Abstract: A series of BiVO4/3DOM TiO2 nanocomposites have been synthesized and their photocatalytic activity was investigated under visible light irradiation using the RhB dye as model pollutant molecule in an aqueous solution. The effect of the amount of BiVO4 as visible light sensitizer on the photocatalytic activity of BiVO4/3DOM TiO2 nanocomposites was highlighted. The heterostructured composite system leads to much higher photocatalytic efficiencies than bare 3DOM TiO2 and BiVO4 nanoparticles. As the proportion of BiVO4 in BiVO4/3DOM TiO2 nanocomposites increases from 0.04 to 0.6, the photocatalytic performance of the BiVO4/3DOM TiO2 nanocomposites increases and then decreases after reaching a maximum at 0.2. This improvement in photocatalytic perfomance is related to 1) the interfacial electron transfer efficiency between the coupled materials, 2) the 3DOM TiO2 inverse opal structure with interconnected pores providing an easy mass transfer of the reactant molecules and high accessibility to the active sites and large surface area and 3) the effect of light sensitizer of BiVO4. Intensive studies on structural, textural, optical and surface properties reveal that the electronic interactions between BiVO4 and TiO2 lead to an improved charge separation of the coupled BiVO4/TiO2 system. The photogenerated charge carrier densities increase with increasing the BiVO4 content, which acts as visible light sensitizer to the TiO2 and is responsible for the enhancement in the rate of photocatalytic degradation. However, the photocatalytic activity is reduced when the BiVO4 amount is much higher than that of 3DOM TiO2. Two reasons could account for this behavior. First, with increasing BiVO4 content, the photogenerated electron/hole pairs are accumulated at the surface of the BiVO4 nanoparticles and the recombination rate increases as shown by the PL results. Second, decreasing the amount of 3DOM TiO2 in the nanocomposite decreases the surface area as shown by the BET results. Moreover, the poor adsorptive properties of the BiVO4 photocatalyst also affect the photocatalytic performance, in particular at higher BiVO4 content. The present work demonstrates that BiVO4/3DOM TiO2 is a very promising heterojunction system for visible light photocatalytic applications.

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

Abstract: Annular dark-field transmission electron microscopy uses an annular objective aperture that blocks the central beam and all electrons scattered up to a certain serniangle. A contrast suitable for electron tomography is generated and 3D reconstructions of CdTe tetrapods and C nanotubes (see figure) are successfully obtained. With short exposure times and high contrast, the technique could be useful not only for materials science, but also for biological applications.

Abstract: The Li-ion rechargeable battery, due to its high energy density, has driven remarkable advances in portable electronics. Moving toward more sustainable electrodes could make this technology even more attractive to large-volume applications. We present here a new family of 3d-metal hydroxysulfates of general formula LiMSO4OH (M = Fe, Co, and Mn) among which (i) LiFeSO4OH reversibly releases 0.7 Li+ at an average potential of 3.6 V vs Li+/Li-0, slightly higher than the potential of currently lauded LiFePO4 (3.45 V) electrode material, and (ii) LiCoSO4OH shows a redox activity at 4.7 V vs Li+/Li-0. Besides, these compounds can be easily made at temperatures near 200 degrees C via a synthesis process that enlists a new intermediate phase of composition M-3(SO4)(2)(OH)(2) (M = Fe, Co, Mn, and Ni), related to the mineral caminite. Structurally, we found that LiFeSO4OH is a layered phase unlike the previously reported 3.2 V tavorite LiFeSO4OH. This work should provide an impetus to experimentalists for designing better electrolytes to fully tap the capacity of high-voltage Co-based hydroxysulfates, and to theorists for providing a means to predict the electrochemical redox activity of two polymorphs.

Abstract: We present the quasiparticle band structure of ZnO in its zincblende (ZB) and rocksalt (RS) phases at the Γ point, calculated within the GW approximation. The effect of the pd hybridization on the quasiparticle corrections to the band gap is discussed. We compare three systems, ZB-ZnO which shows strong pd hybridization and has a direct band gap, RS-ZnO which is also hybridized but includes inversion symmetry and therefore has an indirect band gap, and ZB-ZnS which shows a weaker hybridization due to a change of the chemical species from oxygen to sulfur. The quasiparticle corrections are calculated with different numbers of valence electrons in the Zn pseudopotential. We find that the Zn20 + pseudopotential is essential for the adequate treatment of the exchange interaction in the self-energy. The calculated GW band gaps are 2.47 eV and 4.27 eV respectively, for the ZB and RS phases. The ZB-ZnO band gap is underestimated compared to the experimental value of 3.27 by ~ 0.8 eV. The RS-ZnO band gap compares well with the experimental value of 4.5 eV. The underestimation for ZB-ZnO is correlated with the strong pd hybridization. The GW band gap for ZnS is 3.57 eV, compared to the experimental value of 3.8 eV.

Abstract: Multicomponent nanoparticles are of particular interest due to a unique combination of properties at the nanoscale, which make them suitable for a wide variety of applications. Among them, Janus nanoparticles, presenting two distinct surface regions, can lead to specific interactions with interfaces, biomolecules, membranes etc. We report the synthesis of Janus nanoparticles comprising iron oxide nanospheres and gold nanostars, through two consecutive seed-mediated-growth steps. Electron tomography combining HAADF-STEM and EDX mapping has been performed to evaluate the spatial distribution of the two components of the nanoparticle, showing their clear separation in a Janus morphology. Additionally, SERS measurements assisted by magnetic separation were carried out to assess the application of combined plasmonic and magnetic properties for sensing.

Abstract: A limiting factor of solvent-induced nanoparticle self-assembly is the need for constant sample dilution in assembly/disassembly cycles. Changes in the nanoparticle concentration alter the kinetics of the subsequent assembly process, limiting optical signal recovery. Herein, we show that upon confining hydrophobic nanoparticles in permeable silica nanocapsules, the number of nanoparticles participating in cyclic aggregation remains constant despite bulk changes in solution, leading to highly reproducible plasmon band shifts at different solvent compositions.

Abstract: Principal component analysis (PCA) noise filtering is a popular method to remove noise from experimental electron energy loss (EELS) spectrum images. Here, we investigate the statistical behaviour of this method by applying it on a simulated data set with realistic noise levels. This phantom data set provides access to the true values contained in the data set as well as to many different realizations of the noise. Using least squares fitting and parameter estimation theory, we demonstrate that even though the precision on the estimated parameters can be better as the CramérRao lower bound, a significant bias is introduced which can alter the conclusions drawn from experimental data sets. The origin of this bias is in the incorrect retrieval of the principal loadings for noisy data. Using an expression for the bias and precision of the singular values from literature, we present an evaluation criterion for these singular values based on the noise level and the amount of information present in the data set. This criterion can help to judge when to avoid PCA noise filtering in practical situations. Further we show that constructing elemental maps of PCA noise filtered data using the background subtraction method, does not guarantee an increase in the signal to noise ratio due to correlation of the spectral data as a result of the filtering process.

Abstract: We investigate electron vortex beams elastically scattered on chiral crystals. After deriving a general expression for the scattering amplitude of a vortex electron, we study its diffraction on point scatterers arranged on a helix. We derive a relation between the handedness of the helix and the topological charge of the electron vortex on one hand and the symmetry of the higher-order Laue zones in the diffraction pattern on the other for kinematically and dynamically scattered electrons. We then extend this to atoms arranged on a helix as found in crystals which belong to chiral space groups and propose a method to determine the handedness of such crystals by looking at the symmetry of the diffraction pattern. In contrast to alternative methods, our technique does not require multiple scattering, which makes it possible to also investigate extremely thin samples in which multiple scattering is suppressed. In order to verify the model, elastic scattering simulations are performed, and an experimental demonstration on Mn2Sb2O7 is given in which we find the sample to belong to the right-handed variant of its enantiomorphic pair. This demonstrates the usefulness of electron vortex beams to reveal the chirality of crystals in a transmission electron microscope and provides the required theoretical basis for further developments in this field.

Abstract: Herein we demonstrate that meticulous and in-depth analysis of the reaction mechanisms of nanoparticle formation is rewarded by full control of size, shape and crystal structure of superparamagnetic iron oxide nanocrystals during synthesis. Starting from two iron sources – iron(II)- and iron(III) carbonate -a strict separation of oleate formation from the generation of reactive pyrolysis products and concomitant nucleation of iron oxide nanoparticles was achieved. This protocol enabled us to analyze each step of nanoparticle formation independently in depth. Progress of the entire reaction was monitored via matrix-assisted laser desorption ionization time-of-flight mass spectrometry (MALDI-TOF MS) and gas chromatography (GC) gaining insight into the formation of various iron oleate species prior to nucleation. Interestingly, due to the intrinsic strongly reductive pyrolysis conditions of the oleate intermediates and redox process in early stages of the synthesis, pristine iron oxide nuclei were composed exclusively from wustite, irrespective of the oxidation state of the iron source. Controlling the reaction conditions provided a very broad range of size- and shape defined monodisperse iron oxide nanoparticles. Curiously, after nucleation star shaped nanocrystals were obtained, which underwent metamorphism towards cubic shaped particles. EELS tomography revealed ex post oxidation of the primary wustite nanocrystal providing a full 3D image of Fe2+ and Fe3+ distribution within. Overall, we developed a highly flexible synthesis, yielding multigram amounts of well-defined iron oxide nanocrystals of different sizes and morphologies.

Abstract: A comprehensive electron energy-loss spectroscopy study of niobium (Nb) and stable Nb-oxide phases (NbO, NbO2, Nb2O5) was carried out. In this work (Part I), the plasmons and energy-loss near-edge structures (ELNES) of all relevant Nb edges (Nb-N2,3, Nb-M4,5, Nb-M2,3, Nb-M1, and Nb-L2,3) up to energy losses of about 2600 eV and the O-K edge are analyzed with respect to achieving characteristic fingerprints of Nb in different formal oxidation states (0 for metallic Nb, +2 for NbO, +4 for NbO2, and +5 for Nb2O5). Chemical shifts of the Nb-N2,3, Nb-M4,5, Nb-M2,3, and Nb-L2,3 edges are extracted from the spectra that amount to about 4 eV as the oxidation state increases from 0 for Nb to +5 for Nb2O5. Four different microscopes, including a 200 keV ZEISS Libra with monochromator, were used. The corresponding wide range of experimental parameters with respect to the primary electron energy, convergence, and collection semi-angles as well as energy resolution allows an assessment of the influence of the experimental setup on the ELNES of the different edges. Finally, the intensity of the Nb-L2,3 white-line edges is correlated with niobium 4d-state occupancy in the different reference materials.

Abstract: By using an optimized characterization approach that combines aberration-corrected transmission electron microscopy, electron tomography, and in situ ultrasmall angle X-ray scattering (USAXS), we show that the early stages of Pt electrochemical growth on carbon substrates may be affected by the aggregation, self-alignment, and partial coalescence of nanoclusters of d ≈ 2 nm. The morphology of the resulting nanostructures depends on the degree of coalescence and recrystallization of nanocluster aggregates, which in turn depends on the electrodeposition potential. At low overpotentials, a self-limiting growth mechanism may block the epitaxial growth of primary nanoclusters and results in loose dendritic aggregates. At more negative potentials, the extent of nanocluster coalescence and recrystallization is larger and further growth by atomic incorporation may be allowed. On one hand, this suggests a revision of the VolmerWeber island growth mechanism. Whereas this theory has traditionally assumed direct attachment as the only growth mechanism, it is suggested that nanocluster self-limiting growth, aggregation, and coalescence should also be taken into account during the early stages of nanoscale electrodeposition. On the other hand, depending on the deposition potential, ultrahigh porosities can be achieved, turning electrodeposition in an ideal process for highly active electrocatalyst production without the need of using high surface area carbon supports.

Abstract: We performed single particle deformation experiments on silica-coated gold nanorods under femtosecond (fs) illumination. Changes in the particle shape were analyzed by electron microscopy and associated changes in the plasmon resonance by electron energy loss spectroscopy. Silica-coated rods were found to be more stable compared to uncoated rods but could still be deformed via an intermediate bullet-like shape for silica shell thicknesses of 14 nm. Changes in the size ratio of the rods after fs-illumination resulted in blue-shifting of the longitudinal plasmon resonances. Two-dimensional spatial mapping of the plasmon resonances revealed that the flat side of the bullet-like particles showed a less pronounced longitudinal plasmonic electric field enhancement. These findings were confirmed by finite-difference time-domain (FDTD) simulations. Furthermore, at higher laser fluences size reduction of the particles was found as well as for particles that were not completely deformed yet.