Article
Materials Science, Coatings & Films
Kinsey L. Canova, Laurent Souqui, Gregory S. Girolami, John R. Abelson
Summary: It has been found that metal-containing compounds can not only act as catalysts for chemical vapor deposition (CVD) of films, but also inhibit CVD nucleation or growth. This inhibition can occur when two precursors are co-flowed onto a substrate at a temperature where the growth onset temperature of one precursor is lower than the other. The choice of precursor-inhibitor combinations depends on factors such as their growth onset temperatures and reactivity.
JOURNAL OF VACUUM SCIENCE & TECHNOLOGY A
(2023)
Article
Chemistry, Physical
Chi Thang Nguyen, Eun-Hyoung Cho, Ngoc Le Trinh, Bonwook Gu, Mingyu Lee, Sunghee Lee, Jeong-Yub Lee, Youngho Kang, Han-Bo-Ram Lee
Summary: Area-selective deposition (ASD) using a precursor inhibitor (PI) has the potential to replace self-assembled monolayer inhibitors due to its wide material selection and process compatibility. This study introduces bis(ethylcyclopentadienyl)ruthenium [Ru(EtCp)(2)] as a homometallic PI for ASD of Ru. The blocking property is determined by the packing density of Ru(EtCp)(2) on the surface, and an additional H2O pulse is used to create more space for adsorption of Ru(EtCp)(2), improving the blocking property. Ru(EtCp)(2) with an additional H2O pulse inhibits the growth of Ru atomic layer deposition (ALD) film for up to 300 cycles. This study highlights the possibility of using homometallic PIs in future metal ASD processes.
CHEMISTRY OF MATERIALS
(2023)
Article
Physics, Applied
Y. Katamune, K. Murasawa, T. Yoshitake, T. Kikuchi, K. Imokawa, H. Ikenoue
Summary: This study demonstrated the surface modification of polycrystalline diamond films using vertical irradiation of KrF excimer laser beams while minimizing volume loss of the films. Laser scanning selectively removed surface asperities and reduced surface roughness. Raman spectroscopic measurements showed phase transformation of diamond to amorphous carbon phases and thermal oxidation or evaporation of the amorphous phases during laser polishing. The surface texture of polycrystalline diamond films played a significant role in the concentration of laser beams on the nearby film surface.
APPLIED PHYSICS LETTERS
(2023)
Article
Multidisciplinary Sciences
Meihui Wang, Ming Huang, Da Luo, Yunqing Li, Myeonggi Choe, Won Kyung Seong, Minhyeok Kim, Sunghwan Jin, Mengran Wang, Shahana Chatterjee, Youngwoo Kwon, Zonghoon Lee, Rodney S. Ruoff
Summary: Restricting the initial growth temperatures used for chemical vapour deposition of graphene on metal foils produces optimum conditions for growing large areas of fold-free, single-crystal graphene, which exhibit highly uniform transport properties.
Article
Materials Science, Multidisciplinary
Marian Marton, Marian Vojs, Pavol Michniak, Miroslav Behul, Vlastimil Rehacek, Michal Pifko, Stepan Stehlik, Alexander Kromka
Summary: This study presents a cost-effective method for the fabrication of large-area boron-doped diamond films using a liquid-phase boron precursor. The results show controllable film morphology and favorable doping level, resistivity, and growth rates.
DIAMOND AND RELATED MATERIALS
(2022)
Article
Materials Science, Coatings & Films
Ghewa Akiki, Mathieu Fregnaux, Ileana Florea, Pavel Bulkin, Dmitri Daineka, Sergej Filonovich, Muriel Bouttemy, Erik Johnson
Summary: The study observed silicon deposition on SiOxNy, but not on AlOx or Al surfaces under the same plasma conditions. The silicon deposited on SiOxNy had a microcrystalline structure. Fluorine was detected on the AlOx surface, suggesting the formation of Al-F bonds blocking silicon deposition. Increasing electrode temperature or RF plasma power allowed deposition on AlOx surfaces, leading to a loss of selectivity.
JOURNAL OF VACUUM SCIENCE & TECHNOLOGY A
(2021)
Article
Nanoscience & Nanotechnology
John Lasseter, Philip D. Rack, Steven J. Randolph
Summary: In this study, a method for selectively depositing 3D nanostructures using photothermal transport is reported. The ability to initiate the process on sub-diffraction-limit nanoscale features is demonstrated. Thermal simulations show that the geometric shape and optical and thermal properties of the nanostructures are crucial for controlling the CVD reaction.
ACS APPLIED NANO MATERIALS
(2022)
Article
Chemistry, Multidisciplinary
Aranya Goswami, Sanchayeta R. Mudi, Connor Dempsey, Po Zhang, Hao Wu, Bomin Zhang, William J. Mitchell, Joon Sue Lee, Sergey M. Frolov, Christopher J. Palmstrom
Summary: Superconductor-semiconductornanowire hybrid structures are designed and fabricated using high-aspect-ratio SiO x dielectric walls for in situ evaporation of superconductortin on in-plane InAs SAG nanowires. This technique allows customization of the hybrid nanostructures and enables simultaneous growth of the nanowire and superconductor without breaking the vacuum. Cryogenic electron transport measurements demonstrate gate and field tunable supercurrents, while the superconducting gap, critical fields, and periodicity of the SNSNS junctions confirm the usability of these hybrid nanostructures.
Article
Chemistry, Physical
Jung-Min Cho, Hak-Joo Lee, Young-Jin Ko, Heon-Jin Choi, Young-Joon Baik, Gyu Weon Hwang, Jong-Keuk Park, Joon Young Kwak, Jaewook Kim, Jongkil Park, YeonJoo Jeong, Inho Kim, Kyeong-Seok Lee, Wook-Seong Lee
Summary: In this paper, we present a template-free approach for synthesizing a porous diamond layer using hot-filament chemical vapor deposition (HF-CVD). The key enabling factors were found to be the seeding of the substrate with detonation nanodiamond (DND) and the relatively low substrate temperature. The resulting porous layer consisted of quasi-spherical nanodiamond particles. We also demonstrated a preliminary application of the porous diamond layer as a waveguide in an attenuated-total-reflection (ATR)-type waveguide mode resonance sensor.
SURFACES AND INTERFACES
(2022)
Article
Materials Science, Multidisciplinary
Mikhail Aleksandrovich Lobaev, Dmitry Borisovich Radishev, Anatoly Leontievich Vikharev, Alexey Mikhailovich Gorbachev, Sergey Aleksandrovich Bogdanov, Vladimir Aleksandrovich Isaev, Stanislav Alekseevich Kraev, Andrey Igorevich Okhapkin, Ekaterina Aleksandrovna Arkhipova, Evgeniy Valentinovich Demidov, Mikhail Nikolaevich Drozdov
Summary: The results of a study on electroluminescence of silicon vacancy color centers (SiV centers) in a diamond merged diode are presented. A line at 738 nm corresponding to a SiV color center in a negative charge state is detected, while emission at 946 nm corresponding to a SiV color center in a neutral charge state is not observed. The electroluminescence of color centers is only observed in the p-i-n region of the diode, indicating the necessity of both types of charge carriers for electroluminescence excitation. A significant dependence of the photoluminescence intensity of SiV centers on the applied voltage is found.
PHYSICA STATUS SOLIDI-RAPID RESEARCH LETTERS
(2023)
Review
Materials Science, Multidisciplinary
Chunyan Zhang, Ratnakar D. D. Vispute, Kun Fu, Chaoying Ni
Summary: This review focuses on the thermal properties of chemical vapor deposited diamond thin films and their importance in thermal management and other applications. Diamond offers unique opportunities in thermal management due to its exceptional properties, such as high thermal conductivity and radiation hardness.
JOURNAL OF MATERIALS SCIENCE
(2023)
Article
Chemistry, Multidisciplinary
Yueyun Weng, Gai Wu, Rubing Li, Liye Mei, Shubin Wei, Yifan Yao, Zhongxing Li, Du Wang, Sheng Liu, Cheng Lei
Summary: Diamond is an excellent semiconductor but defects formed during growth affect its performance. Optical time-stretch quantitative phase imaging (OTS-QPI) can effectively measure multiple parameters of diamond crystals at high speed and accuracy, potentially improving the quality and yield of diamond devices.
CRYSTAL GROWTH & DESIGN
(2023)
Article
Chemistry, Multidisciplinary
Wanxing Xu, Paul C. Lemaire, Kashish Sharma, Dennis M. Hausmann, Sumit Agarwal
Summary: We demonstrate that nucleation in ALD of Al2O3 on functionalized SiO2 can be delayed significantly by using a low-reactivity heteroleptic precursor.
CHEMICAL COMMUNICATIONS
(2022)
Article
Materials Science, Ceramics
Yang Xuan, Timo Fromm, Sebastian Bruns, Rudolf Borchardt, Karsten Durst, Stefan M. Rosiwal
Summary: Diamond foils are exceptionally strong yet brittle. By introducing interfaces into the material to provide pathways for crack deflection, strong yet tough diamond/metal laminates have been successfully produced using a brazing process. The diamond-to-metal interface plays a critical role in enabling the transfer of shear stress and deflecting cracks, contributing to the toughness and fracture energy of the laminates.
JOURNAL OF THE EUROPEAN CERAMIC SOCIETY
(2021)
Article
Materials Science, Multidisciplinary
Lin-Yun Huang, Ming-Yang Li, San-Lin Liew, Shih-Chu Lin, Ang-Sheng Chou, Ming-Chun Hsu, Ching-Hao Hsu, Yu-Tung Lin, Po-Sen Mao, Duen-Huei Hou, Wei-Cheng Liu, Chih- Wu, Wen-Hao Chang, Han Wang, Lain-Jong Li, Kung-Hwa Wei
Summary: Here, a novel approach for area-selective growth of uniform monolayer or bilayer WS2 on dielectric substrates is proposed through in situ conversion of a predeposited W metal pad to WO x initially and then to WS2 mono- and bilayers. Compared to previous transfer methods, this direct-growth method offers cleaner interfaces and the ability to grow tunable layers on target substrates, making it more suitable for manufacturing processes. The WS2 bilayer exhibits uniform optical properties with an AA stacking order between layers, which is expected to have higher mobility. These WS2 monolayers and bilayers were employed in field-effect transistors, suggesting that this approach provides effective platforms for further device applications.
ACS MATERIALS LETTERS
(2023)
Article
Chemistry, Physical
V Prochazka, P. Kulha, T. Izsak, E. Ukraintsev, M. Varga, V Jirasek, A. Kromka
Summary: This study presents a sensor based on quartz crystal microbalance (QCM) coated with nanocrystalline diamond (NCD) thin film, functionalization method, and novel application of such sensor. The results show that the diamond-coated QCMs enhance the sensing performance for proteins and the adhesion of the proteins to the diamond film's surface. However, the saturation with phosphate buffer saline as a diluent solution for proteins occurs quickly.
APPLIED SURFACE SCIENCE
(2022)
Article
Materials Science, Multidisciplinary
O. Romanyuk, J. Zemek, J. Houdkova, O. Babcenko, E. Shagieva, K. Beranova, A. Kromka, P. Jiricek
Summary: A hydrogenated nanocrystalline diamond (NCD-H) film was prepared using chemical vapor deposition (CVD) method, and the surface destruction and graphitization of NCD-H were achieved through Ar ion bombardment by monoatomic beam (Ar+) and cluster ion beam (ArCIB). ArCIB bombardment resulted in the formation of a thin altered layer on the surface of NCD-H, while Ar+ beam bombardment created a thicker, homogeneous altered layer. Multiple microscopy and spectroscopy methods were used to evaluate the contribution of C-Hx bonds to the asymmetry of the C 1s core level line shape and measure the H concentration on the surface. The study demonstrates the limitations of Auger spectroscopy (D-parameter) analysis for measuring the sp2/sp3 phase concentration on rough NCD-H surfaces. The controllable amorphization or graphitization of diamond surface can enhance its functionality in detectors, electrochemical sensing, or supercapacitor applications.
DIAMOND AND RELATED MATERIALS
(2023)
Article
Physics, Fluids & Plasmas
Maria Domonkos, Petra Ticha
Summary: Plasma treatment is a widely used technique to modify the surface properties of materials prior to gluing, bonding, and painting. Low-temperature atmospheric pressure plasma (LTAPP) is an innovative technology that can effectively modify the surfaces of heat-sensitive materials. This article discusses the applications of LTAPP in the textile industry, such as improving fabric wettability, liquid repellency, dyeability, UV protection, shrink resistance, and flame retardancy, highlighting the current research trends in material science.
IEEE TRANSACTIONS ON PLASMA SCIENCE
(2023)
Article
Chemistry, Multidisciplinary
Frantisek Trojanek, Karol Hamracek, Martin Hanak, Marian Varga, Alexander Kromka, Oleg Babcenko, Lukas Ondic, Petr Maly
Summary: Diamond thin films with a high-density of light-emitting negatively charged silicon vacancy (SiV) centers can be prepared at a relatively low cost, which has potential applications in photonics or sensing. The composition of the films, which consist of diamond grains with SiV centers and sp(2)-carbon phase, can be adjusted by changing the preparation conditions. Surface defects and the sp(2)-related defects in the grains can trap the carriers excited within the SiV centers, leading to a decrease in their internal photoluminescence (PL) quantum efficiency.
Article
Physics, Multidisciplinary
M. Matys, S. Bulanov, M. Kucharik, M. Jirka, J. Nikl, M. Kecova, J. Proska, J. Psikal, G. Korn, O. Klimo
Summary: This study investigates the application of plasma shutters for heavy ion acceleration driven by high-intensity laser pulses. Simulations show that the shutters can increase the steepness and peak intensity of the laser pulse, leading to enhanced ion acceleration. The effects of prepulses are also examined using a double plasma shutter design.
NEW JOURNAL OF PHYSICS
(2022)
Article
Energy & Fuels
Diego Lopez-Carballeira, Jorne Raymakers, Anna Artemenko, Ruben Lenaerts, Jan Cermak, Jaroslav Kulicek, Shannon S. Nicley, Alexander Kromka, Ken Haenen, Wouter Maes, Bohuslav Rezek
Summary: Organic-based photovoltaic devices have specific advantages in terms of cost, deployment ease, semi-transparency, and performance under low and diffuse light conditions. This study investigates the influence of oligothiophene spacer length on the performance of a solar cell using thin-film boron-doped diamond electrodes. The researchers found that the length of the spacer has an impact on the efficiency of the solar cell.
SOLAR ENERGY MATERIALS AND SOLAR CELLS
(2022)
Article
Multidisciplinary Sciences
Maria Domonkos, Alexander Kromka
Summary: Nanosphere lithography (NSL) is a cost-effective and time-saving technique for fabricating ordered arrays of nanostructures. This paper reviews the challenges in mask preparation, modification, and quality control in NSL, and discusses the process of creating highly ordered nanopatterned arrays using spin coating and additional treatments.
Article
Instruments & Instrumentation
Jakub Budil, Pavla Stenclova, Alexander Kromka, Petra Liskova
Summary: In this study, infrared attenuated total reflection spectroscopy coupled with optical and confocal laser scanning microscopy was used to analyze the real-time development of Pseudomonas syringae biofilm. The kinetics of representative band areas in the spectral window 4000-800 cm(-1) were analyzed to characterize different developmental stages of the biofilm.
APPLIED SPECTROSCOPY
(2023)
Article
Materials Science, Multidisciplinary
Katerina Kolarova, Irena Bydzovska, Oleksandr Romanyuk, Ekaterina Shagieva, Egor Ukraintsev, Alexander Kromka, Bohuslav Rezek, Stepan Stehlik
Summary: Hydrogenation of the surface provides specific and unique properties to nanodiamonds. In this study, high-pressure high-temperature nanodiamonds (HPHT NDs) with varying levels of hydrogenation and sp2 carbon content were prepared and characterized. Higher surface sp2-C content and hydrogenation levels led to better dispersibility in acidic to neutral pH and higher isoelectric points. Chitosan was found to electrostatically attract hydrogenated HPHT NDs, improving their dispersibility and providing colloidal stability in a wide pH range of 2-11. Chitosan coating enables the decoration of hydrogenated HPHT NDs with silver nanoparticles.
DIAMOND AND RELATED MATERIALS
(2023)
Article
Materials Science, Multidisciplinary
Oksana Gutsul, Ondrej Szabo, Nirmal Kumar, Rene Pfeifer, Branislav Dzurnak, Kezia Sasitharan, Vsevolod Slobodyan, Alexander Kromka, Bohuslav Rezek
Summary: MXenes have unique properties that make them promising materials for sustainable energy technologies, including high electrical conductivity, hydrophilicity, excellent thermal stability, large interlayer spacing, easily tunable structure, high surface area, and microporous structure that facilitate faster ion transfer. This study compares the electrical properties of MXene thin films prepared from aqueous and non-aqueous solvents. The results show that MXene deposited from the non-aqueous solvent DMF exhibits higher electrical conductivity than that deposited from NMP. This suggests that MXene thin films prepared from non-aqueous solvents may have potential applications as charge-transporting layers in hybrid photovoltaic devices.
JOURNAL OF MATERIALS RESEARCH
(2023)
Article
Energy & Fuels
Aurelien Sokeng Djoumessi, Anastasia Sichwardt, Daria Miliaieva, Jan Cermak, Maximilian Schaal, Felix Otto, Stepan Stehlik, Jaroslav Kulicek, Vojtech Nadazdy, Torsten Fritz, Alexander Kromka, Bohuslav Rezek, Ulrich S. S. Schubert, Harald Hoppe
Summary: Diamond nanoparticles, also known as nanodiamonds, have attracted scientific interest due to their optical and electronic properties, nontoxicity, biocompatibility, and large surface area. The versatility of the surface chemistry of nanodiamonds allows for the attachment of various functional groups, providing a platform for adjusting their properties and functions. In this study, high-pressure high-temperature nanodiamonds were tested as charge extraction material in organic solar cells, and hydrogenated nanodiamonds were found to be effective for electron extraction.
Article
Nanoscience & Nanotechnology
Michal Koci, Tibor Izsak, Gabriel Vanko, Michaela Sojkova, Jana Hrda, Ondrej Szabo, Miroslav Husak, Karol Vegso, Marian Varga, Alexander Kromka
Summary: This study synthesizes MoS2 and H-NCD thin films using appropriate physical/chemical deposition methods, and analyzes their performance in gas sensing properties. The results show that the MoS2/H-NCD heterostructure-based gas sensor exhibits improved sensitivity to oxidizing NO2 and reducing NH3 gases. Different gas interaction model pathways were developed to describe the current flow mechanism through the sensing area.
ACS APPLIED MATERIALS & INTERFACES
(2023)
Article
Chemistry, Multidisciplinary
Daria Miliaieva, Aurelien Sokeng Djoumessi, Jan Cermak, Katerina Kolarova, Maximilian Schaal, Felix Otto, Ekaterina Shagieva, Olexandr Romanyuk, Jiri Pangrac, Jaroslav Kulicek, Vojtech Nadazdy, Stepan Stehlik, Alexander Kromka, Harald Hoppe, Bohuslav Rezek
Summary: This study systematically investigates the structural and electronic properties of nanodiamonds (NDs) with different origins and surface terminations. By using optical and photoelectron spectroscopy, Kelvin probe measurements, and energy-resolved electrochemical impedance spectroscopy, the absolute energy level diagrams of NDs are obtained. The results show significant differences in energy band shifts, Fermi level position, electron affinity, optical band gap, band gap states, and electrical conductivity depending on the origin and surface modifications of NDs. These findings are crucial for understanding and designing the optoelectrochemical functional mechanisms of NDs in various application areas.
NANOSCALE ADVANCES
(2023)
