“Membrane amplitude and triaxial stress in twisted bilayer graphene deciphered using first-principles directed elasticity theory and scanning tunneling microscopy”. Neek-Amal M, Xu P, Qi D, Thibado PM, Nyakiti LO, Wheeler VD, Myers-Ward RL, Eddy CR, Gaskill DK, Peeters FM, Physical review : B : condensed matter and materials physics 90, 064101 (2014). http://doi.org/10.1103/PhysRevB.90.064101
Abstract: Twisted graphene layers produce a moire pattern (MP) structure with a predetermined wavelength for a given twist angle. However, predicting the membrane corrugation amplitude for any angle other than pure AB-stacked or AA-stacked graphene is impossible using first-principles density functional theory (DFT) due to the large supercell. Here, within elasticity theory, we define the MP structure as the minimum-energy configuration, thereby leaving the height amplitude as the only unknown parameter. The latter is determined from DFT calculations for AB-and AA-stacked bilayer graphene in order to eliminate all fitting parameters. Excellent agreement with scanning tunneling microscopy results across multiple substrates is reported as a function of twist angle.
Keywords: A1 Journal article; Condensed Matter Theory (CMT)
Impact Factor: 3.836
Times cited: 12
DOI: 10.1103/PhysRevB.90.064101
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“Spin and valley polarization of plasmons in silicene due to external fields”. Van Duppen B, Vasilopoulos P, Peeters FM, Physical review : B : condensed matter and materials physics 90, 035142 (2014). http://doi.org/10.1103/PhysRevB.90.035142
Abstract: The electronic properties of the two-dimensional material silicene are strongly influenced by the application of a perpendicular electric field E-z and of an exchange field M due to adatoms positioned on the surface or a ferromagnetic substrate. Within the random phase approximation, we investigate how electron-electron interactions are affected by these fields and present analytical and numerical results for the dispersion of plasmons, their lifetime, and their oscillator strength. We find that the combination of the fields E-z and M brings a spin and valley texture to the particle-hole excitation spectrum and allows the formation of spin-and valley-polarized plasmons. When the Fermi level lies in the gap of one spin in one valley, the intraband region of the corresponding spectrum disappears. For zero E-z and finite M the spin symmetry is broken and spin polarization is possible. The lifetime and oscillator strength of the plasmons are shown to depend strongly on the number of spin and valley type electrons that form the electron-hole pairs.
Keywords: A1 Journal article; Condensed Matter Theory (CMT)
Impact Factor: 3.836
Times cited: 49
DOI: 10.1103/PhysRevB.90.035142
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“Enhanced self-assembly of metal oxides and metal-organic frameworks from precursors with magnetohydrodynamically induced long-lived collective spin states”. Breynaert E, Emmerich J, Mustafa D, Bajpe SR, Altantzis T, Van Havenbergh K, Taulelle F, Bals S, Van Tendeloo G, Kirschhock CEA, Martens JA;, Advanced materials 26, 5173 (2014). http://doi.org/10.1002/adma.201400835
Abstract: Magneto-hydrodynamic generation of long-lived collective spin states and their impact on crystal morphology is demonstrated for three different, technologically relevant materials: COK-16 metal organic framework, manganese oxide nanotubes, and vanadium oxide nano-scrolls.
Keywords: A1 Journal article; Engineering sciences. Technology; Electron microscopy for materials research (EMAT)
Impact Factor: 19.791
Times cited: 7
DOI: 10.1002/adma.201400835
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“Electrochemical photodegradation study of semiconductor pigments : influence of environmental parameters”. Anaf W, Trashin S, Schalm O, van Dorp D, Janssens K, De Wael K, Analytical chemistry 86, 9742 (2014). http://doi.org/10.1021/AC502303Z
Abstract: Chemical transformations in paintings often induce discolorations, disturbing the appearance of the image. For an appropriate conservation of such valuable and irreplaceable heritage objects, it is important to have a good know-how on the degradation processes of the (historical) materials: which pigments have been discolored, what are the responsible processes, and which (environmental) conditions have the highest impact on the pigment degradation and should be mitigated. Pigment degradation is already widely studied, either by analyzing historical samples or by accelerated weathering experiments on dummies. However, in historic samples several processes may have taken place, increasing the complexity of the current state, while aging experiments are time-consuming due to the often extended aging period. An alternative method is proposed for a fast monitoring of degradation processes of semiconductor pigments, using an electrochemical setup mimicking the real environment and allowing the identification of harmful environmental parameters for each pigment. Examples are given for the pigments cadmium yellow (CdS) and vermilion (α-HgS).
Keywords: A1 Journal article; AXES (Antwerp X-ray Analysis, Electrochemistry and Speciation); Antwerp Cultural Heritage Sciences (ARCHES)
Impact Factor: 6.32
Times cited: 18
DOI: 10.1021/AC502303Z
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“Understanding the (in)stability of semiconductor pigments by a thermodynamic approach”. Anaf W, Schalm O, Janssens K, De Wael K, Dyes and pigments 113, 409 (2015). http://doi.org/10.1016/J.DYEPIG.2014.09.015
Abstract: Several artists pigments are semiconductors. Some of these materials appear stable over time, whereas others already show remarkable signs of degradation after limited time periods. The (in)stability of these pigments can be understood using a thermodynamic approach. For several pigment-related materials, the thermodynamic oxidation and reduction potential (ϕox and ϕred) were determined and evaluated considering the absolute energy positions of the valence and conduction band edges and the water redox potentials. The positions of ϕox and ϕred can be used in a fast screening of the stability of semiconductor pigments towards photoinduced corrosion in an aqueous/humid environment. This theoretical approach corresponds well with experimental data on pigment permanence and degradation phenomena found in literature.
Keywords: A1 Journal article; AXES (Antwerp X-ray Analysis, Electrochemistry and Speciation); Antwerp Cultural Heritage Sciences (ARCHES)
Impact Factor: 3.473
Times cited: 14
DOI: 10.1016/J.DYEPIG.2014.09.015
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“Modeling and experimental study of trichloroethylene abatement with a negative direct current corona discharge”. Vandenbroucke AM, Aerts R, Van Gaens W, De Geyter N, Leys C, Morent R, Bogaerts A, Plasma chemistry and plasma processing 35, 217 (2015). http://doi.org/10.1007/s11090-014-9584-7
Abstract: In this work, we study the abatement of dilute trichloroethylene (TCE) in air with a negative direct current corona discharge. A numerical model is used to theoretically investigate the underlying plasma chemistry for the removal of TCE, and a reaction pathway for the abatement of TCE is proposed. The Cl atom, mainly produced by dissociation of COCl, is one of the controlling species in the TCE destruction chemistry and contributes to the production of chlorine containing by-products. The effect of humidity on the removal efficiency is studied and a good agreement is found between experiments and the model for both dry (5 % relative humidity (RH)) and humid air (50 % RH). An increase of the relative humidity from 5 % to 50 % has a negative effect on the removal efficiency, decreasing by ±15 % in humid air. The main loss reactions for TCE are with ClO·, O· and CHCl2. Finally, the by-products and energy cost of TCE abatement are discussed.
Keywords: A1 Journal article; Plasma Lab for Applications in Sustainability and Medicine – Antwerp (PLASMANT)
Impact Factor: 2.355
Times cited: 9
DOI: 10.1007/s11090-014-9584-7
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“Methods, fluxes and sources of gas phase alkyl nitrates in the coastal air”. Dirtu AC, Buczyńska AJ, Godoi AFL, Favoreto R, Bencs L, Potgieter-Vermaak SS, Godoi RHM, Van Grieken R, Van Vaeck L, Environmental monitoring and assessment 186, 6445 (2014). http://doi.org/10.1007/S10661-014-3866-7
Abstract: The daily and seasonal atmospheric concentrations, deposition fluxes and emission sources of a few C3C9 gaseous alkyl nitrates (ANs) at the Belgian coast (De Haan) on the Southern North Sea were determined. An adapted sampler design for low- and high-volume air-sampling, optimized sample extraction and clean-up, as well as identification and quantification of ANs in air samples by means of gas chromatography mass spectrometry, are reported. The total concentrations of ANs ranged from 0.03 to 85 pptv and consisted primarily of the nitro-butane and nitro-pentane isomers. Air mass backward trajectories were calculated by the Hybrid Single-Particle Lagrangian Integrated Trajectory (HYSPLIT) model to determine the influence of main air masses on AN levels in the air. The shorter chain ANs have been the most abundant in the Atlantic/Channel/UK air masses, while longer chain ANs prevailed in continental air. The overall mean N fluxes of the ANs were slightly higher for summer than those for winter-spring, although their contributions to the total nitrogen flux were low. High correlations between AN and HNO2 levels were observed during winter/spring. During summer, the shorter chain ANs correlated well with precipitation. Source apportionment by means of principal component analysis indicated that most of the gas phase ANs could be attributed to traffic/combustion, secondary photochemical formation and biomass burning, although marine sources may also have been present and a contributing factor.
Keywords: A1 Journal article; AXES (Antwerp X-ray Analysis, Electrochemistry and Speciation); Toxicological Centre
DOI: 10.1007/S10661-014-3866-7
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“Structures in textured Cu-Al-Ni shape memory thin films grown by sputtering”. Espinoza Torres C, Condó, AM, Haberkorn N, Zelaya E, Schryvers D, Guimpel J, Lovey FC, Materials characterization 96, 256 (2014). http://doi.org/10.1016/j.matchar.2014.08.005
Abstract: The structure and texture formation in CuAlNi thin films of different thicknesses (1 μm to 5 μm) grown by DC magnetron sputtering without any intentional heating of the substrate are reported. The as-grown films present grains with an average size of 20 nm. The films with thickness of 1 μm have a single metastable phase with a hexagonal structure and are textured with planes (0002) parallel to the plane of the films. It was observed that thicker films present phase coexistence between metastable hexagonal and body centered cubic structures with a gradual increment of the body centered cubic phase fraction. The films with thickness of 5 μm are textured with planes (0002) and View the MathML source101¯0 in the hexagonal structure, whereas in the body centered cubic structure the films are textured with {110} planes parallel to the plane of the films. This fact can be associated with self-heating of the substrate during the growth of the films and with the relative stability of the metastable phases. Free standing films annealed in a second step (1123 K for 1 h) present austenitic phase with L21 structure and sub-micrometric grains textured with {220}L21 planes parallel to the plane of the films. The martensitic transformation temperature was determined from the analysis of resistance against temperature measurements.
Keywords: A1 Journal article; Electron microscopy for materials research (EMAT)
Impact Factor: 2.714
Times cited: 9
DOI: 10.1016/j.matchar.2014.08.005
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“The properties of SIRT, TVM, and DART for 3D imaging of tubular domains in nanocomposite thin-films and sections”. Chen D, Goris B, Bleichrodt F, Heidari Mezerji H, Bals S, Batenburg KJ, de With G, Friedrich H, Ultramicroscopy 147, 137 (2014). http://doi.org/10.1016/j.ultramic.2014.08.005
Abstract: In electron tomography, the fidelity of the 3D reconstruction strongly depends on the employed reconstruction algorithm. In this paper, the properties of SIRT, TVM and DART reconstructions are studied with respect to having only a limited number of electrons available for imaging and applying different angular sampling schemes. A well-defined realistic model is generated, which consists of tubular domains within a matrix having slab-geometry. Subsequently, the electron tomography workflow is simulated from calculated tilt-series over experimental effects to reconstruction. In comparison with the model, the fidelity of each reconstruction method is evaluated qualitatively and quantitatively based on global and local edge profiles and resolvable distance between particles. Results show that the performance of all reconstruction methods declines with the total electron dose. Overall, SIRT algorithm is the most stable method and insensitive to changes in angular sampling. TVM algorithm yields significantly sharper edges in the reconstruction, but the edge positions are strongly influenced by the tilt scheme and the tubular objects become thinned. The DART algorithm markedly suppresses the elongation artifacts along the beam direction and moreover segments the reconstruction which can be considered a significant advantage for quantification. Finally, no advantage of TVM and DART to deal better with fewer projections was observed.
Keywords: A1 Journal article; Electron microscopy for materials research (EMAT)
Impact Factor: 2.843
Times cited: 42
DOI: 10.1016/j.ultramic.2014.08.005
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“Pore REconstruction and Segmentation (PORES) method for improved porosity quantification of nanoporous materials”. Van Eyndhoven G, Kurttepeli M, van Oers CJ, Cool P, Bals S, Batenburg KJ, Sijbers J, Ultramicroscopy 148, 10 (2015). http://doi.org/10.1016/j.ultramic.2014.08.008
Abstract: Electron tomography is currently a versatile tool to investigate the connection between the structure and properties of nanomaterials. However, a quantitative interpretation of electron tomography results is still far from straightforward. Especially accurate quantification of pore-space is hampered by artifacts introduced in all steps of the processing chain, i.e., acquisition, reconstruction, segmentation and quantification. Furthermore, most common approaches require subjective manual user input. In this paper, the PORES algorithm POre REconstruction and Segmentation is introduced; it is a tailor-made, integral approach, for the reconstruction, segmentation, and quantification of porous nanomaterials. The PORES processing chain starts by calculating a reconstruction with a nanoporous-specific reconstruction algorithm: the Simultaneous Update of Pore Pixels by iterative REconstruction and Simple Segmentation algorithm (SUPPRESS). It classifies the interior region to the pores during reconstruction, while reconstructing the remaining region by reducing the error with respect to the acquired electron microscopy data. The SUPPRESS reconstruction can be directly plugged into the remaining processing chain of the PORES algorithm, resulting in accurate individual pore quantification and full sample pore statistics. The proposed approach was extensively validated on both simulated and experimental data, indicating its ability to generate accurate statistics of nanoporous materials.
Keywords: A1 Journal article; Electron microscopy for materials research (EMAT); Vision lab; Laboratory of adsorption and catalysis (LADCA)
Impact Factor: 2.843
Times cited: 7
DOI: 10.1016/j.ultramic.2014.08.008
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“Synthesis and characterization of photoreactive TiO2carbon nanosheet composites”. Kurttepeli M, Deng S, Verbruggen SW, Guzzinati G, Cott DJ, Lenaerts S, Verbeeck J, Van Tendeloo G, Detavernier C, Bals S, The journal of physical chemistry: C : nanomaterials and interfaces 118, 21031 (2014). http://doi.org/10.1021/jp5067499
Abstract: We report the atomic layer deposition of titanium dioxide on carbon nanosheet templates and investigate the effects of postdeposition annealing in a helium environment using different characterization techniques. The crystallization of the titanium dioxide coating upon annealing is observed using in situ X-ray diffraction. The (micro)structural characterization of the films is carried out by scanning electron microscopy and advanced transmission electron microscopy techniques. Our study shows that the annealing of the atomic layer deposition processed and carbon nanosheets templated titanium dioxide layers in helium environment resulting in the formation of a porous, nanocrystalline and photocatalytically active titanium dioxide-carbon nanosheet composite film. Such composites are suitable for photocatalysis and dye-sensitized solar cells applications.
Keywords: A1 Journal article; Engineering sciences. Technology; Electron microscopy for materials research (EMAT); Sustainable Energy, Air and Water Technology (DuEL)
Impact Factor: 4.536
Times cited: 9
DOI: 10.1021/jp5067499
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“Kinetic simulation of direct-current driven microdischarges in argon at atmospheric pressure”. Zhang Y, Jiang W, Bogaerts A, Journal of physics: D: applied physics 47, 435201 (2014). http://doi.org/10.1088/0022-3727/47/43/435201
Abstract: A one-dimensional, implicit particle-in-cell Monte Carlo collision model is used to simulate the plasma kinetic properties at a steady state in a parallel-plate direct current argon glow microdischarge under various operating conditions, such as driving voltage (301000 V) and gap size (101000 µm) at atmospheric pressure. First, a comparison between rf and dc modes is shown for the same pressure, driving voltage and gap spacing. Furthermore, the effect of gap size scaling (in the range of 101000 µm) on the breakdown voltage, peak electron density and peak electron current density at the breakdown voltage is examined. The breakdown voltage is lower than 150 V in all gaps considered. The microdischarge is found to have a neutral bulk plasma region and a cathode sheath region with size varying with the applied voltage and the discharge gap. In our calculations, the electron and ion densities are of the order of 10181023 m−3, which is in the glow discharge limit, as the ionization degree is lower than 1% . The electron energy distribution function shows a two-energy group distribution at a gap of 10 µm and a three-energy group distribution at larger gaps such as 200 µm and 1000 µm, emphasizing the importance of the gap spacing in dc microdischarges.
Keywords: A1 Journal article; Plasma Lab for Applications in Sustainability and Medicine – Antwerp (PLASMANT)
Impact Factor: 2.588
Times cited: 10
DOI: 10.1088/0022-3727/47/43/435201
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“Self-directed localization of ZIF-8 thin film formation by conversion of ZnO nanolayers”. Khaletskaya K, Turner S, Tu M, Wannapaiboon S, Schneemann A, Meyer R, Ludwig A, Van Tendeloo G, Fischer RA, Advanced functional materials 24, 4804 (2014). http://doi.org/10.1002/adfm.201400559
Abstract: Control of localized metal-organic framework (MOF) thin film formation is a challenge. Zeolitic imidazolate frameworks (ZIFs) are an important sub-class of MOFs based on transition metals and imidazolate linkers. Continuous coatings of intergrown ZIF crystals require high rates of heterogeneous nucleation. In this work, substrates coated with zinc oxide layers are used, obtained by atomic layer deposition (ALD) or by magnetron sputtering, to provide the Zn2+ ions required for nucleation and localized growth of ZIF-8 films ([Zn(mim)(2)]; Hmim = 2-methylimidazolate). The obtained ZIF-8 films reveal the expected microporosity, as deduced from methanol adsorption studies using an environmentally controlled quartz crystal microbalance (QCM) and comparison with bulk ZIF-8 reference data. The concept is transferable to other MOFs, and is applied to the formation of [Al(OH)(1,4-ndc)](n) (ndc = naphtalenedicarboxylate) thin films derived from Al2O3 nanolayers.
Keywords: A1 Journal article; Engineering sciences. Technology; Electron microscopy for materials research (EMAT)
Impact Factor: 12.124
Times cited: 77
DOI: 10.1002/adfm.201400559
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“Substitutional phosphorus incorporation in nanocrystalline CVD diamond thin films”. Janssen W, Turner S, Sakr G, Jomard F, Barjon J, Degutis G, Lu YG, D'Haen J, Hardy A, Bael MV, Verbeeck J, Van Tendeloo G, Haenen K, Physica status solidi: rapid research letters 8, 705 (2014). http://doi.org/10.1002/pssr.201409235
Abstract: Nanocrystalline diamond (NCD) thin films were produced by chemical vapor deposition (CVD) and doped by the addition of phosphine to the gas mixture. The characterization of the films focused on probing the incorporation and distribution of the phosphorus (P) dopants. Electron microscopy evaluated the overall film morphology and revealed the interior structure of the nanosized grains. The homogeneous films with distinct diamond grains featured a notably low sp(2):sp(3)-ratio as confirmed by Raman spectroscopy. High resolution spectroscopy methods demonstrated a homogeneous P-incorporation, both in-depth and in-plane. The P concentration in the films was determined to be in the order of 10(19) cm(-3) with a significant fraction integrated at substitutional donor sites. (C) 2014 WILEY-VCH Verlag GmbH Co. KGaA, Weinheim
Keywords: A1 Journal article; Electron microscopy for materials research (EMAT)
Impact Factor: 3.032
Times cited: 20
DOI: 10.1002/pssr.201409235
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“Monolayer behaviour in bulk ReS2 due to electronic and vibrational decoupling”. Tongay S, Sahin H, Ko C, Luce A, Fan W, Liu K, Zhou J, Huang YS, Ho CH, Yan J, Ogletree DF, Aloni S, Ji J, Li S, Li J, Peeters FM, Wu J;, Nature communications 5, 3252 (2014). http://doi.org/10.1038/ncomms4252
Abstract: Semiconducting transition metal dichalcogenides consist of monolayers held together by weak forces where the layers are electronically and vibrationally coupled. Isolated monolayers show changes in electronic structure and lattice vibration energies, including a transition from indirect to direct bandgap. Here we present a new member of the family, rhenium disulphide (ReS2), where such variation is absent and bulk behaves as electronically and vibrationally decoupled monolayers stacked together. From bulk to monolayers, ReS2 remains direct bandgap and its Raman spectrum shows no dependence on the number of layers. Interlayer decoupling is further demonstrated by the insensitivity of the optical absorption and Raman spectrum to interlayer distance modulated by hydrostatic pressure. Theoretical calculations attribute the decoupling to Peierls distortion of the 1T structure of ReS2, which prevents ordered stacking and minimizes the interlayer overlap of wavefunctions. Such vanishing interlayer coupling enables probing of two-dimensional-like systems without the need for monolayers.
Keywords: A1 Journal article; Engineering sciences. Technology; Condensed Matter Theory (CMT)
Impact Factor: 12.124
Times cited: 806
DOI: 10.1038/ncomms4252
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“One particle@one cell : highly monodispersed PtPd bimetallic nanoparticles for enhanced oxygen reduction reaction”. Ying J, Yang X-Y, Hu Z-Y, Mu S-C, Janiak C, Geng W, Pan M, Ke X, Van Tendeloo G, Su B-L, Nano energy 8, 214 (2014). http://doi.org/10.1016/j.nanoen.2014.06.010
Abstract: Highly monodispersed platinum-based nanoalloys are the best-known catalysts for the oxygen reduction reaction. Although certainly promising, the durability and stability are among the main requirements for commercializing fuel cell electrocatalysts in practical applications. Herein, we synthesize highly stable, durable and catalytic active monodispersed PtPd nano-particles encapsulated in a unique one particle@one cell structure by adjusting the viscosity of solvents using mesocellular foam. PtPd nanoparticles in mesocellular carbon foam exhibit an excellent electrocatalytic activity (over 4 times mass and specific activities than the commercial Pt/C catalyst). Most importantly, this nanocatalyst shows no obvious change of structure and only a 29.5% loss in electrochemically active surface area after 5000 potential sweeps between 0.6 and 1.1 V versus reversible hydrogen electrode cycles. (C) 2014 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.
Keywords: A1 Journal article; Engineering sciences. Technology; Electron microscopy for materials research (EMAT)
Impact Factor: 12.343
Times cited: 40
DOI: 10.1016/j.nanoen.2014.06.010
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“Competition between pure dephasing and photon losses in the dynamics of a dot-cavity system”. Vagov A, Glaessl M, Croitoru MD, Axt VM, Kuhn T, Physical review : B : condensed matter and materials physics 90, 075309 (2014). http://doi.org/10.1103/PhysRevB.90.075309
Abstract: We demonstrate that in quantum-dot cavity systems, the interplay between acoustic phonons and photon losses introduces novel features and characteristic dependencies in the system dynamics. In particular, the combined action of both dephasing mechanisms strongly affects the transition from the weak-to the strong-coupling regime as well as the shape of the spectral triplet that represents the quantum-dot occupation in Fourier space. The width of the central peak in the triplet is expected to decrease with rising temperature, while the widths and heights of the side peaks depend nonmonotonically on the dot-cavity coupling.
Keywords: A1 Journal article; Condensed Matter Theory (CMT)
Impact Factor: 3.836
Times cited: 11
DOI: 10.1103/PhysRevB.90.075309
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“Adatoms and Anderson localization in graphene”. García JH, Uchoa B, Covaci L, Rappoport TG, Physical review : B : condensed matter and materials physics 90, 085425 (2014). http://doi.org/10.1103/PhysRevB.90.085425
Abstract: We address the nature of the disordered state that results from the adsorption of adatoms in graphene. For adatoms that sit at the center of the honeycomb plaquette, as in the case of most transition metals, we show that the ones that form a zero-energy resonant state lead to Anderson localization in the vicinity of the Dirac point. Among those, we show that there is a symmetry class of adatoms where Anderson localization is suppressed, leading to an exotic metallic state with large and rare charge droplets, that localizes only at the Dirac point. We identify the experimental conditions for the observation of the Anderson transition for adatoms in graphene.
Keywords: A1 Journal article; Condensed Matter Theory (CMT)
Impact Factor: 3.836
Times cited: 12
DOI: 10.1103/PhysRevB.90.085425
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“Resistivity scaling and electron relaxation times in metallic nanowires”. Moors K, Sorée B, Tokei Z, Magnus W, Journal of applied physics 116, 063714 (2014). http://doi.org/10.1063/1.4892984
Abstract: We study the resistivity scaling in nanometer-sized metallic wires due to surface roughness and grain-boundaries, currently the main cause of electron scattering in nanoscaled interconnects. The resistivity has been obtained with the Boltzmann transport equation, adopting the relaxation time approximation of the distribution function and the effective mass approximation for the conducting electrons. The relaxation times are calculated exactly, using Fermi's golden rule, resulting in a correct relaxation time for every sub-band state contributing to the transport. In general, the relaxation time strongly depends on the sub-band state, something that remained unclear with the methods of previous work. The resistivity scaling is obtained for different roughness and grain-boundary properties, showing large differences in scaling behavior and relaxation times. Our model clearly indicates that the resistivity is dominated by grain-boundary scattering, easily surpassing the surface roughness contribution by a factor of 10. (C) 2014 AIP Publishing LLC.
Keywords: A1 Journal article; Condensed Matter Theory (CMT)
Impact Factor: 2.068
Times cited: 17
DOI: 10.1063/1.4892984
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“Luminescence, patterned metallic regions, and photon-mediated electronic changes in single-sided fluorinated graphene sheets”. Walter AL, Sahin H, Jeon KJ, Bostwick A, Horzum S, Koch R, Speck F, Ostler M, Nagel P, Merz M, Schupler S, Moreschini L, Chang YJ, Seyller T, Peeters FM, Horn K, Rotenberg E;, ACS nano 8, 7801 (2014). http://doi.org/10.1021/nn501163c
Abstract: Single-sided fluorination has been predicted to open an electronic band gap in graphene and to exhibit unique electronic and magnetic properties; however, this has not been substantiated by experimental reports. Our comprehensive experimental and theoretical study of this material on a SiC(0001) substrate shows that single-sided fluorographene exhibits two phases, a stable one with a band gap of similar to 6 eV and a metastable one, induced by UV irradiation, with a band gap of similar to 2.5 eV. The metastable structure, which reverts to the stable “ground-state” phase upon annealing under emission of blue light, in our view is induced by defect states, based on the observation of a nondispersive electronic state at the top of the valence band, not unlike that found in organic molecular layers. Our structural data show that the stable C2F ground state has a “boat” structure, in agreement with our X-ray magnetic circular dichroism data, which show the absence of an ordered magnetic phase. A high flux of UV or X-ray photons removes the fluorine atoms, demonstrating the possibility of lithographically patterning conducting regions into an otherwise semiconducting 2D material.
Keywords: A1 Journal article; Engineering sciences. Technology; Condensed Matter Theory (CMT)
Impact Factor: 13.942
Times cited: 23
DOI: 10.1021/nn501163c
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“Majorana fermion states and fractional flux periodicity in mesoscopic d-wave superconducting loops with spin-orbit interaction”. Zha G-Q, Covaci L, Peeters FM, Zhou S-P, Physical review : B : condensed matter and materials physics 90, 014522 (2014). http://doi.org/10.1103/PhysRevB.90.014522
Abstract: We numerically investigate the spin-orbit (SO) coupling effect on the magnetic flux evolution of energy and supercurrent in mesoscopic d-wave superconducting loops by solving the spin-generalized Bogoliubov-de Gennes equations self-consistently. It is found that the energy spectrum splits when the SO interaction is involved and the Majorana zero mode can be realized in the [100] edges of square systems for an appropriate SO coupling strength. Superconducting phase transitions appear when the energy gap closes, accompanied by energy jumps between different energy parabolas in the ground state, which provides a possible mechanism to support fractional flux periodicity of supercurrent. Moreover, in the case of rectangular loops with SO coupling, the jumps of the ground-state energy gradually disappear by increasing the ratio of length to height of the sample, and a paramagnetic response with opposite direction of the screening current around zero flux value can occur in such systems.
Keywords: A1 Journal article; Condensed Matter Theory (CMT)
Impact Factor: 3.836
Times cited: 7
DOI: 10.1103/PhysRevB.90.014522
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“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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“The uptake and elimination of ZnO and CuO nanoparticles in Daphnia magna under chronic exposure scenarios”. Adam N, Leroux F, Knapen D, Bals S, Blust R, Water research 68, 249 (2015). http://doi.org/10.1016/j.watres.2014.10.001
Abstract: In this study, the uptake and elimination of ZnO and CuO nanoparticles in Daphnia magna was tested. Daphnids were exposed during 10 days to sublethal concentrations of ZnO and CuO nanoparticles and corresponding metal salts (ZnCl2 and CuCl2.2H2O), after which they were transferred to unexposed medium for another 10 days. At different times during the exposure and none-exposure, the total and internal zinc or copper concentration of the daphnids was determined and the nanoparticles were localized in the organism using electron microscopy. The exposure concentrations were characterized by measuring the dissolved, nanoparticle and aggregated fraction in the medium. The results showed that the ZnO nanoparticles quickly dissolved after addition to the medium. Contrarily, only a small fraction (corresponding to the dissolved metal salt) of the CuO nanoparticles dissolved, while most of these nanoparticles formed large aggregates. Despite an initial increase in zinc and copper concentration during the first 48 hour to 5 day exposure, the body concentration reached a plateau level that was comparable for the ZnO nanoparticles and ZnCl2, but much higher for the CuO nanoparticles (with visible aggregates accumulating in the gut) than CuCl2.2H2O. During the remaining exposure and subsequent none-exposure phase, the zinc and copper concentration decreased fast to concentrations comparable with the unexposed daphnids. The results indicate that D. magna can regulate its internal zinc and copper concentration after exposure to ZnO and CuO nanoparticles, similar as after exposure to metal salts. The combined dissolution, accumulation and toxicity results confirm that the toxicity of ZnO and CuO nanoparticles is caused by the dissolved fraction. Keywords nano; zinc; copper; dissolution; aggregation; electron microscopy
Keywords: A1 Journal article; Electron microscopy for materials research (EMAT); Veterinary physiology and biochemistry
Impact Factor: 6.942
Times cited: 51
DOI: 10.1016/j.watres.2014.10.001
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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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“Label-free impedance aptasensor for major peanut allergen Ara h 1”. Trashin S, De Jong M, Breugelmans T, Pilehvar S, De Wael K, Electroanalysis 27, 32 (2015). http://doi.org/10.1002/ELAN.201400365
Abstract: The peanut allergen Ara h 1 belonging to the vicilin family of seed storage proteins is known to be a suitable marker for peanut detection in foods. In the present work, we suggest an electrochemical detection of Ara h 1 using a recently selected 80-base DNA aptamer. The detection strategy relies on insulation effect of a bulky protein captured by an immobilized aptamer. The electrodes were modified by the aptamer and characterized using electrochemical impedance spectroscopy (EIS). The aptamer surface density and analytical parameters of the calibration curves for Ara h 1 were compared with the system prepared with thrombin binding aptamer (TBA) and operated in the same conditions.
Keywords: A1 Journal article; Engineering sciences. Technology; AXES (Antwerp X-ray Analysis, Electrochemistry and Speciation); Applied Electrochemistry & Catalysis (ELCAT)
Times cited: 10
DOI: 10.1002/ELAN.201400365
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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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