“Structural studies on superconducting materials and fullerites by electron microscopy”. Van Tendeloo G, Amelinckx S, Advanced materials 5, 620 (1993). http://doi.org/10.1002/adma.19930050904
Keywords: A1 Journal article; Electron microscopy for materials research (EMAT)
Impact Factor: 17.493
Times cited: 2
DOI: 10.1002/adma.19930050904
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“Structure and magnetic properties of a new anion-deficient perovskite Pb2Ba2BiFe4ScO13 with crystallographic shear structure”. Batuk M, Tyablikov OA, Tsirlin AA, Kazakov SM, Rozova MG, Pokholok KV, Filimonov DS, Antipov EV, Abakumov AM, Hadermann J, Materials research bulletin 48, 3459 (2013). http://doi.org/10.1016/j.materresbull.2013.05.028
Abstract: Pb2Ba2BiFe4ScO13, a new n = 5 member of the oxygen-deficient perovskite-based A(n)B(n)O(3n-2) homologous series, was synthesized using a solid-state method. The crystal structure of Pb2Ba2BiFe4ScO13 was investigated by a combination of synchrotron X-ray powder diffraction, electron diffraction, high-angle annular dark-field scanning transmission electron microscopy and Mossbauer spectroscopy. At 900 K, it crystallizes in the Ammm space group with the unit cell parameters a = 5.8459(1) angstrom, b = 4.0426(1) angstrom, and c=27.3435(1) angstrom. In the Pb2Ba2BiFe4ScO13 structure, quasi-two-dimensional perovskite blocks are periodically interleaved with 1/2[1 1 0] ((1) over bar 0 1)(p) crystallographic shear (CS) planes. At the CS planes, the corner-sharing FeO6 octahedra are transformed into chains of edge-sharing FeO5 distorted tetragonal pyramids. B-positions of the perovskite blocks between the CS planes are jointly occupied by Fe3+ and Sc3+. The chains of the FeO5 pyramids and (Fe,Sc)O-6 octahedra delimit six-sided tunnels that are occupied by double columns of cations with a lone electron pair (Pb2+). The remaining A-cations (Bi3+, Ba2+) occupy positions in the perovskite block. According to the magnetic susceptibility measurements, Pb2Ba2BiFe4ScO13 is antiferromagnetically ordered below T-N approximate to 350 K. (C) 2013 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.
Keywords: A1 Journal article; Electron microscopy for materials research (EMAT)
Impact Factor: 2.446
Times cited: 2
DOI: 10.1016/j.materresbull.2013.05.028
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“Structure of epitaxial Ca2Fe2O5 films deposited on different perovskite-type substrates”. Rossell MD, Lebedev OI, Van Tendeloo G, Hayashi N, Terashima T, Takano M, Journal of applied physics 95, 5145 (2004). http://doi.org/10.1063/1.1689003
Keywords: A1 Journal article; Electron microscopy for materials research (EMAT)
Impact Factor: 2.068
Times cited: 16
DOI: 10.1063/1.1689003
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“Superconducting single-phase Sr1-xLaxCuO2 thin films with improved crystallinity grown by pulsed laser deposition”. Leca V, Blank DHA, Rijnders G, Bals S, Van Tendeloo G, Applied physics letters 89 (2006). http://doi.org/10.1063/1.2339840
Abstract: Sr1-xLaxCuO2-delta (x=0.10-0.20) thin films exhibiting an oxygen-deficient 2 root 2a(p)x2 root a(p) x c structure (a(p) and c represent the cell parameters of the perovskite subcell) were epitaxially grown by means of pulsed laser deposition in low-pressure oxygen ambient. (001) KTaO3 and (001) SrTiO3 single crystals were used as substrates, with BaTiO3 as buffer layer. The Sr1-xLaxCuO2-delta films were oxidized during cooling down in order to yield the infinite-layer-type structure. By applying this method, high quality single-phase Sr1-xLaxCuO2 thin films could be obtained for 0.10 <= x <= 0.175 doping range. The films grown on BaTiO3/KTaO3 show superconductivity for 0.15 <= x <= 0.175 with optimum doping at x=0.15, in contrast with previously reported data. (c) 2006 American Institute of Physics.
Keywords: A1 Journal article; Electron microscopy for materials research (EMAT)
Impact Factor: 3.411
Times cited: 32
DOI: 10.1063/1.2339840
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“Surface barrier for flux entry and exit in mesoscopic superconducting systems”. Berdiyorov GR, Cabral LRE, Peeters FM, Journal of mathematical physics 46, 095105 (2005). http://doi.org/10.1063/1.2010351
Abstract: The energy barrier which has to be overcome for a single vortex to enter or exit the sample is studied for thin superconducting disks, rings, and squares using the nonlinear Ginzburg-Landau theory. The shape and the height of the nucleation barrier is investigated for different sample radii and thicknesses and for different values of the Ginzburg-Landau parameter kappa. It is shown that the London theory considerably overestimates (underestimates) the energy barrier for vortex expulsion (penetration). (c) 2005 American Institute of Physics.
Keywords: A1 Journal article; Condensed Matter Theory (CMT)
Impact Factor: 1.077
Times cited: 18
DOI: 10.1063/1.2010351
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“Tailoring ZnSe-CdSe colloidal quantum dots via cation exchange : from core/shell to alloy nanocrystals”. Groeneveld E, Witteman L, Lefferts M, Ke X, Bals S, Van Tendeloo G, de Mello Donega C, ACS nano 7, 7913 (2013). http://doi.org/10.1021/nn402931y
Abstract: We report a study of Zn2+ by Cd2+ cation exchange (CE) in colloidal ZnSe nanocrystals (NCs). Our results reveal that CE in ZnSe NCs is a thermally activated isotropic process. The CE efficiency (i.e., fraction of Cd2+ ions originally in solution, Cdsol, that is incorporated in the ZnSe NC) increases with temperature and depends also on the Cdsol/ZnSe ratio. Interestingly, the reaction temperature can be used as a sensitive parameter to tailor both the composition and the elemental distribution profile of the product (Zn,Cd)Se NCs. At 150 °C ZnSe/CdSe core/shell hetero-NCs (HNCs) are obtained, while higher temperatures (200 and 220 °C) produce (Zn1xCdx)Se gradient alloy NCs, with increasingly smoother gradients as the temperature increases, until homogeneous alloy NCs are obtained at T ≥ 240 °C. Remarkably, sequential heating (150 °C followed by 220 °C) leads to ZnSe/CdSe core/shell HNCs with thicker shells, rather than (Zn1xCdx)Se gradient alloy NCs. Thermal treatment at 250 °C converts the ZnSe/CdSe core/shell HNCs into (Zn1xCdx)Se homogeneous alloy NCs, while preserving the NC shape. A mechanism for the cation exchange in ZnSe NCs is proposed, in which fast CE takes place at the NC surface, and is followed by relatively slower thermally activated solid-state cation diffusion, which is mediated by Frenkel defects. The findings presented here demonstrate that cation exchange in colloidal ZnSe NCs provides a very sensitive tool to tailor the nature and localization regime of the electron and hole wave functions and the optoelectronic properties of colloidal ZnSeCdSe NCs.
Keywords: A1 Journal article; Engineering sciences. Technology; Electron microscopy for materials research (EMAT)
Impact Factor: 13.942
Times cited: 153
DOI: 10.1021/nn402931y
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“Temporary cooling of quasiparticles and delay in voltage response of superconducting bridges after abruptly switching on the supercritical current”. Vodolazov DY, Peeters FM, Physical review : B : condensed matter and materials physics 90, 094504 (2014). http://doi.org/10.1103/PhysRevB.90.094504
Abstract: We revisit the problem of the dynamic response of a superconducting bridge after abruptly switching on the supercritical current. In contrast to previous theoretical works we take into account spatial gradients and use both the local temperature approach and the kinetic equation for the distribution function of quasiparticles. We find that the temperature dependence of the finite delay time t(d) in the voltage response is model dependent and relatively large t(d) is connected with temporary cooling of quasiparticles during decay of superconducting order parameter vertical bar Delta vertical bar in time. It turns out that the presence of even small inhomogeneities in the bridge or finite length of the homogenous bridge favors a local suppression of vertical bar Delta vertical bar during the dynamic response. It results in a decrease of the delay time, in comparison with the spatially uniform model, due to the diffusion of nonequilibrium quasiparticles from the region with locally suppressed vertical bar Delta vertical bar. In the case when the current density is maximal near the edge of a not very wide bridge the delay time is mainly connected with the time needed for the nucleation (entrance) of the first vortex and t(d) could be tuned by a weak external magnetic field. We also find that a short alternating current pulse (sinusoidlike) with zero time average may result in a nonzero time- averaged voltage response where its sign depends on the phase of the ac current.
Keywords: A1 Journal article; Condensed Matter Theory (CMT)
Impact Factor: 3.836
Times cited: 2
DOI: 10.1103/PhysRevB.90.094504
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“CO2-CH4 conversion and syngas formation at atmospheric pressure using a multi-electrode dielectric barrier discharge”. Ozkan A, Dufour T, Arnoult G, De Keyzer P, Bogaerts A, Reniers F, Journal of CO2 utilization 9, 74 (2015). http://doi.org/10.1016/j.jcou.2015.01.002
Abstract: The conversion of CO2 and CH4 into value-added chemicals is studied in a new geometry of a dielectric barrier discharge (DBD) with multi-electrodes, dedicated to the treatment of high gas flow rates. Gas chromatography is used to define the CO2 and CH4 conversion as well as the yields of the products of decomposition (CO, O2 and H2) and of recombination (C2H4, C2H6 and CH2O). The influence of three parameters is investigated on the conversion: the CO2 and CH4 flow rates, the plasma power and the nature of the carrier gas (argon or helium). The energy efficiency of the CO2 conversion is estimated and compared with those of similar atmospheric plasma sources. Our DBD reactor shows a good compromise between a good energy efficiency and the treatment of a large CO2 flow rate.
Keywords: A1 Journal article; Plasma Lab for Applications in Sustainability and Medicine – Antwerp (PLASMANT)
Impact Factor: 4.292
Times cited: 57
DOI: 10.1016/j.jcou.2015.01.002
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“Mg8Rh4B: a new type of boron stabilized Ti2Ni structure”. Alekseeva AM, Abakumov AM, Leithe-Jasper A, Schnelle W, Prots Y, Van Tendeloo G, Antipov EV, Grin Y, Journal of solid state chemistry 179, 2751 (2006). http://doi.org/10.1016/j.jssc.2005.11.029
Keywords: A1 Journal article; Electron microscopy for materials research (EMAT)
Impact Factor: 2.299
Times cited: 11
DOI: 10.1016/j.jssc.2005.11.029
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“Na2/7Gd4/7MoO4 : a modulated scheelite-type structure and conductivity properties”. Morozov V, Arakcheeva A, Redkin B, Sinitsyn V, Khasanov S, Kudrenko E, Raskina M, Lebedev O, Van Tendeloo G, Inorganic chemistry 51, 5313 (2012). http://doi.org/10.1021/ic300221m
Abstract: Scheelite-type compounds with the general formula (A1,A2)n[(B1,B2)O4]m (2/3 ≤ n/m ≤ 3/2) are the subject of large interest owing to their stability, relatively simple preparation, and optical properties. The creation of cation vacancies (□) in the scheelite-type framework and the ordering of A cations and vacancies can be a new factor in controlling the scheelite-type structure and properties. For a long time, cation-deficient Nd3+:M2/7Gd4/7□1/7MoO4 (M = Li, Na) compounds were considered as potential lasers with diode pumping. They have a defect scheelite-type 3D structure (space group I41/a) with a random distribution of Li+(Na+), Gd3+, and vacancies in the crystal. A Na2/7Gd4/7MoO4 single crystal with scheelite-type structure has been grown by the Czochralski method. Transmission electron microscopy revealed that Na2/7Gd4/7MoO4 has a (3 + 2)D incommensurately modulated structure. The (3 + 2)D incommensurately modulated scheelite-type cation-deficient structure of Na2/7Gd4/7MoO4 [super space group I4̅ (αβ0,βα0)00] has been solved from single-crystal diffraction data. The solution of the (3 + 2)D incommensurately modulated structure revealed the partially disordered distribution of vacancies and Na and Gd cations. High-temperature conductivity measurements performed along the [100] and [001] orientation of the single crystal revealed that the conductivity of Na2/7Gd4/7MoO4 at T = 973 K equals σ = 1.13 × 105 Ω1 cm1.
Keywords: A1 Journal article; Electron microscopy for materials research (EMAT)
Impact Factor: 4.857
Times cited: 37
DOI: 10.1021/ic300221m
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“The study of a crater forming on the surface of a Ti target submitted to multipulse excimer laser irradiation under low pressure N2”. Teodorescu VS, Mihailescu IN, Gyorgy E, Luches A, Martino M, Nistor LC, van Landuyt J, Hermann J, Journal of modern optics 43, 1773 (1996). http://doi.org/10.1080/095003496154815
Abstract: A Ti target was submitted to laser ablation in low ambient pressure N-2. Electron microscopy examination of the cross-section of the crater zone forming on the Ti target, and XPS analyses, indicate that there is a small effect on the nitridation processes taking place on and in the vicinity of the target. The studies show a zone influenced by the multipulse laser treatment extending beneath the crater down to a depth of the same order of magnitude as the crater depth (i.e. similar to 10 mu m). In this zone, TiN could be identified as being present only in traces, while the whole zone exhibited a layer structure with differences in morphology and mechanical wear.
Keywords: A1 Journal article; Electron microscopy for materials research (EMAT)
Impact Factor: 1.008
Times cited: 11
DOI: 10.1080/095003496154815
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“Theory of rigid-plane phonon modes in layered crystals”. Michel KH, Verberck B, Physical review : B : condensed matter and materials physics 85, 094303 (2012). http://doi.org/10.1103/PhysRevB.85.094303
Abstract: The lattice dynamics of low-frequency rigid-plane modes in metallic (graphene multilayers, GML) and in insulating (hexagonal boron-nitride multilayers, BNML) layered crystals is investigated. The frequencies of shearing and compression (stretching) modes depend on the layer number N and are presented in the form of fan diagrams. The results for GML and BNML are very similar. In both cases, only the interactions (van der Waals and Coulomb) between nearest-neighbor planes are effective, while the interactions between more distant planes are screened. A comparison with recent Raman scattering results on low-frequency shear modes in GML [Tan et al., Nat. Mater., in press, doi: 10.1038/nmat3245, (2012)] is made. Relations with the low-lying rigid-plane phonon dispersions in the bulk materials are established. Master curves, which connect the fan diagram frequencies for any given N, are derived. Static and dynamic thermal correlation functions for rigid-layer shear and compression modes are calculated. The results might be of use for the interpretation of friction force experiments on multilayer crystals.
Keywords: A1 Journal article; Condensed Matter Theory (CMT)
Impact Factor: 3.836
Times cited: 38
DOI: 10.1103/PhysRevB.85.094303
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“Three-dimensional elemental mapping at the atomic scale in bimetallic nanocrystals”. Goris B, de Backer A, Van Aert S, Gómez-Graña S, Liz-Marzán LM, Van Tendeloo G, Bals S, Nano letters 13, 4236 (2013). http://doi.org/10.1021/nl401945b
Abstract: A thorough understanding of the three-dimensional (3D) atomic structure and composition of coreshell nanostructures is indispensable to obtain a deeper insight on their physical behavior. Such 3D information can be reconstructed from two-dimensional (2D) projection images using electron tomography. Recently, different electron tomography techniques have enabled the 3D characterization of a variety of nanostructures down to the atomic level. However, these methods have all focused on the investigation of nanomaterials containing only one type of chemical element. Here, we combine statistical parameter estimation theory with compressive sensing based tomography to determine the positions and atom type of each atom in heteronanostructures. The approach is applied here to investigate the interface in coreshell Au@Ag nanorods but it is of great interest in the investigation of a broad range of nanostructures.
Keywords: A1 Journal article; Engineering sciences. Technology; Electron microscopy for materials research (EMAT)
Impact Factor: 12.712
Times cited: 90
DOI: 10.1021/nl401945b
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“Near-Infrared Emitting CuInSe/CuInS Dot Core/Rod Shell Heteronanorods by Sequential Cation Exchange”. van der Stam W, Bladt E, Rabouw FT, Bals S, de Mello Donega C, ACS nano 9, 11430 (2015). http://doi.org/10.1021/acsnano.5b05496
Abstract: The direct synthesis of heteronanocrystals (HNCs) combining different ternary semiconductors is challenging and has not yet been successful. Here, we report a sequential topotactic cation exchange (CE) pathway that yields CuInSe2/CuInS2 dot core/rod shell nanorods with near-infrared luminescence. In our approach, the Cu+ extraction rate is coupled to the In3+ incorporation rate by the use of a stoichiometric trioctylphosphine-InCl3 complex, which fulfills the roles of both In-source and Cu-extracting agent. In this way, Cu+ ions can be extracted by trioctylphosphine ligands only when the In-P bond is broken. This results in readily available In3+ ions at the same surface site from which the Cu+ is extracted, making the process a direct place exchange reaction and shifting the overall energy balance in favor of the CE. Consequently, controlled cation exchange can occur even in large and anisotropic heterostructured nanocrystals with preservation of the size, shape, and heterostructuring of the template NCs into the product NCs. The cation exchange is self-limited, stopping when the ternary core/shell CuInSe2/CuInS2 composition is reached. The method is very versatile, successfully yielding a variety of luminescent CuInX2 (X = S, Se, and Te) quantum dots, nanorods, and HNCs, by using Cd-chalcogenide NCs and HNCs as templates. The approach reported here thus opens up routes toward materials with unprecedented properties, which would otherwise remain inaccessible.
Keywords: A1 Journal article; Engineering sciences. Technology; Electron microscopy for materials research (EMAT)
Impact Factor: 13.942
Times cited: 88
DOI: 10.1021/acsnano.5b05496
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“Time-dependent investigation of charge injection in a quantum dot containing one electron”. de Sousa JS, Covaci L, Peeters FM, Farias GA, Journal of applied physics 112, 093705 (2012). http://doi.org/10.1063/1.4759292
Abstract: The interaction of an injected electron towards a quantum dot (QD) containing a single confined electron is investigated using a flexible time-dependent quantum mechanics formalism, which allows both electrons to move and undergo quantum transitions. Different scenarios combining quantum dot dimensions, dielectric constant, injected wave packet energy, and width were explored, and our main results are: (i) due to the large characteristic transitions times between the confined state in the quantum dot and the delocalized state in the continuum, it is relatively difficult to ionize the occupied QD by Coulomb interaction solely and (ii) the charging state of the quantum dot can be sensed by direct injection of charges. (C) 2012 American Institute of Physics. [http://dx.doi.org/10.1063/1.4759292]
Keywords: A1 Journal article; Condensed Matter Theory (CMT)
Impact Factor: 2.068
Times cited: 1
DOI: 10.1063/1.4759292
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“Ultralow blocking temperature and breakdown of the giant spin model in Er3+-doped nanoparticles”. van den Heuvel W, Tikhomirov VK, Kirilenko D, Schildermans N, Chibotaru LF, Vanacken J, Gredin P, Mortier M, Van Tendeloo G, Moshchalkov VV, Physical review : B : condensed matter and materials physics 82, 094421 (2010). http://doi.org/10.1103/PhysRevB.82.094421
Abstract: The magnetization of luminescent Er3+-doped PbF2 nanoparticles (formula Er0.3Pb0.7F2.3) has been studied. Despite the high concentration of the doping Er3+ ions and relatively large size (8 nm) of these nanoparticles we have found no deviation between field-cooled and zero-field-cooled magnetization curves down to T=0.35 K, which points out an ultralow blocking temperature for the reversal of magnetization. We also have found strongly deviating magnetization curves M(H/T) for different temperatures T. These results altogether show that the investigated nanoparticles are not superparamagnetic, but rather each Er3+ ion in these nanoparticles is found in a paramagnetic state down to very low temperatures, which implies the breakdown of the Néel-Brown giant spin model in the case of these nanoparticles. Calculations of magnetization within a paramagnetic model of noninteracting Er3+ ions completely support this conclusion. Due to the ultralow blocking temperature, these nanoparticles have a potential for magnetic field-induced nanoscale refrigeration with an option of their optical localization and temperature control.
Keywords: A1 Journal article; Electron microscopy for materials research (EMAT)
Impact Factor: 3.836
Times cited: 11
DOI: 10.1103/PhysRevB.82.094421
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“Vortex transport in a channel with periodic constrictions”. Kapra AV, Vodolazov DY, Misko VR, Superconductor science and technology 26, 095010 (2013). http://doi.org/10.1088/0953-2048/26/9/095010
Abstract: By numerically solving the time-dependent Ginzburg-Landau equations in a type-II superconductor, characterized by a critical temperature T-c1, and the coherence length xi(1), with a channel formed by overlapping rhombuses (diamond-like channel) made of another type-II superconductor, characterized, in general, by different T-c2 and xi(2), we investigate the dynamics of driven vortex matter for varying parameters of the channel: the width of the neck connecting the diamond cells, the cell geometry, and the ratio between the coherence lengths in the bank and the channel. We analyzed samples with periodic boundary conditions (which we call 'infinite' samples) and finite-size samples (with boundaries for vortex entry/exit), and we found that by tuning the channel parameters, one can manipulate the vortex dynamics, e.g., change the transition from flux-pinned to flux-flow regime and tune the slope of the IV-curves. In addition, we analyzed the effect of interstitial vortices on these characteristics. The critical current of this device was studied as a function of the applied magnetic field, j(c)(H). The function j(c)(H) reveals a striking commensurability peak, in agreement with recent experimental observations. The obtained results suggest that the diamond channel, which combines the properties of pinning arrays and flux-guiding channels, can be a promising candidate for potential use in devices controlling magnetic flux motion.
Keywords: A1 Journal article; Condensed Matter Theory (CMT)
Impact Factor: 2.878
Times cited: 2
DOI: 10.1088/0953-2048/26/9/095010
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“Yukawa particles confined in a channel and subject to a periodic potential : ground state and normal modes”. Carvalho JCN, Ferreira WP, Farias GA, Peeters FM, Physical review : B : condensed matter and materials physics 83, 094109 (2011). http://doi.org/10.1103/PhysRevB.83.094109
Abstract: We consider a classical system of two-dimensional (2D) charged particles, interacting through a repulsive Yukawa potential exp(-r/λ)/r, and confined in a parabolic channel that limits the motion of the particles in the y direction. Along the x direction, the particles are subject to a periodic potential. The ground-state configurations and the normal-mode spectra of the system are obtained as a function of the periodicity and strength of the periodic potential (V0) and density. An interesting set of tunable ground-state configurations are found, with first- or second-order structural transitions between them. A configuration with particles aligned, perpendicular to the x direction, in each minimum of the periodic potential is obtained for V0 larger than some critical value that has a power-law dependence on the density. The phonon spectrum of different configurations was also calculated. A localization of the modes into a small frequency interval is observed for sufficiently large strength of the periodic potential, and a tunable gap in the phonon spectrum is found as a function of V0.
Keywords: A1 Journal article; Condensed Matter Theory (CMT)
Impact Factor: 3.836
Times cited: 9
DOI: 10.1103/PhysRevB.83.094109
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“CO2conversion in a dielectric barrier discharge plasma: N2in the mix as a helping hand or problematic impurity?”.Snoeckx R, Heijkers S, Van Wesenbeeck K, Lenaerts S, Bogaerts A, Energy &, environmental science 9, 999 (2016). http://doi.org/10.1039/C5EE03304G
Abstract: Carbon dioxide conversion and utilization has gained significant interest over the years. A novel gas conversion technique with great potential in this area is plasma technology. A lot of research has already been performed, but mostly on pure gases. In reality, N2 will always be an important impurity in effluent
gases. Therefore, we performed an extensive combined experimental and computational study on the effect of N2 in the range of 1–98% on CO2 splitting in dielectric barrier discharge (DBD) plasma. The presence of up to 50% N2 in the mixture barely influences the effective (or overall) CO2 conversion and energy efficiency, because the N2 metastable molecules enhance the absolute CO2 conversion, and this compensates for the lower CO2 fraction in the mixture. Higher N2 fractions, however, cause a drop in the CO2 conversion and energy efficiency. Moreover, in the entire CO2/N2 mixing ratio, several harmful compounds, i.e., N2O and NOx compounds, are produced in the range of several 100 ppm. The reaction pathways for the formation of these compounds are explained based on a kinetic analysis, which allows proposing solutions on how to prevent the formation of these harmful compounds.
Keywords: A1 Journal article; Engineering sciences. Technology; Plasma Lab for Applications in Sustainability and Medicine – Antwerp (PLASMANT); Sustainable Energy, Air and Water Technology (DuEL)
Impact Factor: 29.518
Times cited: 68
DOI: 10.1039/C5EE03304G
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“Structure-property relations of methylamine vapor treated hybrid perovskite CH3NH3PbI3 films and solar cells”. Conings B, Bretschneider SA, Babayigit A, Gauquelin N, Cardinaletti I, Manca JV, Verbeeck J, Snaith HJ, Boyen H-G, ACS applied materials and interfaces 9, 8092 (2017). http://doi.org/10.1021/acsami.6b15175
Abstract: The power conversion efficiency of halide perovskite solar cells is heavily dependent on the perovskite layer being sufficiently smooth and pinhole-free. It has been shown that these features can be obtained even when starting out from rough and discontinuous perovskite film, by briefly exposing it to methylamine (MA) vapor. The exact underlying physical mechanisms of this phenomenon are, however, still unclear. By investigating smooth, MA treated films, based on very rough and discontinuous reference films of methylammonium triiode (MAPbI3), considering their morphology, crystalline features, local conductive properties, and charge carrier lifetime, we unravel the relation between their characteristic physical qualities and their performance in corresponding solar cells. We discover that the extensive improvement in photovoltaic performance upon MA treatment is a consequence of the induced morphological enhancement of the perovskite layer, together with improved electron injection into TiO2, which in fact compensates for an otherwise compromised bulk electronic quality, simultaneously caused by the MA treatment.
Keywords: A1 Journal article; Engineering sciences. Technology; Electron microscopy for materials research (EMAT)
Impact Factor: 7.504
Times cited: 43
DOI: 10.1021/acsami.6b15175
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“The role of ions in plasma catalytic carbon nanotube growth : a review”. Neyts EC, Frontiers of Chemical Science and Engineering 9, 154 (2015). http://doi.org/10.1007/s11705-015-1515-5
Abstract: While it is well-known that the plasma-enhanced catalytic chemical vapor deposition (PECVD) of carbon nanotubes (CNTs) offers a number of advantages over thermal CVD, the influence of the various individual contributing factors is not well understood. Especially the role of ions is unclear, since ions in plasmas are generally associated with sputtering rather than with growing a material. Even so, various studies have demonstrated the beneficial effects of ion bombardment during the growth of CNTs. This review looks at the role of the ions in plasma-enhanced CNT growth as deduced from both experimental and simulation studies. Specific attention is paid to the beneficial effects of ion bombardment. Based on the available literature, it can be concluded that ions can be either beneficial or detrimental for carbon nanotube growth, depending on the exact conditions and the control over the growth process.
Keywords: A1 Journal article; Plasma Lab for Applications in Sustainability and Medicine – Antwerp (PLASMANT)
Impact Factor: 1.712
Times cited: 8
DOI: 10.1007/s11705-015-1515-5
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“Giant proximity effect in a phase-fluctuating superconductor”. Marchand D, Covaci L, Berciu M, Franz M, Physical Review Letters 101, 097004 (2008). http://doi.org/10.1103/PhysRevLett.101.097004
Abstract: When a tunneling barrier between two superconductors is formed by a normal material that would be a superconductor in the absence of phase fluctuations, the resulting Josephson effect can undergo an enormous enhancement. We establish this novel proximity effect by a general argument as well as a numerical simulation and argue that it may underlie recent experimental observations of the giant proximity effect between two cuprate superconductors separated by a barrier made of the same material rendered normal by severe underdoping.
Keywords: A1 Journal article
Impact Factor: 8.462
Times cited: 17
DOI: 10.1103/PhysRevLett.101.097004
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“How the alignment of adsorbed ortho H pairs determines the onset of selective carbon nanotube etching”. Khalilov U, Bogaerts A, Xu B, Kato T, Kaneko T, Neyts EC, Nanoscale 9, 1653 (2017). http://doi.org/10.1039/C6NR08005G
Abstract: Unlocking the enormous technological potential of carbon nanotubes strongly depends on our ability to specifically produce metallic or semiconducting tubes. While selective etching of both has already been demonstrated, the underlying reasons, however, remain elusive as yet. We here present computational and experimental evidence on the operative mechanisms at the atomic scale. We demonstrate that during the adsorption of H atoms and their coalescence, the adsorbed ortho hydrogen pairs on single-walled carbon nanotubes induce higher shear stresses than axial stresses, leading to the elongation of HC–CH bonds as a function of their alignment with the tube chirality vector, which we denote as the γ-angle. As a result, the C–C cleavage occurs more rapidly in nanotubes containing ortho H-pairs with a small γ-angle. This phenomenon can explain the selective etching of small-diameter semiconductor nanotubes with a similar curvature. Both theoretical and experimental results strongly indicate the important role of the γ-angle in the selective etching mechanisms of carbon nanotubes, in addition to the nanotube curvature and metallicity effects and lead us to clearly understand the onset of selective synthesis/removal of CNT-based materials.
Keywords: A1 Journal article; Engineering sciences. Technology; Plasma Lab for Applications in Sustainability and Medicine – Antwerp (PLASMANT)
Impact Factor: 7.367
Times cited: 6
DOI: 10.1039/C6NR08005G
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“Silicene nanoribbons on transition metal dichalcogenide substrates : effects on electronic structure and ballistic transport”. van den Broek B, Houssa M, Lu A, Pourtois G, Afanas'ev V, Stesmans A, Nano Research 9, 3394 (2016). http://doi.org/10.1007/S12274-016-1217-4
Abstract: The idea of stacking multiple monolayers of different two-dimensional materials has become a global pursuit. In this work, a silicene armchair nanoribbon of width W and van der Waals-bonded to different transition-metal dichalcogenide (TMD) bilayer substrates MoX2 and WX2, where X = S, Se, Te is considered. The orbital resolved electronic structure and ballistic transport properties of these systems are simulated by employing van der Waals-corrected density functional theory and nonequilibrium Green's functions. We find that the lattice mismatch with the underlying substrate determines the electronic structure, correlated with the silicene buckling distortion and ultimately with the contact resistance of the two-terminal system. The smallest lattice mismatch, obtained with the MoTe2 substrate, results in the silicene ribbon properties coming close to those of a freestanding one. With the TMD bilayer acting as a dielectric layer, the electronic structure is tunable from a direct to an indirect semiconducting layer, and subsequently to a metallic electronic dispersion layer, with a moderate applied perpendicular electric field.
Keywords: A1 Journal article; Engineering sciences. Technology; Plasma Lab for Applications in Sustainability and Medicine – Antwerp (PLASMANT)
Impact Factor: 7.354
Times cited: 2
DOI: 10.1007/S12274-016-1217-4
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“Electrodeposition of Highly Porous Pt Nanoparticles Studied by Quantitative 3D Electron Tomography: Influence of Growth Mechanisms and Potential Cycling on the Active Surface Area”. Ustarroz J, Geboes B, Vanrompay H, Sentosun K, Bals S, Breugelmans T, Hubin A, ACS applied materials and interfaces 9, 16168 (2017). http://doi.org/10.1021/acsami.7b01619
Abstract: Nanoporous Pt nanoparticles (NPs) are promising fuel cell catalysts due to their large surface area and increased electrocatalytic activity towards the oxygen reduction reaction (ORR). Herein, we report on the infuence of the growth mechanisms on the surface properties of electrodeposited Pt dendritic NPs with large surface areas. The electrochemically active surface was studied by hydrogen underpotential deposition (HUPD) and compared for the rst time to high angle annular dark eld scanning transmission electron microscopy (HAADF-STEM) quantitative 3D electron tomography of individual nanoparticles. Large nucleation overpotential leads to a large surface coverage of Pt roughened spheroids, which provide large roughness factor (Rf ) but low mass-specic electrochemically active surface area (EASA). Lowering the nucleation overpotential leads to highly porous Pt NPs with pores protruding to the center of the structure. At the expense of smaller Rf , the obtained EASA values of these structures are in the range of these of large surface area supported fuel cell catalysts. The active surface area of the Pt dendritic NPs was measured by electron tomography and it was found that the potential cycling in the H adsorption/desorption and Pt oxidation/reduction region, which is generally performed to determine the EASA, leads to a signicant reduction of that surface area due to a partial collapse of their dendritic and porous morphology. Interestingly, the extrapolation of the microscopic tomography results to macroscopic electrochemical parameters indicated that the surface properties measured by H UPD are comparable to the values measured on individual NPs by electron tomography after the degradation caused by the H UPD measurement. These results highlight that the combination of electrochemical and quantitative 3D surface analysis techniques is essential to provide insights into the surface properties, the electrochemical stability and, hence, the applicability of these materials. Moreover, it indicates that care must be taken with widely used electrochemical methods of surface area determination, especially in the case of large surface area and possibly unstable nanostructures, since the measured surface can be strongly aected by the measurement itself.
Keywords: A1 Journal article; Engineering sciences. Technology; Electron microscopy for materials research (EMAT); Applied Electrochemistry & Catalysis (ELCAT)
Impact Factor: 7.504
Times cited: 24
DOI: 10.1021/acsami.7b01619
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“Heterogeneous TiO2/V2O5/Carbon Nanotube Electrodes for Lithium-Ion Batteries”. Kurttepeli M, Deng S, Mattelaer F, Cott DJ, Vereecken P, Dendooven J, Detavernier C, Bals S, ACS applied materials and interfaces 9, 8055 (2017). http://doi.org/10.1021/acsami.6b12759
Abstract: Vanadium pentoxide (V2O5) is proposed and investigated as a cathode material for lithium-ion (Li-ion) batteries. However, the dissolution of V2O5 during the charge/discharge remains as an issue at the V2O5–electrolyte interface. In this work, we present a heterogeneous nanostructure with carbon nanotubes supported V2O5/titanium dioxide (TiO2) multilayers as electrodes for thin-film Li-ion batteries. Atomic layer deposition of V2O5 on carbon nanotubes provides enhanced Li storage capacity and high rate performance. An additional TiO2 layer leads to increased morphological stability and in return higher electrochemical cycling performance of V2O5/carbon nanotubes. The physical and chemical properties of TiO2/V2O5/carbon nanotubes are characterized by cyclic voltammetry and charge/discharge measurements as well as electron microscopy. The detailed mechanism of the protective TiO2 layer to improve the electrochemical cycling stability of the V2O5 is unveiled.
Keywords: A1 Journal article; Engineering sciences. Technology; Electron microscopy for materials research (EMAT)
Impact Factor: 7.504
Times cited: 28
DOI: 10.1021/acsami.6b12759
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“Three-dimensional atomic models from a single projection using Z-contrast imaging: verification by electron tomography and opportunities”. De Backer A, Jones L, Lobato I, Altantzis T, Goris B, Nellist PD, Bals S, Van Aert S, Nanoscale 9, 8791 (2017). http://doi.org/10.1039/C7NR02656K
Abstract: In order to fully exploit structure–property relations of nanomaterials, three-dimensional (3D) characterization at the atomic scale is often required. In recent years, the resolution of electron tomography has reached the atomic scale. However, such tomography typically requires several projection images demanding substantial electron dose. A newly developed alternative circumvents this by counting the number of atoms across a single projection. These atom counts can be used to create an initial atomic model with which an energy minimization can be applied to obtain a relaxed 3D reconstruction of the nanoparticle. Here, we compare, at the atomic scale, this single projection reconstruction approach with tomography and find an excellent agreement. This new approach allows for the characterization of beam-sensitive materials or where the acquisition of a tilt series is impossible. As an example, the utility is illustrated by the 3D atomic scale characterization of a nanodumbbell on an in situ heating holder of limited tilt range.
Keywords: A1 Journal article; Electron microscopy for materials research (EMAT)
Impact Factor: 7.367
Times cited: 33
DOI: 10.1039/C7NR02656K
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“One step toward a new generation of C-MOS compatible oxide p-n junctions: Structure of the LSMO/ZnO interface elucidated by an experimental and theoretical synergic work”. Pullini D, Sgroi M, Mahmoud A, Gauquelin N, Maschio L, Lorenzo-Ferrari AM, Groenen R, Damen C, Rijnders G, van den Bos KHW, Van Aert S, Verbeeck J, ACS applied materials and interfaces 9, 20974 (2017). http://doi.org/10.1021/acsami.7b04089
Abstract: Heterostructures formed by La0.7Sr0.3MnO3/ZnO (LSMO/ZnO) interfaces exhibit extremely interesting electronic properties making them promising candidates for novel oxide p–n junctions, with multifunctional features. In this work, the structure of the interface is studied through a combined experimental/theoretical approach. Heterostructures were grown epitaxially and homogeneously on 4″ silicon wafers, characterized by advanced electron microscopy imaging and spectroscopy and simulated by ab initio density functional theory calculations. The simulation results suggest that the most stable interface configuration is composed of the (001) face of LSMO, with the LaO planes exposed, in contact with the (112̅0) face of ZnO. The ab initio predictions agree well with experimental high-angle annular dark field scanning transmission electron microscopy images and confirm the validity of the suggested structural model. Electron energy loss spectroscopy confirms the atomic sharpness of the interface. From statistical parameter estimation theory, it has been found that the distances between the interfacial planes are displaced from the respective ones of the bulk material. This can be ascribed to the strain induced by the mismatch between the lattices of the two materials employed
Keywords: A1 Journal article; Engineering sciences. Technology; Electron microscopy for materials research (EMAT)
Impact Factor: 7.504
Times cited: 4
DOI: 10.1021/acsami.7b04089
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“Nanorattles with tailored electric field enhancement”. Schnepf MJ, Mayer M, Kuttner C, Tebbe M, Wolf D, Dulle M, Altantzis T, Formanek P, Förster S, Bals S, König TAF, Fery A, Nanoscale 9, 9376 (2017). http://doi.org/10.1039/C7NR02952G
Abstract: Nanorattles are metallic core–shell particles with core and shell separated by a dielectric spacer. These
nanorattles have been identified as a promising class of nanoparticles, due to their extraordinary high
electric-field enhancement inside the cavity. Limiting factors are reproducibility and loss of axial symmetry
owing to the movable metal core; movement of the core results in fluctuation of the nanocavity dimensions
and commensurate variations in enhancement factor. We present a novel synthetic approach for
the robust fixation of the central gold rod within a well-defined box, which results in an axisymmetric
nanorattle. We determine the structure of the resulting axisymmetric nanorattles by advanced transmission
electron microscopy (TEM) and small-angle X-ray scattering (SAXS). Optical absorption and scattering
cross-sections obtained from UV-vis-NIR spectroscopy quantitatively agree with finite-difference
time-domain (FDTD) simulations based on the structural model derived from SAXS. The predictions of
high and homogenous field enhancement are evidenced by scanning TEM electron energy loss spectroscopy
(STEM-EELS) measurement on single-particle level. Thus, comprehensive understanding of
structural and optical properties is achieved for this class of nanoparticles, paving the way for photonic
applications where a defined and robust unit cell is crucial.
Keywords: A1 Journal article; Engineering sciences. Technology; Electron microscopy for materials research (EMAT)
Impact Factor: 7.367
Times cited: 69
DOI: 10.1039/C7NR02952G
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“Morphological and chemical transformations of single silica-coated CdSe/CdS nanorods upon fs-laser excitation”. Albrecht W, Goris B, Bals S, Hutter EM, Vanmaekelbergh D, van Huis MA, van Blaaderen A, Nanoscale 9, 4810 (2017). http://doi.org/10.1039/C6NR09879G
Abstract: Radiation-induced modifications of nanostructures are of fundamental interest and constitute a viable out-of-equilibrium approach to the development of novel nanomaterials. Herein, we investigated the structural transformation of silica-coated CdSe/CdS nanorods (NRs) under femtosecond (fs) illumination. By comparing the same nanorods before and after illumination with different fluences we found that the silica-shell did not only enhance the stability of the NRs but that the confinement of the NRs also led to novel morphological and chemical transformations. Whereas uncoated CdSe/CdS nanorods were found to sublimate under such excitations the silica-coated nanorods broke into fragments which deformed towards a more spherical shape. Furthermore, CdS decomposed which led to the formation of metallic Cd, confirmed by high-resolution electron microscopy and energy dispersive X-ray spectrometry (EDX), whereby an epitaxial interface with the remaining CdS lattice was formed. Under electron beam exposure similar transformations were found to take place which we followed in situ.
Keywords: A1 Journal article; Engineering sciences. Technology; Electron microscopy for materials research (EMAT)
Impact Factor: 7.367
Times cited: 4
DOI: 10.1039/C6NR09879G
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