“Structure of binary colloidal systems confined in a quasi-one-dimensional channel”. Yang W, Nelissen K, Kong M, Zeng Z, Peeters FM, Physical review : E : statistical physics, plasmas, fluids, and related interdisciplinary topics 79, 041406 (2009). http://doi.org/10.1103/PhysRevE.79.041406
Abstract: The structural properties of a binary colloidal quasi-one-dimensional system confined in a narrow channel are investigated through modified Monte Carlo simulations. Two species of particles with different magnetic moment interact through a repulsive dipole-dipole force are confined in a quasi-one-dimensional channel. The impact of three decisive parameters (the density of particles, the magnetic-moment ratio, and the fraction between the two species) on the transition from disordered phase to crystal-like phases and the transitions among the different mixed phases are summarized in a phase diagram.
Keywords: A1 Journal article; Condensed Matter Theory (CMT)
Impact Factor: 2.366
Times cited: 11
DOI: 10.1103/PhysRevE.79.041406
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“Nanoengineered nonuniform strain in graphene using nanopillars”. Neek-Amal M, Covaci L, Peeters FM, Physical review : B : condensed matter and materials physics 86, 041405 (2012). http://doi.org/10.1103/PhysRevB.86.041405
Abstract: Recent experiments showed that nonuniform strain can be produced by depositing graphene over pillars. We employed atomistic calculations to study the nonuniform strain and the induced pseudomagnetic field in graphene on top of nanopillars. By decreasing the distance between the nanopillars a complex distribution for the pseudomagnetic field can be generated. Furthermore, we performed tight-binding calculations of the local density of states (LDOS) by using the relaxed graphene configuration obtained from atomistic calculations. We find that the quasiparticle LDOS are strongly modified near the pillars, both at low energies showing sublattice polarization and at high energies showing shifts of the van Hove singularity. Our study shows that changing the specific pattern of the nanopillars allows us to create a desired shape of the pseudomagnetic field profile while the LDOS maps provide an input for experimental verification by scanning tunneling microscopy.
Keywords: A1 Journal article; Condensed Matter Theory (CMT)
Impact Factor: 3.836
Times cited: 51
DOI: 10.1103/PhysRevB.86.041405
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“Two-dimensional binary clusters in a hard-wall trap: structural and spectral properties”. Yang W, Kong M, Milošević, MV, Zeng Z, Peeters FM, Physical review E 76, art.041404:part 1 (2007). http://doi.org/10.1103/PhysRevE.76.041404
Keywords: A1 Journal article; Condensed Matter Theory (CMT)
Impact Factor: 2.366
Times cited: 9
DOI: 10.1103/PhysRevE.76.041404
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“Multiscale modeling of plasma–surface interaction—General picture and a case study of Si and SiO2etching by fluorocarbon-based plasmas”. Vanraes P, Parayil Venugopalan S, Bogaerts A, Applied Physics Reviews 8, 041305 (2021). http://doi.org/10.1063/5.0058904
Abstract: The physics and chemistry of plasma–surface interaction is a broad domain relevant to various applications and several natural processes, including plasma etching for microelectronics fabrication, plasma deposition, surface functionalization, nanomaterial synthesis, fusion reactors, and some astrophysical and meteorological phenomena. Due to their complex nature, each of these processes is generally investigated in separate subdomains, which are considered to have their own theoretical, modeling, and experimental challenges. In this review, however, we want to emphasize the overarching nature of plasma–surface interaction physics and chemistry, by focusing on the general strategy for its computational simulation. In the first half of the review, we provide a menu card with standard and less standardized computational methods to be used for the multiscale modeling of the underlying processes. In the second half, we illustrate the benefits and potential of the multiscale modeling strategy with a case study of Si and SiO2 etching by fluorocarbon plasmas and identify the gaps in knowledge still present on this intensely investigated plasma–material combination, both on a qualitative and quantitative level. Remarkably, the dominant etching mechanisms remain the least understood. The resulting new insights are of general relevance, for all plasmas and materials, including their various applications. We therefore hope to motivate computational and experimental scientists and engineers to collaborate more intensely on filling the existing gaps in knowledge. In this way, we expect that research will overcome a bottleneck stage in the development and optimization of multiscale models, and thus the fundamental understanding of plasma–surface interaction.
Keywords: A1 Journal Article; Plasma, laser ablation and surface modeling Antwerp (PLASMANT) ;
Impact Factor: 13.667
DOI: 10.1063/5.0058904
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“Nanoribbons: From fundamentals to state-of-the-art applications”. Yagmurcukardes M, Peeters FM, Senger RT, Sahin H, Applied physics reviews 3, 041302 (2016). http://doi.org/10.1063/1.4966963
Abstract: Atomically thin nanoribbons (NRs) have been at the forefront of materials science and nanoelectronics in recent years. State-of-the-art research on nanoscale materials has revealed that electronic, magnetic, phononic, and optical properties may differ dramatically when their one-dimensional forms are synthesized. The present article aims to review the recent advances in synthesis techniques and theoretical studies on NRs. The structure of the review is organized as follows: After a brief introduction to low dimensional materials, we review different experimental techniques for the synthesis of graphene nanoribbons (GNRs) with their advantages and disadvantages. In addition, theoretical investigations on width and edge-shape-dependent electronic and magnetic properties, functionalization effects, and quantum transport properties of GNRs are reviewed. We then devote time to the NRs of the transition metal dichalcogenides (TMDs) family. First, various synthesis techniques, E-field-tunable electronic and magnetic properties, and edge-dependent thermoelectric performance of NRs of MoS2 and WS2 are discussed. Then, strongly anisotropic properties, growth-dependent morphology, and the weakly width-dependent bandgap of ReS2 NRs are summarized. Next we discuss TMDs having a T-phase morphology such as TiSe2 and stable single layer NRs of mono-chalcogenides. Strong edge-type dependence on characteristics of GaS NRs, width-dependent Seebeck coefficient of SnSe NRs, and experimental analysis on the stability of ZnSe NRs are reviewed. We then focus on the most recently emerging NRs belonging to the class of transition metal trichalcogenides which provide ultra-high electron mobility and highly anisotropic quasi-1D properties. In addition, width-, edge-shape-, and functionalization-dependent electronic and mechanical properties of blackphosphorus, a monoatomic anisotropic material, and studies on NRs of group IV elements (silicene, germanene, and stanene) are reviewed. Observation of substrate-independent quantum well states, edge and width dependent properties, the topological phase of silicene NRs are reviewed. In addition, H-2 concentration-dependent transport properties and anisotropic dielectric function of GeNRs and electric field and strain sensitive I-V characteristics of SnNRs are reviewed. We review both experimental and theoretical studies on the NRs of group III-V compounds. While defect and N-termination dependent conductance are highlighted for boron nitride NRs, aluminum nitride NRs are of importance due to their dangling bond, electric field, and strain dependent electronic and magnetic properties. Finally, superlattice structure of NRs of GaN/AlN, Si/Ge, G/BN, and MoS2/WS2 is reviewed. Published by AIP Publishing.
Keywords: A1 Journal article; Condensed Matter Theory (CMT)
Impact Factor: 13.667
Times cited: 63
DOI: 10.1063/1.4966963
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“Binary dusty plasma Coulomb balls”. Apolinario SWS, Peeters FM, Physical review : E : statistical physics, plasmas, fluids, and related interdisciplinary topics 83, 041136 (2011). http://doi.org/10.1103/PhysRevE.83.041136
Abstract: We investigated the mixing and segregation of a system consisting of two different species of particles, having different charges, interacting through a pure Coulomb potential, and confined in a three-dimensional parabolic trap. The structure of the cluster and its normal mode spectrum are analyzed as a function of the relative charge and the relative number of different types of particles. We found that (a) the system can be in a mixed or segregated state depending on the relative charge ratio parameter and (b) the segregation process is mediated by a first or second order structural phase transition which strongly influences the magic cluster properties of the system.
Keywords: A1 Journal article; Condensed Matter Theory (CMT)
Impact Factor: 2.366
Times cited: 10
DOI: 10.1103/PhysRevE.83.041136
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“Nonvolatile resistive switching in Pt/LaAlO3/SrTiO3 heterostructures”. Wu S, Luo X, Turner S, Peng H, Lin W, Ding J, David A, Wang B, Van Tendeloo G, Wang J, Wu T;, Physical review X 3, 041027 (2013). http://doi.org/10.1103/PhysRevX.3.041027
Abstract: Resistive switching heterojunctions, which are promising for nonvolatile memory applications, usually share a capacitorlike metal-oxide-metal configuration. Here, we report on the nonvolatile resistive switching in Pt/LaAlO3/SrTiO3 heterostructures, where the conducting layer near the LaAlO3/SrTiO3 interface serves as the unconventional bottom electrode although both oxides are band insulators. Interestingly, the switching between low-resistance and high-resistance states is accompanied by reversible transitions between tunneling and Ohmic characteristics in the current transport perpendicular to the planes of the heterojunctions. We propose that the observed resistive switching is likely caused by the electric-field-induced drift of charged oxygen vacancies across the LaAlO3/SrTiO3 interface and the creation of defect-induced gap states within the ultrathin LaAlO3 layer. These metal-oxide-oxide heterojunctions with atomically smooth interfaces and defect-controlled transport provide a platform for the development of nonvolatile oxide nanoelectronics that integrate logic and memory devices.
Keywords: A1 Journal article; Electron microscopy for materials research (EMAT)
Impact Factor: 12.789
Times cited: 77
DOI: 10.1103/PhysRevX.3.041027
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“Intact dirac cones at broken sublattice symmetry : photoemission study of graphene on Ni and Co”. Varykhalov A, Marchenko D, Sanchez-Barriga J, Scholz MR, Verberck B, Trauzettel B, Wehling TO, Carbone C, Rader O, Physical review X 2, 041017 (2012). http://doi.org/10.1103/PhysRevX.2.041017
Abstract: The appearance of massless Dirac fermions in graphene requires two equivalent carbon sublattices of trigonal shape. While the generation of an effective mass and a band gap at the Dirac point remains an unresolved problem for freestanding extended graphene, it is well established by breaking translational symmetry by confinement and by breaking sublattice symmetry by interaction with a substrate. One of the strongest sublattice-symmetry-breaking interactions with predicted and measured band gaps ranging from 400 meV to more than 3 eV has been attributed to the interfaces of graphene with Ni and Co, which are also promising spin-filter interfaces. Here, we apply angle-resolved photoemission to epitaxial graphene on Ni (111) and Co(0001) to show the presence of intact Dirac cones 2.8 eV below the Fermi level. Our results challenge the common belief that the breaking of sublattice symmetry by a substrate and the opening of the band gap at the Dirac energy are in a straightforward relation. A simple effective model of a biased bilayer structure composed of graphene and a sublattice-symmetry-broken layer, corroborated by density-functional-theory calculations, demonstrates the general validity of our conclusions.
Keywords: A1 Journal article; Condensed Matter Theory (CMT)
Impact Factor: 12.789
Times cited: 86
DOI: 10.1103/PhysRevX.2.041017
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“Electron vortex beams in a magnetic field : a new twist on Landau levels and Aharonov-Bohm states”. Bliokh KY, Schattschneider P, Verbeeck J, Nori F, Physical review X 2, 041011 (2012). http://doi.org/10.1103/PhysRevX.2.041011
Abstract: We examine the propagation of the recently discovered electron vortex beams in a longitudinal magnetic field. We consider both the Aharonov-Bohm configuration with a single flux line and the Landau case of a uniform magnetic field. While stationary Aharonov-Bohm modes represent Bessel beams with flux- and vortex-dependent probability distributions, stationary Landau states manifest themselves as nondiffracting Laguerre-Gaussian beams. Furthermore, the Landau-state beams possess field- and vortex-dependent phases: (i) the Zeeman phase from coupling the quantized angular momentum to the magnetic field and (ii) the Gouy phase, known from optical Laguerre-Gaussian beams. Remarkably, together these phases determine the structure of Landau energy levels. This unified Zeeman-Landau-Gouy phase manifests itself in a nontrivial evolution of images formed by various superpositions of modes. We demonstrate that, depending on the chosen superposition, the image can rotate in a magnetic field with either (i) Larmor, (ii) cyclotron (double-Larmor), or (iii) zero frequency. At the same time, its centroid always follows the classical cyclotron trajectory, in agreement with the Ehrenfest theorem. Interestingly, the nonrotating superpositions reproduce stable multivortex configurations that appear in rotating superfluids. Our results open an avenue for the direct electron-microscopy observation of fundamental properties of free quantum-electron states in magnetic fields.
Keywords: A1 Journal article; Electron microscopy for materials research (EMAT)
Impact Factor: 12.789
Times cited: 130
DOI: 10.1103/PhysRevX.2.041011
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“Spin effects in electron vortex states”. Van Boxem R, Verbeeck J, Partoens B, Europhysics letters 102, 40010 (2013). http://doi.org/10.1209/0295-5075/102/40010
Abstract: The recent experimental realization of electron vortex beams opens up a wide research domain previously unexplored. The present paper explores the relativistic properties of these electron vortex beams, and quantifies deviations from the scalar wave theory. It is common in electron optics to use the Schrodinger equation neglecting spin. The present paper investigates the role of spin and the total angular momentum J(z) and how it pertains to the vortex states. As an application, we also investigate if it is possible to use holographic reconstruction to create novel total angular momentum eigenstates in a transmission electron microscope. It is demonstrated that relativistic spin coupling effects disappear in the paraxial limit, and spin effects in holographically created electron vortex beams can only be exploited by using specialized magnetic apertures.
Keywords: A1 Journal article; Electron microscopy for materials research (EMAT); Condensed Matter Theory (CMT)
Impact Factor: 1.957
Times cited: 11
DOI: 10.1209/0295-5075/102/40010
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“Hampering Effect of Cholesterol on the Permeation of Reactive Oxygen Species through Phospholipids Bilayer: Possible Explanation for Plasma Cancer Selectivity”. Van der Paal J, Verheyen C, Neyts EC, Bogaerts A, Scientific reports 7, 39526 (2017). http://doi.org/10.1038/srep39526
Abstract: In recent years, the ability of cold atmospheric pressure plasmas (CAPS) to selectively induce cell death in cancer cells has been widely established. This selectivity has been assigned to the reactive oxygen and nitrogen species (RONS) created in CAPs. To provide new insights in the search for an explanation
for the observed selectivity, we calculate the transfer free energy of multiple ROS across membranes containing a varying amount of cholesterol. The cholesterol fraction is investigated as a selectivity parameter because membranes of cancer cells are known to contain lower fractions of cholesterol compared to healthy cells. We find that cholesterol has a significant effect on the permeation of
reactive species across a membrane. Indeed, depending on the specific reactive species, an increasing cholesterol fraction can lead to (i) an increase of the transfer free energy barrier height and width, (ii) the formation of a local free energy minimum in the center of the membrane and (iii) the creation of extra free energy barriers due to the bulky sterol rings. In the context of plasma oncology, these observations suggest that the increased ingress of RONS in cancer cells can be explained by the decreased cholesterol fraction of their cell membrane.
Keywords: A1 Journal article; Engineering sciences. Technology; Plasma Lab for Applications in Sustainability and Medicine – Antwerp (PLASMANT)
Impact Factor: 4.259
Times cited: 27
DOI: 10.1038/srep39526
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“Advanced electron tomography of nanoparticle assemblies”. Altantzis T, Zanaga D, Bals S, Europhysics letters 119, 38001 (2017). http://doi.org/10.1209/0295-5075/119/38001
Abstract: Nanoparticle assemblies have attracted enormous scientific interest during the last
years, due to their unique properties compared to those of their building blocks. To understand
the origin of these properties and to establish the connection with their structure, a detailed and
quantitative structural characterization is essential. Transmission electron microscopy has been
widely used to investigate nano-assemblies. However, TEM images only correspond to a twodimensional
projection of a three-dimensional object. Therefore, in order to obtain the necessary
3D structural information electron tomography has to be applied. By means of advanced electron
tomography, both qualitative and quantitative information can be obtained, which can be used
for detailed theoretical studies.
Keywords: A1 Journal article; Electron microscopy for materials research (EMAT)
Impact Factor: 1.957
Times cited: 8
DOI: 10.1209/0295-5075/119/38001
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“Effect of van der Waals interactions on the adhesion strength at the interface of the hydroxyapatite-titanium biocomposite : a first-principles study”. Grubova IY, Surmeneva MA, Surmenev RA, Neyts EC, RSC advances 10, 37800 (2020). http://doi.org/10.1039/D0RA06006B
Abstract: Hydroxyapatite (HAP) is frequently used as biocompatible coating on Ti-based implants. In this context, the HAP-Ti adhesion is of crucial importance. Here, we report ab initio calculations to investigate the influence of Si incorporation into the amorphous calcium-phosphate (a-HAP) structure on the interfacial bonding mechanism between the a-HAP coating and an amorphous titanium dioxide (a-TiO2) substrate, contrasting two different density functionals: PBE-GGA, and DFT-D3, which are capable of describing the influence of the van der Waals (vdW) interactions. In particular, we discuss the effect of dispersion on the work of adhesion (W-ad), equilibrium geometries, and charge density difference (CDD). We find that replacement of P by Si in a-HAP (a-Si-HAP) with the creation of OH vacancies as charge compensation results in a significant increase in the bond strength between the coating and substrate in the case of using the PBE-GGA functional. However, including the vdW interactions shows that these forces considerably contribute to the W-ad. We show that the difference (W-ad – W-ad(vdW)) is on average more than 1.1 J m(-2) and 0.5 J m(-2) for a-HAP/a-TiO2 and a-Si-HAP/a-TiO2, respectively. These results reveal that including vdW interactions is essential for accurately describing the chemical bonding at the a-HAP/a-TiO2 interface.
Keywords: A1 Journal article; Plasma Lab for Applications in Sustainability and Medicine – Antwerp (PLASMANT)
DOI: 10.1039/D0RA06006B
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“Electron anisotropic scattering in gases: a formula for Monte Carlo simulations”. Okhrimovskyy A, Bogaerts A, Gijbels R, Physical review : E : statistical, nonlinear, and soft matter physics 65, 037402 (2002). http://doi.org/10.1103/PhysRevE.65.037402
Abstract: The purpose of this Brief Report is to point out the mistake in a formula for anisotropic electron scattering, previously published in Phys. Rev. A 41, 1112 (1990), which is widely used in Monte Carlo models of gas discharges. Anisotropic electron scattering is investigated based on the screened Coulomb potential between electrons and neutral atoms. The approach is also applied for electron scattering by nonpolar neutral molecules. Differential cross sections for electron scattering by Ar, N2, and CH4 are constructed on the basis of momentum and integrated cross sections. The formula derived in this paper is useful for Monte Carlo simulations of gas discharges.
Keywords: A1 Journal article; Plasma Lab for Applications in Sustainability and Medicine – Antwerp (PLASMANT)
Impact Factor: 2.366
Times cited: 57
DOI: 10.1103/PhysRevE.65.037402
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“Direct observation of nanometer-scale pinning sites in (Nd0.33Eu0.20Gd0.47)Ba2Cu3O7-\delta single crystals”. Das P, Koblischka MR, Turner S, Van Tendeloo G, Wolf T, Jirsa M, Hartmann U, Europhysics letters 83, 37005 (2008). http://doi.org/10.1209/0295-5075/83/37005
Abstract: We report on the observation of self-organized stripe-like structures on the as-grown surface and in the bulk of (Nd,Eu,Gd)Ba2Cu3Oy single crystals. The periodicity of the stripes on the surface lies between 500800 nm. These are possibly the growth steps of the crystal. Transmission electron microscopy investigations revealed stripes of periodicity in the range of 2040 nm in the bulk. From electron back scattered diffraction investigations, no crystallographic misorientation due to the nanostripes has been found. Scanning tunneling spectroscopic experiments revealed nonsuperconducting regions, running along twin directions, which presumably constitute strong pinning sites.
Keywords: A1 Journal article; Electron microscopy for materials research (EMAT)
Impact Factor: 1.957
Times cited: 5
DOI: 10.1209/0295-5075/83/37005
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“Dynamics of scattering on a classical two-dimensional artificial atom”. Peelaers H, Partoens B, Tatyanenko DV, Peeters FM, Physical review : E : statistical physics, plasmas, fluids, and related interdisciplinary topics 75, 036606 (2007). http://doi.org/10.1103/PhysRevE.75.036606
Abstract: A classical two-dimensional (2D) model for an artificial atom is used to make a numerical exact study of elastic and nonelastic scattering. Interesting differences in the scattering angle distribution between this model and the well-known Rutherford scattering are found in the small energy and/or small impact parameter scattering regime. For scattering off a classical 2D hydrogen atom different phenomena such as ionization, exchange of particles, and inelastic scattering can occur. A scattering regime diagram is constructed as function of the impact parameter (b) and the initial velocity (v) of the incoming particle. In a small regime of the (b,v) space the system exhibits chaos, which is studied in more detail. Analytic expressions for the scattering angle are given in the high impact parameter asymptotic limit.
Keywords: A1 Journal article; Condensed Matter Theory (CMT)
Impact Factor: 2.366
Times cited: 1
DOI: 10.1103/PhysRevE.75.036606
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“Multiband mechanism for the sign reversal of Coulomb drag observed in double bilayer graphene heterostructures”. Zarenia M, Hamilton AR, Peeters FM, Neilson D, Physical review letters 121, 036601 (2018). http://doi.org/10.1103/PHYSREVLETT.121.036601
Abstract: Coupled 2D sheets of electrons and holes are predicted to support novel quantum phases. Two experiments of Coulomb drag in electron-hole (e-h) double bilayer graphene (DBLG) have reported an unexplained and puzzling sign reversal of the drag signal. However, we show that this effect is due to the multiband character of DBLG. Our multiband Fermi liquid theory produces excellent agreement and captures the key features of the experimental drag resistance for all temperatures. This demonstrates the importance of multiband effects in DBLG: they have a strong effect not only on superfluidity, but also on the drag.
Keywords: A1 Journal article; Condensed Matter Theory (CMT)
Impact Factor: 8.462
Times cited: 7
DOI: 10.1103/PHYSREVLETT.121.036601
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“Theoretical and experimental investigation of conjugation of 1,6-hexanedithiol on MoS2”. Gul A, Bacaksiz C, Unsal E, Akbali B, Tomak A, Zareie HM, Sahin H, Materials Research Express 5, 036415 (2018). http://doi.org/10.1088/2053-1591/AAB4A6
Abstract: We report an experimental and theoretical investigation of conjugation of 1,6-Hexaneditihiol (HDT) on MoS2 which is prepared by mixing MoS2 structure and HDT molecules in proper solvent. Raman spectra and the calculated phonon bands reveal that the HDT molecules bind covalently to MoS2. Surface morphology of MoS2/HDTstructure is changed upon conjugation ofHDTon MoS2 and characterized by using Scanning Electron Microscope (SEM). Density Functional Theory (DFT) based calculations show that HOMO-LUMO band gap of HDT is altered after the conjugation and two-S binding (handle-like) configuration is energetically most favorable among three different structures. This study displays that the facile thiol functionalization process of MoS2 is promising strategy for obtaining solution processable MoS2.
Keywords: A1 Journal article; Condensed Matter Theory (CMT)
Impact Factor: 1.068
Times cited: 2
DOI: 10.1088/2053-1591/AAB4A6
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“Structure and spectrum of two-dimensional clusters confined in a hard wall potential”. Kong M, Partoens B, Matulis A, Peeters FM, Physical review : E : statistical physics, plasmas, fluids, and related interdisciplinary topics 69, 036412 (2004). http://doi.org/10.1103/PhysRevE.69.036412
Keywords: A1 Journal article; Condensed Matter Theory (CMT)
Impact Factor: 2.366
Times cited: 42
DOI: 10.1103/PhysRevE.69.036412
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“Negative ion behavior in single- and dual-frequency plasma etching reactors: particle-in-cell/Monte Carlo collision study”. Georgieva V, Bogaerts A, Physical review : E : statistical physics, plasmas, fluids, and related interdisciplinary topics 73, 036402 (2006). http://doi.org/10.1103/PhysRevE.73.036402
Keywords: A1 Journal article; Plasma Lab for Applications in Sustainability and Medicine – Antwerp (PLASMANT)
Impact Factor: 2.366
Times cited: 7
DOI: 10.1103/PhysRevE.73.036402
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“The role of WOx and dopants (ZrO₂, and SiO₂) on CeO₂-based nanostructure catalysts in the selective oxidation of benzyl alcohol to benzaldehyde under ambient conditions”. Bathula G, Rana S, Bandalla S, Dosarapu V, Mavurapu S, Rajeevan VVA, Sharma B, Jonnalagadda SB, Baithy M, Vasam CS, RSC advances 13, 36242 (2023). http://doi.org/10.1039/D3RA06828E
Abstract: Herein, the efficacy of WOx-promoted CeO2-SiO2 and CeO2-ZrO2 mixed oxide catalysts in the solvent-free selective oxidation of benzyl alcohol to benzaldehyde using molecular oxygen as an oxidant is reported. We evaluated the effects of the oxidant and catalyst concentration, reaction duration, and temperature on the reaction with an aim to optimize the reaction conditions. The as-prepared CeO2, CeO2-ZrO2, CeO2-SiO2, WOx/CeO2, WOx/CeO2-ZrO2, and WOx/CeO2-SiO2 catalysts were characterized by X-ray diffraction (XRD), N-2 adsorption-desorption, Raman spectroscopy, temperature-programmed desorption of ammonia (TPD-NH3), X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS), and transmission electron microscopy (TEM). These characterisation results indicated that the WOx/CeO2-SiO2 catalyst possessed improved physicochemical (i.e., structural, textural, and acidic) properties owing to the strong interactivity between WOx and CeO2-SiO2. A higher number of Ce3+ ions (I-u '''/I-Total) were created with the WOx/CeO2-SiO2 catalyst than those with the other catalysts in this work, indicating the generation of a high number of oxygen vacancies. The WOx/CeO2-SiO2 catalyst exhibited a high conversion of benzyl alcohol (>99%) and a high selectivity (100%) toward benzaldehyde compared to the other promoted catalysts (i.e., WOx/CeO2 and WOx/CeO2-ZrO2), which is attributed to the smaller particle size of the WOx and CeO2 and their high specific surface area, more significant number of acidic sites, and superior number of oxygen vacancies. The WOx/CeO2-SiO2 catalyst could be quickly recovered and utilized at least five times without suffering any appreciable activity loss.
Keywords: A1 Journal article; Plasma Lab for Applications in Sustainability and Medicine – Antwerp (PLASMANT)
Impact Factor: 3.9
DOI: 10.1039/D3RA06828E
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“Direct synthesis of antimicrobial coatings based on tailored bi-elemental nanoparticles”. Benetti G, Cavaliere E, Canteri A, Landini G, Rossolini GM, Pallecchi L, Chiodi M, Van Bael MJ, Winckelmans N, Bals S, Gavioli L, APL materials 5, 036105 (2017). http://doi.org/10.1063/1.4978772
Abstract: Ultrathin coatings based on bi-elemental nanoparticles (NPs) are very promising to limit the surface-related spread of bacterial pathogens, particularly in nosocomial environments. However, tailoring the synthesis, composition, adhesion to substrate, and antimicrobial spectrum of the coating is an open challenge. Herein, we report on a radically new nanostructured coating, obtained by a one-step gas-phase deposition technique, and composed of bi-elemental Janus type Ag/Ti NPs. The NPs are characterized by a cluster-in-cluster mixing phase with metallic Ag nano-crystals embedded in amorphous TiO2 and present a promising antimicrobial activity including also multidrug resistant strains. We demonstrate the flexibility of the method to tune the embedded Ag nano-crystals dimension, the total relative composition of the coating, and the substrate type, opening the possibility of tailoring the dimension, composition, antimicrobial spectrum, and other physical/chemical properties of such multi-elemental systems. This work is expected to significantly spread the range of applications of NPs coatings, not only as an effective tool in the prevention of healthcare-associated infections but also in other technologically relevant fields like sensors or nano-/micro joining.
Keywords: A1 Journal article; Engineering sciences. Technology; Electron microscopy for materials research (EMAT)
Impact Factor: 4.335
Times cited: 21
DOI: 10.1063/1.4978772
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“Velocimetry of superconducting vortices based on stroboscopic resonances”. Jelić, ZL, Milošević, MV, Silhanek AV, Scientific reports 6, 35687 (2016). http://doi.org/10.1038/SREP35687
Abstract: An experimental determination of the mean vortex velocity in superconductors mostly relies on the measurement of flux-flow resistance with magnetic field, temperature, or driving current. In the present work we introduce a method combining conventional transport measurements and a frequency-tuned flashing pinning potential to obtain reliable estimates of the vortex velocity. The proposed device is characterized using the time-dependent Ginzburg-Landau formalism, where the velocimetry method exploits the resonances in mean vortex dissipation when temporal commensuration occurs between the vortex crossings and the flashing potential. We discuss the sensitivity of the proposed technique on applied current, temperature and heat diffusion, as well as the vortex core deformations during fast motion.
Keywords: A1 Journal article; Engineering sciences. Technology; Condensed Matter Theory (CMT)
Impact Factor: 4.259
Times cited: 22
DOI: 10.1038/SREP35687
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“Quasiparticle band structure of rocksalt-CdO determined using maximally localized Wannier functions”. Dixit H, Lamoen D, Partoens B, Journal of physics : condensed matter 25, 035501 (2013). http://doi.org/10.1088/0953-8984/25/3/035501
Abstract: CdO in the rocksalt structure is an indirect band gap semiconductor. Thus, in order to determine its band gap one needs to calculate the complete band structure. However, in practice, the exact evaluation of the quasiparticle band structure for the large number of k-points which constitute the different symmetry lines in the Brillouin zone can be an extremely demanding task compared to the standard density functional theory (DFT) calculation. In this paper we report the full quasiparticle band structure of CdO using a plane-wave pseudopotential approach. In order to reduce the computational effort and time, we make use of maximally localized Wannier functions (MLWFs). The MLWFs offer a highly accurate method for interpolation of the DFT or GW band structure from a coarse k-point mesh in the irreducible Brillouin zone, resulting in a much reduced computational effort. The present paper discusses the technical details of the scheme along with the results obtained for the quasiparticle band gap and the electron effective mass.
Keywords: A1 Journal article; Electron microscopy for materials research (EMAT); Condensed Matter Theory (CMT)
Impact Factor: 2.649
Times cited: 7
DOI: 10.1088/0953-8984/25/3/035501
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“Electronic states in a graphene flake strained by a Gaussian bump”. Moldovan D, Masir MR, Peeters FM, Physical review : B : condensed matter and materials physics 88, 035446 (2013). http://doi.org/10.1103/PhysRevB.88.035446
Abstract: The effect of strain in graphene is usually modeled by a pseudomagnetic vector potential which is, however, derived in the limit of small strain. In realistic cases deviations are expected in view of graphene's very high strain tolerance, which can be up to 25%. Here we investigate the pseudomagnetic field generated by a Gaussian bump and we show that it exhibits significant differences with numerical tight-binding results. Furthermore, we calculate the electronic states in the strained region for a hexagon shaped flake with armchair edges. We find that the sixfold symmetry of the wave functions inside the Gaussian bump is directly related to the different effects of strain along the fundamental directions of graphene: zigzag and armchair. Low energy electrons are strongly confined in the armchair directions and are localized on the carbon atoms of a single sublattice.
Keywords: A1 Journal article; Condensed Matter Theory (CMT)
Impact Factor: 3.836
Times cited: 50
DOI: 10.1103/PhysRevB.88.035446
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“Fano resonances in the conductance of graphene nanoribbons with side gates”. Petrovic MD, Peeters FM, Physical review : B : condensed matter and materials physics 91, 035444 (2015). http://doi.org/10.1103/PhysRevB.91.035444
Abstract: The control of side gates on the quantum electron transport in narrow graphene ribbons of different widths and edge types (armchair and zigzag) is investigated. The conductance exhibits Fano resonances with varying side gate potential. Resonant and antiresonant peaks in the conductance can be associated with the eigenstates of a closed system, and these peaks can be accurately fitted with a Fano line shape. The local density of states (LDOS) and the electron current show a specific behavior at these resonances, which depends on the ribbon edge type. In zigzag ribbons, transport is dominated by intervalley scattering, which is reflected in the transmission functions of individual modes. The side gates induce p-n interfaces near the edges at which the LDOS exhibits peaks. Near the resonance points, the electron current flows uniformly through the constriction, while near the antiresonances it creates vortices. In the armchair ribbons the LDOS spreads in areas of high potential, with current flowing near the edges.
Keywords: A1 Journal article; Condensed Matter Theory (CMT)
Impact Factor: 3.836
Times cited: 17
DOI: 10.1103/PhysRevB.91.035444
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“First-principles investigation of B- and N-doped fluorographene”. Leenaerts O, Sahin H, Partoens B, Peeters FM, Physical review : B : condensed matter and materials physics 88, 035434 (2013). http://doi.org/10.1103/PhysRevB.88.035434
Abstract: The effect of substitutional doping of fluorographene with boron and nitrogen atoms on its electronic and magnetic properties is investigated using first-principles calculations. It is found that boron dopants can be readily incorporated in the fluorographene crystal where they act as shallow acceptors and cause hole doping, but no changes in the magnetic properties are observed. Nitrogen dopants act as deep donors and give rise to a magnetic moment, but the resulting system becomes chemically unstable. These results are opposite to what was found for substitutional doping of graphane, i.e., hydrogenated graphene, in which case B substituents induce magnetism and N dopants do not.
Keywords: A1 Journal article; Condensed Matter Theory (CMT)
Impact Factor: 3.836
Times cited: 16
DOI: 10.1103/PhysRevB.88.035434
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“Double quantum dots defined in bilayer graphene”. Zebrowski DP, Peeters FM, Szafran B, Physical review B 96, 035434 (2017). http://doi.org/10.1103/PHYSREVB.96.035434
Abstract: Artificial molecular states of double quantum dots defined in bilayer graphene are studied with the atomistic tight-binding method and its low-energy continuum approximation. We indicate that the extended electron wave functions have opposite parities on sublattices of the layers and that the ground-state wave-function components change from bonding to antibonding with the interdot distance. In the weak-coupling limit, the one most relevant for quantum dots defined electrostatically, the signatures of the interdot coupling include, for the two-electron ground state, formation of states with symmetric or antisymmetric spatial wave functions split by the exchange energy. In the high-energy part of the spectrum the states with both electrons in the same dot are found with the splitting of energy levels corresponding to simultaneous tunneling of the electron pair from one dot to the other.
Keywords: A1 Journal article; Condensed Matter Theory (CMT)
Impact Factor: 3.836
Times cited: 6
DOI: 10.1103/PHYSREVB.96.035434
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“Role of atomic vacancies and boundary conditions on ballistic thermal transport in graphene nanoribbons”. Scuracchio P, Costamagna, Peeters FM, Dobry A, Physical review : B : condensed matter and materials physics 90, 035429 (2014). http://doi.org/10.1103/PhysRevB.90.035429
Abstract: Quantum thermal transport in armchair and zigzag graphene nanoribbons is investigated in the presence of single atomic vacancies and subject to different boundary conditions. We start with a full comparison of the phonon polarizations and energy dispersions as given by a fifth-nearest-neighbor force-constant model (5NNFCM) and by elasticity theory of continuum membranes (ETCM). For free-edge ribbons, we discuss the behavior of an additional acoustic edge-localized flexural mode, known as fourth acoustic branch (4ZA), which has a small gap when it is obtained by the 5NNFCM. Then, we show that ribbons with supported edges have a sample-size dependent energy gap in the phonon spectrum which is particularly large for in-plane modes. Irrespective to the calculation method and the boundary condition, the dependence of the energy gap for the low-energy optical phonon modes against the ribbon width W is found to be proportional to 1/W for in-plane, and 1/W-2 for out-of-plane phonon modes. Using the 5NNFCM, the ballistic thermal conductance and its contributions from every single phonon mode are then obtained by the nonequilibrium Green's function technique. We found that, while edge and central localized single atomic vacancies do not affect the low-energy transmission function of in-plane phonon modes, they reduce considerably the contributions of the flexural modes. On the other hand, in-plane modes contributions are strongly dependent on the boundary conditions and at low temperatures can be highly reduced in supported-edge samples. These findings could open a route to engineer graphene based devices where it is possible to discriminate the relative contribution of polarized phonons and to tune the thermal transport on the nanoscale.
Keywords: A1 Journal article; Condensed Matter Theory (CMT)
Impact Factor: 3.836
Times cited: 20
DOI: 10.1103/PhysRevB.90.035429
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“Coulomb impurity on a Dice lattice : atomic collapse and bound states”. Wang J, Van Pottelberge R, Zhao W-S, Peeters FM, Physical review B 105, 035427 (2022). http://doi.org/10.1103/PHYSREVB.105.035427
Abstract: The modification of the quantum states in a Dice lattice due to a Coulomb impurity are investigated. The energy-band structure of a pristine Dice lattice consists of a Dirac cone and a flat band at the Dirac point. We use the tight-binding formalism and find that the flat band states transform into a set of discrete bound states whose electron density is localized on a ring around the impurity mainly on two of the three sublattices. Its energy is proportional to the strength of the Coulomb impurity. Beyond a critical strength of the Coulomb potential atomic collapse states appear that have some similarity with those found in graphene with the difference that the flat band states contribute with an additional ringlike electron density that is spatially decoupled from the atomic collapse part. At large value of the strength of the Coulomb impurity the flat band bound states anticross with the atomic collapse states.
Keywords: A1 Journal article; Condensed Matter Theory (CMT)
Impact Factor: 3.7
Times cited: 3
DOI: 10.1103/PHYSREVB.105.035427
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