“Charge transfer doping modulated raman scattering and enhanced stability of black phosphorus quantum dots on a ZnO nanorod”. Hu L, Amini MN, Wu Y, Jin Z, Yuan J, Lin R, Wu J, Dai Y, He H, Lu Y, Lu J, Ye Z, Han S-T, Ye J, Partoens B, Zeng Y-J, Ruan S, Advanced Optical Materials 6, 1800440 (2018). http://doi.org/10.1002/ADOM.201800440
Abstract: Black phosphorus (BP) has recently triggered an unprecedented interest in the 2D community. However, many of its unique properties are not exploited and the well-known environmental vulnerability is not conquered. Herein, a type-I mixed-dimensional (0D-1D) van der Waals heterojunction is developed, where three-atomic-layer BP quantum dots (QDs) are assembled on a single ZnO nanorod (NR). By adjusting the indium (In) content in ZnO NRs, the degree and even the direction of surface charge transfer doping within the heterojunction can be tuned, which result in selective Raman scattering enhancements between ZnO and BP. The maximal enhancement factor is determined as 4340 for BP QDs with sub-ppm level. Furthermore, an unexpected long-term ambient stability (more than six months) of BP QDs is revealed, which is ascribed to the electron doping from ZnO:In NRs. The first demonstration of selective Raman enhancements between two inorganic semiconductors as well as the improved stability of BP shed light on this emerging 2D material.
Keywords: A1 Journal article; Condensed Matter Theory (CMT); Plasma Lab for Applications in Sustainability and Medicine – Antwerp (PLASMANT)
Impact Factor: 6.875
Times cited: 37
DOI: 10.1002/ADOM.201800440
|
“Aberration-corrected microscopy and spectroscopy analysis of pristine, nitrogen containing detonation nanodiamond”. Turner S, Shenderova O, da Pieve F, Lu Y-G, Yücelen E, Verbeeck J, Lamoen D, Van Tendeloo G, Physica status solidi : A : applications and materials science 210, 1976 (2013). http://doi.org/10.1002/pssa.201300315
Abstract: Aberration-corrected transmission electron microscopy, electron energy-loss spectroscopy, and density functional theory (DFT) calculations are used to solve several key questions about the surface structure, the particle morphology, and the distribution and nature of nitrogen impurities in detonation nanodiamond (DND) cleaned by a recently developed ozone treatment. All microscopy and spectroscopy measurements are performed at a lowered acceleration voltage (80/120kV), allowing prolonged and detailed experiments to be carried out while minimizing the risk of knock-on damage or surface graphitization of the nanodiamond. High-resolution TEM (HRTEM) demonstrates the stability of even the smallest nanodiamonds under electron illumination at low voltage and is used to image the surface structure of pristine DND. High resolution electron energy-loss spectroscopy (EELS) measurements on the fine structure of the carbon K-edge of nanodiamond demonstrate that the typical * pre-peak in fact consists of three sub-peaks that arise from the presence of, amongst others, minimal fullerene-like reconstructions at the nanoparticle surfaces and deviations from perfect sp(3) coordination at defects in the nanodiamonds. Spatially resolved EELS experiments evidence the presence of nitrogen within the core of DND particles. The nitrogen is present throughout the whole diamond core, and can be enriched at defect regions. By comparing the fine structure of the experimental nitrogen K-edge with calculated energy-loss near-edge structure (ELNES) spectra from DFT, the embedded nitrogen is most likely related to small amounts of single substitutional and/or A-center nitrogen, combined with larger nitrogen clusters.
Keywords: A1 Journal article; Electron microscopy for materials research (EMAT)
Impact Factor: 1.775
Times cited: 37
DOI: 10.1002/pssa.201300315
|
“Analytical TEM study of CVD diamond growth on TiO2 sol-gel layers”. Lu Y-G, Verbeeck J, Turner S, Hardy A, Janssens SD, De Dobbelaere C, Wagner P, Van Bael MK, Van Tendeloo G, Diamond and related materials 23, 93 (2012). http://doi.org/10.1016/j.diamond.2012.01.022
Abstract: The early growth stages of chemical vapor deposition (CVD) diamond on a solgel TiO2 film with buried ultra dispersed diamond seeds (UDD) have been studied. In order to investigate the diamond growth mechanism and understand the role of the TiO2 layer in the growth process, high resolution transmission electron microscopy (HRTEM), energy-filtered TEM and electron energy loss spectroscopy (EELS) techniques were applied to cross sectional diamond film samples. We find evidence for the formation of TiC crystallites inside the TiO2 layer at different diamond growth stages. However, there is no evidence that diamond nucleation starts from these crystallites. Carbon diffusion into the TiO2 layer and the chemical bonding state of carbon (sp2/sp3) were both extensively investigated. We provide evidence that carbon diffuses through the TiO2 layer and that the diamond seeds partially convert to amorphous carbon during growth. This carbon diffusion and diamond to amorphous carbon conversion make the seed areas below the TiO2 layer grow and bend the TiO2 layer upwards to form the nucleation center of the diamond film. In some of the protuberances a core of diamond seed remains, covered by amorphous carbon. It is however unlikely that the remaining seeds are still active during the growth process.
Keywords: A1 Journal article; Electron microscopy for materials research (EMAT)
Impact Factor: 2.561
Times cited: 16
DOI: 10.1016/j.diamond.2012.01.022
|
“Boron-rich inclusions and boron distribution in HPHT polycrystalline superconducting diamond”. Lu Y-G, Turner S, Ekimov EA, Verbeeck J, Van Tendeloo G, Carbon 86, 156 (2015). http://doi.org/10.1016/j.carbon.2015.01.034
Abstract: Polycrystalline boron-doped superconducting diamond, synthesized at high pressure and high temperature (HPHT) via a reaction of a single piece of crystalline boron with monolithic graphite, has been investigated by analytical transmission electron microscopy. The local boron distribution and boron environment have been studied by a combination of (scanning) transmission electron microscopy ((S)TEM) and spatially resolved electron energy-loss spectroscopy (EELS). High resolution TEM imaging and EELS elemental mapping have established, for the first time, the presence of largely crystalline diamond-diamond grain boundaries within the material and have evidenced the presence of substitutional boron dopants within individual diamond grains. Confirmation of the presence of substitutional B dopants has been obtained through comparison of acquired boron K-edge EELS fine structures with known references. This confirmation is important to understand the origin of superconductivity in polycrystalline B-doped diamond. In addition to the substitutional boron doping, boron-rich inclusions and triple-points, both amorphous and crystalline, with chemical compositions close to boron carbide B4C, are evidenced. (C) 2015 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.
Keywords: A1 Journal article; Electron microscopy for materials research (EMAT)
Impact Factor: 6.337
Times cited: 20
DOI: 10.1016/j.carbon.2015.01.034
|
“Direct visualization of boron dopant distribution and coordination in individual chemical vapor deposition nanocrystalline B-doped diamond grains”. Lu Y-G, Turner S, Verbeeck J, Janssens SD, Wagner P, Haenen K, Van Tendeloo G, Applied physics letters 101, 041907 (2012). http://doi.org/10.1063/1.4738885
Abstract: The boron dopant distribution in individual heavily boron-doped nanocrystalline diamond film grains, with sizes ranging from 100 to 350nm in diameter, has been studied using a combination of high resolution annular dark field scanning transmission electron microscopy and spatially resolved electron energy-loss spectroscopy. Using these tools, the boron distribution and local boron coordination have been determined. Quantification results reveal embedding of B dopants in the diamond lattice, and a preferential enrichment of boron at defective areas and twin boundaries. Coordination mapping reveals a distinct difference in coordination of the B dopants in “pristine” diamond areas and in defective regions. (C) 2012 American Institute of Physics. [http://dx.doi.org/10.1063/1.4738885]
Keywords: A1 Journal article; Electron microscopy for materials research (EMAT)
Impact Factor: 3.411
Times cited: 59
DOI: 10.1063/1.4738885
|
“Local bond length variations in boron-doped nanocrystalline diamond measured by spatially resolved electron energy-loss spectroscopy”. Lu Y-G, Turner S, Verbeeck J, Janssens SD, Haenen K, Van Tendeloo G, Applied physics letters 103, 032105 (2013). http://doi.org/10.1063/1.4813842
Abstract: Variations in local bond length and coordination in boron-doped nanocrystalline diamond (NCD) films have been studied through changes in the fine structure of boron and carbon K-edges in electron energy-loss spectra, acquired in a scanning transmission electron microscope. The presence of high concentrations of B in pristine diamond regions and enrichment of B at defects in single NCD grains is demonstrated. Local bond length variations are evidenced through an energy shift of the carbon 1s → σ* edge at B-rich defective regions within single diamond grains, indicating an expansion of the diamond bond length at sites with local high B content.
Keywords: A1 Journal article; Electron microscopy for materials research (EMAT)
Impact Factor: 3.411
Times cited: 15
DOI: 10.1063/1.4813842
|
“Phase selection enabled formation of abrupt axial heterojunctions in branched oxide nanowires”. Gao J, Lebedev OI, Turner S, Li YF, Lu YH, Feng YP, Boullay P, Prellier W, Van Tendeloo G, Wu T, Nano letters 12, 275 (2012). http://doi.org/10.1021/nl2035089
Abstract: Rational synthesis of nanowires via the vaporliquidsolid (VLS) mechanism with compositional and structural controls is vitally important for fabricating functional nanodevices from bottom up. Here, we show that branched indium tin oxide nanowires can be in situ seeded in vapor transport growth using tailored AuCu alloys as catalyst. Furthermore, we demonstrate that VLS synthesis gives unprecedented freedom to navigate the ternary InSnO phase diagram, and a rare and bulk-unstable cubic phase can be selectively stabilized in nanowires. The stabilized cubic fluorite phase possesses an unusual almost equimolar concentration of In and Sn, forming a defect-free epitaxial interface with the conventional bixbyite phase of tin-doped indium oxide that is the most employed transparent conducting oxide. This rational methodology of selecting phases and making abrupt axial heterojunctions in nanowires presents advantages over the conventional synthesis routes, promising novel composition-modulated nanomaterials.
Keywords: A1 Journal article; Electron microscopy for materials research (EMAT)
Impact Factor: 12.712
Times cited: 25
DOI: 10.1021/nl2035089
|
“Preparation, structural and optical characterization of nanocrystalline ZnO doped with luminescent Ag-nanoclusters”. Kuznetsov AS, Lu Y-G, Turner S, Shestakov MV, Tikhomirov VK, Kirilenko D, Verbeeck J, Baranov AN, Moshchalkov VV, Optical materials express 2, 723 (2012). http://doi.org/10.1364/OME.2.000723
Abstract: Nanocrystalline ZnO doped with Ag-nanoclusters has been synthesized by a salt solid state reaction. Three overlapping broad emission bands due to the Ag nanoclusters have been detected at about 570, 750 and 900 nm. These emission bands are excited by an energy transfer from the exciton state of the ZnO host when pumped in the wavelength range from 250 to 400 nm. The 900 nm emission band shows characteristic orbital splitting into three components pointing out that the anisotropic crystalline wurtzite host of ZnO is responsible for this feature. Heat-treatment and temperature dependence studies confirm the origin of these emission bands. An energy level diagram for the emission process and a model for Ag nanoclusters sites are suggested. The emission of nanocrystalline ZnO doped with Ag nanoclusters may be applied for white light generation, displays driven by UV light, down-convertors for solar cells and luminescent lamps.
Keywords: A1 Journal article; Electron microscopy for materials research (EMAT)
Impact Factor: 2.591
DOI: 10.1364/OME.2.000723
|
“Substitutional phosphorus incorporation in nanocrystalline CVD diamond thin films”. Janssen W, Turner S, Sakr G, Jomard F, Barjon J, Degutis G, Lu YG, D'Haen J, Hardy A, Bael MV, Verbeeck J, Van Tendeloo G, Haenen K, Physica status solidi: rapid research letters 8, 705 (2014). http://doi.org/10.1002/pssr.201409235
Abstract: Nanocrystalline diamond (NCD) thin films were produced by chemical vapor deposition (CVD) and doped by the addition of phosphine to the gas mixture. The characterization of the films focused on probing the incorporation and distribution of the phosphorus (P) dopants. Electron microscopy evaluated the overall film morphology and revealed the interior structure of the nanosized grains. The homogeneous films with distinct diamond grains featured a notably low sp(2):sp(3)-ratio as confirmed by Raman spectroscopy. High resolution spectroscopy methods demonstrated a homogeneous P-incorporation, both in-depth and in-plane. The P concentration in the films was determined to be in the order of 10(19) cm(-3) with a significant fraction integrated at substitutional donor sites. (C) 2014 WILEY-VCH Verlag GmbH Co. KGaA, Weinheim
Keywords: A1 Journal article; Electron microscopy for materials research (EMAT)
Impact Factor: 3.032
Times cited: 20
DOI: 10.1002/pssr.201409235
|
“Using the macroscopic scale to predict the nano-scale behavior of YSZ thin films”. Lamas JS, Leroy WP, Lu Y-G, Verbeeck J, Van Tendeloo G, Depla D, Surface and coatings technology 238, 45 (2014). http://doi.org/10.1016/j.surfcoat.2013.10.034
Abstract: In this work, Yttria-stabilized zirconia (YSZ) thin films were deposited using dual reactive magnetron sputtering. By varying the deposition conditions, the film morphology and texture of the thin films are tuned and biaxial alignment is obtained. Studying the crystallographic and microstructural properties of the YSZ thin films, a tilted columnar growth was identified. This tilt is shown to be dependent on the compositional gradient of the sample. The variation of composition within a single YSZ column measured via STEM-EDX is demonstrated to be equal to the macroscopic variation on a full YSZ sample when deposited under the same deposition parameters. A simple stress model was developed to predict the tilt of the growing columns. The results indicate that this model not only determines the column bending of the growing film but also confirms that a macroscopic approach is sufficient to determine the compositional gradient in a single column of the YSZ thin films. (C) 2013 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.
Keywords: A1 Journal article; Electron microscopy for materials research (EMAT)
Impact Factor: 2.589
Times cited: 8
DOI: 10.1016/j.surfcoat.2013.10.034
|
“CVD diamond growth from nanodiamond seeds buried under a thin chromium layer”. Degutis G, Pobedinskas P, Turner S, Lu Y-G, Al Riyami S, Ruttens B, Yoshitake T, D'Haen J, Haenen K, Verbeeck J, Hardy A, Van Bael MK, Diamond and related materials 64, 163 (2016). http://doi.org/10.1016/j.diamond.2016.02.013
Abstract: This work presents a morphological and structural analysis of CVD diamond growth on silicon from nanodiamond seeds covered by a 50 nm thick chromium layer. The role of carbon diffusion as well as chromium and carbon silicide formation is analyzed. The local diamond environment is investigated by scanning transmission electron microscopy in combination with electron energy-loss spectroscopy. The evolution of the diamond phase composition (sp3/sp2) is evaluated by micro-Raman spectroscopy. Raman and X-ray diffraction analysis are used to identify the interfacial phases formed during CVD growth. Based upon the observed morphological and structural evolution, a diamond growth model from nanodiamond seeds buried beneath a thin Cr layer is proposed.
Keywords: A1 Journal article; Electron microscopy for materials research (EMAT)
Impact Factor: 2.561
Times cited: 11
DOI: 10.1016/j.diamond.2016.02.013
|
“Thick homoepitaxial (110)-oriented phosphorus-doped n-type diamond”. Balasubramaniam Y, Pobedinskas P, Janssens SD, Sakr G, Jomard F, Turner S, Lu YG, Dexters W, Soltani A, Verbeeck J, Barjon J, Nesládek M, Haenen K;, Applied physics letters 109, 062105 (2016). http://doi.org/10.1063/1.4960970
Abstract: The fabrication of n-type diamond is essential for the realization of electronic components for extreme environments. We report on the growth of a 66 mu m thick homoepitaxial phosphorus-doped diamond on a (110)-oriented diamond substrate, grown at a very high deposition rate of 33 mu m h(-1). A pristine diamond lattice is observed by high resolution transmission electron microscopy, which indicates the growth of high quality diamond. About 2.9 x 10(16) cm(-3) phosphorus atoms are electrically active as substitutional donors, which is 60% of all incorporated dopant atoms. These results indicate that P-doped (110)-oriented diamond films deposited at high growth rates are promising candidates for future use in high-power electronic applications. Published by AIP Publishing.
Keywords: A1 Journal article; Electron microscopy for materials research (EMAT)
Impact Factor: 3.411
Times cited: 20
DOI: 10.1063/1.4960970
|
“Degradation process of lead chromate in paintings by Vincent van Gogh studied by means of spectromicroscopic methods : 3 : synthesis, characterization, and detection of different crystal forms of the chrome yellow pigment”. Monico L, Janssens K, Miliani C, Brunetti BG, Vagnini M, Vanmeert F, Falkenberg G, Abakumov A, Lu Y, Tian H, Verbeeck J, Radepont M, Cotte M, Hendriks E, Geldof M, van der Loeff L, Salvant J, Menu M;, Analytical chemistry 85, 860 (2013). http://doi.org/10.1021/ac302158b
Abstract: The painter, Vincent van Gogh, and some of his contemporaries frequently made use of the pigment chrome yellow that is known to show a tendency toward darkening. This pigment may correspond to various chemical compounds such as PbCrO4 and PbCr1-xSxO4, that may each be present in various crystallographic forms with different tendencies toward degradation. Investigations by X-ray diffraction (XRD), mid-Fourier Transform infrared (FTIR), and Raman instruments (benchtop and portable) and synchrotron radiation-based micro-XRD and X-ray absorption near edge structure spectroscopy performed on oil-paint models, prepared with in-house synthesized PbCrO4 and PbCr1-xSxO4, permitted us to characterize the spectroscopic features of the various forms. On the basis of these results, an extended study has been carried out on historic paint tubes and on embedded paint microsamples taken from yellow-orange/pale yellow areas of 12 Van Gogh paintings, demonstrating that Van Gogh effectively made use of different chrome yellow types. This conclusion was also confirmed by in situ mid-FTIR investigations on Van Goghs Portrait of Gauguin (Van Gogh Museum, Amsterdam).
Keywords: A1 Journal article; Electron microscopy for materials research (EMAT); AXES (Antwerp X-ray Analysis, Electrochemistry and Speciation)
Impact Factor: 6.32
Times cited: 79
DOI: 10.1021/ac302158b
|
“Gas permeation through graphdiyne-based nanoporous membranes”. Zhou Z, Tan Y, Yang Q, Bera A, Xiong Z, Yagmurcukardes M, Kim M, Zou Y, Wang G, Mishchenko A, Timokhin I, Wang C, Wang H, Yang C, Lu Y, Boya R, Liao H, Haigh S, Liu H, Peeters FM, Li Y, Geim AK, Hu S, Nature communications 13, 4031 (2022). http://doi.org/10.1038/S41467-022-31779-2
Abstract: Nanoporous membranes based on two dimensional materials are predicted to provide highly selective gas transport in combination with extreme permeance. Here we investigate membranes made from multilayer graphdiyne, a graphene-like crystal with a larger unit cell. Despite being nearly a hundred of nanometers thick, the membranes allow fast, Knudsen-type permeation of light gases such as helium and hydrogen whereas heavy noble gases like xenon exhibit strongly suppressed flows. Using isotope and cryogenic temperature measurements, the seemingly conflicting characteristics are explained by a high density of straight-through holes (direct porosity of similar to 0.1%), in which heavy atoms are adsorbed on the walls, partially blocking Knudsen flows. Our work offers important insights into intricate transport mechanisms playing a role at nanoscale.
Keywords: A1 Journal article; Engineering sciences. Technology; Condensed Matter Theory (CMT)
Impact Factor: 16.6
Times cited: 21
DOI: 10.1038/S41467-022-31779-2
|
“Carbon-dot-decorated nanodiamonds”. Shenderova O, Hens S, Vlasov I, Turner S, Lu Y-G, Van Tendeloo G, Schrand A, Burikov SA, Dolenko TA, Particle and particle systems characterization 31, 580 (2014). http://doi.org/10.1002/ppsc.201300251
Abstract: The synthesis of a new class of fluorescent carbon nanomaterials, carbon-dot-decorated nanodiamonds (CDD-ND), is reported. These CDD-NDs are produced by specific acid treatment of detonation soot, forming tiny rounded sp2 carbon species (carbon dots), 12 atomic layers thick and 12 nm in size, covalently attached to the surface of the detonation diamond nanoparticles. A combination of nanodiamonds bonded with a graphitic phase as a starting material and the application of graphite intercalated acids for oxidation of the graphitic carbon is necessary for the successful production of CDD-ND. The CDD-ND photoluminescence (PL) is stable, 20 times more intense than the intrinsic PL of well-purified NDs and can be tailored by changing the oxidation process parameters. Carbon-dot-decorated DNDs are shown to be excellent probes for bioimaging applications and inexpensive additives for PL nanocomposites.
Keywords: A1 Journal article; Engineering sciences. Technology; Electron microscopy for materials research (EMAT)
Impact Factor: 4.474
Times cited: 30
DOI: 10.1002/ppsc.201300251
|
“Global and local superconductivity in boron-doped granular diamond”. Zhang G, Turner S, Ekimov EA, Vanacken J, Timmermans M, Samuely T, Sidorov VA, Stishov SM, Lu Y, Deloof B, Goderis B, Van Tendeloo G, Van de Vondel J, Moshchalkov VV;, Advanced materials 26, 2034 (2014). http://doi.org/10.1002/adma.201304667
Abstract: Strong granularity-correlated and intragrain modulations of the superconducting order parameter are demonstrated in heavily boron-doped diamond situated not yet in the vicinity of the metal-insulator transition. These modulations at the superconducting state (SC) and at the global normal state (NS) above the resistive superconducting transition, reveal that local Cooper pairing sets in prior to the global phase coherence.
Keywords: A1 Journal article; Engineering sciences. Technology; Electron microscopy for materials research (EMAT)
Impact Factor: 19.791
Times cited: 34
DOI: 10.1002/adma.201304667
|
“Local boron environment in B-doped nanocrystalline diamond films”. Turner S, Lu Y-G, Janssens SD, da Pieve F, Lamoen D, Verbeeck J, Haenen K, Wagner P, Van Tendeloo G, Nanoscale 4, 5960 (2012). http://doi.org/10.1039/c2nr31530k
Abstract: Thin films of heavily B-doped nanocrystalline diamond (B:NCD) have been investigated by a combination of high resolution annular dark field scanning transmission electron microscopy and spatially resolved electron energy-loss spectroscopy performed on a state-of-the-art aberration corrected instrument to determine the B concentration, distribution and the local B environment. Concentrations of [similar]1 to 3 at.% of boron are found to be embedded within individual grains. Even though most NCD grains are surrounded by a thin amorphous shell, elemental mapping of the B and C signal shows no preferential embedding of B in these amorphous shells or in grain boundaries between the NCD grains, in contrast with earlier work on more macroscopic superconducting polycrystalline B-doped diamond films. Detailed inspection of the fine structure of the boron K-edge and comparison with density functional theory calculated fine structure energy-loss near-edge structure signatures confirms that the B atoms present in the diamond grains are substitutional atoms embedded tetrahedrally into the diamond lattice.
Keywords: A1 Journal article; Engineering sciences. Technology; Electron microscopy for materials research (EMAT)
Impact Factor: 7.367
Times cited: 39
DOI: 10.1039/c2nr31530k
|
“Toward deep blue nano hope diamonds : heavily boron-doped diamond nanoparticles”. Heyer S, Janssen W, Turner S, Lu Y-G, Yeap WS, Verbeeck J, Haenen K, Krueger A, ACS nano 8, 5757 (2014). http://doi.org/10.1021/nn500573x
Abstract: The production of boron-doped diamond nanoparticles enables the application of this material for a broad range of fields, such as electrochemistry, thermal management, and fundamental superconductivity research. Here we present the production of highly boron-doped diamond nanoparticles using boron-doped CVD diamond films as a starting material. In a multistep milling process followed by purification and surface oxidation we obtained diamond nanoparticles of 1060 nm with a boron content of approximately 2.3 × 1021 cm3. Aberration-corrected HRTEM reveals the presence of defects within individual diamond grains, as well as a very thin nondiamond carbon layer at the particle surface. The boron K-edge electron energy-loss near-edge fine structure demonstrates that the B atoms are tetrahedrally embedded into the diamond lattice. The boron-doped diamond nanoparticles have been used to nucleate growth of a boron-doped diamond film by CVD that does not contain an insulating seeding layer.
Keywords: A1 Journal article; Engineering sciences. Technology; Electron microscopy for materials research (EMAT)
Impact Factor: 13.942
Times cited: 71
DOI: 10.1021/nn500573x
|
“Heterogeneous interfacial chemical nature and bonds in a W-coated diamond/Al composite”. Ji G, Tan Z, Lu Y, Schryvers D, Li Z, Zhang D, Materials characterization 112, 129 (2016). http://doi.org/10.1016/j.matchar.2015.12.013
Abstract: Heterogeneous Al/Al4C3/Al2O3/diamond{111}, Al/nanolayered Al4C3/diamond{111} and Al12W particle/Al4C3/Al2O3/diamond{111} multi-interfaces have been developed at the nanoscale in a W-coated diamond/Al composite produced by vacuum hot pressing. The formation of nanoscale Al4C3 crystals is strongly associated with local O enrichment and can be further promoted by Al12W interfacial particles. The latter effectively contributes to enhance interfacial chemical bonding reducing interfacial thermal resistance and, in turn, enhancing thermal conductivity.
Keywords: A1 Journal article; Engineering sciences. Technology; Electron microscopy for materials research (EMAT)
Impact Factor: 2.714
Times cited: 7
DOI: 10.1016/j.matchar.2015.12.013
|
“Direct imaging of boron segregation at dislocations in B:diamond heteroepitaxial films”. Turner S, Idrissi H, Sartori AF, Korneychuck S, Lu Y-G, Verbeeck J, Schreck M, Van Tendeloo G, Nanoscale 8, 2212 (2016). http://doi.org/10.1039/c5nr07535a
Abstract: A thin film of heavily B-doped diamond has been grown epitaxially by microwave plasma chemical vapor deposition on an undoped diamond layer, on top of a Ir/YSZ/Si(001) substrate stack, to study the boron segregation and boron environment at the dislocations present in the film. The density and nature of the dislocations were investigated by conventional and weak-beam dark-field transmission electron microscopy techniques, revealing the presence of two types of dislocations: edge and mixed-type 45 degrees dislocations. The presence and distribution of B in the sample was studied using annular dark-field scanning transmission electron microscopy and spatially resolved electron energy-loss spectroscopy. Using these techniques, a segregation of B at the dislocations in the film is evidenced, which is shown to be intermittent along the dislocation. A single edge-type dislocation was selected to study the distribution of the boron surrounding the dislocation core. By imaging this defect at atomic resolution, the boron is revealed to segregate towards the tensile strain field surrounding the edge-type dislocations. An investigation of the fine structure of the B-K edge at the dislocation core shows that the boron is partially substitutionally incorporated into the diamond lattice and partially present in a lower coordination (sp(2)-like hybridization).
Keywords: A1 Journal article; Engineering sciences. Technology; Electron microscopy for materials research (EMAT)
Impact Factor: 7.367
Times cited: 15
DOI: 10.1039/c5nr07535a
|
“Homojunction of oxygen and titanium vacancies and its interfacial n-p effect”. Wu S-M, Liu X-L, Lian X-L, Tian G, Janiak C, Zhang Y-X, Lu Y, Yu H-Z, Hu J, Wei H, Zhao H, Chang G-G, Van Tendeloo G, Wang L-Y, Yang X-Y, Su B-L, Advanced materials 30, 1802173 (2018). http://doi.org/10.1002/ADMA.201802173
Abstract: The homojunction of oxygen/metal vacancies and its interfacial n-p effect on the physiochemical properties are rarely reported. Interfacial n-p homojunctions of TiO2 are fabricated by directly decorating interfacial p-type titanium-defected TiO2 around n-type oxygen-defected TiO2 nanocrystals in amorphous-anatase homogeneous nanostructures. Experimental measurements and theoretical calculations on the cell lattice parameters show that the homojunction of oxygen and titanium vacancies changes the charge density of TiO2; a strong EPR signal caused by oxygen vacancies and an unreported strong titanium vacancies signal of 2D H-1 TQ-SQ MAS NMR are present. Amorphous-anatase TiO2 shows significant performance regarding the photogeneration current, photocatalysis, and energy storage, owing to interfacial n-type to p-type conductivity with high charge mobility and less structural confinement of amorphous clusters. A new homojunction of oxygen and titanium vacancies concept, characteristics, and mechanism are proposed at an atomic-/nanoscale to clarify the generation of oxygen vacancies and titanium vacancies as well as the interface electron transfer.
Keywords: A1 Journal article; Engineering sciences. Technology; Electron microscopy for materials research (EMAT)
Impact Factor: 19.791
Times cited: 39
DOI: 10.1002/ADMA.201802173
|
“Electrostatic force-driven oxide heteroepitaxy for interface control”. Ren Z, Wu M, Chen X, Li W, Li M, Wang F, Tian H, Chen J, Xie Y, Mai J, Li X, Lu X, Lu Y, Zhang H, Van Tendeloo G, Zhang Z, Han G, Advanced materials 30, 1707017 (2018). http://doi.org/10.1002/ADMA.201707017
Abstract: Oxide heterostructure interfaces create a platform to induce intriguing electric and magnetic functionalities for possible future devices. A general approach to control growth and interface structure of oxide heterostructures will offer a great opportunity for understanding and manipulating the functionalities. Here, it is reported that an electrostatic force, originating from a polar ferroelectric surface, can be used to drive oxide heteroepitaxy, giving rise to an atomically sharp and coherent interface by using a low-temperature solution method. These heterostructures adopt a fascinating selective growth, and show a saturation thickness and the reconstructed interface with concentrated charges accumulation. The ferroelectric polarization screening, developing from a solid-liquid interface to the heterostructure interface, is decisive for the specific growth. At the interface, a charge transfer and accumulation take place for electrical compensation. The facile approach presented here can be extremely useful for controlling oxide heteroepitaxy and producing intriguing interface functionality via electrostatic engineering.
Keywords: A1 Journal article; Engineering sciences. Technology; Electron microscopy for materials research (EMAT)
Impact Factor: 19.791
Times cited: 4
DOI: 10.1002/ADMA.201707017
|
“Spatial heterojunction in nanostructured TiO₂, and its cascade effect for efficient photocatalysis”. Lu Y, Liu X-L, He L, Zhang Y-X, Hu Z-Y, Tian G, Cheng X, Wu S-M, Li Y-Z, Yang X-H, Wang L-Y, Liu J-W, Janiak C, Chang G-G, Li W-H, Van Tendeloo G, Yang X-Y, Su B-L, Nano Letters 20, 3122 (2020). http://doi.org/10.1021/ACS.NANOLETT.9B05121
Abstract: A highly efficient photoenergy conversion is strongly dependent on the cumulative cascade efficiency of the photogenerated carriers. Spatial heterojunctions are critical to directed charge transfer and, thus, attractive but still a challenge. Here, a spatially ternary titanium-defected TiO2@carbon quantum dots@reduced graphene oxide (denoted as V-Ti@CQDs@rGO) in one system is shown to demonstrate a cascade effect of charges and significant performances regarding the photocurrent, the apparent quantum yield, and photocatalysis such as H-2 production from water splitting and CO2 reduction. A key aspect in the construction is the technologically irrational junction of Ti-vacancies and nanocarbons for the spatially inside-out heterojunction. The new “spatial heterojunctions” concept, characteristics, mechanism, and extension are proposed at an atomic- nanoscale to clarify the generation of rational heterojunctions as well as the cascade electron transfer.
Keywords: A1 Journal article; Engineering sciences. Technology; Electron microscopy for materials research (EMAT)
Impact Factor: 10.8
Times cited: 5
DOI: 10.1021/ACS.NANOLETT.9B05121
|
“Electronic band structures and native point defects of ultrafine ZnO nanocrystals”. Zeng Y-J, Schouteden K, Amini MN, Ruan S-C, Lu Y-F, Ye Z-Z, Partoens B, Lamoen D, Van Haesendonck C, ACS applied materials and interfaces 7, 10617 (2015). http://doi.org/10.1021/acsami.5b02545
Abstract: Ultrafine ZnO nanocrystals with a thickness down to 0.25 nm are grown by a metalorganic chemical vapor deposition method. Electronic band structures and native point defects of ZnO nanocrystals are studied by a combination of scanning tunneling microscopy/spectroscopy and first-principles density functional theory calculations. Below a critical thickness of nm ZnO adopts a graphitic-like structure and exhibits a wide band gap similar to its wurtzite counterpart. The hexagonal wurtzite structure, with a well-developed band gap evident from scanning tunneling spectroscopy, is established for a thickness starting from similar to 1.4 nm. With further increase of the thickness to 2 nm, V-O-V-Zn defect pairs are easily produced in ZnO nanocrystals due to the self-compensation effect in highly doped semiconductors.
Keywords: A1 Journal article; Engineering sciences. Technology; Electron microscopy for materials research (EMAT); Condensed Matter Theory (CMT)
Impact Factor: 7.504
Times cited: 15
DOI: 10.1021/acsami.5b02545
|
“Hierarchical CdS/m-TiO 2 /G ternary photocatalyst for highly active visible light-induced hydrogen production from water splitting with high stability”. Lu Y, Cheng X, Tian G, Zhao H, He L, Hu J, Wu S-M, Dong Y, Chang G-G, Lenaerts S, Siffert S, Van Tendeloo G, Li Z-F, Xu L-L, Yang X-Y, Su B-L, Nano energy 47, 8 (2018). http://doi.org/10.1016/j.nanoen.2018.02.021
Abstract: Hierarchical semiconductors are the most important photocatalysts, especially for visible light-induced hydrogen production from water splitting. We demonstrate herein a hierarchical electrostatic assembly approach to hierarchical CdS/m-TiO2/G ternary photocatalyst, which exhibits high photoactivity and excellent photostability (more than twice the activity of pure CdS while 82% of initial photoactivity remained after 15 recycles during 80 h irradiation). The ternary nanojunction effect of the photocatalyst has been investigated from orbitals hybrid, bonding energy to atom-stress distortion and nano-interface fusion. And a coherent separation mechanism of charge carriers in the ternary system has been proposed at an atomic/nanoscale. This work offers a promising way to inhibit the photocorrosion of CdS and, more importantly, provide new insights for the design of ternary nanostructured photocatalysts with an ideal heterojunction.
Keywords: A1 Journal article; Engineering sciences. Technology; Electron microscopy for materials research (EMAT); Sustainable Energy, Air and Water Technology (DuEL)
Impact Factor: 12.343
Times cited: 58
DOI: 10.1016/j.nanoen.2018.02.021
|
“Hierarchically dual-mesoporous TiO2 microspheres for enhanced photocatalytic properties and lithium storage”. Xiao S, Lu Y, Xiao B-Y, Wu L, Song J-P, Xiao Y-X, Wu S-M, Hu J, Wang Y, Chang G-G, Tian G, Lenaerts S, Janiak C, Yang X-Y, Su B-L, Chemistry: a European journal 24, 13246 (2018). http://doi.org/10.1002/CHEM.201801933
Abstract: Hierarchically dual‐mesoporous TiO2 microspheres have been synthesized via a solvothermal process in the presence of 1‐butyl‐3‐methylmidazolium tetrafluoroborate ([BMIm][BF4]) and diethylenetriamine (DETA) as co‐templates. Secondary mesostructured defects in the hierarchical TiO2 microspheres produce the oxygen vacancies, which not only significantly enhance the photocatalytic activity on degrading methyl blue (over 1.7 times to P25) and acetone (over 2.9 times of P25), but which also are beneficial for lithium storage. Moreover, we propose a mechanism to obtain a better understanding of the role of dual mesoporosity of TiO2 microspheres for enhancing the molecular diffusion, ion transportation and electron transformation.
Keywords: A1 Journal article; Engineering sciences. Technology; Sustainable Energy, Air and Water Technology (DuEL)
Impact Factor: 5.317
Times cited: 6
DOI: 10.1002/CHEM.201801933
|
“Interfacial co-existence of oxygen and titanium vacancies in nanostructured TiO₂, for enhancement of carrier transport”. Lu Y, Liu Y-X, He L, Wang L-Y, Liu X-L, Liu J-W, Li Y-Z, Tian G, Zhao H, Yang X-H, Liu J, Janiak C, Lenaerts S, Yang X-Y, Su B-L, Nanoscale 12, 8364 (2020). http://doi.org/10.1039/D0NR01180K
Abstract: The interfacial co-existence of oxygen and metal vacancies in metal oxide semiconductors and their highly efficient carrier transport have rarely been reported. This work reports on the co-existence of oxygen and titanium vacancies at the interface between TiO2 and rGO via a simple two-step calcination treatment. Experimental measurements show that the oxygen and titanium vacancies are formed under 550 degrees C/Ar and 350 degrees C/air calcination conditions, respectively. These oxygen and titanium vacancies significantly enhance the transport of interfacial carriers, and thus greatly improve the photocurrent performances, the apparent quantum yield, and photocatalysis such as photocatalytic H-2 production from water-splitting, photocatalytic CO2 reduction and photo-electrochemical anticorrosion of metals. A new “interfacial co-existence of oxygen and titanium vacancies” phenomenon, and its characteristics and mechanism are proposed at the atomic-/nanoscale to clarify the generation of oxygen and titanium vacancies as well as the interfacial carrier transport.
Keywords: A1 Journal article; Engineering sciences. Technology; Sustainable Energy, Air and Water Technology (DuEL)
Impact Factor: 6.7
Times cited: 4
DOI: 10.1039/D0NR01180K
|
“Hierarchical MoS2@TiO2 heterojunctions for enhanced photocatalytic performance and electrocatalytic hydrogen evolution”. Dong Y, Chen S-Y, Lu Y, Xiao Y-X, Hu J, Wu S-M, Deng Z, Tian G, Chang G-G, Li J, Lenaerts S, Janiak C, Yang X-Y, Su B-L, Chemistry: an Asian journal 13, 1609 (2018). http://doi.org/10.1002/ASIA.201800359
Abstract: Hierarchical MoS2@TiO2 heterojunctions were synthesized through a one-step hydrothermal method by using protonic titanate nanosheets as the precursor. The TiO2 nanosheets prevent the aggregation of MoS2 and promote the carrier transfer efficiency, and thus enhance the photocatalytic and electrocatalytic activity of the nanostructured MoS2. The obtained MoS2@TiO2 has significantly enhanced photocatalytic activity in the degradation of rhodamineB (over 5.2times compared with pure MoS2) and acetone (over 2.8times compared with pure MoS2). MoS2@TiO2 is also beneficial for electrocatalytic hydrogen evolution (26times compared with pure MoS2, based on the cathodic current density). This work offers a promising way to prevent the self-aggregation of MoS2 and provides a new insight for the design of heterojunctions for materials with lattice mismatches.
Keywords: A1 Journal article; Sustainable Energy, Air and Water Technology (DuEL)
Impact Factor: 4.083
Times cited: 22
DOI: 10.1002/ASIA.201800359
|
Lu Y (2013) Electron energy-loss spectroscopy (EELS) characterization of diamond and related materials. Antwerpen
Keywords: Doctoral thesis; Electron microscopy for materials research (EMAT)
|