Article
Chemistry, Multidisciplinary
Ziqian Wang, Meng Gao, Tonghua Yu, Siyuan Zhou, Mingquan Xu, Motoaki Hirayama, Ryotaro Arita, Yuki Shiomi, Wu Zhou, Naoki Ogawa
Summary: Stacking order plays a significant role in the properties of van der Waals layered magnets, and recent studies suggest possible different stackings in few-layer crystals. This study combines atomic-scale electron microscopy and theoretical calculations to show that while the bulk stacking persists in bilayers of MnPS3, the local rippling effect lifts the monoclinic symmetry of the few layers. This finding reveals the impact of rippling on the microscopic symmetry of two-dimensional materials and suggests the possibility of approaching the two-dimensional Neel antiferromagnetic honeycomb lattice in MnPS3 without reaching monolayer thickness.
Article
Materials Science, Multidisciplinary
Yizhong Guo, Jiao Teng, Guo Yang, Ang Li, Yao Deng, Chengpeng Yang, Lihua Wang, Xin Yan, Ze Zhang, Xiaoyan Li, En Ma, Xiaodong Han
Summary: Detailed monitoring of atomic-scale processes is crucial for understanding grain rotation in nanocrystalline metals. In this study, in situ atomic-resolution evidence reveals that the type of grain boundary plays a role in the atomic processes involved in grain rotation in nanocrystalline Pt. General GBs exhibit a combination of dislocation activities and atomic rearrangements, while tilt GBs mostly rely on dislocation activities. GB dislocation climb, glide, and reaction are often associated with Lomer-like dislocation formation and destruction.
Article
Chemistry, Multidisciplinary
Hui Zhang, Tao Xu, Yatong Zhu, Wen Wang, Hao Zhang, Dundong Yuan, Litao Sun
Summary: The study revealed oscillatory growth during the oxidation process of silver, influenced by both thermodynamic and kinetic factors. These findings enhance the fundamental understanding of oxidation processes and offer a promising method for the fabrication of desired nanostructures.
Article
Chemistry, Physical
Salim Mejaouri, Stefania Cacovich, Philippe Baranek, Baptiste Berenguier, Iwan Zimmermann, Armelle Yaiche, Dominique Loisnard, Jean Rousset, Stephane Collin
Summary: Moisture induces changes in the performance and stability of lead halide perovskite solar cells by altering the nature of the absorber through phase transition or segregation. Understanding the material's evolution in wet environments is crucial for optimizing device performance. Analyzing the degradation products and their optical and chemical properties provides insights into the degradation mechanisms and potential for improving stability.
Article
Chemistry, Multidisciplinary
Mengyu Gao, Yoonjae Park, Jianbo Jin, Peng-Cheng Chen, Hannah Devyldere, Yao Yang, Chengyu Song, Zhenni Lin, Qiuchen Zhao, Martin Siron, Mary C. Scott, David T. Limmer, Peidong Yang
Summary: Halide perovskite is a unique dynamical system with complex structural and chemical processes, but its intrinsic instability makes real-time investigation challenging. However, our research reveals that atomically thin carbon materials can stabilize ultrathin halide perovskite nanostructures and enable atomic-level visualization of their movement. Protected by carbon shells, these structures maintain their integrity under high electron dose rate and exhibit unusual dynamical behaviors. Our work provides a new method to protect beam-sensitive materials and study structure dynamics of nanomaterials.
JOURNAL OF THE AMERICAN CHEMICAL SOCIETY
(2023)
Article
Anatomy & Morphology
Xin Chen, Liyi Tan, Siyu Cheng, Yang Liu, Mengqin Zhu
Summary: This paper presents a real-time high-resolution and comprehensive characterization of Au nanoparticles and nanoparticle clusters using in situ liquid cell scanning electron microscopy (LC-SEM). The technique allows for the visualization of the chemical element distributions, particle stacking structure, and the distribution of molecules on the particle surfaces. Furthermore, liquid droplet growth and particle motions are observed.
MICROSCOPY RESEARCH AND TECHNIQUE
(2023)
Article
Materials Science, Multidisciplinary
Ruben Bueno Villoro, Raana Hatami Naderloo, Dominique Alexander Mattlat, Chanwon Jung, Kornelius Nielsch, Christina Scheu, Ran He, Siyuan Zhang
Summary: Complex microstructures are crucial for thermoelectric materials to optimize power conversion efficiency. Grain boundaries (GBs) can reduce thermal conductivity but often decrease electrical conductivity. Recent research has shown that elemental segregation at GBs can make them electrically conductive and improve thermoelectric properties. In this study, InSb was added to Nb0.95Ti0.05FeSb to selectively modify the GBs' chemistry without increasing the carrier concentration of the matrix. The addition of InSb successfully increased power factor and zT of fine-grained Nb0.95Ti0.05FeSb, overcoming the negative impact of GBs on power factor.
MATERIALS TODAY PHYSICS
(2023)
Article
Materials Science, Multidisciplinary
Kazumasa Nakamura, Chiemi Kubo, Ryuto Horibe
Summary: GLC, a carbon material with a glass-like appearance, was prepared by mixing thermosetting resins with thermoplastic microbeads of different sizes, resulting in micrometer-sized pores. The carbonization yields and apparent densities of GLCs decreased when mixed with microbeads, and those mixed with smaller beads had smaller pores. The electrical resistances of GLCs with small beads remained almost unchanged after heat treatment at 1000 degrees C or above.
Article
Chemistry, Physical
Felix Buettner, Bastian Pfau, Marie Boettcher, Michael Schneider, Giuseppe Mercurio, Christian M. Guenther, Piet Hessing, Christopher Klose, Angela Wittmann, Kathinka Gerlinger, Lisa-Marie Kern, Christian Strueber, Clemens von Korff Schmising, Josefin Fuchs, Dieter Engel, Alexandra Churikova, Siying Huang, Daniel Suzuki, Ivan Lemesh, Mantao Huang, Lucas Caretta, David Weder, John H. Gaida, Marcel Moeller, Tyler R. Harvey, Sergey Zayko, Kai Bagschik, Robert Carley, Laurent Mercadier, Justine Schlappa, Alexander Yaroslavtsev, Loic Le Guyarder, Natalia Gerasimova, Andreas Scherz, Carsten Deiter, Rafael Gort, David Hickin, Jun Zhu, Monica Turcato, David Lomidze, Florian Erdinger, Andrea Castoldi, Stefano Maffessanti, Matteo Porro, Andrey Samartsev, Jairo Sinova, Claus Ropers, Johan H. Mentink, Bertrand Dupe, Geoffrey S. D. Beach, Stefan Eisebitt
Summary: Time-resolved X-ray scattering was used to demonstrate the ultrafast 300 ps topological phase transition to a skyrmionic phase, mediated by the formation of a transient topological fluctuation state. The emergence of an extended topological phase containing many magnetic skyrmions was observed within picoseconds, with the nucleation process mediated by the transient topological fluctuation state induced by a time-reversal symmetry-breaking perpendicular magnetic field.
Article
Chemistry, Multidisciplinary
Shouheng Li, Jinguo Lin, Yun Chen, Zheng Luo, Haifeng Cheng, Feng Liu, Jin Zhang, Shanshan Wang
Summary: Understanding the growth behavior and morphology evolution of defects in 2D transition metal dichalcogenides is significant for nanoelectronic device performance tuning. This study combines low-voltage aberration-corrected transmission electron microscopy with in situ heating and fast frame rate camera to investigate sulfur vacancy lines in monolayer MoS2. The growth anisotropy of line defects is found to be dependent on vacancy concentration, with lengthening and broadening as vacancy densifies. The defect morphology evolves from a dense triangular network to an ultralong linear structure with increasing temperature, due to temperature-sensitive vacancy migration. Atomistic dynamics of line defect reconstruction on the millisecond time scale are captured. Density functional theory calculations, Monte Carlo simulation, and configurational force analysis are implemented to understand growth and reconstruction mechanisms. The work combines high-resolution imaging with quantitative analysis to obtain atomic-level structure and large-area statistical rules simultaneously. It provides new ideas for balancing accuracy and universality in TEM study and is helpful for controlled sculpture of nanomaterials.
Article
Materials Science, Multidisciplinary
H. Alnoor, A. Elsukova, J. Palisaitis, I Persson, E. N. Tseng, J. Lu, L. Hultman, P. O. A. Persson
Summary: MXenes, a powerful recent addition to 2-dimensional materials, exhibit properties that have revolutionized ranges of applications and have greatly benefited from electron microscopy methods for structural and chemical identification.
MATERIALS TODAY ADVANCES
(2021)
Article
Chemistry, Physical
Zhen-Hua Ge, Wen-Jie Li, Jing Feng, Fengshan Zheng, Chun-Lin Jia, Di Wu, Lei Jin
Summary: The coordinate order of atoms is fundamental in determining material properties, and off-centering shifts of atoms play a key role in modifying various properties. In this study, the off-centering shifts of filler atoms in Yb partially filled and Ce fully filled skutterudite were directly measured with high precision. This finding enhances the understanding of the relationship between off-centering and thermoelectric performance, and the methodology can be applied to investigate off-centering phenomena in other functional materials.
ADVANCED ENERGY MATERIALS
(2022)
Article
Nanoscience & Nanotechnology
Lu Zhang, Huanfang Tian, Sining Dong, Dong Yang, Xiaoguang Li, Jun Li, Jianqi Li, Huaixin Yang
Summary: The structural modulations in multiferroic Bi4.2K0.8Fe2O9+delta (BKFO) nanobelts have been uncovered by scanning transmission electron microscopy (STEM). The displacive modulations can be decomposed into a transverse wave and a longitudinal wave, whose amplitudes and phases are layer-dependent. This study may help to understand and optimize the magnetoelectric coupling effect in BKFO.
SCRIPTA MATERIALIA
(2021)
Article
Materials Science, Multidisciplinary
Feng Gu, Ji-Bing Sun, Bo-Ren Hou, He -Wei Ding
Summary: Increasing the melt-spinning speed can improve the microstructure and magnetic properties of the ribbons, with a significant reduction in grain size achieved through melt-spinning at 50 m/s.
Article
Polymer Science
Laura Juhasz, Krisztian Moldovan, Pavel Gurikov, Falk Liebner, Istvan Fabian, Jozsef Kalmar, Csaba Cserhati
Summary: The study demonstrates that even a thin gold layer can significantly alter the morphology and structure of various aerogels. Care should be taken to avoid morphological artifacts caused by gold sputtering during imaging.
Article
Chemistry, Multidisciplinary
Zhengang Li, Shiyuan Zhou, Xiaohong Wu, Baodan Zhang, Xiaoyu Yu, Fei Pei, Hong-Gang Liao, Yu Qiao, Haoshen Zhou, Shi-Gang Sun
Summary: This study investigates the use of an ordered pore-window zeolite molecular sieve to effectively block the shuttle of soluble species within a battery, resulting in improved battery performance. By coating a thin zeolite layer on a celgard separator, the separation function of zeolite and its ability to scavenge water is demonstrated through various analytical techniques. The findings suggest that this zeolite-based separator can be extended to other rechargeable battery systems.
ADVANCED FUNCTIONAL MATERIALS
(2023)
Article
Chemistry, Multidisciplinary
Kierstin Torres, Agnieszka Kuc, Lorenzo Maschio, Thang Pham, Kate Reidy, Lukas Dekanovsky, Zdenek Sofer, Frances M. Ross, Julian Klein
Summary: Understanding stability limitations and defect formation mechanisms is important for utilizing 2D magnets in spintronic and memory technologies. This study correlates defects in CrSBr with structural, vibrational, and magnetic properties using resonant Raman scattering. The findings reveal distinct vibrational defect signatures and show that bromine atoms mediate interlayer coupling in pristine CrSBr, allowing for distinguishing between surface and bulk defect modes. The study also demonstrates the possibility of defect engineering for magnetic properties using ion irradiation.
ADVANCED FUNCTIONAL MATERIALS
(2023)
Article
Chemistry, Multidisciplinary
Hongfeng Li, Haohao Shi, Xinyi Chen, Zhen Ren, Yu Shen, Peng Wu, Yun Fan, Xinglong Zhang, Wenxiong Shi, Honggang Liao, Suoying Zhang, Weina Zhang, Fengwe Huo
Summary: A convenient strategy for constructing metal-organic framework (MOF) films is demonstrated using modulators to achieve homogeneous assembly of MOF clusters. This strategy stabilizes small clusters during early growth steps, forming fluidic precursors with good processibility. MOF films can be formed by removing the modulators and triggering the crosslinking of MOF clusters, with the ability to fabricate various types of films with large scale and controllable thickness.
ADVANCED MATERIALS
(2023)
Review
Biochemical Research Methods
Ruijie Yang, Liang Mei, Yingying Fan, Qingyong Zhang, Hong-Gang Liao, Juan Yang, Ju Li, Zhiyuan Zeng
Summary: Understanding complex electrochemical reactions in energy devices has gained global attention. In situ liquid cell transmission electron microscopy allows real-time visualization and analysis of these reactions at the nano scale. This protocol provides detailed procedures for fabricating electrochemical liquid cells and conducting in situ TEM observation of electrochemical reactions. The experimental results demonstrate the potential of this protocol in fabricating high-quality TEM liquid cells and exploring dynamic electrochemical reactions with high resolution.
Article
Chemistry, Multidisciplinary
Leiyu Chen, Chao-Lung Chiang, Xiaohong Wu, Yonglin Tang, Guifan Zeng, Shiyuan Zhou, Baodan Zhang, Haitang Zhang, Yawen Yan, Tingting Liu, Hong-Gang Liao, Xiaoxiao Kuai, Yan-Gu Lin, Yu Qiao, Shi-Gang Sun
Summary: By introducing a fluorine-containing electrolyte and a cathode pre-lithiation strategy, the lifespan of anode-free lithium metal batteries can be extended without sacrificing energy density.
Article
Nanoscience & Nanotechnology
Jasmin-Clara Buerger, Serin Lee, Jan Buettner, Sebastian Gutsch, Maximilian Kolhep, Anna Fischer, Frances M. M. Ross, Margit Zacharias
Summary: The SnO2/ZnO core/shell nanowires, as anode materials in LIBs, were studied using electrochemical analysis and electron microscopy to understand the relationship between structural changes and battery performance. The combination of SnO2 and ZnO showed higher storage capacities, but cycling caused significant structural changes and loss of mechanical integrity. This study provides insights into the stability limitations of SnO2/ZnO heterostructure LIB anodes and offers guidance for the design of next-generation anode materials.
ACS APPLIED MATERIALS & INTERFACES
(2023)
Article
Chemistry, Multidisciplinary
Serin Lee, Nicholas M. Schneider, Shu Fen Tan, Frances M. Ross
Summary: Liquid cell transmission electron microscopy is a powerful and increasingly accessible technique for in situ studies of nanoscale processes in liquid. By conducting crystal growth experiments and simulations at different temperatures, we observe strong changes in morphology and growth rate. A kinetic model is developed to predict the temperature-dependent solution composition, and the combined effect of temperature dependent chemistry, diffusion, and the balance between nucleation and growth rates on the morphology is discussed. This work may provide guidance in interpreting liquid cell TEM and potentially larger-scale synthesis experiments controlled by temperature.
Article
Chemistry, Multidisciplinary
Baodan Zhang, Yiming Zhang, Xiaotong Wang, Hui Liu, Yawen Yan, Shiyuan Zhou, Yonglin Tang, Guifan Zeng, Xiaohong Wu, Hong-Gang Liao, Yongfu Qiu, Huan Huang, Lirong Zheng, Juping Xu, Wen Yin, Zhongyuan Huang, Yinguo Xiao, Qingshui Xie, Dong-Liang Peng, Chao Li, Yu Qiao, Shi-Gang Sun
Summary: Element doping/substitution can enhance the structural stability of layered cathodes. The study on Li1.2Ni0.2Mn0.6O2 reveals that the degree of disorder induced by Mg/Ti substitution affects the stability of TM-O, Li+ diffusion, and anion redox reversibility, leading to distinct electrochemical performance.
JOURNAL OF THE AMERICAN CHEMICAL SOCIETY
(2023)
Article
Materials Science, Coatings & Films
Yifei Li, Kate Reidy, Aubrey Penn, Seng Huat Lee, Baoming Wang, Kevin Ye, Zhiqiang Mao, Frances M. Ross, R. Jaramillo
Summary: We report a scalable two-step method for synthesizing large-area, high-Ti-content Mo1-xTixS2 alloy thin films in the 2H phase at temperatures as low as 500 degrees C. Higher temperature processing accelerates Ti segregation, film coarsening, and the formation of TiS2 in the 1T phase. Crystal growth at higher temperature results in the formation of multiple binary sulfide phases, in agreement with the equilibrium phase diagram. Therefore, developing low-temperature processing is crucial for obtaining highly metastable, smooth, and uniform single-phase alloy films. Our research is significant for the development of technologies based on designer transition metal dichalcogenide alloys, including photonic integrated circuits and gas sensing.
JOURNAL OF VACUUM SCIENCE & TECHNOLOGY A
(2023)
Article
Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
Mei-Hong Tong, Yan-Xin Chen, Tian-Ming Wang, Shi-Wei Lin, Gen Li, Qian-Qian Zhou, Rui Chen, Xia Jiang, Hong-Gang Liao, Can-Zhong Lu
Summary: In this study, Ce-doped TiO2 (Ce/TiO2) was successfully prepared using the sol-gel method. The structural characterization methods confirmed that Ce was doped in the lattice of anatase TiO2, resulting in a smaller grain size. The performance test results showed that Ce doping significantly enhanced the charge transport efficiency and broadened the light absorption range, leading to higher photocatalytic performance.
Article
Chemistry, Multidisciplinary
Fanwei Zeng, Youhong Jiang, Nana He, Tiantian Guo, Tiqing Zhao, Mi Qu, Yue Sun, Shuting Chen, Dan Wang, Yong Luo, Guangwen Chu, Jianfeng Chen, Shi-Gang Sun, Hong-Gang Liao
Summary: The function of disulfide bonds during the self-assembly and structural evolution of sulfhydryl single-stranded DNA (SH-ssDNA) was explored using in situ liquid-phase transmission electron microscopy (LP-TEM). Sulfhydryl groups induced self-assembly of SH-ssDNA into circular DNA containing disulfide bonds (SS-cirDNA). Disulfide bond interaction triggered the aggregation of two SS-cirDNA macromolecules along with significant structural changes. This visualization strategy provided nanometer resolution structure information in real time and space, benefiting future biomacromolecules research.
COMMUNICATIONS CHEMISTRY
(2023)
Article
Nanoscience & Nanotechnology
Zhefei Sun, Miao Li, Zhiming Zheng, Zhilin Chen, Hehe Zhang, Bensheng Xiao, Baihua Qu, Bing Jiang, Honggang Liao, Li Zhang, Meicheng Li, Qiaobao Zhang, Ming-Sheng Wang
Summary: Researchers have developed a dual core-shell structured Si-based nanocomposite for lithium-ion batteries. The composite consists of a Si nanoparticle core, a Li3PO4/Li4P2O7 shell, and a void-preserving F-doped carbon shell, which improves the cycling stability and performance of the anode. The composite shows a reversible capacity of 569 mAh/g after 500 cycles and a good cycling performance in full cell assembly.
MATERIALS TODAY NANO
(2023)
Article
Chemistry, Multidisciplinary
Kate Reidy, Wouter Mortelmans, Seong Soon Jo, Aubrey N. Penn, Alexandre C. Foucher, Zhenjing Liu, Tao Cai, Baoming Wang, Frances M. Ross, R. Jaramillo
Summary: Oxidation of transition metal dichalcogenides(TMDs) is easily occurs under various conditions. Understanding the oxidation processes is necessary for successful handling and fabrication of TMD devices. In this study, we examined the atomic-scale oxidation mechanisms of MoS2, the most widely studied TMD. Our findings show that thermal oxidation results in α-phase crystalline MoO3 with sharp interfaces, voids, and crystallographic alignment with the underlying MoS2. Experiments with remote substrates reveal that thermal oxidation proceeds via vapor-phase mass transport and redeposition, which poses a challenge in forming thin, conformal films. Oxygen plasma accelerates the oxidation kinetics, leading to the formation of smooth and conformal oxides. The resulting amorphous MoO3 can be grown with subnanometer to several-nanometer thickness, and we calibrated the oxidation rate for different instruments and process parameters. These quantitative results provide guidance for managing the atomic-scale structure and thin-film morphology of oxides in the design and processing of TMD devices.
Article
Chemistry, Physical
Leiyu Chen, Chao-Lung Chiang, Guifan Zeng, Yonglin Tang, Xiaohong Wu, Shiyuan Zhou, Baodan Zhang, Haitang Zhang, Yawen Yan, Tingting Liu, Hong-Gang Liao, Chuanwei Wang, Xiaoxiao Kuai, Yan-Gu Lin, Yu Qiao, Shi-Gang Sun
Summary: Pre-lithiation strategies, such as cathode pre-lithiation and contact pre-lithiation, have been introduced to improve the reversibility of lithium-ion plating/stripping and achieve long-lifetime anode-free lithium metal batteries (AF-LMBs).
JOURNAL OF MATERIALS CHEMISTRY A
(2023)
Article
Engineering, Environmental
Peng Xue, Xiao-Tian Jiang, Mi Qu, Tiqing Zhao, You -Hong Jiang, Yifan Ying, Yong Luo, Dan Wang, Guang-Wen Chu, Jian-Feng Chen, Shi-Gang Sun, Hong -Gang Liao
Summary: Using in situ liquid cell transmission electron microscopy (TEM), we observed the crystal growth at flow condition with high resolution in real time, and discovered the formation of solute rich dense liquid phase near the surface at ultra-low precursor concentration, which then transformed into nanocrystals. The merging of dense phase droplets accelerated dendritic crystal growth, and the anisotropic crystal growth was controlled by the shape evolution of the dense phase. Our study deepens the understanding of crystal growth mechanisms, which is crucial for determining reaction dynamics and designing hierarchical nanomaterials.
CHEMICAL ENGINEERING JOURNAL
(2023)
