Abstract: This work reports the first study on the possible application of nanodiamond-derived onion-like carbons (OLCs), in comparison with conductive carbon black (CB), as an electrode platform for the electrocatalytic detection of tramadol (an important drug of abuse). The physicochemical properties of OLCs and CB were determined using X-ray diffraction (XRD), Raman, scanning electron microscopy (SEM), Brunauer-Emmett-Teller (BET), and thermogravimetric analysis (TGA). The OLC exhibits, among others, higher surface area, more surface defects, and higher thermal stability than CB. From the electrochemical analysis (interrogated using cyclic voltammetry, differential pulse voltammetry, and electrochemical impedance spectroscopy), it is shown that an OLC-modified glassy carbon electrode (GCE-OLC) allows faster electron transport and electrocatalysis toward tramadol compared to a GCE-CB. To establish the underlying science behind the high performance of the OLC, theoretical calculations (density functional theory (DFT) simulations) were conducted. DFT predicts that OLC allows for weaker surface binding of tramadol (Ead = -26.656 eV) and faster kinetic energy (K.E. = -155.815 Ha) than CB (Ead = -40.174 eV and -305.322 Ha). The GCE-OLC shows a linear calibration curve for tramadol over the range of similar to 55 to 392 mu M, with high sensitivity (0.0315 mu A/mu M) and low limit of detection (LoD) and quantification (LoQ) (3.8 and 12.7 mu M, respectively). The OLC-modified screen-printed electrode (SPE-OLC) was successfully applied for the sensitive detection of tramadol in real pharmaceutical formulations and human serum. The OLC-based electrochemical sensor promises to be useful for the sensitive and accurate detection of tramadol in clinics, quality control, and routine quantification of tramadol drugs in pharmaceutical formulations.

Abstract: Due to the potential application of DNA for biophysics and optoelectronics, the electronic energy states and transitions of this genetic material have attracted a great deal of attention recently. However, the fluorescence and corresponding physical process of DNA under optical excitation with photon energies below ultraviolet are still not fully clear. In this work, we experimentally investigate the photoluminescence (PL) properties of single-stranded DNA (ssDNA) samples under near-ultraviolet (NUV) and visible excitations (270 similar to 440 nm). Based on the dependence of the PL peak wavelength (lem) upon the excitation wavelength (lex), the PL behaviors of ssDNA can be approximately classified into two categories. In the relatively short excitation wavelength regime, lem is nearly constant due to exciton-like transitions associated with delocalized excitonic states and excimer states. In the relatively long excitation wavelength range, a linear relation of lem = Alex + B with A 0 or A < 0 can be observed, which comes from electronic transitions related to coupled vibrational-electronic levels. Moreover, the transition channels in different excitation wavelength regimes and the effects of strand length and base type can be analyzed on the basis of these results. These important findings not only can give a general description of the electronic energy states and transitional behaviors of ssDNA samples under NUV and visible excitations, but also can be the basis for the application of DNA in nanoelectronics and optoelectronics.

Abstract: In a recent paper, Arita et al. [Phys. Rev. E 90, 052108 (2014)] consider the transport properties of a class of generalized exclusion processes. Analytical expressions for the transport-diffusion coefficient are derived by ignoring correlations. It is claimed that these expressions become exact in the hydrodynamic limit. In this Comment,we point out that (i) the influence of correlations upon the diffusion does not vanish in the hydrodynamic limit, and (ii) the expressions for the self- and transport diffusion derived by Arita et al. are special cases of results derived in Becker et al. [Phys. Rev. Lett. 111, 110601 (2013)].

Abstract: Molecular dynamics simulations are used to investigate the structural properties of a two-dimensional ensemble of magnetic rods, which are modeled as aligned single dipolar beads. The obtained self-assembled configurations can be characterized as (1) clusters, (2) percolated, and (3) ordered structures, and their structural properties are investigated in detail. By increasing the aspect ratio of the magnetic rods, we show that the percolation transition is suppressed due to the reduced mobility of the rods in two dimensions. Such a behavior is opposite to the one observed in three dimensions. A magnetic bulk phase is found with local ferromagnetic order and an unusual nonmonotonic behavior of the nematic order is observed.

Abstract: We investigate the effects related to vortex-core deformations when vortices approach each other. As a result of these vortex-core deformations, the vortex-vortex interaction effectively acquires an attractive component leading to a variety of vortex patterns typical for systems with nonmonotonic repulsive-attractive interaction, such as stripes and labyrinths. The core deformations are anisotropic and can induce frustration in the vortex-vortex interaction. In turn, this frustration has an impact on the resulting vortex patterns, which are analyzed in the presence of additional random pinning, as a function of the pinning strength. This analysis can be applicable to vortices in multiband superconductors or to vortices in Bose-Einstein condensates.

Abstract: We investigate scattering of the topological surface state of a three-dimensional time-reversal invariant topological insulator when graphene is deposited on the topological-insulator surface. Specifically, we consider the (111) surface of a Bi2Se3-like topological insulator. We present a low-energy model for the graphene-topological insulator heterostructure and we calculate the transmission probability at zigzag and armchair edges of the deposited graphene, and the conductance through graphene nanoribbon barriers, and show that its features can be understood from antiresonances in the transmission probability.

Abstract: We introduce a new approach for the correlation energy of one- and two-valley two-dimensional electron gas (2DEG) systems. Our approach is based on an interpolation between two limits, a random phase approximation at high densities and a classical approach at low densities which gives excellent agreement with available Quantum Monte Carlo (QMC) calculations. The two-valley 2DEG model is introduced to describe the electron correlations in monolayer transition metal dichalcogenides (TMDs). We study the zero-temperature transition from a Fermi liquid to a quantum Wigner crystal phase in monolayer TMDs. Consistent with QMC, we find that electrons crystallize at r(s) = 31 in one-valley 2DEG. For two valleys, we predict Wigner crystallization at r(s) = 30, implying that valley degeneracy has little effect on the critical r(s), in contrast to an earlier claim.

Abstract: An external electric field changes the physical properties of polar liquids due to the reorientation of their permanent dipoles. Using molecular dynamics simulations, we predict that an in-plane electric field applied parallel to the channel polarizes water molecules which are confined between two graphene layers, resulting in distinct ferroelectricity and electrical hysteresis. We found that electric fields alter the in-plane order of the hydrogen bonds: Reversing the electric field does not restore the system to the nonpolar initial state, instead a residual dipole moment remains in the system. The square-rhombic structure of 2D ice is transformed into two rhombic-rhombic structures. Our study provides insights into the ferroelectric state of water when confined in nanochannels and shows how this can be tuned by an electric field.

Abstract: Recently, several monolayer carbon allotropes have been proposed. The magnetic properties of these metal-free materials are investigated, and we explore a special type of all carbon system having an intrinsic magnetic ground state. The structure is composed of mixing pentagonal and hexagonal rings of carbon atoms, such that the unit cell consists of eleven atoms, where two C atoms each have an unpaired electron each with a local magnetic moment. The antiferromagnetic (AFM) state has a lower energy than the ferromagnetic (FM) one. However, a strain-driven transition to the FM ground state is possible. The application of strain not only lowers the energy of the FM state but it also induces an energy barrier of about 13 meV/(magnetic atom) to protect the FM state from excitation. Our findings based on first-principles calculations will motivate other works on similar metal-free magnetic monolayer materials and will have an impact on their possible applications in spintronic devices.

Abstract: Systems which rapidly evolve through symmetry-breaking transitions on timescales comparable to the fluctuation timescale of the single-particle excitations may behave very differently than under controlled near-ergodic conditions. A real-time investigation with high temporal resolution may reveal insights into the ordering through the transition that are not available in static experiments. We present an investigation of the system trajectory through a normal-to-superconductor transition in a prototype high-temperature superconducting cuprate in which such a situation occurs. Using a multiple pulse femtosecond spectroscopy technique we measure the system trajectory and time evolution of the single-particle excitations through the transition in La1.9Sr0.1CuO4 and compare the data to a simulation based on the time-dependent Ginzburg-Landau theory, using the laser excitation fluence as an adjustable parameter controlling the quench conditions in both experiment and theory. The comparison reveals the presence of significant superconducting fluctuations which precede the transition on short timescales. By including superconducting fluctuations as a seed for the growth of the superconducting order we can obtain a satisfactory agreement of the theory with the experiment. Remarkably, the pseudogap excitations apparently play no role in this process.

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.

Abstract: We investigate the anisotropic hybrid surface optical (SO) phonon-plasmon dispersion relations in monolayer and double-layer phosphorene systems located on the polar substrates, such as SiO2, h-BN, and Al2O3. We calculate these hybrid modes by using the dynamical dielectric function in the random phase approximation in which the electron-electron interaction and long-range electric field generated by the substrate SO phonons via Frohlich interaction are taken into account. In the long-wavelength limit, we obtain some analytical expressions for the hybrid SO phonon-plasmon dispersion relations which agree with those obtained from the loss function. Our results indicate a strong anisotropy in SO phonon-plasmon modes, which are stronger along the light-mass direction in our heterostructures. Furthermore, we find that the type of substrate has a significant effect on the dispersion relations of the coupled modes. Importantly, the hybrid excitations are apparently sensitive to the misalignment and separation between layers in double-layer phosphorene.

Abstract: Starting from first principles, we show the formation and evolution of superconducting gaps in MgB2 at its ultrathin limit. Atomically thin MgB2 is distinctly different from bulk MgB2 in that surface states become comparable in electronic density to the bulklike sigma and pi bands. Combining the ab initio electron-phonon coupling with the anisotropic Eliashberg equations, we showthat monolayer MgB2 develops three distinct superconducting gaps, on completely separate parts of the Fermi surface due to the emergent surface contribution. These gaps hybridize nontrivially with every extra monolayer added to the film owing to the opening of additional coupling channels. Furthermore, we reveal that the three-gap superconductivity in monolayer MgB2 is robust over the entire temperature range that stretches up to a considerably high critical temperature of 20 K. The latter can be boosted to >50K under biaxial tensile strain of similar to 4%, which is an enhancement that is stronger than in any other graphene-related superconductor known to date.

Abstract: Starting from a Hamiltonian with anharmonic coupling between in-plane acoustic displacements and outof-plane (flexural) modes, we derived coupled equations of motion for in-plane displacements correlations and flexural mode density fluctuations. Linear response theory and time-dependent thermal Green's functions techniques are applied in order to obtain different response functions. As external perturbations we allow for stresses and thermal heat sources. The displacement correlations are described by a Dyson equation where the flexural density distribution enters as an additional perturbation. The flexural density distribution satisfies a kinetic equation where the in-plane lattice displacements act as a perturbation. In the hydrodynamic limit this system of coupled equations is at the basis of a unified description of elastic and thermal phenomena, such as isothermal versus adiabatic sound motion and thermal conductivity versus second sound. The general theory is formulated in view of application to graphene, two-dimensional h-BN, and 2H-transition metal dichalcogenides and oxides.

Abstract: We propose a tight-binding (TB) model, that includes spin-orbit coupling (SOC), to describe the electronic properties of methyl-substituted germanane (GeCH3). This model gives an electronic spectrum in agreement with first principle results close to the Fermi level. Using the Z(2) formalism, we show that a topological phase transition from a normal insulator (NI) to a quantum spin Hall (QSH) phase occurs at 11.6% biaxial tensile strain. The sensitivity of the electronic properties of this system on strain, in particular its transition to the topological insulating phase, makes it very attractive for applications in strain sensors and other microelectronic applications.