Abstract: This dataset contains individual EEL and EDX events where for every event (electron or X-ray), their energy and time of arrival is stored. The experiment was performed in a transmission electron microscope (Tecnai Osiris) at 200 keV. The material investigated is an Al-Mg-Si-Cu alloy. The 'full_dataset.mat' contains the full dataset and the 'subset.mat' has the first five frames of the full dataset. The attached 'EELS-EDX.ipynb' is a jupyter notebook file. This file describes the data processing in order to observe the temporal correlation between the electrons and X-rays.

Abstract: This dataset comprises a large collection of atom probe tomography datasets collected from DIN 1.4970 alloy that was irradiated with Fe ions at different conditions. The DIN 1.4970 alloy is an austenitic stainless steel with 15 wt% Cr, 15 wt% Ni, a small addition of Ti. The full composition and characterization of our material can be found published elsewhere [1,2]. Some of our material was subjected to ageing heat treatments at different temperatures for different times. Small samples of our original material and aged material was irradiated at the Michigan Ion Beam Laboratory in 2017 with 4.5 MeV Fe ions up to 40 dpa at an average dose rate of 2×10−4 dpa/s. This was done at three different temperatures: 300, 450, and 600 ºC. Atom probe samples were made of the irradiated layers (approximately 1.5 micron deep) with focused ion beam and mounted on Microtip coupons. APT measurements took place on three CAMECA LEAP-HR systems located at CAES in Idaho Falls, USA (files beginning with R33), at Montanuniversität Leoben in Leoben, Austria (R21) and at Friedrich–Alexander University in Erlangen, Germany (R56).

Abstract: This chapter provides an overview of statistical and quantitative methodologies that have pushed (scanning) transmission electron microscopy ((S)TEM) toward accurate and precise measurements of unknown structure parameters for understanding the relation between the structure of a material and its properties. Hereby, statistical parameter estimation theory has extensively been used which enabled not only measuring atomic column positions, but also quantifying the number of atoms, and detecting atomic columns as accurately and precisely as possible from experimental images. As a general conclusion, it can be stated that advanced statistical techniques are ideal tools to perform quantitative electron microscopy at the atomic scale. In the future, statistical methods will continue to be developed and novel quantification procedures will open up new possibilities for studying material structures at the atomic scale.

Abstract: Thin films of SrFeO3-x (0 less than or equal to x less than or equal to 0.5) (SFO) grown on a (LaAlO3)(0.3) (SrAl0.5Ta0.5O3)(0.7) (LSAT) substrate by Pulsed laser deposition have been structurally investigated by electron diffraction and high resolution transmission electron microscopy for different post-deposition oxygen treatments. During the deposition and post-growth oxidation, the oxygen-reduced SFO films accept extra oxygen along the tetrahedral layers to minimize the elastic strain energy. The oxidation process stops at a concentration SFO2.875 and/or SFO2.75 because a zero misfit with the LSAT substrate is reached. A possible growth mechanism and phase transition mechanism are suggested. The non-oxidized films exhibit twin boundaries having a local perovskite-type structure with a nominal composition close to SFO3.

Abstract: Thin films of C/Mo/W deposited using combined UBM/HIPIMS sputtering show 2-8 nm clusters of material richer in Mo and W than the matrix (found by EDS microanalysis), with structures that resemble graphitic onions with the metal atoms arranged regularly within them. EELS microanalysis showed the clusters to be rich in W and Mo. As the time averaged power used in the pulsed HIPIMS magnetron was increased, the clusters became more defined, larger, and arranged into layers with amorphous matrix between them. Films deposited with average HIPIMS powers of 4 kW and 6 kW also showed a periodic modulation of the cluster density within the finer layers giving secondary, wider stripes in TEM. By analysing the ratio between the finer and coarser layers, it was found that this meta-layering is related to the substrate rotation in the deposition chamber but in a non-straightforward way. Reasons for this are proposed. The detailed structure of the clusters remains unknown and is the subject of further work. Fluctuation electron microscopy results indicated the presence of crystal planes with the graphite interlayer spacing, crystal planes in hexagonal WC perpendicular to the basal plane, and some plane spacings found in Mo2C. Other peaks in the FEM results suggested symmetry-related starting points for future determination of the structure of the clusters.

Abstract: Thermoelectric materials and magnetocaloric materials are promising candidates for solid-state refrigeration applications. The combination of thermoelectric and magnetocaloric effects could potentially lead to more efficient refrigeration techniques. We designed and successfully synthesized Gd/YbAl3 composites using a YbAl3 matrix with good low-temperature thermoelectric performance and Gd microspheres with a high magnetocaloric performance, using a sintering condition of 750 degrees C and 50 MPa. Using aberration-corrected scanning transmission electron microscopy (STEM), it was discovered that the heterointerface between Gd and YbAl 3 is composed of five sequential interfacial layers: GdAl3, GdAl2, GdAl, Gd3Al2, and Gd3Al. The diffusion of Al atoms plays a crucial role in the formation of these interfacial layers, while Yb or Gd do not participate in the interlayer diffusion. This work provides the essential structural information for further optimizing and designing high-performance composites for thermoelectric-magnetocaloric hybrid refrigeration applications. (C) 2020 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.

Abstract: Thermal diffuse scattered electrons significantly contribute to high-resolution transmission electron microscopy images. Their intensity adds to the background and is peaked at positions of atomic columns. In this paper we suggest an approximation to simulate intensity of thermal diffuse scattered electrons in plane-wave illumination transmission electron microscopy using an emission-potential multislice algorithm which is computationally less intensive than the frozen lattice approximation or the mutual intensity approach. Intensity patterns are computed for Au and InSb for different crystal orientations. These results are compared with intensities from the frozen lattice approximation based on uncorrelated vibration of atoms as well as with the frozen phonon approximation for Au. The frozen phonon method uses a detailed phonon model based on force constants we computed by a density functional theory approach. The comparison shows that our suggested emission-potential method is in close agreement with both the frozen lattice and the frozen phonon approximations.

Abstract: Theoretical studies exist to compute the atomic arrangement in gold nanowires and the influence on their electronic behavior with decreasing diameter. Experimental studies, e.g., by transmission electron microscopy, on chemically synthesized ultrafine wires are however lacking owing to the unavailability of suitable protocols for sample preparation and the stability of the wires under electron beam irradiation. In this work, we present an atomic scale structural investigation on quantum single crystalline gold nanowires of 2 nm diameter, chemically prepared on a carbon film grid. Using low dose aberration-corrected high resolution (S)TEM, we observe an inhomogeneous strain distribution in the crystal, largely concentrated at the twin boundaries and the surface along with the presence of facets and surface steps leading to a noncircular cross section of the wires. These structural aspects are critical inputs needed to determine their unique electronic character and their potential as a suitable catalyst material. Furthermore, electron-beam-induced structural changes at the atomic scale, having implications on their mechanical behavior and their suitability as interconnects, are discussed.

Abstract: The Zn-carboxylate-based porous coordination polymer MOF-5 [Zn4O(bdc)3] and the metal oxide loaded materials ZnO@MOF-5 and TiO2@MOF-5 were loaded in a second step with the precursor [ClAuCO] to yield intermediate materials denoted as [ClAuCO]@MOF-5, [ClAuCO]/ZnO@MOF-5 and [ClAuCO]/TiO2@MOF-5. These composites were decomposed to Au@MOF-5, Au/ZnO@MOF-5 and Au/TiO2@MOF-5 under hydrogen at 100 °C. The nanoparticle-loaded hybrid materials were characterised by powder X-ray diffraction (PXRD), IR spectroscopy, X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS) and N2 sorption measurements, which reveal an intact MOF-5 structure that maintains a high specific surface area. For Au@MOF-5, crystalline Au nanoparticles were distributed over the MOF matrix in a homogeneous fashion with a size of ca. 13 nm, evidenced by high resolution transmission electron microscopy. In the case of Au/ZnO@MOF-5, the Au and metal oxide particles of a few nm in size were coexistent in a given volume of the MOF-5 matrix and were not separated in different crystalline MOF particles. For the TiO2 loaded materials the oxide is preferentially located near the outer surface of the MOF particles, leading to an increase of larger exterior Au particles in comparison to very small interior Au particles as observed for the other materials. Au@MOF-5, Au/ZnO@MOF-5 and Au/TiO2@MOF-5 were tested in liquid-phase oxidation of alcohols. Preliminary results show a high activity for the Au loaded materials in this reaction. This observation is attributed to the microstructure of the composites with very small Au particles distributed homogeneously over the MOF matrix.

Abstract: The wide range of liquid-phase reactions required for the catalytic conversion of biomass compounds into new bioplatform molecules defines a new set of challenges for the development of active, selective, and stable catalysts. The potential of bifunctional Ru/H-USY catalysts for conversions in hot liquid water (HLW) is assessed in terms of physicochemical stability and long-term catalytic performance of acid sites and noble metal functionality, as probed by hydrolytic hydrogenation of cellulose. It is shown that zeolite desilication is the main zeolite degradation mechanism in HLW. USY zeolite stability depends on two main parameters, viz., framework and extra-framework aluminum content. The former protects the zeolite lattice by counteracting hydrolysis of framework bonds, and the latter, when located at the external crystal surface, prevents solubilization of the zeolite framework which is the result of its low water-solubility. Hence, the hot liquid water stability of commercial H-USY zeolites, in contrast to their steam stability, increased with decreasing Si/AI ratio. As a result, mildly steamed USY zeolites containing a high amount of both Al species exhibit the highest resistance to HLW. During an initial period of transformations, Al-rich zeolites form additional protective extra-framework Al species at the outer surface, self-stabilizing the framework. A critical bulk Si/AI ratio of 3 was determined whereby USY zeolites with a lower Si/AI ratio will self-stabilize over time. Besides, due to the initial transformation period, the accessibility of the catalytic active sites is extensively enhanced resulting in a material that is more stable and drastically more accessible to large substrates than the original zeolite. When these findings are applied in the hydrolytic hydrogenation of cellulose, unprecedented nearly quantitative hexitol yields were obtained with a stable catalytic system.

Abstract: The variation of structures and superconducting properties by changing extra oxygen or fluorine atoms concentration in Hg-based Cu mixed oxides and YBa2Cu3O6+delta was studied. The data obtained by NPD study of Hg-1201 can be considered as an evidence of the conventional oxygen doping mechanism with 2 delta holes per (CuO2) layer. The extra oxygen atom was found to be located in the middle of the Hg mesh only. Different formal charges of oxygen and fluorine inserted into reduced 123 structure results in its distinct variations. The fluorine incorporation into strongly reduced YBa2Cu3O6+delta causes a significant structural rearrangement and the formation of a new compound with a composition close to YBa2Cu3O6F2 (tetragonal alpha = 3.87 Angstrom and c approximate to 13 Angstrom), which structure was deduced from the combined results of X-ray diffraction, electron diffraction and high resolution electron microscopy. Fluorination treatment by XeF2 of nonsuperconducting 123 samples causes an appearance of bulk superconductivity with T-c up to 94K.

Abstract: The utilization of solar radiation to trigger photoelectrochemical (PEC) water splitting has gained interest for sustainable energy production. In this study, attention is focused on the development of ZnO–TiO2 nanocomposite photoanodes. The target systems are obtained by growing porous arrays of highly crystalline, elongated ZnO nanostructures on indium tin oxide (ITO) by chemical vapor deposition. Subsequently, the obtained nanodeposits are functionalized with TiO2 via radio frequency-sputtering for different process durations, and subjected to final annealing in air. Characterization results demonstrate the successful formation of high purity composite systems in which the surface of ZnO nanostructures is decorated by ultra-small amounts of amorphous titania, whose content can be conveniently tailored as a function of deposition time. Photocurrent density measurements in sunlight triggered water splitting highlight a remarkable performance enhancement with respect to single-phase zinc and titanium oxides, with up to a threefold photocurrent increase compared to bare ZnO. These results, mainly traced back to the formation of ZnO/TiO2 heterojunctions yielding an improved photocarrier separation, show that the target nanocomposites are attractive photoanodes for efficient PEC water splitting.

Abstract: The use of high amounts of iridium in industrial proton exchange membrane water electrolysers (PEMWE) could hinder their widespread use for the decarbonisation of society with hydrogen. Non-thermally oxidised Ir nanoparticles supported on antimony-doped tin oxide (SnO2:Sb, ATO) aerogel allow decreasing the use of the precious metal by more than 70 %, while enhancing the electro-catalytic activity and stability. To date the origin of these benefits remains unknown. Here we present clear evidence on the mechanisms that lead to the enhancement of the electrochemical properties of the catalyst. Operando near ambient pressure X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy on membrane electrode assemblies reveals a low degree of Ir oxidation, attributed to the oxygen spill-over from Ir to SnO2:Sb. Furthermore, the formation of highly unstable Ir(III) species is mitigated, while the decrease of Ir dissolution in Ir/SnO2:Sb is confirmed by inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometry (ICP-MS). The mechanisms that lead to the high activity and stability of Ir catalyst supported on SnO2:Sb aerogel for PEMWE are thus unveiled.

Abstract: The use of fast pixelated detectors and direct electron detection technology is revolutionizing many aspects of scanning transmission electron microscopy (STEM). The widespread adoption of these new technologies is impeded by the technical challenges associated with them. These include issues related to hardware control, and the acquisition, real-time processing and visualization, and storage of data from such detectors. We discuss these problems and present software solutions for them, with a view to making the benefits of new detectors in the context of STEM more accessible. Throughout, we provide examples of the application of the technologies presented, using data from a Medipix3 direct electron detector. Most of our software are available under an open source licence, permitting transparency of the implemented algorithms, and allowing the community to freely use and further improve upon them.

Abstract: The uniform dispersion of functional oxide nanoparticles on the walls of ordered mesoporous silica to tailor optical, electronic, and magnetic properties for biomedical and environmental applications is a scientific challenge. Here, we demonstrate homogeneous confined growth of 5 nanometer-sized hematite iron oxide (α-Fe2O3) inside mesochannels of ordered mesoporous COK-12 nanoplates. The three-dimensional inclusion of the α-Fe2O3 nanorods in COK-12 particles is studied using high-angle annular dark field scanning transmission electron microscopy (HAADF-STEM), energy-dispersive X-ray (EDX) spectroscopy and electron tomography. High resolution imaging and EDX spectroscopy provide information about the particle size, shape and crystal phase of the loaded α-Fe2O3 material, while electron tomography provides detailed information on the spreading of the nanorods throughout the COK-12 host. This nanocomposite material, having a semiconductor band gap energy of 2.40 eV according to diffuse reflectance spectroscopy, demonstrates an improved visible light photocatalytic degradation activity with rhodamine 6G and 1-adamantanol model compounds.