Article
Chemistry, Physical
Jasper J. Michels, Ke Zhang, Philipp Wucher, Pierre M. Beaujuge, Wojciech Pisula, Tomasz Marszalek
Summary: Numerical simulations can predict the domain morphology of crystalline organic thin films formed by meniscus-guided coating, revealing how coating velocity and evaporation rate influence the crystalline domain size, shape anisotropy, and regularity. Experimental confirmation shows that fast coating results in isotropic domain structures while slow coating stretches domains in the coating direction. This model can be broadly applied to various materials beyond small molecular solutes.
Article
Chemistry, Applied
Hamzah Bakhti, Thomas Weyrich, Martha Es-Souni, Ayoub Laghrissi, Mohammed Es-Souni
Summary: In this study, hard-anodized aluminum was used as a substrate to support a polymeric anti-biofouling coating based on sulfobetaine methacrylate (pSBMA). The coating demonstrated excellent anti-biofouling properties, with elastic modulus and hardness measurements obtained under wet and dry conditions. The scratch resistance of the coating was also investigated, and finite element models were proposed to analyze stress and strain distributions on the coating surface.
PROGRESS IN ORGANIC COATINGS
(2021)
Article
Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
Jihyeon Kim, Nevin S. Gupta, Lindsey B. Bezek, Jacqueline Linn, Karteek K. Bejagam, Shounak Banerjee, Joseph H. Dumont, Sang Yong Nam, Hyun Woo Kang, Chi Hoon Park, Ghanshyam Pilania, Carl N. Iverson, Babetta L. Marrone, Kwan-Soo Lee
Summary: The study examines the degradation properties of polyhydroxybutyrate (PHB) and polyhydroxybutyrate-co-polyhydroxyvalerate (PHBV; 8 wt.% valerate), two types of polyhydroxyalkanoates (PHAs), in different soil conditions. The results show that both PHB and PHBV degrade completely in soil with 100% relative humidity within two weeks and experience significant reductions in mechanical properties after only three days. However, samples in 40% relative humidity soil exhibit minimal changes in mechanical properties, melting temperatures/crystallinity, and molecular weight over six weeks. These findings can help identify opportunities to replace current plastic use with biodegradable alternatives by understanding degradation behavior in different soil conditions.
INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF MOLECULAR SCIENCES
(2023)
Article
Environmental Sciences
Y. Ravi Kumar, Kalim Deshmukh, M. Mohamed Naseer Ali, Gade Abhijay, Wedad A. Al-Onazi, Amal M. Al-Mohaimeed, S. K. Khadheer Pasha
Summary: In this study, polyvinyl alcohol nanocomposite films reinforced with nickel oxide nanoparticles and graphene quantum dots were prepared and characterized. The resulting films showed good mechanical flexibility and improved tensile strength. Density functional theory calculations revealed that the PVA model indirectly interacts with GQDs through the NiO model, providing insight into the fundamental interactions within the nanocomposite film.
ENVIRONMENTAL RESEARCH
(2022)
Article
Chemistry, Physical
U. K. Sultana, M. Shevchenko, E. Jak
Summary: The study investigated phase equilibria of the AgO0.5-FeO1.5-SiO2 system in a wide temperature range, using various experimental techniques to accurately characterize the system. The data obtained were used to develop thermodynamic models for all phases in the system, contributing to the overall understanding of complex multicomponent pyrometallurgical systems.
JOURNAL OF ALLOYS AND COMPOUNDS
(2021)
Article
Chemistry, Multidisciplinary
Biao Zuo, Cheng Li, Quanyin Xu, Katelyn Randazzo, Naisheng Jiang, Xinping Wang, Rodney D. Priestley
Summary: This study demonstrates that polymer brushes with ultrahigh grafting density exhibit significantly improved thermal stability, overcoming confinement and interfacial effects to control thin-film material properties. The dense packing and molecular ordering in the amorphous state of ultradense brushes prepared by surface-initiated atom transfer radical polymerization in combination with a self-assembled monolayer of initiators play a crucial role in enhancing the thermal stability of polymer films.
Article
Thermodynamics
Yi Zhang, Thilhara Tennakoon, Yin Hoi Chan, Ka Chung Chan, Sau Chung Fu, Chi Yan Tso, Kin Man Yu, Bao Ling Huang, Shu Huai Yao, Hui He Qiu, Christopher Y. H. Chao
Summary: The study proposes a passive hybrid system involving thermochromic smart windows and radiative coolers, showing potential in energy savings. Among cities with various climates, thermochromic smart windows and radiative coolers perform best in cities where cooling demand is significant.
Article
Chemistry, Physical
Chunzao Feng, Peihua Yang, Huidong Liu, Mingran Mao, Yipu Liu, Tong Xue, Jia Fu, Ting Cheng, Xuejiao Hu, Hong Jin Fan, Kang Liu
Summary: The passive cooling method proposed in this study utilizes a bilayer porous polymer film with a hygroscopic hydrogel and a hydrophobic top layer to achieve cooling without electricity input. The hydrogel evaporatively cools during the daytime and regenerates at night, while the top layer protects and radiatively cools the hydrogel to enhance the cooling power during the day and aid in regeneration at night. This approach demonstrates sub-ambient temperature drops of about 7 degrees Celsius and an effective cooling power of approximately 150 W.m(-2) under direct sunlight, indicating its potential for low-cost, efficient, and scalable passive building cooling.
Review
Polymer Science
Hua-Dong Huang, Peng-Gang Ren, Gan-Ji Zhong, Andrew Olah, Zhong-Ming Li, Eric Baer, Lei Zhu
Summary: The growing interest in polymer films as packaging material is attributed to their lightweight, versatility, low cost, and ease of manufacturing. However, the poor barrier properties of single-component polymer films pose challenges for oxygen- or humidity-sensitive commodities, leading to spoilage, drug failure, and corrosion damage. This review discusses promising strategies such as surface coating, polymer blending, and polymer nanocomposites for developing high barrier polymer packaging films. It also highlights the importance of tailoring surface coatings, dispersed phase morphology, interfacial structure, and crystalline structure to maximize gas barrier performance.
PROGRESS IN POLYMER SCIENCE
(2023)
Article
Chemistry, Multidisciplinary
Jiafei Li, Xi Zhang, Jiating Lu, Wa He, Ya Nie, Yong Peng, Gang Xiang
Summary: Fe-doped SiGe (Si0.25Ge0.75:Fe-x, x = 0.01, 0.025, and 0.05) thin films were prepared and investigated for their structural, magnetic, and magneto-transport properties. The obtained samples were polycrystalline with lattice constants increasing with Fe concentration. Fe dopants primarily existed as substitutional Fe2+ ions in the SiGe lattice, providing local magnetic moments and hole carriers. The samples exhibited ferromagnetism, with a Curie temperature up to 294 K, a giant magnetoresistance (GMR) effect of over 800%, an anomalous Hall effect (AHE), and semiconducting behaviors. The hole-mediated process originating from substitutional Fe dopants and the tensile strain in the films contributed to the observed ferromagnetism. The synthesis and high-temperature ferromagnetism of Fe-doped SiGe thin films hold potential for spintronic applications based on group IV materials.
Article
Chemistry, Multidisciplinary
Meijie Chen, Dan Pang, Jyotirmoy Mandal, Xingyu Chen, Hongjie Yan, Yurong He, Nanfang Yu, Yuan Yang
Summary: Passive daytime radiative cooling (PDRC) is gaining attention for its ability to cool without electricity. Porous polymers are attractive due to their excellent performance and scalability. This study explores how PDRC performance is affected by pore properties, such as size and porosity, through optical simulations. The results show that mixed nanopores have higher solar reflectance than single-sized pores, and under a semi-humid atmospheric condition, using an AI substrate can significantly increase thermal emittance and net cooling power. These findings provide guidance for designing high-performance porous coatings for PDRC applications.
Article
Engineering, Environmental
Ern Ying Lee, Si Ying Wong, Sue Jiun Phang, Voon-Loong Wong, Kean How Cheah
Summary: In this study, a graphitic carbon nitrite (g-CN) homojunction was synthesized and coated onto a 3D-printed photoreactor for the removal of Rhodamine B dye. The photocatalysis and adsorption experiments were conducted under visible light irradiation and in the dark. Various experimental parameters were investigated, and the adsorption mechanisms were evaluated using isotherm and kinetics modeling. The developed g-CN homojunction photocatalyst showed great potential for environmental remediation, particularly in wastewater management.
CHEMICAL ENGINEERING JOURNAL
(2023)
Article
Agronomy
Thibault Sterckeman, Christian Moyne, Tien Dung Le
Summary: This study evaluated current hypotheses of iron acquisition by higher plants quantitatively. The results showed that all plants growing in aerated soils could suffer from extreme iron deficiencies. The rate of ligand excretion is a key parameter in the process of soil iron hydroxide dissolution by organic ligands for iron acquisition by plants.
Article
Chemistry, Physical
Sougata Koner, Pratik Deshmukh, Anju Ahlawat, A. K. Karnal, S. Satapathy
Summary: The dielectric, conductivity, and magneto-dielectric properties of LBMO/P(VDF-TrFE) nanocomposite films with different volume percentages of LBMO nanoparticles were studied. The permittivity remained stable with temperature increase, conductivity followed Johnscher's law indicating high insulating nature of the films. Magneto-dielectric study showed negative MD effect, with a maximum of -0.71% MD observed at 7000 Oe for 2% LBMO/P(VDF-TrFE) nanocomposite films.
JOURNAL OF ALLOYS AND COMPOUNDS
(2021)
Article
Polymer Science
Yaroslav G. Avdeev, Tatyana A. Nenasheva, Andrei Yu. Luchkin, Andrei I. Marshakov, Yurii I. Kuznetsov
Summary: It has been found that the formation of a thin complex compound film consisting of corrosion inhibitor molecules can effectively prevent the corrosion of iron alloys in a H3PO4 solution. The inhibitor compositions used in the study showed high efficiency in reducing the rates of hydrogen evolution and permeation.
Article
Materials Science, Multidisciplinary
Anton Kokalj
Summary: Molecular modeling of corrosion inhibitors is crucial for understanding the molecule-surface bonding effects. However, caution should be taken to avoid common pitfalls in modeling, such as using overly simplistic surface models and unvalidated force fields.
Article
Chemistry, Inorganic & Nuclear
Anton Kokalj, Ziga Zupanek, Melita Tramsek, Gasper Tavcar
Summary: Relying solely on crystal structures for interpretation of chemical bonding can lead to misleading conclusions, as demonstrated in the case of neutral ligands bonding to metal centers in oxohalido anions. The majority of bonding between neutral ligands and metal centers is found to be due to electrostatic interactions rather than traditional chemical bonding.
INORGANIC CHEMISTRY
(2021)
Article
Electrochemistry
Anton Kokalj, Dominique Costa
Summary: Organic molecules that self-assemble into monolayers on metal substrates can provide efficient corrosion protection by hindering the penetration of Cl-.
JOURNAL OF THE ELECTROCHEMICAL SOCIETY
(2021)
Article
Electrochemistry
I. Milosev, A. Kokalj, M. Poberznik, Ch. Carriere, D. Zimerl, J. Iskra, A. Nemes, D. Szabo, S. Zanna, A. Seyeux, D. Costa, J. Rabai, P. Marcus
Summary: The study systematically investigated the corrosion inhibition ability of surfactant-like compounds on aluminum in NaCl solution. The type and length of anchor groups affect the wettability and barrier properties of the aluminum surface. Thiol and imidazole anchor groups are found to be inefficient inhibitors for corrosion.
JOURNAL OF THE ELECTROCHEMICAL SOCIETY
(2021)
Article
Materials Science, Multidisciplinary
Anton Kokalj
Summary: The traditional criteria for distinguishing between physisorption and chemisorption based on the standard free energy of adsorption are not very reliable. Chemisorption may result in a rather weak standard adsorption free energy, and more reliable criteria from first principle computational modeling studies are recommended.
Article
Chemistry, Physical
Lea Gasparic, Matic Poberznik, Anton Kokalj
Summary: The study investigated hydrogen bonding between water molecules or metal hydroxides and small organic molecules with N, O, S, or P heteroatoms using DFT calculations. Results showed that Cu(OH)2 clusters are generally better H-bond acceptors and donors than water molecules, while Al(OH)3 clusters prefer to act as H-bond donors or form two H-bonds. Various organic molecules containing N, O, S, or P heteroatoms were analyzed, with imidazole and (CH3)2POOH forming the strongest H-bonds. Structural differences between surface and small-cluster calculations were identified, with small clusters unable to capture all H-bond interactions present on surfaces. Aqueous conditions were also examined using a continuum solvation model, showing an influence on H-bond properties and inducing deprotonation of adsorbed molecules in some cases.
Article
Materials Science, Multidisciplinary
Matjaz Dlouhy, Anton Kokalj
Summary: The adsorbed species (X(ads)) on metal surfaces have different effects on the adsorption bonding of imidazole, with O and Cl enhancing the bonding, H having almost no effect, and OH either diminishing or negligibly impacting the adsorption. The influence of X(ads) usually diminishes with increasing distance between X(ads) and imidazole, as well as decreasing X(ads) coverage. Three coadsorption effects were identified, including stabilizing effects due to hydrogen bond formation and enhanced N-Cu bonding, as well as a destabilizing effect caused by work function change.
Article
Electrochemistry
Dzevad K. Kozlica, Ingrid Milosev
Summary: The optimal surface pre-treatment conditions for improved adsorption of 2-mercaptobenzimidazole (MBI) and octylphosphonic acid (OPA) on copper and aluminium substrates were investigated. It was found that the method of film formation played a crucial role in the effectiveness of the inhibitors on copper and aluminium.
ELECTROCHIMICA ACTA
(2022)
Article
Chemistry, Physical
Milutin Smiljanic, Stefan Panic, Marjan Bele, Francisco Ruiz-Zepeda, Luka Pavko, Lea Gasparic, Anton Kokalj, Miran Gaberscek, Nejc Hodnik
Summary: In this study, the overall catalytic performance of Pt, the best monometallic catalyst for the hydrogen evolution reaction (HER), was improved by supporting it on conductive titanium oxynitride (TiONx) dispersed over reduced graphene oxide nanoribbons. The strong metal-support interaction (SMSI) between TiONx and Pt was identified as the cause of the improved HER activity and stability.
Article
Materials Science, Multidisciplinary
Anton Kokalj, Matjaz Dlouhy
Summary: In this study, DFT calculations showed that chemisorbed O and OH species on copper surfaces promote the deprotonation of azole molecules. The activation energy for deprotonation via N-H bond cleavage is lower than that for deprotonation via C-H bond cleavage, leading to increased stability and persistence of adsorbed molecules.
Article
Chemistry, Physical
Gorazd Koderman Podborsek, Luka Suhadolnik, Anja Loncar, Marjan Bele, Armin Hrnjic, Ziva Marinko, Janez Kovac, Anton Kokalj, Lea Gasparic, Angelja Kjara Surca, Ana Rebeka Kamsek, Goran Drazic, Miran Gaberscek, Nejc Hodnik, Primoz Jovanovic
Summary: The study investigated nanotubular titanium oxynitride (TiON) as a support for iridium nanoparticles and their structural and compositional transformations during the oxygen evolution reaction (OER). Experimental findings demonstrate that both iridium nanoparticles and single atoms stabilize the ceramic support by suppressing the oxidation tendency of TiON under OER conditions.
Article
Materials Science, Multidisciplinary
Anton Kokalj
Summary: This article explores the synergy in corrosion inhibition and how to quantify it effectively. The equation for the synergistic parameter evaluates the inhibition efficiency of a mixture against a threshold based on the performance of pure compounds. However, the choice for the threshold value is not unique. The paper presents several reasonable alternatives, including using the Langmuir adsorption model, requiring the mixture's inhibition efficiency to be higher than the highest efficiency of pure compounds, or having a higher corrosion resistance in the mixture compared to the sum of resistances in pure compounds. The synergistic models are also extended to multi-component mixtures.
Article
Materials Science, Multidisciplinary
Anton Kokalj
Summary: A new general-purpose Type-I adsorption isotherm has been proposed to improve the estimation of standard adsorption Gibbs energy. This new isotherm takes into account the functional dependence of various adsorption models on the c/theta vs. c plot, where theta represents the fractional surface coverage and c represents the concentration. It has the ability to accurately describe multiple adsorption isotherms, indicating its flexibility in describing various adsorption scenarios. The tested adsorption models that can be described by this new isotherm include those considering lateral inter-adsorbate interactions, molecular size, surface heterogeneity, and mobile adsorption.
Article
Materials Science, Multidisciplinary
Anton Kokalj
Summary: The standard adsorption Gibbs energy (Delta G degrees -ads) is often estimated based on the assumption that corrosion inhibition efficiency is equivalent to fractional surface coverage. However, Lindsay et al. demonstrated that this assumption may not be valid. Therefore, this study presents a model that maps inhibition efficiency to fractional surface coverage to provide a more reliable estimation of Delta G-degrees ads. The model is validated using experimental data and confirms the significant error in Delta G degrees -ads estimation when using inhibition efficiency as a proxy for surface coverage.
Article
Chemistry, Multidisciplinary
Thiago Trevizam Dorini, Florian Brix, Corentin Chatelier, Anton Kokalj, Emilie Gaudry
Summary: The study reveals that the formation of quasiperiodic order in 2-dimensional oxides on metals is driven by size-mismatch and electronic effects. Controlling the chemical composition can influence the magnetic properties and work functions of the thin films, offering guidelines for the discovery of new materials with interesting physical properties.
Article
Materials Science, Multidisciplinary
Zhichao Shang, Xiaoping Cai, Farshid Pahlevani, Yan Zheng, Akbar Hojjati-Najafabadi, Xinran Gao, Baojing Zhang, Peizhong Feng
Summary: High porosity Co-Al-Fe intermetallics with 3D-microstructures were successfully synthesized in one step via a thermal explosion reaction. The link between pore structure and permeability was investigated using 3D-XRM technology. The corrosion resistance of the samples with different Fe contents was studied at 900 degrees C under an oxygen/sulphur atmosphere for up to 120 h. The results showed that the samples maintained stable pore structure and intact internal matrices, attributed to the formation of a thin protective layer on the surface. In addition, inward diffusion of S resulted in the formation of FeS nodules.
Article
Materials Science, Multidisciplinary
Lian Ma, Hain Yang, Daquan Zhang, Wei Wu
Summary: In this study, an environmentally friendly volatile corrosion inhibitor, lysine salts (LA), was prepared between graphene oxide (GO) layers using an in situ intercalation technique. The corrosion inhibition effect of LA was evaluated, and it was found that LA-GO2 achieved a 99.3% corrosion inhibition efficiency after composition optimization. The inhibition of the electrochemical anodic process on the surface of mild steel was the main reason for the high corrosion inhibition efficiency of LA-GO2. The properties of the surface film on the corroded steel were also characterized in detail to understand the corrosion inhibition mechanism of LA-GO2.
Article
Materials Science, Multidisciplinary
Running Wang, Jiaping Zhang, Bing Liu, Jie Fei, Qiangang Fu
Summary: By introducing a tailored SiC-C interphase, the carbon fiber can be effectively protected, improving the mechanical and ablation properties of leading edge shaped C/C-ZrC-SiC composites.
Article
Materials Science, Multidisciplinary
Zihua Wang, Chijia Wang, Ruitao Wang, Jiapeng Deng, Kun Zhang, Yanji Zhu, Huaiyuan Wang
Summary: A robust anti-corrosive coating has been developed using functional fly ash, which demonstrates excellent corrosion resistance and improved mechanical properties. The coating achieves these enhancements through molecular cross-linking design and surface augmentation techniques, resulting in a significantly improved impedance modulus compared to pure polyurea coatings.
Article
Materials Science, Multidisciplinary
Haofei Sun, Meifeng Li, Hao Zhang, Jing Liu
Summary: The oxidation behavior of FeCrNi medium entropy alloy was investigated through experimental observations and density functional theory (DFT) calculations. The study found that at 900 degrees C, the alloy forms a desirable and continuous oxide layer, while at 1000 degrees C, the oxide layer becomes discontinuous with penetration of oxide. These observations highlight the significant role of phase structure in promoting the formation of protective oxide scales and influencing oxidation resistance.
Article
Materials Science, Multidisciplinary
Yang Li, Ke Ma, Jingjun Xu, Jingjing Li, Yueming Li, Yi Zhang, Jun Zuo, Meishuan Li
Summary: Cr2AlC diffusion barrier effectively blocks the diffusion of Ti, enhancing the stability and spalling resistance of the Al2O3 scales between NiCrAlY coating and TiAl alloy.
Article
Materials Science, Multidisciplinary
Weiyi Wang, Qinglin Pan, Xiangdong Wang, Bing Liu
Summary: By adding Ce, Sc, Y and Zr elements to Al-Mg-Si alloy, the microstructure of the alloy can be regulated, and the corrosion and heat resistance of the materials can be improved.
Article
Materials Science, Multidisciplinary
Andrea Cristoforetti, Javier Izquierdo, Ricardo M. Souto, Flavio Deflorian, Michele Fedel, Stefano Rossi
Summary: This study presents a new approach to studying the mechanism of filiform corrosion in organic coated steel using the scanning vibrating electrode technique (SVET) and micropotentiometry (potentiometric SECM). The electrochemical activity under the coating was evaluated by mapping the ionic current densities coming from artificial defects made in specific locations of the filament. Antimony tips were also used to investigate the pH changes associated with different corrosion reactions at the metal-paint interface. Local pH levels along the filament in the anodic and cathodic regions were determined.
Article
Materials Science, Multidisciplinary
Yang Gao, Dayun Sun, Zhu Liu, Shuo Cong, Rui Tang, Yanping Huang, Lefu Zhang, Xianglong Guo
Summary: The corrosion characteristics of a novel alumina-forming austenitic steel in high-pressure high-temperature water environment were studied. The addition of aluminum has a negative effect on the continuity of the alumina scale.
Article
Materials Science, Multidisciplinary
Negin Madelat, Benny Wouters, Peter Visser, Zahra Jiryaeisharahi, Kristof Marcoen, Shoshan T. Abrahami, Annick Hubin, Herman Terryn, Tom Hauffman
Summary: This work explores the correlation between electrolyte transport properties and the variation of pigment volume concentration (PVC) in organic coatings. An odd random phase electrochemical impedance spectroscopy (ORP-EIS) approach is used to analyze the diffusion of ions independent from water uptake. The results show that a higher PVC leads to a more homogeneous coating structure, resulting in faster diffusion of ions and enhanced water uptake.
Article
Materials Science, Multidisciplinary
Eloa Lopes Maia, Serguei Gavrilov, Valentyn Tsisar, Kitty Baert, Iris De Graeve
Summary: The effect of pre-oxidation in air at 300-500°C on the initiation and development of liquid metal corrosion attack on 316L austenitic steel in static lead-bismuth eutectic (LBE) has been investigated. It was found that pre-formed oxide films can protect the surface against dissolution, while high temperature pre-oxidation leads to localized corrosion.
Article
Materials Science, Multidisciplinary
Baozhuang Sun, Qiuyu Wang, Yue Pan, Zhiyong Liu, Cuiwei Du, Xiaogang Li
Summary: In this study, a non-steady electrochemical model was established to investigate stress corrosion cracking (SCC). The model was verified using 304 SS with various microstructures, confirming its effectiveness in assessing SCC susceptibility.
Article
Materials Science, Multidisciplinary
Xingyu Xiao, Xinhua Liu, Zhilei Wang, Xuexu Xu, Mingying Chen, Jianxin Xie
Summary: The corrosion behavior and mechanisms of Cu-10Ni-X (Al, Fe, Mn, Cr, Sn, Ti, Zn) alloys in a 3.5% NaCl solution were systematically investigated. Both computational and experimental results revealed that except Ti, other elements could enhance the corrosion resistance of Cu2O passivation film.
Article
Materials Science, Multidisciplinary
Gen Zhang, Yan-Ping Huang, E. Jiang, Wei -Wei Liu, Hong Yang, Jing Xiong, Yong-Fu Zhao
Summary: The addition of aluminum has a significant influence on the intermetallic compounds in AFA alloys, particularly increasing the content of B2-NiAl phase. In the SCO2 environment, the oxide scales formed on AFA alloys with aluminum were thinner than on ASS without aluminum, and the structure of the oxide scales changed to a double-layer structure.
Article
Materials Science, Multidisciplinary
Yuxuan He, Guozheng Xiao, Chao Wang, Xuefeng Lu, Liuyuan Li, Shiying Liu, Yusheng Wu, Zhanjie Wang
Summary: The relationship between configurational entropy and lattice distortion in novel rare earth monosilicates was investigated, and the effect of configurational entropy on their properties was studied. The results showed that lattice distortion increased with the increase of configurational entropy, but a highly symmetrical crystal structure was formed when the configurational entropy was large enough, inhibiting the lattice distortion.
