Article
Chemistry, Physical
Sachin Yadav, Sangeeta Sahoo
Summary: Diffusion mediated interaction between metal-substrate assembly at high temperature annealing can lead to the formation of new composite materials. The binary composites of titanium nitride and silicide are observed on sputtered grown Ti films on Si3N4/Si substrate during high vacuum annealing process at temperatures 650 degrees C and above, with the maximum silicide formation observed at 780 degrees C.
APPLIED SURFACE SCIENCE
(2021)
Article
Materials Science, Ceramics
Rahul B. Mane, Ramkrishna Sahoo, Bapathi Kumaar Swamy Reddy, Vijay Ravula, Bharat B. Panigrahi, Pramod H. Borse, Dibyendu Chakravarty
Summary: Thermal decomposition of Ti3GeC2 MAX phase at 1773 K yielded an orange-colored titania powder. X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy and UV-visible Diffuse Reflectance Spectrum studies confirmed the effects of Ge substitutional doping in the titania lattice.
JOURNAL OF THE AMERICAN CERAMIC SOCIETY
(2021)
Article
Chemistry, Physical
Zhihua Yong, Karl-Magnus Persson, Mamidala Saketh Ram, Giulio D'Acunto, Yi Liu, Sandra Benter, Jisheng Pan, Zheshen Li, Mattias Borg, Anders Mikkelsen, Lars-Erik Wernersson, Rainer Timm
Summary: This study explores the correlation between the physicochemical properties of TiN bottom metal electrode and HfOx/TiN interface and the resistive switching behavior of RRAM devices, aiming to enhance the performance of stack integration. The research demonstrates that the concentration of oxygen vacancies in HfOx layer affects the band bending and the formation of a Schottky barrier, potentially enabling dense, large-scale, and low-power memory integration with the ultra-thin-HfOx/TiN device stack.
APPLIED SURFACE SCIENCE
(2021)
Article
Nanoscience & Nanotechnology
Zhihua Yong, Mamidala Saketh Ram, Karl-Magnus Persson, Gomathy Sandhya Subramanian, Lars-Erik Wernersson, Jisheng Pan
Summary: Titanium nitride and hafnium oxide stack, which are compatible with complementary-metal-oxide-semiconductor, have been widely used in resistive memory elements. This study compares HfOx grown using plasma enhanced atomic layer deposition (PEALD) and thermal atomic layer deposition (TALD) in terms of band alignment and electrical performances in the HfOx/PEALD TiN stacks. The findings show the significance of understanding the intricate details of the material stack, such as delta E-C difference and the presence of a thicker TiO2 interfacial layer, in affecting the device performance.
ADVANCED ELECTRONIC MATERIALS
(2022)
Article
Nanoscience & Nanotechnology
Deok-Yong Cho, Ki-jeong Kim, Kug-Seung Lee, Michael Lubben, Shaochuan Chen, Ilia Valov
Summary: Thin layers inserted between a metal electrode and a solid electrolyte can modify the transport of mass and charge at interfaces and affect electrode reactions. Incorporating C films in functional materials can alter the host's chemical properties and device functionalities. Using X-ray spectroscopies, it was found that inserting graphene or ultrathin amorphous C layers in a Ta2O5/Ta system can tune its chemical and electronic structures, thereby fundamentally changing the resistive switching functionalities.
ACS APPLIED MATERIALS & INTERFACES
(2023)
Article
Chemistry, Physical
Seung Woo Han, Moo Whan Shin
Summary: This study fabricates a high-performance flexible RRAM device using a precisely controlled UV laser annealing process, which changes the concentration of O Frenkel defect pairs in the ZnO layer and produces a ZnO/Al mixed interface layer with high quality oxygen reservoirs. The laser-annealed flexible RRAM shows stable resistive switching, performance enhancement, high on/off ratio, cycling endurance, and low power consumption, even at a bending radius of up to 5 mm.
JOURNAL OF ALLOYS AND COMPOUNDS
(2022)
Article
Chemistry, Analytical
Sunil Babu Eadi, Hyun-jin Shin, Kim Thanh Nguyen, Ki-Woo Song, Hyun-Woong Choi, Seong-Hyun Kim, Hi-Doek Lee
Summary: In this study, IGZO thin films were prepared in a N-2 environment by varying the annealing pressure and tested for NO2 gas detection. The results showed that increasing the annealing pressure led to superior sensor response and decreased recovery time. The IGZO thin film annealed at 400 degrees C at 3 atm exhibited excellent selectivity to various gases and long-term stability.
SENSORS AND ACTUATORS B-CHEMICAL
(2022)
Article
Materials Science, Ceramics
Yusen Duan, Jingxian Zhang, Boan Zhou, Xiaoguang Li, Qun Wang, Ning Liu, Zhe Li, Lingfeng Wang
Summary: The study prepared high performance Si3N4 ceramic using TiO2, Y2O3, and MgO as pressureless sintering additives. Si3N4 ceramic with a relative density of 99.6% and flexural strength of 785 +/- 23.3 MPa was obtained with 3 mol% TiO2 sintered at 1800 degrees C for 2 h. After annealing at 1700 degrees C, the fracture toughness and flexural strength of samples with TiO2 additives increased, indicating improved mechanical properties after the annealing process.
CERAMICS INTERNATIONAL
(2023)
Article
Chemistry, Physical
Huan Zhu, Ting Pan, Ryo Sato, Lusato Majula, Kwati Leonard, Hiroshige Matsumoto, Yoshimine Kato
Summary: TiO2/p-Si paste heterojunction structure with photovoltaic characteristics was successfully fabricated via rapid thermal annealing (RTA). The optimal RTA condition of 1200 degrees C for 2 seconds was identified, resulting in the lowest oxidation of Si paste and the best crystallization conditions, as well as the transformation of the Ti layer into the rutile TiO2 phase. The study demonstrated the potential application of Si paste films for future solar cell devices.
APPLIED SURFACE SCIENCE
(2021)
Article
Chemistry, Physical
Ph Nonglen Meitei, Naorem Khelchand Singh
Summary: Oxide-based resistive switching devices have potential applications in non-volatile memory. In this study, a Gd2O3-based non-volatile memory device was fabricated using e-beam evaporation. The effect of annealing on device performance was investigated by annealing the as-grown sample at 500 degrees C. Capacitance-voltage and conductance-voltage measurements were conducted in the frequency range of 200 kHz to 1 MHz. The results showed that the C-V and G-V characteristics varied with frequency due to the presence of interface states. The effects of series resistance and interface state density were also analyzed for both devices. Resistive switching was observed at +/- 5 V, indicating bipolar behavior with different charge conduction mechanisms.
JOURNAL OF ALLOYS AND COMPOUNDS
(2023)
Article
Nanoscience & Nanotechnology
Adam E. Colbert, Diogenes Placencia, Erin L. Ratcliff, Janice E. Boercker, Paul Lee, Edward H. Aifer, Joseph G. Tischler
Summary: Improving passivation strategies for large-diameter nanocrystals is crucial for advancing infrared photodetectors based on colloidal PbS. Comparing devices made with PbS/PbClx (core/shell) nanocrystals to those with PbS-only cores, it was found that core/shell structures result in higher external quantum efficiencies and lower dark current densities. The performance difference between the two synthetic methods is attributed to unfavorable interface dipole formation and surface defect states.
ACS APPLIED MATERIALS & INTERFACES
(2021)
Article
Chemistry, Physical
O. Secundino-Sanchez, J. G. Mendoza-Alvarez, J. Diaz-Reyes, J. F. Sanchez-Ramirez, O. Zaca-Moran, J. L. Herrera-Perez
Summary: In this study, TiO2 nanofibers with controlled morphology and crystalline phase were synthesized using the electrospinning technique. The diameter and formation of the fibers were controlled by varying the air gap. Thermal treatment was used to control the crystalline phase of the TiO2 nanofibers. Characterization techniques such as SEM, TEM, EDS, FTIR, Raman scattering, and X-ray diffraction were used to investigate the structural and optical changes of the TiO2 nanofibers, as well as the influence of the precursor on the fiber properties.
COLLOIDS AND SURFACES A-PHYSICOCHEMICAL AND ENGINEERING ASPECTS
(2022)
Article
Materials Science, Ceramics
Han -Yin Liu, Yu-Liang Hsu, Yu -Xing Zheng
Summary: The oxygen deficiency-rich TiO2/oxygen deficiency-poor TiO2 stacking structure is used as a resistive switching layer in resistive random access memory. The resistance of the memory can be switched by forming and breaking filament paths composed of oxygen deficiencies. The inclusion of the oxygen deficiency-poor TiO2 layer limits the number of filament paths, improving the memory window and endurance. The stacked structure annealed at 600°C exhibits the largest memory window, enduring switching operation, and long retention time.
CERAMICS INTERNATIONAL
(2022)
Article
Chemistry, Applied
M. Perez-Gonzalez, S. A. Tomas
Summary: Photocatalytic Ag-loaded (TiO2)(0.95)-(ZnO)(0.05) thin films were successfully synthesized using the sol-gel dip-coating method, with the incorporation and surface diffusion of Ag confirmed by secondary ion mass spectrometry measurements. X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy revealed the chemical composition and electronic structure of the samples, confirming the presence of TiO2 and ZnO. The best response in photocatalytic activity was observed in the (TiO2)(0.95)-(ZnO)(0.05) thin films doped with 2 mol% Ag.
Review
Materials Science, Multidisciplinary
Suresh Thapa, Rajendra Paudel, Miles D. Blanchet, Patrick T. Gemperline, Ryan B. Comes
Summary: Emergent behavior at oxide interfaces has driven research in complex oxide films for the past 20 years. Advances in synthesis and X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS) studies have enabled the growth of interfaces with unique properties not found in bulk materials. The in situ integration of synthesis and spectroscopy has improved the growth process and accelerated scientific discovery, with techniques including determination of interfacial intermixing, valence band alignment, and interfacial charge transfer.
JOURNAL OF MATERIALS RESEARCH
(2021)
Article
Chemistry, Physical
V. Polewczyk, S. K. Chaluvadi, D. Dagur, F. Mazzola, S. Punathum Chalil, A. Y. Petrov, J. Fujii, G. Panaccione, G. Rossi, P. Orgiani, G. Vinai, P. Torelli
Summary: V2O3 exhibits a complex relationship between the metal-insulator transition and the structural rhombohedral-monoclinic one, as well as its dependency on sample thickness. Investigation of thin and ultra-thin film growth is crucial in understanding the chemical, electronic, and structural phases, as well as the role of the substrate interface. Our study examines the thickness-dependent properties of V2O3 films grown on c-plane Al2O3 substrates, revealing the evolution of surface morphology and its implications on overall properties.
APPLIED SURFACE SCIENCE
(2023)
Article
Chemistry, Multidisciplinary
Emma Alcock, Pamela Mackey, Aneta Turlik, Khushi Bhatt, Mark E. Light, Kendall N. Houk, Gerard P. McGlacken
Summary: In this study, a highly diastereoselective method was developed to synthesize acyclic 3-amino-1,5-diol derivatives using a tandem double-aldol-Tishchenko reaction. The reaction achieved high diastereoselectivity (dr up to >99 : 1) using a butanone derived sulfinylimine. The reaction also showed regioselectivity and could be applied to challenging cyclobutanone and 3-pentanone derivatives, although with modest diastereomeric ratios.
CHEMISTRY-A EUROPEAN JOURNAL
(2023)
Article
Chemistry, Physical
Silvia Mauri, Gianluca D'Olimpio, Corneliu Ghica, Luca Braglia, Chia-Nung Kuo, Marian Cosmin Istrate, Chin Shan Lue, Luca Ottaviano, Tomasz Klimczuk, Danil W. Boukhvalov, Antonio Politano, Piero Torelli
Summary: This study investigates the surface reactivity of a Ni3Sn4 catalyst operating at 250 degrees C for hydrogen production from methanol decomposition. It is found that the catalytic reaction is driven by surface tin-oxide phases, which enhance catalyst durability and H2 selectivity. These findings provide new perspectives for the development of scalable and low-cost catalysts.
JOURNAL OF PHYSICAL CHEMISTRY LETTERS
(2023)
Article
Chemistry, Inorganic & Nuclear
Claudio Mendicute-Fierro, Paul D. Smith, Mark E. Light
Summary: In this study, a dicompartmental macrocyclic complex, [Ni2(L1)](DMF)2(BPh4)2, was prepared by reacting [Ni(tn)3]Cl2 with 2,6-diformyl-4-methylphenyl disulfide in methanol and in the presence of NaBPh4. The reaction involved a solvent assisted reduction of the disulfide bond and formation of two thiolate ligands. The crystal structure of the complex revealed a binuclear Ni2S2 core bridged by two thiolates within a macrocyclic framework.
Article
Nanoscience & Nanotechnology
Martando Rath, Moussa Mezhoud, Oualyd El Khaloufi, Oleg Lebedev, Julien Cardin, Christophe Labbe, Fabrice Gourbilleau, Vincent Polewczyk, Giovanni Vinai, Piero Torelli, Arnaud Fouchet, Adrian David, Wilfrid Prellier, Ulrike Luders
Summary: This study investigates the chemical stability of SrVO3 (SVO), a potential replacement for conventional ITO in the new generation of TCO materials. By subjecting the SVO thin films to heat treatments in the range of 150-250 degrees Celsius, the researchers are able to accelerate the natural aging process and observe changes in the structural, electrical, and optical properties. The results indicate surface oxidation at low annealing temperatures and the destruction of the perovskite phase at temperatures above 200 degrees Celsius. The goal of this study is to understand the thermal degradation and long-term stability issues of vanadate-based TCOs and identify technologically viable solutions for their application.
ACS APPLIED MATERIALS & INTERFACES
(2023)
Article
Nanoscience & Nanotechnology
Francesco Tavani, Matteo Busato, Daniele Veclani, Luca Braglia, Silvia Mauri, Piero Torelli, Paola D'Angelo
Summary: In this work, X-ray absorption spectroscopy (XAS) combined with multivariate curve resolution, molecular dynamics, and XAS theoretical methods is used to investigate the interaction between water vapor and the MgCl2 surface. The study confirms previous theoretical predictions and reveals that water preferentially adsorbs on five-coordinated Mg2+ sites in an octahedral configuration. It also demonstrates that MgCl2 can retain a significant amount of adsorbed water even at high temperatures. This research provides valuable experimental insights into the surface affinity of MgCl2 for atmospheric water and offers a sensitive technique for studying interfacial chemical processes on low-Z metal based surfaces.
ACS APPLIED MATERIALS & INTERFACES
(2023)
Article
Chemistry, Multidisciplinary
Vincent Polewczyk, Moussa Mezhoud, Martando Rath, Oualyd El-Khaloufi, Ferdinando Bassato, Arnaud Fouchet, Wilfrid Prellier, Mathieu Fregnaux, Damien Aureau, Luca Braglia, Giovanni Vinai, Piero Torelli, Ulrike Luders
Summary: The properties of SrVO3 transparent conductor oxide thin film, which is both optically transparent in the visible range and highly conductive, are investigated. The formation of a thin Sr-rich V5+ layer on the surface of the film with aging is observed and it can be removed by solvating in water atmosphere. These findings contribute to the understanding of aging effects in perovskite oxides and provide insights for the development of functionalized films.
ADVANCED FUNCTIONAL MATERIALS
(2023)
Article
Chemistry, Multidisciplinary
Mathias Barreau, Davide Salusso, Juan Li, Jinming Zhang, Elisa Borfecchia, Kamil Sobczak, Luca Braglia, Jean-Jacques Gallet, Piero Torelli, Hua Guo, Sen Lin, Spyridon Zafeiratos
ANGEWANDTE CHEMIE-INTERNATIONAL EDITION
(2023)
Article
Chemistry, Physical
Sara Fiori, Deepak Dagur, Michele Capra, Andrea Picone, Alberto Brambilla, Piero Torelli, Giancarlo Panaccione, Giovanni Vinai
Summary: In the past decade, reducing the dimensionality of materials to few atomic layers has allowed the exploration of new physical properties and functionalities absent in two dimensions. Interfaces and interlayers have been found to play a crucial role in this regime. This study investigates the influence of interfaces and interlayers on the electronic properties and structural quality of ultrathin Cr2O3 films on Pt(1 1 1) in the presence of a multidomain graphene intralayer. The results show that the ultrathin Cr2O3 films are slightly affected by the interfacial epitaxial quality from an electronic point of view, making them potential candidates for graphene-integrated heterostructures.
APPLIED SURFACE SCIENCE
(2023)
Article
Chemistry, Physical
Danil W. Boukhvalov, Gianluca D'Olimpio, Federico Mazzola, Chia-Nung Kuo, Sougata Mardanya, Jun Fujii, Grazia Giuseppina Politano, Chin Shan Lue, Amit Agarwal, Ivana Vobornik, Piero Torelli, Antonio Politano
Summary: In recent years, the correlation between topological electronic states in quantum materials and their catalytic activity has attracted attention. However, the physicochemical mechanisms governing catalysis with quantum materials are not fully understood. This study investigates the reactivity and stability of AuSn4, a topological nodal-line semimetal, and reveals that surface oxidation enhances its catalytic activity for the hydrogen evolution reaction. The peculiar atomic structure of oxidized AuSn4 enables the migration of hydrogen atoms through a Sn-O layer with minimal energy barrier, making it a promising catalyst.
JOURNAL OF PHYSICAL CHEMISTRY LETTERS
(2023)
Article
Chemistry, Multidisciplinary
Lei Gan, Makenzie T. Nord, Jacob M. Lessard, Noah Q. Tufts, Arunraj Chidambaram, Mark E. Light, Hongliang Huang, Eduardo Solano, Julio Fraile, Fabian Suarez-Garcia, Clara Vinas, Francesc Teixidor, Kyriakos C. Stylianou, Jose G. Planas
Summary: The removal of organophosphorus (OP) herbicides from water has been studied using various methods such as adsorptive removal, chemical oxidation, electrooxidation, enzymatic degradation, and photodegradation. In this study, a Zr-based metal-organic framework (mCB-MOF-2) was used for the adsorption and photodegradation of the OP herbicide glyphosate (GP). The mCB-MOF-2 demonstrated a high adsorption capacity for GP and selectively converted it to non-toxic sarcosine and orthophosphate under UV-vis light irradiation. These findings suggest that mCB-MOF-2 is a promising material for removing OP herbicides from water.
JOURNAL OF THE AMERICAN CHEMICAL SOCIETY
(2023)
Article
Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
Esther Matamoros, Mark E. Light, Pedro Cintas, Juan C. Palacios
Summary: This paper investigates the formation of Schiff bases and 1,3-oxazolidines derived from salicylaldehydes and a conformationally restricted amino alcohol. The study provides experimental evidence, including crystallographic analyses and DFT-based calculations, on imine/enamine tautomerism. The mechanistic studies reveal the prevalence of imines under thermodynamic control and the formation of 2,4-trans-oxazolidines under acylating conditions.
Article
Nanoscience & Nanotechnology
Nikolaos Aspiotis, Katrina Morgan, Benjamin Maerz, Knut Mueller-Caspary, Martin Ebert, Ed Weatherby, Mark E. Light, Chung-Che Huang, Daniel W. Hewak, Sayani Majumdar, Ioannis Zeimpekis
Summary: This work demonstrates a scalable process for producing large area atomically thin 2D semiconductors with uniform performance. The new atomic layer deposition (ALD) and conversion technique allows for independent control of layer thickness, stoichiometry, and crystallinity. Field effect transistors (FETs) fabricated using this process exhibit high field effect mobility, low subthreshold slope, and high on/off ratios. Additionally, non-volatile memory transistors using ferroelectric FETs (FeFETs) with multiple state switching and a wide memory window are demonstrated, showing the applicability of the process to flexible neuromorphic applications.
NPJ 2D MATERIALS AND APPLICATIONS
(2023)
Article
Chemistry, Physical
Jelena Zarupski, Alessandro Piovano, Maximilian J. Werny, Andrea Martini, Luca Braglia, Piero Torelli, Coen Hendriksen, Nicolaas H. Friederichs, Florian Meirer, Bert M. Weckhuysen, Elena Groppo
Summary: This study investigates the electronic properties and accessibility of Ti active sites in a silica-supported Ziegler-Natta catalyst for polyethylene production. The presence of various titanium phases and the formation of Ti(III) sites and TiCl3 clusters are revealed. The accessibility of these sites is affected by the concentration of the alkyl aluminum activator. The results provide important insights into the behavior of the catalyst and its potential impact on polyethylene production. Rating: 7/10.
JOURNAL OF CATALYSIS
(2023)
Article
Chemistry, Multidisciplinary
Farzad Foroutan, Benjamin A. Kyffin, Athanasios Nikolaou, Jorge Merino-Gutierrez, Isaac Abrahams, Nasima Kanwal, Jonathan C. Knowles, Andrew J. Smith, Glen J. Smales, Daniela Carta
Summary: Mesoporous glasses with high surface area and extended porosity are ideal for controlled release of therapeutic ions and molecules. In this study, mesoporous phosphate-based glasses doped with copper ions were synthesized and their structures were characterized. The copper-doped glasses showed significant antibacterial properties and potential for controlled delivery of antibacterial ions.
