Abstract: Nano-sized nitrogen-doped carbon spheres are synthesized from two cheap, readily available and sustainable precursors: tannic acid and urea. In combination with a polymer structuring agent, nitrogen content, sphere size and the surface (up to 400 m(2)g(-1)) can be conveniently tuned by the precursor ratio, temperature and structuring agent content. Because the chosen precursors allow simple oven synthesis and avoid harsh conditions, this carbon nanosphere platform offers a more sustainable alternative to classical soots, for example, as printing pigments or conduction soots. The carbon spheres are demonstrated to be a promising as conductive carbon additive in anode materials for lithium ion batteries.

Abstract: Using first principles calculations, we study the structural and phononic properties of the recently synthesized Janus type single layers of molybdenum dichalcogenides. The Janus MoSSe single layer possesses 2H crystal structure with two different chalcogenide sides that lead to out-of-plane anisotropy. By virtue of the asymmetric structure of the ultra-thin Janus type crystal, we induced the out-of-plane anisotropy to show the distinctive vertical pressure effect on the vibrational properties of the Janus material. It is proposed that for the corresponding Raman active optical mode of the Janus structure, the phase modulation and the magnitude ratio of the strained atom and its first neighbor atom adjust the distinctive change in the eigen-frequencies and Raman activity. Moreover, a strong variation in the Raman activity of the Janus structure is obtained under bivertical and univertical strains. Not only eigen-frequency shifts but also Raman activities of the optical modes of the Janus structure exhibit distinguishable features. This study reveals that the vertical anisotropic feature of the Janus structure under Raman measurement allows us to distinguish which side of the Janus crystal interacts with the externals (substrate, functional adlayers, or dopants). Published by AIP Publishing.

Abstract: Dielectric properties of nano-confined water are important in several areas of science, i.e., it is relevant in the dielectric double layer that exists in practically all heterogeneous fluid-based systems. Molecular dynamics simulations are used to predict the in-plane dielectric properties of confined water in planar channels of width ranging from sub-nanometer to bulk. Because of suppressed rotational degrees of freedom near the confining walls, the dipole of the water molecules tends to be aligned parallel to the walls, which results in a strongly enhanced in-plane dielectric constant (epsilon (parallel to)) reaching values of about 120 for channels with height 8 angstrom < h < 10 angstrom. With the increase in the width of the channel, we predict that epsilon (parallel to) decreases nonlinearly and reaches the bulk value for h > 70 angstrom. A stratified continuum model is proposed that reproduces the h > 10 angstrom dependence of epsilon (parallel to). For sub-nanometer height channels, abnormal behavior of epsilon (parallel to) is found with two orders of magnitude reduction of epsilon (parallel to) around h similar to 7.5 angstrom, which is attributed to the formation of a particular ice phase that exhibits long-time (similar to mu s) stable ferroelectricity. This is of particular importance for the understanding of the influence of confined water on the functioning of biological systems.

Abstract: Starting from a model of rigid interacting C-60 polymer chains on an orthorhombic lattice, we study the mutual orientation of the chains and the stability of the crystalline structures Pmnn and I2/m. We take into account (i) van der Waals interactions and electric quadrupole interactions between C-60 monomers on different chains as well as (ii) interactions of the monomers with the surrounding alkali atoms. The direct interactions (i) always lead to an antiferrorotational structure Pmnn with alternate orientation of the C-60 chains in planes (001). The interactions (ii) with the alkalis consist of two parts: translation-rotation (TR) coupling where the orientations of the chains interact with displacements of the alkalis, and quadrupolar electronic polarizability (ep) coupling, where the electric quadrupoles on the C-60 monomers interact with induced quadrupoles due to excited electronic d-states of the alkalis. Both interactions (ii) lead to an effective orientation-orientation interaction between the C-60 chains and always favor the ferrorotational structure I2/m, where C-60 chains have a same orientation. The structures Pmnn for KC60 and I2/m for Rb- and CsC60 are the result of a competition between the direct interaction (i) and the alkali-mediated interactions (ii). In Rb- and CsC60 the latter are found to be dominant, the preponderant role being played by the quadrupolar electronic polarizability of the alkali ions. (C) 2002 American Institute of Physics.

Abstract: Superexchange interactions in alkali fullerides AC(60) are derived for C-60 molecular ions separated by interstitial alkali-metal ions. We use a multiconfiguration approach which comprises the lowest molecular orbital states of the C-60 molecule and the excited s and d states of the alkali-metal atom A. Interactions are described by the valence bond (Heitler-London) method for a complex (C-60 – A – C-60) – with two valence electrons. The electronic charge transfer between the alkali-metal atom and a neighboring C-60 molecule is not complete. The occupation probability of excited d and s states of the alkali atom is not negligible. In correspondence with the relative positions of the C-60 molecules and A atoms in the polymer crystal, we consider 180degrees and 90degrees (angle) superexchange pathways. For the former case the ground state is found to be a spin singlet separated from a triplet at similar to20 K. For T < 20 K there appear strong spin correlations for the 180degrees superexchange pathway. The results are related to spin lattice relaxation experiments on CsC60 in the polymerized and in the quenched cubic phase. (C) 2005 American Institute of Physics.

Abstract: We study the structure and phase behavior of fullerene-cubane C60·C8H8 by Monte Carlo simulation. Using a simple potential model capturing the icosahedral and cubic symmetries of its molecular constituents, we reproduce the experimentally observed phase transition from a cubic to an orthorhombic crystal lattice and the accompanying rotational freezing of the C60 molecules. We elaborate a scheme to identify the low-temperature orientations of individual molecules and to detect a pattern of orientational ordering similar to the arrangement of C60 molecules in solid C60. Our configuration of orientations supports a doubled periodicity along one of the crystal axes.

Abstract: Uniform-acceptance force-bias Monte Carlo (fbMC) methods have been shown to be a powerful technique to access longer timescales in atomistic simulations allowing, for example, phase transitions and growth. Recently, a new fbMC method, the time-stamped force-bias Monte Carlo (tfMC) method, was derived with inclusion of an estimated effective timescale; this timescale, however, does not seem able to explain some of the successes the method. In this contribution, we therefore explicitly quantify the effective timescale tfMC is able to access for a variety of systems, namely a simple single-particle, one-dimensional model system, the Lennard-Jones liquid, an adatom on the Cu(100) surface, a silicon crystal with point defects and a highly defected graphene sheet, in order to gain new insights into the mechanisms by which tfMC operates. It is found that considerable boosts, up to three orders of magnitude compared to molecular dynamics, can be achieved for solid state systems by lowering of the apparent activation barrier of occurring processes, while not requiring any system-specific input or modifications of the method. We furthermore address the pitfalls of using the method as a replacement or complement of molecular dynamics simulations, its ability to explicitly describe correct dynamics and reaction mechanisms, and the association of timescales to MC simulations in general.

Abstract: In this paper electrodeposition is used to obtain Cu nanoparticles, as it allows good control over particle size and distribution. These Cu particles were deposited onto a gas diffusion electrode which increased the resulting surface area. Prior to deposition, the surface was pre-treated with NaOH, HNO3, MQ and TX100 to investigate the influence on the electrodeposition of Cu on the gas diffusion electrode (GDE). When using HNO3, the smallest particles with the most homogeneous distribution and high particle roughness were obtained. Once the optimal substrate was determined, we further demonstrated that by altering the electrodeposition parameters, the particle size and density could be tuned. On the one hand, increasing the nucleation potential led to a higher particle density resulting in smaller particles because of an increased competition between particles. Finally, the Cu particle size increased when applying a greater growth charge and growth potential. This fundamental study thus opens up a path towards the synthesis of supported Cu materials with increased surface areas, which is interesting from a catalytic point of view. Larger surface areas are generally correlated with a better catalyst performance and thus higher product yields. This research can contributed in obtaining new insides into the deposition of metallic nanoparticles on rough surfaces. [GRAPHICS] .

Abstract: The continuous miniaturization of nanodevices, such as transistors, solar cells, and optical fibers, requires the controlled synthesis of (ultra)thin gate oxides (<10 nm), including Si gate-oxide (SiO2) with high quality at the atomic scale. Traditional thermal growth of SiO2 on planar Si surfaces, however, does not allow one to obtain such ultrathin oxide due to either the high oxygen diffusivity at high temperature or the very low sticking ability of incident oxygen at low temperature. Two recent techniques, both operative at low (room) temperature, have been put forward to overcome these obstacles: (i) hyperthermal oxidation of planar Si surfaces and (ii) thermal or plasma-assisted oxidation of nonplanar Si surfaces, including Si nanowires (SiNWs). These nanooxidation processes are, however, often difficult to study experimentally, due to the key intermediate processes taking place on the nanosecond time scale.
In this Account, these Si nano-oxidation techniques are discussed from a computational point of view and compared to both hyperthermal and thermal oxidation experiments, as well as to well-known models of thermal oxidation, including the Deal−Grove, Cabrera−Mott, and Kao models and several alternative mechanisms. In our studies, we use reactive molecular dynamics (MD) and hybrid MD/Monte Carlo simulation techniques, applying the Reax force field. The incident energy of oxygen species is chosen in the range of 1−5 eV in hyperthermal oxidation of planar Si surfaces in order to prevent energy-induced damage. It turns out that hyperthermal growth allows for two growth modes, where the ultrathin oxide thickness depends on either (1) only the kinetic energy of the incident oxygen species at a growth temperature below Ttrans = 600 K, or (2) both the incident energy and the growth temperature at a growth temperature above Ttrans. These modes are specific to such ultrathin oxides, and are not observed in traditional thermal oxidation, nor theoretically considered by already existing models. In the case of thermal or plasma-assisted oxidation of small Si nanowires, on the other hand, the thickness of the ultrathin oxide is a function of the growth temperature and the nanowire diameter. Below Ttrans, which varies with the nanowire diameter, partially oxidized SiNW are formed, whereas complete oxidation to a SiO2 nanowire occurs only above Ttrans. In both nano-oxidation processes at lower temperature (T < Ttrans), final sandwich c-Si|SiOx|a-SiO2 structures are obtained due to a competition between overcoming the energy barrier to penetrate into Si subsurface layers and the compressive stress (∼2−3 GPa) at the Si crystal/oxide interface. The overall atomic-simulation results strongly indicate that the thickness of the intermediate SiOx (x < 2) region is very limited (∼0.5 nm) and constant irrespective of oxidation parameters. Thus, control over the ultrathin SiO2 thickness with good quality is indeed possible by accurately tuning the oxidant energy, oxidation temperature and surface curvature.
In general, we discuss and put in perspective these two oxidation mechanisms for obtaining controllable ultrathin gate-oxide films, offering a new route toward the fabrication of nanodevices via selective nano-oxidation.

Abstract: Often, just micrometers below a paintings surface lies a wealth of information, both with Old Masters such as Peter Paul Rubens and Rembrandt van Rijn and with more recent artists of great renown such as Vincent Van Gogh and James Ensor. Subsurface layers may include underdrawing, underpainting, and alterations, and in a growing number of cases conservators have discovered abandoned compositions on paintings, illustrating artists practice of reusing a canvas or panel. The standard methods for studying the inner structure of cultural heritage (CH) artifacts are infrared reflectography and X-ray radiography, techniques that are optionally complemented with the microscopic analysis of cross-sectioned samples. These methods have limitations, but recently, a number of fundamentally new approaches for fully imaging the buildup of hidden paint layers and other complex three-dimensional (3D) substructures have been put into practice. In this Account, we discuss these developments and their recent practical application with CH artifacts. We begin with a tabular summary of 14 IR- and X-ray-based imaging methods and then continue with a discussion of each technique, illustrating CH applications with specific case studies. X-ray-based tomographic and laminographic techniques can be used to generate 3D renditions of artifacts of varying dimensions. These methods are proving invaluable for exploring inner structures, identifying the conservation state, and postulating the original manufacturing technology of metallic and other sculptures. In the analysis of paint layers, terahertz time-domain spectroscopy (THz-TDS) can highlight interfaces between layers in a stratigraphic buildup, whereas macrosopic scanning X-ray fluorescence (MA-XRF) has been employed to measure the distribution of pigments within these layers. This combination of innovative methods provides topographic and color information about the micrometer depth scale, allowing us to look into paintings in an entirely new manner. Over the past five years, several new variants of traditional IR- and X-ray-based imaging methods have been implemented by conservators and museums, and the first reports have begun to emerge in the primary research literature. Applying these state-of-the-art techniques in a complementary fashion affords a more comprehensive view of paintings and other artworks.

Abstract: We explorethepotentialofmicrowave(MW)-plasma-based in situ
utilizationoftheMartianatmospherewithafocusonthenovelpos-
sibilityoffixingN2 forfertilizerproduction. Conversioninasimulant
plasma (i.e.,
96% CO2,
2% N2, and
2% Ar),performedunderen-
ergyconditionssimilartothoseoftheMarsOxygen In Situ Resource
UtilizationExperiment(MOXIE),currentlyonboardNASA’sPerse-
verancerover,demonstratesthatO/O2 formedthroughCO2 dissociation
facilitatesthefixationoftheN2 fractionviaoxidationtoNOx.
PromisingproductionratesforO2, CO,andNOx of 47.0,76.1,and
1.25g/h,respectively,arerecordedwithcorrespondingenergy
costs of0.021,0.013,and0.79kWh/g,respectively.Notably,O2
productionratesare
30 timeshigherthanthosedemonstrated
by MOXIE,whiletheNOx production raterepresentsan
7% fixa-
tionoftheN2 fraction presentintheMartian atmosphere.MW-
plasma-basedconversionthereforeshowsgreatpotentialasan in
situ resourceutilization(ISRU)technologyonMarsinthatitsimulta-
neouslyfixesN2 and producesO2.

Abstract: Interfaces between different materials underpin both new scientific phenomena, such as the emergent behaviour at oxide interfaces, and key technologies, such as that of the transistor. Control of the interfaces between materials with the same crystal structures but different chemical compositions is possible in many materials classes, but less progress has been made for oxide materials with different crystal structures. We show that dynamical self-organization during growth can create a coherent interface between the perovskite and fluorite oxide structures, which are based on different structural motifs, if an appropriate choice of cations is made to enable this restructuring. The integration of calculation with experimental observation reveals that the interface differs from both the bulk components and identifies the chemical bonding requirements to connect distinct oxide structures.

Abstract: The performance of gold nanoparticles electrodeposited on boron doped diamond (BDD) electrodes was investigated in respect to the reduction of chloramphenicol (CAP), an antibiotic of the phenicols family. The chosen deposition protocol, three nucleation-growing pulses, shows a remarkable surface coverage, with an even distribution of average-sized gold particles (~ 50 nm), and it was proven capable of generating a three-fold increase in the CAP reduction current. A calibration plot for CAP detection was obtained in the micromolar range (535 μM) with good correlation coefficient (0.9959) and an improved sensitivity of 0.053 μA μM− 1 mm− 2 compared to the electrochemistry of CAP at a bare BDD electrode.