Abstract: Because of its excellent properties in nanotechnology applications, atomic layer deposition of ruthenium (Ru) has been the subject of numerous experimental studies. Recently, two different Ru precursors were compared for plasma-enhanced atomic layer deposition (PEALD) of Ru, and their reactivity was found to be different. Inhibition was observed for bis(ethylcyclopentadienyl)ruthenium (Ru(EtCp)(2)), while nearly linear growth behavior was observed for (methylcyclopentadienyl-pyrrolyl)ruthenium (Ru(MeCp)Py). To understand this difference in reactivity, we investigate the adsorption of RuCp, and RuCpPy (i.e., without substituents) on a TiN surface using calculations based on periodic boundary conditions density functional theory (DFT) combined with experiments based on Rutherford backscattering spectroscopy (RBS). The calculations demonstrate that the RuCpPy precursor chemisorbs on the TiN(100) surface while the RuCp2 precursor only physisorbs. We propose a reaction mechanism for the chemisorption of RuCpPy. The area density of the calculated RuCpPy surface species is compared with the experimental values from RBS. The impact of a H-plasma is also investigated. The DFT calculations and experimental results from RBS provide insight into the adsorption processes of the RuCpPy and RuCp2 precursors on the TiN(100) surface.

Abstract: Different zeolites were tested for selective removal of methyl elaidate (trans isomer) from an equimolar mixture with methyl oleate (cis isomer). Sorption experiments of the geometric isomers show that only ZSM-5 samples with reduced Al content in the framework are able to discriminate among the bent cis and the linear trans fatty acid methyl esters. Hydrogenation experiments of equimolar methyl oleate and elaidate mixtures at low temperature (65 °C) and high hydrogen pressure (6.0 MPa), using Pt catalysts, confirm this result. Only with a Pt/NaZSM-5 catalyst outspoken selectivity for the hydrogenation of the trans isomer is obtained. In order to prepare a selective Pt/ZSM-5 catalyst, the influence of Pt addition (impregnation, ion-exchange and competitive ion-exchange) and Pt activation (different calcination and reduction temperatures) on the Pt-distribution and Pt particle size was investigated using SEM, bright-field and HR TEM, EDX, electron tomography, CO-chemisorption, XPS, XRD, and UVvis measurements. The best result in terms of hydrogenation activity and selectivity is obtained with a Pt/ZSM-5 catalyst, which is prepared via competitive ion-exchange, followed by slow calcination up to 350 °C under high O2 flow and a reduction up to 500 °C under H2. This preparation method leads to a Pt/ZSM-5 catalyst with the best Pt distribution and the smallest Pt clusters occluded in the zeolite structure. Finally, the influence of zeolite crystal size, morphology, and elemental composition of ZSM-5 on hydrogenation activity and selectivity was investigated in detail.

Abstract: The success of semiconducting organic materials has enabled green technologies for electronics, lighting, and photovoltaics. However, when blended together, these materials have also raised novel fundamental questions with respect to electronic, optical, and thermodynamic properties. This is particularly important for organic photovoltaic cells based on the bulk heterojunction. Here, the distribution of nanoscale domains plays a crucial role depending on the specific device structure. Hence, correlation of the aforementioned properties requires 3D nanoscale imaging of materials domains, which are embedded in a multilayer device. Such visualization has so far been elusive due to lack of contrast, insufficient signal, or resolution limits. In this Letter, we introduce spectral scanning transmission electron tomography for reconstruction of entire volume plasmon spectra from rod-shaped specimens. We provide 3D structural correlations and compositional mapping at a resolution of approximately 7 nm within advanced organic photovoltaic tandem cells. Novel insights that are obtained from quantitative 3D analyses reveal that efficiency loss upon thermal annealing can be attributed to subtle, fundamental blend properties. These results are invaluable in guiding the design and optimization of future devices in plastic electronics applications and provide an empirical basis for modeling and simulation of organic solar cells.

Abstract: Using density functional theory, we study the electronic properties of a graphene-silicene bilayer (GSB). A single layer of silicene binds to the graphene layer with adhesion energy of about 25 meV/atom. This adhesion energy between the two layers follows accurately the well-known -1/z(2) dispersion energy as found between two infinite parallel plates. In small flakes of GSB with hydrogenated edges, negative charge is transferred from the graphene layer to the silicene layer, producing a permanent and a switchable polar bilayer, while in an infinite GSB, the negative charge is transferred from the silicene layer to the graphene layer. The graphene-silicene bilayer is a good candidate for a nanocapacitor with piezoelectric capabilities. We found that the permanent dipole of the bilayer can be tuned by an external perpendicular electric field.

Abstract: The control of side gates on the quantum electron transport in narrow graphene ribbons of different widths and edge types (armchair and zigzag) is investigated. The conductance exhibits Fano resonances with varying side gate potential. Resonant and antiresonant peaks in the conductance can be associated with the eigenstates of a closed system, and these peaks can be accurately fitted with a Fano line shape. The local density of states (LDOS) and the electron current show a specific behavior at these resonances, which depends on the ribbon edge type. In zigzag ribbons, transport is dominated by intervalley scattering, which is reflected in the transmission functions of individual modes. The side gates induce p-n interfaces near the edges at which the LDOS exhibits peaks. Near the resonance points, the electron current flows uniformly through the constriction, while near the antiresonances it creates vortices. In the armchair ribbons the LDOS spreads in areas of high potential, with current flowing near the edges.

Abstract: Quantum electron transport in side-gated graphene Hall bars is investigated in the presence of quantizing external magnetic fields. The asymmetric potential of four side-gates distorts the otherwise flat bands of the relativistic Landau levels, and creates new propagating states in the Landau spectrum (i.e. snake states). The existence of these new states leads to an interesting modification of the bend and Hall resistances, with new quantizing plateaus appearing in close proximity of the Landau levels. The electron guiding in this system can be understood by studying the current density profiles of the incoming and outgoing modes. From the fact that guided electrons fully transmit without any backscattering (similarly to edge states), we are able to analytically predict the values of the quantized resistances, and they match the resistance data we obtain with our numerical (tight-binding) method. These insights in the electron guiding will be useful in predicting the resistances for other side-gate configurations, and possibly in other system geometries, as long as there is no backscattering of the guided states.

Abstract: Among the large variety of two-dimensional (2D) materials discovered to date, elemental monolayers that host superconductivity are very rare. Using ab initio calculations we show that recently synthesized gallium monolayers, coined gallenene, are intrinsically superconducting through electron-phonon coupling. We reveal that Ga-100 gallenene, a planar monolayer isostructural with graphene, is the structurally simplest 2D superconductor to date, furthermore hosting topological edge states due to its honeycomb structure. Our anisotropic Eliashberg calculations show distinctly three-gap superconductivity in Ga-100, in contrast to the alternative buckled Ga-010 gallenene which presents a single anisotropic superconducting gap. Strikingly, the critical temperature (T ( c )) of gallenene is in the range of 7-10 K, exceeding the T ( c ) of bulk gallium from which it is exfoliated. Finally we explore chemical functionalization of gallenene with hydrogen, and report induced multigap superconductivity with an enhanced T ( c ) in the resulting gallenane compound.

Abstract: The recent revival of the Na-ion battery concept has prompted intense activities in the search for new Na-based layered oxide positive electrodes. The largest capacity to date was obtained for a Na-deficient layered oxide that relies on cationic redox processes only. To go beyond this limit, we decided to chemically manipulate these Na-based layered compounds in a way to trigger the participation of the anionic network. We herein report the electrochemical properties of a Na-rich phase Na2IrO3, which can reversibly cycle 1.5 Na+ per formula unit while not suffering from oxygen release nor cationic migrations. Such large capacities, as deduced by complementary XPS, X-ray/neutron diffraction and transmission electron microscopy measurements, arise from cumulative cationic and anionic redox processes occurring simultaneously at potentials as low as 3.0 V. The inability to remove more than 1.5 Na+ is rooted in the formation of an O1-type phase having highly stabilized Na sites as confirmed by DFT calculations, which could rationalize as well the competing metal/oxygen redox processes in Na2IrO3. This work will help to define the most fertile directions in the search for novel high energy Na-rich materials based on more sustainable elements than Ir.

Abstract: We investigate localized electron and hole states in parabolic quantum dots of biased graphene bilayers in the presence of a perpendicular magnetic field. These quantum dots can be created by means of nanostructured gates or by position-dependent doping, which can create a gap in the otherwise gapless dispersion of a graphene bilayer. Numerical results show the energy levels of confined electrons and holes as a function of the dot parameters and the magnetic field. Remarkable crossings of energy levels are found.

Abstract: We review the transmission properties of carriers interacting with potential barriers in graphene. The tunneling of electrons and holes in quantum structures in graphene is found to display features that are in marked contrast with those of other systems. In particular, the interaction between the carriers with electrostatic potential barriers can be related to the propagation of electromagnetic waves in media with negative refraction indices, also known as metamaterials. This behavior becomes evident as one calculates the time evolution of wavepackets propagating across the barrier interface. In addition, we discuss the effect of trigonal warping on the tunneling through potential barriers.