Article
Chemistry, Physical
Peifu Yu, Wei Li, Ping Liu, Ke Zhang, Fengcang Ma, Xiaohong Chen, Rui Feng, Peter K. Liaw
Summary: The effects of different Al thicknesses on the structural evolution of NiCr/Al nanomultilayered films were investigated. It was found that within a certain range, the Al layer could maintain co-epitaxial growth, resulting in improved crystallinity. As the Al layer thickness increased, the interfacial evolution changed, leading to decreased crystallinity, grain size, and increased resistivity. However, a larger Al thickness could improve the surface quality, reducing defect and vacancy scattering and resulting in decreased resistivity.
JOURNAL OF ALLOYS AND COMPOUNDS
(2022)
Article
Chemistry, Physical
Wei-hang Chang, Hai-chao Cai, Yu-jun Xue, Xian-qing Lei, Hang Li
Summary: This study explores the impact of deposition pressure on the microstructure and tribological properties of CrAgCeN coatings produced through unbalanced magnetron sputtering. The grain topography of the coatings changed from a looser pyramidal structure to a denser one as deposition pressure increased, along with fluctuations in hardness and elastic modulus. The presence of Ag and Ce elements contributed to the strengthening effect. The coefficient of friction (COF) and wear rates of the coatings initially decreased and then increased. Selecting an appropriate deposition pressure can enhance the tribological properties of the CrAgCeN coatings.
Review
Chemistry, Physical
Yuxin Ju, Ling Ai, Xiaopeng Qi, Jia Li, Weijie Song
Summary: This review comprehensively examines the scalable and highly reproducible nature of magnetron sputtering for depositing hydrophobic thin films. It outlines the fundamental mechanism of hydrophobicity and summarizes recent advances in the preparation, characteristics, and applications of thin films derived from oxides, polytetrafluoroethylene (PTFE), and diamond-like carbon (DLC). The review also discusses the future applications, current challenges, and development of hydrophobic thin films, providing a brief perspective on future research directions.
Article
Materials Science, Multidisciplinary
Wei Wu, Yongliang Tang, Bo Li, Xia Xiang, Chunming Liu, Xiaotao Zu
Summary: PbSe nanocrystalline films were prepared using magnetron sputtering with different parameters, showing improved crystallization quality and Pb/Se atomic ratio with increasing sputtering power and deposition time. The morphology of PbSe particles changed with deposition time, affecting the optical band gap and luminescence performance. Adjusting sputtering power and deposition time can optimize the properties of PbSe films.
Review
Chemistry, Physical
Heda Bai, Jin Li, Jialai Gao, Jinyang Ni, Yaxiong Bai, Jie Jian, Lin Zhao, Bowen Bai, Zeyun Cai, Jianchao He, Hongsheng Chen, Xuesong Leng, Xiangli Liu
Summary: This article reviews the microstructure and mechanical properties of CrN coatings fabricated through direct current magnetron sputtering (DCMS) and high-power impulse magnetron sputtering (HiPIMS) techniques. Compared to DCMS, HiPIMS demonstrates superior mechanical attributes, thus receiving significant research interest. However, HiPIMS also has potential shortcomings.
Article
Materials Science, Coatings & Films
David Shaw, Justyna Kulczyk-Malecka, Peter J. Kelly, Aidan M. Doyle
Summary: Magnetron sputtering was used to prepare Pd heterogeneous catalyst powders for the abatement of exhaust emissions in natural gas fuelled engines. The study found that the quantity of Pd deposited increased with deposition time and varied with the support material. The methane oxidation activity of the catalysts also increased with Pd content, with zeolite catalysts showing the highest activity despite having a greater amount of Pd present on titania.
SURFACE & COATINGS TECHNOLOGY
(2021)
Article
Materials Science, Multidisciplinary
Dong-Mei Mi, Sheng-Li Zhu, Yan-Qin Liang, Zhao-Yang Li, Zhen-Duo Cui, Xian-Jin Yang, Akihisa Inoue
Summary: In this study, an amorphous Zr55Al10Ni5Cu30 alloy thin film was prepared on a D36 steel substrate using magnetron sputtering method. The film exhibited uniform and smooth surface morphology after 5 hours of sputtering at room temperature, improving the microhardness and corrosion resistance of the substrate significantly. Additionally, good adhesion strength was observed between the amorphous alloy film and the substrate, while sputtering for too short or too long resulted in crevice corrosion in the as-sputtered sample.
Article
Nanoscience & Nanotechnology
Yu Zhang, Wen-Tao Shi, Lei Chen, Fu-Ru Zhong, Zhen-Xing Fang, Long-Fei Yuan
Summary: In this study, the crystal structure and electron transport of TiN thin films were evaluated, and the nitrogen flow rate was found to significantly influence the preferred orientation and conductivity of TiN thin films. Through optimized deposition conditions, TiN thin films with superior performances were obtained, suggesting their great potential as electrodes in microelectronic devices.
SCIENCE OF ADVANCED MATERIALS
(2023)
Article
Chemistry, Physical
R. Kowong, S. Denchitcharoen, T. Lertvanithphol, N. Triamnak, C. Chananonnawathorn, B. Lohwongwatana, J. Chaiprapa, C. Songsiriritthigul, A. Treetong, A. Klamchuen, P. Songsiriritthigul, P. Muthitamongkol, J. Y. Chia, K. Jaruwongrungsee, N. Nuntawong, M. Horprathum
Summary: Zr-W-Ti thin films were deposited by magnetron co-sputtering with different Ti-sputtering powers (25-150 W), and the effect of Ti-sputtering power on their physical and mechanical properties was investigated. Characterization techniques including FE-SEM, XPS, AFM, XRD, and HR-TEM revealed that the Ti-sputtering power influenced the Ti-containing structure of ZrW-based films, resulting in an amorphous phase with a very low surface roughness layer. Nano-indentation tests showed that the films exhibited the highest hardness and elastic modulus of 8.6 GPa and 121.3 GPa, respectively, and the plastic response was characterized by serrated flow and shear banding, suggesting that the prepared Zr-W-Ti thin films were excellent candidates for surface coating as thin film metallic glasses.
JOURNAL OF ALLOYS AND COMPOUNDS
(2023)
Article
Materials Science, Multidisciplinary
Qiang Li, Cheng Chen, Mingge Wang, Yaohui Lv, Yulu Mao, Manzhang Xu, Yingnan Wang, Xuewen Wang, Zhiyong Zhang, Shouguo Wang, Wu Zhao, Johan Stiens
Summary: SiCN thin films were prepared by radio frequency reactive magnetron sputtering method under different conditions, and their microstructure, morphology, optical, and field emission properties were studied. It was found that the high-quality SiCN thin films can be tailored by the preparation conditions, showing potential for optoelectronic device development.
JOURNAL OF MATERIALS RESEARCH AND TECHNOLOGY-JMR&T
(2021)
Article
Materials Science, Multidisciplinary
A. Fernandez, T. Sauvage, B. Diallo, D. Hufschmidt, M. C. Jimenez de Haro, O. Montes, J. M. Martinez-Blanes, J. Caballero, V. Godinho, F. J. Ferrer, S. Ibrahim, P. Brault, A. -L. Thomann
Summary: The microstructure and composition of Si-He nanocomposite films deposited by magnetron sputtering (MS) with different operation modes were compared. The films exhibited different depth compositions, nanopore size and shape distributions, porosity, and He content depending on deposition conditions. The presence of impurities promoted He diffusivity and reduced He accumulation. The release of He occurred at temperatures ranging from 473-723 K without film crystallization, and films grown in RF mode remained stable up to 573 and 723 K for 4He and 3He content respectively.
MATERIALS CHEMISTRY AND PHYSICS
(2023)
Article
Electrochemistry
Haonan Li, Yuechan Li, Xiuxiu Li, An Xie, Dongya Sun, Yi Wang
Summary: This paper investigated the microstructure and electrochromic properties of nickel oxide films deposited on ITO-coated glass substrates at different sputtering pressures, finding that the films showed the best surface morphology and outstanding electrochromic performances at 2.4 Pa.
JOURNAL OF THE ELECTROCHEMICAL SOCIETY
(2022)
Article
Chemistry, Multidisciplinary
Grzegorz Wisz, Paulina Sawicka-Chudy, Maciej Sibinski, Dariusz Ploch, Mariusz Bester, Marian Cholewa, Janusz Wozny, Rostyslav Yavorskyi, Lyubomyr Nykyruy, Marta Ruszala
Summary: In this study, titanium dioxide/copper oxide thin-film solar cells were prepared using the reactive direct-current magnetron sputtering technique. The influence of the deposition time of the top Cu contact layer on the structural and electrical properties of photovoltaic devices was analyzed. The structural and morphological characterization of the TiO2/CuO/Cu2O solar cells was fully studied using X-ray diffraction (XRD), scanning electron microscopy (SEM), and current-voltage (I-V) characteristics.
Article
Materials Science, Coatings & Films
Linxin He, Chunhai Liu, Sha Zhao, Chaozhu Shu, Jijun Yang, Hengquan Liu, Wei Zhang, Jinhui Lin, Jianping Long, Hong Chang
Summary: This study prepared TiVZrCrAl high entropy alloy (HEA) coatings on Zr-4 alloys using radio frequency magnetron sputtering (RFMS) technology and investigated the effect of deposition temperature on the properties of the coatings. The results showed that the coating deposited at 300 degrees C exhibited excellent corrosion resistance in static pure water.
SURFACE & COATINGS TECHNOLOGY
(2022)
Article
Materials Science, Multidisciplinary
Ivan Castillo, Karuna Kara Mishra, Ram S. Katiyar
Summary: Vanadium sesquioxide (V2O3) is an important transition metal oxide with potential applications in electronic and memory devices. Thin films of V2O3 were successfully deposited on Si/SiO2/Ti/Pt substrates, exhibiting good crystallinity and composition. The films also showed interesting magnetic behavior at low temperatures. Raman spectroscopy studies provided further insights into the phase transition.
Article
Materials Science, Multidisciplinary
U. Urdiroz, A. Gomez, M. Magaz, D. Granados, M. Sanchez Agudo, J. Rubio-Zuazo, G. R. Castro, C. Stan, N. Tamura, H. A. Padmore, C. Mueller, J. McCord, F. Cebollada, F. J. Palomares, J. M. Gonzalez
Summary: The study reports on inducing local anisotropy modifications in amorphous Fe80B20 stripes through X-ray irradiation, leading to the stable localization of a 180 degrees domain wall and the excitation of spatially inhomogeneous ferromagnetic resonances nearby the irradiated region. The time dependencies of the magnetization precession show a uniform phase shift of 180 degrees over distances of approximately 20 μm from the stabilized domain wall.
JOURNAL OF MAGNETISM AND MAGNETIC MATERIALS
(2021)
Article
Chemistry, Physical
Maria Moran-Pedroso, Raul Gago, Jaakko Julin, Eduardo Salas-Colera, Ignacio Jimenez, Alicia de Andres, Carlos Prieto
Summary: The study revealed that fluorinated tin oxide (FTO) films deposited at room temperature by sputtering exhibit complex variations in optical and electrical properties due to different fluorine content and hydrogen atmosphere. By adjusting fluorine doping and hydrogen fraction, samples with up to four orders of magnitude in electrical conductivity were achieved, while maintaining excellent optical transparency. The optimized room temperature grown electrodes reached sheet resistance around 20 Omega/square and transparency greater than 90%, showing potential for flexible and large scale electronics.
APPLIED SURFACE SCIENCE
(2021)
Article
Chemistry, Physical
A. Fernandez Garcia, V Torres-Costa, O. de Melo, F. Agullo-Rueda, G. R. Castro, M. Manso Silvan
Summary: This study successfully prepared MoTe2/MoSe2 composite films using sol-gel processing and isothermal closed space vapor transformation. These films have high surface area interfaces and are suitable for reactions with transition metal dichalcogenides.
APPLIED SURFACE SCIENCE
(2021)
Article
Chemistry, Physical
Martin H. Petersen, Nathan Vernet, Will P. Gates, Felix J. Villacorta, Seiko Ohira-Kawamura, Yukinobu Kawakita, Masatoshi Arai, Gerald Kneller, Heloisa N. Bordallo
Summary: The study reveals that temperature has a significant impact on the polarization effect of water molecules in the interlayer space of clay minerals montmorillonite and hectorite. Additionally, hydrogen atoms in water show stronger hydrogen bonding at the interlayer surfaces of montmorillonite, leading to smaller motional amplitudes.
JOURNAL OF PHYSICAL CHEMISTRY C
(2021)
Article
Materials Science, Multidisciplinary
Aida Serrano, Jesus Lopez-Sanchez, Iciar Arnay, Rosalia Cid, Maria Vila, Eduardo Salas-Colera, German R. Castro, Juan Rubio-Zuazo
Summary: This work demonstrates the functional character of complex alpha-Fe2O3(0001)/SrTiO3(111) and Au(111) islands/alpha-Fe2O3(0001)/SrTiO3(111) heterostructures as gas sensors at room temperature. The epitaxial growth of Au islands and alpha-Fe2O3 thin film on SrTiO3(111) substrates is investigated for their gas-sensing response. The incorporation of epitaxial Au islands on top of the alpha-Fe2O3(0001) layer enhances gas-sensing activity under CO and CH4 gas exposure, with the response to CO gas being higher than to CH4 gas.
Article
Physics, Condensed Matter
T. M. Flanagan, M. T. Brumbach, R. Chow, D. Casalnuovo, J. Rubio-Zuazo, G. R. Castro
Summary: Electron emission from thick polished samples of polycrystalline molybdenum and single crystalline 111 silver was measured using hard x-ray photoemission spectroscopy. The study observed changes in emission behavior at different excitation x-ray energies.
SURFACE SCIENCE SPECTRA
(2021)
Article
Chemistry, Physical
Sandra Cortijo-Campos, Patrick Kung, Carlos Prieto, Alicia de Andres
Summary: The complex Raman spectra of single- to few-layer MoS2 are sensitive to variables like the number of layers, growth method, and substrate, with specific peaks showing strong dependence on electronic structure modifications, substrate coupling, and temperature. Peaks unique to vapor deposition methods suggest the presence of specific defects.
JOURNAL OF PHYSICAL CHEMISTRY C
(2021)
Article
Chemistry, Physical
A. Redondo-Cubero, F. J. Palomares, K. Lorenz, J. Rubio-Zuazo, R. Huebner, F. J. Mompean, M. Garcia-Hernandez, G. R. Castro, L. Vazquez
Summary: This paper investigates the dynamics of the pattern induced on a silicon surface by oblique incidence of a 40 keV Fe ion beam. The results show that the Fe-induced pattern differs from two reference systems and exhibits a short hexagonal ordering structure. The metal pathway plays a critical role in determining the morphological, chemical, and magnetic properties of the patterns.
APPLIED SURFACE SCIENCE
(2022)
Article
Chemistry, Multidisciplinary
Sandra Cortijo-Campos, Carlos Prieto, Alicia De Andres
Summary: A large set of single-layer and few-layer MoS2 flakes with sizes ranging from 10 nm to 20 μm were successfully obtained on sapphire substrate. The flakes were found to relax and experience hole doping as their size decreases. Additionally, the PL intensity was found to be independent of the size but correlated with the presence of defects.
Article
Chemistry, Physical
J. Rubio-Zuazo, G. R. Castro
Summary: The effective attenuation length (EAL) is an important parameter for the evaluation of XPS and AES spectra. While there are extensive experimental data and predictive equations available for low electron kinetic energies, limited data and equations exist for high-energy applications. This study provides experimental EAL values for various materials in the kinetic energy range of 1-14 KeV, and evaluates the validity of predictive equations developed for soft X-ray XPS. A practical equation is proposed for the evaluation of EAL for solids in this energy range, eliminating the need for complex calculations. The proposed equation accurately reproduces the experimental data and existing literature within experimental errors.
APPLIED SURFACE SCIENCE
(2022)
Article
Chemistry, Multidisciplinary
Carmen Abia, Carlos A. Lopez, Javier Gainza, Joao Elias F. S. Rodrigues, Maria T. Fernandez-Diaz, Eva Cespedes, Jose Luis Martinez, Jose Antonio Alonso
Summary: The search for lead-free materials for optoelectronic applications is a current research focus in the field of environment-friendly energy transition. In this study, we investigated the substitution of toxic Pb2+ with Cu2+ in all-inorganic CsPbBr3 perovskite, and explored the CsCuBr3 halide with little previous research. A mechanically-synthesized CsCuBr3 specimen was obtained and characterized by calorimetric and structural analysis techniques. The results revealed a structural phase transition and the presence of magnetic coupling between Cu2+ spins.
Article
Materials Science, Multidisciplinary
R. S. Silva Jr, J. Gainza, J. E. Rodrigues, L. Martinez, E. Cespedes, N. M. Nemes, J. L. Martinez, J. A. Alonso
Summary: In this study, FexTi2S4 polycrystalline materials were prepared using a rapid high-pressure method, and their crystal structure and magnetic properties were investigated. The results revealed a Fe/Ti inversion in the TiS2 layers and different magnetic behaviors depending on the Fe content. Furthermore, the material exhibited better relative cooling power and temperature stability compared to other transition metal sulfides reported in the literature.
JOURNAL OF MATERIALS CHEMISTRY C
(2022)
Article
Instruments & Instrumentation
Felix J. Villacorta, Damian Martin Rodriguez, Mads Bertelsen, Heloisa N. Bordallo
Summary: To enhance the science case of MIRACLES, a time-of-flight backscattering spectrometer is proposed at ESS, with an optimized neutron guide system. This systematic study improves the transport of cold neutrons and maintains the instrument's ability to carry out neutron scattering experiments on a large dynamic range. By adjusting the geometry and selecting appropriate guide segments, the collection and transport of cold neutrons from the source to the sample position are improved.
QUANTUM BEAM SCIENCE
(2022)
Article
Materials Science, Multidisciplinary
T. Ly Nguyen, J. Rubio-Zuazo, G. R. Castro, F. M. F. de Groot, N. Hariharan, S. Elizabeth, M. Oura, Y. C. Tseng, H. J. Lin, A. Chainani
Summary: We studied the electronic structure of single-crystal Tb0.5Sr0.5MnO3 using various spectroscopy techniques, revealing that the compound is a strongly correlated charge transfer type semiconductor. The analysis of core level photoemission and X-ray absorption spectra confirmed the presence of Mn3+ and Mn4+ states. Resonant photoemission spectroscopy showed enhancement of Mn 3d partial density of states and two-hole correlation satellites, indicating the complex electronic behavior of Tb0.5Sr0.5MnO3.
Article
Instruments & Instrumentation
Felix J. Villacorta, Heloisa N. Bordallo, Masatoshi Arai
Summary: The study proposes a future upgrade for the neutron spectrometer MIRACLES, using a new chopper layout concept to increase elastic signal intensity while maintaining the original beamline layout. The challenge lies in achieving efficient pulse multiplication while guaranteeing minimal changes and impact.
QUANTUM BEAM SCIENCE
(2021)
