemistry, Physical
Claudio Araya-Lopez, Jael Conejeros, Cristian Valdebenito, Rene Cabezas, Gaston Merlet, Jose F. Marco, Gabriel Abarca, Ricardo Salazar, Julio Romero
Summary: A new type of ionic liquids based on triazoles supported on alumina has been developed for the dehydration of fructose to selectively produce 5-HMF. The catalysts based on triazolium-ionic liquids supported on Al2O3 were synthesized and used for the synthesis of 5-HMF from fructose in DMSO as the reaction solvent.
Article
Chemistry, Physical
Tengfei Song, Lin Chen, Dominika Gastol, Bo Dong, Jose F. Marco, Frank Berry, Peter Slater, Daniel Reed, Emma Kendrick
Summary: A novel Sn-modified O3-type layered oxide cathode has been developed, demonstrating improved high-voltage stability through bulk Sn doping and surface coating in a one-step process, leading to enhanced cycling performance and capacity retention.
CHEMISTRY OF MATERIALS
(2022)
Article
Chemistry, Physical
C. Ferrer, J. Isasi, P. Arevalo, M. Fernandez-Ramos, M. Rapp, M. Alcolea, J. F. Marco, F. Martin-Hernandez
Summary: This study investigated the optimal synthesis conditions of nickel ferrite samples with small particle size and evaluated their properties using various characterization techniques. The samples synthesized with urea exhibited square particles, while those prepared with potassium hydroxide showed spherical particles. The sample synthesized with urea and functionalized with AEPDMS demonstrated the best adsorption capacity for Cu2+ ions.
JOURNAL OF ALLOYS AND COMPOUNDS
(2022)
Article
Multidisciplinary Sciences
Walter Orellana, Cesar Zuniga Loyola, Jose F. Marco, Federico Tasca
Summary: The performances of FeTPP and CoTPP as electrocatalysts for the oxygen reduction reaction (ORR) were studied. The results showed that FeTPP exhibited the best performance after pyrolysis, maintaining the integrity of the macrocyclic complex and enhancing the interaction with O-2 through the interaction with the Vulcan substrate.
SCIENTIFIC REPORTS
(2022)
Article
Electrochemistry
Ricardo Venegas, Cesar Zuniga, Jose H. Zagal, Alejandro Toro-Labbe, Jose F. Marco, Nieves Menendez, Karina Munoz-Becerra, Francisco J. Recio
Summary: Pyrolyzed non-precious metal catalysts show great potential as alternatives to expensive and scarce noble metal catalysts in energy conversion reactions. This study explores the synthesis of Fe-N-C catalysts using Fe3O4 nanoparticles as templates and iron sources, and investigates their performance and mechanism. The catalysts using nanoparticles covered by PANI and iron salts as precursors exhibit the best ORR performance in acidic media.
Article
Materials Science, Multidisciplinary
G. D. Soria, A. Serrano, J. E. Prieto, A. Quesada, G. Gorni, J. de la Figuera, J. F. Marco
Summary: We investigated the influence of the annealing treatment on the crystalline growth of previously deposited SrFe12O19 films on Si (100) substrates by RF magnetron sputtering. The results showed that the as-grown film consisted of nanocrystalline maghemite nanoparticles and amorphous strontium oxide, while the annealed film exhibited a strontium hexaferrite canonical structure with a c-axis orientation. The findings were obtained through various analysis techniques, including Mossbauer spectroscopy, EXAFS, and XANES data.
JOURNAL OF MATERIALS RESEARCH
(2023)
Article
Materials Science, Multidisciplinary
P. G. de la Iglesia, O. Garcia-Moreno, J. L. Menendez, R. Torrecillas, J. F. Marco
Summary: Calcium hexaluminate forms solid solutions with magnetic ions, allowing for the design of magnetic behavior based on composition. In this study, various synthesis methods of calcium hexaluminate with iron were investigated to determine the maximum percentage of iron that can exhibit magnetic behavior.
JOURNAL OF MATERIALS RESEARCH
(2023)
Article
Engineering, Chemical
Nicolas Soto-Donos, Lidia Favier, Sandra Fuentes Villalobos, Veronica Paredes-Garcia, Thierry Bataille, Jose F. Marco, Raluca Maria Hlihor, Eric Le Fur, Diego Venegas-Yazigi
Summary: This study successfully synthesized a new composite named TiO2@La(OH)2Cl using a sol-gel and hydrothermal route. The composite consists of micrometric platelets of La(OH)2Cl covered by c.a. 10 nm TiO2 anatase nanoparticles. The composite exhibited excellent photocatalytic activity compared to pure anatase and pure La(OH)2Cl, showing the positive role of the synergy between the two solids. The composite was also effective in degrading cetirizine and showed low toxicity in phytotoxicity investigations. These findings demonstrate the excellent catalytic efficiency and potential applications of the new synthesized material for water purification.
CHEMICAL ENGINEERING RESEARCH & DESIGN
(2023)
Article
Geology
Javier Garcia-Guinea, Fernando Gervilla, Fernando Garrido, Virgilio Correcher, Jose F. Marco, Laura Tormo
Summary: Antimony ochres are yellowish antimony oxo-hydroxides formed by the weathering of Stibnite (Sb2S3). They have a pyrochlore-type structure and contain Ca and water molecules. Due to their chemical variability and similar X-ray diffraction patterns, additional techniques are needed to distinguish between different minerals. This study characterizes the antimony ochres from Cervantes (Spain) and Brasina (Serbia) by analyzing their chemical composition, structure, thermal properties, and speciation using techniques such as X-ray diffraction, Raman spectroscopy, FTIR, and XPS.
ESTUDIOS GEOLOGICOS-MADRID
(2023)
Article
Energy & Fuels
C. Manuel J. Pinzon, Jose M. de Aquino, Renato G. Freitas, Gabriel A. Pereira, Leonardo M. Da Silva, Hudson Zanin
Summary: This comprehensive study evaluates the influence of pore structures on the charge-storage process using water-in-salt electrolytes (WiSE) and carbon-based electrodes. The concentration of WiSE was found to impact the working voltage window due to the influence of electrical double-layer structure. Different techniques, including chronoamperometric analysis and impedance data, confirmed the behavior of porous electrodes and provided insights into the charge-storage dynamics.
JOURNAL OF ENERGY STORAGE
(2023)
Article
Chemistry, Multidisciplinary
Jose F. Marco, Juan Z. Davalos-Prado, Drahomir Hnyk, Josef Holub, Ofelia B. Ona, Diego R. Alcoba, Maxime Ferrer, Jose Elguero, Luis Lain, Alicia Torre, Josep M. Oliva-Enrich
Summary: High-level quantum-chemical computations were performed in combination with Mo??ssbauer and X-ray photoelectron spectroscopies to investigate the geometric and electronic structure of the paramagnetic salt [Fe(1,2-C2B9H11)2]Cs = FeSanCs. Comparisons between experimental 57Fe isomer shifts and quadrupole splitting parameters and theoretical predictions showed good agreement. The presence of two sets of Cs(3d) doublets in the XPS spectrum indicated the existence of two different chemical environments for Cs due to the easy movement of the Cs(+) cation around the sandwich complex.
Article
Nanoscience & Nanotechnology
Pamela M. Sepulveda, Sebastiain A. Campos, Wendy Calzadilla, Jose F. Marco, Juliano C. Denardin, Ricardo A. Salazar-Gonzalez
Summary: In this study, Fe2O3-Ni, Fe2O3-Ni-Pd, MgO-Ni, and MgO-Ni-Pd nanoparticles were synthesized and used for the degradation of florfenicol (FLO). The degradation mechanisms of FLO using Fe2O3-Ni and MgO-Ni nanocatalysts were compared, and the effect of Pd incorporation on the degradation processes was evaluated. The results showed that the degradation of FLO was mainly achieved through the heterogeneous photo-Fenton process, with Fe2O3-Ni and MgO-Ni nanocatalysts achieving 78% and 44% removal of the antibiotic, respectively. The incorporation of Pd improved the degradation efficiency by 22%. Organic intermediates produced during the degradation were identified, and a degradation pathway was proposed. These findings suggest that heterogeneous Fenton and photo-Fenton processes using nanoparticles as catalysts are a promising method for the degradation of FLO in water.
ACS APPLIED NANO MATERIALS
(2023)
Article
Chemistry, Physical
Mickella Dawkins, David Saal, Jose F. Marco, James Reynolds, Sandra Dann
Summary: Experiments on the catalytic pyrolysis of methane using an iron ore-based catalyst were conducted to optimize catalytic activity and examine the purity of the carbon produced. The effect of ball milling the iron ore for different times (from 30 to 330 min) at 300 rpm on methane conversion was studied. Optimal milling for 270 min resulted in a significant increase in methane conversion to 5%, but further grinding led to a decline in conversion to 4% due to particle agglomeration.
INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF HYDROGEN ENERGY
(2023)
Article
Chemistry, Physical
Alvaro Tolosana-Moranchel, Alvaro Garcia, Alvaro Garcia-Corral, Jose F. Marco, L. Pascual, Dalia Liuzzi, Mohamed A. Salam, Pilar Ferrer, Jorge Torrero, David C. Grinter, Georg Held, Daniel Garcia Sanchez, K. Andreas Friedrich, Maria Retuerto, Sergio Rojas
Summary: The overall performance of proton exchange membrane fuel cells is limited by the sluggish kinetics of the oxygen-reduction reaction (ORR). Among the most active PGM-free ORR electrocatalysts are metal-nitrogen-carbon (M-N-C), such as Fe-N-C. In this work, a Fe/N/C catalyst was synthesized via thermal treatment of a polymeric CxNy precursor obtained by the wet-polymerization of melamine (a nitrogen rich molecule) and terephthaldehyde, and it displayed high ORR activity in acid electrolyte compared to other Fe-N-C catalysts.
JOURNAL OF POWER SOURCES
(2023)
Article
Chemistry, Physical
Alexander J. Mayer, Owain T. Beynon, Andrew J. Logsdail, K. G. Upul Wijayantha, Sandra E. Dann, Jose F. Marco, Joshua D. Elliott, Matteo Aramini, Giannantonio Cibin, Simon A. Kondrat
Summary: In this study, we investigated the speciation of potassium within Prussian blue during cyclic voltammetry using operando potassium K-edge XANES analysis. It was found that potassium ions are located within the channels of the Prussian blue structure but are displaced towards the periphery of the channels by occluded water and/or structural water. These findings demonstrate the potential of XANES to directly study the nature and evolution of potassium species during electrochemical processes.
JOURNAL OF MATERIALS CHEMISTRY A
(2023)
