“Aharonov-Bohm oscillations in phosphorene quantum rings”. Li LL, Moldovan D, Vasilopoulos P, Peeters FM, Physical review B 95, 205426 (2017). http://doi.org/10.1103/PHYSREVB.95.205426
Abstract: The Aharonov-Bohm (AB) effect in square phosphorene quantum rings, with armchair and zigzag edges, is investigated using the tight-binding method. The energy spectra and wave functions of such rings, obtained as a function of the magnetic flux Phi threading the ring, are strongly influenced by the ringwidthW, an in-plane electric field E-p, and a side-gating potential V-g. Compared to a square dot, the ring shows an enhanced confinement due to its inner edges and an interedge coupling along the zigzag direction, both of which strongly affect the energy spectrum and the wave functions. The energy spectrum that is gapped consists of a regular part, of conduction (valence) band states, that shows the usual AB oscillations in the higher-(lower-) energy region, and of edge states, in the gap, that exhibit no AB oscillations. As the width W decreases, the AB oscillations become more distinct and regular and their period is close to Phi(0)/2, where the flux quantum Phi(0) = h/e is the period of an ideal circular ring (W -> 0). Both the electric field E-p and the side-gating potential V-g reduce the amplitude of the AB oscillations. The amplitude can be effectively tuned by E-p or V-g and exhibits an anisotropic behavior for different field directions or side-gating configurations.
Keywords: A1 Journal article; Condensed Matter Theory (CMT)
Impact Factor: 3.836
Times cited: 16
DOI: 10.1103/PHYSREVB.95.205426
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“New group-V elemental bilayers : a tunable structure model with four-, six-, and eight-atom rings”. Kong X, Li L, Leenaerts O, Liu X-J, Peeters FM, Physical review B 96, 035123 (2017). http://doi.org/10.1103/PHYSREVB.96.035123
Abstract: Two-dimensional group-V elemental materials have attracted widespread attention due to their nonzero band gap while displaying high electron mobility. Using first-principles calculations, we propose a series of new elemental bilayers with group-V elements (Bi, Sb, As). Our study reveals the dynamical stability of four-, six-, and eight-atom ring structures, demonstrating their possible coexistence in such bilayer systems. The proposed structures for Sb and As are large-gap semiconductors that are potentially interesting for applications in future nanodevices. The Bi structures have nontrivial topological properties with a direct nontrivial band gap. The nontrivial gap is shown to arise from a band inversion at the Brillouin zone center due to the strong intrinsic spin-orbit coupling in Bi atoms. Moreover, we demonstrate the possibility of tuning the properties of these materials by enhancing the ratio of six-atom rings to four-and eight-atom rings, which results in wider nontrivial band gaps and lower formation energies.
Keywords: A1 Journal article; Condensed Matter Theory (CMT)
Impact Factor: 3.836
Times cited: 14
DOI: 10.1103/PHYSREVB.96.035123
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“Electronic properties of bilayer phosphorene quantum dots in the presence of perpendicular electric and magnetic fields”. Li LL, Moldovan D, Xu W, Peeters FM, Physical review B 96, 155425 (2017). http://doi.org/10.1103/PHYSREVB.96.155425
Abstract: Using the tight-binding approach, we investigate the electronic properties of bilayer phosphorene (BLP) quantum dots (QDs) in the presence of perpendicular electric and magnetic fields. Since BLP consists of two coupled phosphorene layers, it is of interest to examine the layer-dependent electronic properties of BLP QDs, such as the electronic distributions over the two layers and the so-produced layer-polarization features, and to see how these properties are affected by the magnetic field and the bias potential. We find that in the absence of a bias potential only edge states are layer polarized while the bulk states are not, and the layer-polarization degree (LPD) of the unbiased edge states increases with increasing magnetic field. However, in the presence of a bias potential both the edge and bulk states are layer polarized, and the LPD of the bulk (edge) states depends strongly (weakly) on the interplay of the bias potential and the interlayer coupling. At high magnetic fields, applying a bias potential renders the bulk electrons in a BLP QD to be mainly distributed over the top or bottom layer, resulting in layer-polarized bulk Landau levels (LLs). In the presence of a large bias potential that can drive a semiconductor-to-semimetal transition in BLP, these bulk LLs exhibit different magnetic-field dependences, i.e., the zeroth LLs exhibit a linearlike dependence on the magnetic field while the other LLs exhibit a square-root-like dependence.
Keywords: A1 Journal article; Condensed Matter Theory (CMT)
Impact Factor: 3.836
Times cited: 28
DOI: 10.1103/PHYSREVB.96.155425
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“Magnetic field dependence of electronic properties of MoS2 quantum dots with different edges”. Chen Q, Li LL, Peeters FM, Physical review B 97, 085437 (2018). http://doi.org/10.1103/PHYSREVB.97.085437
Abstract: Using the tight-binding approach, we investigate the energy spectrum of square, triangular, and hexagonal MoS2 quantum dots (QDs) in the presence of a perpendicular magnetic field. Novel edge states emerge in MoS2 QDs, which are distributed over the whole edge which we call ring states. The ring states are robust in the presence of spin-orbit coupling (SOC). The corresponding energy levels of the ring states oscillate as a function of the perpendicular magnetic field which are related to Aharonov-Bohm oscillations. Oscillations in the magnetic field dependence of the energy levels and the peaks in the magneto-optical spectrum emerge (disappear) as the ring states are formed (collapsed). The period and the amplitude of the oscillation decrease with the size of the MoS2 QDs.
Keywords: A1 Journal article; Condensed Matter Theory (CMT)
Impact Factor: 3.836
Times cited: 18
DOI: 10.1103/PHYSREVB.97.085437
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“Quantum transport in defective phosphorene nanoribbons : effects of atomic vacancies”. Li LL, Peeters FM, Physical review B 97, 075414 (2018). http://doi.org/10.1103/PHYSREVB.97.075414
Abstract: Defects are almost inevitably present in realistic materials and defective materials are expected to exhibit very different properties than their nondefective (perfect) counterparts. Here, using a combination of the tight-binding approach and the scattering matrix formalism, we investigate the electronic transport properties of defective phosphorene nanoribbons (PNRs) containing atomic vacancies. We find that for both armchair PNRs (APNRs) and zigzag PNRs (ZPNRs), single vacancies can create quasilocalized states, which can affect their conductance. With increasing vacancy concentration, three different transport regimes are identified: ballistic, diffusive, and Anderson localized ones. In particular, ZPNRs that are known to be metallic due to the presence of edge states become semiconducting: edge conductance vanishes and transport gap appears due to Anderson localization. Moreover, we find that for a fixed vacancy concentration, both APNRs and ZPNRs of narrower width and/or longer length are more sensitive to vacancy disorder than their wider and/or shorter counterparts, and that for the same ribbon length and width, ZPNRs are more sensitive to vacancy disorder than APNRs.
Keywords: A1 Journal article; Condensed Matter Theory (CMT)
Impact Factor: 3.836
Times cited: 30
DOI: 10.1103/PHYSREVB.97.075414
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“Tuning the electronic properties of gated multilayer phosphorene : a self-consistent tight-binding study”. Li LL, Partoens B, Peeters FM, Physical review B 97, 155424 (2018). http://doi.org/10.1103/PHYSREVB.97.155424
Abstract: By taking account of the electric-field-induced charge screening, a self-consistent calculation within the framework of the tight-binding approach is employed to obtain the electronic band structure of gated multilayer phosphorene and the charge densities on the different phosphorene layers. We find charge density and screening anomalies in single-gated multilayer phosphorene and electron-hole bilayers in dual-gated multilayer phosphorene. Due to the unique puckered lattice structure, both intralayer and interlayer charge screenings are important in gated multilayer phosphorene. We find that the electric-field tuning of the band structure of multilayer phosphorene is distinctively different in the presence and absence of charge screening. For instance, it is shown that the unscreened band gap of multilayer phosphorene decreases dramatically with increasing electric-field strength. However, in the presence of charge screening, the magnitude of this band-gap decrease is significantly reduced and the reduction depends strongly on the number of phosphorene layers. Our theoretical results of the band-gap tuning are compared with recent experiments and good agreement is found.
Keywords: A1 Journal article; Condensed Matter Theory (CMT)
Impact Factor: 3.836
Times cited: 26
DOI: 10.1103/PHYSREVB.97.155424
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“Single-layer Janus black arsenic-phosphorus (b-AsP): optical dichroism, anisotropic vibrational, thermal, and elastic properties”. Li LL, Bacaksiz C, Nakhaee M, Pentcheva R, Peeters FM, Yagmurcukardes M, Physical Review B 101, 134102 (2020). http://doi.org/10.1103/PHYSREVB.101.134102
Abstract: By using density functional theory (DFT) calculations, we predict a puckered, dynamically stable Janus single-layer black arsenic-phosphorus (b-AsP), which is composed of two different atomic sublayers, arsenic and phosphorus atoms. The calculated phonon spectrum reveals that Janus single-layer b-AsP is dynamically stable with either pure or coupled optical phonon branches arising from As and P atoms. The calculated Raman spectrum indicates that due to the relatively strong P-P bonds, As atoms have no contribution to the highfrequency optical vibrations. In addition, the orientation-dependent isovolume heat capacity reveals anisotropic contributions of LA and TA phonon branches to the low-temperature thermal properties. Unlike pristine single layers of b-As and b-P, Janus single-layer b-AsP exhibits additional out-of-plane asymmetry which leads to important consequences for its electronic, optical, and elastic properties. In contrast to single-layer b-As, Janus single-layer b-AsP is found to possess a direct band gap dominated by the P atoms. Moreover, real and imaginary parts of the dynamical dielectric function, including excitonic effects, reveal the highly anisotropic optical feature of the Janus single-layer. A tight-binding (TB) model is also presented for Janus single-layer b-AsP, and it is shown that, with up to seven nearest hoppings, the TB model reproduces well the DFT band structure in the low-energy region around the band gap. This TB model can be used in combination with the Green's function approach to study, e.g., quantum transport in finite systems based on Janus single-layer b-AsP. Furthermore, the linear-elastic properties of Janus single-layer b-AsP are investigated, and the orientation-dependent in-plane stiffness and Poisson ratio are calculated. It is found that the Janus single layer exhibits strong in-plane anisotropy in its Poisson ratio much larger than that of single-layer b-P. This Janus single layer is relevant for promising applications in optical dichroism and anisotropic nanoelasticity.
Keywords: A1 Journal article; Condensed Matter Theory (CMT)
Impact Factor: 3.7
Times cited: 39
DOI: 10.1103/PHYSREVB.101.134102
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“Ferromagnetism with in-plane magnetization, Dirac spin-gapless semiconducting properties, and tunable topological states in two-dimensional rare-earth metal dinitrides”. Yu Y, Chen X, Liu X, Li J, Sanyal B, Kong X, Peeters FM, Li L, Physical review B 105, 024407 (2022). http://doi.org/10.1103/PHYSREVB.105.024407
Abstract: Since the successful synthesis of bulk single crystals MoN2 and ReN2, which have a layered structure, transition-metal dinitrides have attracted considerable attention in recent years. Here, we focus on rare-earth metal (Rem) elements, and propose seven stable Rem dinitride monolayers with a 1T structure, namely, 1T-RemN2. We use first-principles calculations, and find that these monolayers have a ferromagnetic ground state with in-plane magnetization. Without spin-orbit coupling (SOC), the band structures are spin-polarized with Dirac points at the Fermi level. Remarkably, the 1T-LuN2 monolayer exhibits an isotropic magnetocrystalline anisotropy energy in the xy plane with in-plane magnetization, indicating easy tunability of the magnetization direction. When rotating the magnetization vector in the xy plane, we propose a model that accurately describes the variation of the SOC band gap and the two possible topological states (Weyl-like semimetal and Chern insulator states) whose properties are tunable. The Weyl-like semimetal state is a critical point between the two Chern insulator states with opposite sign of the Chern numbers (+/- 1). The nontrivial band gap (up to 60.3 meV) and the Weyl-like semimetal state are promising for applications in spintronic devices.
Keywords: A1 Journal article; Condensed Matter Theory (CMT)
Impact Factor: 3.7
Times cited: 13
DOI: 10.1103/PHYSREVB.105.024407
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“Exciton states in a circular graphene quantum dot: Magnetic field induced intravalley to intervalley transition”. Li LL, Zarenia M, Xu W, Dong HM, Peeters FM, Physical review B 95, 045409 (2017). http://doi.org/10.1103/PHYSREVB.95.045409
Abstract: The magnetic-field dependence of the energy spectrum, wave function, binding energy, and oscillator strength of exciton states confined in a circular graphene quantum dot (CGQD) is obtained within the configuration interaction method. We predict that (i) excitonic effects are very significant in the CGQD as a consequence of a combination of geometric confinement, magnetic confinement, and reduced screening; (ii) two types of excitons (intravalley and intervalley) are present in the CGQD because of the valley degree of freedom in graphene; (iii) the intravalley and intervalley exciton states display different magnetic-field dependencies due to the different electron-hole symmetries of the single-particle energy spectra; (iv) with increasing magnetic field, the exciton ground state in the CGQD undergoes an intravalley to intervalley transition accompanied by a change of angular momentum; (v) the exciton binding energy does not increase monotonically with the magnetic field due to the competition between geometric and magnetic confinements; and (vi) the optical transitions of the intervalley and intravalley excitons can be tuned by the magnetic field, and valley-dependent excitonic transitions can be realized in a CGQD.
Keywords: A1 Journal article; Condensed Matter Theory (CMT)
Impact Factor: 3.836
Times cited: 14
DOI: 10.1103/PHYSREVB.95.045409
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“Electronic and transport properties of n-type monolayer black phosphorus at low temperatures”. Han FW, Xu W, Li LL, Zhang C, Dong HM, Peeters FM, Physical review B 95, 115436 (2017). http://doi.org/10.1103/PhysRevB.95.115436
Abstract: We present a detailed theoretical study of the electronic and transport properties of monolayer black phosphorus (BP). This study is motivated by recent experimental activities in investigating n-type few-layer BP systems. The electron density of states, the screening length, and the low-temperature electron mobility are calculated for monolayer BP (MLBP). In particular, the electron transport mobilities along the armchair and zigzag directions are examined on the basis of the momentum-balance equation derived from a semiclassical Boltzmann equation. The anisotropic electron mobilities in MLBP along different directions are demonstrated where the electron-impurity scattering is considered. Furthermore, we compare the results obtained from two electronic band structures of MLBP and find that the simplified model can describe quite rightly the electronic and transport properties of MLBP. This study is relevant to the application of few-layer BP based electronic systems as advanced electronic devices.
Keywords: A1 Journal article; Condensed Matter Theory (CMT)
Impact Factor: 3.836
Times cited: 12
DOI: 10.1103/PhysRevB.95.115436
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“The adsorption and decomposition of SF6 over defective and hydroxylated MgO surfaces: A DFT study”. Cui Z, Hao Y, Jafarzadeh A, Li S, Bogaerts A, Li L, Surfaces and interfaces 36, 102602 (2023). http://doi.org/10.1016/j.surfin.2022.102602
Abstract: Plasma degradation is one of the most effective methods for the abatement of greenhouse gas sulfur hexafluoride
(SF6). To evaluate the potential of MgO as a catalyst in plasma degradation, we investigate the catalytic properties
of MgO on SF6 adsorption and activation by density functional theory (DFT) where the O-defective and
hydroxylated surfaces are considered as two typical plasma-generated surfaces. Our results show that perfect
MgO (001) and (111) surfaces cannot interact with SF6 and only physical adsorption happens. In case of Odefective
MgO surfaces, the O vacancy is the most stable adsorption site. SF6 undergoes a decomposition to SF5
and F over the O-defective MgO (001) surface and undergoes an elongation of the bottom S-F bond over the Odefective
(111) surface. Besides, SF6 shows a physically adsorption at the stepsite of the MgO (001) surface,
accompanied by small changes in its bond angle and length. Furthermore, SF6 is found to be physically and
chemically adsorbed over 0.5 and 1.0 ML (monolayer) H-covered O-terminated MgO (111) surfaces, respectively.
The SF6 molecule undergoes a self-decomposition on the 1.0 ML hydroxylated surface via a surface bonding
process. This study shows that defective and hydroxylated MgO surfaces have the surface capacities for SF6
activation, which shows that MgO has potential as packing material in SF6 waste treatment in packed-bed
plasmas.
Keywords: A1 Journal article; Plasma Lab for Applications in Sustainability and Medicine – Antwerp (PLASMANT)
Impact Factor: 6.2
DOI: 10.1016/j.surfin.2022.102602
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“SF₆, catalytic degradation in a γ-Al₂O₃, packed bed plasma system : a combined experimental and theoretical study”. Cui Z, Zhou C, Jafarzadeh A, Meng S, Yi Y, Wang Y, Zhang X, Hao Y, Li L, Bogaerts A, High voltage , 1 (2022). http://doi.org/10.1049/HVE2.12230
Abstract: Effective abatement of the greenhouse gas sulphur hexafluoride (SF6) waste is of great importance for the environment protection. This work investigates the size effect and the surface properties of gamma-Al2O3 pellets on SF6 degradation in a packed bed dielectric barrier discharge (PB-DBD) system. Experimental results show that decreasing the packing size improves the filamentary discharges and promotes the ignition and the maintenance of plasma, enhancing the degradation performance at low input powers. However, too small packing pellets decrease the gas residence time and reduce the degradation efficiency, especially for the input power beyond 80 W. Besides, lowering the packing size promotes the generation of SO2, while reduces the yields of S-O-F products, corresponding to a better degradation. After the discharge, the pellet surface becomes smoother with the appearance of S and F elements. Density functional theory calculations show that SF6 is likely to be adsorbed at the Al-III site over the gamma-Al2O3(110) surface, and it is much more easily to decompose than in the gas phase. The fluorine gaseous products can decompose and stably adsorb on the pellet surface to change the surface element composition. This work provides a better understanding of SF6 degradation in a PB-DBD system.
Keywords: A1 Journal article; Plasma Lab for Applications in Sustainability and Medicine – Antwerp (PLASMANT)
Impact Factor: 4.4
DOI: 10.1049/HVE2.12230
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“Collective Plasmonic Properties in Few-Layer Gold Nanorod Supercrystals”. Hamon C, Novikov SM, Scarabelli L, Solís DM, Altantzis T, Bals S, Taboada JM, Obelleiro F, Liz-Marzán LM, ACS Photonics 2, 1482 (2015). http://doi.org/10.1021/acsphotonics.5b00369
Abstract: Gold nanorod supercrystals have been widely employed for the detection of relevant bioanalytes with detection limits ranging from nano- to picomolar levels,
confirming the promising nature of these structures for biosensing. Even though a relationship between the height of the supercrystal (i.e., the number of stacked nanorod layers)and the enhancement factor has been proposed, no systematic
study has been reported. In order to tackle this problem, we prepared gold nanorod supercrystals with varying numbers of stacked layers and analyzed them extensively by atomic force microscopy, electron microscopy and surface enhanced Raman scattering. The experimental results were compared to numerical
simulations performed on real-size supercrystals composed of thousands of nanorod building blocks. Analysis of the hot spot distribution in the simulated supercrystals showed the presence of standing waves that were distributed at different depths, depending on the number of layers in each supercrystal. On the basis of these theoretical results, we interpreted the experimental
data in terms of analyte penetration into the topmost layer only, which indicates that diffusion to the interior of the supercrystals would be crucial if the complete field enhancement produced by the stacked nanorods is to be exploited. We propose that our conclusions will be of high relevance in the design of next generation plasmonic devices.
Keywords: A1 Journal article; Engineering sciences. Technology; Electron microscopy for materials research (EMAT)
Impact Factor: 6.756
Times cited: 70
DOI: 10.1021/acsphotonics.5b00369
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“High performance piezotronic spin transistors using molybdenum disulfide nanoribbon”. Yan XF, Chen Q, Li LL, Guo HZ, Peng JZ, Peeters FM, Nano Energy 75, 104953 (2020). http://doi.org/10.1016/J.NANOEN.2020.104953
Abstract: Two-dimensional (2D) materials are promising candidates for atomic-scale piezotronics and piezophototronics. Quantum edge states show fascinating fundamental physics such as nontrivial topological behavior and hold promising practical applications for low-power electronic devices. Here, using the tight-binding approach and quantum transport simulations, we investigate the piezotronic effect on the spin polarization of edge states in a zigzag-terminated monolayer MoS2 nanoribbon. We find that the strain-induced piezoelectric potential induces a phase transition of edge states from metal to semiconductor. However, in the presence of exchange field, edge states become semi-metallic with significant spin splitting and polarization that can be tuned by external strain. We show that quantum transport conductance exhibits a 100% spin polarization over a wide range of strain magnitudes. This effect is used in a propose prototype of piezotronic spin transistor. Our results provide a fundamental understanding of the piezotronic effect on edge states in zigzag monolayer MoS2 nanoribbons and are relevant for designing high-performance piezotronic spin devices.
Keywords: A1 Journal article; Engineering sciences. Technology; Condensed Matter Theory (CMT)
Impact Factor: 17.6
Times cited: 20
DOI: 10.1016/J.NANOEN.2020.104953
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“Epitaxial stress-free growth of high crystallinity ferroelectric PbZr0.52Ti0.48O3 on GaN/AlGaN/Si(111) substrate”. Li L, Liao Z, Gauquelin N, Minh Duc Nguyen, Hueting RJE, Gravesteijn DJ, Lobato I, Houwman EP, Lazar S, Verbeeck J, Koster G, Rijnders G, Advanced Materials Interfaces 5, 1700921 (2018). http://doi.org/10.1002/ADMI.201700921
Abstract: <script type='text/javascript'>document.write(unpmarked('Due to its physical properties gallium-nitride (GaN) is gaining a lot of attention as an emerging semiconductor material in the field of high-power and high-frequency electronics applications. Therefore, the improvement in the performance and/or perhaps even extension in functionality of GaN based devices would be highly desirable. The integration of ferroelectric materials such as lead-zirconate-titanate (PbZrxTi1-xO3) with GaN has a strong potential to offer such an improvement. However, the large lattice mismatch between PZT and GaN makes the epitaxial growth of Pb(Zr1-xTix)O-3 on GaN a formidable challenge. This work discusses a novel strain relaxation mechanism observed when MgO is used as a buffer layer, with thicknesses down to a single unit cell, inducing epitaxial growth of high crystallinity Pb(Zr0.52Ti0.48)O-3 (PZT) thin films. The epitaxial PZT films exhibit good ferroelectric properties, showing great promise for future GaN device applications.'));
Keywords: A1 Journal article; Electron microscopy for materials research (EMAT)
Impact Factor: 4.279
Times cited: 15
DOI: 10.1002/ADMI.201700921
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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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“Plasma-catalytic methanol synthesis from CO₂, hydrogenation over a supported Cu cluster catalyst : insights into the reaction mechanism”. Cui Z, Meng S, Yi Y, Jafarzadeh A, Li S, Neyts EC, Hao Y, Li L, Zhang X, Wang X, Bogaerts A, Acs Catalysis 12, 1326 (2022). http://doi.org/10.1021/ACSCATAL.1C04678
Abstract: Plasma-catalytic CO, hydrogenation for methanol production is gaining increasing interest, but our understanding of its reaction mechanism remains primitive. We present a combined experimental/computational study on plasma-catalytic CO, hydrogenation to CH3OH over a size-selected Cu/gamma-Al2O3 catalyst. Our experiments demonstrate a synergistic effect between the Cu/gamma-Al2O3 catalyst and the CO2/H-2 plasma, achieving a CO2 conversion of 10% at 4 wt % Cu loading and a CH3OH selectivity near 50% further rising to 65% with H2O addition (for a H2O/CO2 ratio of 1). Furthermore, the energy consumption for CH3OH production was more than 20 times lower than with plasma only. We carried out density functional theory calculations over a Cu-13/gamma-Al2O3 model, which reveal that the interfacial sites of the Cu-13 cluster and gamma-Al2O3 support show a bifunctional effect: they not only activate the CO2 molecules but also strongly adsorb key intermediates to promote their hydrogenation further. Reactive plasma species can regulate the catalyst surface reactions via the Eley-Rideal (E-R) mechanism, which accelerates the hydrogenation process and promotes the generation of the key intermediates. H2O can promote the CH3OH desorption by competitive adsorption over the Cu-13/gamma-Al2O3 surface. This study provides new insights into CO2 hydrogenation through plasma catalysis, and it provides inspiration for the conversion of some other small molecules (CH4, N-2, CO, etc.) by plasma catalysis using supported-metal clusters.
Keywords: A1 Journal article; Plasma Lab for Applications in Sustainability and Medicine – Antwerp (PLASMANT)
Impact Factor: 12.9
DOI: 10.1021/ACSCATAL.1C04678
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“Exploring the Optical and Morphological Properties of Ag and Ag/TiO2 Nanocomposites Grown by Supersonic Cluster Beam Deposition”. Cavaliere E, Benetti G, Van Bael M, Winckelmans N, Bals S, Gavioli L, Nanomaterials 7, 442 (2017). http://doi.org/10.3390/nano7120442
Abstract: Nanocomposite systems and nanoparticle (NP) films are crucial for many applications and research fields. The structure-properties correlation raises complex questions due to the collective structure of these systems, often granular and porous, a crucial factor impacting their effectiveness and performance. In this framework, we investigate the optical and morphological properties of Ag nanoparticles (NPs) films and of Ag NPs/TiO₂ porous matrix films, one-step grown by supersonic cluster beam deposition. Morphology and structure of the Ag NPs film and of the Ag/TiO₂ (Ag/Ti 50-50) nanocomposite are related to the optical properties of the film employing spectroscopic ellipsometry (SE). We employ a simple Bruggeman effective medium approximation model, corrected by finite size effects of the nano-objects in the film structure to gather information on the structure and morphology of the nanocomposites, in particular porosity and average NPs size for the Ag/TiO₂ NP film. Our results suggest that SE is a simple, quick and effective method to measure porosity of nanoscale films and systems, where standard methods for measuring pore sizes might not be applicable.
Keywords: A1 Journal article; Engineering sciences. Technology; Electron microscopy for materials research (EMAT)
Impact Factor: 3.553
Times cited: 19
DOI: 10.3390/nano7120442
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“Insights into the Photoelectrocatalytic Behavior of gCN-Based Anode Materials Supported on Ni Foams”. Benedoue S, Benedet M, Gasparotto A, Gauquelin N, Orekhov A, Verbeeck J, Seraglia R, Pagot G, Rizzi GA, Balzano V, Gavioli L, Noto VD, Barreca D, Maccato C, Nanomaterials 13, 1035 (2023). http://doi.org/10.3390/nano13061035
Abstract: Graphitic carbon nitride (gCN) is a promising n-type semiconductor widely investigated for photo-assisted water splitting, but less studied for the (photo)electrochemical degradation of aqueous organic pollutants. In these fields, attractive perspectives for advancements are offered by a proper engineering of the material properties, e.g., by depositing gCN onto conductive and porous scaffolds, tailoring its nanoscale morphology, and functionalizing it with suitable cocatalysts. The present study reports on a simple and easily controllable synthesis of gCN flakes on Ni foam substrates by electrophoretic deposition (EPD), and on their eventual decoration with Co-based cocatalysts [CoO, CoFe2O4, cobalt phosphate (CoPi)] via radio frequency (RF)-sputtering or electrodeposition. After examining the influence of processing conditions on the material characteristics, the developed systems are comparatively investigated as (photo)anodes for water splitting and photoelectrocatalysts for the degradation of a recalcitrant water pollutant [potassium hydrogen phthalate (KHP)]. The obtained results highlight that while gCN decoration with Co-based cocatalysts boosts water splitting performances, bare gCN as such is more efficient in KHP abatement, due to the occurrence of a different reaction mechanism. The related insights, provided by a multi-technique characterization, may provide valuable guidelines for the implementation of active nanomaterials in environmental remediation and sustainable solar-to-chemical energy conversion.
Keywords: A1 Journal article; Engineering sciences. Technology; Electron microscopy for materials research (EMAT)
Impact Factor: 5.3
Times cited: 3
DOI: 10.3390/nano13061035
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“Electric-field modulation of linear dichroism and Faraday rotation in few-layer phosphorene”. Li LL, Partoens B, Xu W, Peeters FM, 2D materials 6, 015032 (2019). http://doi.org/10.1088/2053-1583/AAF47F
Abstract: Electro-optical modulators, which use an electric voltage (or an electric field) to modulate a beam of light, are essential elements in present-day telecommunication devices. Using a self-consistent tight-binding approach combined with the standard Kubo formula, we show that the optical conductivity and the linear dichroism of few-layer phosphorene can be modulated by a perpendicular electric field. We find that the field-induced charge screening plays a significant role in modulating the optical conductivity and the linear dichroism. Distinct absorption peaks are induced in the conductivity spectrum due to the strong quantum confinement along the out-of-plane direction and to the field-induced forbidden-to-allowed transitions. The field modulation of the linear dichroism becomes more pronounced with increasing number of phosphorene layers. We also show that the Faraday rotation is present in few-layer phosphorene even in the absence of an external magnetic field. This optical Hall effect is induced by the reduced lattice symmetry of few-layer phosphorene. The Faraday rotation is greatly influenced by the field-induced charge screening and is strongly dependent on the strength of perpendicular electric field and on the number of phosphorene layers.
Keywords: A1 Journal article; Condensed Matter Theory (CMT)
Impact Factor: 6.937
Times cited: 23
DOI: 10.1088/2053-1583/AAF47F
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“Nematic superconducting state in iron pnictide superconductors”. Li J, Pereira PJ, Yuan J, Lv Y-Y, Jiang M-P, Lu D, Lin Z-Q, Liu Y-J, Wang J-F, Li L, Ke X, Van Tendeloo G, Li M-Y, Feng H-L, Hatano T, Wang H-B, Wu P-H, Yamaura K, Takayama-Muromachi E, Vanacken J, Chibotaru LF, Moshchalkov VV, Nature communications 8, 1880 (2017). http://doi.org/10.1038/s41467-017-02016-y
Abstract: Nematic order often breaks the tetragonal symmetry of iron-based superconductors. It arises from regular structural transition or electronic instability in the normal phase. Here, we report the observation of a nematic superconducting state, by measuring the angular dependence of the in-plane and out-of-plane magnetoresistivity of Ba 0.5 K 0.5 Fe 2 As 2 single crystals. We find large twofold oscillations in the vicinity of the superconducting transition, when the direction of applied magnetic field is rotated within the basal plane. To avoid the influences from sample geometry or current flow direction, the sample was designed as Corbino-shape for in-plane and mesa-shape for out-of-plane measurements. Theoretical analysis shows that the nematic superconductivity arises from the weak mixture of the quasi-degenerate s-wave and d-wave components of the superconducting condensate, most probably induced by a weak anisotropy of stresses inherent to single crystals.
Keywords: A1 Journal article; Engineering sciences. Technology; Electron microscopy for materials research (EMAT)
Impact Factor: 12.124
Times cited: 8
DOI: 10.1038/s41467-017-02016-y
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“Efficient long-range conduction in cable bacteria through nickel protein wires”. Boschker HTS, Cook PLM, Polerecky L, Eachambadi RT, Lozano H, Hidalgo-Martinez S, Khalenkow D, Spampinato V, Claes N, Kundu P, Wang D, Bals S, Sand KK, Cavezza F, Hauffman T, Bjerg JT, Skirtach AG, Kochan K, McKee M, Wood B, Bedolla D, Gianoncelli A, Geerlings NMJ, Van Gerven N, Remaut H, Geelhoed JS, Millan-Solsona R, Fumagalli L, Nielsen LP, Franquet A, Manca JV, Gomila G, Meysman FJR, Nature Communications 12, 3996 (2021). http://doi.org/10.1038/s41467-021-24312-4
Abstract: Filamentous cable bacteria display long-range electron transport, generating electrical currents over centimeter distances through a highly ordered network of fibers embedded in their cell envelope. The conductivity of these periplasmic wires is exceptionally high for a biological material, but their chemical structure and underlying electron transport mechanism remain unresolved. Here, we combine high-resolution microscopy, spectroscopy, and chemical imaging on individual cable bacterium filaments to demonstrate that the periplasmic wires consist of a conductive protein core surrounded by an insulating protein shell layer. The core proteins contain a sulfur-ligated nickel cofactor, and conductivity decreases when nickel is oxidized or selectively removed. The involvement of nickel as the active metal in biological conduction is remarkable, and suggests a hitherto unknown form of electron transport that enables efficient conduction in centimeter-long protein structures.
Keywords: A1 Journal article; Engineering sciences. Technology; Electron microscopy for materials research (EMAT)
Impact Factor: 12.124
Times cited: 23
DOI: 10.1038/s41467-021-24312-4
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“Quantum anomalous Hall effect in a stable 1T-YN2 monolayer with a large nontrivial bandgap and a high Chern number”. Kong X, Li L, Leenaerts O, Wang W, Liu X-J, Peeters FM, Nanoscale 10, 8153 (2018). http://doi.org/10.1039/C8NR00571K
Abstract: The quantum anomalous Hall (QAH) effect is a topologically nontrivial phase, characterized by a non-zero Chern number defined in the bulk and chiral edge states in the boundary. Using first-principles calculations, we demonstrate the presence of the QAH effect in a 1T-YN2 monolayer, which was recently predicted to be a Dirac half metal without spin-orbit coupling (SOC). We show that the inclusion of SOC opens up a large nontrivial bandgap of nearly 0.1 eV in the electronic band structure. This results in the nontrivial bulk topology, which is confirmed by the calculation of Berry curvature, anomalous Hall conductance and the presence of chiral edge states. Remarkably, a QAH phase of high Chern number C = 3 is found, and there are three corresponding gapless chiral edge states emerging inside the bulk gap. Different substrates are also chosen to study the possible experimental realization of the 1T-YN2 monolayer, while retaining its nontrivial topological properties. Our results open a new avenue in searching for QAH insulators with high temperature and high Chern numbers, which can have nontrivial practical applications.
Keywords: A1 Journal article; Engineering sciences. Technology; Condensed Matter Theory (CMT)
Impact Factor: 7.367
Times cited: 28
DOI: 10.1039/C8NR00571K
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“Gallium bismuth halide GaBi-X2 (X = I, Br, Cl) monolayers with distorted hexagonal framework: Novel room-temperature quantum spin Hall insulators”. Li L, Leenaerts O, Kong X, Chen X, Zhao M, Peeters FM, Nano Research 10, 2168 (2017). http://doi.org/10.1007/S12274-017-1464-Z
Abstract: Quantum spin Hall (QSH) insulators with a large topologically nontrivial bulk gap are crucial for future applications of the QSH effect. Among these, group III-V monolayers and their halides, which have a chair structure (regular hexagonal framework), have been widely studied. Using first-principles calculations, we formulate a new structure model for the functionalized group III-V monolayers, which consist of rectangular GaBi-X-2 (X = I, Br, Cl) monolayers with a distorted hexagonal framework (DHF). These structures have a far lower energy than the GaBi-X-2 monolayers with a chair structure. Remarkably, the DHF GaBi-X-2 monolayers are all QSH insulators, which exhibit sizeable nontrivial band gaps ranging from 0.17 to 0.39 eV. The band gaps can be widely tuned by applying different spin-orbit coupling strengths, resulting in a distorted Dirac cone.
Keywords: A1 Journal article; Engineering sciences. Technology; Condensed Matter Theory (CMT)
Impact Factor: 7.354
Times cited: 15
DOI: 10.1007/S12274-017-1464-Z
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“Two-in-one solution using insect wings to produce graphene-graphite films for efficient electrocatalysis”. Li H, Zhang L, Li L, Wu C, Huo Y, Chen Y, Liu X, Ke X, Luo J, Van Tendeloo G, Nano Research 12, 33 (2019). http://doi.org/10.1007/S12274-018-2172-Z
Abstract: Natural organisms contain rich elements and naturally optimized smart structures, both of which have inspired various innovative concepts and designs in human society. In particular, several natural organisms have been used as element sources to synthesize low-cost and environmentally friendly electrocatalysts for the oxygen reduction reaction (ORR) in fuel cells and metal-air batteries, which are clean energy devices. However, to date, no naturally optimized smart structures have been employed in the synthesis of ORR catalysts, including graphene-based materials. Here, we demonstrate a novel strategy to synthesize graphene-graphite films (GGFs) by heating butterfly wings coated with FeCl3 in N-2, in which the full power of natural organisms is utilized. The wings work not only as an element source for GGF generation but also as a porous supporting structure for effective nitrogen doping, two-dimensional spreading, and double-face exposure of the GGFs. These GGFs exhibit a half-wave potential of 0.942 V and a H2O2 yield of < 0.07% for ORR electrocatalysis; these values are comparable to those for the best commercial Pt/C and all previously reported ORR catalysts in alkaline media. This two-in-one strategy is also successful with cicada and dragonfly wings, indicating that it is a universal, green, and cost-effective method for developing high-performance graphene-based materials.
Keywords: A1 Journal article; Engineering sciences. Technology; Electron microscopy for materials research (EMAT)
Impact Factor: 7.354
Times cited: 7
DOI: 10.1007/S12274-018-2172-Z
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“Estimating human health impacts and costs due to Iranian fossil fuel power plant emissions through the impact pathway approach”. Jorli M, Van Passel S, Sadeghi H, Nasseri A, Agheli L, Energies 10, 2136 (2017). http://doi.org/10.3390/EN10122136
Abstract: Air pollutants from fossil fuel fired power plants harm the environment and human health. More than 91% of Irans electricity production is from thermal power plants that use natural gas, diesel, and fuel oil. We apply the impact pathway approach to estimate the health impacts arising from Iranian fossil-based electricity generation emission, and in a next step, we calculate monetary costs of the estimated damages, for a one-year period starting from 20 March 2016 through 2017. We use the new version of SIMPACTS (International Atomic Energy Agency, Vienna, Austria) to investigate the health effects from 61 major Iran fossil-based power plants separately. The selected plants represent 95.6% of total Iran fossil-based power generation. Using the individual and different power plant estimates, we avoid extrapolation and our results can be considered more reliable, taking into account spatial differences. The total damage cost is 723.42 million USD (2000). The damage cost per generated electricity varies from 0.06 to 22.41 USD/MWh and average plant damage cost is 2.85 USD/MWh. Accounting for these external costs indicates the actual costs of fossil energy. The results are useful for policy makers to compare the health costs from these plants and to decide on cleaner energy sources and to take measures to increase benefits for society.
Keywords: A1 Journal article; Economics; Engineering sciences. Technology; Engineering Management (ENM)
Impact Factor: 2.262
Times cited: 4
DOI: 10.3390/EN10122136
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“Formation of Hollow Gold Nanocrystals by Nanosecond Laser Irradiation”. González-Rubio G, Milagres de Oliveira T, Albrecht W, Díaz-Núñez P, Castro-Palacio JC, Prada A, González RI, Scarabelli L, Bañares L, Rivera A, Liz-Marzán LM, Peña-Rodríguez O, Bals S, Guerrero-Martínez A, Journal Of Physical Chemistry Letters 11, 670 (2020). http://doi.org/10.1021/acs.jpclett.9b03574
Abstract: The irradiation of spherical gold nanoparticles (AuNPs) with nanosecond laser pulses induces shape transformations yielding nanocrystals with an inner cavity. The concentration of the stabilizing surfactant, the use of moderate pulse fluences, and the size of the irradiated AuNPs determine the efficiency of the process and the nature of the void. Hollow nanocrystals are obtained when molecules from the surrounding medium (e.g., water and organic matter derived from the surfactant) are trapped during laser pulse irradiation. These experimental observations suggest the existence of a subtle balance between the heating and cooling processes experienced by the nanocrystals, which induce their expansion and subsequent recrystallization keeping exogenous matter inside. The described approach provides valuable insight into the mechanism of interaction of pulsed nanosecond laser with AuNPs, along with interesting prospects for the development of hollow plasmonic nanoparticles with potential applications related to gas and liquid storage at the nanoscale.
Keywords: A1 Journal article; Engineering sciences. Technology; Electron microscopy for materials research (EMAT)
Impact Factor: 5.7
Times cited: 15
DOI: 10.1021/acs.jpclett.9b03574
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“State of the art and prospects for Halide Perovskite Nanocrystals”. Dey A, Ye J, De A, Debroye E, Ha SK, Bladt E, Kshirsagar AS, Wang Z, Yin J, Wang Y, Quan LN, Yan F, Gao M, Li X, Shamsi J, Debnath T, Cao M, Scheel MA, Kumar S, Steele JA, Gerhard M, Chouhan L, Xu K, Wu X-gang, Li Y, Zhang Y, Dutta A, Han C, Vincon I, Rogach AL, Nag A, Samanta A, Korgel BA, Shih C-J, Gamelin DR, Son DH, Zeng H, Zhong H, Sun H, Demir HV, Scheblykin IG, Mora-Sero I, Stolarczyk JK, Zhang JZ, Feldmann J, Hofkens J, Luther JM, Perez-Prieto J, Li L, Manna L, Bodnarchuk M I, Kovalenko M V, Roeffaers MBJ, Pradhan N, Mohammed OF, Bakr OM, Yang P, Muller-Buschbaum P, Kamat P V, Bao Q, Zhang Q, Krahne R, Galian RE, Stranks SD, Bals S, Biju V, Tisdale WA, Yan Y, Hoye RLZ, Polavarapu L, Acs Nano 15, 10775 (2021). http://doi.org/10.1021/ACSNANO.0C08903
Abstract: Metal-halide perovskites have rapidly emerged as one of the most promising materials of the 21st century, with many exciting properties and great potential for a broad range of applications, from photovoltaics to optoelectronics and photocatalysis. The ease with which metal-halide perovskites can be synthesized in the form of brightly luminescent colloidal nanocrystals, as well as their tunable and intriguing optical and electronic properties, has attracted researchers from different disciplines of science and technology. In the last few years, there has been a significant progress in the shape-controlled synthesis of perovskite nanocrystals and understanding of their properties and applications. In this comprehensive review, researchers having expertise in different fields (chemistry, physics, and device engineering) of metal-halide perovskite nanocrystals have joined together to provide a state of the art overview and future prospects of metal-halide perovskite nanocrystal research.
Keywords: A1 Journal article; Engineering sciences. Technology; Electron microscopy for materials research (EMAT)
Impact Factor: 13.942
Times cited: 538
DOI: 10.1021/ACSNANO.0C08903
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“Bottom-Up Mechanical Nanometrology of Granular Ag Nanoparticles Thin Films”. Benetti G, Caddeo C, Melis C, Ferrini G, Giannetti C, Winckelmans N, Bals S, J Van Bael M, Cavaliere E, Gavioli L, Banfi F, The journal of physical chemistry: C : nanomaterials and interfaces 121, 22434 (2017). http://doi.org/10.1021/acs.jpcc.7b05795
Abstract: Ultrathin metal nanoparticles coatings, synthesized by gas-phase deposition, are emerging as go-to materials in a variety of fields ranging from pathogens control, sensing to energy storage. Predicting their morphology and mechanical properties beyond a trial-and-error approach is a crucial issue limiting their exploitation in real-life applications. The morphology and mechanical properties of Ag nanoparticles ultrathin films, synthesized by supersonic cluster beam deposition, are here assessed adopting a bottom-up, multi-technique approach. A virtual film model is proposed merging high resolution scanning transmission electron microscopy, supersonic cluster beam dynamics and molecular dynamics simulations. The model is validated against mechanical nanometrology measurements and is readily extendable to metals other than Ag. The virtual film is shown to be a flexible and reliable predictive tool to access morphology-dependent properties such as mesoscale gas-dynamics and elasticity of ultrathin films synthesized by gas-phase deposition.
Keywords: A1 Journal article; Engineering sciences. Technology; Electron microscopy for materials research (EMAT)
Impact Factor: 4.536
Times cited: 30
DOI: 10.1021/acs.jpcc.7b05795
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“Investigating morphological changes in treated vs. untreated stone building materials by x-ray micro-CT”. Bugani S, Camaiti M, Morselli L, Van de Casteele E, Janssens K, Analytical and bioanalytical chemistry 391, 1343 (2008). http://doi.org/10.1007/S00216-008-1946-7
Keywords: A1 Journal article; Vision lab; AXES (Antwerp X-ray Analysis, Electrochemistry and Speciation)
Impact Factor: 3.431
Times cited: 25
DOI: 10.1007/S00216-008-1946-7
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