Abstract: Novel compounds [Ge46−xPx]Tey (13.9≤x≤15.6, 5.92≤y≤7.75) with clathrate-like structures have been prepared and structurally characterized. They crystallize in the space group Fmequation image with the unit cell parameter changing from 20.544(2) to 20.698(2) Å (Z=8) on going from x=13.9 to x=15.6. Their crystal structure is composed of a covalently bonded Ge[BOND]P framework that hosts tellurium atoms in the guest positions and can be viewed as a peculiar variant of the type I clathrate superstructure. In contrast to the conventional type I clathrates, [Ge46−xPx]Tey contain tricoordinated (3b) atoms and no vacancies in the framework positions. As a consequence of the transformation of the framework, the majority of the guest tellurium atoms form a single covalent bond with the host framework and thus the title compounds are the first representative of semiclathrates with covalent bonding. A comparison is made with silicon clathrates and the evolution of the crystal structure upon changing the tellurium content is discussed.

Abstract: The conversion of methane to value-added chemicals and fuels is considered to be one of the challenges of the 21st century. In this paper we study, by means of fluid modeling, the conversion of methane to higher hydrocarbons or oxygenates by partial oxidation with CO2 or O2 in a dielectric barrier discharge. Sixty-nine different plasma species (electrons, ions, molecules, radicals) are included in the model, as well as a comprehensive set of chemical reactions. The calculation results presented in this paper include the conversion of the reactants and the yields of the reaction products as a function of residence time in the reactor, for different gas mixing ratios. Syngas (i.e. H2 + CO) and higher hydrocarbons (C2Hx) are typically found to be important reaction products.

Abstract: Within the Ginzburg-Landau theory, we study the vortex structures in three-dimensional anisotropic mesoscopic superconductors in the presence of a uniform magnetic field. Anisotropy is included through varied Tc in different layers of the sample and leads to distinct differences in the vortex states and their free energy. Several unconventional states are found, some comprising vortex clusters or exhibiting asymmetry. In a tilted magnetic field, we found second-order transitions between different vortex states, although vortex entry is generally a first-order transition in mesoscopic samples. In multilayered samples the kinked vortex strings are formed owing to the competing interactions of vortices with Meissner currents and the weak-link boundaries. The length and deformation of vortex fragments are determined solely by the inclination and strength of applied magnetic field, and this lock-in does not depend on the degree of anisotropy between the superconducting layers.

Abstract: The technique of beam optics is applied to the description of the wave function of Dirac electrons. This approach is illustrated by considering electron transmission through simple nonhomogeneous structures, such as flat and bent p-n junctions and superlattices. We found that a convex p-n junction compresses the beam waist, while a concave interface widens it without loosing its focusing properties. At a flat p-n junction the waist of the transmitted Gaussian beam can be narrowed or widened, depending on the angle of incidence. A general condition is derived for the occurrence of beam collimation in a superlattice which is less stringent than previous discussed.

Abstract: The effects of the mold preheating and the silicon content of ductile iron on the percentage of carbides, graphite nodule counts and shrinkage volume were investigated. The results showed that the percentage of carbides and the shrinkage volume decreased when the mold preheating increased. The ductile iron with the carbon equivalent of 4.45% and the silicon content of 2.5% without any porosity defects was achieved when the mold preheating was 450 °C. Increasing the silicon content in the range of 2.1%3.3% led to the increase in graphite nodule count and graphite size and the decrease in percentage of carbides. It is due to the increase in induced expansion pressure during the graphite formation with the increasing of silicon content. The suitable condition for casting a sound product of ductile iron without the riser at the mold preheating temperature of 300 °C is the silicon content of 3.3% and carbon equivalent of 4.7%.

Abstract: A computational method is presented for angle-resolved photoemission spectra (ARPES) and photoelectron diffraction (PED) in the ultraviolet regime. The one-step model is employed and both initial valence and final continuum states are calculated using the finite-cluster, real-space multiple scattering method. Thereby the approach is versatile and provides a natural link to core-level PED. The method is applied to the Cu(111) valence band and good agreement with experiment is found for both ARPES spectra and PED patterns. When the PED patterns are integrated over a filled band of a single-orbital symmetry, such as Cu-3d, we show, both numerically and analytically, that the exact theory with delocalized initial states can be replaced by the much simpler, core-level-type theory where the initial states are taken as localized.

Abstract: The microporous and activated zeolitic imidazolate framework (Zn(MeIM)2; MeIM = imidazolate-2-methyl; ZIF-8) was loaded with the MOCVD precursor diethyl zinc [Zn(C2H5)2]. Exposure of ZIF-8 to the vapour of the volatile organometallic molecule resulted in the formation of the inclusion compound [Zn(C2H5)2]0.38@ZIF-8 revealing two precursor molecules per cavity. In a second step the obtained material was treated with oxygen (5 vol% in argon) at various temperatures (oxidative annealing) to achieve the composite material ZnO0.35@ZIF-8. The new material was characterized with powder XRD, FT-IR, UV-vis, solid state NMR, elemental analysis, N2 sorption measurements, and transmission electron microscopy. The data give evidence for the presence of nano-sized ZnO particles stabilized by ZIF-8 showing a blue-shift of the UV-vis absorption caused by quantum size effect (QSE). The surface structure and reactivity of embedded ZnO nanoparticles were characterized via carbon dioxide adsorption at different temperatures monitored by ultra-high vacuum FTIR techniques. It was found that the surface of ZnO nanoparticles is dominated by polar OZnO and ZnZnO facets as well as by defect sites, which all exhibit high reactivity towards CO2 activation forming various adsorbed carbonate and chemisorbed CO2δ− species.

Abstract: Well tuned: ZSM-5 with platinum nanoparticles preferably hydrogenates trans fatty acids over cis isomers in model triacylglycerols for geometric reasons. The central fatty acid chain reacts faster, pointing to pore mouth adsorption in a tuning fork conformation (see picture). This conformation induces stepwise hydrogenation, resulting in fast removal of the unstable central triene, while formation of saturated chains is limited.

Abstract: Fast degradation of in-vessel optics is one of the most serious problems for all optical diagnostics in ITER. To provide the resistance to mechanical and thermal stresses along with a high stability of optical characteristics under deposition-dominated conditions we suggest using high-reflective metallic (Ag or Al) film mirrors coated on silicon substrate and protected with thin oxide film in the divertor Thomson Scattering (TS) diagnostics. The mirrors coated with Al2O3 and ZrO2 films were tested under irradiation by deuterium ions. The experimental results on the oxide films sputtering are discussed in the context of their applicability for the first mirror protection in ITER.

Abstract: Relying on combined electron-beam lithography and lift-off methods Au/Ti bilayer electrical contacts were attached to individual ZnO nanowires (NWs) that were grown by a vapor phase deposition method. Reliable Schottky-type as well as ohmic contacts were obtained depending on whether or not an ion milling process was used. The response of the ZnO NWs to ultraviolet light was found to be sensitive to the type of contacts. The intrinsic electronic properties of the ZnO NWs were studied in a field-effect transistor configuration. The transfer characteristics, including gate threshold voltage, hysteresis and operational mode, were demonstrated to unexpectedly respond to visible light. The origin of this effect could be accounted for by the presence of point defects in the ZnO NWs.

Abstract: Rashba-type spin-orbit interaction (SOI) controlled band structure of a two-dimensional superlattice allows for the modulation of the conductance of finite size devices by changing the strength of the SOI. We consider rectangular arrays and find that the temperature dependence of the conductance disappears for high temperatures, but the strength of the SOI still affects the conductance at these temperatures. The modulation effect can be seen even in the presence of strong dephasing, which can be important for practical applications.

Abstract: Zeogrids and Zeotiles are hierarchical materials built from assembled MFI zeolite precursor units. Permanent secondary porosity in these materials is obtained through self assembly of nanoparticles encountered in MFI zeolite synthesis in the presence of supramolecular templates. Hereon, the aggregated species are termed nanoslabs. Zeogrids are layered materials with lateral spacings between nanoslabs creating galleries qualifying as supermicropores. Zeotiles present a diversity of tridimensional nanoslab assemblies with mesopores. Zeotile-1, -4 and -6 are hexagonal mesostructures. Zeotile-1 has triangular and hexagonal channels; Zeotile-4 has hexagonal channels interconnected via slits. Zeotile-2 has a cubic structure with gyroid type mesoporosity. The behavior of Zeogrids and Zeotiles in adsorption, membrane and chromatographic separation and catalysis has been characterized and compared with zeolites and mesoporous materials derived from unstructured silica sources. Shape selectivity was detected via adsorption of n- and iso-alkanes. The mesoporosity of Zeotiles can be exploited in chromatographic separation of biomolecules. Zeotiles present attractive separation properties relevant to CO2 sequestration. Because of its facile synthesis procedure without hydrothermal steps Zeogrid is convenient for membrane synthesis. The performance of Zeogrid membrane in gas separation, nanofiltration and pervaporation is reported. In the Beckmann rearrangement of cyclohexanone oxime Zeogrids and Zeotiles display a catalytic activity characteristic of silicalite-1 zeolites. Introduction of acidity and redox catalytic activity can be achieved via incorporation of Al and Ti atoms in the nanoslabs during synthesis. Zeogrids are active in hydrocracking, catalytic cracking, alkylation and epoxidation reactions. Zeogrids and Zeotiles often behave differently from ordered mesoporous materials as well as from zeolites and present a valuable extension of the family of hierarchical silicate based materials.

Abstract: (0 0 1)-oriented 3 mol% yttria stabilized tetragonal zirconia (3Y-TZP) has been developed by reactive synthesis of undoped pure monoclinic zirconia and co-precipitated 8 mol% yttria-stabilized zirconia (8Y-ZrO2). The dispersed pure monoclinic ZrO2 powder, having magnetic anisotropy, was first aligned in a strong magnetic field and co-sintered in a randomly distributed cubic 8Y-ZrO2 fine matrix powder. The reactive sintering resulted in a 3Y-TZP ceramic with a (0 0 1) orientation. The (0 0 1)-oriented 3Y-TZP showed a substantial toughness anisotropy, i.e. the toughness along the [0 0 1] direction is 54% higher than that of its perpendicular direction. Moreover, the toughness along the [0 0 1] direction is 49% higher than that of a non-textured isotropic reactively synthesized 3Y-TZP and 110% higher than that of an isotropic co-precipitated powder based 3Y-TZP. The substantially enhanced toughness was interpreted in terms of the tetragonal to monoclinic martensitic phase transformability.

Abstract: Several different projection mechanisms that all make use of inelastically scattered electrons are used for electron tomography. The advantages and the disadvantages of these methods are compared to HAADFSTEM tomography, which is considered as the standard electron tomography technique in materials science. The different inelastic setups used are energy filtered transmission electron microscopy (EFTEM), thickness mapping based on the log-ratio method and bulk plasmon mapping. We present a comparison that can be used to select the best inelastic signal for tomography, depending on different parameters such as the beam stability and nature of the sample. The appropriate signal will obviously also depend on the exact information which is requested.

Abstract: A semianalytical model of the through-silicon via (TSV) capacitance for elevated operating temperatures is derived and verified with electrical measurements. The effect of temperature on the increase in TSV capacitance over different technology parameters is explored, and it is shown that higher oxide thickness reduces the impact of temperature rise on TSV capacitance, while with low doped substrates, which are instrumental for reducing the TSV capacitance, the sensitivity of TSV capacitance to temperature is large and cannot be ignored.