“Interplay of model ingredients affecting aggregate shape plasticity in diffusion-limited aggregation”. Duarte-Neto P, Stosic T, Stosic B, Lessa R, Milošević, MV, Physical review : E : statistical, nonlinear, and soft matter physics 90, 012312 (2014). http://doi.org/10.1103/PhysRevE.90.012312
Abstract: We analyze the combined effect of three ingredients of an aggregation model-surface tension, particle flow and particle source-representing typical characteristics of many aggregation growth processes in nature. Through extensive numerical experiments and for different underlying lattice structures we demonstrate that the location of incoming particles and their preferential direction of flow can significantly affect the resulting general shape of the aggregate, while the surface tension controls the surface roughness. Combining all three ingredients increases the aggregate shape plasticity, yielding a wider spectrum of shapes as compared to earlier works that analyzed these ingredients separately. Our results indicate that the considered combination of effects is fundamental for modeling the polymorphic growth of a wide variety of structures in confined geometries and/or in the presence of external fields, such as rocks, crystals, corals, and biominerals.
Keywords: A1 Journal article; Condensed Matter Theory (CMT)
Impact Factor: 2.366
Times cited: 3
DOI: 10.1103/PhysRevE.90.012312
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“Analytical study of the energy levels in bilayer graphene quantum dots”. da Costa DR, Zarenia M, Chaves A, Farias GA, Peeters FM, Carbon 78, 392 (2014). http://doi.org/10.1016/j.carbon.2014.06.078
Abstract: Using the four-band continuum model we derive a general expression for the infinite-mass boundary condition in bilayer graphene. Applying this new boundary condition we analytically calculate the confined states and the corresponding wave functions in a bilayer graphene quantum dot in the absence and presence of a perpendicular magnetic field. Our results for the energy spectrum show an energy gap between the electron and hole states at small magnetic fields. Furthermore the electron (e) and hole (h) energy levels corresponding to the K and K' valleys exhibit the E-K(e(h)) (m) = E-K'(e(h)) (m) symmetry, where m is the angular momentum quantum number. (C) 2014 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.
Keywords: A1 Journal article; Condensed Matter Theory (CMT)
Impact Factor: 6.337
Times cited: 35
DOI: 10.1016/j.carbon.2014.06.078
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“Anharmonic effects on thermodynamic properties of a graphene monolayer”. da Silva ALC, Candido L, Teixeira Rabelo JN, Hai G-Q, Peeters FM, Europhysics letters 107, 56004 (2014). http://doi.org/10.1209/0295-5075/107/56004
Abstract: We extend the unsymmetrized self-consistent-field method (USF) for anharmonic crystals to layered non-Bravais crystals to investigate structural, dynamical and thermodynamic properties of a free-standing graphene monolayer. In this theory, the main anharmonicity of the crystal lattice has been included and the quantum corrections are taken into account in an h-expansion for the one-particle density matrix. The obtained result for the thermal expansion coefficient (TEC) of graphene shows a strong temperature dependence and agrees with experimental results by Bao et al. (Nat. Nanotechnol., 4 (2009) 562). The obtained value of TEC at room temperature (300 K) is -6.4 x 10(- 6) K- 1 and it becomes positive for T > T-alpha = 358K. We find that quantum effects are significant for T < 1000 K. The interatomic distance, effective amplitudes of the graphene lattice vibrations, adiabatic and isothermal bulk moduli, isobaric and isochoric heat capacities are also calculated and their temperature dependences are determined. Copyright (C) EPLA, 2014
Keywords: A1 Journal article; Condensed Matter Theory (CMT)
Impact Factor: 1.957
Times cited: 23
DOI: 10.1209/0295-5075/107/56004
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“Cation ordering and flexibility of the BO42- tetrahedra in incommensurately modulated CaEu2(BO4)4 (B = Mo, W) scheelites”. Abakumov AM, Morozov VA, Tsirlin AA, Verbeeck J, Hadermann J, Inorganic chemistry 53, 9407 (2014). http://doi.org/10.1021/ic5015412
Abstract: The factors mediating cation ordering in the scheelite-based molybdates and tungstates are discussed on the basis of the incommensurately modulated crystal structures of the CaEu2(BO4)(4) (B = Mo, W) red phosphors solved from high-resolution synchrotron powder X-ray diffraction data. Monoclinic CaEu2(WO4)(4) adopts a (3 + 1)-dimensionally modulated structure [superspace group I2/b(alpha beta 0)00, a = 5.238 73(1)A, b = 5.266 35(1) A, c = 11.463 19(9) A, gamma = 91.1511(2)degrees, q = 0.56153(6)a* + 0.7708(9)b*, R-F = 0.050, R-p = 0.069], whereas tetragonal CaEu2(MoO4)(4) is (3 + 2)-dimensionally modulated [superspace group I4(1)/ a(alpha beta 0)00(-beta alpha 0)00, a = 5.238 672(7) A, c = 11.548 43(2) A, q(1) = 035331(8)a* + 0.82068(9)b*, q(2) = -0.82068(9)a* + 0.55331(8)b*, R-F = 0.061, R-p = 0.082]. In both cases the modulation arises from the ordering of the Ca/Eu cations and the cation vacancies at the A-sublattice of the parent scheelite ABO(4) structure. The cation ordering is incomplete and better described with harmonic rather than with steplike occupational modulation functions. The structures respond to the variation of the effective charge and cation size at the A-position through the flexible geometry of the MoO42- and WO42- tetrahedra demonstrating an alternation of stretching the B-O bond lengths and bending the O-B-O bond angles. The tendency towards A-site cation ordering in scheelites is rationalized using the difference in ionic radii and concentration of the A-site vacancies as parameters and presented in the form of a structure map.
Keywords: A1 Journal article; Electron microscopy for materials research (EMAT)
Impact Factor: 4.857
Times cited: 48
DOI: 10.1021/ic5015412
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“Cascades of multiheaded chimera states for coupled phase oscillators”. Maistrenko YL, Vasylenko A, Sudakov O, Levchenko R, Maistrenko VL, International journal of bifurcation and chaos in applied sciences and engineering 24, 1440014 (2014). http://doi.org/10.1142/S0218127414400148
Abstract: Chimera state is a recently discovered dynamical phenomenon in arrays of nonlocally coupled oscillators, that displays a self-organized spatial pattern of coexisting coherence and incoherence. We discuss the appearance of the chimera states in networks of phase oscillators with attractive and with repulsive interactions, i.e. when the coupling respectively favors synchronization or works against it. By systematically analyzing the dependence of the spatiotemporal dynamics on the level of coupling attractivity/repulsivity and the range of coupling, we uncover that different types of chimera states exist in wide domains of the parameter space as cascades of the states with increasing number of intervals of irregularity, so-called chimera's heads. We report three scenarios for the chimera birth: (1) via saddle-node bifurcation on a resonant invariant circle, also known as SNIC or SNIPER, (2) via blue-sky catastrophe, when two periodic orbits, stable and saddle, approach each other creating a saddle-node periodic orbit, and (3) via homoclinic transition with complex multistable dynamics including an “eight-like” limit cycle resulting eventually in a chimera state.
Keywords: A1 Journal article; Engineering sciences. Technology; Condensed Matter Theory (CMT)
Impact Factor: 1.329
DOI: 10.1142/S0218127414400148
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“Thermodynamics at the nanoscale : phase diagrams of nickel-carbon nanoclusters and equilibrium constants for face transitions”. Engelmann Y, Bogaerts A, Neyts EC, Nanoscale 6, 11981 (2014). http://doi.org/10.1039/C4NR02354D
Abstract: Using reactive molecular dynamics simulations, the melting behavior of nickelcarbon nanoclusters is examined. The phase diagrams of icosahedral and Wulff polyhedron clusters are determined using both the Lindemann index and the potential energy. Formulae are derived for calculating the equilibrium constants and the solid and liquid fractions during a phase transition, allowing more rational determination of the melting temperature with respect to the arbitrary Lindemann value. These results give more insight into the properties of nickelcarbon nanoclusters in general and can specifically be very useful for a better understanding of the synthesis of carbon nanotubes using the catalytic chemical vapor deposition method.
Keywords: A1 Journal article; PLASMANT
Impact Factor: 7.367
Times cited: 20
DOI: 10.1039/C4NR02354D
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“Development of a ReaxFF reactive force field for intrinsic point defects in titanium dioxide”. Huygh S, Bogaerts A, van Duin ACT, Neyts EC, Computational materials science 95, 579 (2014). http://doi.org/10.1016/j.commatsci.2014.07.056
Abstract: A reactive ReaxFF force field is developed for studying the influence of intrinsic point defects on the chemistry with TiO2 condensed phases. The force field parameters are optimized to ab initio data for the equations of state, relative phase stabilities for titanium and titanium dioxide, potential energy differences for (TiO2)n-clusters (n = 116). Also data for intrinsic point defects in anatase were added. These data contain formation energies for interstitial titanium and oxygen vacancies, diffusion barriers of the oxygen vacancies and molecular oxygen adsorption on a reduced anatase (101) surface. Employing the resulting force field, we study the influence of concentration of oxygen vacancies and expansion or compression of an anatase surface on the diffusion of the oxygen vacancies. Also the barrier for oxygen diffusion in the subsurface region is evaluated using this force field. This diffusion barrier of 27.7 kcal/mol indicates that the lateral redistribution of oxygen vacancies on the surface and in the subsurface will be dominated by their diffusion in the subsurface, since both this barrier as well as the barriers for diffusion from the surface to the subsurface and vice versa (17.07 kcal/mol and 21.91 kcal/mol, respectively, as calculated with DFT), are significantly lower than for diffusion on the surface (61.12 kcal/mol as calculated with DFT).
Keywords: A1 Journal article; Plasma Lab for Applications in Sustainability and Medicine – Antwerp (PLASMANT)
Impact Factor: 2.292
Times cited: 15
DOI: 10.1016/j.commatsci.2014.07.056
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“Effect of Bi bilayers on the topological states of Bi2Se3 : a first-principles study”. Govaerts K, Park K, De Beule C, Partoens B, Lamoen D, Physical review : B : condensed matter and materials physics 90, 155124 (2014). http://doi.org/10.1103/PhysRevB.90.155124
Abstract: Bi2Se3 is a three-dimensional topological insulator which has been extensively studied because it has a single Dirac cone on the surface, inside a relatively large bulk band gap. However, the effect of two-dimensional topological insulator Bi bilayers on the properties of Bi2Se3 and vice versa, has not been explored much. Bi bilayers are often present between the quintuple layers of Bi2Se3, since (Bi2)n(Bi2Se3)m form stable ground-state structures. Moreover, Bi2Se3 is a good substrate for growing ultrathin Bi bilayers. By first-principles techniques, we first show that there is no preferable surface termination by either Bi or Se. Next, we investigate the electronic structure of Bi bilayers on top of, or inside a Bi2Se3 slab. If the Bi bilayers are on top, we observe a charge transfer to the quintuple layers that increases the binding energy of the surface Dirac cones. The extra states, originating from the Bi bilayers, were declared to form a topological Dirac cone, but here we show that these are ordinary Rashba-split states. This result, together with the appearance of a new Dirac cone that is localized slightly deeper, might necessitate the reinterpretation of several experimental results. When the Bi bilayers are located inside the Bi2Se3 slab, they tend to split the slab into two topological insulators with clear surface states. Interface states can also be observed, but an energy gap persists because of strong coupling between the neighboring quintuple layers and the Bi bilayers.
Keywords: A1 Journal article; Electron microscopy for materials research (EMAT); Condensed Matter Theory (CMT)
Impact Factor: 3.836
Times cited: 30
DOI: 10.1103/PhysRevB.90.155124
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“Rational synthesis of F-doped iron oxides on Al2O3(0001) single crystals”. Carraro G, Gasparotto A, Maccato C, Bontempi E, Lebedev OI, Sada C, Turner S, Van Tendeloo G, Barreca D, Rsc Advances , 52140 (2014). http://doi.org/10.1039/C4RA09021G
Abstract: A plasma enhanced-chemical vapor deposition (PE-CVD) route to Fe2O3-based materials on Al2O3(0001) single crystals at moderate growth temperatures (200400 °C) is reported. The use of the fluorinated Fe(hfa)2TMEDA (hfa = 1,1,1,5,5,5-hexafluoro-2,4-pentanedionate; TMEDA = N,N,N′,N′-tetramethylethylenediamine) molecular precursor in Ar/O2 plasmas enabled an in situ F-doping of iron oxide matrices, with a fluorine content tunable as a function of the adopted preparative conditions. Variations of the thermal energy supply enabled control of the system phase composition, resulting in γ-Fe2O3 at 200 °C and α-Fe2O3 nanostructures at higher deposition temperatures. Notably, at 400 °C the formation of highly oriented α-Fe2O3 nanocolumns characterized by an epitaxial relation with the Al2O3(0001) substrate was observed. Beside fluorine content, phase composition and nano-organization, even the system optical properties and, in particular, energy gap values, could be tailored by proper modifications of processing parameters.
Keywords: A1 Journal article; Electron microscopy for materials research (EMAT)
Impact Factor: 3.108
Times cited: 4
DOI: 10.1039/C4RA09021G
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“Mechanical synthesis of high purity Cu-In-Se alloy nanopowder as precursor for printed CISe thin film solar cells”. Zaghi AE, Buffière M, Brammertz G, Batuk M, Lenaers N, Kniknie B, Hadermann J, Meuris M, Poortmans J, Vleugels J, Advanced powder technology 25, 1254 (2014). http://doi.org/10.1016/j.apt.2014.03.003
Abstract: Mechanical alloying and ball milling are low cost, up-scalable techniques for the preparation of high purity chalcogenide nanopowders to be used as precursor material for printing thin film solar cells. In this study, high purity copper indium selenium (Cu-In-Se) alloy nanopowders with 20-200 nm particle size were synthesized from macroscopic elemental Cu, In and Se powders via mechanical alloying and planetary ball milling. The particle size distribution, morphology, composition, and purity level of the synthesized Cu-In-Se alloy nanopowders were investigated. Thin Cu-In-Se alloy nanopowder ink coatings, deposited on Mo-coated glass substrates by doctor blading, were converted into a CuInSe2 semiconductor film by selenization heat treatment in Se vapor. The CuInSe2 film showed semiconducting band gap around 1 eV measured by photoluminescence spectroscopy. CuInSe2 absorber layer based thin film solar cell devices were fabricated to assess their performance. The solar cell device showed a total efficiency of 4.8%, as measured on 0.25 cm(2) area cell. (c) 2014 The Society of Powder Technology Japan. Published by Elsevier B.V. and The Society of Powder Technology Japan. All rights reserved.
Keywords: A1 Journal article; Electron microscopy for materials research (EMAT)
Impact Factor: 2.659
Times cited: 10
DOI: 10.1016/j.apt.2014.03.003
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“Generic ordering of structural transitions in quasi-one-dimensional Wigner crystals”. Galvan-Moya JE, Misko VR, Peeters FM, Physical review : B : condensed matter and materials physics 90, 094111 (2014). http://doi.org/10.1103/PhysRevB.90.094111
Abstract: We investigate the dependence of the structural phase transitions in an infinite quasi-one-dimensional system of repulsively interacting particles on the profile of the confining channel. Three different functional expressions for the confinement potential related to real experimental systems are used that can be tuned continuously from a parabolic to a hard-wall potential in order to find a thorough understanding of the ordering of the chainlike structure transitions. We resolve the long-standing issue why the most theories predicted a 1-2-4-3-4 sequence of chain configurations with increasing density, while some experiments found the 1-2-3-4 sequence.
Keywords: A1 Journal article; Condensed Matter Theory (CMT)
Impact Factor: 3.836
Times cited: 9
DOI: 10.1103/PhysRevB.90.094111
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“An oxysulfate Fe2O(SO4)2 electrode for sustainable Li-based batteries”. Sun M, Rousse G, Abakumov AM, Van Tendeloo G, Sougrati M-T, Courty M, Doublet M-L, Tarascon J-M, Journal of the American Chemical Society 136, 12658 (2014). http://doi.org/10.1021/ja505268y
Abstract: High-performing Fe-based electrodes for Li-based batteries are eagerly pursued because of the abundance and environmental benignity of iron, with especially great interest in polyanionic compounds because of their flexibility in tuning the Fe3+/Fe2+ redox potential. We report herein the synthesis and structure of a new Fe-based oxysulfate phase, Fe2O(SO4)(2), made at low temperature from abundant elements, which electrochemically reacts with nearly 1.6 Li atoms at an average voltage of 3.0 V versus Li+/Li, leading to a sustained reversible capacity of similar to 125 mAh/g. The Li insertiondeinsertion process, the first ever reported in any oxysulfate, entails complex phase transformations associated with the position of iron within the FeO6 octahedra. This finding opens a new path worth exploring in the quest for new positive electrode materials.
Keywords: A1 Journal article; Electron microscopy for materials research (EMAT)
Impact Factor: 13.858
Times cited: 11
DOI: 10.1021/ja505268y
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“Temporary cooling of quasiparticles and delay in voltage response of superconducting bridges after abruptly switching on the supercritical current”. Vodolazov DY, Peeters FM, Physical review : B : condensed matter and materials physics 90, 094504 (2014). http://doi.org/10.1103/PhysRevB.90.094504
Abstract: We revisit the problem of the dynamic response of a superconducting bridge after abruptly switching on the supercritical current. In contrast to previous theoretical works we take into account spatial gradients and use both the local temperature approach and the kinetic equation for the distribution function of quasiparticles. We find that the temperature dependence of the finite delay time t(d) in the voltage response is model dependent and relatively large t(d) is connected with temporary cooling of quasiparticles during decay of superconducting order parameter vertical bar Delta vertical bar in time. It turns out that the presence of even small inhomogeneities in the bridge or finite length of the homogenous bridge favors a local suppression of vertical bar Delta vertical bar during the dynamic response. It results in a decrease of the delay time, in comparison with the spatially uniform model, due to the diffusion of nonequilibrium quasiparticles from the region with locally suppressed vertical bar Delta vertical bar. In the case when the current density is maximal near the edge of a not very wide bridge the delay time is mainly connected with the time needed for the nucleation (entrance) of the first vortex and t(d) could be tuned by a weak external magnetic field. We also find that a short alternating current pulse (sinusoidlike) with zero time average may result in a nonzero time- averaged voltage response where its sign depends on the phase of the ac current.
Keywords: A1 Journal article; Condensed Matter Theory (CMT)
Impact Factor: 3.836
Times cited: 2
DOI: 10.1103/PhysRevB.90.094504
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“Spin- and valley-dependent magnetotransport in periodically modulated silicene”. Shakouri K, Vasilopoulos P, Vargiamidis V, Peeters FM, Physical review : B : condensed matter and materials physics 90, 125444 (2014). http://doi.org/10.1103/PhysRevB.90.125444
Abstract: The low-energy physics of silicene is described by Dirac fermions with a strong spin-orbit interaction and its band structure can be controlled by an external perpendicular electric field E-z. We investigate the commensurability oscillations in silicene modulated by a weak periodic potential V = V-0 cos(2 pi y/a(0)) with a(0) as its period, in the presence of a perpendicular magnetic field B and of a weak sinusoidal electric field E-z = E-0 cos(2 pi y/b(0)), where b(0) is its period. We show that the spin and valley degeneracy of the Landau levels is lifted, due to the modulation, and that the interplay between the strong spin-orbit interaction and the potential and electric field modulations can result in spin- and valley-resolved magnetotransport. At very weak magnetic fields the commensurability oscillations induced by a weak potential modulation can exhibit a beating pattern depending on the strength of the homogenous electric field Ez but this is not the case when only Ez is modulated. The Hall conductivity plateaus acquire a step structure, due to spin and valley intra-Landau-level transitions, that is absent in unmodulated silicene. The results are critically contrasted with those for graphene and the two-dimensional electron gas.
Keywords: A1 Journal article; Condensed Matter Theory (CMT)
Impact Factor: 3.836
Times cited: 31
DOI: 10.1103/PhysRevB.90.125444
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“Ag and Au atoms intercalated in bilayer heterostructures of transition metal dichalcogenides and graphene”. Iyikanat F, Sahin H, Senger RT, Peeters FM, APL materials 2, 092801 (2014). http://doi.org/10.1063/1.4893543
Abstract: The diffusive motion of metal nanoparticles Au and Ag on monolayer and between bilayer heterostructures of transition metal dichalcogenides and graphene are investigated in the framework of density functional theory. We found that the minimum energy barriers for diffusion and the possibility of cluster formation depend strongly on both the type of nanoparticle and the type of monolayers and bilayers. Moreover, the tendency to form clusters of Ag and Au can be tuned by creating various bilayers. Tunability of the diffusion characteristics of adatoms in van der Waals heterostructures holds promise for controllable growth of nanostructures. (C) 2014 Author(s). All article content, except where otherwise noted, is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution 3.0 Unported License.
Keywords: A1 Journal article; Engineering sciences. Technology; Condensed Matter Theory (CMT)
Impact Factor: 4.335
Times cited: 10
DOI: 10.1063/1.4893543
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“Oxygen-driven competition between low-dimensional structures of Sr3CoMO6 and Sr3CoMO7-\delta with M = Ru,Ir”. Mikhailova D, Reichel P, Tsirlin AA, Abakumov AM, Senyshyn A, Mogare KM, Schmidt M, Kuo CY, Pao CW, Pi TW, Lee JF, Hu Z, Tjeng LH;, Journal of the Chemical Society : Dalton transactions 43, 13883 (2014). http://doi.org/10.1039/c4dt01893a
Abstract: We have realized a reversible structure transformation of one-dimensional 1D K4CdCl6-type Sr3CoMO6 with the Co2+/M4+ cation ordering into the two-dimensional 2D double layered Ruddlesden-Popper structure Sr3CoMO7-delta with a random distribution of Co and M (with M = Ru, Ir) upon increasing the partial oxygen pressure. The combined soft and hard X-ray absorption spectroscopy studies show that under transformation, Co and M cations were oxidized to Co3+ and M5+. During oxidation, high-spin Co2+ in Sr3CoMO6 first transforms into high-spin Co3+ in oxygen-deficient Sr3CoMO7-delta, and then further transforms into low-spin Co3+ in fully oxidized Sr3CoMO7 upon further increasing the partial pressure of oxygen. The 1D Sr3CoMO6 compound is magnetically ordered at low temperatures with the magnetic moments lying along the c-axis. Their alignment is parallel for Sr3CoRuO6 and antiparallel for Sr3CoIrO6. The 2D compounds reveal a spin-glass-like behavior related to the random distribution of magnetic cations in the structure.
Keywords: A1 Journal article; Electron microscopy for materials research (EMAT)
Impact Factor: 4.029
Times cited: 7
DOI: 10.1039/c4dt01893a
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“Numerical characterization of local electrical breakdown in sub-micrometer metallized film capacitors”. Jiang W, Zhang Y, Bogaerts A, New journal of physics 16, 113036 (2014). http://doi.org/10.1088/1367-2630/16/11/113036
Abstract: In metallized film capacitors, there exists an air gap of about 0.2 μm between the films, with a pressure ranging generally from 130 atm. Because of the created potential difference between the two films, a microdischarge is formed in this gap. In this paper, we use an implicit particle-in-cell Monte Carlo collision simulation method to study the discharge properties in this direct-current microdischarge with 0.2 μm gap in a range of different voltages and pressures. The discharge process is significantly different from a conventional high pressure discharge. Indeed, the high electric field due to the small gap sustains the discharge by field emission. At low applied voltage (~15 V), only the electrons are generated by field emission, while both electrons and ions are generated as a stable glow discharge at medium applied voltage (~50 V). At still higher applied voltage (~100 V), the number of electrons and ions rapidly multiplies, the electric field reverses, and the discharge changes from a glow to an arc regime.
Keywords: A1 Journal article; Plasma Lab for Applications in Sustainability and Medicine – Antwerp (PLASMANT)
Impact Factor: 3.786
DOI: 10.1088/1367-2630/16/11/113036
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“Native point defects in CuIn1-xGaxSe2 : hybrid density functional calculations predict the origin of p- and n-type conductivity”. Bekaert J, Saniz R, Partoens B, Lamoen D, Physical chemistry, chemical physics 16, 22299 (2014). http://doi.org/10.1039/c4cp02870h
Abstract: We have performed a first-principles study of the p- and n-type conductivity in CuIn1−xGaxSe2 due to native point defects, based on the HSE06 hybrid functional. Band alignment shows that the band gap becomes larger with x due to the increasing conduction band minimum, rendering it hard to establish n-type conductivity in CuGaSe2. From the defect formation energies, we find that In/GaCu is a shallow donor, while VCu, VIn/Ga and CuIn/Ga act as shallow acceptors. Using the total charge neutrality of ionized defects and intrinsic charge carriers to determine the Fermi level, we show that under In-rich growth conditions InCu causes strongly n-type conductivity in CuInSe2. Under increasingly In-poor growth conditions, the conductivity type in CuInSe2 alters to p-type and compensation of the acceptors by InCu reduces, as also observed in photoluminescence experiments. In CuGaSe2, the native acceptors pin the Fermi level far away from the conduction band minimum, thus inhibiting n-type conductivity. On the other hand, CuGaSe2 shows strong p-type conductivity under a wide range of Ga-poor growth conditions. Maximal p-type conductivity in CuIn1−xGaxSe2 is reached under In/Ga-poor growth conditions, in agreement with charge concentration measurements on samples with In/Ga-poor stoichiometry, and is primarily due to the dominant acceptor CuIn/Ga.
Keywords: A1 Journal article; Electron microscopy for materials research (EMAT); Condensed Matter Theory (CMT)
Impact Factor: 4.123
Times cited: 43
DOI: 10.1039/c4cp02870h
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“Lattice deformations in quasi-dynamic strain glass visualised and quantified by aberration corrected electron microscopy”. Lu J, Martinez GT, Van Aert S, Schryvers D, Physica status solidi: B: basic research 251, 2034 (2014). http://doi.org/10.1002/pssb.201350351
Abstract: Advanced transmission electron microscopy and statistical parameter estimated quantification procedures were applied to study the room temperature quasi-dynamical strain glass state in NiTi alloys. Nanosized strain pockets are visualised and the displacements of the atom columns are quantified. A comparison is made with conventional high-resolution transmission electron microscopy images of point defect induced strains in NiAl alloys.
Keywords: A1 Journal article; Electron microscopy for materials research (EMAT)
Impact Factor: 1.674
Times cited: 2
DOI: 10.1002/pssb.201350351
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“On the time scale associated with Monte Carlo simulations”. Bal KM, Neyts EC, The journal of chemical physics 141, 204104 (2014). http://doi.org/10.1063/1.4902136
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.
Keywords: A1 Journal article; Plasma Lab for Applications in Sustainability and Medicine – Antwerp (PLASMANT)
Impact Factor: 2.965
Times cited: 26
DOI: 10.1063/1.4902136
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“Towards Novel Multifunctional Pillared Nanostructures: Effective Intercalation of Adamantylamine in Graphene Oxide and Smectite Clays”. Spyrou K, Potsi G, Diamanti EK, Ke X, Serestatidou E, Verginadis II, Velalopoulou AP, Evangelou AM, Deligiannakis Y, Van Tendeloo G, Gournis D, Rudolf P;, Advanced functional materials 24, 5841 (2014). http://doi.org/10.1002/adfm.201400975
Abstract: Multifunctional pillared materials are synthesized by the intercalation of cage-shaped adamantylamine (ADMA) molecules into the interlayer space of graphite oxide (GO) and aluminosilicate clays. The physicochemical and structural properties of these hybrids, determined by X-ray diffraction (XRD), Fourier transform infrared (FTIR), Raman and X-ray photoemission (XPS) spectroscopies and transmission electron microscopy (TEM) show that they can serve as tunable hydrophobic/hydrophilic and stereospecific nanotemplates. Thus, in ADMA-pillared clay hybrids, the phyllomorphous clay provides a hydrophilic nanoenvironment where the local hydrophobicity is modulated by the presence of ADMA moieties. On the other hand, in the ADMA-GO hybrid, both the aromatic rings of GO sheets and the ADMA molecules define a hydrophobic nanoenvironment where sp(3)-oxo moieties (epoxy, hydroxyl and carboxyl groups), present on GO, modulate hydrophilicity. As test applications, these pillared nanostructures are capable of selective/stereospecific trapping of small chlorophenols or can act as cytotoxic agents.
Keywords: A1 Journal article; Engineering sciences. Technology; Electron microscopy for materials research (EMAT)
Impact Factor: 12.124
Times cited: 19
DOI: 10.1002/adfm.201400975
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“On the Origin of Damped Electrochemical Oscillations at Silicon Anodes (Revisited)”. Proost J, Blaffart F, Turner S, Idrissi H, ChemPhysChem : a European journal of chemical physics and physical chemistry 15, 3116 (2014). http://doi.org/10.1002/cphc.201402207
Abstract: Electrochemical oscillations accompanying the formation of anodic silica have been shown in the past to be correlated with rather abrupt changes in the mechanical stress state of the silica film, commonly associated with some kind of fracture or porosification of the oxide. To advance the understanding on the origin of such oscillations in fluoride-free electrolytes, we have revisited a seminal experiment reported by Lehmann almost two decades ago. We thereby demonstrate that the oscillations are not stress-induced, and do not originate from a morphological transformation of the oxide in the course of anodisation. Alternatively, the mechanical features accompanying the oscillations can be explained by a partial relaxation of the field-induced electrostrictive stress. Furthermore, our observations suggest that the oscillation mechanism more likely results from a periodic depolarisation of the anodic silica.
Keywords: A1 Journal article; Electron microscopy for materials research (EMAT)
Impact Factor: 3.075
Times cited: 5
DOI: 10.1002/cphc.201402207
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“Three-dimensional characterization of noble-metal nanoparticles and their assemblies by electron tomography”. Bals S, Goris B, Liz-Marzan LM, Van Tendeloo G, Angewandte Chemie: international edition in English 53, 10600 (2014). http://doi.org/10.1002/anie.201401059
Abstract: New developments in the field of nanomaterials drive the need for quantitative characterization techniques that yield information down to the atomic scale. In this Review, we focus on the three-dimensional investigations of metal nanoparticles and their assemblies by electron tomography. This technique has become a versatile tool to understand the connection between the properties and structure or composition of nanomaterials. The different steps of an electron tomography experiment are discussed and we show how quantitative three-dimensional information can be obtained even at the atomic scale.
Keywords: A1 Journal article; Electron microscopy for materials research (EMAT)
Impact Factor: 11.994
Times cited: 58
DOI: 10.1002/anie.201401059
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“Monolayers of MoS2 as an oxidation protective nanocoating material”. Sen HS, Sahin H, Peeters FM, Durgun E, Journal of applied physics 116, 083508 (2014). http://doi.org/10.1063/1.4893790
Abstract: First-principle calculations are employed to investigate the interaction of oxygen with ideal and defective MoS2 monolayers. Our calculations show that while oxygen atoms are strongly bound on top of sulfur atoms, the oxygen molecule only weakly interacts with the surface. The penetration of oxygen atoms and molecules through a defect-free MoS2 monolayer is prevented by a very high diffusion barrier indicating that MoS2 can serve as a protective layer for oxidation. The analysis is extended to WS2 and similar coating characteristics are obtained. Our calculations indicate that ideal and continuous MoS2 and WS2 monolayers can improve the oxidation and corrosion-resistance of the covered surface and can be considered as an efficient nanocoating material. (C) 2014 Author(s). All article content, except where otherwise noted, is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution 3.0 Unported License.
Keywords: A1 Journal article; Condensed Matter Theory (CMT)
Impact Factor: 2.068
Times cited: 52
DOI: 10.1063/1.4893790
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“Thermodynamics at the nanoscale: phase diagrams of nickel-carbon nanoclusters and equilibrium constants for phase transitions”. Engelmann, Bogaerts A, Neyts EC, Nanoscale 6, 11981 (2014). http://doi.org/10.1039/c4nr02354d
Abstract: Using reactive molecular dynamics simulations, the melting behavior of nickel-carbon nanoclusters is examined. The phase diagrams of icosahedral and Wulff polyhedron clusters are determined using both the Lindemann index and the potential energy. Formulae are derived for calculating the equilibrium constants and the solid and liquid fractions during a phase transition, allowing more rational determination of the melting temperature with respect to the arbitrary Lindemann value. These results give more insight into the properties of nickel-carbon nanoclusters in general and can specifically be very useful for a better understanding of the synthesis of carbon nanotubes using the catalytic chemical vapor deposition method.
Keywords: A1 Journal article; Engineering sciences. Technology; Plasma Lab for Applications in Sustainability and Medicine – Antwerp (PLASMANT)
Impact Factor: 7.367
Times cited: 20
DOI: 10.1039/c4nr02354d
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“Visible light activated room temperature gas sensors based on nanocrystalline ZnO sensitized with CdSe quantum dots”. Chizhov AS, Rumyantseva MN, Vasiliev RB, Filatova DG, Drozdov KA, Krylov IV, Abakumov AM, Gaskov AM, Sensors and actuators : B : chemical 205, 305 (2014). http://doi.org/10.1016/j.snb.2014.08.091
Abstract: This work reports the study of photoconductivity and visible light activated room temperature gas sensors properties of nanocrystalline ZnO thick films sensitized with colloidal CdSe quantum dots (QDs). Nanocrystalline zinc oxide (ZnO) was synthesized by the precipitation method. Colloidal CdSe quantum dots were obtained by high temperature colloidal synthesis. Sensitization was effectuated by three different procedures including direct adsorption of CdSe QDs stabilized with oleic acid on ZnO surface, anchoring to the ZnO surface through a bifunctional molecule of mercaptopropionic acid (MPA), and coating of CdSe QDs with a monolayer of MPA with subsequent adsorption on ZnO surface. Sensor measurements demonstrated that obtained QD CdSe/ZnO nanocomposites can be used for NO2 detection under visible (green) light illumination at room temperature without any thermal heating. (C) 2014 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.
Keywords: A1 Journal article; Electron microscopy for materials research (EMAT)
Impact Factor: 5.401
Times cited: 36
DOI: 10.1016/j.snb.2014.08.091
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“Dynamical effects in strain measurements by dark-field electron holography”. Javon E, Lubk, Cours R, Reboh S, Cherkashin N, Houdellier F, Gatel C, Hytch MJ, Ultramicroscopy 147, 70 (2014). http://doi.org/10.1016/j.ultramic.2014.06.005
Abstract: Here, we study the effect of dynamic scattering on the projected geometric phase and strain maps reconstructed using dark-field electron holography (DFEH) for non-uniformly strained crystals. The investigated structure consists of a {SiGe/Si} superlattice grown on a (001)-Si substrate. The three dimensional strain held within the thin TEM lamella is modelled by the finite element method. The observed projected strain is simulated in two ways by multiplying the strain at each depth in the crystal by a weighting function determined from a recently developed analytical two-beam dynamical theory, and by simply taking the average value. We demonstrate that the experimental results need to be understood in terms of the dynamical theory and good agreement is found between the experimental and simulated results. Discrepancies do remain for certain cases and are likely to be from an imprecision in the actual two-beam diffraction conditions, notably the deviation parameter, and points to limitations in the 2-beam approximation. Finally, a route towards a 3D reconstruction of strain fields is proposed. (C) 2014 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.
Keywords: A1 Journal article; Electron microscopy for materials research (EMAT)
Impact Factor: 2.843
Times cited: 10
DOI: 10.1016/j.ultramic.2014.06.005
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“Pressure-Collapsed Amorphous Mg(BH4)(2): An Ultradense Complex Hydride Showing a Reversible Transition to the Porous Framework”. Ban V, Soloninin AV, Skripov AV, Hadermann J, Abakumov A, Filinchuk Y, The journal of physical chemistry: C : nanomaterials and interfaces 118, 23402 (2014). http://doi.org/10.1021/jp507286m
Abstract: Hydrogen-storage properties of complex hydrides depend of their form, such as a polymorphic form or an eutectic mixture. This Paper reports on an easy and reproducible way to synthesize a new stable form of magnesium borohydride by pressure-induced collapse of the porous gamma-Mg(BH4)(2). This amorphous complex hydride was investigated by temperature-programmed synchrotron X-ray diffraction (SXRD), transmission electron microscopy (TEM), thermogravimetric analysis, differential scanning calorimetry analysis, and Raman spectroscopy, and the dynamics of the BH4 reorientation was studied by spinlattice relaxation NMR spectroscopy. No long-range order is observed in the lattice region by Raman spectroscopy, while the internal vibration modes of the BH4 groups are the same as in the crystalline state. A hump at 4.9 angstrom in the SXRD pattern suggests the presence of nearly linear MgBH4 Mg fragments constituting all the known crystalline polymorphs of Mg(BH4)(2), which are essentially frameworks built of tetrahedral Mg nodes and linear BH4 linkers. TEM shows that the pressure-collapsed phase is amorphous down to the nanoscale, but surprisingly, SXRD reveals a transition at similar to 90 degrees C from the dense amorphous state (density of 0.98 g/cm(3)) back to the porous ? phase having only 0.55 g/cm(3) crystal density. The crystallization is slightly exothermic, with the enthalpy of -4.3 kJ/mol. The volumetric hydrogen density of the amorphous form is 145 g/L, one of the highest among hydrides. Remarkably, this form of Mg(BH4)2 has different reactivity compared to the crystalline forms. The parameters of the reorientational motion of BH4 groups in the amorphous Mg(BH4)(2) found from NMR measurements differ significantly from those in the known crystalline forms. The behavior of the nuclear spinlattice relaxation rates can be described in terms of a Gaussian distribution of the activation energies centered on 234 +/- 9 meV with the dispersion of 100 +/- 10 meV.
Keywords: A1 Journal article; Engineering sciences. Technology; Electron microscopy for materials research (EMAT)
Impact Factor: 4.536
Times cited: 23
DOI: 10.1021/jp507286m
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“Sr21Bi8Cu2(CO3)(2)O-41, a Bi5+ Oxycarbonate with an Original 10L Structure”. Malo S, Abakumov AM, Daturi M, Pelloquin D, Van Tendeloo G, Guesdon A, Hervieu M, Inorganic chemistry 53, 10266 (2014). http://doi.org/10.1021/ic501322w
Abstract: The layered structure of Sr21Bi8Cu2(CO3)(2)O-41 (Z = 2) was determined by transmission electron microscopy, infrared spectroscopy, and powder X-ray diffraction refinement in space group P6(3)/mcm (No. 194), with a = 10.0966(3)angstrom and c = 26.3762(5)angstrom. This original 10L-type structure is built from two structural blocks, namely, [Sr15Bi6Cu2(CO3)O-29] and [Sr6Bi2(CO3)O-12]. The Bi5+ cations form [Bi2O10] dimers, whereas the Cu2+ and C atoms occupy infinite tunnels running along (c) over right arrow. The nature of the different blocks and layers is discussed with regard to the existing hexagonal layered compounds. Sr21Bi8Cu2(CO3)(2)O-41 is insulating and paramagnetic.
Keywords: A1 Journal article; Electron microscopy for materials research (EMAT)
Impact Factor: 4.857
DOI: 10.1021/ic501322w
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“Interplay between snake and quantum edge states in a graphene Hall bar with a pn-junction”. Milovanović, SP, Masir MR, Peeters FM, Applied physics letters 105, 123507 (2014). http://doi.org/10.1063/1.4896769
Abstract: The magneto- and Hall resistance of a locally gated cross shaped graphene Hall bar is calculated. The edge of the top gate is placed diagonally across the center of the Hall cross. Four-probe resistance is calculated using the Landauer-Büttiker formalism, while the transmission coefficients are obtained using the non-equilibrium Green's function approach. The interplay between transport due to edge channels and snake states is investigated. When two edge channels are occupied, we predict oscillations in the Hall and the bend resistance as function of the magnetic field, which are a consequence of quantum interference between the occupied snake states.
Keywords: A1 Journal article; Condensed Matter Theory (CMT)
Impact Factor: 3.411
Times cited: 18
DOI: 10.1063/1.4896769
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