Mannaerts D, Faes E, Cos P, Briedé, JJ, Gyselaers W, Cornette J, Gorbanev Y, Bogaerts A, Spaanderman M, Van Craenenbroeck E, Jacquemyn Y, Torrens C (2018) Oxidative stress in healthy pregnancy and preeclampsia is linked to chronic inflammation, iron status and vascular function. e0202919
Abstract: Background
During normal pregnancy, placental oxidative stress (OS) is present during all three trimesters and is necessary to obtain normal cell function. However, if OS reaches a certain level, pregnancy complications might arise. In preeclampsia (PE), a dangerous pregnancy specific hypertensive disorder, OS induced in the ischemic placenta causes a systemic inflammatory response and activates maternal endothelial cells. In this study, we aimed to quantify superoxide concentrations (as a measure of systemic OS) using electron paramagnetic resonance (EPR) and correlate them to markers of systemic inflammation, iron status and vascular function.
Methods
Fifty-nine women with a healthy pregnancy (HP), 10 non-pregnant controls (NP) and 28 PE patients (32±3.3weeks) were included. During HP, blood samples for superoxide, neutrophil to lymphocyte ratio (NLR), mean platelet volume (MPV) and iron status were taken at 10, 25 and 39 weeks. Vascular measurements for arterial stiffness (carotid-femoral pulse wave velocity (CF-PWV), augmentation index (AIx), augmentation Pressure (AP)) and microvascular endothelial function (reactive hyperemia index (RHI)) were performed at 35 weeks. In PE, all measurements were performed at diagnosis. CMH (1-hydroxy-3-methoxycarbonyl-2,2,5,5-tetramethylpyrrolidine) was used as spin probe for EPR, since the formed CM radical
corresponds to the amount of superoxide.
Results
Superoxide concentration remains stable during pregnancy (p = 0.92), but is significantly higher compared to the NP controls (p<0.0001). At 25 weeks, there is a significant positive correlation between superoxide and ferritin concentration. (p = 0.04) In PE, superoxide, systemic inflammation and iron status are much higher compared to HP (all p<0.001). During HP, superoxide concentrations correlate significantly with arterial stiffness (all p<0.04), while in PE superoxide is significantly correlated to microvascular endothelial function (p = 0.03).
Conclusions
During HP there is an increased but stable oxidative environment, which is correlated to ferritin concentration. If superoxide levels increase, there is an augmentation in arterial stiffness. In PE pregnancies, systemic inflammation and superoxide concentrations are higher and result in a deterioration of endothelial function. Together, these findings support the hypothesis that vascular function is directly linked to the amount of OS and that measurement of OS in combination with vascular function tests might be used in the prediction of PE.
Keywords: University Hospital Antwerp; A1 Journal article; Engineering sciences. Technology; Plasma Lab for Applications in Sustainability and Medicine – Antwerp (PLASMANT); Antwerp Surgical Training, Anatomy and Research Centre (ASTARC); Translational Pathophysiological Research (TPR)
Impact Factor: 2.806
Times cited: 15
DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0202919
|
“Foundations of modelling of nonequilibrium low-temperature plasmas”. Alves LL, Bogaerts A, Guerra V, Turner MM, Plasma sources science and technology 27, 023002 (2018). http://doi.org/10.1088/1361-6595/aaa86d
Abstract: This work explains the need for plasma models, introduces arguments for choosing the type of model that better fits the purpose of each study, and presents the basics of the most common nonequilibrium low-temperature plasma models and the information available from each one, along with an extensive list of references for complementary in-depth reading. The paper presents the following models, organised according to the level of multi-dimensional description of the plasma: kinetic models, based on either a statistical particle-in-cell/Monte-Carlo approach or the solution to the Boltzmann equation (in the latter case, special focus is given to the description of the electron kinetics); multi-fluid models, based on the solution to the hydrodynamic equations; global (spatially-average) models, based on the solution to the particle and energy rate-balance equations for the main plasma species, usually including a very complete reaction chemistry; mesoscopic models for plasma–surface interaction, adopting either a deterministic approach or a stochastic dynamical Monte-Carlo approach. For each plasma model, the paper puts forward the physics context, introduces the fundamental equations, presents advantages and limitations, also from a numerical perspective, and illustrates its application with some examples. Whenever pertinent, the interconnection between models is also discussed, in view of multi-scale hybrid approaches.
Keywords: A1 Journal article; Plasma Lab for Applications in Sustainability and Medicine – Antwerp (PLASMANT)
Impact Factor: 3.302
Times cited: 17
DOI: 10.1088/1361-6595/aaa86d
|
“Effect of plasma-induced surface charging on catalytic processes: application to CO2activation”. Bal KM, Huygh S, Bogaerts A, Neyts EC, Plasma sources science and technology 27, 024001 (2018). http://doi.org/10.1088/1361-6595/aaa868
Abstract: Understanding the nature and effect of the multitude of plasma–surface interactions in plasma catalysis is a crucial requirement for further process development and improvement. A particularly intriguing and rather unique property of a plasma-catalytic setup is the ability of the plasma to modify the electronic structure, and hence chemical properties, of the catalyst through charging, i.e. the absorption of excess electrons. In this work, we develop a quantum chemical model based on density functional theory to study excess negative surface charges in a heterogeneous catalyst exposed to a plasma. This method is specifically applied to investigate plasma-catalytic CO2 activation on supported M/Al2O3 (M=Ti, Ni, Cu) single atom catalysts. We find that (1) the presence of a negative surface charge dramatically improves the reductive power of the catalyst, strongly promoting the splitting of CO2 to CO and oxygen, and (2) the relative activity of the investigated transition metals is also changed upon charging, suggesting that controlled surface charging is a powerful additional parameter to tune catalyst activity and selectivity. These results strongly point to plasma-induced surface charging of the catalyst as an important factor contributing to the plasma-catalyst synergistic effects frequently reported for plasma catalysis.
Keywords: A1 Journal article; Plasma Lab for Applications in Sustainability and Medicine – Antwerp (PLASMANT)
Impact Factor: 3.302
Times cited: 19
DOI: 10.1088/1361-6595/aaa868
|
“Propagation of a plasma streamer in catalyst pores”. Zhang Q-Z, Bogaerts A, Plasma sources science and technology 27, 035009 (2018). http://doi.org/10.1088/1361-6595/aab47a
Abstract: Although plasma catalysis is gaining increasing interest for various environmental applications, the underlying mechanisms are still far from understood. For instance, it is not yet clear whether and how plasma streamers can propagate in catalyst pores, and what is the minimum pore size to make this happen. As this is crucial information to ensure good plasma-catalyst interaction, we study here the mechanism of plasma streamer propagation in a catalyst pore, by means of a twodimensional particle-in-cell/Monte Carlo collision model, for various pore diameters in the nm range to μm-range. The so-called Debye length is an important criterion for plasma penetration into catalyst pores, i.e. a plasma streamer can penetrate into pores when their diameter is larger than the Debye length. The Debye length is typically in the order of a few 100 nm up to 1 μm at the conditions under study, depending on electron density and temperature in the plasma streamer. For pores in the range of ∼50 nm, plasma can thus only penetrate to some extent and at
very short times, i.e. at the beginning of a micro-discharge, before the actual plasma streamer reaches the catalyst surface and a sheath is formed in front of the surface. We can make plasma streamers penetrate into smaller pores (down to ca. 500 nm at the conditions under study) by increasing the applied voltage, which yields a higher plasma density, and thus reduces the Debye length. Our simulations also reveal that the plasma streamers induce surface charging of the catalyst pore sidewalls, causing discharge enhancement inside the pore, depending on pore diameter and depth.
Keywords: A1 Journal article; Plasma Lab for Applications in Sustainability and Medicine – Antwerp (PLASMANT)
Impact Factor: 3.302
Times cited: 16
DOI: 10.1088/1361-6595/aab47a
|
“Importance of surface charging during plasma streamer propagation in catalyst pores”. Zhang Q-Z, Wang W-Z, Bogaerts A, Plasma sources science and technology 27, 065009 (2018). http://doi.org/10.1088/1361-6595/aaca6d
Abstract: Plasma catalysis is gaining increasing interest, but the underlying mechanisms are far from understood. Different catalyst materials will have different chemical effects, but in addition, they might also have different dielectric constants, which will affect surface charging, and thus the plasma behavior. In this work, we demonstrate that surface charging plays an important role in the streamer propagation and discharge enhancement inside catalyst pores, and in the plasma distribution along the dielectric surface, and this role greatly depends on the dielectric constant of the material. For εr50, surface charging causes the plasma to spread along the dielectric surface and inside the pores, leading to deeper plasma streamer penetration, while for εr>50 or for metallic coatings, the discharge is more localized, due to very weak surface charging. In addition, at εr=50, the significant surface charge density near the pore entrance causes a large potential drop at the sharp pore edges, which induces a strong electric field and results in most pronounced plasma enhancement near the pore entrance.
Keywords: A1 Journal article; Plasma Lab for Applications in Sustainability and Medicine – Antwerp (PLASMANT)
Impact Factor: 3.302
Times cited: 13
DOI: 10.1088/1361-6595/aaca6d
|
“Enhancement of plasma generation in catalyst pores with different shapes”. Zhang Y-R, Neyts EC, Bogaerts A, Plasma sources science and technology 27, 055008 (2018). http://doi.org/10.1088/1361-6595/aac0e4
Abstract: Plasma generation inside catalyst pores is of utmost importance for plasma catalysis, as the existence of plasma species inside the pores affects the active surface area of the catalyst available to the plasma species for catalytic reactions. In this paper, the electric field enhancement, and thus the plasma production inside catalyst pores with different pore shapes is studied with a two-dimensional fluid model. The results indicate that the electric field will be significantly enhanced near tip-like structures. In a conical pore with small opening, the strongest electric field appears at the opening and bottom corners of the pore, giving rise to a prominent ionization rate throughout the pore. For a cylindrical pore, the electric field is only enhanced at the bottom corners of the pore, with lower absolute value, and thus the ionization rate inside the pore is only slightly enhanced. Finally, in a conical pore with large opening, the electric field is characterized by a maximum at the bottom of the pore, yielding a similar behavior for the ionization rate. These results demonstrate that the shape of the pore has a significantly influence on the electric field enhancement, and thus modifies the plasma properties.
Keywords: A1 Journal article; Plasma Lab for Applications in Sustainability and Medicine – Antwerp (PLASMANT)
Impact Factor: 3.302
Times cited: 11
DOI: 10.1088/1361-6595/aac0e4
|
“Three-dimensional modeling of energy transport in a gliding arc discharge in argon”. Kolev S, Bogaerts A, Plasma Sources Science &, Technology 27, 125011 (2018). http://doi.org/10.1088/1361-6595/aaf29c
Abstract: In this work we study energy transport in a gliding arc discharge with two diverging flat
electrodes in argon gas at atmospheric pressure. The discharge is ignited at the shortest electrode
gap and it is pushed downstream by a forced gas flow. The current values considered are
relatively low and therefore a non-equilibrium plasma is produced. We consider two cases, i.e.
with high and low discharge current (28 mA and 2.8mA), and a constant gas flow of 10 lmin −1 ,
with a significant turbulent component to the velocity. The study presents an analysis of the
various energy transport mechanisms responsible for the redistribution of Joule heating to the
plasma species and the moving background gas. The objective of this work is to provide a
general understanding of the role of the different energy transport mechanisms in arc formation
and sustainment, which can be used to improve existing or new discharge designs. The work is
based on a three-dimensional numerical model, combining a fluid plasma model, the shear stress
transport Reynolds averaged Navier–Stokes turbulent gas flow model, and a model for gas
thermal balance. The obtained results show that at higher current the discharge is constricted
within a thin plasma column several hundred kelvin above room temperature, while in the low-
current discharge the combination of intense convective cooling and low Joule heating prevents
discharge contraction and the plasma column evolves to a static non-moving diffusive plasma,
continuously cooled by the flowing gas. As a result, the energy transport in the two cases is
determined by different mechanisms. At higher current and a constricted plasma column, the
plasma column is cooled mainly by turbulent transport, while at low current and an unconstricted
plasma, the major cooling mechanism is energy transport due to non-turbulent gas convection. In
general, the study also demonstrates the importance of turbulent energy transport in
redistributing the Joule heating in the arc and its significant role in arc cooling and the formation
of the gas temperature profile. In general, the turbulent energy transport lowers the average gas
temperature in the arc, thus allowing additional control of thermal non-equilibrium in the
discharge.
Keywords: A1 Journal Article; gliding arc discharge, sliding arc discharge, energy transport, fluid plasma model, atmospheric pressure plasmas; Plasma, laser ablation and surface modeling Antwerp (PLASMANT) ;
Impact Factor: 3.302
DOI: 10.1088/1361-6595/aaf29c
|
“Capacitive electrical asymmetry effect in an inductively coupled plasma reactor”. Zhang Q-Z, Bogaerts A, Plasma Sources Science &, Technology 27, 105019 (2018). http://doi.org/10.1088/1361-6595/aad796
Abstract: The electrical asymmetry effect is realized by applying multiple frequency power sources
(13.56 MHz and 27.12 MHz) to a capacitively biased substrate electrode in a specific inductively
coupled plasma reactor. On the one hand, by adjusting the phase angle θ between the multiple
frequency power sources, an almost linear self-bias develops on the substrate electrode, and
consequently the ion energy can be well modulated, while the ion flux stays constant within a
large range of θ. On the other hand, the plasma density and ion flux can be significantly
modulated by tuning the inductive power supply, while only inducing a small change in the self-
bias. Independent control of self-bias/ion energy and ion flux can thus be realized in this specific
inductively coupled plasma reactor.
Keywords: A1 Journal Article; electrical asymmetry effect, inductively coupled plasma, self-bias, independent control of the ion fluxes and ion energy; Plasma, laser ablation and surface modeling Antwerp (PLASMANT) ;
Impact Factor: 3.302
Times cited: 1
DOI: 10.1088/1361-6595/aad796
|
“Plasma streamer propagation in structured catalysts”. Zhang Q-Z, Bogaerts A, Plasma Sources Science &, Technology 27, 105013 (2018). http://doi.org/10.1088/1361-6595/aae430
Abstract: Plasma catalysis is gaining increasing interest for various environmental applications. Catalytic
material can be inserted in different shapes in the plasma, e.g., as pellets, (coated) beads, but also
as honeycomb monolith and 3DFD structures, also called ‘structured catalysts’, which have high
mass and heat transfer properties. In this work, we examine the streamer discharge propagation
and the interaction between plasma and catalysts, inside the channels of such structured catalysts,
by means of a two-dimensional particle-in-cell/Monte Carlo collision model. Our results reveal
that plasma streamers behave differently in various structured catalysts. In case of a honeycomb
structure, the streamers are limited to only one channel, with low or high plasma density when
the channels are parallel or perpendicular to the electrodes, respectively. In contrast, in case of a
3DFD structure, the streamers can distribute to different channels, causing discharge
enhancement due to surface charging on the dielectric walls of the structured catalyst, and
especially giving rise to a broader plasma distribution. The latter should be beneficial for plasma
catalysis applications, as it allows a larger catalyst surface area to be exposed to the plasma.
Keywords: A1 Journal Article; plasma catalysis, streamer propagation, 3D structures, PIC/MCC; Plasma, laser ablation and surface modeling Antwerp (PLASMANT) ;
Impact Factor: 3.302
Times cited: 3
DOI: 10.1088/1361-6595/aae430
|
“Investigation of plasma-induced chemistry in organic solutions for enhanced electrospun PLA nanofibers”. Rezaei F, Gorbanev Y, Chys M, Nikiforov A, Van Hulle SWH, Cos P, Bogaerts A, De Geyter N, Plasma processes and polymers 15, 1700226 (2018). http://doi.org/10.1002/ppap.201700226
Abstract: Electrospinning is a versatile technique for the fabrication of polymer-based nano/microfibers. Both physical and chemical characteristics of pre-electrospinning polymer solutions affect the morphology and chemistry of electrospun nanofibers. An atmospheric-pressure plasma jet has previously been shown to induce physical modifications in polylactic acid (PLA) solutions. This work aims at investigating the plasma-induced chemistry in organic solutions of PLA, and their effects on the resultant PLA nanofibers. Therefore, very broad range of gas, liquid, and solid (nanofiber) analyzing techniques has been applied. Plasma alters the acidity of the solutions. SEM studies illustrated that complete fiber morphology enhancement only occurred when both PLA and solvent molecules were exposed to preelectrospinning plasma treatment.
Additionally, the surface
chemistry of the PLA nanofibers
was mostly preserved.
Keywords: A1 Journal article; Plasma Lab for Applications in Sustainability and Medicine – Antwerp (PLASMANT)
Impact Factor: 2.846
Times cited: 12
DOI: 10.1002/ppap.201700226
|
“Impact of plasma oxidation on structural features of human epidermal growth factor”. Yusupov M, Lackmann J-W, Razzokov J, Kumar S, Stapelmann K, Bogaerts A, Plasma processes and polymers 15, 1800022 (2018). http://doi.org/10.1002/ppap.201800022
Abstract: We perform computer simulations supported by experiments to investigate the oxidation of an important signaling protein, that is, human epidermal growth factor (hEGF), caused by cold atmospheric plasma (CAP) treatment. Specifically, we study the conformational changes of hEGF with different degrees of oxidation, to mimic short and long CAP treatment times. Our results indicate that the oxidized structures become more flexible, due to their conformational changes and breakage of the disulfide bonds, especially at higher oxidation degrees. MM/GBSA calculations reveal that an increasing oxidation level leads to a lower binding free energy of hEGF with its receptor. These results help to understand the fundamentals of the use of CAP for wound healing versus cancer treatment at short and longer treatment times.
Keywords: A1 Journal article; Plasma Lab for Applications in Sustainability and Medicine – Antwerp (PLASMANT)
Impact Factor: 2.846
Times cited: 7
DOI: 10.1002/ppap.201800022
|
“The plasma treatment unit : an attempt to standardize cold plasma treatment for defined biological effects”. Fridman A, Lin A, Miller V, Bekeschus S, Wende K, Weltmann K-D, Plasma medicine 8, 195 (2018). http://doi.org/10.1615/PLASMAMED.2018026881
Abstract: Plasma bioscience and medicine are both rapidly growing fields. Their aim is to utilize cold physical plasmas for desired biological outcomes in medicine, biotechnology, agriculture, and general hygienic purposes. Great success has been achieved in many applications with individually designed plasma sources and plasma parameters. Although lab and application-specific tuning of plasmas is a great advantage of this technology, standardized units to define plasma treatments are required to facilitate comparison of the effects found by different researchers who do not use the same plasma sources. By drawing conclusions from over a century of plasma biomedical research, we propose that all researchers adopt the use of a standardized value, the plasma treatment unit (PTU), to describe the biological effects of different cold plasma sources and treatment regimens. It quantifies a key plasma effector in biological systems as an indicator and may provide the foundation for an analogous and clinically relevant unit in the future.
Keywords: A1 Journal article; Plasma Lab for Applications in Sustainability and Medicine – Antwerp (PLASMANT)
DOI: 10.1615/PLASMAMED.2018026881
|
“A comparison of floating-electrode DBD and kINPen jet : plasma parameters to achieve similar growth reduction in colon cancer cells under standardized conditions”. Bekeschus S, Lin A, Fridman A, Wende K, Weltmann K-D, Miller V, Plasma chemistry and plasma processing 38, 1 (2018). http://doi.org/10.1007/S11090-017-9845-3
Abstract: A comparative study of two plasma sources (floating-electrode dielectric barrier discharge, DBD, Drexel University; atmospheric pressure argon plasma jet, kINPen, INP Greifswald) on cancer cell toxicity was performed. Cell culture protocols, cytotoxicity assays, and procedures for assessment of hydrogen peroxide (H2O2) were standardized between both labs. The inhibitory concentration 50 (IC50) and its corresponding H2O2 deposition was determined for both devices. For the DBD, IC50 and H2O2 generation were largely dependent on the total energy input but not pulsing frequency, treatment time, or total number of cells. DBD cytotoxicity could not be replicated by addition of H2O2 alone and was inhibited by larger amounts of liquid present during the treatment. Jet plasma toxicity depended on peroxide generation as well as total cell number and amount of liquid. Thus, the amount of liquid present during plasma treatment in vitro is key in attenuating short-lived species or other physical effects from plasmas. These in vitro results suggest a role of liquids in or on tissues during plasma treatment in a clinical setting. Additionally, we provide a platform for correlation between different plasma sources for a predefined cellular response.
Keywords: A1 Journal article; Plasma Lab for Applications in Sustainability and Medicine – Antwerp (PLASMANT)
Impact Factor: 2.355
Times cited: 12
DOI: 10.1007/S11090-017-9845-3
|
“Modeling for a Better Understanding of Plasma-Based CO2 Conversion”. Bogaerts A, Snoeckx R, Trenchev G, Wang W In: Britun N, Silva T (eds) Plasma Chemistry and Gas Conversion. IntechOpen, Rijeka (2018).
Abstract: This chapter discusses modeling efforts for plasma-based CO2 conversion, which are needed to obtain better insight in the underlying mechanisms, in order to improve this application. We will discuss two types of (complementary) modeling efforts that are most relevant, that is, (i) modeling of the detailed plasma chemistry by zero-dimensional (0D) chemical kinetic models and (ii) modeling of reactor design, by 2D or 3D fluid dynamics models. By showing some characteristic calculation results of both models, for CO2 splitting and in combination with a H-source, and for packed bed DBD and gliding arc plasma, we can illustrate the type of information they can provide.
Keywords: H1 Book Chapter; Plasma, laser ablation and surface modeling Antwerp (PLASMANT) ;
DOI: 10.5772/intechopen.80436
|
“Possible Mechanism of Glucose Uptake Enhanced by Cold Atmospheric Plasma: Atomic Scale Simulations”. Razzokov J, Yusupov M, Bogaerts A, Plasma 1 (2018). http://doi.org/10.3390/plasma1010011
Abstract: Cold atmospheric plasma (CAP) has shown its potential in biomedical applications, such as wound healing, cancer treatment and bacterial disinfection. Recent experiments have provided evidence that CAP can also enhance the intracellular uptake of glucose molecules which is important in diabetes therapy. In this respect, it is essential to understand the underlying mechanisms of intracellular glucose uptake induced by CAP, which is still unclear. Hence, in this study we try to elucidate the possible mechanism of glucose uptake by cells by performing computer simulations. Specifically, we study the transport of glucose molecules through native and oxidized membranes. Our simulation results show that the free energy barrier for the permeation of glucose molecules across the membrane decreases upon increasing the degree of oxidized lipids in the membrane. This indicates that the glucose permeation rate into cells increases when the CAP oxidation level in the cell membrane is increased.
Keywords: A1 Journal article; Plasma Lab for Applications in Sustainability and Medicine – Antwerp (PLASMANT)
DOI: 10.3390/plasma1010011
|
“Ein Whirlpool aus Elektronen: Transmissions-Elektronenmikroskopie mit Elektronenwirbeln”. Schattschneider P, Schachinger T, Verbeeck J, Physik in unserer Zeit 49, 22 (2018). http://doi.org/10.1002/piuz.201801495
Abstract: Elektronen bewegen sich im feldfreien Raum immer gleichförmig geradlinig, so steht es in den Lehrbüchern. Falsch, sagen wir. Elektronen lassen sich zu Tornados formen, die theoretisch Nanopartikel zerreißen können. In der Elektronenmikroskopie eingesetzt, versprechen sie neue Erkenntnisse in der Festkörperphysik.
Keywords: A1 Journal article; Electron microscopy for materials research (EMAT)
DOI: 10.1002/piuz.201801495
|
“Resistivity scaling model for metals with conduction band anisotropy”. De Clercq M, Moors K, Sankaran K, Pourtois G, Dutta S, Adelmann C, Magnus W, Sorée B, Physical review materials 2, 033801 (2018). http://doi.org/10.1103/PHYSREVMATERIALS.2.033801
Abstract: It is generally understood that the resistivity of metal thin films scales with film thickness mainly due to grain boundary and boundary surface scattering. Recently, several experiments and ab initio simulations have demonstrated the impact of crystal orientation on resistivity scaling. The crystal orientation cannot be captured by the commonly used resistivity scaling models and a qualitative understanding of its impact is currently lacking. In this work, we derive a resistivity scaling model that captures grain boundary and boundary surface scattering as well as the anisotropy of the band structure. The model is applied to Cu and Ru thin films, whose conduction bands are (quasi-) isotropic and anisotropic, respectively. After calibrating the anisotropy with ab initio simulations, the resistivity scaling models are compared to experimental resistivity data and a renormalization of the fitted grain boundary reflection coefficient can be identified for textured Ru.
Keywords: A1 Journal article; Condensed Matter Theory (CMT)
DOI: 10.1103/PHYSREVMATERIALS.2.033801
|
“DC conductivity of twisted bilayer graphene: Angle-dependent transport properties and effects of disorder”. Andelkovic M, Covaci L, Peeters FM, Physical review materials 2, 034004 (2018). http://doi.org/10.1103/PHYSREVMATERIALS.2.034004
Abstract: The in-plane dc conductivity of twisted bilayer graphene is calculated using an expansion of the real-space Kubo-Bastin conductivity in terms of Chebyshev polynomials. We investigate within a tight-binding approach the transport properties as a function of rotation angle, applied perpendicular electric field, and vacancy disorder. We find that for high-angle twists, the two layers are effectively decoupled, and the minimum conductivity at the Dirac point corresponds to double the value observed in monolayer graphene. This remains valid even in the presence of vacancies, hinting that chiral symmetry is still preserved. On the contrary, for low twist angles, the conductivity at the Dirac point depends on the twist angle and is not protected in the presence of disorder. Furthermore, for low angles and in the presence of an applied electric field, we find that the chiral boundary states emerging between AB and BA regions contribute to the dc conductivity, despite the appearance of localized states in the AA regions. The results agree qualitatively with recent transport experiments in low-angle twisted bilayer graphene.
Keywords: A1 Journal article; Condensed Matter Theory (CMT)
Times cited: 27
DOI: 10.1103/PHYSREVMATERIALS.2.034004
|
“Synthesis of high-oxidation Y-Ba-Cu-O phases in superoxygenated thin films”. Zhang H, Gauquelin N, McMahon C, Hawthorn DG, Botton GA, Wei JYT, Physical review materials 2, 033803 (2018). http://doi.org/10.1103/PHYSREVMATERIALS.2.033803
Abstract: It is known that solid-state reaction in high-pressure oxygen can stabilize high-oxidation phases of Y-Ba-Cu-O superconductors in powder form. We extend this superoxygenation concept of synthesis to thin films which, due to their large surface-to-volume ratio, are more reactive thermodynamically. Epitaxial thin films of YBa2Cu3O7-delta grown by pulsed laser deposition are annealed at up to 700 atm O-2 and 900 degrees C, in conjunction with Cu enrichment by solid-state diffusion. The films show the clear formation of Y2Ba4Cu7O15-delta and Y2Ba4Cu8O16 as well as regions of YBa2Cu5O9-delta and YBa2Cu6O10-delta phases, according to scanning transmission electron microscopy, x-ray diffraction, and x-ray absorption spectroscopy. Similarly annealed YBa2Cu3O7-delta powders show no phase conversion. Our results demonstrate a route of synthesis towards discovering more complex phases of cuprates and other superconducting oxides.
Keywords: A1 Journal article; Electron microscopy for materials research (EMAT)
Times cited: 2
DOI: 10.1103/PHYSREVMATERIALS.2.033803
|
“Slippage dynamics of confined water in graphene oxide capillaries”. Kalashami HG, Neek-Amal M, Peeters FM, Physical review materials 2, 074004 (2018). http://doi.org/10.1103/PHYSREVMATERIALS.2.074004
Abstract: The permeation of water between neighboring graphene oxide (GO) flakes, i.e., 2D nanochannels, are investigated using a simple model for the GO membrane. We simulate the hydrophilic behavior of nanocapillaries and study the effect of surface charge on the dynamical properties of water flow and the influence of Na+ and Cl- ions on water permeation. Our approach is based on extensive equilibrium molecular dynamics simulations to obtain a better understanding of water permeation through charged nanochannels in the presence of ions. We found significant change in the slippage dynamics of confined water such as a profound increase in viscosity/slip length with increasing charges over the surface. The slip length decreases one order of magnitude (i.e., 1/30) with increasing density of surface charge, while it increases by a factor of 2 with ion concentration. We found that commensurability induced by nanoconfinement plays an important role on the intrinsic dynamical properties of water.
Keywords: A1 Journal article; Condensed Matter Theory (CMT)
Times cited: 1
DOI: 10.1103/PHYSREVMATERIALS.2.074004
|
“Electronic structures of iMAX phases and their two-dimensional derivatives: A family of piezoelectric materials”. Khazaei M, Wang V, Sevik C, Ranjbar A, Arai M, Yunoki S, Physical review materials 2, 074002 (2018). http://doi.org/10.1103/PHYSREVMATERIALS.2.074002
Abstract: Recently, a group of MAX phases, (Mo2/3Y1/3)(2)AlC, (Mo2/3Sc1/3)(2)AlC, (W2/3Sc1/3)(2)AlC,(W2/3Y1/3)(2)AlC, and (V-2/3 Zr-1/3)(2)AlC, with in-plane ordered double transition metals, named iMAX phases, have been synthesized. Experimentally, some of these MAX phases can be chemically exfoliated into two-dimensional (2D) single- or multilayered transition metal carbides, so-called MXenes. Accordingly, the 2D nanostructures derived from iMAX phases are named iMXenes. Here we investigate the structural stabilities and electronic structures of the experimentally discovered iMAX phases and their possible iMXene derivatives. We show that the iMAX phases and their pristine, F, or OH-terminated iMXenes are metallic. However, upon 0 termination, (Mo2/3Y1/3)(2)C, (Mo2/3Sc1/3)(2)C, (W2/3Y1/3)(2)C, and (W2/3Sc1/3)(2)C iMXenes turn into semiconductors. Owing to the absence of centrosymmetry, the semiconducting iMXenes may find applications in piezoelectricity. Our calculations reveal that the semiconducting iMXenes possess giant piezoelectric coefficients as large as 45 x 10(-)(10) C/m.
Keywords: A1 Journal article; Condensed Matter Theory (CMT)
DOI: 10.1103/PHYSREVMATERIALS.2.074002
|
“Evidence from quantum Monte Carlo simulations of large-gap superfluidity and BCS-BEC crossover in double electron-hole layers”. Rios PL, Perali A, Needs RJ, Neilson D, Physical review letters 120, 177701 (2018). http://doi.org/10.1103/PHYSREVLETT.120.177701
Abstract: We report quantum Monte Carlo evidence of the existence of large gap superfluidity in electron-hole double layers over wide density ranges. The superfluid parameters evolve from normal state to BEC with decreasing density, with the BCS state restricted to a tiny range of densities due to the strong screening of Coulomb interactions, which causes the gap to rapidly become large near the onset of superfluidity. The superfluid properties exhibit similarities to ultracold fermions and iron-based superconductors, suggesting an underlying universal behavior of BCS-BEC crossovers in pairing systems.
Keywords: A1 Journal article; Condensed Matter Theory (CMT)
Impact Factor: 8.462
Times cited: 11
DOI: 10.1103/PHYSREVLETT.120.177701
|
“Single Atom Detection from Low Contrast-to-Noise Ratio Electron Microscopy Images”. Fatermans J, den Dekker A J, Müller-Caspary K, Lobato I, O’Leary C M, Nellist P D, Van Aert S, Physical review letters 121, 056101 (2018). http://doi.org/10.1103/PhysRevLett.121.056101
Abstract: Single atom detection is of key importance to solving a wide range of scientific and technological problems. The strong interaction of electrons with matter makes transmission electron microscopy one of the most promising techniques. In particular, aberration correction using scanning transmission electron microscopy has made a significant step forward toward detecting single atoms. However, to overcome radiation damage, related to the use of high-energy electrons, the incoming electron dose should be kept low enough. This results in images exhibiting a low signal-to-noise ratio and extremely weak contrast, especially for light-element nanomaterials. To overcome this problem, a combination of physics-based model fitting and the use of a model-order selection method is proposed, enabling one to detect single atoms with high reliability.
Keywords: A1 Journal article; Electron microscopy for materials research (EMAT); Vision lab
Impact Factor: 8.462
Times cited: 6
DOI: 10.1103/PhysRevLett.121.056101
|
“Nature of the Positron State in CdSe Quantum Dots”. Shi W, Callewaert V, Barbiellini B, Saniz R, Butterling M, Egger W, Dickmann M, Hugenschmidt C, Shakeri B, Meulenberg R W, Brück E, Partoens B, Bansil A, Eijt SW H, Physical review letters 121, 057401 (2018). http://doi.org/10.1103/PhysRevLett.121.057401
Abstract: Previous studies have shown that positron-annihilation spectroscopy is a highly sensitive probe of the electronic structure and surface composition of ligand-capped semiconductor quantum dots (QDs) embedded in thin films. The nature of the associated positron state, however, whether the positron is confined inside the QDs or localized at their surfaces, has so far remained unresolved. Our positron-annihilation lifetime spectroscopy studies of CdSe QDs reveal the presence of a strong lifetime component in the narrow range of 358–371 ps, indicating abundant trapping and annihilation of positrons at the surfaces of the QDs. Furthermore, our ab initio calculations of the positron wave function and lifetime employing a recent formulation of the weighted density approximation demonstrate the presence of a positron surface state and predict positron lifetimes close to experimental values. Our study thus resolves the long-standing question regarding the nature of the positron state in semiconductor QDs and opens the way to extract quantitative information on surface composition and ligand-surface interactions of colloidal semiconductor QDs through highly sensitive positron-annihilation techniques.
Keywords: A1 Journal article; Condensed Matter Theory (CMT)
Impact Factor: 8.462
Times cited: 6
DOI: 10.1103/PhysRevLett.121.057401
|
“Multiband mechanism for the sign reversal of Coulomb drag observed in double bilayer graphene heterostructures”. Zarenia M, Hamilton AR, Peeters FM, Neilson D, Physical review letters 121, 036601 (2018). http://doi.org/10.1103/PHYSREVLETT.121.036601
Abstract: Coupled 2D sheets of electrons and holes are predicted to support novel quantum phases. Two experiments of Coulomb drag in electron-hole (e-h) double bilayer graphene (DBLG) have reported an unexplained and puzzling sign reversal of the drag signal. However, we show that this effect is due to the multiband character of DBLG. Our multiband Fermi liquid theory produces excellent agreement and captures the key features of the experimental drag resistance for all temperatures. This demonstrates the importance of multiband effects in DBLG: they have a strong effect not only on superfluidity, but also on the drag.
Keywords: A1 Journal article; Condensed Matter Theory (CMT)
Impact Factor: 8.462
Times cited: 7
DOI: 10.1103/PHYSREVLETT.121.036601
|
“Advanced first-principles theory of superconductivity including both lattice vibrations and spin fluctuations : the case of FeB4”. Bekaert J, Aperis A, Partoens B, Oppeneer PM, Milošević, MV, Physical review B 97, 014503 (2018). http://doi.org/10.1103/PHYSREVB.97.014503
Abstract: <script type='text/javascript'>document.write(unpmarked('We present an advanced method to study spin fluctuations in superconductors quantitatively and entirely from first principles. This method can be generally applied to materials where electron-phonon coupling and spin fluctuations coexist. We employ it here to examine the recently synthesized superconductor iron tetraboride (FeB4) with experimental T-c similar to 2.4 K [H. Gou et al., Phys. Rev. Lett, 111, 157002 (2013)]. We prove that FeB4 is particularly prone to ferromagnetic spin fluctuations due to the presence of iron, resulting in a large Stoner interaction strength, I = 1.5 eV, as calculated from first principles. The other important factor is its Fermi surface that consists of three separate sheets, among which two are nested ellipsoids. The resulting susceptibility has a ferromagnetic peak around q = 0, from which we calculated the repulsive interaction between Cooper pair electrons using the random phase approximation. Subsequently, we combined the electron-phonon interaction calculated from first principles with the spin fluctuation interaction in fully anisotropic Eliashberg theory calculations. We show that the resulting superconducting gap spectrum is conventional, yet very strongly depleted due to coupling to the spin fluctuations. The critical temperature decreases from T-c = 41 K, if they are not taken into account, to T-c = 1.7 K, in good agreement with the experimental value.'));
Keywords: A1 Journal article; Condensed Matter Theory (CMT)
Impact Factor: 3.836
Times cited: 23
DOI: 10.1103/PHYSREVB.97.014503
|
“Ballistic electron channels including weakly protected topological states in delaminated bilayer graphene”. Lane TLM, Andelkovic M, Wallbank JR, Covaci L, Peeters FM, Fal'ko VI, Physical review B 97, 045301 (2018). http://doi.org/10.1103/PHYSREVB.97.045301
Abstract: <script type='text/javascript'>document.write(unpmarked('We show that delaminations in bilayer graphene (BLG) with electrostatically induced interlayer symmetry can provide one with ballistic channels for electrons with energies inside the electrostatically induced BLG gap. These channels are formed by a combination of valley-polarized evanescent states propagating along the delamination edges (which persist in the presence of a strong magnetic field) and standing waves bouncing between them inside the delaminated region (in a strong magnetic field, these transform into Landau levels in the monolayers). For inverted stackings in BLGs on the left and right of the delamination (AB-2ML-BA or BA-2ML-AB, where 2ML indicates two decoupled monolayers of graphene), the lowest-energy ballistic channels are gapless, have linear dispersion, and appear to be weakly topologically protected. When BLG stackings on both sides of the delamination are the same (AB-2ML-AB or BA-2ML-BA), the lowest-energy ballistic channels are gapped, with a gap epsilon(g) scaling as epsilon(g) alpha W-1 with delamination width and epsilon(g) alpha delta(-1) with the on-layer energy difference in the delaminated part of the structure. Depending on the width, delaminations may also support several \u0022higher-energy\u0022 waveguide modes. Our results are based on both the analytical study of the wave matching of Dirac states and tight-binding model calculations, and we analyze in detail the dependence of the delamination spectrum on the electrostatic conditions in the structure, such as the vertical displacement field.'));
Keywords: A1 Journal article; Condensed Matter Theory (CMT)
Impact Factor: 3.836
Times cited: 11
DOI: 10.1103/PHYSREVB.97.045301
|
“Tunable Snell's law for spin waves in heterochiral magnetic films”. Mulkers J, Van Waeyenberge B, Milošević, MV, Physical review B 97, 104422 (2018). http://doi.org/10.1103/PhysRevB.97.104422
Abstract: Thin ferromagnetic films with an interfacially induced DMI exhibit nontrivial asymmetric dispersion relations that lead to unique and useful magnonic properties. Here we derive an analytical expression for the magnon propagation angle within the micromagnetic framework and show how the dispersion relation can be approximated with a comprehensible geometrical interpretation in the k space of the propagation of spin waves. We further explore the refraction of spin waves at DMI interfaces in heterochiral magnetic films, after deriving a generalized Snell's law tunable by an in-plane magnetic field, that yields analytical expressions for critical incident angles. The found asymmetric Brewster angles at interfaces of regions with different DMI strengths, adjustable by magnetic field, support the conclusion that heterochiral ferromagnetic structures are an ideal platform for versatile spin-wave guides.
Keywords: A1 Journal article; Condensed Matter Theory (CMT)
Impact Factor: 3.836
Times cited: 20
DOI: 10.1103/PhysRevB.97.104422
|
“Magnetic field dependence of electronic properties of MoS2 quantum dots with different edges”. Chen Q, Li LL, Peeters FM, Physical review B 97, 085437 (2018). http://doi.org/10.1103/PHYSREVB.97.085437
Abstract: Using the tight-binding approach, we investigate the energy spectrum of square, triangular, and hexagonal MoS2 quantum dots (QDs) in the presence of a perpendicular magnetic field. Novel edge states emerge in MoS2 QDs, which are distributed over the whole edge which we call ring states. The ring states are robust in the presence of spin-orbit coupling (SOC). The corresponding energy levels of the ring states oscillate as a function of the perpendicular magnetic field which are related to Aharonov-Bohm oscillations. Oscillations in the magnetic field dependence of the energy levels and the peaks in the magneto-optical spectrum emerge (disappear) as the ring states are formed (collapsed). The period and the amplitude of the oscillation decrease with the size of the MoS2 QDs.
Keywords: A1 Journal article; Condensed Matter Theory (CMT)
Impact Factor: 3.836
Times cited: 18
DOI: 10.1103/PHYSREVB.97.085437
|
“Magnetopolaron effect on shallow-impurity states in the presence of magnetic and intense terahertz laser fields in the Faraday configuration”. Wang W, Van Duppen B, Van der Donck M, Peeters FM, Physical review B 97, 064108 (2018). http://doi.org/10.1103/PHYSREVB.97.064108
Abstract: The magnetopolaron effect on shallow-impurity states in semiconductors is investigated when subjected simultaneously to a magnetic field and an intense terahertz laser field within the Faraday configuration. We use a time-dependent nonperturbative theory to describe electron interactions. The externally applied fields are exactly included via a laser-dressed interaction potential. Through a variational approach we evaluate the binding energy of the shallow-impurity states. We find that the interaction strength of the laser-dressed Coulomb potential can not only be enhanced but also weakened by varying the two external fields. In this way, the binding energy can be tuned by the external fields and red-or blue-shifted with respect to the static binding energy. In the nonresonant polaron region, a magnetopolaron correction that includes the effects of photon process is observed. In the resonant polaron region, moreover, the resonant magnetopolaron effect accompanied by the emission and absorption of a single photon is distinctly observed. This can be modulated to be far away from the reststrahlen band. The intriguing findings of this paper can be observed experimentally and, in turn, provide a way to measure the strength of the electron-phonon interaction.
Keywords: A1 Journal article; Condensed Matter Theory (CMT)
Impact Factor: 3.836
Times cited: 9
DOI: 10.1103/PHYSREVB.97.064108
|