Abstract: The design of eco-friendly electrocatalysts for ethanol valorization is an open challenge towards sustainable hydrogen production. Herein we present an original fabrication route to effective electrocatalysts for the ethanol oxidation reaction (EOR). In particular, hierarchical MnO(2)nanostructures are grown on high-area nickel foam scaffolds by a plasma-assisted strategy and functionalized with low amounts of optimally dispersed Au nanoparticles. This strategy leads to catalysts with a unique morphology, designed to enhance reactant-surface contacts and maximize active site utilization. The developed nanoarchitectures show superior performances for ethanol oxidation in alkaline media. We reveal that Au decoration boosts MnO(2)catalytic activity by inducing pre-dissociation and pre-oxidation of the adsorbed ethanol molecules. This evidence validates our strategy as an effective route for the development of green electrocatalysts for efficient electrical-to-chemical energy conversion.

Abstract: Fast pixelated detectors incorporating direct electron detection (DED) technology are increasingly being regarded as universal detectors for scanning transmission electron microscopy (STEM), capable of imaging under multiple modes of operation. However, several issues remain around the post-acquisition processing and visualization of the often very large multidimensional STEM datasets produced by them. We discuss these issues and present open source software libraries to enable efficient processing and visualization of such datasets. Throughout, we provide examples of the analysis methodologies presented, utilizing data from a 256 x 256 pixel Medipix3 hybrid DED detector, with a particular focus on the STEM characterization of the structural properties of materials. These include the techniques of virtual detector imaging; higher-order Laue zone analysis; nanobeam electron diffraction; and scanning precession electron diffraction. In the latter, we demonstrate a nanoscale lattice parameter mapping with a fractional precision <= 6 x 10(-4) (0.06%).

Abstract: Conventional CO2 separation in the petrochemical industry via cryogenic distillation or amine-based absorber-stripper units is energy-intensive and environmentally unfriendly. Membrane-based gas separation technology, in contrast, has contributed significantly to the development of energy-efficient systems for processes such as natural gas purification. The implementation of commercial polymeric membranes in gas separation processes is restricted by their permeability-selectivity trade-off and by their insufficient thermal and chemical stability. Herein, we present the fabrication of a Matrimid-based membrane loaded with a breathing metal-organic framework (MOF) (NH2-MIL-53(Al)) which is capable of separating binary CO2/CH4 gas mixtures with high selectivities without sacrificing much of its CO2 permeabilities. NH2-MIL-53(Al) crystals were embedded in a polyimide (PI) matrix, and the mixed-matrix membranes (MMMs) were treated at elevated temperatures (up to 350 degrees C) in air to trigger PI cross-linking and to create PI-MOF bonds at the interface to effectively seal the grain boundary. Most importantly, the MOF transitions from its narrow-pore form to its large-pore form during this treatment, which allows the PI chains to partly penetrate the pores and cross-link with the amino functions at the pore mouth of the NH2-MIL-53(Al) and stabilizes the open-pore form of NH2-MIL-53(Al). This cross-linked MMM, with MOF pore entrances was made more selective by the anchored PI-chains and achieves outstanding CO2/CH4 selectivities. This approach provides significant advancement toward the design of selective MMMs with enhanced thermal and chemical stabilities which could also be applicable for other potential applications, such as separation of hydrocarbons (olefin/paraffin or isomers), pervaporation, and solvent-resistant nanofiltration.

Abstract: Indium oxide based transparent conductive oxides (TCOs) are promising contact layers in solar cells due to their outstanding electrical and optical properties. However, when applied in Cu(In,Ga)Se-2 or Si-hetero-junction solar cells the specific roughness of the material beneath can affect the growth and the properties of the TCO. We investigated the electrical properties of hydrogen doped and hydrogen-tungsten co-doped indium oxides grown on rough Cu(In,Ga)Se-2 samples as well as on textured and planar glass. At sharp ridges and V-shaped valleys crack-shaped voids form inside the indium oxide films, which limit the effective electron mobility of the In2O3:H and In2O3:H,W thin films. This was found for films deposited by magnetron sputtering and reactive plasma deposition at several deposition parameters, before as well as after annealing and solid phase crystallization. This suggests universal behavior that will have a wide impact on solar cell devices.

Abstract: In the present work, the Cu-poor and Sn-rich CZTS thin films were prepared in order to study the volatility of Sn with respect to other components. Thin film compositions were kept intentionally Sn-rich to understand the behaviour of loss and segregation of Sn during sulphurization. The homogeneous composition distribution in precursor thin films turns heterogeneous with a change in morphology after sulphurization. The inability of identifying nanoscale secondary phases in CZTS thin film by conventional analytical techniques such as XRD and Raman, can be fulfilled by employing HAADF-STEM analysis. XPS and HAADF-STEM analyses provide the quantification of nanoscale secondary phases across the thin film and surface, respectively. The volatility of Sn was revealed in the form of segregation in the middle layer of CZTS cross-sectional lamella rather than loss to annealing atmosphere. It was observed that among the cations of CZTS, Sn segregates more than Cu, while Zn segregates least. The nanoscale spurious phases were observed to vary across different regions in the sulphurized CZTS sample. The reactive annealing lead to grain growth and formation of grain boundary features in the CZTS thin films, where annealing significantly modifies the potential difference and band bending at grain boundaries with respect to intra-grains.

Abstract: We report the colloidal synthesis of a series of surfactant-stabilized lead chalcohalide nanocrystals. Our work is mainly focused on Pb4S3Br2, a chalcohalide phase unknown to date that does not belong to the ambient-pressure PbS-PbBr2 phase diagram. The Pb4S3Br2 nanocrystals herein feature a remarkably narrow size distribution (with a size dispersion as low as 5%), a good size tunability (from 7 to similar to 30 nm), an indirect bandgap, photoconductivity (responsivity = 4 +/- 1 mA/W), and stability for months in air. A crystal structure is proposed for this new material by combining the information from 3D electron diffraction and electron tomography of a single nanocrystal, X-ray powder diffraction, and density functional theory calculations. Such a structure is closely related to that of the recently discovered high-pressure chalcohalide Pb4S3I2 phase, and indeed we were able to extend our synthesis scheme to Pb4S3I2 colloidal nanocrystals, whose structure matches the one that has been published for the bulk. Finally, we could also prepare nanocrystals of Pb3S2Cl2, which proved to be a structural analogue of the recently reported bulk Pb3Se2Br2 phase. It is remarkable that one high-pressure structure (for Pb4S3I2) and two metastable structures that had not yet been reported (for Pb4S3Br2 and Pb3S2Cl2) can be prepared on the nanoscale by wet-chemical approaches. This highlights the important role of colloidal chemistry in the discovery of new materials and motivates further exploration into metal chalcohalide nanocrystals.

Abstract: While graphite has limited capacity as an anode material for potassium-ion batteries, nitrogen-doped carbon materials are more promising as extra capacity can usually be produced. However, the mechanism behind the origin of the extra capacity remains largely unclear. Here, the potassium storage mechanisms have been systematically studied in freestanding and porous N-doped carbon nanofibers with an additional similar to 100 mA h g(-1)discharge capacity at 0.1 A g(-1). The extra capacity is generated in the whole voltage window range from 0.01 to 2 V, which corresponds to both surface/interface K-ion absorptions due to the pyridinic N and pyrrolic N induced atomic vacancies and layer-by-layer intercalation due to the effects of graphitic N. As revealed by transmission electron microscopy, the N-doped samples have a clear and enhanced K-intercalation reaction. Theoretical calculations confirmed that the micropores with pyridinic N and pyrrolic N provide extra sites to form bonds with K, resulting in the extra capacity at high voltage. The chemical absorption of K-ions occurring inside the defective graphitic layer will prompt fast diffusion of K-ions and full realization of the intercalation capacity at low voltage. The approach of preparing N-doped carbon-based materials and the mechanism revealed by this work provide directions for the development of advanced materials for efficient energy storage.

Abstract: Traditionally, direct imaging of atom diffusion is only available by scanning tunneling microscopy and field ion microscopy on geometry-constrained samples: flat surfaces for STM and needle tips for FIM. Here we show time-resolved atomic-scale HRTEM investigations of CeO2-supported Au nanoparticle surfaces to characterize the surface dynamics of atom columns on gold nanoparticles. The observed surface dynamics have been categorized into four types: layer jumping, layer gliding, re-orientation and surface reconstruction. We successfully captured atoms moving in a concerted manner with a time resolution of 0.1 s. A quantitative approach for measuring the dynamics in various gaseous surroundings at elevated temperatures is presented. An approach for measuring quantitative electron beam effects on the surface dynamics is presented by counting atom column occupation as a function of time under a range of dose rates in high vacuum.

Abstract: Janus nanoparticles offer enormous possibilities through a binary selective functionalization and dual properties. Their self-assembly has attracted strong interest due to their potential as building blocks to obtain molecular colloids, supracrystals and well-organized nanostructures that can lead to new functionalities. However, this self-assembly has been focused on relatively simple symmetrical morphologies, while for complex nanostructures this process has been unexplored. Here, we study the assembly of plasmonic-magnetic Janus nanoparticles with a branched (nanostar) – sphere morphology. The branched morphology enhances their plasmonic properties in the near-infrared region and therefore their applicability, but at the same time constrains their self-assembly capabilities to obtain more organized or functional suprastructures. We describe the self-assembly of these nanoparticles after amphiphilic functionalization. The role of the nanoparticle branching, as well as the size of the polymer-coating, is explored. We show how the use of large molecular weight stabilizing polymers can overcome the anisotropy of the nanoparticles producing a change in the morphology from small clusters to larger quasi-cylindrical nanostructures. Finally, the Janus nanoparticles are functionalized with a thermo-responsive elastin-like recombinamer. These nanoparticles undergo reversible self-assembly in the presence of free polymer giving rise to nanoparticle-stabilized nanogel-like structures with controlled size, providing the possibility to expand their applicability to multi-stimuli controlled self-assembly.

Abstract: We used atom probe tomography to complement electron microscopy for the investigation of spinodal decomposition in alkali feldspar. To this end, gem-quality alkali feldspar of intermediate composition with a mole fraction of a(K) = 0.43 of the K end-member was prepared from Madagascar orthoclase by ion-exchange with (NaK)Cl molten salt. During subsequent annealing at 550 degrees C and close to ambient pressure the ion-exchanged orthoclase unmixed producing a coherent lamellar intergrowth of Na-rich and K-rich lamellae. The chemical separation was completed, and equilibrium Na-K partitioning between the different lamellae was attained within four days, which was followed by microstructural coarsening. After annealing for 4 days, the wavelength of the lamellar microstructure was approximate to 17 nm and it increased to approximate to 30 nm after annealing for 16 days. The observed equilibrium compositions of the Na-rich and K-rich lamellae are in reasonable agreement with an earlier experimental determination of the coherent solvus. The excess energy associated with compositional gradients at the lamellar interfaces was quantified from the initial wavelength of the lamellar microstructure and the lamellar compositions as obtained from atom probe tomography using the Cahn-Hilliard theory. The capability of atom probe tomography to deliver quantitative chemical compositions at nm resolution opens new perspectives for studying the early stages of exsolution. In particular, it helps to shed light on the phase relations in nm scaled coherent intergrowth.

Abstract: Many phase transformations associated with solid-state precipitation look structurally simple, yet, inexplicably, take place with great difficulty. A classic case of difficult phase transformations is the nucleation of strengthening precipitates in high-strength lightweight aluminium alloys. Here, using a combination of atomic-scale imaging, simulations and classical nucleation theory calculations, we investigate the nucleation of the strengthening phase theta' onto a template structure in the aluminium-copper alloy system. We show that this transformation can be promoted in samples exhibiting at least one nanoscale dimension, with extremely high nucleation rates for the strengthening phase as well as for an unexpected phase. This template-directed solid-state nucleation pathway is enabled by the large influx of surface vacancies that results from heating a nanoscale solid. Template-directed nucleation is replicated in a bulk alloy as well as under electron irradiation, implying that this difficult transformation can be facilitated under the general condition of sustained excess vacancy concentrations.

Abstract: Solid-state ion conductors based on closo-polyborate anions combine high ionic conductivity with a rich array of tunable properties. Cation mobility in these systems is intimately related to the strength of the interaction with the neighboring anionic network and the energy for reorganizing the coordination polyhedra. Here, we explore such factors in solid electrolytes with two anions of the weakest coordinating ability, [HCB11H5Cl6](-) and [HCB11H5Br6](-), and a total of 11 polymorphs are identified for their lithium and sodium salts. Our approach combines ab initio molecular dynamics, synchrotron X-ray powder diffraction, differential scanning calorimetry, and AC impedance measurements to investigate their structures, phase-transition behavior, anion orientational mobilities, and ionic conductivities. We find that M(HCB11H5X6) (M = Li, Na, X = Cl, Br) compounds exhibit order-disorder polymorphic transitions between 203 and 305 degrees C and display Li and Na superionic conductivity in the disordered state. Through detailed analysis, we illustrate how cation disordering in these compounds originates from a competitive interplay among the lattice symmetry, the anion reorientational mobility, the geometric and electronic asymmetry of the anion, and the polarizability of the halogen atoms. These factors are compared to other closo-polyborate-based ion conductors to suggest guidelines for optimizing the cation-anion interaction for fast ion mobility. This study expands the known solid-state poly(carba)borate-based materials capable of liquid-like ionic conductivities, unravels the mechanisms responsible for fast ion transport, and provides insights into the development of practical superionic solid electrolytes.

Abstract: Following an extensive investigation of various monolayer transition metal dichalcogenides (MX2), research interest has expanded to include multilayer systems. In bilayer MX2, the stacking order strongly impacts the local band structure as it dictates the local confinement and symmetry. Determination of stacking order in multilayer MX(2)domains usually relies on prior knowledge of in-plane orientations of constituent layers. This is only feasible in case of growth resulting in well-defined triangular domains and not useful in-case of closed layers with hexagonal or irregularly shaped islands. Stacking order can be discerned in the reciprocal space by measuring changes in diffraction peak intensities. Advances in detector technology allow fast acquisition of high-quality four-dimensional datasets which can later be processed to extract useful information such as thickness, orientation, twist and strain. Here, we use 4D scanning transmission electron microscopy combined with multislice diffraction simulations to unravel stacking order in epitaxially grown bilayer MoS2. Machine learning based data segmentation is employed to obtain useful statistics on grain orientation of monolayer and stacking in bilayer MoS2.

Abstract: Electron tomography (ET) has become a well-established technique to visualize nanomaterials in three dimensions. A vast richness in information can be gained by ET, but the conventional acquisition of a tomography series is an inherently slow process on the order of 1 h. The slow acquisition limits the applicability of ET for monitoring dynamic processes or visualizing nanoparticles, which are sensitive to the electron beam. In this Perspective, we summarize recent work on the development of emerging experimental and computational schemes to enhance the data acquisition process. We particularly focus on the application of these fast ET techniques for beam-sensitive materials and highlight insight into dynamic transformations of nanoparticles under external stimuli, which could be gained by fast in situ ET. Moreover, we discuss challenges and possible solutions for simultaneously increasing the speed and quality of fast ET.

Abstract: Various strategies have been proposed to engineer the band gap of metal halide perovskite nanocrystals (NCs) while preserving their structure and composition and thus ensuring spectral stability of the emission color. An aspect that has only been marginally investigated is how the type of surface passivation influences the structural/color stability of AMX3 perovskite NCs composed of two different M2+ cations. Here, we report the synthesis of blue-emitting Cs-oleate capped CsCdxPb1–xBr3 NCs, which exhibit a cubic perovskite phase containing Cd-rich domains of Ruddlesden–Popper phases (RP phases). The RP domains spontaneously transform into pure orthorhombic perovskite ones upon NC aging, and the emission color of the NCs shifts from blue to green over days. On the other hand, postsynthesis ligand exchange with various Cs-carboxylate or ammonium bromide salts, right after NC synthesis, provides monocrystalline NCs with cubic phase, highlighting the metastability of RP domains. When NCs are treated with Cs-carboxylates (including Cs-oleate), most of the Cd2+ ions are expelled from NCs upon aging, and the NCs phase evolves from cubic to orthorhombic and their emission color changes from blue to green. Instead, when NCs are coated with ammonium bromides, the loss of Cd2+ ions is suppressed and the NCs tend to retain their blue emission (both in colloidal dispersions and in electroluminescent devices), as well as their cubic phase, over time. The improved compositional and structural stability in the latter cases is ascribed to the saturation of surface vacancies, which may act as channels for the expulsion of Cd2+ ions from NCs.