Article
Chemistry, Multidisciplinary
Eli Janzen, Hannah Schutte, Juliette Plo, Adrien Rousseau, Thierry Michel, Wilfried Desrat, Pierre Valvin, Vincent Jacques, Guillaume Cassabois, Bernard Gil, James H. Edgar
Summary: The changes in the properties of hexagonal boron nitride (hBN) induced by isotopic purification are reported. The study extends the purification to N-15 isotopes. Raman and photoluminescence spectroscopies show that the monoisotopic hBN crystals exhibit similar vibrational and optical properties to N-14 purified hBN. The growth of high-quality h(10)B(14)N, h(11)B(14)N, h(10)B(15)N, and h(11)B(15)N crystals opens up new possibilities for thermal conductivity control and advanced functionalities in quantum technologies.
ADVANCED MATERIALS
(2023)
Article
Materials Science, Multidisciplinary
Gaokai Wang, Yong Cheng, Jingren Chen, Junhua Meng, Libin Zeng, Zhigang Yin, Jinliang Wu, Xingwang Zhang
Summary: As an emerging 2D ultrawide bandgap semiconductor, hexagonal boron nitride (h-BN) is gaining significant attention for its superior properties and wide applications. However, the luminescence properties of h-BN few-layers are rare due to its poor crystallinity. In this work, h-BN epilayers were synthesized on sapphire substrates by the submicron-spacing vapor deposition method. The low temperature cathodoluminescence spectra of h-BN epilayers exhibit strong deep ultraviolet (DUV) luminescence peaks and a defect-related emission band, showing potential for optoelectronic applications.
ADVANCED OPTICAL MATERIALS
(2023)
Article
Chemistry, Multidisciplinary
Khadiza Ali, Laura Fernandez, Mohammad A. Kherelden, Anna A. Makarova, Igor Pis, Federica Bondino, James Lawrence, Dimas G. de Oteyza, Dmitry Yu. Usachov, Denis V. Vyalikh, F. Javier Garcia de Abajo, Zakaria M. Abd El-Fattah, J. Enrique Ortega, Frederik Schiller
Summary: This study demonstrates a method for synthesizing nanostriped hBN with periodic texture on Rh surfaces, which is achieved for the first time by imprinting lateral patterns from a one-dimensional template. The electronic structure reveals nanoscale periodic modulation, creating an effective multi-stripe semiconductor structure.
Article
Materials Science, Ceramics
Monika Tatarkova, Peter Tatarko, Alexandra Kovalcikova, Ivo Dlouhy, Jan Dusza, Pavol Sajgalik
Summary: The addition of h-BN nanosheets during spark plasma sintering process improved the fracture toughness and strength of Si3N4, while slowing down the alpha -> beta phase transformation. Proper control of the particle size and content of h-BN nanosheets can effectively enhance the mechanical properties of Si3N4.
JOURNAL OF THE EUROPEAN CERAMIC SOCIETY
(2021)
Article
Physics, Applied
Subhadip Nath
Summary: The study reveals that Be3X2 materials exhibit superior thermoelectric properties and unique optical characteristics compared to graphene, indicating great potential for device fabrication and application.
JOURNAL OF APPLIED PHYSICS
(2021)
Review
Chemistry, Multidisciplinary
Soumyabrata Roy, Xiang Zhang, Anand B. Puthirath, Ashokkumar Meiyazhagan, Sohini Bhattacharyya, Muhammad M. Rahman, Ganguli Babu, Sandhya Susarla, Sreehari K. Saju, Mai Kim Tran, Lucas M. Sassi, M. A. S. R. Saadi, Jiawei Lai, Onur Sahin, Seyed Mohammad Sajadi, Bhuvaneswari Dharmarajan, Devashish Salpekar, Nithya Chakingal, Abhijit Baburaj, Xinting Shuai, Aparna Adumbumkulath, Kristen A. Miller, Jessica M. Gayle, Alec Ajnsztajn, Thibeorchews Prasankumar, Vijay Vedhan Jayanthi Harikrishnan, Ved Ojha, Harikishan Kannan, Ali Zein Khater, Zhenwei Zhu, Sathvik Ajay Iyengar, Pedro Alves da Silva Autreto, Eliezer Fernando Oliveira, Guanhui Gao, A. Glen Birdwell, Mahesh R. Neupane, Tony G. Ivanov, Jaime Taha-Tijerina, Ram Manohar Yadav, Sivaram Arepalli, Robert Vajtai, Pulickel M. Ajayan
Summary: Hexagonal boron nitride (h-BN) is a strong candidate for two-dimensional (2D) materials due to its exciting optoelectrical properties, combined with mechanical robustness, thermal stability, and chemical inertness. Various synthesis strategies for 2D h-BN, including chemical exfoliation, chemical, and physical vapor deposition, have been developed in recent years. The potential applications of h-BN structures in nanoelectronics, photonics, biomedical, anti-corrosion, and catalysis are described based on their extraordinary properties and stability.
ADVANCED MATERIALS
(2021)
Article
Chemistry, Multidisciplinary
Nermina Brljak, Ruitao Jin, Tiffany R. Walsh, Marc R. Knecht
Summary: The study identified a peptide sequence with affinity for h-BN, called BP7, and developed a new method to manipulate the surface properties of nanosheet materials through mutation studies and bio-conjugation. When conjugated with a fatty acid, BP7 was able to create highly viscoelastic interfaces, offering a new pathway for organizing and conjugating h-BN nanosheets in liquid water.
Article
Chemistry, Multidisciplinary
Qingyang Fan, Ruida Zhao, Yingbo Zhao, Yanxing Song, Sining Yun
Summary: In this study, eight BN polymorphs (2H, 4H, 5H, 6H-I, 6H-II, 7H-I, 7H-II, and 7H-III) were obtained using a random sampling strategy, and their similarities to 3C BN in stacking order were observed. The calculations showed that these polymorphs have high stability and thermal stability. Additionally, they exhibit superhard characteristics and can be considered as promising ultrawide-bandgap semiconductors.
CRYSTAL GROWTH & DESIGN
(2023)
Article
Engineering, Mechanical
Hanze Guo, Tingfan Yang, Xiaoyu Xuan, Zhuhua Zhang, Wanlin Guo
Summary: This paper focuses on the flexoelectric effect in thin 2D materials. Through intensive first-principles study, the authors found that hexagonal boron nitride (h-BN) monolayer has a higher flexoelectric coefficient and nonlinearity compared to graphene, and explained the underlying mechanism. The flexoelectric effect was also found to induce a staggered band gap in double-walled BN nanotubes, with potential applications in photovoltaics.
EXTREME MECHANICS LETTERS
(2022)
Article
Nanoscience & Nanotechnology
Marie Krecmarova, Rodolfo Canet-Albiach, Hamid Pashaei-Adl, Setatira Gorji, Guillermo Munoz-Matutano, Milos Nesladek, Juan P. Martinez-Pastor, Juan F. Sanchez-Royo
Summary: Color defects were successfully generated in hBN nanosheets dispersed on different substrates through thermal treatment processes, with subsequent ozone treatments improving the optical emission properties. Defects deposited on dielectric substrates exhibited bright and stable light emission, with a wide range of zero-phonon line peak energies. Additionally, a substrate dependence of the optical performance of the color defects was observed, with gold substrates leading to a reduction in energy range due to quenching effects.
ACS APPLIED MATERIALS & INTERFACES
(2021)
Article
Nanoscience & Nanotechnology
Vidur Raj, Dipankar Chugh, Lachlan E. Black, M. M. Shehata, Li Li, Felipe Kremer, Daniel H. Macdonald, Hark Hoe Tan, Chennupati Jagadish
Summary: Research has shown that wafer-scale, few monolayers thick hBN as a passivation layer can significantly improve solar cell performance, with a relatively low interface defect density and potential for high-quality passivation. hBN-based passivation layers are especially useful in cases where the growth of lattice-matched passivation layers is complicated.
NPJ 2D MATERIALS AND APPLICATIONS
(2021)
Article
Materials Science, Composites
Lanlan Hu, Wulin Yang, Jiajun Zhu, Licai Fu, Deyi Li, Lingping Zhou
Summary: A novel thermal conductive and electrical insulation composite paper was reported, which enhanced the thermal conductivity and insulation properties by bridging boron nitride nanosheets (BNNS) and silicon carbide wires (SiCw) through sintered silver nanoparticles (AgNPs). The results provide a promising strategy to improve the thermal conductivity of composites and have potential applications in electronic packaging.
POLYMER COMPOSITES
(2022)
Article
Chemistry, Multidisciplinary
Chen Chen, Yang Hang, Hui Shan Wang, Yang Wang, Xiujun Wang, Chengxin Jiang, Yu Feng, Chenxi Liu, Eli Janzen, James H. Edgar, Zhipeng Wei, Wanlin Guo, Weida Hu, Zhuhua Zhang, Haomin Wang, Xiaoming Xie
Summary: The bandgap of hBN nanoribbons (BNNRs) can be changed by spatial/electrostatic confinement. Water adsorption greatly reduces the bandgap of zigzag-oriented BNNRs (zBNNRs) and can tune their conductance and optical bandgaps.
ADVANCED MATERIALS
(2023)
Article
Chemistry, Multidisciplinary
Xiaofang Zhang, Lulu An, Changning Bai, Li Chen, Yuanlie Yu
Summary: Hexagonal boron nitride quantum dots (BNQDs) show excellent properties and potential applications in disease diagnosis, fluorescence imaging, etc., but face challenges in large-scale fabrication. This article summarizes the properties, fabrication methods, and applications of BNQDs, aiming to inspire new methods for achieving homogeneous BNQDs at scale.
MATERIALS TODAY CHEMISTRY
(2021)
Article
Materials Science, Ceramics
Hyesun Yun, Chul Jong Han, Jeong Beom Park, Youngmin Kim
Summary: This study synthesized multifunctional epoxyorganosiloxanes (MEOSs) to fabricate thermally conductive composites, demonstrating that lower molecular weight MEOSs can improve reaction rates and enhance the mechanical properties of cured composites. Furthermore, by mixing EC-1 with h-BN to fabricate composites, high filler loading was achieved, leading to high thermal conductivity and good mechanical properties in the cured composite.
CERAMICS INTERNATIONAL
(2022)
Article
Chemistry, Physical
Syed Muhammad Alay-e-Abbas, Ghulam Abbas, Waqas Zulfiqar, Muhammad Sajjad, Nirpendra Singh, J. Andreas Larsson
Summary: Anti-perovskite A(3)SnO (A = Ca, Sr, and Ba) monolayers exhibit interesting electronic properties, including Rashba-type splitting and Dirac cone, due to crystal symmetry, spin-orbit coupling, and band overlap. The monolayers Ca3SnO and Sr3SnO show superior thermoelectric performance compared to their bulk counterparts due to inversion asymmetry.
Article
Chemistry, Multidisciplinary
Russlan Jaafreh, Abhishek Sharan, Muhammad Sajjad, Nirpendra Singh, Kotiba Hamad
Summary: This study utilizes machine learning techniques to discover new perovskite-based materials with high mechanical stability. Machine learning models are built to predict the moduli of materials based on their crystal structure and composition information. The models show reliable performance and have been successfully applied in a screening process.
ADVANCED FUNCTIONAL MATERIALS
(2023)
Article
Energy & Fuels
G. John, S. Gopalakrishnan, Abhishek Sharan, M. Navaneethan, Jeganathan Kulandaivel, Nirpendra Singh, P. Justin Jesuraj
Summary: In this research, a heterostructure bifunctional electrocatalyst was prepared using the hydrothermal method, consisting of SnS nano sheets engrafted onto NiCo2O4 nanoneedles suspended on Ni foam. The catalyst showed low overpotentials for oxygen and hydrogen evolution reactions and exhibited good stability in the electrolyte.
Article
Chemistry, Physical
Mihir Ranjan Sahoo, Avijeet Ray, Rajeev Ahuja, Nirpendra Singh
Summary: The commercial application of electrochemical water reduction for hydrogen evolution reaction (HER) is hindered by the lack of inexpensive and efficient catalysts. We propose a metal-free biphenylene nanosheet as an excellent HER electro-catalyst. The dynamical and thermal stability of the nanosheet is confirmed through calculations. The nanosheet exhibits excellent catalytic activity, and its efficiency can be further improved through doping and vacancies.
INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF HYDROGEN ENERGY
(2023)
Article
Nanoscience & Nanotechnology
Shubham Tyagi, Rajneesh Chaurasiya, Nirpendra Singh, Ambesh Dixit
Summary: This study investigates the thermodynamic stability, electronic, and thermoelectric properties of TiB2 and ZrB2 using density functional and Boltzmann transport theory. The results show that the ZrB2 monolayer exhibits dynamic instability in phonon band dispersion, which can be improved by biaxial strain. The electronic properties of the monolayers do not change significantly. The strain modulated Seebeck coefficient, electrical conductivity, and electronic thermal conductivity are studied, revealing a decrease in Seebeck coefficient and an increase in electrical conductivity and electronic thermal conductivity with increasing temperature. The lattice thermal conductivity is found to be higher in TiB2 monolayer compared to ZrB2 monolayer. These findings suggest that strain can enhance the dynamic stability and modulate the thermoelectric properties, and TiB2 monolayer may be a potential low temperature efficient thermoelectric material.
PHYSICA E-LOW-DIMENSIONAL SYSTEMS & NANOSTRUCTURES
(2023)
Article
Materials Science, Multidisciplinary
Sung Bok Seo, Sanghee Nah, Muhammad Sajjad, Jiacheng Song, Nirpendra Singh, Sang Ho Suk, Hionsuck Baik, Sanghoon Kim, Geun-Ju Kim, Jung-Il Kim, Sangwan Sim
Summary: Layered nanomaterials with in-plane anisotropy exhibit unique orientation-dependent responses to external stimuli, enabling the development of novel devices with additional degrees of freedom. This work presents a completely anisotropic, ultrafast optical modulation in zirconium pentatelluride (ZrTe5), which can achieve complete on/off switching with a near-unity degree of anisotropy solely by changing the light polarization, suggesting its potential for high-speed optical modulators. The study also provides a comprehensive understanding of the anisotropic optical characteristics of ZrTe5 on ultrafast timescales.
ADVANCED OPTICAL MATERIALS
(2023)
Article
Chemistry, Physical
Njemuwa Nwaji, Hyojin Kang, Mahendra Goddati, Lemma Teshome Tufa, Juyong Gwak, Abhishek Sharan, Nirpendra Singh, Jaebeom Lee
Summary: This study proposes a simple and cost-effective method to enhance S vacancies in transition metal-organic frameworks (MOFs) by using Fe as the dopant. The Fe-Co-MOF is converted into a hollow Fe-Co3S4 confined in CoMo2S4 to form Fe-Co3S4@CoMo2S4 nanosheets. The as-prepared material exhibits enhanced charge storage kinetics and excellent properties as an electrode material for supercapacitors.
JOURNAL OF MATERIALS CHEMISTRY A
(2023)
Article
Energy & Fuels
Njemuwa Nwaji, Eser Metin Akinoglu, Qin Lin, Lemma Teshome Tufa, Abhishek Sharan, Nirpendra Singh, Xin Wang, Michael Giersig, Jaebeom Lee
Summary: In this study, highly uniform, spherical, hollowed, and hierarchical iron oxide-wrapped Mo-polydopamine nanostructures were successfully synthesized via a one-pot liquid-phase reaction at room temperature. The surface conductivity of the nanostructures was enhanced by decorating them with gold nanoparticles, and they were converted into carbidic hollowed structures through an annealing process. MoFe-C@Au exhibited excellent catalytic performance and long-term stability.
Article
Marine & Freshwater Biology
Aislinn Dunne, Darren J. J. Coker, Alexander Kattan, Matthew D. D. Tietbohl, Joanne I. I. Ellis, Burton Jones, Michael Berumen
Summary: Marine vegetated habitats, such as seagrass, mangroves, and macroalgae, provide important habitats for a diversity of fish species, including juvenile and commercially important fish found on coral reefs. This study evaluated the habitat associations of fish species in different vegetated habitats in the Red Sea and found that coral reef fish species utilized macroalgae and seagrass more than mangroves. These habitats offer different combinations of resources, suggesting that a mix of these habitats could support biodiversity and connectivity across the seascape.
Article
Materials Science, Multidisciplinary
Sang Ho Suk, Sanghee Nah, Muhammad Sajjad, Sung Bok Seo, Jiacheng Song, Nirpendra Singh, Sangwan Sim
Summary: Layered quasi-1D nanomaterials show strong linear dichroism and effective light-matter interactions, making them promising for novel information devices driven by light-polarization. Further studies are needed to better understand the modulation mechanisms and explore more materials.
ADVANCED OPTICAL MATERIALS
(2023)
Article
Nanoscience & Nanotechnology
Njemuwa Nwaji, Juyong Gwak, Mahendra Goddati, Hyojin Kang, Adewale Hammed Pasanaje, Abhishek Sharan, Nirpendra Singh, Jaebeom Lee
Summary: This study explores the integration of 3D NiCo2S4 nanospikes into a 1D Fe3C microarchitecture, resulting in Fe3C@NiCo2S4 nanospikes electrode materials with great potential for high-performance hybrid supercapacitors.
ACS APPLIED MATERIALS & INTERFACES
(2023)
Article
Chemistry, Physical
Surabhi Suresh Nair, Muhammad Sajjad, Kanishka Biswas, Nirpendra Singh
Summary: This study proposes two-dimensional γ-monochalcogenide (MX; M = Ge, Sn, Pb, and X = S, Se, Te) monolayers as potential thermoelectric materials and discovers anomalous behavior in their thermal conductivity. The γ-PbTe monolayer exhibits an ultralow thermal conductivity and provides valuable insights for designing efficient thermoelectric materials.
ACS APPLIED ENERGY MATERIALS
(2023)
Article
Chemistry, Physical
Ayesha A. Alkhoori, Omer Elmutasim, Aasif A. Dabbawala, Michalis A. Vasiliades, Klito C. Petallidou, Abdul-Hamid Emwas, Dalaver H. Anjum, Nirpendra Singh, Mark A. Baker, Nikolaos D. Charisiou, Maria A. Goula, Angelos M. Efstathiou, Kyriaki Polychronopoulou
Summary: In this study, the Ni/CeO2/Al2O3 catalyst system was investigated to understand how different synthesis parameters affect interfacial phenomena and CO2 methanation. Key factors such as alumina texture, ceria loading, and synthesis method of supported Ni were examined to determine their influence on catalyst activity and CH4 selectivity. Among the studied catalysts, Ni-20Ce/mpAl showed promising results with high CO2 conversion rate (70%) and CH4 selectivity (>94%) at 350°C. The researchers found that medium- and high-porosity alumina facilitated better dispersion of ceria, while Ni-CeO2 cogrowth resulted in small Ni crystallites that increased in size over the course of the reaction. This catalyst exhibited advantageous features for CO2 methanation, including a high concentration of oxygen vacancies, significant presence of surface Ce3+ species, and strong CO activation capability.
ACS APPLIED ENERGY MATERIALS
(2023)
Article
Chemistry, Multidisciplinary
Sumit Kukreti, Surbhi Ramawat, Nirpendra Singh, Ambesh Dixit
Summary: The use of strain allows extensive modification of the properties of semiconductors. In this study, we investigated the effects of strain on the structural, electronic, thermal, and vibrational characteristics of β-Sb elemental monolayers. We observed the transition from a band-insulating phase to a topological insulating phase at approximately 15% biaxial strain. The reduction in stiffness and lattice thermal conductivity, as well as the appearance of helical edge states and specific vibrational modes, confirmed the presence of the topological phase.
Article
Chemistry, Physical
S. Gopalakrishnan, Mihir Ranjan Sahoo, Avijeet Ray, Nirpendra Singh, S. Harish, E. Senthil Kumar, M. Navaneethan
Summary: We have developed a heterostructure photocathode consisting of nickel cobalt disulphide layers (NiCo2S4 NS) over a p-Si nanowire (Si NW) surface for solar-assisted water reduction. The optimized Si NW/NiCo2S4 NS heterostructure exhibits enhanced water reduction activity under simulated solar irradiation. The catalytic performance of the heterostructure is attributed to the electrocatalyst properties of NiCo2S4 and efficient charge separation and migration processes at the photocathode/electrolyte interface. Our findings demonstrate the potential of this heterostructure scheme for designing high-performance Si photocathodes for solar water reduction.
SUSTAINABLE ENERGY & FUELS
(2023)
