Article
Chemistry, Physical
M. C. Nagashree, S. D. Kulkarni, B. V. Rajendra, J. Seidel, M. S. Murari, P. Sharma
Summary: In this study, high-quality ferroic films of bismuth ferrite were synthesized on glass substrates using solution-based spray pyrolysis. The effects of annealing conditions on film quality and switchable polarization were investigated. The optimized films exhibited polycrystalline nanostructured grains with high X-ray diffraction intensity and a mixed valence state of Fe2+/3+. These films displayed a complex ferroelectric domain microstructure and demonstrated robust nanoscale polarization switching. The findings highlight the potential of spray pyrolysis for low-cost fabrication of high-quality ferroelectric thin films and its application in advanced electronic devices.
PHYSICAL CHEMISTRY CHEMICAL PHYSICS
(2023)
Article
Chemistry, Physical
Hongyan Qi, Weixin Wu, Xinqi Chen, Hee Chul Lee
Summary: In this study, BiFeO3/La0.7Sr0.3MnO3 heterostructures were successfully synthesized and stable bipolar resistive switching characteristics regulated by ferroelectric polarization reversal were observed. The conduction mechanism followed the Schottky emission model, and the memristive behavior was explained by the modulation effect on the depletion region width and Schottky barrier height caused by ferroelectric polarization reversal.
Article
Chemistry, Multidisciplinary
Raphael Salazar, Sara Varotto, Celine Vergnaud, Vincent Garcia, Stephane Fusil, Julien Chaste, Thomas Maroutian, Alain Marty, Frederic Bonell, Debora Pierucci, Abdelkarim Ouerghi, Francois Bertran, Patrick Le Fevre, Matthieu Jamet, Manuel Bibes, Julien Rault
Summary: Multilayers based on quantum materials have the potential to revolutionize microelectronics and optoelectronics. However, heterostructures incorporating quantum materials from different families remain scarce. In this study, we demonstrate the large-scale integration of compounds from two highly multifunctional families, perovskite oxides and transition-metal dichalcogenides, opening up new possibilities for manipulating the properties of transition-metal dichalcogenides through proximity effects.
Article
Materials Science, Ceramics
Hyun Wook Shin, Jong Yeog Son
Summary: In this study, the ferroelectric switching and current characteristics of BFO nanocubes were investigated, revealing their potential as storage media for ferroelectric polarization information.
CERAMICS INTERNATIONAL
(2022)
Article
Chemistry, Analytical
Jan Thiesler, Thomas Ahbe, Rainer Tutsch, Gaoliang Dai
Summary: This paper introduces a 3D-AFM-head with true 3D-probing capabilities for critical dimension measurements. The calibrated 3D-Nanoprobe shows a selectivity ratio of 50:1 on average for each of the spatial directions x, y, and z, with a quasi-isotropic ratio of stiffness. Testing on CD-line samples demonstrates promising results in terms of repeatability and accuracy.
Article
Materials Science, Ceramics
Dongfang Chen, Xiaojun Tan, Bowen Shen, Jun Jiang
Summary: Reliable polarization retention is crucial for ferroelectric domain wall memories. In this study, the polarization retention of BiFeO3 thin film devices with size-variable electrodes was investigated. Smaller device sizes resulted in decreased retention time of switched polarization, leading to the elimination of device current due to back-switching. Unsustainable polarization retention facilitated higher current rectification ratio, suitable for non-destructive information readout in high-density ferroelectric DW memories.
CERAMICS INTERNATIONAL
(2023)
Article
Materials Science, Ceramics
Tao Cui, Annan Yu, Yangyu Zhang, Jian Guo, Xiongjie Li, Shun Guo, Ji Zhang, Jing Wang, Shan-Tao Zhang
Summary: Dielectric capacitors, particularly lead-free ceramics, have great potential in high power and pulsed power electronic devices. However, the relatively small recoverable energy storage density is a challenge. This study successfully improved the relaxor behavior and breakdown strength of a specific ceramic composition, resulting in superior comprehensive energy storage performance and reliability, making it a prospective alternative for electrostatic energy storage.
JOURNAL OF THE AMERICAN CERAMIC SOCIETY
(2022)
Article
Nanoscience & Nanotechnology
Xiaokang Yao, Can Wang, Er-Jia Guo, Xinyan Wang, Xiaomei Li, Lei Liao, Yong Zhou, Shan Lin, Qiao Jin, Chen Ge, Meng He, Xuedong Bai, Peng Gao, Guozhen Yang, Kui-Juan Jin
Summary: The study investigates the physics and functionalities of interfaces between complex oxides through the fabrication of multilayers with atomically sharp interfaces. Atomically resolved transmission electron microscopy reveals the ferroelectric proximity effect, with a large ionic displacement in BiFeO3 penetrating into the SrRuO3 layers near the interfaces. Magnetic measurements further confirm the different magnetic ground states in the interfacial and middle regions of each SrRuO3 layer in the multilayers.
ACS APPLIED MATERIALS & INTERFACES
(2022)
Article
Chemistry, Physical
P. Tulasirao, Nagamalleswari Katragadda, Pranab Mandal
Summary: Na0.5Bi0.5TiO3 (NBT) is a lead-free perovskite material with ferroelectricity below 300 degrees C. It exhibits oxide ionic conductivity at elevated temperatures, but there is a need for materials with higher conductivity at lower temperatures. NBT-based ferroelectrics have been studied as potential low-temperature ionic conductors for solid oxide fuel cells. In this work, the composition Na0.45Bi0.49Ba0.05Fe0.05Mg0.019Ti0.931O3-delta (NBBTF-C) showed a similar ionic conductivity to NBT at 600 degrees C.
ACS APPLIED ENERGY MATERIALS
(2023)
Article
Chemistry, Applied
Jafar Hussain Shah, Anum Shahid Malik, Ahmed Mahmoud Idris, Saadia Rasheed, Hongxian Han, Can Li
Summary: In this study, particulate BFO and Mn-doped BiFeO3 were synthesized by the sol-gel method, demonstrating that Mn doping significantly enhances the oxygen evolution reaction (OER) activity under visible light irradiation. The bandgap of Mn-doped BFO could be reduced by varying the Mn doping amount, leading to improved absorption of visible light and decreased activation energy for water oxidation. Density functional theory (DFT) calculations suggested that surface Fe species are the active sites for water oxidation, with Mn doping leading to the lowest over-potential measured in this study. The synergistic effect of bandgap narrowing in Mn-doped BFO increases the photocatalytic water oxidation activity by inhibiting charge recombination and reducing activation energy.
CHINESE JOURNAL OF CATALYSIS
(2021)
Article
Chemistry, Physical
Haoyang Sun, Zhen Luo, Chuanchuan Liu, Chao Ma, Zijian Wang, Yuewei Yin, Xiaoguang Li
Summary: This study reports a flexible FTJ memristor grown on a mica substrate, which exhibits stable voltage-tuned multistates and robust resistive switching behavior after multiple bending cycles. Artificial neural network simulations based on experimental device behaviors demonstrate high recognition accuracies, highlighting the potential applications of this flexible FTJ as a data storage and processing device.
JOURNAL OF MATERIOMICS
(2022)
Article
Chemistry, Physical
Xia-Li Liang, Jian-Qing Dai
Summary: BFMO thin films were successfully deposited on FTO/glass substrates via sol-gel technique, with Mn doping showing significant enhancement in properties compared to pure BFO samples. The Mn doping-induced changes in structure, grain size reduction, and oxygen vacancies were identified as underlying mechanisms for the improved performance of BFMO films, making them promising for ferroelectric photovoltaic device applications.
JOURNAL OF ALLOYS AND COMPOUNDS
(2021)
Article
Chemistry, Physical
Subhash Sharma, J. M. Siqueiros, Oscar Raymond Herrera
Summary: This study investigates the effect of Er doping on the properties of BiFeO3 nanoparticles, showing improvements in dielectric, electrical, and optical properties. The Er-doped BFO exhibits enhanced dielectric properties, better P-E loops, and potential applications in the visible spectrum, making it a promising candidate for memory device applications.
JOURNAL OF ALLOYS AND COMPOUNDS
(2021)
Article
Chemistry, Multidisciplinary
Jingfeng Song, Shihao Zhuang, Michael Martin, Luis A. Ortiz-Flores, Binod Paudel, Dmitry Yarotski, Jiamian Hu, Aiping Chen, Bryan D. Huey
Summary: Self-assembled BiFeO3-CoFe2O4 (BFO-CFO) vertically aligned nanocomposites offer tunability for logic, memory, and multiferroic applications due to strain engineering at epitaxial vertical interfaces. Local investigations are hindered by size, geometry, microstructure, and experimental artifacts, but tomographic atomic force microscopy reveals significant impacts of tensile strain on ferroelectric switching. The new imaging approach provides insights into strained interface effects on local properties, advancing fundamental understanding of polarization switching and optimizing functional response in nanoferroic systems.
ADVANCED FUNCTIONAL MATERIALS
(2021)
Article
Chemistry, Multidisciplinary
Yuji Noguchi, Hiroki Matsuo
Summary: The superlattice consisting of Mn(5%)-doped BiFeO3 and BaTiO3 layers grown on SrTiO3 substrates shows different behaviors based on the number of unit cells in the layers. Superlattices with fewer than 5 unit cells behave as a unified ferroelectric, while those with more than 25 unit cells behave as a simple series connection of individual capacitors. Density functional theory calculations explain the spontaneous polarization behavior in these thin superlattices and suggest the potential for novel ferroelectrics with different crystal symmetries.
Article
Materials Science, Multidisciplinary
Manuel Rivas, Ryan Q. Rudy, Bradley Sanchez, Milena B. Graziano, Glen R. Fox, Paul Sunal, Latha Nataraj, Emil Sandoz-Rosado, Asher C. Leff, Bryan D. Huey, Ronald G. Polcawich, Brendan Hanrahan
JOURNAL OF MATERIALS SCIENCE
(2020)
Article
Physics, Applied
Jingfeng Song, Yuanyuan Zhou, Bryan D. Huey
Summary: The tomographic atomic force microscopy technique has shown great potential in the 3D nanocharacterization of energy and electronic materials, offering new avenues for investigating fundamental and applied phenomena in a broader range of functional materials.
APPLIED PHYSICS LETTERS
(2021)
Article
Materials Science, Ceramics
Thomas J. Moran, Keigo Suzuki, Tadasu Hosokura, Alexander Khaetskii, Bryan D. Huey
Summary: By using atomic force microscopy to characterize discharging dynamics, researchers have found that microstructures in insulating materials can significantly affect discharging rates. This provides insight into optimizing microstructures for improved capacitor performance.
JOURNAL OF THE AMERICAN CERAMIC SOCIETY
(2021)
Article
Chemistry, Multidisciplinary
Jingfeng Song, Shihao Zhuang, Michael Martin, Luis A. Ortiz-Flores, Binod Paudel, Dmitry Yarotski, Jiamian Hu, Aiping Chen, Bryan D. Huey
Summary: Self-assembled BiFeO3-CoFe2O4 (BFO-CFO) vertically aligned nanocomposites offer tunability for logic, memory, and multiferroic applications due to strain engineering at epitaxial vertical interfaces. Local investigations are hindered by size, geometry, microstructure, and experimental artifacts, but tomographic atomic force microscopy reveals significant impacts of tensile strain on ferroelectric switching. The new imaging approach provides insights into strained interface effects on local properties, advancing fundamental understanding of polarization switching and optimizing functional response in nanoferroic systems.
ADVANCED FUNCTIONAL MATERIALS
(2021)
Article
Chemistry, Multidisciplinary
Boya Zhang, Jingjing Liu, Ming Ren, Chao Wu, Thomas J. Moran, Songshan Zeng, Sonia E. Chavez, Zaili Hou, Zongze Li, Anna Marie LaChance, T. Richard Jow, Bryan D. Huey, Yang Cao, Luyi Sun
Summary: A study shows that self-assembling nano layers on the surface of polymer films can restore the Schottky barrier at the interface of organic insulators and metals, increasing the operating field for organic insulators and improving discharge efficiency. This new interface engineering strategy effectively addresses the issue of defects caused by topological disorder in polymers.
ADVANCED MATERIALS
(2021)
Article
Nanoscience & Nanotechnology
Sergei Kalinin, James J. Steffes, Yongtao Liu, Bryan D. Huey, Maxim Ziatdinov
Summary: In this study, domain switching pathways in ferroelectric materials were explored using a variational autoencoder, allowing for the visualization of domain evolution mechanisms and their correlation with the microstructure.
Article
Energy & Fuels
Nafis Iqbal, Dylan J. Colvin, Eric J. Schneller, Tamil S. Sakthivel, Roger Ristau, Bryan D. Huey, Ben X. J. Yu, Jean-Nicolas Jaubert, Alan J. Curran, Menghong Wang, Sudipta Seal, Roger H. French, Kristopher O. Davis
Summary: Reliability and durability tests are crucial in the PV industry to reduce failure risks. This study investigated contact degradation in monocrystalline and multicrystalline PV modules, finding different darkening patterns and confirming resistive loss mechanism. Material characterization revealed degradation due to metallization corrosion, with differences in darkening pattern attributed to silver paste composition.
SOLAR ENERGY MATERIALS AND SOLAR CELLS
(2022)
Article
Energy & Fuels
Nafis Iqbal, Dylan J. Colvin, Alan J. Curran, Fang Li, Jeya Prakash Ganesan, Dana B. Sulas-Kern, Steven Harvey, Andrew Norman, Joseph Karas, Govindasamy TamizhMani, Jean-Nicolas Jaubert, Parag Banerjee, Bryan D. Huey, Roger H. French, Kristopher O. Davis
Summary: This article discusses the application of multiscale characterization methods in photovoltaic research, including characterization of modules, cells, and materials. These methods can be used to identify the root causes of degradation in photovoltaic systems. Nondestructive characterization techniques and materials characterization techniques are recommended, and the strengths and limitations of each method are discussed.
IEEE JOURNAL OF PHOTOVOLTAICS
(2022)
Article
Nanoscience & Nanotechnology
Ramesh Nath, Nicholas A. Polomoff, Jingfeng Song, Thomas J. Moran, Ramamoorthy Ramesh, Bryan D. Huey
Summary: The dynamics of ferroelectric domain switching in a PbZr0.2Ti0.8O3 thin film were studied using piezoresponse force microscopy. The study found that the polarization of the domains followed an S-curve, and the nucleation sites and growth patterns showed repeatability. By analyzing the activation energy ratio, it was discovered that using higher poling fields can activate more nucleation sites, enabling faster and more efficient switching.
ADVANCED ELECTRONIC MATERIALS
(2022)
Article
Chemistry, Multidisciplinary
Erik D. Roede, Konstantin Shapovalov, Thomas J. Moran, Aleksander B. Mosberg, Zewu Yan, Edith Bourret, Andres Cano, Bryan D. Huey, Antonius T. J. van Helvoort, Dennis Meier
Summary: This study demonstrates the importance of nanoscale structure for the emergent transport properties in the 3D network of neutral and charged domain walls in ErMnO3. By using tomographic microscopy techniques and finite element modeling, the contribution of domain walls within the bulk is clarified and the significance of curvature effects for the local conduction is shown down to the nanoscale.
ADVANCED MATERIALS
(2022)
Article
Chemistry, Analytical
Zan Gao, Guangfu Wu, Yang Song, Huijie Li, Yuxuan Zhang, Michael J. Schneider, Yingqi Qiang, Jackson Kaszas, Zhengyan Weng, He Sun, Bryan D. Huey, Rebecca Y. Lai, Yi Zhang
Summary: This study presents a flexible neural probe for multiplexed neurochemical monitoring using aptamers functionalized on graphene field-effect transistors (G-FETs). The neural probes demonstrate excellent flexibility, lightweight, and can monitor serotonin and dopamine with high sensitivity and selectivity. The developed methodology can be adapted for monitoring other neurochemicals.
ANALYTICAL CHEMISTRY
(2022)
Article
Chemistry, Multidisciplinary
Yifei Wang, Zongze Li, Thomas J. Moran, Luis A. Ortiz, Chao Wu, Antigoni C. Konstantinou, Hiep Nguyen, Jierui Zhou, Jindong Huo, Kerry Davis-Amendola, Peinan Zhou, Bryan D. Huey, Yang Cao
Summary: This study reports a layered nanocomposite with reinforced interfaces for high-temperature high-energy-density dielectrics. By interposing nanocoatings with anisotropic conductivities at different interfaces, the charge injection from the electrode is diminished and the kinetic energy of hot carriers is suppressed. The interface-reinforced nanocomposite achieves ultrahigh energy density and remarkable charge-discharge efficiency at 200 degrees C.
Article
Chemistry, Physical
Yi Li, Yasmin Teixeira, Gina Parlato, Jaclyn Grace, Fei Wang, Bryan D. Huey, Xueju Wang
Summary: This study presents a facile and versatile strategy to achieve reversible shape-morphing and color-changing capabilities in functional structures using liquid crystal elastomer (LCE) structures incorporated with thermochromic dyes. By controlling the transition temperature of the LCEs and the critical color-changing temperature of the dyes, the 3D thermochromic LCE structures can change their shapes and colors simultaneously. Demonstrations, including simulated blooming process, camouflage behavior, and underwater camouflage, highlight the reliability of this strategy. Furthermore, integration of micro-ferromagnetic particles allows the octopus thermochromic LCE robot to respond to thermal-magnetic dual stimuli for adaptive motion and diverse biomimetic motion modes, accompanied by color-changing behaviors.
Proceedings Paper
Energy & Fuels
Ben X. J. Yu, Jean-Nicolas Jaubert, Huade Wu, Jian Wu, Fangdan Jiang, Guangchun Zhang, Dylan Colvin, Nafis Iqbal, Kristopher Davis, Thomas Moran, Bryan Huey, Alan Curran, Laura Bruckman, Jennifer Braid, Roger French
Summary: Research shows that UV degrades the solar cell and module power, with mc-Si bifacial PERC solar modules being affected by UV-induced degradation. The study found that exposure to UV caused both V-OC and J(SC) to decrease then stabilize, with deteriorations not only at passivation layers but also in the silicon bulk, possibly due to LeTID. There was no significant difference in degradation between front and rear passivation, but thermal oxidation process effectively improved UV resistance in mass production.
2021 IEEE 48TH PHOTOVOLTAIC SPECIALISTS CONFERENCE (PVSC)
(2021)
Proceedings Paper
Energy & Fuels
Alan J. Curran, Dylan Colvin, Nafis Iqbal, Kris O. Davis, Thomas Moran, Bryan D. Huey, Brent Brownell, Ben Yu, Jean-Nicolas Jaubert, Jennifer L. Braid, Laura S. Bruckman, Roger H. French
Summary: The reliability of PERC cells compared to Al-BSF cells in a commercial setting was evaluated through accelerated exposure tests. The study found that under specific conditions, Al-BSF cells with white EVA encapsulant were more susceptible to metallization corrosion degradation than PERC cells, with the manufacturer of the encapsulant playing a significant role in the degradation level.
2021 IEEE 48TH PHOTOVOLTAIC SPECIALISTS CONFERENCE (PVSC)
(2021)