Article
Chemistry, Physical
Peng Chai, Hong Xu, Longxia Wu, Haocheng Wang, Cong Fu, Weixin Huang
Summary: This study reported an in situ NAP-XPS investigation of CO activation and hydrogenation on a Co(0001) surface, revealing distinct changes in CO coverage and decomposition under different temperatures and atmospheres. These results contribute to a better understanding of the mechanisms involved in Co-catalyzed FTS reactions.
JOURNAL OF PHYSICAL CHEMISTRY C
(2021)
Article
Chemistry, Physical
James Forsythe, Oleksandr Leiko, Vitalii Uvarov, Jan Skvara, Josef Myslivecek, Karel Masek, Viktor Johanek
Summary: Heteroepitaxial layers of ordered cobalt monoxide were prepared on single crystal Cu(111) substrate using two physical deposition methods. The structure and orientation of the CoO thin films were characterized, and the surface morphology was probed using scanning tunneling microscopy. It was found that only at low oxygen pressures could the cobalt monoxide phase be established on the Cu(111) surface.
SURFACES AND INTERFACES
(2022)
Article
Nanoscience & Nanotechnology
Andrea Picone, Marco Finazzi, Lamberto Duo, Dario Giannotti, Franco Ciccacci, Alberto Brambilla
Summary: This experimental study investigates the interplay between the structural details and electronic properties of the C-60/Ni(111) interface, revealing the stabilization of two different phases and the adsorption geometry of the molecules. The results show that the electronic properties of C-60/Ni(111) are strongly influenced by the morphology of the interface, suggesting the potential for tuning the electronic properties of organic/inorganic heterostructures by adjusting the structural coupling with the substrate.
ACS APPLIED NANO MATERIALS
(2021)
Article
Chemistry, Multidisciplinary
Shijie Sun, Baijin Li, Boyu Fu, Zilin Ruan, Hui Zhang, Wei Xiong, Yong Zhang, Gefei Niu, Jianchen Lu, Xiaoqing Zuo, Lei Gao, Jinming Cai
Summary: Nanoscale low-dimensional chiral architectures have attracted increasing scientific interest due to their potential applications in chiral recognition, separation, and transformation. In this study, large-area two-dimensional chiral networks on Au(111) and one-dimensional metal-liganded chiral chains on Cu(111) were successfully constructed and characterized. The chiral transformation of the chiral networks on Au(111) was analyzed, and the electronic state information was studied using scanning tunneling spectroscopy. The combination of scanning tunneling microscopy and non-contact atomic force microscopy techniques enabled ultra-high-resolution characterization of chiral structures on low-dimensional surfaces.
CHINESE CHEMICAL LETTERS
(2022)
Article
Chemistry, Physical
Sabine Wenzel, Dajo Boden, Richard van Lent, Elahe Motaee, Mahesh K. Prabhu, Hamed Achour, Irene M. N. Groot
Summary: We have conducted near-ambient-pressure X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy on Co(0001) model catalysts during exposure to CO and H-2 gases, relevant to Fischer-Tropsch synthesis. Our results show that at this pressure, CO is more efficient in maintaining the metallic surface of Co(0001) compared to H-2. This finding has important implications for the study and optimization of the Fischer-Tropsch synthesis process.
PHYSICAL CHEMISTRY CHEMICAL PHYSICS
(2023)
Article
Chemistry, Multidisciplinary
Sebastian Kunze, Liviu C. Tanase, Mauricio J. Prieto, Philipp Grosse, Fabian Scholten, Lucas de Souza Caldas, Dennis van Voerden, Thomas Schmidt, Beatriz Roldan Cuenya
Summary: The oxidation of Cu(100) and Cu(111) surfaces through exposure to oxygen plasma was studied, revealing differences in the oxide species and morphology formed on substrates with different orientations. These findings illustrate the potential for tailoring the oxidation state, structure, and morphology of metallic surfaces through oxygen plasma treatments.
Article
Chemistry, Physical
Fabio Ronci, Stefano Colonna, Roberto Flammini, Maurizio De Crescenzi, Manuela Scarselli, Matteo Salvato, Isabelle Berbezier, Holger Vach, Paola Castrucci
Summary: In this paper, an in-depth study was conducted on the growth of nickel silicides under different conditions. It was found that two different nickel silicides form progressively as the annealing temperature increases. The presence of a graphene layer does not alter the nature of the silicide phases but affects the morphology of the silicide overlayer.
APPLIED SURFACE SCIENCE
(2023)
Article
Chemistry, Physical
Zhiyu Yi, Le Lin, Xuda Luo, Yanxiao Ning, Qiang Fu
Summary: Mixed oxides are important in heterogeneous catalytic processes, and understanding the interaction between different oxide components is crucial for synthesizing high-performance catalysts. This study introduces trace amounts of metallic Zn species into chromium oxide nanostructures and investigates their impact on the reducibility of the oxides. The results show that the addition of Zn can significantly lower the reduction temperature of the Cr oxides and enhance their reducibility.
APPLIED SURFACE SCIENCE
(2023)
Article
Chemistry, Physical
Xu Li, Keito Horiba, Ryoichi Sugiura, Tomoaki Yamada, Junji Yuhara
Summary: In this study, three different precursor Ba-O films on Pt(1 1 1) were characterized and oxide crystalline approximant (OCA) and oxide quasicrystal (OQC) films were prepared via Ti deposition and annealing. Analysis revealed phase transformation likely follows Ti reduction and Ba oxidation, leading to a change in surface atomic density. Structural models proposed for the OCA and OQC films involve cluster tiling of Ba atoms.
APPLIED SURFACE SCIENCE
(2021)
Article
Chemistry, Physical
V. Carnevali, A. Sala, P. Biasin, M. Panighel, G. Comelli, M. Peressi, C. Africh
Summary: The electronic properties of graphene can be modified by local interaction with a metal substrate. This article proposes a reliable method of evaluating the interaction between graphene and substrate by testing the tunneling current. This method expands the capabilities of standard STM systems for studying graphene/substrate complexes.
Article
Physics, Multidisciplinary
M. Omidian, J. Brand, N. Neel, S. Crampin, J. Kroeger
Summary: Epitaxially grown Fe nanostructures on Pb(111) were studied using low-temperature scanning tunneling microscopy and spectroscopy. The Fe assemblies were categorized into two groups based on their electronic behavior near the Fermi energy. One group exhibited a metallic behavior with a wide energy gap of 0.7 eV that remained temperature-independent. These Fe islands lacked the superconductivity proximity effect in their interior. The other group displayed a metallic behavior at the Fermi level, with the substrate superconducting phase locally entering these islands, evidenced by sharp resonance at the Fermi energy indicating possible Andreev reflection at the magnet-superconductor interface.
NEW JOURNAL OF PHYSICS
(2023)
Article
Chemistry, Multidisciplinary
Penghui Ji, Oliver MacLean, Gianluca Galeotti, Dominik Dettmann, Giulia Berti, Kewei Sun, Haiming Zhang, Federico Rosei, Lifeng Chi
Summary: This study systematically investigates the effects of oxygen on the synthesis of 3p-AGNRs, revealing a strong catalytic effect that reduces reaction temperature without degradation of the AGNRs. Utilizing Ullmann-type coupling on Cu(111), poly(para-phenylene) (3-AGNR) was synthesized and converted into wider 3p-AGNRs through lateral fusion. Scanning tunneling microscopy (STM) and X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy confirmed the formation of different ribbons, with regions of increased STM contrast attributed to the intercalation of Br atoms during lateral fusion.
SCIENCE CHINA-CHEMISTRY
(2021)
Article
Chemistry, Multidisciplinary
Zhiyu Zou, Alessandro Sala, Mirco Panighel, Ezequiel Tosi, Paolo Lacovig, Silvano Lizzit, Mattia Scardamaglia, Esko Kokkonen, Cinzia Cepek, Cristina Africh, Giovanni Comelli, Sebastian Guenther, Laerte L. L. Patera
Summary: The mechanism behind the growth of hydrocarbon chains during the synthesis of high-value fuels and plastics from small hydrocarbon molecules remains largely unknown. In this study, the formation of hydrocarbon chains resulting from acetylene polymerization on a Ni(111) model catalyst surface was investigated using X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy at near-ambient pressures. The intermediate species and reaction products were identified, and in situ scanning tunneling microscopy observations provided insights into the C-C coupling mechanism. The study revealed that polymerization occurs on the flat terraces of the metallic surface instead of the step edges commonly assumed as the active sites for C-C coupling.
ANGEWANDTE CHEMIE-INTERNATIONAL EDITION
(2023)
Article
Electrochemistry
Felix M. Matzik, Johannes M. Hermann, Ludwig A. Kibler, Timo Jacob
Summary: The kinetics of surface oxidation for Au(111) in 0.1 M HCOOH + 0.1 M HClO4 was studied using the electrocatalytic formic acid oxidation reaction (FAOR). The results showed that FAOR is dependent on the scan rate, indicating the deactivation of active surface sites. The surface oxide is inactive for FAOR. A three-step surface oxidation model was proposed to explain the recorded current-time curves.
JOURNAL OF THE ELECTROCHEMICAL SOCIETY
(2022)
Article
Physics, Multidisciplinary
Yumu Yang, Qilong Wu, Jiaqi Deng, Jing Wang, Yu Xia, Xiaoshuai Fu, Qiwei Tian, Li Zhang, Long-Jing Yin, Yuan Tian, Sheng-Yi Xie, Lijie Zhang, Zhihui Qin
Summary: A new method to synthesize semiconducting Cu2Se by direct selenization of Cu(111) has been developed in this study, with detailed structural and electronic properties determined through a combination of experimental measurements and first-principles calculations. The observed moire pattern suggests a lattice mismatch between Cu2Se and the underlying Cu(111)-root 3 x root 3 surface. The synthesized Cu2Se exhibits a band gap of approximately 0.78 eV, consistent with both experimental and computational results.
Article
Chemistry, Physical
Wei Wei, Jiaqi Pan, Haiping Lin, Chanan Euaruksakul, Zhiyun Li, Rong Huang, Li Wang, Zhujun Wang, Qiang Fu, Yi Cui
Summary: This study demonstrates that the growth, coalescence, and etching dynamics of 2D materials on solid surfaces can be modulated by adjusting the strength of overlayer-substrate interaction, providing a novel promising way for large-scale production of 2D material crystals.
Article
Chemistry, Multidisciplinary
Botao Hu, Kaian Sun, Zewen Zhuang, Zheng Chen, Shoujie Liu, Weng-Chon Cheong, Cheng Chen, Mingzhen Hu, Xing Cao, Junguo Ma, Renyong Tu, Xusheng Zheng, Hai Xiao, Xiao Chen, Yi Cui, Qing Peng, Chen Chen, Yadong Li
Summary: This study investigates the evolution of Pd species on different crystal facets of CeO2 and discovers vastly different behaviors on the single-atomic dispersion of surface Pd atoms. The findings demonstrate the crucial role of crystal-facet effects in the preparation of metal-atom-on-metal-oxide SACs, and provide insights for the rational design and targeted synthesis of ultrastable and sinter-resistant SACs.
ADVANCED MATERIALS
(2022)
Article
Physics, Applied
Ze Feng, Xiaoye Qin, Xiao Chen, Zhiyun Li, Rong Huang, Yang Shen, Ding Ding, Yitong Wang, Meiyi Jing, Yi Cui, An Dingsun, Hui Liu, Hong Dong, Robert M. Wallace
Summary: This study investigates the diffusion of interface oxygen and indium atoms in an InP/Al2O3 stack using O-18 isotope tracing, shedding light on the fundamental mechanism for III-V semiconductors' interface elemental diffusion and the interface passivation strategy.
APPLIED PHYSICS LETTERS
(2022)
Article
Chemistry, Physical
Jiajie Wen, Kaizheng Xu, Runkang Li, Dongfeng Lv, Yi Cui, Yuejun Chen, Yingna Wei, Yang Yu, Yun Yu, Hengyong Wei
Summary: The flexible aluminum silicate nanofibers separators prepared by electrospinning method exhibit good porosity and high specific surface area, leading to improved ionic conductivity and ion diffusion resistance in supercapacitors. Capacitance of supercapacitors with these separators is higher compared to commercial PP separators, and cyclic and rate performances are significantly enhanced. Additionally, the aluminum silicate nanofibers separator shows outstanding thermal stability and flame resistance, indicating great potential for practical application in supercapacitors.
Article
Engineering, Environmental
Quan Sun, Zhongmiao Gong, Yijian Zhang, Juanyuan Hao, Shengliang Zheng, Wen Lu, Yi Cui, Lizhao Liu, You Wang
Summary: Defect and interlayer engineering are two promising strategies to alter the electronic structures of sensing materials for improved gas sensing properties. The ethylene glycol intercalated Al-doped SnS2 (EG-Al-SnS2) developed in this study exhibited enhanced NO2 sensing performance at room temperature due to the synergistic effect of Al doping, S vacancies, and expanded interlayer spacing.
JOURNAL OF HAZARDOUS MATERIALS
(2022)
Article
Multidisciplinary Sciences
Zhigang Chen, Yafeng Xu, Ding Ding, Ge Song, Xingxing Gan, Hao Li, Wei Wei, Jian Chen, Zhiyun Li, Zhongmiao Gong, Xiaoming Dong, Chengfeng Zhu, Nana Yang, Jingyuan Ma, Rui Gao, Dan Luo, Shan Cong, Lu Wang, Zhigang Zhao, Yi Cui
Summary: This study successfully synthesized tungsten atomic clusters anchored on P-doped carbon materials using a thermal-migration strategy and demonstrated their excellent performance in alkaline hydrogen evolution.
NATURE COMMUNICATIONS
(2022)
Article
Chemistry, Physical
Haipeng Zeng, Lin Li, Fengxiang Liu, Min Li, Shujing Zhang, Xin Zheng, Long Luo, Shuai You, Yang Zhao, Rui Guo, Zhongmiao Gong, Rong Huang, Zhe Li, Ti Wang, Yi Cui, Yaoguang Rong, Xiong Li
Summary: The introduction of a novel compound DPPO significantly improved the electronic quality and stability of perovskite films, leading to high-efficiency and stable solar modules.
ADVANCED ENERGY MATERIALS
(2022)
Article
Chemistry, Multidisciplinary
Ze Feng, Yong Sun, Yuandong Sun, Xiao Chen, Yang Shen, Rong Huang, Zhiyun Li, Hu Wang, Ding Ding, Yue Peng, Yitong Wang, Meiyi Jing, Feng Lu, Weihua Wang, Yahui Cheng, Yi Cui, An Dingsun, Genquan Han, Hui Liu, Hong Dong
Summary: This study investigates the remote scavenging effect induced by Ti metal deposition in the InP/Al2O3 system and examines its mechanism and impact. The results provide important insights for the development of InP-based MOS devices.
ADVANCED MATERIALS INTERFACES
(2022)
Article
Chemistry, Multidisciplinary
Zelun Zhao, Guang Gao, Yongjie Xi, Jia Wang, Peng Sun, Qi Liu, Wenjun Yan, Yi Cui, Zheng Jiang, Fuwei Li
Summary: In this study, a sustainable approach to produce valuable hydroxyalkanoates from cellulose-derived furans via coupling homogeneous carbonylation and heterogeneous hydrogenation was demonstrated. The use of 8Ni/CeO2 catalyst in the hydrogenation reaction showed high selectivity and stability.
Article
Nanoscience & Nanotechnology
Changbao Zhao, Chao Wang, Hui Xin, Hao Li, Rongtan Li, Bin Wang, Wei Wei, Yi Cui, Qiang Fu
Summary: Transition metal nitrides (TMNx) exhibit high catalytic activity in various reactions. In this study, MoN and Mo2N nanosheets were prepared and subjected to in situ surface characterization in the presence of oxidative and reductive gases. The results revealed the formation of different oxide surface layers on MoN and Mo2N, and highlighted the role of O and H atoms in the formation of active structures.
ACS APPLIED MATERIALS & INTERFACES
(2022)
Article
Chemistry, Physical
Yun Fang, Changbao Zhao, Zhongmiao Gong, Shuaipeng Wang, Xiaoqiu Ye, Qifa Pan, Gan Li, Yi Cui, Yunxi Yao, Wenhua Luo
Summary: Insights into CO2 and H2O activation on cerium oxide based catalysts are obtained using in situ near ambient pressure X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy. It is found that CO2 weakly interacts with stoichiometric CeO2 but strongly adsorbs on partially reduced CeO2-x surfaces. H2O adsorption behavior varies under different conditions.
CHEMICAL PHYSICS LETTERS
(2022)
Article
Multidisciplinary Sciences
Bohua Ren, Guobin Wen, Rui Gao, Dan Luo, Zhen Zhang, Weibin Qiu, Qianyi Ma, Xin Wang, Yi Cui, Luis Ricardez-Sandoval, Aiping Yu, Zhongwei Chen
Summary: In this study, researchers designed and synthesized a nano-crumples induced Sn-Bi bimetallic interface-rich material, which significantly enhanced formate production in CO2 electroreduction reaction.
NATURE COMMUNICATIONS
(2022)
Article
Chemistry, Physical
Xiaowen Ruan, Xiaoqiang Cui, Yi Cui, Xiaofeng Fan, Zhiyun Li, Tengfeng Xie, Kaikai Ba, Guangri Jia, Haiyan Zhang, Lei Zhang, Wei Zhang, Xiao Zhao, Jing Leng, Shengye Jin, David J. Singh, Weitao Zheng
Summary: This study reports a novel anatase-TiO2/H-rutile-TiO2 heterophase homojunction system with near optimum energy band alignment, which exhibits excellent photocatalytic hydrogen evolution performance. The heterophase homojunction enables rapid separation and transfer of photogenerated carriers, leading to enhanced photocatalytic performance.
ADVANCED ENERGY MATERIALS
(2022)
Article
Materials Science, Multidisciplinary
Na-na Yang, Zhi-gang Chen, Zhi-gang Zhao, Yi Cui
Summary: Graphite-like carbon nitride (g-C3N4) is a promising metal-free material with high in-plane elemental nitrogen concentration and superior stability. This study presents a rapid method for synthesizing ultrafine g-C3N4 quantum dots (QDs) using electrochemical exfoliation with Al3+ ions as an intercalation agent. The obtained QDs exhibit small size and thickness, and show excellent hydrogen evolution reaction performance in an acidic electrolyte.
NEW CARBON MATERIALS
(2022)
Article
Electrochemistry
Yue Guo, Zhiqiu Hu, Yi Cui, Jiawei Wang, Song Jin, Zhangquan Peng, Hengxing Ji
Summary: Rechargeable aluminum-sulfur (Al-S) batteries with highly reversible electrochemical reaction are demonstrated in this article. The use of Al2S as the cathode enhances the reversibility by circumventing the slow conversion of polysulfides to sulfur.
BATTERIES & SUPERCAPS
(2022)
