Article
Chemistry, Multidisciplinary
Rohan Pokratath, Laurent Lermusiaux, Stefano Checchia, Jikson Pulparayil Mathew, Susan Rudd Cooper, Jette Katja Mathiesen, Guillaume Landaburu, Soham Banerjee, Songsheng Tao, Nico Reichholf, Simon J. L. Billinge, Benjamin Abecassis, Kirsten M. O. Jensen, Jonathan De Roo
Summary: In this study, the nucleation and growth of zirconia nanocrystals from zirconium chloride and zirconium isopropoxide were investigated using various analysis methods. It was found that amorphous particles nucleate into nanocrystals through a second order process, and they are also the source of nanocrystal growth. By using different zirconium precursors, the precursor decomposition rate and nanocrystal size can be controlled. These findings are expected to aid in the further development of colloidal syntheses.
Article
Chemistry, Multidisciplinary
Zhong-Peng Lv, Martin Kapuscinski, Gabor Jarvas, Shun Yu, Lennart Bergstrom
Summary: In this study, structural transformations and lattice expansion of oleate-capped iron oxide nanocube superlattices during solvent removal were investigated. The combination of COSMO-RS theory and CFD modeling provided information on solvent composition and polarity during droplet evaporation. It was found that the presence of a sufficient amount of added oleic acid and an increase in polarity as the poor solvent is enriched are both necessary to promote the formation of structurally diverse superlattices with large domain sizes.
Article
Polymer Science
Changzhu Lv, Hang Guo, Shengyao Feng, Qi Yan, Chunlei Xu, Wancheng Yu, Liangbin Li, Kunpeng Cui
Summary: In this study, the deformation mechanism of amorphous polymeric materials was investigated using ultrasmall-angle X-ray scattering. A stretch-induced phase separation behavior was observed in plasticized poly(vinyl butyral) (PVB) for the first time. The phase separation is influenced by stress concentration and the network structure, and the phase size increases with strain.
Article
Chemistry, Multidisciplinary
Adrian Rodriguez-Palomo, Viviane Lutz-Bueno, Xiaobao Cao, Roland Kadar, Martin Andersson, Marianne Liebi
Summary: The study shows that in regions with high extensional flow, the material is oriented perpendicular to the flow, while in regions with high enough shear rate, the material is oriented in the flow direction. A flow-induced morphological transition from aligned lamellae toward multilamellar vesicles is observed in the lamellar phase with different shear rates.
Article
Chemistry, Multidisciplinary
Andy S. Anker, Troels Lindahl Christiansen, Marcus Weber, Martin Schmiele, Erik Brok, Emil T. S. Kjaer, Pavol Juhas, Rico Thomas, Michael Mehring, Kirsten M. O. Jensen
Summary: The study demonstrates the formation mechanism of metal oxido nanoclusters with a [Bi38O45] core using a combination of in situ pair distribution function (PDF) analysis and small-angle X-ray scattering (SAXS). The identification of [Bi22O26] as an intermediate species highlights the power of combined PDF and SAXS analysis for insights into nucleation on an atomic scale. Furthermore, the study shows how the interaction between nanoclusters and solvent is influenced by the nature of the ligands on the cluster surface.
ANGEWANDTE CHEMIE-INTERNATIONAL EDITION
(2021)
Article
Polymer Science
Jianchun Niu, Shuomeng Zhang, Yunqi Li, Xiaoyu Li, Jialin Zhang, Shanfu Lu, Qinggang He
Summary: In this article, a series of Nafion/SiO2 composite membranes with different contents of doped silica nanoparticles are prepared, and the water dynamic change process and functional properties are studied. The structural parameters, such as crystallinity and average chain spacing, are found to correlate well with the membrane properties. The microstructure, phase separation changes, and ion cluster fraction of the membranes are investigated using synchrotron-based in situ small angle X-ray scattering (SAXS). Surprisingly, the amount of water in the membranes may not be the decisive factor for proton conductivity at relatively high temperatures; instead, the complexity or connectivity of the proton transport channel plays a more important role.
Article
Multidisciplinary Sciences
Michael Wagener, Stephan Foerster
Summary: The scattering of various types of radiation by matter is widely used for structural characterization. With the advancement of beam sources and detectors, scattering patterns can now be acquired quickly and at large sizes. However, the slow analysis of these patterns has become a bottleneck. In this study, an algorithm based on hypergeometric functions is introduced, providing a significant increase in computational speed compared to current methods. This algorithm enables real-time experiment feedback, analysis of large scattering datasets, and generation of training data for machine learning.
SCIENTIFIC REPORTS
(2023)
Article
Materials Science, Multidisciplinary
Alberto Viani, Petra Macova, Marta Perez-Estebanez
Summary: In-situ X-ray techniques revealed that the reaction pathway of magnesium phosphate cements involves the formation of an amorphous precursor in its early stages, which then crystallizes by increasing long-range order through relatively minor structural rearrangements. The process is compatible with multi-step nucleation involving non-classical mechanisms, similar to what is observed in Ca carbonates and phosphates, providing insights into controlling the transformation to enhance cement design.
Article
Optics
Y. Luo, X. Yang, L. Yue, D. S. Ren, J. R. Chen
Summary: The luminescence intensity of silicon nanocrystals (Si-NC) can be enhanced by phosphorus (P) doping. In-situ P-doped Si-NC exhibited higher luminescence intensity compared to ex-situ P-doped Si-NC, with an order of magnitude increase compared to undoped Si-NC.
Article
Chemistry, Physical
Badri Narayanan Narasimhan, Alexander W. Dixon, Bradley Mansel, Andrew Taberner, Jitendra Mata, Jenny Malmstrom
Summary: This study investigates hydrogels made with semi-interpenetrating networks of oligomerized polyphenol tannic acid and poly(acrylamide). The presence of micron-sized hydrogen bonded clusters in the hydrogels and the breaking of these clusters above a critical solution temperature are observed using small angle X-ray scattering and small and ultra-small angle neutron scattering. Polarized optical microscopy shows enhanced anisotropy for gels with oligomerized tannic acid, and rheological studies reveal self-healing behavior of the gels. The findings from this study contribute to the rational design of hydrogels for biomedical applications.
JOURNAL OF COLLOID AND INTERFACE SCIENCE
(2023)
Article
Polymer Science
Changzhu Lv, Hang Guo, Erjie Yang, Chunlei Xu, Qi Yan, Lingpu Meng, Liangbin Li, Kunpeng Cui
Summary: This paper reports the formation of stretch-induced phase-separated structure on the scale of hundreds of nanometers in plasticized polyvinyl butyral (PVB) observed for the first time using ultrasmall angle X-ray scattering (USAXS) technique. The multiscale relaxation behavior of deformed plasticized PVB is further investigated by combining USAXS, birefringence, and in situ stretching device, studying the macroscopic stress, mesoscopic phase-separated structure, and microscopic chain segment. The contributions of chain segments and hydrogen bonding clusters for the multiscale relaxation behavior are discussed.
MACROMOLECULAR RAPID COMMUNICATIONS
(2023)
Article
Chemistry, Physical
E. Antonsson, F. Gerke, B. Langer, C. Goroncy, T. Dresch, T. Leisner, C. Graf, E. Ruehl
Summary: We report the photoelectron spectra of SiO2 nanoparticles and analyze the relationship between the photoelectron yield and photon energy. The inelastic mean-free path and mean escape depth of photoelectrons in the nanoparticle samples are quantified using Monte-Carlo simulations on electron transport. The influence of nanoparticle geometry and electron elastic scattering on photoelectron yields is discussed.
PHYSICAL CHEMISTRY CHEMICAL PHYSICS
(2023)
Article
Multidisciplinary Sciences
J. S. Park, J. D. Almer, K. C. James, L. J. Natanson, S. R. Stock
Summary: Members of subclass Elasmobranchii possess bioapatite mineralization in their cartilage skeletons, which has similar crystallography to bone but exhibits some differences. The mineral phase in shark centra has larger nanocrystallite sizes and is associated with less microstrain compared to bone.
JOURNAL OF THE ROYAL SOCIETY INTERFACE
(2022)
Article
Metallurgy & Metallurgical Engineering
Tao Liu, Guang-min Hu, Yu-jie Wang, Jian-rong Zeng, Qing Dong, Feng-gang Bian, Zhao-peng Cao, Nan Meng, Jiao Zhang, Bao-de Sun
Summary: This study investigates the precipitation strengthening behavior and its effect on the mechanical properties of Al-Mg-Si alloy during isothermal aging. The results show that the growth of nanoprecipitates in size and volume fraction is quantitatively related to precipitation strengthening. The use of in-situ synchrotron small angle X-ray scattering (SAXS) technique provides more accurate parameters for predictive models.
TRANSACTIONS OF NONFERROUS METALS SOCIETY OF CHINA
(2023)
Review
Chemistry, Multidisciplinary
Jia-Fu Yin, Lucia Amidani, Jiadong Chen, Mu Li, Binghui Xue, Yuyan Lai, Kristina Kvashnina, May Nyman, Panchao Yin
Summary: This Review discusses the use of X-ray, neutron scattering and X-ray absorption to characterize the assembly and function of inorganic nanostructured materials in solution. The review covers various size regimes and techniques including SAXS/WAXS/SANS, PDF, and XANES/EXAFS. The goal is to provide information and inspiration for the inorganic/materials science communities in understanding the role of solution speciation in natural and synthetic processes.
ANGEWANDTE CHEMIE-INTERNATIONAL EDITION
(2023)
Article
Instruments & Instrumentation
Jose Coutinho, Vitor J. B. Torres, Ivana Capan, Tomislav Brodar, Zoran Eres, Robert Bernat, Vladimir Radulovic, Klemen Ambrozic, Luka Snoj, Zeljko Pastuovic, Adam Sarbutt, Takeshi Ohshima, Yuichi Yamazaki, Takahiro Makino
Summary: In the past two decades, there has been a rush to find a 3He-replacing technology for detecting neutrons, with SiC semiconductor detectors being strong contenders. This review highlights the workings of SiC-based neutron detectors, as well as issues related to material properties, device fabrication and testing. The achievements of the E-SiCure project in developing radiation-hard silicon carbide detectors for special nuclear materials are discussed, along with experiments conducted at the Jozef Stefan Institute TRIGA Mark II reactor.
NUCLEAR INSTRUMENTS & METHODS IN PHYSICS RESEARCH SECTION A-ACCELERATORS SPECTROMETERS DETECTORS AND ASSOCIATED EQUIPMENT
(2021)
Article
Materials Science, Ceramics
Chithira Venugopalan Kartha, Jean-Luc Rehspringer, Dominique Muller, Stephane Roques, Jeremy Bartringer, Gerald Ferblantier, Abdelilah Slaoui, Thomas Fix
Summary: This study reports on the structural, optical, and electrical properties of CuxO thin films prepared by pulsed laser deposition technique. The growth conditions were carefully optimized to provide high conductivity and mobility, and the films showed photovoltaic response on specific substrates, paving the way for efficient solar cells made with Cu2O films.
CERAMICS INTERNATIONAL
(2022)
Article
Computer Science, Information Systems
Ivana Capan
Summary: This review paper provides an overview of the application of n-type 4H-SiC Schottky barrier diodes (SBDs) as radiation detectors. Significant progress has been made in the last decade in the radiation detection applications of SBDs. The paper presents recent advances in SBDs fabrication, electrical characterization, and their radiation response, highlighting main achievements and discussing key challenges.
Article
Chemistry, Physical
Wissal Belayachi, Gerald Ferblantier, Thomas Fix, Guy Schmerber, Jean-Luc Rehspringer, Thomas Heiser, Abdelilah Slaoui, Mohammed Abd-Lefdil, Aziz Dinia
Summary: Transparent conducting oxides (TCOs) are essential for solar cells, and tin dioxide (SnO2) films, with their rich sources, low cost, and non-toxicity, are potential substitutes for the commonly used indium-doped tin oxide (ITO). SnO2 films deposited using radio frequency (RF)-magnetron sputtering exhibit high visible-light transmittance and excellent electrical properties, making them suitable for organic solar cells (OSCs) electrodes. Despite slightly lower power conversion efficiency compared to ITO, SnO2 TCO shows promise as a viable alternative.
ACS APPLIED ENERGY MATERIALS
(2022)
Article
Chemistry, Physical
Romain Vollondat, Stephane Roques, Celine Chevalier, Jeremy Bartringer, Jean-Luc Rehspringer, Abdelilah Slaoui, Thomas Fix
Summary: Type I (Na8Si46) or type II (Nax <= 24Si136) silicon clathrates films with a large surface area have been synthesized using a two-step process. The specific type of silicon clathrates phase can be selectively obtained by finely tuning the synthesis conditions. These films demonstrate higher optical absorption coefficients compared to diamond silicon in the visible light range, with type II films showing a direct bandgap suitable for photovoltaic applications. The surface defects and inhomogeneities of the as-prepared type II films have been significantly reduced through pressure annealing treatment.
JOURNAL OF ALLOYS AND COMPOUNDS
(2022)
Article
Nanoscience & Nanotechnology
Anna Lena Oechsle, Julian E. Heger, Nian Li, Shanshan Yin, Sigrid Bernstorff, Peter Mueller-Buschbaum
Summary: This study investigates the stability of organic thermoelectric thin films at elevated operating temperatures. The electrical conductivity of ethyl-3-methylimidazolium dicyanamide (EMIM DCA) post-treated poly(3,4-ethylene dioxythiophene):poly(styrene sulfonate) (PEDOT:PSS) thin films is measured over 4.5 h of heating at 50 or 100 °C for different EMIM DCA concentrations. The changes in electrical performance are correlated with changes in film morphology and PEDOT oxidation level, resulting in a degradation of thermoelectric properties.
ACS APPLIED MATERIALS & INTERFACES
(2022)
Article
Physics, Applied
T. Knezevic, A. Hadzipasic, T. Ohshima, T. Makino, I. Capan
Summary: This study investigates the low-energy electron irradiated 4H-SiC material using DLTS and Laplace-DLTS techniques, and identifies the introduction of EH1 and EH3 deep level defects associated with carbon interstitials.
APPLIED PHYSICS LETTERS
(2022)
Article
Chemistry, Physical
Krunoslav Juraic, Pavo Dubcek, Mario Bohac, Andreja Gajovic, Sigrid Bernstorff, Miran Ceh, Aden Hodzic, Davor Gracin
Summary: Fluorine-doped tin oxide thin films are commonly used in thin-film solar cells as transparent electrodes due to their suitable electrical and optical properties. This study investigates the surface morphology of undoped and doped SnO2 thin films and how they affect the optical properties. Various methods, such as atomic force microscopy, transmission electron microscopy, and grazing-incidence small-angle X-ray scattering, are used to analyze the surface morphology. The results provide insights into the relationship between surface morphology and optical properties.
Article
Physics, Applied
Tihomir Knezevic, Tomislav Brodar, Vladimir Radulovic, Luka Snoj, Takahiro Makino, Ivana Capan
Summary: This article reports on the deep-level transient spectroscopy (DLTS) and Laplace DLTS study of low-energy electron and fast neutron irradiated 4H-SiC. Two defects, carbon interstitial and silicon-vacancy, were introduced by irradiation. The study demonstrates that Laplace DLTS can effectively distinguish these two defects.
APPLIED PHYSICS EXPRESS
(2022)
Article
Multidisciplinary Sciences
Y. Zakaria, B. Aissa, T. Fix, S. Ahzi, A. Samara, S. Mansour, A. Slaoui
Summary: In this study, SnOx thin films were deposited using reactive radio frequency magnetron sputtering, and their microstructural and optoelectronic properties were investigated. It was found that the best compromise between electrical conductivity and optical transmission can be achieved by growing the films with an O-2/Ar ratio of 1.5% at 250 degrees C and performing vacuum post thermal annealing.
SCIENTIFIC REPORTS
(2022)
Article
Materials Science, Multidisciplinary
T. Fix, J-L Rehspringer, S. Roques, A. Slaoui
Summary: In this study, attempts were made to grow beta-CuGaO2 films using different methods, and the potential of these films for photovoltaic applications was investigated. It was found that while beta-CuGaO2 is a suitable photon absorber, the discontinuity of the films is detrimental to electronic transport, requiring additional dopants to enhance its optoelectronic properties and charge carrier transport.
EMERGENT MATERIALS
(2023)
Article
Nanoscience & Nanotechnology
Kun Sun, Renjun Guo, Yuxin Liang, Julian E. Heger, Shangpu Liu, Shanshan Yin, Manuel A. Reus, Lukas V. Spanier, Felix Deschler, Sigrid Bernstorff, Peter Mueller-Buschbaum
Summary: In this study, the operational stability of perovskite solar cells (PSCs) was investigated, and it was found that the absorption of water caused volume expansion within the perovskite grains, leading to the degradation of the cells and a decrease in their performance. It was also observed that modifying the buried interface of the PSCs can slow down the degradation.
ACS APPLIED MATERIALS & INTERFACES
(2023)
Article
Chemistry, Physical
Robert Bernat, Tihomir Knezevic, Vladimir Radulovic, Luka Snoj, Takahiro Makino, Takeshi Ohshima, Ivana Capan
Summary: We investigated the impact of large-area 4H-SiC Schottky barrier diodes on the radiation response to ionizing particles. Two diode areas, 1 mm x 1 mm and 5 mm x 5 mm, were compared. We utilized (LiF)-Li-6 and (B4C)-B-10 films as thermal neutron converters on top of the diodes. A thermal neutron efficiency of 5.02% was achieved with (LiF)-Li-6, which is among the highest reported efficiencies. Additionally, a temperature-dependent radiation response to alpha particles was presented, with neutron irradiations conducted in a JSI TRIGA dry chamber and an Am-241 wide-area alpha source used for testing.
Article
Nanoscience & Nanotechnology
Anna Lena Oechsle, Tobias Schoener, Lewin Deville, Tianxiao Xiao, Ting Tian, Apostolos Vagias, Sigrid Bernstorff, Peter Mueller-Buschbaum
Summary: The influence of humidity on the resistance properties of post-treated PEDOT:PSS films was investigated. It was found that elevated humidity increased the resistance of reference samples without post-treatment, while the post-treated samples showed a reverse behavior. Morphological changes in the film, such as increased PEDOT domain distances, were observed with in situ GISAXS measurements. This led to a deterioration in interdomain hole transport and a rise in resistance. Additionally, EIS measurements revealed additional contributions of ionic charge carriers in the post-treated PEDOT:PSS films.
ACS APPLIED MATERIALS & INTERFACES
(2023)
Article
Materials Science, Multidisciplinary
Vitor J. B. Torres, Ivana Capan, Jose Coutinho
Summary: Despite the numerous boron-related experiments, there is still no model that can explain them. One puzzle is the observation of two shallow boron defects with distinct axial orientations, which are not found in materials doped with other group-III elements. Additionally, conflicting conclusions have been drawn from photoluminescence and EPR studies of a deeper boron center, which are associated with different models based on substitutional or vacancy-related boron defects. By using first-principles calculations, we address these and other issues.
