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“Direct room-temperature synthesis of methyl-functionalized Ti-MCM-41 nanoparticles and their catalytic performance in epoxidation”. Lin K, Pescarmona PP, Houthoofd K, Liang D, Van Tendeloo G, Jacobs PA, Journal of catalysis 263, 75 (2009). http://doi.org/10.1016/j.jcat.2009.01.013
Abstract: Methyl-functionalized Ti-MCM-41 nanoparticles with a size of 80 to 160 nm (Me-Ti-MCM-41 NP) were directly prepared via a dilute solution route by the co-condensation of tetraethoxysilane and methylalkoxysilanes in sodium hydroxide medium at room temperature. The characterization results showed the existence of ordered hexagonal mesoporous structure and tetrahedral Ti species in the nanoparticles. In the epoxidation of cyclohexene with tert-butyl hydroperoxide and aqueous H2O2, Me-Ti-MCM-41 NP samples displayed higher turnover frequencies (TOFs) for cyclohexene and initial reaction rates compared to Ti-MCM-41 and methyl-functionalized Ti-MCM-41 with normal particle size and to non-functionalized Ti-MCM-41 nanoparticles. Simultaneously, a higher selectivity for cyclohexene epoxide was observed in the case of aqueous H2O2, suggesting that the hydrolysis of cyclohexene epoxide with water is reduced on Me-Ti-MCM-41 NP samples. The improved catalytic behavior of Me-Ti-MCM-41 NP is discussed both in terms of the nanosize and methylation of the surface of the catalyst particles. The regeneration of Me-Ti-MCM-41 NP with tert-butyl hydroperoxide solution was evaluated via washing and calcination approaches.
Keywords: A1 Journal article; Electron microscopy for materials research (EMAT)
Impact Factor: 6.844
Times cited: 89
DOI: 10.1016/j.jcat.2009.01.013
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“Magnetic Kronig-Penney model for Dirac electrons in single-layer graphene”. Masir MR, Vasilopoulos P, Peeters FM, New journal of physics 11, 095009 (2009). http://doi.org/10.1088/1367-2630/11/9/095009
Abstract: he properties of Dirac electrons in a magnetic superlattice (SL) on graphene consisting of very high and thin (δ-function) barriers are investigated. We obtain the energy spectrum analytically and study the transmission through a finite number of barriers. The results are contrasted with those for electrons described by the Schrödinger equation. In addition, a collimation of an incident beam of electrons is obtained along the direction perpendicular to that of the SL. We also highlight an analogy with optical media in which the refractive index varies in space.
Keywords: A1 Journal article; Condensed Matter Theory (CMT)
Impact Factor: 3.786
Times cited: 89
DOI: 10.1088/1367-2630/11/9/095009
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“Characterization of a degraded cadmium yellow (CdS) pigment in an oil painting by means of synchrotron radiation based X-ray techniques”. van der Snickt G, Dik J, Cotte M, Janssens K, Jaroszewicz J, de Nolf W, Groenewegen J, van der Loeff L, Analytical chemistry 81, 2600 (2009). http://doi.org/10.1021/AC802518Z
Abstract: On several paintings of James Ensor (1860−1949), a gradual fading of originally bright yellow areas, painted with the pigment cadmium yellow (CdS), is observed. Additionally, in some areas exposed to light, the formation of small white-colored globules on top of the original paint surface is observed. In this paper the chemical transformation leading to the color change and to the formation of the globules is elucidated. Microscopic X-ray absorption near-edge spectroscopy (ì-XANES) experiments show that sulfur, originally present in sulfidic form (S2−), is oxidized during the transformation to the sulfate form (S6+). Upon formation (at or immediately below the surface), the highly soluble cadmium sulfate is assumed to be transported to the surface in solution and reprecipitates there, forming the whitish globules. The presence of cadmium sulfate (CdSO4·2H2O) and ammonium cadmium sulfate [(NH4)2Cd(SO4)2] at the surface is confirmed by microscopic X-ray diffraction measurements, where the latter salt is suspected to result from a secondary reaction of cadmium sulfate with ammonia. Measurements performed on cross sections reveal that the oxidation front has penetrated into the yellow paint down to ca. 1−2 ìm. The morphology and elemental distribution of the paint and degradation product were examined by means of scanning electron microscopy equipped with an energy-dispersive spectrometer (SEM-EDS) and synchrotron radiation based micro-X-ray fluorescence spectrometry (SR ì-XRF). In addition, ultraviolet-induced visible fluorescence photography (UIVFP) revealed itself to be a straightforward technique for documenting the occurrence of this specific kind of degradation on a macroscale by painting conservators.
Keywords: A1 Journal article; AXES (Antwerp X-ray Analysis, Electrochemistry and Speciation)
Impact Factor: 6.32
Times cited: 91
DOI: 10.1021/AC802518Z
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“Dirac electrons in a Kronig-Penney potential: dispersion relation and transmission periodic in the strength of the barriers”. Barbier M, Vasilopoulos P, Peeters FM, Physical review : B : solid state 80, 205415 (2009). http://doi.org/10.1103/PhysRevB.80.205415
Abstract: The transmission T and conductance G through one or multiple one-dimensional, ä-function barriers of two-dimensional fermions with a linear energy spectrum are studied. T and G are periodic functions of the strength P of the ä-function barrier V(x,y)/ℏvF=Pä(x). The dispersion relation of a Kronig-Penney (KP) model of a superlattice is also a periodic function of P and causes collimation of an incident electron beam for P=2ðn and n integer. For a KP superlattice with alternating sign of the height of the barriers the Dirac point becomes a Dirac line for P=(n+1/2)ð.
Keywords: A1 Journal article; Condensed Matter Theory (CMT)
Impact Factor: 3.836
Times cited: 93
DOI: 10.1103/PhysRevB.80.205415
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“The effects of moderate thermal treatments under air on LiFePO4-based nano powders”. Hamelet S, Gibot P, Casas-Cabanas M, Bonnin D, Grey CP, Cabana J, Leriche JB, Rodriguez-Carvajal J, Courty M, Levasseur S, Carlach P, Van Thournout M, Tarascon JM, Masquelier C;, Journal of materials chemistry 19, 3979 (2009). http://doi.org/10.1039/b901491h
Abstract: The thermal behavior under air of LiFePO(4)-based powders was investigated through the combination of several techniques such as temperature-controlled X-ray diffraction, thermogravimetric analysis and Mossbauer and NMR spectroscopies. The reactivity with air at moderate temperatures depends on the particle size and leads to progressive displacement of Fe from the core structure yielding nano-size Fe(2)O(3) and highly defective, oxidized Li(x)Fe(y)PO(4) compositions whose unit-cell volume decreases dramatically when the temperature is raised between 400 and 600 K. The novel LiFePO(4)-like compositions display new electrochemical reactivity when used as positive electrodes in Li batteries. Several redox phenomena between 3.4 V and 2.7 V vs. Li were discovered and followed by in-situ X-ray diffraction, which revealed two distinct solid solution domains associated with highly anisotropic variations of the unit-cell constants.
Keywords: A1 Journal article; Electron microscopy for materials research (EMAT)
Times cited: 93
DOI: 10.1039/b901491h
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“Theory of elastic and piezoelectric effects in two-dimensional hexagonal boron nitride”. Michel KH, Verberck B, Physical review : B : solid state 80, 224301 (2009). http://doi.org/10.1103/PhysRevB.80.224301
Abstract: Starting from an empirical force constant model of valence interactions and calculating by Ewalds method the ion-ion force constants, we derive the dynamical matrix for a monolayer crystal of hexagonal boron nitride (h-BN). The phonon dispersion relations are calculated. The interplay between valence and Coulomb forces is discussed. It is shown by analytical methods that the longitudinal and the transverse optical (LO and TO) phonon branches for in-plane motion are degenerate at the Γ point of the Brillouin zone. Away from Γ, the LO branch exhibits pronounced overbending. It is found that the nonanalytic Coulomb contribution to the dynamical matrix causes a linear increase of the LO branch with increasing wave vector starting at Γ. This effect is general for two-dimensional (2D) ionic crystals. Performing a long-wavelength expansion of the dynamical matrix, we use Borns perturbation method to calculate the elastic constants (tension coefficients). Since the crystal is noncentrosymmetric, internal displacements due to relative shifts between the two sublattices (B and N) contribute to the elastic constants. These internal displacements are responsible for piezoelectric and dielectric phenomena. The piezoelectric stress constant and the dielectric susceptibility of 2D h-BN are calculated.
Keywords: A1 Journal article; Condensed Matter Theory (CMT)
Impact Factor: 3.836
Times cited: 96
DOI: 10.1103/PhysRevB.80.224301
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“Nanodiamond photoemitters based on strong narrow-band luminescence from silicon-vacancy defects”. Vlasov II, Barnard AS, Ralchenko VG, Lebedev OI, Kanzyuba MV, Saveliev AV, Konov VI, Goovaerts E, Advanced materials 21, 808 (2009). http://doi.org/10.1002/adma.200802160
Keywords: A1 Journal article; Electron microscopy for materials research (EMAT); Nanostructured and organic optical and electronic materials (NANOrOPT)
Impact Factor: 19.791
Times cited: 98
DOI: 10.1002/adma.200802160
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“Determination of size, morphology, and nitrogen impurity location in treated detonation nanodiamond by transmission electron microscopy”. Turner S, Lebedev OI, Shenderova O, Vlasov II, Verbeeck J, Van Tendeloo G, Advanced functional materials 19, 2116 (2009). http://doi.org/10.1002/adfm.200801872
Abstract: Size, morphology, and nitrogen impurity location, all of which are all thought to be related to the luminescent properties of detonation nanodiamonds, are determined in several detonation nanodiamond samples using a combination of transmission electron microscopy techniques. Results obtained from annealed and cleaned detonation nanodiamond samples are compared to results from conventionally purified detonation nanodiamond. Detailed electron energy loss spectroscopy combined with model-based quantification provides direct evidence for the sp3 like embedding of nitrogen impurities into the diamond cores of all the studied nanodiamond samples. Simultaneously, the structure and morphology of the cleaned detonation nanodiamond particles are studied using high resolution transmission electron microscopy. The results show that the size and morphology of detonation nanodiamonds can be modified by temperature treatment and that by applying a special cleaning procedure after temperature treatment, nanodiamond particles with clean facets almost free from sp2 carbon can be prepared. These clean facets are clear evidence that nanodiamond cores are not necessarily in coexistence with a graphitic shell of non-diamond carbon.
Keywords: A1 Journal article; Electron microscopy for materials research (EMAT)
Impact Factor: 12.124
Times cited: 100
DOI: 10.1002/adfm.200801872
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“Pd@MOF-5: limitations of gas-phase infiltration and solution impregnation of [Zn4O(bdc)3] (MOF-5) with metalorganic palladium precursors for loading with Pd nanoparticles”. Esken D, Zhang X, Lebedev OI, Schröder F, Fischer RA, Journal of materials chemistry 19, 1314 (2009). http://doi.org/10.1039/b815977g
Abstract: The limitations of the loading of the porous metalorganic framework [Zn4O(bdc)3] (bdc = benzene-1,4-dicarboxylate; MOF-5 or IRMOF-1) with Pd nanoparticles was investigated. First, the volatile organometallic precursor [Pd(5-C5H5)(3-C3H5)] was employed to get the inclusion compound [Pd(5-C5H5)(3-C3H5)]x@MOF-5 via gas-phase infiltration at 10-3 mbar. A loading of four molecules of [Pd(5-C5H5)(3-C3H5)] per formula unit of MOF-5 (x = 4) can be reached (35 wt.% Pd). Second, the metalorganic precursor [Pd(acac)2] (acac = 2,4-pentanedionate) was used and the inclusion materials [Pd(acac)2]x@MOF-5 of different Pd loadings were obtained by incipient wetness infiltration. However, the maximum loading was lower as compared with the former case with about two precursor molecules per formula unit of MOF-5. Both loading routes are suitable for the synthesis of Pd nanoparticles inside the porous host matrix. Homogeneously distributed nanoparticles with diameter of 2.4(±0.2) nm can be achieved by photolysis of the inclusion compounds [Pd(5-C5H5)(3-C3H5)]x@MOF-5 (x 4), while the hydrogenolysis of [Pd(acac)2]x@MOF-5 (x 2) leads to a mixture of small particles inside the network (< 3 nm) and large Pd agglomerates (40 nm) on the outer surface of the MOF-5 specimens. The pure Pdx@MOF-5 materials proved to be stable under hydrogen pressure (2 bar) at 150 °C over many hours. Neither hydrogenation of the bdc linkers nor particle growth was observed. The new composite materials were characterized by 1H/13C-MAS-NMR, powder XRD, ICP-AES, FT-IR, N2 sorption measurements and high resolution TEM. Raising the Pd loading of a representative sample Pd4@MOF-5 (35 wt.% Pd) by using [Pd(5-C5H5)(3-C3H5)] as precursor in a second cycle of gas-phase infiltration and photolysis was accompanied by the collapse of the long-range crystalline order of the MOF.
Keywords: A1 Journal article; Electron microscopy for materials research (EMAT)
Times cited: 100
DOI: 10.1039/b815977g
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“The influence of surface oxides on the distribution and release of nickel from Nitinol wires”. Shabalovskaya SA, Tian H, Anderegg JW, Schryvers DU, Carroll WU, van Humbeeck J, Biomaterials 30, 468 (2009). http://doi.org/10.1016/j.biomaterials.2008.10.014
Abstract: The patterns of Ni release from Nitinol vary depending on the type of material (NiTi alloys with low or no processing versus commercial wires or sheets). A thick TiO2 layer generated on the wire surface during processing is often considered as a reliable barrier against Ni release. The present study of Nitinol wires with surface oxides resulting from production was conducted to identify the sources of Ni release and its distribution in the surface sublayers. The chemistry and topography of the surfaces of Nitinol wires drawn using different techniques were studied with XPS and SEM. The distribution of Ni into surface depth and the surface oxide thickness were evaluated using Auger spectroscopy, TEM with FIB and ELNES. Ni release was estimated using either ICPA or AAS. Potentiodynamic potential polarization of selected wires was performed in as-received state with no strain and in treated strained samples. Wire samples in the as-received state showed low breakdown potentials (200 mV); the improved corrosion resistance of these wires after treatment was not affected by strain. It is shown how processing techniques affect surface topography, chemistry and also Ni release. Nitinol wires with the thickest surface oxide TiO2 (up to 720 nm) showed the highest Ni release, attributed to the presence of particles of essentially pure Ni whose number and size increased while approaching the interface between the surface and the bulk. The biological implications of high and lasting Ni release are also discussed.
Keywords: A1 Journal article; Electron microscopy for materials research (EMAT)
Impact Factor: 8.402
Times cited: 102
DOI: 10.1016/j.biomaterials.2008.10.014
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“Electric-field control of the band gap and Fermi energy in graphene multilayers by top and back gates”. Avetisyan AA, Partoens B, Peeters FM, Physical review : B : solid state 80, 195401 (2009). http://doi.org/10.1103/PhysRevB.80.195401
Abstract: It is known that a perpendicular electric field applied to multilayers of graphene modifies the electronic structure near the K point and may induce an energy gap in the electronic spectrum which is tunable by the gate voltage. Here we consider a system of graphene multilayers in the presence of a positively charged top and a negatively charged back gate to control independently the density of electrons on the graphene layers and the Fermi energy of the system. The band structure of three- and four-layer graphene systems in the presence of the top and back gates is obtained using a tight-binding approach. A self-consistent Hartree approximation is used to calculate the induced charges on the different graphene layers. We predict that for opposite and equal charges on the top and bottom layers an energy gap is opened at the Fermi level. For an even number of layers this gap is larger than in the case of an odd number of graphene layers. We find that the circular asymmetry of the spectrum, which is a consequence of the trigonal warping, changes the size of the induced electronic gap, even when the total density of the induced electrons on the graphene layers is low.
Keywords: A1 Journal article; Condensed Matter Theory (CMT)
Impact Factor: 3.836
Times cited: 106
DOI: 10.1103/PhysRevB.80.195401
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“Electric field tuning of the band gap in graphene multilayers”. Avetisyan AA, Partoens B, Peeters FM, Physical review : B : solid state 79, 035421 (2009). http://doi.org/10.1103/PhysRevB.79.035421
Abstract: A perpendicular electric field applied to multilayers of graphene modifies the electronic structure near the K point and may induce an energy gap in the electronic spectrum. This gap is tunable by the gate voltage and its size depends on the number of layers. We use a tight-binding approach to calculate the band structure and include a self-consistent calculation in order to obtain the density of charge carriers. Results are presented for systems consisting of three and four layers of graphene. The effect of the circular asymmetry of the band structure on the gap is critically examined.
Keywords: A1 Journal article; Condensed Matter Theory (CMT)
Impact Factor: 3.836
Times cited: 106
DOI: 10.1103/PhysRevB.79.035421
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“End-to-end assembly of shape-controlled nanocrystals via a nanowelding approach mediated by gold domains”. Figuerola A, Franchini IR, Fiore A, Mastria R, Falqui A, Bertoni G, Bals S, Van Tendeloo G, Kudera S, Cingolani R, Manna L, Advanced materials 21, 550 (2009). http://doi.org/10.1002/adma.200801928
Abstract: Welding nanocrystals for assembly: The welding of Au domains grown on the tips of shape-controlled cadmium chalcogenide colloidal nanocrystals is used as a strategy for their assembly. Iodine-induced coagulation of selectively grown Au domains leads to assemblies such as flowerlike structures based on bullet-shaped nanocrystals, linear and cross-linked chains of nanorods, and globular networks with tetrapods as building blocks.
Keywords: A1 Journal article; Electron microscopy for materials research (EMAT)
Impact Factor: 19.791
Times cited: 110
DOI: 10.1002/adma.200801928
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“Hydrogenation of bilayer graphene and the formation of bilayer graphane from first principles”. Leenaerts O, Partoens B, Peeters FM, Physical review : B : solid state 80, 245422 (2009). http://doi.org/10.1103/PhysRevB.80.245422
Abstract: We performed ab initio density-functional theory calculations to investigate the process of hydrogenation of a bilayer of graphene. 50% hydrogen coverage is possible in case that the hydrogen atoms are allowed to adsorb on both sides of the bilayer. In this case interlayer chemical bonding occurs which stabilizes the structure. At maximum coverage, a bilayer of graphane is formed which has properties that are similar to those of a single layer of graphane.
Keywords: A1 Journal article; Condensed Matter Theory (CMT)
Impact Factor: 3.836
Times cited: 113
DOI: 10.1103/PhysRevB.80.245422
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“Adsorption of small molecules on graphene”. Leenaerts O, Partoens B, Peeters FM, Microelectronics journal 40, 860 (2009). http://doi.org/10.1016/j.mejo.2008.11.022
Abstract: We investigate the adsorption process of small molecules on graphene through first-principles calculations and show the presence of two main charge transfer mechanisms. Which mechanism is the dominant one depends on the magnetic properties of the adsorbing molecules. We explain these mechanisms through the density of states of the system and the molecular orbitals of the adsorbates, and demonstrate the possible difficulties in calculating the charge transfer from first principles between a graphene sheet and a molecule. Our results are in good agreement with experiment.
Keywords: A1 Journal article; Condensed Matter Theory (CMT)
Impact Factor: 1.163
Times cited: 116
DOI: 10.1016/j.mejo.2008.11.022
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“Quantitative atomic resolution mapping using high-angle annular dark field scanning transmission electron microscopy”. Van Aert S, Verbeeck J, Erni R, Bals S, Luysberg M, van Dyck D, Van Tendeloo G, Ultramicroscopy 109, 1236 (2009). http://doi.org/10.1016/j.ultramic.2009.05.010
Abstract: A model-based method is proposed to relatively quantify the chemical composition of atomic columns using high angle annular dark field (HAADF) scanning transmission electron microscopy (STEM) images. The method is based on a quantification of the total intensity of the scattered electrons for the individual atomic columns using statistical parameter estimation theory. In order to apply this theory, a model is required describing the image contrast of the HAADF STEM images. Therefore, a simple, effective incoherent model has been assumed which takes the probe intensity profile into account. The scattered intensities can then be estimated by fitting this model to an experimental HAADF STEM image. These estimates are used as a performance measure to distinguish between different atomic column types and to identify the nature of unknown columns with good accuracy and precision using statistical hypothesis testing. The reliability of the method is supported by means of simulated HAADF STEM images as well as a combination of experimental images and electron energy-loss spectra. It is experimentally shown that statistically meaningful information on the composition of individual columns can be obtained even if the difference in averaged atomic number Z is only 3. Using this method, quantitative mapping at atomic resolution using HAADF STEM images only has become possible without the need of simultaneously recorded electron energy loss spectra.
Keywords: A1 Journal article; Electron microscopy for materials research (EMAT); Vision lab
Impact Factor: 2.843
Times cited: 166
DOI: 10.1016/j.ultramic.2009.05.010
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“An effective morphology control of hydroxyapatite crystals via hydrothermal synthesis”. Neira IS, Kolen'ko YV, Lebedev OI, Van Tendeloo G, Gupta HS, Guitián F, Yoshimura M, Crystal growth &, design 9, 466 (2009). http://doi.org/10.1021/cg800738a
Abstract: A facile urea-assisted hydrothermal synthesis and systematic characterization of hydroxyapatite (HA) with calcium nitrate tetrahydrate and diammonium hydrogen phosphate as precursors are reported. The advantage of the proposed technique over previously reported synthetic approaches is the simple but precise control of the HA crystals morphology, which is achieved by employing an intensive, stepwise, and slow thermal decomposition of urea as well as varying initial concentrations of starting reagents. Whereas the plate-, hexagonal prism- and needle-like HA particles preferentially growth along the c-axis, the smaller and fine-plate-like HA crystals demonstrate crystal growth along the (102) and (211) directions, uncommon for HA. Furthermore, it was established that the hydrothermally derived powdered products are phase-pure HA containing CO32− anions in the crystal lattice, that is, AB-type carbonated hydroxyapatite. Transmission electron microscopy (TEM) and electron diffraction (ED) of selected samples reveal that the as-prepared HA crystals are single-crystalline and exhibit a nearly defect-free microstructure. The hardness and elastic modulus of the hexagonal prism-like HA crystals have been investigated on a nanoscale using the nanoindentation technique; the observed trends are discussed.
Keywords: A1 Journal article; Electron microscopy for materials research (EMAT)
Impact Factor: 4.055
Times cited: 183
DOI: 10.1021/cg800738a
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“3D imaging of nanomaterials by discrete tomography”. Batenburg KJ, Bals S, Sijbers J, Kübel C, Midgley PA, Hernandez JC, Kaiser U, Encina ER, Coronado EA, Van Tendeloo G, Ultramicroscopy 109, 730 (2009). http://doi.org/10.1016/j.ultramic.2009.01.009
Abstract: The field of discrete tomography focuses on the reconstruction of samples that consist of only a few different materials. Ideally, a three-dimensional (3D) reconstruction of such a sample should contain only one grey level for each of the compositions in the sample. By exploiting this property in the reconstruction algorithm, either the quality of the reconstruction can be improved significantly, or the number of required projection images can be reduced. The discrete reconstruction typically contains fewer artifacts and does not have to be segmented, as it already contains one grey level for each composition. Recently, a new algorithm, called discrete algebraic reconstruction technique (DART), has been proposed that can be used effectively on experimental electron tomography datasets. In this paper, we propose discrete tomography as a general reconstruction method for electron tomography in materials science. We describe the basic principles of DART and show that it can be applied successfully to three different types of samples, consisting of embedded ErSi2 nanocrystals, a carbon nanotube grown from a catalyst particle and a single gold nanoparticle, respectively.
Keywords: A1 Journal article; Electron microscopy for materials research (EMAT); Vision lab
Impact Factor: 2.843
Times cited: 220
DOI: 10.1016/j.ultramic.2009.01.009
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“Water on graphene: hydrophobicity and dipole moment using density functional theory”. Leenaerts O, Partoens B, Peeters FM, Physical review : B : solid state 79, 235440 (2009). http://doi.org/10.1103/PhysRevB.79.235440
Abstract: We apply density-functional theory to study the adsorption of water clusters on the surface of a graphene sheet and find i) graphene is highly hydrophobic and ii) adsorbed water has very little effect on the electronic structure of graphene. A single water cluster on graphene has a very small average dipole moment which is in contrast with an ice layer that exhibits a strong dipole moment.
Keywords: A1 Journal article; Condensed Matter Theory (CMT)
Impact Factor: 3.836
Times cited: 292
DOI: 10.1103/PhysRevB.79.235440
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