Abstract: We have studied the structural and electronic properties of lithium-intercalated graphite (LIG) for various Li content. Atomic relaxation shows that Li above the center of the carbon hexagon in a AAAA stacked graphite is the only stable Li configuration in stage 1 intercalated graphite. Lithium and Carbon 1s energy-loss near-edge structure (ELNES) calculations are performed on the Li-intercalated graphite using the core-excited density-functional theory formulation. Several features of the Li 1s ELNES are correlated with reported experimental features. The ELNES spectra of Li is found to be electron beam orientation sensitive and this property is used to assign the origin of the various Li 1s ELNES features. Information about core-hole screening by the valence electrons and charge transfer in the LIG systems is obtained from the C 1s ELNES and valence charge density difference calculations, respectively.

Abstract: We propose an improved image simulation procedure for atomic-resolution annular dark-field scanning transmission electron microscopy (STEM) based on the multislice formulation, which takes thermal diffuse scattering fully into account. The improvement with regard to the classical frozen phonon approach is realized by separating the lattice configuration statistics from the dynamical scattering so as to avoid repetitive calculations. As an example, the influence of phonon scattering on the image contrast is calculated and investigated. STEM image simulation of crystals can be applied with reasonable computing times to problems involving a large number of atoms and thick or large supercells.

Abstract: Co and Fe nanowires and/or nanotubes are electrochemically synthesized through nanoporous membranes. By combining high-resolution transmission electron microscopy (HRTEM), electron energy loss spectroscopy (EELS), and energy filtered TEM techniques, their structural and crystallographic characteristics are precisely determined. The synthesis was shown to produce cigar-shaped single monocrystalline Co and Fe nanowires with a diameter of about 60 nm. All wires were surrounded by an epitaxial oxide layer (Co3O4 or Fe3O4) of roughly 10 nm. The Fe nanotubes were built up of Fe3O4 nanocrystals. Electron diffraction showed that all nanocrystals had a common crystallographic axis, creating a pseudomonocrystalline wall in the nanotubes. (C) 2003 The Electrochemical Society.

Abstract: Scheelite related compounds (A',A '')(n)[(B',B '')O-4](m) with B', B '' = W and/or Mo are promising new materials for red phosphors in pc-WLEDs (phosphor-converted white-light-emitting-diode) and solid-state lasers. Cation substitution in CaMoO4 of Ca2+ by the combination of Na+ and Eu3+, with the creation of A cation vacancies, has been investigated as a factor for controlling the scheelite-type structure and the luminescent properties. Na5Eu(MoO4)(4) and NaxEu(2-x)/33+square(2-x)/3MoO4 (0.138 <= x <= 0.5) phases with a scheelite-type structure were synthesized by the solid state method; their structural characteristics were investigated using transmission electron microscopy. Contrary to powder synchrotron X-ray diffraction before, the study by electron diffraction and high resolution transmission electron microscopy in this paper revealed that Na0.286Eu0.571MoO4 has a (3 + 2)D incommensurately modulated structure and that (3 + 2)D incommensurately modulated domains are present in Na0.200Eu0.600MoO4. It also confirmed the (3 + 1)D incommensurately modulated character of Na(0.138)Eu(0.621)Mo04. The luminescent properties of all phases under near-ultraviolet (n-UV) light have been investigated. The excitation spectra of these phosphors show the strongest absorption at about 395 nm, which matches well with the commercially available n-UV-emitting GaN-based LED chip. The emission spectra indicate an intense red emission due to the D-5(0) -> F-7(2) transition of Eu3+, with local minima in the intensity at Na0.286Eu0.571MoO4 and Na0.200Eu0.600MoO4 for similar to 613 nm and similar to 616 nm bands. The phosphor Na5Eu(MoO4)(4) shows the brightest red light emission among the phosphors in the Na2MoO4-Eu2/3MoO4 system and the maximum luminescence intensity of Na5Eu(MoO4)(4) (lambda(ex) = 395 nm) in the D-5(0) -> F-7(2) transition region is close to that of the commercially used red phosphor YVO4:Eu3+ (lambda(ex) = 326 nm). Electron energy loss spectroscopy measurements revealed the influence of the structure and Na/Eu cation distribution on the number and positions of bands in the UV-optical-infrared regions of the EELS spectrum.

Abstract: Advanced transmission electron microscopy and statistical parameter estimated quantification procedures were applied to study the room temperature quasi-dynamical strain glass state in NiTi alloys. Nanosized strain pockets are visualised and the displacements of the atom columns are quantified. A comparison is made with conventional high-resolution transmission electron microscopy images of point defect induced strains in NiAl alloys.

Abstract: Two-ordered perovskites, Bi1/3Sr2/3FeO2.67 and Bi1/2Ca1/2FeO2.75, have been stabilized and characterized by transmission electron microscopy, Mössbauer spectroscopy and X-ray powder diffraction techniques. They both exhibit orthorhombic superstructures, one with a≈b≈2ap and c≈3ap (S.G.: Pb2n or Pbmn) for the Sr-based compound and one with a≈b≈2ap and c≈8ap (S.G.: B222, Bmm2, B2mm or Bmmm) for the Ca-based one. The high-resolution transmission electron microscopy (HRTEM) images evidence the existence of one deficient [FeOx]∞ layer, suggesting that Bi1/3Sr2/3FeO2.67 and Bi1/2Ca1/2FeO2.75 behave differently compared to their Ln-based homolog. The HAADF-STEM images allow to propose a model of cation ordering on the A sites of the perovskite. The Mössbauer analyses confirm the trivalent state of iron and its complex environment with three types of coordination. Both compounds exhibit a high value of resistivity and the inverse molar susceptibility versus temperature curves evidence a magnetic transition at about 730 K for the Bi1/3Sr2/3FeO2.67 and a smooth reversible transition between 590 and 650 K for Bi1/2Ca1/2FeO2.75.

Abstract: MOF-5 nanoparticles were prepared by mixing a solution of [Zn4O(C6H5COO)(6)] with a solution of benzene-1,4-dicarboxylic acid in DMF at ambient conditions. The former species mimics as a secondary building unit (SBU), and the latter acts as linker. Mixing of the two solutions induced the formation of MOF-5 nanoparticles in dilute suspension. The applied conditions were identified as suitable for a closer investigation of the particle formation process by combined light and small angle neutron scattering (SANS). Scattering analysis revealed a significant impact of the molar ratio of the two components in the reaction mixture. Excessive use of the building unit slowed down the process. A similar effect was observed upon addition of 4n-decylbenzoic acid, which is supposed to act as a modulator. The formation mechanism leads to initial intermediates, which turn into cubelike nanoparticles with a diameter of about 60-80 nm. This initial stage is followed by an extended formation period, where nucleation proceeds over hours, leading to an increasing number of nanoparticles with the same final size of 60-80 nm.

Abstract: Hole diggers: The hierarchically structured porous solid-acid catalyst described in this report possess a remarkable pore system, encompassing well-defined macrochannels, interconnected mesopores, intracrystalline mesopores, and tunable zeolite micropores. Importantly, the catalyst exhibits very strong acidity and superior catalytic activity for esterification reactions.

Abstract: FeMnC and FeMnSiAl TWIP steels deformed under the same conditions exhibit different work-hardening rates. The present study investigates the microstructure of plastically deformed FeMnC and FeMnSiAl samples, particularly the internal structure of the mechanically generated twins and their topology at the grain scale. Twins in the FeMnC steel are finer and full of sessile dislocations, rendering this material distinctly stronger with an improved work-hardening rate.

Abstract: In-situ bright field transmission electron microscopy (TEM) nanomechanical tensile testing and in-situ automated crystallographic orientation mapping in TEM were combined to unravel the elementary mechanisms controlling the plasticity of ultrafine grained Aluminum freestanding thin films. The characterizations demonstrate that deformation proceeds with a transition from grain rotation to intragranular dislocation glide and starvation plasticity mechanism at about 1% deformation. The grain rotation is not affected by the character of the grain boundaries. No grain growth or twinning is detected. (C) 2014 AIP Publishing LLC.

Abstract: A model-based method is proposed to relatively quantify the chemical composition of atomic columns using high angle annular dark field (HAADF) scanning transmission electron microscopy (STEM) images. The method is based on a quantification of the total intensity of the scattered electrons for the individual atomic columns using statistical parameter estimation theory. In order to apply this theory, a model is required describing the image contrast of the HAADF STEM images. Therefore, a simple, effective incoherent model has been assumed which takes the probe intensity profile into account. The scattered intensities can then be estimated by fitting this model to an experimental HAADF STEM image. These estimates are used as a performance measure to distinguish between different atomic column types and to identify the nature of unknown columns with good accuracy and precision using statistical hypothesis testing. The reliability of the method is supported by means of simulated HAADF STEM images as well as a combination of experimental images and electron energy-loss spectra. It is experimentally shown that statistically meaningful information on the composition of individual columns can be obtained even if the difference in averaged atomic number Z is only 3. Using this method, quantitative mapping at atomic resolution using HAADF STEM images only has become possible without the need of simultaneously recorded electron energy loss spectra.

Abstract: Composite (La0.67Ca0.33MnO3)(1-x):(MgO)(x) films were prepared by metalorganic aerosol deposition on a (100)MgO substrate for different concentrations of the (MgO) phase (0less than or equal toxless than or equal to0.8). At xapproximate to0.3 a percolation threshold in conductivity is reached, at which an infinite insulating MgO cluster forms around the La0.67Ca0.33MnO3 grains. This yields a drastic increase of the electrical resistance for films with x>0.3. The film structure is characterized by x-ray diffraction and transmission electron microscopy. The local structure of the La0.67Ca0.33MnO3 within the film depends on the MgO concentration which grows epitaxially along the domain boundaries. A different structural phase transition from the orthorhombic Pnma structure to an unusual rhombohedral R (3) over barc structure at the percolation threshold xapproximate to0.3 is found for La0.67Ca0.33MnO3. A three-dimensional stress accommodation in thick films through a phase transition is suggested.