“Tubular fullerenes in carbon nanotubes”. Tarakina NV, Verberck B, Fullerenes, nanotubes, and carbon nanostructures 20, 538 (2012). http://doi.org/10.1080/1536383X.2012.656058
Abstract: We investigate the optimal orientations and positions of tubular fullerene molecules C-70, C-80 and C-90 encapsulated in single-walled carbon nanotubes (SWCNTs). We find that increasing the tube radius leads to the following succession of energetically stable regimes: 1) lying molecules positioned on the tube's long axis, 2) tilted molecules on the tube's long axis and 3) lying molecules shifted away from the tube's long axis. In the case of C-70 and C-80 molecules, standing on-axis configurations also occur. Our findings are relevant for the possible application of molecular-orientation-dependent electronic properties of fullerene nanopeapods.
Keywords: A1 Journal article; Engineering sciences. Technology; Condensed Matter Theory (CMT)
Impact Factor: 1.35
DOI: 10.1080/1536383X.2012.656058
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“Tuning of the size and the lattice parameter of ion-beam synthesized Pb nanoparticles embedded in Si”. Wang H, Cuppens J, Biermans E, Bals S, Fernandez-Ballester L, Kvashnina KO, Bras W, van Bael MJ, Temst K, Vantomme A, Journal of physics: D: applied physics 45, 035301 (2012). http://doi.org/10.1088/0022-3727/45/3/035301
Abstract: The size and lattice constant evolution of Pb nanoparticles (NPs) synthesized by high fluence implantation in crystalline Si have been studied with a variety of experimental techniques. Results obtained from small-angle x-ray scattering showed that the Pb NPs grow with increasing implantation fluence and annealing duration. The theory of NP growth kinetics can be applied to qualitatively explain the size evolution of the Pb NPs during the implantation and annealing processes. Moreover, the lattice constant of the Pb NPs was evaluated by conventional x-ray diffraction. The lattice dilatation was observed to decrease with increasing size of the Pb NPs. Such lattice constant tuning can be attributed to the pseudomorphism caused by the lattice mismatch between the Pb NPs and the Si matrix.
Keywords: A1 Journal article; Electron microscopy for materials research (EMAT)
Impact Factor: 2.588
Times cited: 5
DOI: 10.1088/0022-3727/45/3/035301
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“Tuning the pore size of ink-bottle mesopores by atomic layer deposition”. Dendooven J, Goris B, Devloo-Casier K, Levrau E, Biermans E, Baklanov MR, Ludwig KF, van der Voort P, Bals S, Detavernier C, Chemistry of materials 24, 1992 (2012). http://doi.org/10.1021/cm203754a
Keywords: A1 Journal article; Electron microscopy for materials research (EMAT)
Impact Factor: 9.466
Times cited: 52
DOI: 10.1021/cm203754a
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“Twinning in pure Ti subjected to monotonic simple shear deformation”. Tirry W, Bouvier S, Benmhenni N, Hammami W, Habraken AM, Coghe F, Schryvers D, Rabet L, Materials characterization 72, 24 (2012). http://doi.org/10.1016/j.matchar.2012.07.001
Abstract: The aim of this paper is to provide a thorough study on the occurrence and importance of deformation twinning in simple shear deformed pure α-Ti. A statistically relevant inspection of the morphology of the deformation twins in relation to the applied strain/deformation is performed. The investigated microstructural aspects are the twin volume fraction, the twin thickness distribution and the resolved shear stress distribution on the twin plane. All these aspects are examined as a function of the twin types and two initial textures. Monotonic simple shear experiments are carried out for three different loading directions with respect to a direction linked to the initial crystallographic texture. EBSD and TEM observations reveal the presence of View the MathML source and View the MathML source twins. The statistical analysis reveals that View the MathML source and View the MathML source twins have a similar average thickness around 1.9 nm, but the View the MathML source twins show a far larger spread on their thickness and can grow to almost the size of the original parent grain. Correlation of the twin fractions with the RSS analysis shows that RSS is an acceptable method explaining the difference in twin fractions for different textures and orientations. A detailed analysis shows that View the MathML source twins occur in average with a smaller volume fraction but with a higher RSS, indicating they are more difficult to nucleate or grow compared to View the MathML source twinning. In general a higher RSS value on the twin plane is not connected to a higher twin thickness; only in the case of View the MathML source twins the highest RSS values show clearly thicker twins.
Keywords: A1 Journal article; Electron microscopy for materials research (EMAT)
Impact Factor: 2.714
Times cited: 25
DOI: 10.1016/j.matchar.2012.07.001
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“Two-band superconductors : extended Ginzburg-Landau formalism by a systematic expansion in small deviation from the critical temperature”. Vagov A, Shanenko AA, Milošević, MV, Axt VM, Peeters FM, Physical review : B : condensed matter and materials physics 86, 144514 (2012). http://doi.org/10.1103/PhysRevB.86.144514
Abstract: We derive the extended Ginzburg-Landau (GL) formalism for a clean s-wave two-band superconductor by employing a systematic expansion of the free-energy functional and the corresponding matrix gap equation in powers of the small deviation from the critical temperature tau = 1 – T/T-c. The two lowest orders of this expansion produce the equation for T-c and the standard GL theory. It is shown that in agreement with previous studies, this two-band GL theory maps onto the single-band GL model and thus fails to describe the difference in the spatial profiles of the two-band condensates. We prove that this difference appears already in the leading correction to the standard GL theory, which constitutes the extended GL formalism. We derive linear differential equations that determine the leading corrections to the band order parameters and magnetic field, discuss the validity of these equations, and consider examples of an important interplay between the band condensates. Finally, we present numerical results for the thermodynamic critical magnetic field and temperature-dependent band gaps for recent materials of interest, which are in very good agreement with those obtained from the full BCS approach in a wide temperature range. To this end, we emphasize the advantages of our extended GL theory in comparison with the often used two-component GL-like model based on an unreconstructed two-band generalization of the Gor'kov derivation.
Keywords: A1 Journal article; Condensed Matter Theory (CMT)
Impact Factor: 3.836
Times cited: 44
DOI: 10.1103/PhysRevB.86.144514
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“Two-band superconductors : hidden criticality deep in the superconducting state”. Komendová, L, Chen Y, Shanenko AA, Milošević, MV, Peeters FM, Physical review letters 108, 207002 (2012). http://doi.org/10.1103/PhysRevLett.108.207002
Abstract: We show that two-band superconductors harbor hidden criticality deep in the superconducting state, stemming from the critical temperature of the weaker band taken as an independent system. For sufficiently small interband coupling gamma the coherence length of the weaker band exhibits a remarkable deviation from the conventional monotonic increase with temperature, namely, a pronounced peak close to the hidden critical point. The magnitude of the peak scales as proportional to gamma(-mu), with the Landau critical exponent mu = 1/3, the same as found for the mean-field critical behavior with respect to the source field in ferromagnets and ferroelectrics. Here reported hidden criticality of multiband superconductors can be experimentally observed by, e.g., imaging of the variations of the vortex core in a broader temperature range. Similar effects are expected for the superconducting multilayers.
Keywords: A1 Journal article; Condensed Matter Theory (CMT)
Impact Factor: 8.462
Times cited: 75
DOI: 10.1103/PhysRevLett.108.207002
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“Ultra-small metallic grains : effect of statistical fluctuations of the chemical potential on superconducting correlations and vice versa”. Croitoru MD, Shanenko AA, Kaun CC, Peeters FM, Journal of physics : condensed matter 24, 275701 (2012). http://doi.org/10.1088/0953-8984/24/27/275701
Abstract: Superconducting correlations in an isolated metallic grain are governed by the interplay between two energy scales: the mean level spacing delta and the bulk pairing gap Delta(0), which are strongly influenced by the position of the chemical potential with respect to the closest single-electron level. In turn superconducting correlations affect the position of the chemical potential. Within the parity projected BCS model we investigate the probability distribution of the chemical potential in a superconducting grain with randomly distributed single-electron levels. Taking into account statistical fluctuations of the chemical potential due to the pairing interaction, we find that such fluctuations have a significant impact on the critical level spacing delta(c) at which the superconducting correlations cease: the critical ratio delta(c)/Delta(0) at which superconductivity disappears is found to be increased.
Keywords: A1 Journal article; Condensed Matter Theory (CMT)
Impact Factor: 2.649
Times cited: 9
DOI: 10.1088/0953-8984/24/27/275701
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“Unconventional vortex states in nanoscale superconductors due to shape-induced resonances in the inhomogeneous Cooper-pair condensate”. Zhang L-F, Covaci L, Milošević, MV, Berdiyorov GR, Peeters FM, Physical review letters 109, 107001 (2012). http://doi.org/10.1103/PhysRevLett.109.107001
Abstract: Vortex matter in mesoscopic superconductors is known to be strongly affected by the geometry of the sample. Here we show that in nanoscale superconductors with coherence length comparable to the Fermi wavelength the shape resonances of the order parameter results in an additional contribution to the quantum topological confinement-leading to unconventional vortex configurations. Our Bogoliubov-de Gennes calculations in a square geometry reveal a plethora of asymmetric, giant multivortex, and vortex-antivortex structures, stable over a wide range of parameters and which are very different from those predicted by the Ginzburg-Landau theory. These unconventional states are relevant for high-T-c nanograins, confined Bose-Einstein condensates, and graphene flakes with proximity-induced superconductivity.
Keywords: A1 Journal article; Condensed Matter Theory (CMT)
Impact Factor: 8.462
Times cited: 31
DOI: 10.1103/PhysRevLett.109.107001
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“Understanding and promoting the rapid preparation of the triplite-phase of LiFeSO4F for use as a large-potential Fe cathode”. Ati M, Sathiya M, Boulineau S, Reynaud M, Abakumov A, Rousse G, Melot B, Van Tendeloo G, Tarascon J-M, Journal of the American Chemical Society 134, 18380 (2012). http://doi.org/10.1021/ja3074402
Abstract: The development of new electrode materials, which are composed of Earth-abundant elements and that can be made via eco-efficient processes, is becoming absolutely necessary for reasons of sustainable production. The 3.9 V triplite-phase of LiFeSO4F, compared to the 3.6 V tavorite-phase, could satisfy this requirement provided the currently complex synthetic pathway can be simplified. Here, we present our work aiming at better understanding the reaction mechanism that govern its formation as a way to optimize its preparation. We first demonstrate, using complementary X-ray diffraction and transmission electron microscopy studies, that triplite-LiFeSO4F can nucleate from tavorite-LiFeSO4F via a reconstructive process whose kinetics are significantly influenced by moisture and particle morphology. Perhaps the most spectacular finding is that it is possible to prepare electrochemically active triplite-LiFeSO4F from anhydrous precursors using either reactive spark plasma sintering (SPS) synthesis in a mere 20 min at 320 degrees C or room temperature ball milling for 3 h. These new pathways appear to be strongly driven by the easy formation of a disordered phase with higher entropy, as both techniques trigger disorder via rapid annealing steps or defect creation. Although a huge number of phases adopts the tavorite structure-type, this new finding offers both a potential way to prepare new compositions in the triplite structure and a wealth of opportunities for the synthesis of new materials which could benefit many domains beyond energy storage.
Keywords: A1 Journal article; Electron microscopy for materials research (EMAT)
Impact Factor: 13.858
Times cited: 36
DOI: 10.1021/ja3074402
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“Uniform-acceptance force-bias Monte Carlo method with time scale to study solid-state diffusion”. Mees MJ, Pourtois G, Neyts EC, Thijsse BJ, Stesmans A, Physical review : B : condensed matter and materials physics 85, 134301 (2012). http://doi.org/10.1103/PhysRevB.85.134301
Abstract: Monte Carlo (MC) methods have a long-standing history as partners of molecular dynamics (MD) to simulate the evolution of materials at the atomic scale. Among these techniques, the uniform-acceptance force-bias Monte Carlo (UFMC) method [ G. Dereli Mol. Simul. 8 351 (1992)] has recently attracted attention [ M. Timonova et al. Phys. Rev. B 81 144107 (2010)] thanks to its apparent capacity of being able to simulate physical processes in a reduced number of iterations compared to classical MD methods. The origin of this efficiency remains, however, unclear. In this work we derive a UFMC method starting from basic thermodynamic principles, which leads to an intuitive and unambiguous formalism. The approach includes a statistically relevant time step per Monte Carlo iteration, showing a significant speed-up compared to MD simulations. This time-stamped force-bias Monte Carlo (tfMC) formalism is tested on both simple one-dimensional and three-dimensional systems. Both test-cases give excellent results in agreement with analytical solutions and literature reports. The inclusion of a time scale, the simplicity of the method, and the enhancement of the time step compared to classical MD methods make this method very appealing for studying the dynamics of many-particle systems.
Keywords: A1 Journal article; Plasma Lab for Applications in Sustainability and Medicine – Antwerp (PLASMANT)
Impact Factor: 3.836
Times cited: 31
DOI: 10.1103/PhysRevB.85.134301
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“Universal natural shapes : from unifying shape description to simple methods for shape analysis and boundary value problems”. Gielis J, Caratelli D, Fougerolle Y, Ricci PE, Tavkelidze I, Gerats T, PLoS ONE 7, e29324 (2012). http://doi.org/10.1371/JOURNAL.PONE.0029324
Abstract: Gielis curves and surfaces can describe a wide range of natural shapes and they have been used in various studies in biology and physics as descriptive tool. This has stimulated the generalization of widely used computational methods. Here we show that proper normalization of the Levenberg-Marquardt algorithm allows for efficient and robust reconstruction of Gielis curves, including self-intersecting and asymmetric curves, without increasing the overall complexity of the algorithm. Then, we show how complex curves of k-type can be constructed and how solutions to the Dirichlet problem for the Laplace equation on these complex domains can be derived using a semi-Fourier method. In all three methods, descriptive and computational power and efficiency is obtained in a surprisingly simple way.
Keywords: A1 Journal article; Engineering sciences. Technology; Sustainable Energy, Air and Water Technology (DuEL)
DOI: 10.1371/JOURNAL.PONE.0029324
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“Using self-driven microswimmers for particle separation”. Yang W, Misko VR, Nelissen K, Kong M, Peeters FM, Soft matter 8, 5175 (2012). http://doi.org/10.1039/c2sm07382j
Abstract: Microscopic self-propelled swimmers capable of autonomous navigation through complex environments provide appealing opportunities for localization, pick-up and delivery of micro and nanoscopic objects. Inspired by motile cells and bacteria, man-made microswimmers have been fabricated, and their motion in patterned surroundings has been experimentally studied. We propose to use self-driven artificial microswimmers for the separation of binary mixtures of colloids. We revealed different regimes of separation, including one with a velocity inversion. Our findings could be of use for various biological and medical applications.
Keywords: A1 Journal article; Condensed Matter Theory (CMT)
Impact Factor: 3.889
Times cited: 45
DOI: 10.1039/c2sm07382j
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“Vertically oriented CuO/ZnO nanorod arrays : from plasma-assisted synthesis to photocatalytic H2 production”. Simon Q, Barreca D, Gasparotto A, Maccato C, Montini T, Gombac V, Fornasiero P, Lebedev OI, Turner S, Van Tendeloo G, Journal of materials chemistry 22, 11739 (2012). http://doi.org/10.1039/c2jm31589k
Abstract: 1D CuO/ZnO nanocomposites were grown on Si(100) substrates by means of an original two-step synthetic strategy. ZnO nanorod (NR) arrays were initially deposited by plasma enhanced-chemical vapor deposition (PE-CVD) from an ArO2 atmosphere. Subsequently, tailored amounts of CuO were dispersed over zinc oxide matrices by radio frequency (RF)-sputtering of Cu from Ar plasmas, followed by thermal treatment in air. A thorough characterization of the obtained systems was carried out by X-ray photoelectron and X-ray excited-Auger electron spectroscopies (XPS and XE-AES), glancing incidence X-ray diffraction (GIXRD), field emission-scanning electron microscopy (FE-SEM), energy dispersive X-ray spectroscopy (EDXS), atomic force microscopy (AFM), transmission electron microscopy (TEM), electron diffraction (ED) and energy filtered-TEM (EF-TEM). Pure and highly oriented CuO/ZnO NR arrays, free from ternary ZnCuO phases and characterized by a copper(II) oxide content controllable as a function of the adopted RF-power, were successfully obtained. Interestingly, the structural relationships between the two oxides at the CuO/ZnO interface were found to depend on the overall CuO loading. The obtained nanocomposites displayed promising photocatalytic performances in H2 production by reforming of ethanolwater solutions under simulated solar illumination, paving the way to the sustainable conversion of solar light into chemical energy.
Keywords: A1 Journal article; Electron microscopy for materials research (EMAT)
Times cited: 74
DOI: 10.1039/c2jm31589k
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“Vortex configurations with non-monotonic interaction”. Zhao HJ, Misko VR, Peeters FM, Physica: C : superconductivity 479, 130 (2012). http://doi.org/10.1016/j.physc.2011.12.033
Abstract: The pattern formation of the vortex states with non-monotonic inter-vortex interaction is investigated. Our applied model has a short-range repulsive (r < r(c)) and long-range attractive (r > r(c)) potential. We numerically calculate the stable states using molecular-dynamics simulations. The obtained vortex patterns are comparable with the vortices states in low kappa type-II superconductors and recently discovered "type-1.5'' superconductors. We also analyze the nearest neighbor distribution of the obtained patterns. (C) 2012 Published by Elsevier B.V.
Keywords: A1 Journal article; Condensed Matter Theory (CMT)
Impact Factor: 1.404
Times cited: 9
DOI: 10.1016/j.physc.2011.12.033
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“Vortex interaction enhanced saturation number and caging effect in a superconducting film with a honeycomb array of nanoscale holes”. Latimer ML, Berdiyorov GR, Xiao ZL, Kwok WK, Peeters FM, Physical review : B : condensed matter and materials physics 85, 012505 (2012). http://doi.org/10.1103/PhysRevB.85.012505
Abstract: The electrical transport properties of a MoGe thin film with a honeycomb array of nanoscale holes are investigated. The critical current of the system shows nonmatching anomalies as a function of applied magnetic field, enabling us to distinguish between multiquanta vortices trapped in the holes and interstitial vortices located between the holes. The number of vortices trapped in each hole is found to be larger than the saturation number predicted for an isolated hole and shows a nonlinear field dependence, leading to the caging effect as predicted from the Ginzburg-Landau (GL) theory. Our experimental results are supplemented by numerical simulations based on the GL theory.
Keywords: A1 Journal article; Condensed Matter Theory (CMT)
Impact Factor: 3.836
Times cited: 41
DOI: 10.1103/PhysRevB.85.012505
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Zhao H (2012) Vortex matter in superconductors with competing interactions : formation of vortex patterns and vortex dynamics. Antwerpen
Keywords: Doctoral thesis; Condensed Matter Theory (CMT)
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“Vortex quantum tunneling versus thermal activation in ultrathin superconducting nanoislands”. Pogosov WV, Misko VR, Physical review : B : condensed matter and materials physics 85, 224508 (2012). http://doi.org/10.1103/PhysRevB.85.224508
Abstract: We consider two possible mechanisms for single-vortex fluctuative entry/exit through the surface barrier in ultrathin superconducting disk-shaped nanoislands made of Pb and consisting of just a few monoatomic layers, which can be fabricated using modern techniques. We estimate tunneling probabilities and establish criteria for the crossover between these two mechanisms depending on magnetic field and system sizes. For the case of vortex entry, quantum tunneling dominates on the major part of the temperature/flux phase diagram. For the case of vortex exit, thermal activation turns out to be more probable. This nontrivial result is due to the subtle balance between the barrier height and width, which determine rates of the thermal activation and quantum tunneling, respectively.
Keywords: A1 Journal article; Condensed Matter Theory (CMT)
Impact Factor: 3.836
Times cited: 2
DOI: 10.1103/PhysRevB.85.224508
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“Vortex states in axially symmetric superconductors in applied magnetic field”. Ludu A, Milošević, MV, Peeters FM, Sn –, 0378-4754 82, 1258 (2012). http://doi.org/10.1016/j.matcom.2012.02.001
Abstract: We solve analytically the linearized Ginzburg-Landau (GL) equation in the presence of an uniform magnetic field with cylindrical boundary conditions. The solution of the non-linear GL equation is provided as an expansion in the basis of linearized solutions. We present examples of the resulting vortex structure for a solid and perforated superconducting cylinder. (C) 2012 IMACS. Published by Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.
Keywords: A1 Journal article; Condensed Matter Theory (CMT)
Impact Factor: 1.218
Times cited: 1
DOI: 10.1016/j.matcom.2012.02.001
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“Wave-packet scattering on graphene edges in the presence of a pseudomagnetic field”. da Costa DR, Chaves A, Farias GA, Covaci L, Peeters FM, Physical review : B : condensed matter and materials physics 86, 115434 (2012). http://doi.org/10.1103/PhysRevB.86.115434
Abstract: The scattering of a Gaussian wave packet in armchair and zigzag graphene edges is theoretically investigated by numerically solving the time-dependent Schrodinger equation for the tight-binding model Hamiltonian. Our theory allows us to investigate scattering in reciprocal space, and depending on the type of graphene edge we observe scattering within the same valley, or between different valleys. In the presence of an external magnetic field, the well-known skipping orbits are observed. However, our results demonstrate that in the case of a pseudomagnetic field, induced by nonuniform strain, the scattering by an armchair edge results in a nonpropagating edge state.
Keywords: A1 Journal article; Condensed Matter Theory (CMT)
Impact Factor: 3.836
Times cited: 28
DOI: 10.1103/PhysRevB.86.115434
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“Wintertime spatio-temporal variation of ultrafine particles in a Belgian city”. Mishra VK, Kumar P, Van Poppel M, Bleux N, Frijns E, Reggente M, Berghmans P, Int Panis L, Samson R, The science of the total environment 431, 307 (2012). http://doi.org/10.1016/J.SCITOTENV.2012.05.054
Abstract: Simultaneous measurements of ultrafine particles (UFPs) were carried out at four sampling locations situated within a 1 km(2) grid area in a Belgian city, Borgerhout (Antwerp). All sampling sites had different orientation and height of buildings and dissimilar levels of anthropogenic activities (mainly traffic volume). The aims were to investigate: (i) the spatio-temporal variation of UFP within the area, (ii) the effect of wind direction with respect to the volume of traffic on UFP levels, and (iii) the spatial representativeness of the official monitoring station situated in the study area. All sampling sites followed similar diurnal patterns of UFP variation, but effects of local traffic emissions were evident. Wind direction also had a profound influence on UFP concentrations at certain sites. The results indicated a clear influence of local weather conditions and the more dominant effect of traffic volumes. Our analysis indicated that the regional air quality monitoring station represented the other sampling sites in the study area reasonably well; temporal patterns were found to be comparable though the absolute average concentrations showed differences of up to 35%. (C) 2012 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.
Keywords: A1 Journal article; Sustainable Energy, Air and Water Technology (DuEL)
DOI: 10.1016/J.SCITOTENV.2012.05.054
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“X-ray absorption spectroscopy by full-field X-ray microscopy of a thin graphite flake: Imaging and electronic structure via the carbon K-edge”. Bittencourt C, Hitchock AP, Ke X, Van Tendeloo G, Ewels CP, Guttmann P, Beilstein journal of nanotechnology 3, 345 (2012). http://doi.org/10.3762/bjnano.3.39
Abstract: We demonstrate that near-edge X-ray-absorption fine-structure spectra combined with full-field transmission X-ray microscopy can be used to study the electronic structure of graphite flakes consisting of a few graphene layers. The flake was produced by exfoliation using sodium cholate and then isolated by means of density-gradient ultracentrifugation. An image sequence around the carbon K-edge, analyzed by using reference spectra for the in-plane and out-of-plane regions of the sample, is used to map and spectrally characterize the flat and folded regions of the flake. Additional spectral features in both π and σ regions are observed, which may be related to the presence of topological defects. Doping by metal impurities that were present in the original exfoliated graphite is indicated by the presence of a pre-edge signal at 284.2 eV.
Keywords: A1 Journal article; Engineering sciences. Technology; Electron microscopy for materials research (EMAT)
Impact Factor: 3.127
Times cited: 15
DOI: 10.3762/bjnano.3.39
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“Zinc and copper oxides functionalized with metal nanoparticles : an insight into their nano-organization”. Maccato C, Simon Q, Carraro G, Barreca D, Gasparotto A, Lebedev OI, Turner S, Van Tendeloo G, Journal of advanced microscopy research 7, 84 (2012). http://doi.org/10.1166/jamr.2012.1101
Abstract: Ag/ZnO and Au/CuxO (x = 1, 2) nanocomposites supported on Si(100) and polycrystalline Al2O3 were synthesised by hybrid approaches, combining chemical vapor deposition (either thermal or plasma-assisted) of host oxide matrices and subsequent radio frequency-sputtering of guest metal particles. The influence of the adopted synthetic parameters on the nanocomposite morphological and compositional features was investigated by field emission-scanning electron microscopy, transmission electron microscopy, energy dispersive X-ray spectroscopy and X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy. Results confirm the synthesis of ZnO and CuxO nanoarchitectures, characterized by a tailored morphology and an intimate metal/oxide contact. A careful control of the processing conditions enabled a fine tuning of the mutual constituent distribution, opening thus attractive perspectives for the engineering of advanced nanomaterials.
Keywords: A1 Journal article; Electron microscopy for materials research (EMAT)
DOI: 10.1166/jamr.2012.1101
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“_Sr{2}GaScO5, Sr10Ga6Sc4O25, and SrGa0.75Sc0.25O2.5 : a play in the octahedra to tetrahedra ratio in oxygen-deficient perovskites”. Chernov SV, Dobrovolsky YA, Istomin SY, Antipov EV, Grins J, Svensson G, Tarakina NV, Abakumov AM, Van Tendeloo G, Eriksson SG, Rahman SMH;, Inorganic chemistry 51, 1094 (2012). http://doi.org/10.1021/ic202236h
Abstract: Three different perovskite-related phases were isolated in the SrGa(1-x)Sc(x)O(2.5) system: Sr(2)GaScO(5), Sr(10)Ga(6)Sc(4)O(25), and SrGa(0.75)Sc(0.25)O(2.5), Sr(2)GaScO(5) (x = 0.5) crystallizes in a brownrnillerite-type structure [space group (S.G.) Icmm, a = 5.91048(5) angstrom, b = 15.1594(1) angstrom, and c = 5.70926(4) angstrom] with complete ordering of Sc(3+) and Ga(3+) over octahedral and tetrahedral positions, respectively. The crystal structure of Sr(10)Ga(6)Sc(4)O(25) (x = 0.4) was determined by the Monte Carlo method and refined using a combination of X-ray, neutron, and electron diffraction data [S.G. I4(1)/a, a = 17.517(1) angstrom, c = 32.830(3) angstrom]. It represents a novel type of ordering of the B cations and oxygen vacancies in perovskites. The crystal structure of Sr(10)Ga(6)Sc(4)O(25) can be described as a stacking of eight perovskite layers along the c axis ...[-(Sc/Ga)O(1.6)-SrO(0.8)-(Sc/Ga)O(1.8)-SrO(0.8)-](2 center dot center dot center dot) Similar to Sr(2)GaScO(5), this structure features a complete ordering of the Sc(3+) and Ga(3+) cations over octahedral and tetrahedral positions, respectively, within each layer. A specific feature of the crystal structure of Sr(10)Ga(6)Sc(4)O(25) is that one-third of the tetrahedra have one vertex not connected with other Sc/Ga cations. Further partial replacement of Sc(3+) by Ga(3+) leads to the formation of the cubic perovskite phase SrGa(0.75)Sc(0.25)O(2.5) (x = 0.25) with a = 3.9817(4) angstrom. This compound incorporates water molecules in the structure forming SrGa(0.75)Sc(0.25)O(2.5)center dot xH(2)O hydrate, which exhibits a proton conductivity of similar to 2.0 x 10(-6) S/cm at 673 K.
Keywords: A1 Journal article; Electron microscopy for materials research (EMAT)
Impact Factor: 4.857
Times cited: 14
DOI: 10.1021/ic202236h
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