Article
Nanoscience & Nanotechnology
D. V. Louzguine-Luzgin, E. N. Zanaeva, F. R. Pratama, T. Wada, S. Ito
Summary: The structural features of Pd42.5Cu30Ni7.5P20 and Pt42.5Cu27Ni9.5P21 metallic glasses were examined using high-resolution transmission electron microscopy. Pd42.5Cu30Ni7.5P20 exhibited true bulk glass-forming behavior without crystalline particles/nuclei, while Pt42.5Cu27Ni9.5P21 was a crystal growth-controlled bulk glass-former containing nanoparticles with a different chemical composition and an average size of about 1 nm. These structural differences influenced the mechanical properties at room temperature. Thermodynamic calculations supported the observed features.
SCRIPTA MATERIALIA
(2023)
Article
Chemistry, Physical
Yu P. Ivanov, V. O. Semin, Z. Lu, J. Jiang, A. L. Greer, D. Louzguine-Luzgin
Summary: The heating of a metallic glass with nominal composition Mg(75)Ni(20)Mm(5) revealed primary crystallization to Mg2Ni. The study of this crystallization process showed complexity in crystal shape, linear growth, and internal disorder within the crystal.
JOURNAL OF ALLOYS AND COMPOUNDS
(2022)
Article
Nanoscience & Nanotechnology
Siyuan Wei, Zhiyu Zhao, Shijian Zheng, Hua Wei, Jiangwei Wang
Summary: Cu/V nanoscale metallic multilayers exhibit interface-controlled fatigue deformation, resulting in nanoscale intrusions/extrusions on the bimetal interface, without the presence of persistent slip bands or crack formations. This study provides insights into the fatigue damage mechanisms in metallic multilayers at nanoscale and suggests the potential for enhancing damage tolerance in heterostructures through interface engineering.
SCRIPTA MATERIALIA
(2021)
Article
Engineering, Electrical & Electronic
Tuan Zaharinie, Zainul Huda, Suriani Ibrahim, Farazila Yusof, Mohd Hamdi, Mohammad Rehan, Tadashi Ariga
Summary: This research paper introduces a reliable and economical method for direct brazing using an active Ag-Cu-Ti filler metal that ensures effective brazing. The study focuses on the sapphire-sapphire brazing process and the formation of uniform reaction layers at the interface. The uniformity of the reaction layers decreases with increasing brazing temperature and time.
ACS APPLIED ELECTRONIC MATERIALS
(2022)
Article
Chemistry, Multidisciplinary
Joachim Dahl Thomsen, Kate Reidy, Thang Pham, Julian Klein, Anna Osherov, Rami Dana, Frances M. Ross
Summary: This study investigates nucleation control for metals deposited on two-dimensional materials in the absence of substrate effects and minimized heterogeneous nucleation sites. The results show that ultralow nucleation densities can be achieved on suspended graphene, with nucleation density on the adjacent supported substrate being 2-3 orders of magnitude higher.
Article
Chemistry, Physical
Jin-Hu Dou, Maxx Q. Arguilla, Yi Luo, Jian Li, Weizhe Zhang, Lei Sun, Jenna L. Mancuso, Luming Yang, Tianyang Chen, Lucas R. Parent, Grigorii Skorupskii, Nicole J. Libretto, Chenyue Sun, Min Chieh Yang, Phat Vinh Dip, Edward J. Brignole, Jeffrey T. Miller, Jing Kong, Christopher H. Hendon, Junliang Sun, Mircea Dinca
Summary: Researchers have successfully grown single crystals of 2D metal-organic frameworks up to 200 µm in size by balancing in-plane and out-of-plane interactions, revealing anisotropic transport and a clear correlation between conductivity and the nature of the metal cation in the sheets.
Article
Nanoscience & Nanotechnology
Baris Yavas, Cain J. Hung, Mingxuan Li, Rainer J. Hebert, S. Pamir Alpay, Mark Aindow
Summary: Laser glazing in a powder bed fusion instrument was used to evaluate the microstructure of an Al85Cu6Fe3Cr6 alloy, revealing the presence of I-phase quasicrystals, Al2Cu, and FCC Al. Laser tracks produced under different conditions showed a fine and uniform phase mixture with over 70% I-phase, a thin film of Al2Cu, and no cracking or macrosegregation. The reasons for the formation of I-phase instead of the previously reported D-phase in this alloy were discussed.
SCRIPTA MATERIALIA
(2023)
Article
Chemistry, Physical
Zonglin Li, Mingxin Xie, Guozheng Nie, Junhui Wang, Lujun Huang
Summary: In this study, we developed an optical biosensor based on an all-dielectric metasurface with broken symmetry. The biosensor exhibited excellent performance, thanks to the high-Q quasi-bound states in the continuum (qBICs) and the efficient field confinement. It has potential applications in extreme biochemical sensing, such as COVID-19 detection at ultralow concentrations.
JOURNAL OF PHYSICAL CHEMISTRY LETTERS
(2023)
Article
Materials Science, Coatings & Films
Yi-En Ke, Li-Chun Chang, Wu Kai, Yung- Chen
Summary: The study found that the Ta-Al multilayer films exhibited low oxygen content and high hardness at high temperatures, although the high Ta content in the films decreased their adhesion to the substrates. By preparing laminated films, the adhesion between the film and the substrate can be improved.
SURFACE & COATINGS TECHNOLOGY
(2021)
Article
Nanoscience & Nanotechnology
B. C. Hornbuckle, K. Solanki, K. A. Darling
Summary: Adjusting the composition of copper-tantalum alloys can improve material stability and mechanical strength, making them potentially useful in high-temperature environments.
MATERIALS SCIENCE AND ENGINEERING A-STRUCTURAL MATERIALS PROPERTIES MICROSTRUCTURE AND PROCESSING
(2021)
Article
Materials Science, Multidisciplinary
S. Srinivasan, E. Lang, K. Burns, K. Hattar, B. C. Hornbuckle, K. A. Darling, K. Solanki
Summary: In this study, the microstructural stability and bubble to cavity evolution in Cu-3 at.%Ta and Cu-10 at.%Ta alloys under room-temperature implantations of helium and concurrent He and Au were investigated. The results showed that the grains did not significantly coarsen under high helium concentration and displacements per atom (dpa) levels. After irradiation, bubbles with approximately 1 nm diameter were observed in both alloys, and further annealing at 450 degrees C resulted in the evolution of these bubbles into cavities. A comparison between Cu-3Ta and Cu-10Ta showed that Cu-3Ta had smaller bubble size and density, indicating an enhanced resistance to swelling under high temperature helium and dual-beam irradiation. This was attributed to the presence of coherent/incoherent precipitates in Cu-3Ta.
MATERIALS CHARACTERIZATION
(2023)
Article
Materials Science, Multidisciplinary
Carsten Dittmayer, Hans-Hilmar Goebel, Frank L. Heppner, Werner Stenzel, Sebastian Bachmann
Summary: The study introduces a method for automated acquisition of data on all structures in EM sections, significantly improving efficiency. A sample preparation method has been established to ensure the acquisition of complete sections without artifacts. The use of LDS will greatly facilitate access to EM data for various applications.
MICROSCOPY AND MICROANALYSIS
(2021)
Article
Multidisciplinary Sciences
Jingjing Zhao, Hongyi Xu, Hugo Lebrette, Marta Carroni, Helena Taberman, Martin Hogbom, Xiaodong Zou
Summary: Preassis is a pressure-assisted method for the preparation of MicroED specimens, capable of handling a wide range of protein crystal suspensions under different buffer conditions, including samples with high viscosity and low crystal concentrations.
NATURE COMMUNICATIONS
(2021)
Article
Chemistry, Multidisciplinary
Hendrik Voigt, Aaron Rigoni, Evgeniy Boltynjuk, Mohammed Reda Chellali, Bonnie Tyler, Harald Roesner, Sergiy Divinski, Horst Hahn, Gerhard Wilde
Summary: Comprehensive analyses using advanced analytical transmission electron microscopy-based methods and atom probe tomography confirm the presence of distinct glass-glass interfaces in a columnar Cu-Zr nanoglass synthesized by magnetron sputtering. These analyses provide in-depth characterization of sputtered film nanoglasses and show that glass-glass interfaces have an amorphous phase with reduced mass density compared to neighboring amorphous regions. Diffusion kinetics analyses using time-of-flight secondary ion mass spectroscopy (ToF SIMS) prove significantly enhanced diffusivity along the low density glass-glass interfaces, suggesting fast transport. The results indicate that sputter deposition is a feasible technique for reliable production of nanoglasses and applicable for this new class of glassy materials.
ADVANCED FUNCTIONAL MATERIALS
(2023)
Article
Materials Science, Multidisciplinary
Hannes Zschiesche, Claude Alfonso, Ahmed Charai, Dominique Mangelinck
Summary: Diffusion barriers, such as Ti interlayers, play a crucial role in controlling the kinetics of phase formation processes, as observed in the CoSi growth process. The diffusion of Co through the Ti interlayer controls the growth of CoSi, while Si diffusion through the Ti interlayer to the Co layer is also evidenced at higher annealing temperatures. Additionally, Ti diffusion to the CoSi/Si interface may affect diffusion processes and phase formation reactions.
Article
Energy & Fuels
Maximilian Krause, Jose A. Marquez, Sergej Levcenco, Thomas Unold, Olivier Donzel-Gargand, Marika Edoff, Daniel Abou-Ras
Summary: The KF post-deposition treatment can increase Voc by removing Cu-poor, Ag-poor, and Ga-rich regions near the ACIGSe/CdS interface. However, an excessive KF dose may lead to the formation of Cu-poor and K-rich regions near the interface, resulting in a decrease in Voc.
PROGRESS IN PHOTOVOLTAICS
(2022)
Article
Materials Science, Multidisciplinary
Faraz Khavari, Nishant Saini, Jan Keller, Jes K. Larsen, Kostiantyn Sopiha, Natalia M. Martin, Tobias Torndahl, Charlotte Platzer Bjorkman, Marika Edoff
Summary: A new method of sulfur grading in CuInSe2 thin-film solar absorbers is proposed by introducing an ultrathin sacrificial CuInS2 layer. The sulfur grading phenomenon is observed in the Se- and SeS-treated samples, and the formation of mixed CuIn(S,Se)2 phase is confirmed. The treated bilayer samples show higher optical bandgap and V-OC, but exhibit lower efficiency due to the blocking effect of internal electron barrier.
PHYSICA STATUS SOLIDI A-APPLICATIONS AND MATERIALS SCIENCE
(2022)
Article
Energy & Fuels
Nishant Saini, Natalia M. Martin, Jes K. Larsen, Adam Hultqvist, Tobias Torndahl, Charlotte Platzer-Bjorkman
Summary: This study compares the performance of wide bandgap CZGS solar cells fabricated with non-toxic ZTO buffer layers under different conditions, showing that substituting CdS with ZTO can significantly improve the V-OC, although it is relatively insensitive to ZTO bandgap variations. The short-circuit current is generally low, but can be improved by etching the CZGS absorber with KCN before depositing the ZTO buffer layer.
Article
Chemistry, Physical
Natalia M. Martin, Tobias Torndahl, Erik Wallin, Konstantin A. Simonov, Hakan Rensmo, Charlotte Platzer-Bjorkman
Summary: The study investigates the impact of postdeposition treatments on ACIGS solar cell performance, finding that different alkali metal fluoride treatments can modify the surface composition of the ACIGS absorber layer, thereby influencing device behavior.
ACS APPLIED ENERGY MATERIALS
(2022)
Article
Chemistry, Physical
Corrado Comparotto, Petter Strom, Olivier Donzel-Gargand, Tomas Kubart, Jonathan J. S. Scragg
Summary: Chalcogenide perovskite BaZrS3 is a promising material for energy conversion, particularly in photovoltaics. However, the thin-film synthesis method is underdeveloped. In this study, a solid-state fabrication route is explored and successfully demonstrates the synthesis of BaZrS3 perovskite compatible with conductive substrates.
ACS APPLIED ENERGY MATERIALS
(2022)
Article
Energy & Fuels
Kevin Oliveira, Jennifer P. Teixeira, Wei-Chao Chen, Jackson Lontchi Jioleo, Antonio J. N. Oliveira, Ihsan Caha, Leonard Deepak Francis, Denis Flandre, Marika Edoff, Paulo A. Fernandes, Pedro M. P. Salome
Summary: In this study, SiO$_x$ passivation based substrates were developed and integrated into ultrathin Cu(In,Ga)Se$_2$ (CIGS) solar cells to investigate the impact of SiO$_x$ layer thickness on the device performance. Experimental study and optical/electrical simulations were conducted to decouple the optical and electronic gains of the SiO$_x$ layer, allowing for a detailed analysis of its effect on the CIGS solar cell performance. The results showed that an increase in passivation layer thickness led to a rise in parasitic losses, indicating the importance of finding a balance between beneficial passivation and optical effects with harmful architectural constraints to achieve optimal solar cell performance.
IEEE JOURNAL OF PHOTOVOLTAICS
(2022)
Article
Chemistry, Multidisciplinary
Jes K. Larsen, Kostiantyn Sopiha, Clas Persson, Charlotte Platzer-Bjorkman, Marika Edoff
Summary: This contribution investigates the stable and metastable phases forming in CuInS2 (CIS) thin films, which has gained renewed interest due to its potential application in tandem solar cells. The study utilizes a combined theoretical and experimental approach, including ab initio calculations, X-ray diffraction (XRD) patterns, and Raman spectra analysis. Multiple CIS structures with different lattices are identified, and their XRD/Raman patterns are shown to have overlapping features. Thin films with different compositions are synthesized, and it is found that several CIS polymorphs are formed. Additionally, CuIn5S8 and NaInS2 compounds accommodating In-excess are found alongside the CIS polymorphs. The study emphasizes the importance of tight composition control for stabilizing the metastable polymorphs.
Article
Physics, Condensed Matter
Patrick Pearson, Jan Keller, Lars Stolt, Marika Edoff, Charlotte Platzer Bjorkman
Summary: The effect of composition on the stability of (Ag, Cu)(In, Ga)Se-2 solar cells with different stoichiometry values was assessed. It was found that the depletion width strongly depends on the stoichiometry value, and can be greatly varied through light-soaking and dry-heat treatments. The device performance, particularly the current output, shows a stoichiometry dependence and is significantly affected after each round of treatment.
PHYSICA STATUS SOLIDI B-BASIC SOLID STATE PHYSICS
(2022)
Editorial Material
Energy & Fuels
Marika Edoff
Summary: Researchers demonstrate a high-power output bifacial solar cell that can harvest sunlight from both sides and improve the efficiency of power generation.
Article
Physics, Condensed Matter
Patrick Pearson, Jan Keller, Lars Stolt, Charlotte Platzer Bjorkman
Summary: The stability of thin-film solar cells in different compositions within the (Ag,Cu)(In,Ga)Se-2 material system is evaluated. It is found that Ag-free CuInSe2 is relatively stable, while Cu(In,Ga)Se-2 and high-Ga (Ag,Cu)(In,Ga)Se-2 suffer from degradation. Ga-free (Ag,Cu)InSe2 also experiences a decrease in voltage and fill factor. Furthermore, the addition of Ag reduces doping and increases the response to treatments.
PHYSICA STATUS SOLIDI B-BASIC SOLID STATE PHYSICS
(2023)
Article
Materials Science, Multidisciplinary
Stefan Zeiske, Christina Kaiser, Oskar J. Sandberg, Tove Ericson, Paul Meredith, Charlotte Platzer-Bjorkman, Ardalan Armin
Summary: This study investigates the impact of cadmium sulfide buffer layers on the performance of kesterite (Cu2ZnSnS4) photodetectors. The results demonstrate that devices with a 100 nm cadmium sulfide layer exhibit the best performance, achieving a linear dynamic range of 180 dB and frequency responses in the range of tens of kHz. The key limiting factors are identified as shunt resistance-induced thermal noise and defect-induced nonradiative losses. Additionally, the upper radiative limit of specific detectivity is estimated to be approximately 1019 Jones. These findings highlight the potential of kesterites as interesting earth abundant candidates for photodetection applications.
ADVANCED PHOTONICS RESEARCH
(2023)
Article
Chemistry, Physical
Kostiantyn Sopiha, Jes K. Larsen, Jan Keller, Marika Edoff, Charlotte Platzer-Bjorkman, Jonathan J. S. Scragg
Summary: This study evaluates the tolerance to off-stoichiometry of thin-film photovoltaic materials in the I-III-VI systems, identifies two empirical principles for recognizing solar energy materials with high tolerance to off-stoichiometry, and discusses practical implications for the deposition of I-III-VI absorbers based on computational results and experimental findings.
FARADAY DISCUSSIONS
(2022)
