Abstract: In TEM, a typical goal consists of making a small electron probe in the sample plane in order to obtain high spatial resolution in scanning transmission electron microscopy. In order to do so, the phase of the electron wave is corrected to resemble a spherical wave compensating for aberrations in the magnetic lenses. In this contribution, we discuss the advantage of changing the phase of an electron wave in a specific way in order to obtain fundamentally different electron probes opening up new applications in the (S)TEM. We focus on electron vortex states as a specific family of waves with an azimuthal phase signature and discuss their properties, production and applications. The concepts presented here are rather general and also different classes of probes can be obtained in a similar fashion, showing that electron probes can be tuned to optimize a specific measurement or interaction.

Abstract: Octahedral-shaped perovskite PbTiO3 nanocrystals (PT OCT) with well-defined {111} facets exposed have been successfully synthesized via a facile hydrothermal method by using LiNO3 as an ion surfactant. The Li-O bond on the surface of PT OCT nanocrystals is essential to the stability of such nanocrystals and also results in a dramatic high visible-light photocatalytic activity.

Abstract: We report a MgFexAl2-xO4 synthetic spinel, where x varies from 0 to 0.26, as support for Ni-based catalysts, offering stability and carbon control under various conditions of methane reforming. By incorporation of Fe into a magnesium aluminate spine!, a support is created with redox functionality and high thermal stability, as concluded from temporal analysis of products (TAP) experiments and redox cycling, respectively. A diffusion coefficient of 3 x 10(-17) m(2) s(-1) was estimated for lattice oxygen at 993 K from TAP experiments. X-ray diffraction (XRD) and extended X-ray absorption fine structure (EXAFS) modeling identified that the incorporation of iron occurs as Fe3+ in the octahedral sites of the spinel lattice, replacing aluminum. Simulation of the X-ray absorption near edge structure (XANES) spectrum of the reduced support showed that 60 +/- 10% of iron was reduced from 3+ to 2+ at 1073 K, while there was no formation of metallic iron. A series of Ni/MgFexAl2-xO4 catalysts, where x varies from 0 to 0.26, was synthesized and reduced, yielding a supported Ni-Fe alloy. The evolution of the catalyst structure during H-2 temperature-programmed reduction (TPR) and CO2 temperature-programmed oxidation (TPO) was examined using time-resolved in situ XRD and XANES. During reforming, iron in both the support and alloy keeps control of carbon accumulation, as confirmed by O-2-TPO on the spent catalysts. By fine tuning the amount of Fe in MgFexAl2-xO4, a supported alloy was obtained with a Ni/Fe molar ratio of similar to 10, which was active for reforming and stable. By comparison of the performance of Ni-based catalysts with Fe either incorporated into or deposited onto the support, the location of Fe within the support proved crucial for the stability and carbon mitigation under reforming conditions.

Abstract: Nanoscale Fe : CeO2-x oxygen storage material for the process of chemical looping has been investigated by advanced transmission electron microscopy and electron energy-loss spectroscopy before and after a model looping procedure, consisting of redox cycles at heightened temperature. Separately, the activity of the nanomaterial has been tested in a toluene total oxidation reaction. The results show that the material consists of ceria nanoparticles, doped with single Fe atoms and small FeOx clusters. The iron ion is partially present as Fe3+ in a solid solution within the ceria lattice. Furthermore, enrichment of reduced Fe2+ species is observed in nanovoids present in the ceria nanoparticles, as well as at the ceria surface. After chemical looping, agglomeration occurs and reduced nanoclusters appear at ceria grain boundaries formed by sintering. These clusters originate from surface Fe2+ aggregation, and from bulk Fe3+, which “leaks out” in reduced state after cycling to a slightly more agglomerated form. The activity of Fe : CeO2 during the toluene total oxidation part of the chemical looping cycle is ensured by the dopant Fe in the Fe1-xCexO2 solid solution, and by surface Fe species. These measurements on a model Fe : CeO2-x oxygen storage material give a unique insight into the behavior of dopants within a nanosized ceria host, and allow to interpret a plethora of (doped) cerium oxide-based reactions.

Abstract: Unlike other 3d transition metal monoxides (MnO, FeO, CoO, and NiO), CuO is found in a low-symmetry distorted monoclinic structure rather than the rocksalt structure. We report here of the growth of ultrathin CuO films on SrTiO3 substrates; scanning transmission electron microscopy was used to show the stabilization of a tetragonal rocksalt structure with an elongated c-axis such that c/a similar to 1.34 and the Cu-O-Cu bond angle similar to 180 degrees, pointing to metastable six-fold coordinated Cu. X-ray absorption spectroscopy demonstrates that the hole at the Cu site for the CuO is localized in 3d(x2-y2) orbital unlike the well-studied monoclinic CuO phase. The experimental confirmation of the tetragonal structure of CuO opens up new avenues to explore electronic and magnetic properties of six-fold coordinated Cu. Copyright (C) EPLA, 2014

Abstract: An Er3Fe5O12 ceramic has been sintered in oxygen atmosphere at 1400 °C for dielectric measurements. Its structural quality at room temperature has been checked by combining transmission electron microscopy and X-ray diffraction. It crystallizes in the cubic space group Ia3d with a = 12.3488(1). The dielectric permittivity ([variantgreekepsilon]′) and losses (tan δ) measurements as a function of temperature reveal the existence of two anomalies, a broad one between 110 K and 80 K, attributed to the Er3+ spin reorientation, and a second sharper feature at about 45 K associated to the appearance of irreversibility on the magnetic susceptibility curves. In contrast to the lack of magnetic field impact on [variantgreekepsilon]′ for the former anomaly, a complex magnetic field effect has been evidenced below 45 K. The isothermal [variantgreekepsilon]′(H) curves show the existence of positive magnetodielectric effect, reaching a maximum of 0.14% at 3 T and 10 K. Its magnitude decreases as H is further increased. Interestingly, for the lowest H values, a linear regime in the [variantgreekepsilon]′(H) curve is observed. From this experimental study, it is concluded that the [variantgreekepsilon]′ anomaly, starting above the compensation temperature Tc (75 K) and driven by the internal magnetic field, is not sensitive to an applied external magnetic field. Thus, below 45 K, it is the magnetic structure which is responsible for the coupling between spin and charge in this iron garnet.

Abstract: The microstructure of a 55 Êm diameter, cold-worked Ni-Ti microwire is investigated by different transmission electron microscopy techniques. The surface consists of a few hundred nanometer thick oxide layer composed of TiO and TiO2 with a small fraction of inhomogeneously distributed Ni. The interior of the wire has a core-shell structure with primarily B2 grains in the 1 Êm thick shell, and heavily twinned B19 martensite in the core. This core-shell structure can be explained by a concentration gradient of the alloying elements resulting in a structure separation due to the strong temperature dependence of the martensitic start temperature. Moreover, in between the B2 part of the metallic core-shell and the oxide layer, a Ni3Ti interfacial layer is detected.

Abstract: An epitaxial PbTiO3 thin film grown on self-organized crystalline SrRuO3 nanowires deposited on a DyScO3 substrate with ordered DyO and ScO2 chemical terminations is investigated by transmission electron microscopy. In this PbTiO3/SrRuO3/DyScO3 heterostructure, the SrRuO3 nanowires are assumed to grow on only one type of substrate termination. Here, we report on the structure, morphology, and chemical composition analysis of this heterostructure. Electron energy loss spectroscopy reveals the exact termination sequence in this complex structure. The energy loss near-edge structure of the Ti-L-2,L-3, Sc-L-2,L-3, and O K edges shows intrinsic interfacial electronic reconstruction. Furthermore, PbTiO3 domain walls are observed to start at the end of the nanowires resulting in atomic steps on the film surface. (C) 2013 AIP Publishing LLC.

Abstract: A new layered perovskite Sr2Al0.78Mn1.22O5.2 has been synthesized by solid state reaction in a sealed evacuated silica tube. The crystal structure has been determined using electron diffraction, high-resolution electron microscopy, and high-angle annular dark field imaging and refined from X-ray powder diffraction data (space group P4/mmm, a=3.89023(5) Å, c=7.8034(1) Å, RI=0.023, RP=0.015). The structure is characterized by an alternation of MnO2 and (Al0.78Mn0.22)O1.2 layers. Oxygen atoms and vacancies, as well as the Al and Mn atoms in the (Al0.78Mn0.22)O1.2 layers are disordered. The local atomic arrangement in these layers is suggested to consist of short fragments of brownmillerite-type tetrahedral chains of corner-sharing AlO4 tetrahedra interrupted by MnO6 octahedra, at which the chain fragments rotate over 90°. This results in an averaged tetragonal symmetry. This is confirmed by the valence state of Mn measured by EELS. The relationship between the Sr2Al0.78Mn1.22O5.2 tetragonal perovskite and the parent Sr2Al1.07Mn0.93O5 brownmillerite is discussed. Magnetic susceptibility measurements indicate spin glass behavior of Sr2Al0.78Mn1.22O5.2. The lack of long-range magnetic ordering contrasts with Mn-containing brownmillerites and is likely caused by the frustration of interlayer interactions due to presence of the Mn atoms in the (Al0.78Mn0.22)O1.2 layers.

Abstract: Decades ago, Aharonov and Bohm showed that electrons are affected by electromagnetic potentials in the absence of forces due to fields. Zeilinger's theorem describes this absence of classical force in quantum terms as the “dispersionless” nature of the Aharonov-Bohm effect. Shelankov predicted the presence of a quantum “force” for the same Aharonov-Bohm physical system as elucidated by Berry. Here, we report an experiment designed to test Shelankov's prediction and we provide a theoretical analysis that is intended to elucidate the relation between Shelankov's prediction and Zeilinger's theorem. The experiment consists of the Aharonov-Bohm physical system; free electrons pass a magnetized nanorod and far-field electron diffraction is observed. The diffraction pattern is asymmetric confirming one of Shelankov's predictions and giving indirect experimental evidence for the presence of a quantum “force”. Our theoretical analysis shows that Zeilinger's theorem and Shelankov's result are both special cases of one theorem.

Abstract: Magneto-optical (MO) properties of bi- and tri-layer graphene are investigated utilizing terahertz time-domain spectroscopy (THz TDS) in the presence of a strong magnetic field at room-temperature. In the Faraday configuration and applying optical polarization measurements, we measure the real and imaginary parts of the longitudinal and transverse MO conductivities of different graphene samples. The obtained experimental data fits very well with the classical MO Drude formula. Thus, we are able to obtain the key sample and material parameters of bi- and tri-layer graphene, such as the electron effective mass, the electronic relaxation time and the electron density. It is found that in high magnetic fields the electronic relaxation time tau for bi- and tri-layer graphene increases with magnetic field B roughly in a form tau similar to B-2. Most importantly, we obtain the electron effective mass for bi- and tri-layer graphene at room-temperature under non-resonant conditions. This work shows how the advanced THz MO techniques can be applied for the investigation into fundamental physics properties of atomically thin 2D electronic systems.

Abstract: A functionally graded multilayer NiTi thin film was deposited on a SiO2/Si substrate by d.c. sputtering using a ramped heated NiTi alloy target. The stand-alone films were crystallized at 500°C in vacuum better than 10-7 Torr. Transmission electron microscopy micrographs taken along the film cross section show two distinct regions, thin and thick, with weak R and B2 phases, respectively. The film compositions along the thickness were measured and quantified using the standard-less EELSMODEL method. The film deposited during the initial thermal ramp (thin regions) displays an average of 54 at.% Ni while the film deposited at a more elevated target temperature (thick regions) shows about 51 at.% Ni.

Abstract: A new perovskite based compound Pb2Mn2O5 has been synthesized using a high pressure high temperature technique. The structure model of Pb2Mn2O5 is proposed based on electron diffraction, high angle annular dark field scanning transmission electron microscopy and high resolution transmission electron microscopy. The compound crystallizes in an orthorhombic unit cell with parameters a=5.736(1)Å≈√2a p p p (a p the parameter of the perovskite subcell) and space group Pnma. The Pb2Mn2O5 structure consists of quasi two-dimensional perovskite blocks separated by 1/2[110] p (1̄01) p crystallographic shear planes. The blocks are connected to each other by chains of edge-sharing MnO5 distorted tetragonal pyramids. The chains of MnO5 pyramids and the MnO6 octahedra of the perovskite blocks delimit six-sided tunnels accommodating double chains of Pb atoms. The tunnels and pyramidal chains adopt two mirror-related configurations (left L and right R) and layers consisting of chains and tunnels of the same configuration alternate in the structure according to an -LRLR-sequence. The sequence is sometimes locally violated by the appearance of -LL- or -RR-fragments. A scheme is proposed with a JahnTeller distortion of the MnO6 octahedra with two long and two short bonds lying in the ac plane, along two perpendicular orientations within this plane, forming a d-type pattern.

Abstract: We propose a novel Power to Synthesis Gas (P2SG) approach, composed of two high-efficiency and renewable electricity-driven units, i.e., plasma catalytic reforming (PCR) and water electrolysis (WE), to produce high quality syngas from CH4, CO2 and H2O. As WE technology is already commercial, we mainly focus on the PCR unit, consisting of gliding arc plasma and Ni-based catalyst, for oxidative dry reforming of methane. An energy efficiency of 78.9% and energy cost of 1.0 kWh/Nm3 at a CH4 conversion of 99% and a CO2 conversion of 79% are obtained. Considering an energy efficiency of 80% for WE, the P2SG system yields an overall energy efficiency of 79.3% and energy cost of 1.8 kWh/Nm3. High-quality syngas is produced without the need for posttreatment units, featuring the ideal stoichiometric number of 2, with concentration of 94.6 vol%, and a desired CO2 fraction of 1.9 vol% for methanol synthesis. The PCR unit has the advantage of fast response to adapting to fluctuation of renewable electricity, avoiding local hot spots in the catalyst bed and coking, in contrast to conventional catalytic processes. Moreover, pure O2 from the WE unit is directly utilized by the PCR unit for oxidative dry reforming of methane, and thus, no air separation unit, like in conventional processes, is required. This work demonstrates the viability of the P2SG approach for large-scale energy storage of renewable electricity via electricity-to-fuel conversion.

Abstract: Pt doped semiconducting metal oxides and Pt metal clusters embedded in an oxide matrix are of interest for applications such as catalysis and gas sensing, energy storage and memory devices. Accurate tuning of the dopant level is crucial for adjusting the properties of these materials. Here, a novel atomic layer deposition (ALD) based method for doping Pt into In2O3 in specific, and metals in metal oxides in general, is demonstrated. This approach combines alternating exposures of Pt and In2O3 ALD processes in a single ‘supercycle’, followed by supercycle repetition leading to multilayered nanocomposites. The atomic level control of ALD and its conformal nature make the method suitable for accurate dopant control even on high surface area supports. Oxidation state, local structural environment and crystalline phase of the embedded Pt dopants were obtained by means of X-ray characterization methods and high angle annular dark-field scanning transmission electron microscopy (HAADF-STEM). In addition, this approach allows characterization of the nucleation stages of metal ALD processes, by stacking those states multiple times in an oxide matrix. Regardless of experimental conditions, a few Pt ALD cycles leads to the formation of oxidized Pt species due to their highly dispersed nature, as proven by X-ray absorption spectroscopy (XAS). Grazing-incidence small-angle X-ray scattering (GISAXS) and highresolution scanning transmission electron microscopy, combined with energy dispersive X-ray spectroscopy (HR-STEM/EDXS) show that Pt is evenly distributed in the In2O3 metal oxide matrix without the formation of clusters. For a larger number of Pt ALD
cycles, typ. > 10, the oxidation state gradually evolves towards fully metallic, and metallic Pt clusters are obtained within the In2O3 metal oxide matrix. This work reveals how tuning of the ALD supercycle approach for Pt doping allows controlled engineering of the Pt compositional and structural configuration within a metal oxide matrix.