“{110}-Layered B-cation ordering in the anion-deficient perovskite Pb2.4Ba2.6Fe2Sc2TiO13 with the crystallographic shear structure”. Tyablikov OA, Batuk D, Tsirlin AA, Batuk M, Verchenko VY, Filimonov DS, Pokholok KV, Sheptyakov DV, Rozova MG, Hadermann J, Antipov EV, Abakumov AM;, Journal of the Chemical Society : Dalton transactions 44, 10753 (2015). http://doi.org/10.1039/c4dt03867c
Abstract: A novel anion-deficient perovskite-based compound, Pb2.4Ba2.6Fe2Sc2TiO13, was synthesized via the citrate-based route. This compound is an n = 5 member of the A(n)B(n)O(3n-2) homologous series with unit-cell parameters related to the perovskite subcell a(p) approximate to 4.0 angstrom as a(p)root 2 x a(p) x 5a(p)root 2. The crystal structure of Pb2.4Ba2.6Fe2Sc2TiO13 consists of quasi-2D perovskite blocks with a thickness of three octahedral layers separated by the 1/2[110]((1) over bar 01)(p) crystallographic shear (CS) planes, which are parallel to the {110} plane of the perovskite subcell. The CS planes transform the corner-sharing octahedra into chains of edge-sharing distorted tetragonal pyramids. Using a combination of neutron powder diffraction, Fe-57 Mossbauer spectroscopy and atomic resolution electron energy-loss spectroscopy we demonstrate that the B-cations in Pb2.4Ba2.6Fe2Sc2TiO13 are ordered along the {110} perovskite layers with Fe3+ in distorted tetragonal pyramids along the CS planes, Ti4+ preferentially in the central octahedra of the perovskite blocks and Sc3+ in the outer octahedra of the perovskite blocks. Magnetic susceptibility and Mossbauer spectroscopy indicate a broadened magnetic transition around T-N similar to 45 K and the onset of local magnetic fields at low temperatures. The magnetic order is probably reminiscent of that in other A(n)B(n)O(3n-2) homologues, where G-type AFM order within the perovskite blocks has been observed.
Keywords: A1 Journal article; Electron microscopy for materials research (EMAT)
Impact Factor: 4.029
Times cited: 1
DOI: 10.1039/c4dt03867c
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“Wide band gap kesterite absorbers for thin film solar cells: potential and challenges for their deployment in tandem devices”. Vermang B, Brammertz G, Meuris M, Schnabel T, Ahlswede E, Choubrac L, Harel S, Cardinaud C, Arzel L, Barreau N, van Deelen J, Bolt P-J, Bras P, Ren Y, Jaremalm E, Khelifi S, Yang S, Lauwaert J, Batuk M, Hadermann J, Kozina X, Handick E, Hartmann C, Gerlach D, Matsuda A, Ueda S, Chikyow T, Felix R, Zhang Y, Wilks RG, Baer M, Sustainable Energy &, Fuels 3, 2246 (2019). http://doi.org/10.1039/C9SE00266A
Abstract: This work reports on developments in the field of wide band gap Cu2ZnXY4 (with X = Sn, Si or Ge, and Y = S, Se) kesterite thin film solar cells. An overview on recent developments and the current understanding of wide band gap kesterite absorber layers, alternative buffer layers, and suitable transparent back contacts is presented. Cu2ZnGe(S,Se)(4) absorbers with absorber band gaps up to 1.7 eV have been successfully developed and integrated into solar cells. Combining a CdS buffer layer prepared by an optimized chemical bath deposition process with a 1.36 eV band gap absorber resulted in a record Cu2ZnGeSe4 cell efficiency of 7.6%, while the highest open-circuit voltage of 730 mV could be obtained for a 1.54 eV band gap absorber and a Zn(O,S) buffer layer. Employing InZnOx or TiO2 protective top layers on SnO2:In transparent back contacts yields 85-90% of the solar cell performance of reference cells (with Mo back contact). These advances show the potential as well as the challenges of wide band gap kesterites for future applications in high-efficiency and low-cost tandem photovoltaic devices.
Keywords: A1 Journal article; Engineering sciences. Technology; Electron microscopy for materials research (EMAT)
Times cited: 2
DOI: 10.1039/C9SE00266A
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“Using electron vortex beams to determine chirality of crystals in transmission electron microscopy”. Juchtmans R, Béché, A, Abakumov A, Batuk M, Verbeeck J, Physical review : B : condensed matter and materials physics 91, 094112 (2015). http://doi.org/10.1103/PhysRevB.91.094112
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.
Keywords: A1 Journal article; Electron microscopy for materials research (EMAT)
Impact Factor: 3.836
Times cited: 54
DOI: 10.1103/PhysRevB.91.094112
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“Understanding the Activation of Anionic Redox Chemistry in Ti4+-Substituted Li2MnO3as a Cathode Material for Li-Ion Batteries”. Paulus A, Hendrickx M, Mayda S, Batuk M, Reekmans G, von Holst M, Elen K, Abakumov AM, Adriaensens P, Lamoen D, Partoens B, Hadermann J, Van Bael MK, Hardy A, ACS applied energy materials 6, 6956 (2023). http://doi.org/10.1021/acsaem.3c00451
Abstract: Layered Li-rich oxides, demonstrating both cationic and anionic redox chemistry being used as positive electrodes for Li-ion batteries,have raised interest due to their high specific discharge capacities exceeding 250 mAh/g. However, irreversible structural transformations triggered by anionic redox chemistry result in pronounced voltagefade (i.e., lowering the specific energy by a gradual decay of discharge potential) upon extended galvanostatic cycling. Activating or suppressing oxygen anionic redox through structural stabilization induced by redox-inactivecation substitution is a well-known strategy. However, less emphasishas been put on the correlation between substitution degree and theactivation/suppression of the anionic redox. In this work, Ti4+-substituted Li2MnO3 was synthesizedvia a facile solution-gel method. Ti4+ is selected as adopant as it contains no partially filled d-orbitals. Our study revealedthat the layered “honeycomb-ordered” C2/m structure is preserved when increasing the Ticontent to x = 0.2 in the Li2Mn1-x Ti (x) O-3 solidsolution, as shown by electron diffraction and aberration-correctedscanning transmission electron microscopy. Galvanostatic cycling hintsat a delayed oxygen release, due to an improved reversibility of theanionic redox, during the first 10 charge-discharge cyclesfor the x = 0.2 composition compared to the parentmaterial (x = 0), followed by pronounced oxygen redoxactivity afterward. The latter originates from a low activation energybarrier toward O-O dimer formation and Mn migration in Li2Mn0.8Ti0.2O3, as deducedfrom first-principles molecular dynamics (MD) simulations for the“charged” state. Upon lowering the Ti substitution to x = 0.05, the structural stability was drastically improvedbased on our MD analysis, stressing the importance of carefully optimizingthe substitution degree to achieve the best electrochemical performance.
Keywords: A1 Journal article; Engineering sciences. Technology; Electron microscopy for materials research (EMAT); Condensed Matter Theory (CMT)
Impact Factor: 6.4
DOI: 10.1021/acsaem.3c00451
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“Trapping of Oxygen Vacancies at Crystallographic Shear Planes in Acceptor-Doped Pb-Based Ferroelectrics”. Batuk D, Batuk M, Tsirlin AA, Hadermann J, Abakumov AM, Angewandte Chemie: international edition in English 54, 14787 (2015). http://doi.org/10.1002/anie.201507729
Abstract: The defect chemistry of the ferroelectric material PbTiO3 after doping with Fe(III) acceptor ions is reported. Using advanced transmission electron microscopy and powder X-ray and neutron diffraction, we demonstrate that even at concentrations as low as circa 1.7% (material composition approximately ABO2.95), the oxygen vacancies are trapped into extended planar defects, specifically crystallographic shear planes. We investigate the evolution of these defects upon doping and unravel their detailed atomic structure using the formalism of superspace crystallography, thus unveiling their role in nonstoichiometry in the Pb-based perovskites.
Keywords: A1 Journal article; Electron microscopy for materials research (EMAT)
Impact Factor: 11.994
Times cited: 3
DOI: 10.1002/anie.201507729
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“Topotactic redox cycling in SrFeO2.5+&delta, explored by 3D electron diffraction in different gas atmospheres”. Batuk M, Vandemeulebroucke D, Ceretti M, Paulus W, Hadermann J, Journal of materials chemistry A : materials for energy and sustainability (2022). http://doi.org/10.1039/D2TA03247C
Abstract: For oxygen conducting materials applied in solid oxide fuel cells and chemical-looping processes, the understanding of the oxygen diffusion mechanism and the materials’ crystal structure at different stages of the redox reactions is a key parameter to control their performance. In this paper we report the first ever in situ 3D ED experiment in a gas environment and with it uncover the structure evolution of SrFeO2.5 as notably different from that reported from in situ X-ray and in situ neutron powder diffraction studies in gas environments. Using in situ 3D ED on submicron sized single crystals obtained from a high quality monodomain SrFeO2.5 single crystal , we observe the transformation under O2 flow of SrFeO2.5 with an intra- and interlayer ordering of the left and right twisted (FeO4) tetrahedral chains (space group Pcmb) into consecutively SrFeO2.75 with space group Cmmm (at 350°C, 33% O2) and SrFeO3-δ with space group Pm3 ̅m (at 400°C, 100% O2). Upon reduction in H2 flow, the crystals return to the brownmillerite structure with intralayer order, but without regaining the interlayer order of the pristine crystals. Therefore, redox cycling of SrFeO2.5 crystals in O2 and H2 introduces stacking faults into the structure, resulting in an I2/m(0βγ)0s symmetry with variable β.
Keywords: A1 Journal article; Engineering sciences. Technology; Electron microscopy for materials research (EMAT)
Impact Factor: 11.9
DOI: 10.1039/D2TA03247C
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“Topochemical deintercalation of Li from layered LiNiB : toward 2D MBene”. Bhaskar G, Gvozdetskyi V, Batuk M, Wiaderek KM, Sun Y, Wang R, Zhang C, Carnahan SL, Wu X, Ribeiro RA, Bud'ko SL, Canfield PC, Huang W, Rossini AJ, Wang C-Z, Ho K-M, Hadermann J, Zaikina J V, Journal Of The American Chemical Society 143, 4213 (2021). http://doi.org/10.1021/JACS.0C11397
Abstract: The pursuit of two-dimensional (2D) borides, MBenes, has proven to be challenging, not the least because of the lack of a suitable precursor prone to the deintercalation. Here, we studied room-temperature topochemical deintercalation of lithium from the layered polymorphs of the LiNiB compound with a considerable amount of Li stored in between [NiB] layers (33 at. % Li). Deintercalation of Li leads to novel metastable borides (Li similar to 0.5NiB) with unique crystal structures. Partial removal of Li is accomplished by exposing the parent phases to air, water, or dilute HCl under ambient conditions. Scanning transmission electron microscopy and solid-state Li-7 and B-1(1) NMR spectroscopy, combined with X-ray pair distribution function (PDF) analysis and DFT calculations, were utilized to elucidate the novel structures of (Li similar to 0.5NiB) and the mechanism of Li-deintercalation. We have shown that the deintercalation of Li proceeds via a “zip-lock” mechanism, leading to the condensation of single [NiB] layers into double or triple layers bound via covalent bonds, resulting in structural fragments with Li[NiB](2) and Li[NiB](3) compositions. The crystal structure of Li similar to 0.5NiB is best described as an intergrowth of the ordered single [NiB], double [NiB](2), or triple [NiB](3) layers alternating with single Li layers; this explains its structural complexity. The formation of double or triple [NiB] layers induces a change in the magnetic behavior from temperature-independent paramagnets in the parent LiNiB compounds to the spin-glassiness in the deintercalated Li similar to 0.5NiB counterparts. LiNiB compounds showcase the potential to access a plethora of unique materials, including 2D MBenes (NiB).
Keywords: A1 Journal article; Electron microscopy for materials research (EMAT)
Impact Factor: 13.858
DOI: 10.1021/JACS.0C11397
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“The path towards efficient wide band gap thin-film kesterite solar cells with transparent back contact for viable tandem application”. Khelifi S, Brammertz G, Choubrac L, Batuk M, Yang S, Meuris M, Barreau N, Hadermann J, Vrielinck H, Poelman D, Neyts K, Vermang B, Lauwaert J, Solar Energy Materials And Solar Cells 219, 110824 (2021). http://doi.org/10.1016/j.solmat.2020.110824
Abstract: Wide band gap thin-film kesterite solar cell based on non-toxic and earth-abundant materials might be a suitable candidate as a top cell for tandem configuration in combination with crystalline silicon as a bottom solar cell. For this purpose and based on parameters we have extracted from electrical and optical characterization techniques of Cu2ZnGeSe4 absorbers and solar cells, a model has been developed to describe the kesterite top cell efficiency limitations and to investigate the different possible configurations with transparent back contact for fourterminal tandem solar cell application. Furthermore, we have studied the tandem solar cell performance in view of the band gap and the transparency of the kesterite top cell and back contact engineering. Our detailed analysis shows that a kesterite top cell with efficiency > 14%, a band gap in the range of 1.5-1.7 eV and transparency above 80% at the sub-band gaps photons energies are required to achieve a tandem cell with higher efficiency than with a single silicon solar cell.
Keywords: A1 Journal article; Engineering sciences. Technology; Electron microscopy for materials research (EMAT)
Impact Factor: 4.784
DOI: 10.1016/j.solmat.2020.110824
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“The influence of the 6s², configuration of Bi³+ on the structures of A ' BiNb₂O₇, (A ' = Rb, Na, Li) layered perovskite oxides”. Mallick S, Khalsa G, Kaaret JZ, Zhang W, Batuk M, Gibbs AS, Hadermann J, Halasyamani PS, Benedek NA, Hayward MA, Journal of the Chemical Society : Dalton transactions 50, 15359 (2021). http://doi.org/10.1039/D1DT02974F
Abstract: Solid state compounds which exhibit non-centrosymmetric crystal structures are of great interest due to the physical properties they can exhibit. The 'hybrid improper' mechanism – in which two non-polar distortion modes couple to, and stabilize, a further polar distortion mode, yielding an acentric crystal structure – offers opportunities to prepare a range of novel non-centrosymmetric solids, but examples of compounds exhibiting acentric crystal structures stabilized by this mechanism are still relatively rare. Here we describe a series of bismuth-containing layered perovskite oxide phases, RbBiNb2O7, LiBiNb2O7 and NaBiNb2O7, which have structural frameworks compatible with hybrid-improper ferroelectricity, but also contain Bi3+ cations which are often observed to stabilize acentric crystal structures due to their 6s(2) electronic configurations. Neutron powder diffraction analysis reveals that RbBiNb2O7 and LiBiNb2O7 adopt polar crystal structures (space groups I2cm and B2cm respectively), compatible with stabilization by a trilinear coupling of non-polar and polar modes. The Bi3+ cations present are observed to enhance the magnitude of the polar distortions of these phases, but are not the primary driver for the acentric structure, as evidenced by the observation that replacing the Bi3+ cations with Nd3+ cations does not change the structural symmetry of the compounds. In contrast the non-centrosymmetric, but non-polar structure of NaBiNb2O7 (space group P2(1)2(1)2(1)) differs significantly from the centrosymmetric structure of NaNdNb2O7, which is attributed to a second-order Jahn-Teller distortion associated with the presence of the Bi3+ cations.
Keywords: A1 Journal article; Electron microscopy for materials research (EMAT)
DOI: 10.1039/D1DT02974F
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“The crystal and defect structures of polar KBiNb2O7”. Mallick S, Zhang W, Batuk M, Gibbs AS, Hadermann J, Halasyamani PS, Hayward MA, Journal of the Chemical Society : Dalton transactions 51, 1866 (2022). http://doi.org/10.1039/D1DT04064B
Abstract: KBiNb2O7 was prepared from RbBiNb2O7 by a sequence of cation exchange reactions which first convert RbBiNb2O7 to LiBiNb2O7, before KBiNb2O7 is formed by a further K-for-Li cation exchange. A combination of neutron, synchrotron X-ray and electron diffraction data reveal that KBiNb2O7 adopts a polar, layered, perovskite structure (space group A11m) in which the BiNb2O7 layers are stacked in a (0, ½, z) arrangement, with the K+ cations located in half of the available 10-coordinate interlayer cation sites. The inversion symmetry of the phase is broken by a large displacement of the Bi3+ cations parallel to the y-axis. HAADF-STEM images reveal that KBiNb2O7 exhibits frequent stacking faults which convert the (0. ½, z) layer stacking to (½, 0, z) stacking and vice versa, essentially switching the x- and y-axes of the material. By fitting the complex diffraction peak shape of the SXRD data collected from KBiNb2O7 it is estimated that each layer has approximately an ~11% chance of being defective – a high level which is attributed to the lack of cooperative NbO6 tilting in the material, which limits the lattice strain associated with each fault.
Keywords: A1 Journal article; Electron microscopy for materials research (EMAT)
Impact Factor: 4
DOI: 10.1039/D1DT04064B
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“Synthesis of MAX Phases in the Zr-Ti-Al-C System”. Tunca B, Lapauw T, Karakulina OM, Batuk M, Cabioc’h T, Hadermann J, Delville R, Lambrinou K, Vleugels J, Inorganic chemistry 56, 3489 (2017). http://doi.org/10.1021/acs.inorgchem.6b03057
Abstract: This study reports on the synthesis and characterization of MAX phases in the (Zr,Ti)n+1AlCn system. The MAX phases were synthesized by reactive hot pressing and pressureless sintering in the 1350–1700 °C temperature range. The produced ceramics contained large fractions of 211 and 312 (n = 1, 2) MAX phases, while strong evidence of a 413 (n = 3) stacking was found. Moreover, (Zr,Ti)C, ZrAl2, ZrAl3, and Zr2Al3 were present as secondary phases. In general, the lattice parameters of the hexagonal 211 and 312 phases followed Vegard’s law over the complete Zr-Ti solid solution range, but the 312 phase showed a non-negligible deviation from Vegard’s law around the (Zr0.33,Ti0.67)3Al1.2C1.6 stoichiometry. High-resolution scanning transmission electron microscopy combined with X-ray diffraction demonstrated ordering of the Zr and Ti atoms in the 312 phase, whereby Zr atoms occupied preferentially the central position in the close-packed M6X octahedral layers. The same ordering was also observed in 413 stackings present within the 312 phase. The decomposition of the secondary (Zr,Ti)C phase was attributed to the miscibility gap in the ZrC-TiC system.
Keywords: A1 Journal article; Electron microscopy for materials research (EMAT)
Impact Factor: 4.857
Times cited: 26
DOI: 10.1021/acs.inorgchem.6b03057
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“Synthesis and structural characterization of a novel Sillén &ndash, Aurivillius bismuth oxyhalide, PbBi3VO7.5Cl, and its derivatives”. Charkin DO, Plokhikh IV, Kazakov SM, Kalmykov SN, Akinfiev VS, Gorbachev AV, Batuk M, Abakumov AM, Teterin YA, Maslakov KI, Teterin AY, Ivanov KE, Solid state sciences 75, 27 (2018). http://doi.org/10.1016/j.solidstatesciences.2017.11.006
Abstract: A new Sillen – Aurivillius family of layered bismuth oxyhalides has been designed and successfully constructed on the basis of PbBiO2X(X = halogen) synthetic perites and g-form of Bi2VO5.5 solid elec- trolyte. This demonstrates, for the first time, the ability of the latter to serve as a building block in construction of mixed-layer structures. The parent compound PbBi3VO7.5-dCl (d = 0.05) has been investigated by powder XRD, TEM, XPS methods and magnetic susceptibility measurements. An unexpected but important condition for the formation of the mixed-layer structure is partial (ca. 5%) reduction of VV into VIV which probably suppresses competitive formation of apatite-like Pb – Bi vanadates. This reduction also stabilizes the g polymorphic form of Bi2VO5.5 not only in the intergrowth structure, but in Bi2V1-xMxO5.5-y (M – Nb, Sb) solid solutions.
Keywords: A1 Journal article; Electron microscopy for materials research (EMAT)
Impact Factor: 1.811
Times cited: 1
DOI: 10.1016/j.solidstatesciences.2017.11.006
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“Synthesis and cation distribution in the new bismuth oxyhalides with the Sillen-Aurivillius intergrowth structures”. Charkin DO, Akinfiev VS, Alekseeva AM, Batuk M, Abakumov AM, Kazakov SM, Journal of the Chemical Society : Dalton transactions 44, 20568 (2015). http://doi.org/10.1039/c5dt02620b
Abstract: About 20 new compounds with the Sillen-Aurivillius intergrowth structure, (MeMeBi3Nb2O11X)-Me-1-Bi-2 (Me-1 = Pb, Sr, Ba; Me-2 = Ca, Sr, Ba; X = Cl, Br, I), have been prepared. They are composed of stacking of [ANb(2)O(7)] perovskite blocks, fluorite-type [M2O2] blocks and halogen sheets. The cation distribution between the fluorite and perovskite layers has been studied for Ba2Bi3Nb2O11I, Ca1.25Sr0.75Bi3Nb2O11Cl, BaCaBi3Nb2O11Br and Sr2Bi3Nb2O11Cl. The smaller Me cations tend to reside in the perovskite block while the larger ones are situated in the fluorite-type block. The distribution of the elements was confirmed for BaCaBi3Nb2O11Br using energy dispersive X-ray analysis combined with scanning transmission electron microscopy (STEM-EDX). An electron diffraction study of this compound reveals a local symmetry lowering caused by weakly correlated rotation of NbO6 octahedra. Based on our findings, we suggest a new stability criterion for mixed-layer structures, which is that net charges of any two consecutive layers do not compensate for each other and only the whole layer sequence is electroneutral.
Keywords: A1 Journal article; Electron microscopy for materials research (EMAT)
Impact Factor: 4.029
Times cited: 5
DOI: 10.1039/c5dt02620b
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“Synergy between transmission electron microscopy and powder diffraction : application to modulated structures”. Batuk D, Batuk M, Abakumov AM, Hadermann J, Acta crystallographica: section B: structural science 71, 127 (2015). http://doi.org/10.1107/S2052520615005466
Abstract: The crystal structure solution of modulated compounds is often very challenging, even using the well established methodology of single-crystal X-ray crystallography. This task becomes even more difficult for materials that cannot be prepared in a single-crystal form, so that only polycrystalline powders are available. This paper illustrates that the combined application of transmission electron microscopy (TEM) and powder diffraction is a possible solution to the problem. Using examples of anion-deficient perovskites modulated by periodic crystallographic shear planes, it is demonstrated what kind of local structural information can be obtained using various TEM techniques and how this information can be implemented in the crystal structure refinement against the powder diffraction data. The following TEM methods are discussed: electron diffraction (selected area electron diffraction, precession electron diffraction), imaging (conventional high-resolution TEM imaging, high-angle annular dark-field and annular bright-field scanning transmission electron microscopy) and state-of-the-art spectroscopic techniques (atomic resolution mapping using energy-dispersive X-ray analysis and electron energy loss spectroscopy).
Keywords: A1 Journal article; Electron microscopy for materials research (EMAT)
Impact Factor: 2.032
Times cited: 11
DOI: 10.1107/S2052520615005466
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“Surface passivation of CIGS solar cells using gallium oxide”. Garud S, Gampa N, Allen TG, Kotipalli R, Flandre D, Batuk M, Hadermann J, Meuris M, Poortmans J, Smets A, Vermang B, Physica status solidi : A : applications and materials science 215, 1700826 (2018). http://doi.org/10.1002/PSSA.201700826
Abstract: This work proposes gallium oxide grown by plasma-enhanced atomic layer deposition, as a surface passivation material at the CdS buffer interface of Cu(In,Ga)Se-2 (CIGS) solar cells. In preliminary experiments, a metal-insulator-semiconductor (MIS) structure is used to compare aluminium oxide, gallium oxide, and hafnium oxide as passivation layers at the CIGS-CdS interface. The findings suggest that gallium oxide on CIGS may show a density of positive charges and qualitatively, the least interface trap density. Subsequent solar cell results with an estimated 0.5nm passivation layer show an substantial absolute improvement of 56mV in open-circuit voltage (V-OC), 1mAcm(-2) in short-circuit current density (J(SC)), and 2.6% in overall efficiency as compared to a reference (with the reference showing 8.5% under AM 1.5G).
Keywords: A1 Journal article; Electron microscopy for materials research (EMAT)
Impact Factor: 1.775
Times cited: 8
DOI: 10.1002/PSSA.201700826
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“Sub-ppm H2S sensing by tubular ZnO-Co3O4 nanofibers”. Rumyantseva MN, Vladimirova SA, Platonov VB, Chizhov AS, Batuk M, Hadermann J, Khmelevsky NO, Gaskov AM, Sensors And Actuators B-Chemical 307, 127624 (2020). http://doi.org/10.1016/j.snb.2019.127624
Abstract: Tubular ZnO – Co3O4 nanofibers were co-electrospun from polymer solution containing zinc and cobalt acetates. Phase composition, cobalt electronic state and element distribution in the fibers were investigated by XRD, SEM, HRTEM, HAADF-STEM with EDX mapping, and XPS. Bare ZnO has high selective sensitivity to NO and NO2, while ZnO-Co3O4 composites demonstrate selective sensitivity to H2S in dry and humid air. This effect is discussed in terms of transformation of cobalt oxides into cobalt sulfides and change in the acidity of ZnO oxide surface upon cobalt doping. Reduction in response and recovery time is attributed to the formation of a tubular structure facilitating gas transport through the sensitive layer.
Keywords: A1 Journal article; Electron microscopy for materials research (EMAT)
Impact Factor: 5.401
DOI: 10.1016/j.snb.2019.127624
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“Structures and magnetic ordering in layered Cr oxide arsenides Sr₂CrO₂Cr₂OAs₂, and Sr₂CrO₃CrAs”. Sheath BC, Xu X, Manuel P, Hadermann J, Batuk M, O'Sullivan J, Bonilla RS, Clarke SJ, Inorganic chemistry 61, 10 (2022). http://doi.org/10.1021/ACS.INORGCHEM.2C01773
Abstract: Two novel chromium oxide arsenide materials have been synthesized, Sr2CrO2Cr2OAs2 (i.e., Sr2Cr3As2O3) and Sr2CrO3CrAs (i.e., Sr2Cr2AsO3), both of which contain chromium ions in two distinct layers. Sr2CrO2Cr2OAs2 was targeted following electron microscopy measurements on a related phase. It crystallizes in the space group P4/mmm and accommodates distorted CrO4As2 octahedra containing Cr2+ and distorted CrO(2)As(4 )octahedra containing Cr3+. In contrast, Sr2CrO3CrAs incorporates Cr3+ in CrO5 square-pyramidal coordination in [Sr2CrO3](+) layers and Cr2+ ions in CrAs(4 )tetrahedra in [CrAs](-) layers and crystallizes in the space group P4/nmm. Powder neutron diffraction data reveal antiferromagnetic ordering in both compounds. In Sr2CrO3CrAs the Cr2+ moments in the [CrAs](-) layers exhibit long-range ordering, while the Cr3+ moments in the [Sr2CrO3](+) layers only exhibit short-range ordering. However, in Sr2CrO2Cr2OAs2, both the Cr(2+ )moments in the CrO4As2 environments and the Cr3+ moments in the CrO2As4 polyhedra are long-range-ordered below 530(10) K. Above this temperature, only the Cr3+ moments are ordered with a Neel temperature slightly in excess of 600 K. A subtle structural change is evident in Sr2CrO2Cr2OAs2 below the magnetic ordering transitions.
Keywords: A1 Journal article; Electron microscopy for materials research (EMAT)
Impact Factor: 4.6
DOI: 10.1021/ACS.INORGCHEM.2C01773
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“Structure and magnetic properties of Sm(Fe,Si)(9)C/alpha-Fe nanocomposite magnets”. Bez R, Zehani K, Batuk M, Van Tendeloo G, Mliki N, Bessais L, Journal of alloys and compounds 695, 810 (2017). http://doi.org/10.1016/J.JALLCOM.2016.10.122
Abstract: SmFe8.75 Si-0.25 C/alpha-Fe nanocomposites have been successfully synthesized using high energy milling, followed by annealing at 750 degrees C. The crystal structure of these compounds was characterized by the Rietveld method using powder X-ray diffraction data. By increasing the concentration of Sm, we observed a decrease in the amount of alpha-Fe phase. The morphology of the samples was determined by scanning and transmission electron microscopy. The average grain size is about 20 nm. The magnetic properties were investigated at room temperature and at 10 K. A ferromagnetic behavior was observed in all samples at both temperatures. An increase of the soft magnetic phase alpha-Fe induced an increase in the magnetization and a decrease in coercivity. (C) 2016 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.
Keywords: A1 Journal article; Engineering sciences. Technology; Electron microscopy for materials research (EMAT)
Impact Factor: 3.133
Times cited: 1
DOI: 10.1016/J.JALLCOM.2016.10.122
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“Structure and magnetic properties of a new anion-deficient perovskite Pb2Ba2BiFe4ScO13 with crystallographic shear structure”. Batuk M, Tyablikov OA, Tsirlin AA, Kazakov SM, Rozova MG, Pokholok KV, Filimonov DS, Antipov EV, Abakumov AM, Hadermann J, Materials research bulletin 48, 3459 (2013). http://doi.org/10.1016/j.materresbull.2013.05.028
Abstract: Pb2Ba2BiFe4ScO13, a new n = 5 member of the oxygen-deficient perovskite-based A(n)B(n)O(3n-2) homologous series, was synthesized using a solid-state method. The crystal structure of Pb2Ba2BiFe4ScO13 was investigated by a combination of synchrotron X-ray powder diffraction, electron diffraction, high-angle annular dark-field scanning transmission electron microscopy and Mossbauer spectroscopy. At 900 K, it crystallizes in the Ammm space group with the unit cell parameters a = 5.8459(1) angstrom, b = 4.0426(1) angstrom, and c=27.3435(1) angstrom. In the Pb2Ba2BiFe4ScO13 structure, quasi-two-dimensional perovskite blocks are periodically interleaved with 1/2[1 1 0] ((1) over bar 0 1)(p) crystallographic shear (CS) planes. At the CS planes, the corner-sharing FeO6 octahedra are transformed into chains of edge-sharing FeO5 distorted tetragonal pyramids. B-positions of the perovskite blocks between the CS planes are jointly occupied by Fe3+ and Sc3+. The chains of the FeO5 pyramids and (Fe,Sc)O-6 octahedra delimit six-sided tunnels that are occupied by double columns of cations with a lone electron pair (Pb2+). The remaining A-cations (Bi3+, Ba2+) occupy positions in the perovskite block. According to the magnetic susceptibility measurements, Pb2Ba2BiFe4ScO13 is antiferromagnetically ordered below T-N approximate to 350 K. (C) 2013 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.
Keywords: A1 Journal article; Electron microscopy for materials research (EMAT)
Impact Factor: 2.446
Times cited: 2
DOI: 10.1016/j.materresbull.2013.05.028
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“Structural and magnetic phase transitions in the AnBnO3n-2 anion-deficient perovskites Pb2Ba2BiFe5O13 and Pb1.5Ba2.5Bi2Fe6O16”. Abakumov AM, Batuk M, Tsirlin AA, Tyablikov OA, Sheptyakov DV, Filimonov DS, Pokholok KV, Zhidal VS, Rozova MG, Antipov EV, Hadermann J, Van Tendeloo G;, Inorganic chemistry 52, 7834 (2013). http://doi.org/10.1021/ic3026667
Abstract: Novel anion-deficient perovskite-based ferrites Pb2Ba2BiFe5O13 and Pb1.5Ba2.5Bi2Fe6O16 were synthesized by solid-state reaction in air. Pb2Ba2BiFe5O13 and Pb1.5Ba2.5Bi2Fe6O16 belong to the perovskite-based AnBnO3n2 homologous series with n = 5 and 6, respectively, with a unit cell related to the perovskite subcell ap as ap√2 × ap × nap√2. Their structures are derived from the perovskite one by slicing it with 1/2[110]p(1̅01)p crystallographic shear (CS) planes. The CS operation results in (1̅01)p-shaped perovskite blocks with a thickness of (n 2) FeO6 octahedra connected to each other through double chains of edge-sharing FeO5 distorted tetragonal pyramids which can adopt two distinct mirror-related configurations. Ordering of chains with a different configuration provides an extra level of structure complexity. Above T ≈ 750 K for Pb2Ba2BiFe5O13 and T ≈ 400 K for Pb1.5Ba2.5Bi2Fe6O16 the chains have a disordered arrangement. On cooling, a second-order structural phase transition to the ordered state occurs in both compounds. Symmetry changes upon phase transition are analyzed using a combination of superspace crystallography and group theory approach. Correlations between the chain ordering pattern and octahedral tilting in the perovskite blocks are discussed. Pb2Ba2BiFe5O13 and Pb1.5Ba2.5Bi2Fe6O16 undergo a transition into an antiferromagnetically (AFM) ordered state, which is characterized by a G-type AFM ordering of the Fe magnetic moments within the perovskite blocks. The AFM perovskite blocks are stacked along the CS planes producing alternating FM and AFM-aligned FeFe pairs. In spite of the apparent frustration of the magnetic coupling between the perovskite blocks, all n = 4, 5, 6 AnFenO3n2 (A = Pb, Bi, Ba) feature robust antiferromagnetism with similar Néel temperatures of 623632 K.
Keywords: A1 Journal article; Electron microscopy for materials research (EMAT)
Impact Factor: 4.857
Times cited: 10
DOI: 10.1021/ic3026667
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“Strength, toughness and aging stability of highly-translucent Y-TZP ceramics for dental restorations”. Zhang F, Inokoshi M, Batuk M, Hadermann J, Naert I, Van Meerbeek B, Vleugels J, Dental Materials 32, e327 (2016). http://doi.org/10.1016/j.dental.2016.09.025
Abstract: OBJECTIVE: The aim was to evaluate the optical properties, mechanical properties and aging stability of yttria-stabilized zirconia with different compositions, highlighting the influence of the alumina addition, Y2O3 content and La2O3 doping on the translucency. METHODS: Five different Y-TZP zirconia powders (3 commercially available and 2 experimentally modified) were sintered under the same conditions and characterized by X-ray diffraction with Rietveld analysis and scanning electron microscopy (SEM). Translucency (n=6/group) was measured with a color meter, allowing to calculate the translucency parameter (TP) and the contrast ratio (CR). Mechanical properties were appraised with four-point bending strength (n=10), single edge V-notched beam (SEVNB) fracture toughness (n=8) and Vickers hardness (n=10). The aging stability was evaluated by measuring the tetragonal to monoclinic transformation (n=3) after accelerated hydrothermal aging in steam at 134 degrees C, and the transformation curves were fitted by the Mehl-Avrami-Johnson (MAJ) equation. Data were analyzed by one-way ANOVA, followed by Tukey's HSD test (alpha=0.05). RESULTS: Lowering the alumina content below 0.25wt.% avoided the formation of alumina particles and therefore increased the translucency of 3Y-TZP ceramics, but the hydrothermal aging stability was reduced. A higher yttria content (5mol%) introduced about 50% cubic zirconia phase and gave rise to the most translucent and aging-resistant Y-TZP ceramics, but the fracture toughness and strength were considerably sacrificed. 0.2mol% La2O3 doping of 3Y-TZP tailored the grain boundary chemistry and significantly improved the aging resistance and translucency. Although the translucency improvement by La2O3 doping was less effective than for introducing a substantial amount of cubic zirconia, this strategy was able to maintain the mechanical properties of typical 3Y-TZP ceramics. SIGNIFICANCE: Three different approaches were compared to improve the translucency of 3Y-TZP ceramics.
Keywords: A1 Journal article; Electron Microscopy for Materials Science (EMAT);
Impact Factor: 4.07
DOI: 10.1016/j.dental.2016.09.025
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“Strength, toughness and aging stability of highly-translucent Y-TZP ceramics for dental restorations”. Zhang F, Inokoshi M, Batuk M, Hadermann J, Naert I, Van Meerbeek B, Vleugels J, Dental materials 32, E327 (2016). http://doi.org/10.1016/J.DENTAL.7016.09.075
Abstract: Objective. The aim was to evaluate the optical properties, mechanical properties and aging stability of yttria-stabilized zirconia with different compositions, highlighting the influence of the alumina addition, Y2O3 content and La2O3 doping on the translucency. Methods. Five different Y-TZP zirconia powders (3 commercially available and 2 experimentally modified) were sintered under the same conditions and characterized by X-ray diffraction with Rietveld analysis and scanning electron microscopy (SEM). Translucency (n = 6/group) was measured with a color meter, allowing to calculate the translucency parameter (TP) and the contrast ratio (CR). Mechanical properties were appraised with four-point bending strength (n = 10), single edge V-notched beam (SEVNB) fracture toughness (n = 8) and Vickers hardness (n = 10). The aging stability was evaluated by measuring the tetragonal to monoclinic transformation (n = 3) after accelerated hydrothermal aging in steam at 134 degrees C, and the transformation curves were fitted by the Mehl-Avrami-Johnson (MAJ) equation. Data were analyzed by one-way ANOVA, followed by Tukey's HSD test (alpha = 0.05). Results. Lowering the alumina content below 0.25 wt.% avoided the formation of alumina particles and therefore increased the translucency of 3Y-TZP ceramics, but the hydrothermal aging stability was reduced. A higher yttria content (5 mol%) introduced about 50% cubic zirconia phase and gave rise to the most translucent and aging-resistant Y-TZP ceramics, but the fracture toughness and strength were considerably sacrificed. 0.2 mol% La2O3 doping of 3Y-TZP tailored the grain boundary chemistry and significantly improved the aging resistance and translucency. Although the translucency improvement by La2O3 doping was less effective than for introducing a substantial amount of cubic zirconia, this strategy was able to maintain the mechanical properties of typical 3Y-TZP ceramics. Significance. Three different approaches were compared to improve the translucency of 3YTZP ceramics. (C) 2016 The Academy of Dental Materials. Published by Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.
Keywords: A1 Journal article; Electron microscopy for materials research (EMAT)
Impact Factor: 4.07
Times cited: 47
DOI: 10.1016/J.DENTAL.7016.09.075
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“Spinel nanoparticles on stick-like Freudenbergite nanocomposites as effective smart-removal photocatalysts for the degradation of organic pollutants under visible light”. Ciocarlan R-G, Seftel EM, Gavrila R, Suchea M, Batuk M, Mertens M, Hadermann J, Cool P, Journal Of Alloys And Compounds 820, 153403 (2020). http://doi.org/10.1016/j.jallcom.2019.153403
Abstract: A series of mixed nanocomposite materials was synthetized, containing a Ferrite phase type Zn1-xNixFe2O4 and a Freudenbergite phase type Na2Fe2Ti6O16, where x = 0; 0.2; 0.4; 0.6; 0.8; 1. The choice for this combination is based on the good adsorption properties of Freudenbergite for dye molecules, and the small bandgap energy of Ferrite spinel, allowing activation of the catalysts under visible light irradiation. A two steps synthesis protocol was used to obtain the smart-removal nanocomposites. Firstly, the spinel structure was obtained via the co-precipitation route followed by the addition of the Ti-source and formation of the Freudenbergite system. The role of cations on the formation mechanism and an interesting interchange of cations between spinel and Freudenbergite structures was clarified by a TEM study. Part of the Ti4+ penetrated the spinel structure and, at the same time, part of the Fe3+ formed the Freudenbergite system. The photocatalytic activity was studied under visible light, reaching for the best catalysts a 67% and 40% mineralization degree for methylene blue and rhodamine 6G respectively, after 6 h of irradiation. In the same conditions, the well-known commercial P25 (Degussa) managed to mineralize only 12% and 3% of methylene blue and rhodamine 6G, respectively. Due to the remarkable magnetic properties of Ferrites, a convenient recovery and reuse of the catalysts is possible after the photocatalytic tests. Based on the excellent catalytic performance of the nanocomposites under visible light and their ease of separation out of the solution after the catalytic reaction, the newly developed composite catalysts are considered very effective for wastewater treatment.
Keywords: A1 Journal article; Electron microscopy for materials research (EMAT); Laboratory of adsorption and catalysis (LADCA)
Impact Factor: 6.2
DOI: 10.1016/j.jallcom.2019.153403
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“Solution-gel-based surface modification of LiNi0.5Mn1.5O4-δ with amorphous Li-Ti-O coating”. Ulu Okudur F, Batuk M, Hadermann J, Safari M, De Sloovere D, Kumar Mylavarapu S, Joos B, D'Haen J, Van Bael MK, Hardy A, RSC advances 13, 33146 (2023). http://doi.org/10.1039/D3RA05599J
Abstract: LNMO (LiNi0.5Mn1.5O4-delta) is a high-energy density positive electrode material for lithium ion batteries. Unfortunately, it suffers from capacity loss and impedance rise during cycling due to electrolyte oxidation and electrode/electrolyte interface instabilities at high operating voltages. Here, a solution-gel synthesis route was used to coat 0.5-2.5 mu m LNMO particles with amorphous Li-Ti-O (LTO) for improved Li conduction, surface structural stability and cyclability. High-angle annular dark-field scanning transmission electron microscopy (HAADF-STEM) analysis coupled with energy dispersive X-ray (EDX) showed Ti-rich amorphous coatings/islands or Ti-rich spinel layers on many of the LTO-modified LNMO facets, with a thickness varying from about 1 to 10 nm. The surface modification in the form of amorphous islands was mostly possible on high-energy crystal facets. Physicochemical observations were used to propose a molecular mechanism for the surface modification, combining insights from metalorganic chemistry with the crystallographic properties of LNMO. The improvements in functional properties were investigated in half cells. The cell impedance increased faster for the bare LNMO compared to amorphous LTO modified LNMO, resulting in R-ct values as high as 1247 Omega (after 1000 cycles) for bare LNMO, against 216 Omega for the modified material. At 10C, the modified material boosted a 15% increase in average discharge capacity. The improvements in electrochemical performance were attributed to the increase in electrochemically active surface area, as well as to improved HF-scavenging, resulting in the formation of protective byproducts, generating a more stable interface during prolonged cycling.
Keywords: A1 Journal article; Electron microscopy for materials research (EMAT)
Impact Factor: 3.9
DOI: 10.1039/D3RA05599J
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“Slicing the Perovskite structure with crystallographic shear planes : the AnBnO3n-2 homologous series”. Abakumov AM, Hadermann J, Batuk M, d' Hondt H, Tyablikov OA, Rozova MG, Pokholok KV, Filimonov DS, Sheptyakov DV, Tsirlin AA, Niermann D, Hemberger J, Van Tendeloo G, Antipov EV, Inorganic chemistry 49, 9508 (2010). http://doi.org/10.1021/ic101233s
Abstract: A new AnBnO3n−2 homologous series of anion-deficient perovskites has been evidenced by preparation of the members with n = 5 (Pb2.9Ba2.1Fe4TiO13) and n = 6 (Pb3.8Bi0.2Ba2Fe4.2Ti1.8O16) in a single phase form. The crystal structures of these compounds were determined using a combination of transmission electron microscopy and X-ray and neutron powder diffraction (S.G. Ammm, a = 5.74313(7), b = 3.98402(4), c = 26.8378(4) Å, RI = 0.035, RP = 0.042 for Pb2.9Ba2.1Fe4TiO13 and S.G. Imma, a = 5.7199(1), b = 3.97066(7), c = 32.5245(8) Å, RI = 0.032, RP = 0.037 for Pb3.8Bi0.2Ba2Fe4.2Ti1.8O16). The crystal structures of the AnBnO3n−2 homologues are formed by slicing the perovskite structure with (01)p crystallographic shear (CS) planes. The shear planes remove a layer of oxygen atoms and displace the perovskite blocks with respect to each other by the 1/2[110]p vector. The CS planes introduce edge-sharing connections of the transition metal−oxygen polyhedra at the interface between the perovskite blocks. This results in intrinsically frustrated magnetic couplings between the perovskite blocks due to a competition of the exchange interactions between the edge- and the corner-sharing metal−oxygen polyhedra. Despite the magnetic frustration, neutron powder diffraction and Mssbauer spectroscopy reveal that Pb2.9Ba2.1Fe4TiO13 and Pb3.8Bi0.2Ba2Fe4.2Ti1.8O16 are antiferromagnetically ordered below TN = 407 and 343 K, respectively. The Pb2.9Ba2.1Fe4TiO13 and Pb3.8Bi0.2Ba2Fe4.2Ti1.8O16 compounds are in a paraelectric state in the 5−300 K temperature range.
Keywords: A1 Journal article; Electron microscopy for materials research (EMAT)
Impact Factor: 4.857
Times cited: 23
DOI: 10.1021/ic101233s
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“Site-specific mapping of transition metal oxygen coordination in complex oxides”. Turner S, Egoavil R, Batuk M, Abakumov AA, Hadermann J, Verbeeck J, Van Tendeloo G, Applied physics letters 101, 241910 (2012). http://doi.org/10.1063/1.4770512
Abstract: We demonstrate site-specific mapping of the oxygen coordination number for transition metals in complex oxides using atomically resolved electron energy-loss spectroscopy in an aberration-corrected scanning transmission electron microscope. Pb2Sr2Bi2Fe6O16 contains iron with a constant Fe3+ valency in both octahedral and tetragonal pyramidal coordination and is selected to demonstrate the principle of site-specific coordination mapping. Analysis of the site-specific Fe-L2,3 data reveals distinct variations in the fine structure that are attributed to Fe in a six-fold (octahedron) or five-fold (distorted tetragonal pyramid) oxygen coordination. Using these variations, atomic resolution coordination maps are generated that are in excellent agreement with simulations.
Keywords: A1 Journal article; Electron microscopy for materials research (EMAT)
Impact Factor: 3.411
Times cited: 12
DOI: 10.1063/1.4770512
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“Sensitivity of nanocrystalline tungsten oxide to CO and ammonia gas determined by surface catalysts”. Marikutsa A, Yang L, Rumyantseva M, Batuk M, Hadermann J, Gaskov A, Sensors and actuators : B : chemical 277, 336 (2018). http://doi.org/10.1016/J.SNB.2018.09.004
Abstract: Nanocrystalline tungsten oxide with variable particle size and surface area was synthesized by aqueous deposition and heat treatment for use in resistive gas sensors. Surface modification with 1 wt.% Pd and Ru was performed by impregnation to improve the sensitivity to CO and ammonia. Acid and oxidation surface sites were evaluated by temperature-programmed techniques using probe molecules. The surface acidity dropped with increasing particle size, and was weakly affected by additives. Lower crystallinity of WO3 and the presence of Ru species favoured temperature-programmed reduction of the materials. Modifying WO3 increased its sensitivity, to CO at ambient condition for modification by Pd and to NH3 at elevated temperature for Ru modification. An in situ infrared study of the gas – solid interaction showed that the catalytic additives change the interaction route of tungsten oxide with the target gases and make the reception of detected molecules independent of the semiconductor oxide matrix.
Keywords: A1 Journal article; Electron microscopy for materials research (EMAT)
DOI: 10.1016/J.SNB.2018.09.004
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“Revealing pH-Dependent Activities and Surface Instabilities for Ni-Based Electrocatalysts during the Oxygen Evolution Reaction”. Yang C, Batuk M, Jacquet Q, Rousse G, Yin W, Zhang L, Hadermann J, Abakumov AM, Cibin G, Chadwick A, Tarascon J-M, Grimaud A, ACS energy letters , 2884 (2018). http://doi.org/10.1021/acsenergylett.8b01818
Abstract: Multiple electrochemical processes are involved at the catalyst/ electrolyte interface during the oxygen evolution reaction (OER). With the purpose of elucidating the complexity of surface dynamics upon OER, we systematically studied two Ni-based crystalline oxides (LaNiO3−δ and La2Li0.5Ni0.5O4) and compared them with the state-of-the-art Ni−Fe (oxy)- hydroxide amorphous catalyst. Electrochemical measurements such as rotating ring disk electrode (RRDE) and electrochemical quartz microbalance microscopy (EQCM) coupled with a series of physical characterizations including transmission electron microscopy (TEM) and X-ray absorption spectroscopy (XAS) were conducted to unravel the exact pH effect on both the OER activity and the catalyst stability. We demonstrate that for Ni-based crystalline catalysts the rate for surface degradation depends on the pH and is greater than the rate for surface reconstruction. This behavior is unlike that for the amorphous Ni oxyhydroxide catalyst, which is found to be more stable and pH-independent.
Keywords: A1 Journal article; Engineering sciences. Technology; Electron microscopy for materials research (EMAT)
DOI: 10.1021/acsenergylett.8b01818
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“Recent Advances in Transmission Electron Microscopy for Materials Science at the EMAT Lab of the University of Antwerp”. Guzzinati G, Altantzis T, Batuk M, De Backer A, Lumbeeck G, Samaee V, Batuk D, Idrissi H, Hadermann J, Van Aert S, Schryvers D, Verbeeck J, Bals S, Materials 11, 1304 (2018). http://doi.org/10.3390/ma11081304
Abstract: The rapid progress in materials science that enables the design of materials down to the nanoscale also demands characterization techniques able to analyze the materials down to the same scale, such as transmission electron microscopy. As Belgium’s foremost electron microscopy group, among the largest in the world, EMAT is continuously contributing to the development of TEM techniques, such as high-resolution imaging, diffraction, electron tomography, and spectroscopies, with an emphasis on quantification and reproducibility, as well as employing TEM methodology at the highest level to solve real-world materials science problems. The lab’s recent contributions are presented here together with specific case studies in order to highlight the usefulness of TEM to the advancement of materials science.
Keywords: A1 Journal article; Electron microscopy for materials research (EMAT)
Impact Factor: 2.654
Times cited: 15
DOI: 10.3390/ma11081304
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“Process variability in Cu2ZnSnSe4 solar cell devices: Electrical and structural investigations”. Brammertz G, Buffiere M, Verbist C, Bekaert J, Batuk M, Hadermann J, et al, The conference record of the IEEE Photovoltaic Specialists Conference
T2 –, IEEE 42nd Photovoltaic Specialist Conference (PVSC), JUN 14-19, 2015, New Orleans, LA (2015)
Abstract: We have fabricated 9.7% efficient Cu2ZnSnSe4/CdS/ZnO solar cells by H2Se selenization of sequentially sputtered metal layers. Despite the good efficiency obtained, process control appears to be difficult. In the present contribution we compare the electrical and physical properties of two devices with nominal same fabrication procedure, but 1% and 9.7% power conversion efficiency respectively. We identify the problem of the lower performing device to be the segregation of ZnSe phases at the backside of the sample. This ZnSe seems to be the reason for the strong bias dependent photocurrent observed in the lower performing devices, as it adds a potential barrier for carrier collection. The reason for the different behavior of the two nominally same devices is not fully understood, but speculated to be related to sputtering variability.
Keywords: P1 Proceeding; Engineering sciences. Technology; Electron microscopy for materials research (EMAT); Condensed Matter Theory (CMT)
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