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“Synthesis of a 3D network of Pt nanowires by atomic layer deposition on a carbonaceous template”. Deng S, Kurttepeli M, Deheryan S, Cott DJ, Vereecken PM, Martens JA, Bals S, Van Tendeloo G, Detavernier C, Nanoscale 6, 6939 (2014). http://doi.org/10.1039/c4nr00982g
Abstract: The formation of a 3D network composed of free standing and interconnected Pt nanowires is achieved by a two-step method, consisting of conformal deposition of Pt by atomic layer deposition (ALD) on a forest of carbon nanotubes and subsequent removal of the carbonaceous template. Detailed characterization of this novel 3D nanostructure was carried out by transmission electron microscopy (TEM) and electrochemical impedance spectroscopy (EIS). The characterization showed that this pure 3D nanostructure of platinum is self-supported and offers an enhancement of the electrochemically active surface area by a factor of 50.
Keywords: A1 Journal article; Engineering sciences. Technology; Electron microscopy for materials research (EMAT)
Impact Factor: 7.367
Times cited: 14
DOI: 10.1039/c4nr00982g
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“Full spectral XANES imaging using the Maia detector array as a new tool for the study of the alteration process of chrome yellow pigments in paintings by Vincent van Gogh”. Monico L, Janssens K, Alfeld M, Cotte M, Vanmeert F, Ryan CG, Falkenberg G, Howard DL, Brunetti BG, Miliani C, Journal of analytical atomic spectrometry 30, 613 (2015). http://doi.org/10.1039/C4JA00419A
Abstract: A combination of synchrotron radiation (SR) micro X-ray fluorescence (m-XRF) and XRF mode X-ray absorption near edge structure (XANES) measurements at the Cr K-edge already allowed us to establish that the photo-reduction of chromates to Cr(III) compounds is the cause of darkening of chrome yellow pigments (PbCr1-xSxO4, 0 <= x <= 0.8) in a number of paintings by Vincent van Gogh and in corresponding artificially aged paint models. A silicon drift detector (SDD) was employed to record the Cr-K XRF radiation in these X-ray micro beam-based measurements. However, in view of the limited count rate capabilities and collection solid angle of a single device, m-XRF and m-XANES employing single element SDDs (or similar) are primarily suited for collection of spectral data from individual points. Additionally, collection of XRF maps via point-by-point scanning with relatively long dwell times per point is possible but is usually confined to small areas. The development of the 384 silicon-diode array Maia XRF detector has provided valuable solutions in terms of data acquisition rate, allowing for full spectral (FS) XANES imaging in XRF mode, i.e., where spectroscopic information is available at each pixel in the scanned map. In this paper, the possibilities of SR Cr K-edge FS-XANES imaging in XRF mode using the Maia detector are examined as a new data collection strategy to study the speciation and distribution of alteration products of lead chromate-based pigments in painting materials. The results collected from two micro-samples taken from two Van Gogh paintings and an aged paint model show the possibility to perform FS-XANES imaging in practical time frames (from several minutes to a few hours) by scanning regions of sample sizes of the same order (more than 500 mm). The sensitivity and capabilities of FS-XANES imaging in providing representative chemical speciation information at the microscale (spatial resolution from similar to 2 to 0.6 mm) over the entire scanned area are demonstrated by the identification of Cr(OH) 3, Cr(III) sulfates and/or Cr(III) organometallic compounds in the corresponding phase maps, as alteration products. Comparable Cr-speciation results were obtained by performing equivalent higher spatial resolution SR m-XRF/single-point m-XANES analysis using a more conventional SDD from smaller regions of interest of each sample. Thus, large-area XRF mode FS-XANES imaging (Maia detector) is here proposed as a valuable and complementary data collection strategy in relation to “ zoomed-in” high-resolution m-XRF mapping and single-point m-XANES analysis (SDD).
Keywords: A1 Journal article; AXES (Antwerp X-ray Analysis, Electrochemistry and Speciation)
Impact Factor: 3.379
Times cited: 28
DOI: 10.1039/C4JA00419A
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“Strategies for processing mega-pixel X-ray fluorescence hyperspectral data: a case study on a version of Caravaggio's painting Supper at Emmaus”. Alfeld M, Janssens K, Journal of analytical atomic spectrometry 30, 777 (2015). http://doi.org/10.1039/C4JA00387J
Abstract: Technical progress in the fields of X-ray sources, optics and detectors is constantly enhancing the pace of data acquisition in XRF imaging. This enlarges the size of the hyperspectral datasets and the number of their sub-parts. This paper describes the challenges in processing large XRF datasets featuring several million pixels/spectra and the strategies developed to overcome them. During the investigation of historical paintings by scanning macro-XRF the main challenges are the correct identification of all spectral features in a dataset and its timely processing. For the identification of spectral features different approaches are discussed, i.e. the use of sum spectra, maximum pixel spectra and of chi(2)(r) maps. For the time-efficient, artefact-free evaluation of XRF imaging data, different software packages are evaluated and intercompared (AXIL, PyMCA, GeoPIXE and the in-house written datamuncher). The process of data evaluation is illustrated on a large dataset (3.4 MPixels) acquired during the investigation of a version of Caravaggio's Supper at Emmaus (143 x 199.5 cm(2)). This 17th century painting is currently the largest object entirely scanned with macroscopic XRF.
Keywords: A1 Journal article; AXES (Antwerp X-ray Analysis, Electrochemistry and Speciation)
Impact Factor: 3.379
Times cited: 67
DOI: 10.1039/C4JA00387J
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“Thermodynamic and experimental study of the degradation of the red pigment mercury sulfide”. Radepont M, Coquinot Y, Janssens K, Ezrati J-J, de Nolf W, Cotte M, Journal of analytical atomic spectrometry 30, 599 (2015). http://doi.org/10.1039/C4JA00372A
Abstract: The red pigment mercury sulfide, called cinnabar or vermilion, is well known to suffer from an alteration giving rise to a grey, grey-white or black color at the surface of degraded works of art. This phenomenon can dramatically affect the esthetical value of artworks. This work aims at assessing the factors (light, halides) influencing the instability of red mercury sulfide and understanding (by combining thermodynamic and experimental approaches) the chemical equilibria governing the formation and evolution of the different degradation compounds. From the thermodynamic study of the Hg-S-Cl-H2O system, it was concluded that Hg(0), Hg3S2Cl2, and Hg2Cl2 can be formed from the reaction of alpha-HgS with ClO(g). In the second part, the artificial ageing experiments presented were carried out on model samples following the conditions assessed in the first part, in order to reproduce natural ageing observed on red mercury sulfide. Similarly to degradation compounds detected on original works of art, mercury chlorine compounds such as calomel (Hg2Cl2) and corderoite (alpha-Hg3S2Cl2) were identified on the surface of alpha-HgS model samples, when exposed to light and a sodium hypochlorite solution. Sulfates were detected as well, and more particularly gypsum (CaSO4 center dot 2H(2)O) when Ca was originally present in the model sample. The relationship between color and composition is discussed as well.
Keywords: A1 Journal article; AXES (Antwerp X-ray Analysis, Electrochemistry and Speciation)
Impact Factor: 3.379
Times cited: 26
DOI: 10.1039/C4JA00372A
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“{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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“Direct-synthesis method towards copper-containing periodic mesoporous organosilicas : detailed investigation of the copper distribution in the material”. Lin F, Meng, Kukueva E, Altantzis T, Mertens M, Bals S, Cool P, Van Doorslaer S, Journal of the Chemical Society : Dalton transactions 44, 9970 (2015). http://doi.org/10.1039/c4dt03719g
Abstract: Three-dimensional cubic Fm (3) over barm mesoporous copper-containing ethane-bridged PMO materials have been prepared through a direct-synthesis method at room temperature in the presence of cetyltrimethylammonium bromide as surfactant. The obtained materials have been unambiguously characterized in detail by several sophisticated techniques, including XRD, UV-Vis-Dr, TEM, elemental mapping, continuous- wave and pulsed EPR spectroscopy. The results show that at lower copper loading, the Cu2+ species are well dispersed in the Cu-PMO materials, and mainly exist as mononuclear Cu2+ species. At higher copper loading amount, Cu2+ clusters are observed in the materials, but the distribution of the Cu2+ species is still much better in the Cu-PMO materials prepared through the direct-synthesis method than in a Cu-containing PMO material prepared through an impregnation method. Moreover, the evolution of the copper incorporation during the PMO synthesis has been followed by EPR. The results show that the immobilization of the Cu2+ ion/complex and the formation of the PMO materials are taking place simultaneously. The copper ions are found to be situated on the inner surface of the mesopores of the materials and are accessible, which will be beneficial for the catalytic applications.
Keywords: A1 Journal article; Electron microscopy for materials research (EMAT); Laboratory of adsorption and catalysis (LADCA)
Impact Factor: 4.029
Times cited: 11
DOI: 10.1039/c4dt03719g
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“The role of the VZn-NO-H complex in the p-type conductivity in ZnO”. Amini MN, Saniz R, Lamoen D, Partoens B, Physical chemistry, chemical physics 17, 5485 (2015). http://doi.org/10.1039/c4cp05894a
Abstract: Past research efforts aiming at obtaining stable p-type ZnO have been based on complexes involving nitrogen doping. A recent experiment by (J. G. Reynolds et al., Appl. Phys. Lett., 2013, 102, 152114) demonstrated a significant ([similar]1018 cm−3) p-type behavior in N-doped ZnO films after appropriate annealing. The p-type conductivity was attributed to a VZnNOH shallow acceptor complex, formed by a Zn vacancy (VZn), N substituting O (NO), and H interstitial (Hi). We present here a first-principles hybrid functional study of this complex compared to the one without hydrogen. Our results confirm that the VZnNOH complex acts as an acceptor in ZnO. We find that H plays an important role, because it lowers the formation energy of the complex with respect to VZnNO, a complex known to exhibit (unstable) p-type behavior. However, this additional H atom also occupies the hole level at the origin of the shallow behavior of VZnNO, leaving only two states empty higher in the band gap and making the VZnNOH complex a deep acceptor. Therefore, we conclude that the cause of the observed p-type conductivity in experiment is not the presence of the VZnNOH complex, but probably the formation of the VZnNO complex during the annealing process.
Keywords: A1 Journal article; Electron microscopy for materials research (EMAT); Condensed Matter Theory (CMT)
Impact Factor: 4.123
Times cited: 20
DOI: 10.1039/c4cp05894a
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“Heat-induced transformation of CdSe-CdS-ZnS coremultishell quantum dots by Zn diffusion into inner layers”. Yalcin AO, Goris B, van Dijk-Moes RJA, Fan Z, Erdamar AK, Tichelaar FD, Vlugt TJH, Van Tendeloo G, Bals S, Vanmaekelbergh D, Zandbergen HW, van Huis MA;, Chemical communications 51, 3320 (2015). http://doi.org/10.1039/C4CC08647C
Abstract: In this work, we investigate the thermal evolution of CdSeCdSZnS coremultishell quantum dots (QDs) in situ using transmission electron microscopy (TEM). Starting at a temperature of approximately 250 °C, Zn diffusion into inner layers takes place together with simultaneous evaporation of particularly Cd and S. As a result of this transformation, CdxZn1−xSeCdyZn1−yS coreshell QDs are obtained.
Keywords: A1 Journal article; Electron microscopy for materials research (EMAT)
Impact Factor: 6.319
Times cited: 21
DOI: 10.1039/C4CC08647C
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“Dimethylformamide-mediated synthesis of water-soluble platinum nanodendrites for ethanol oxidation electrocatalysis”. Mourdikoudis S, Chirea M, Altantzis T, Pastoriza-Santos I, Perez-Juste J, Silva F, Bals S, Liz-Marzan LM, Nanoscale 5, 4776 (2013). http://doi.org/10.1039/c3nr00924f
Abstract: Herein we describe the synthesis of water-soluble platinum nanodendrites in dimethylformamide (DMF), in the presence of polyethyleneimine (PEI) as a stabilizing agent. The average size of the dendrites is in the range of 20-25 nm while their porosity can be tuned by modifying the concentration of the metal precursor. Electron tomography revealed different crystalline orientations of nanocrystallites in the nanodendrites and allowed a better understanding of their peculiar branching and porosity. The high surface area of the dendrites (up to 22 m(2) g(-1)) was confirmed by BET measurements, while X-ray diffraction confirmed the abundance of high-index facets in the face-centered-cubic crystal structure of Pt. The prepared nanodendrites exhibit excellent performance in the electrocatalytic oxidation of ethanol in alkaline solution. Sensing, selectivity, cycleability and great tolerance toward poisoning were demonstrated by cyclic voltammetry measurements.
Keywords: A1 Journal article; Engineering sciences. Technology; Electron microscopy for materials research (EMAT)
Impact Factor: 7.367
Times cited: 50
DOI: 10.1039/c3nr00924f
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“A protecting group approach toward synthesis of Au-silica Janus nanostars”. Rodríguez-Fernández D, Altantzis T, Heidari H, Bals S, Liz-Marzan LM, Chemical communications 50, 79 (2014). http://doi.org/10.1039/c3cc47531j
Abstract: The concept of protecting groups, widely used in organic chemistry, has been applied for the synthesis of Au-silica Janus stars, in which gold branches protrude from one half of Au-silica Janus spheres. This configuration opens up new possibilities to apply the plasmonic properties of gold nanostars, as well as a variety of chemical functionalizations on the silica component.
Keywords: A1 Journal article; Electron microscopy for materials research (EMAT)
Impact Factor: 6.319
Times cited: 26
DOI: 10.1039/c3cc47531j
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“Thermally induced atomic reconstruction of PbSe/CdSe core/shell quantum dots into PbSe/CdSe bi-hemisphere hetero-nanocrystals”. Grodzinska D, Pietra F, van Huis MA, Vanmaekelbergh D, de Mello Donegá, C, Journal of materials chemistry 21, 11556 (2011). http://doi.org/10.1039/c0jm04458j
Abstract: The properties of hetero-nanocrystals (HNCs) depend strongly on the mutual arrangement of the nanoscale components. In this work we have investigated the structural and morphological evolution of colloidal PbSe/CdSe core/shell quantum dots upon annealing under vacuum. Prior to annealing the PbSe core has an approximately octahedral morphology with eight {111} facets, and the CdSe shell has zinc-blende crystal structure. Thermal annealing under vacuum at temperatures between 150 °C and 200 °C induces a structural and morphological reconstruction of the HNCs whereby the PbSe core and the CdSe shell are reorganized into two hemispheres joined by a common {111} Se plane. This thermally induced reconstruction leads to considerable changes in the optical properties of the colloidal PbSe/CdSe HNCs.
Keywords: A1 Journal article; Electron microscopy for materials research (EMAT)
Times cited: 44
DOI: 10.1039/c0jm04458j
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“Inverse heavy-atom effect in near infrared photoluminescent gold nanoclusters”. Pramanik G, Kvakova K, Thottappali MA, Rais D, Pfleger J, Greben M, El-Zoka A, Bals S, Dracinsky M, Valenta J, Cigler P, Nanoscale 13, 10462 (2021). http://doi.org/10.1039/D1NR02440J
Abstract: Fluorophores functionalized with heavy elements show enhanced intersystem crossing due to increased spin–orbit coupling, which in turn shortens the fluorescence decay lifetime (<italic>τ</italic><sup>PL</sup>). This phenomenon is known as the heavy-atom effect (HAE). Here, we report the observation of increased<italic>τ</italic><sup>PL</sup>upon functionalisation of near-infrared photoluminescent gold nanoclusters with iodine. The heavy atom-mediated increase in<italic>τ</italic><sup>PL</sup>is in striking contrast with the HAE and referred to as inverse HAE. Femtosecond and nanosecond transient absorption spectroscopy revealed overcompensation of a slight decrease in lifetime of the transition associated with the Au core (ps) by a large increase in the long-lived triplet state lifetime associated with the Au shell, which contributed to the observed inverse HAE. This unique observation of inverse HAE in gold nanoclusters provides the means to enhance the triplet excited state lifetime.
Keywords: A1 Journal Article; Electron Microscopy for Materials Science (EMAT) ;
Impact Factor: 7.367
Times cited: 7
DOI: 10.1039/D1NR02440J
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“A pseudo-tetragonal tungsten bronze superstructure: a combined solution of the crystal structure of K6.4(Nb,Ta)36.3O94 with advanced transmission electron microscopy and neutron diffraction”. Paria Sena R, Babaryk AA, Khainakov S, Garcia-Granda S, Slobodyanik NS, Van Tendeloo G, Abakumov AM, Hadermann J, Journal of the Chemical Society : Dalton transactions 45, 973 (2016). http://doi.org/10.1039/c5dt03479e
Abstract: The crystal structure of the K6.4Nb28.2Ta8.1O94 pseudo-tetragonal tungsten bronze-type oxide was determined using a combination of X-ray powder diffraction, neutron diffraction and transmission electron microscopy techniques, including electron diffraction, high angle annular dark field scanning transmission electron microscopy (HAADF-STEM), annular bright field STEM (ABF-STEM) and energy-dispersive X-ray compositional mapping (STEM-EDX). The compound crystallizes in the space group Pbam with unit cell parameters a = 37.468(9) A, b = 12.493(3) A, c = 3.95333(15) A. The structure consists of corner sharing (Nb,Ta)O6 octahedra forming trigonal, tetragonal and pentagonal tunnels. All tetragonal tunnels are occupied by K(+) ions, while 1/3 of the pentagonal tunnels are preferentially occupied by Nb(5+)/Ta(5+) and 2/3 are occupied by K(+) in a regular pattern. A fractional substitution of K(+) in the pentagonal tunnels by Nb(5+)/Ta(5+) is suggested by the analysis of the HAADF-STEM images. In contrast to similar structures, such as K2Nb8O21, also parts of the trigonal tunnels are fractionally occupied by K(+) cations.
Keywords: A1 Journal article; Electron microscopy for materials research (EMAT)
Impact Factor: 4.029
Times cited: 6
DOI: 10.1039/c5dt03479e
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“Controlled growth of hexagonal gold nanostructures during thermally induced self-assembling on Ge(001) surface”. Jany BR, Gauquelin N, Willhammar T, Nikiel M, van den Bos KHW, Janas A, Szajna K, Verbeeck J, Van Aert S, Van Tendeloo G, Krok F, Scientific reports 7, 42420 (2017). http://doi.org/10.1038/srep42420
Abstract: Nano-sized gold has become an important material in various fields of science and technology, where control over the size and crystallography is desired to tailor the functionality. Gold crystallizes in the face-centered cubic (fcc) phase, and its hexagonal closed packed (hcp) structure is a very unusual and rare phase. Stable Au hcp phase has been reported to form in nanoparticles at the tips of some Ge nanowires. It has also recently been synthesized in the form of thin graphene-supported sheets which are unstable under electron beam irradiation. Here, we show that stable hcp Au 3D nanostructures with well-defined crystallographic orientation and size can be systematically created in a process of thermally induced self-assembly of thin Au layer on Ge(001) monocrystal. The Au hcp crystallite is present in each Au nanostructure and has been characterized by different electron microscopy techniques. We report that a careful heat treatment above the eutectic melting temperature and a controlled cooling is required to form the hcp phase of Au on a Ge single crystal. This new method gives scientific prospects to obtain stable Au hcp phase for future applications in a rather simple manner as well as redefine the phase diagram of Gold with Germanium.
Keywords: A1 Journal article; Electron microscopy for materials research (EMAT)
Impact Factor: 4.259
Times cited: 25
DOI: 10.1038/srep42420
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“Mechanism and comparison of needle-type non-thermal direct and indirect atmospheric pressure plasma jets on the degradation of dyes”. Attri P, Yusupov M, Park JH, Lingamdinne LP, Koduru JR, Shiratani M, Choi EH, Bogaerts A, Scientific reports 6, 34419 (2016). http://doi.org/10.1038/srep34419
Abstract: Purified water supply for human use, agriculture and industry is the major global priority nowadays. The advanced oxidation process based on atmospheric pressure non-thermal plasma (NTP) has been used for purification of wastewater, although the underlying mechanisms of degradation of organic pollutants are still unknown. In this study we employ two needle-type atmospheric pressure non-thermal plasma jets, i.e., indirect (ID-APPJ) and direct (D-APPJ) jets operating at Ar feed gas, for the treatment of methylene blue, methyl orange and congo red dyes, for two different times (i.e., 20 min and 30 min). Specifically, we study the decolorization/degradation of all three dyes using the above mentioned plasma sources, by means of UV-Vis spectroscopy, HPLC and a density meter. We also employ mass spectroscopy to verify whether only decolorization or also degradation takes place after treatment of the dyes by the NTP jets. Additionally, we analyze the interaction of OH radicals with all three dyes using reactive molecular dynamics simulations, based on the density functional-tight binding method. This investigation represents the first report on the degradation of these three different dyes by two types of NTP setups, analyzed by various methods, and based on both experimental and computational studies.
Keywords: A1 Journal article; Engineering sciences. Technology; Plasma Lab for Applications in Sustainability and Medicine – Antwerp (PLASMANT)
Impact Factor: 4.259
Times cited: 23
DOI: 10.1038/srep34419
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“Enhanced optoelectronic performances of vertically aligned hexagonal boron nitride nanowalls-nanocrystalline diamond heterostructures”. Sankaran KJ, Hoang DQ, Kunuku S, Korneychuk S, Turner S, Pobedinskas P, Drijkoningen S, Van Bael MK, D' Haen J, Verbeeck J, Leou K-C, Lin I-N, Haenen K, Scientific reports 6, 29444 (2016). http://doi.org/10.1038/srep29444
Abstract: Field electron emission (FEE) properties of vertically aligned hexagonal boron nitride nanowalls (hBNNWs) grown on Si have been markedly enhanced through the use of nitrogen doped nanocrystalline diamond (nNCD) films as an interlayer. The FEE properties of hBNNWs-nNCD heterostructures show a low turn-on field of 15.2 V/mum, a high FEE current density of 1.48 mA/cm(2) and life-time up to a period of 248 min. These values are far superior to those for hBNNWs grown on Si substrates without the nNCD interlayer, which have a turn-on field of 46.6 V/mum with 0.21 mA/cm(2) FEE current density and life-time of 27 min. Cross-sectional TEM investigation reveals that the utilization of the diamond interlayer circumvented the formation of amorphous boron nitride prior to the growth of hexagonal boron nitride. Moreover, incorporation of carbon in hBNNWs improves the conductivity of hBNNWs. Such a unique combination of materials results in efficient electron transport crossing nNCD-to-hBNNWs interface and inside the hBNNWs that results in enhanced field emission of electrons. The prospective application of these materials is manifested by plasma illumination measurements with lower threshold voltage (370 V) and longer life-time, authorizing the role of hBNNWs-nNCD heterostructures in the enhancement of electron emission.
Keywords: A1 Journal article; Engineering sciences. Technology; Electron microscopy for materials research (EMAT)
Impact Factor: 4.259
Times cited: 15
DOI: 10.1038/srep29444
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“Large gap electron-hole superfluidity and shape resonances in coupled graphene nanoribbons”. Zarenia M, Perali A, Peeters FM, Neilson D, Scientific reports 6, 24860 (2016). http://doi.org/10.1038/srep24860
Abstract: We predict enhanced electron-hole superfluidity in two coupled electron-hole armchair-edge terminated graphene nanoribbons separated by a thin insulating barrier. In contrast to graphene monolayers, the multiple subbands of the nanoribbons are parabolic at low energy with a gap between the conduction and valence bands, and with lifted valley degeneracy. These properties make screening of the electron-hole interaction much weaker than for coupled electron-hole monolayers, thus boosting the pairing strength and enhancing the superfluid properties. The pairing strength is further boosted by the quasi one-dimensional quantum confinement of the carriers, as well as by the large density of states near the bottom of each subband. The latter magnifies superfluid shape resonances caused by the quantum confinement. Several superfluid partial condensates are present for finite-width nanoribbons with multiple subbands. We find that superfluidity is predominately in the strongly-coupled BEC and BCS-BEC crossover regimes, with large superfluid gaps up to 100 meV and beyond. When the gaps exceed the subband spacing, there is significant mixing of the subbands, a rounding of the shape resonances, and a resulting reduction in the one-dimensional nature of the system.
Keywords: A1 Journal article; Engineering sciences. Technology; Condensed Matter Theory (CMT)
Impact Factor: 4.259
Times cited: 7
DOI: 10.1038/srep24860
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“Large pinning forces and matching effects in YBa2Cu3O7-&delta, thin films with Ba2Y(Nb/Ta)O6 nano-precipitates”. Opherden L, Sieger M, Pahlke P, Hühne R, Schultz L, Meledin A, Van Tendeloo G, Nast R, Holzapfel B, Bianchetti M, MacManus-Driscoll JL, Hänisch J, Scientific reports 6, 21188 (2016). http://doi.org/10.1038/srep21188
Abstract: The addition of mixed double perovskite Ba2Y(Nb/Ta)O6 (BYNTO) to YBa2Cu3O7−δ (YBCO) thin films leads to a large improvement of the in-field current carrying capability. For low deposition rates, BYNTO grows as well-oriented, densely distributed nanocolumns. We achieved a pinning force density of 25 GN/m3 at 77 K at a matching field of 2.3 T, which is among the highest values reported for YBCO. The anisotropy of the critical current density shows a complex behavior whereby additional maxima are developed at field dependent angles. This is caused by a matching effect of the magnetic fields c-axis component. The exponent N of the current-voltage characteristics (inversely proportional to the creep rate S) allows the depinning mechanism to be determined. It changes from a double-kink excitation below the matching field to pinning-potential-determined creep above it.
Keywords: A1 Journal article; Engineering sciences. Technology; Electron microscopy for materials research (EMAT)
Impact Factor: 4.259
Times cited: 39
DOI: 10.1038/srep21188
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“Unusual dimensionality effects and surface charge density in 2D Mg(OH)2”. Suslu A, Wu K, Sahin H, Chen B, Yang S, Cai H, Aoki T, Horzum S, Kang J, Peeters FM, Tongay S;, Scientific reports 6, 20525 (2016). http://doi.org/10.1038/srep20525
Abstract: We present two-dimensional Mg(OH)(2) sheets and their vertical heterojunctions with CVD-MoS2 for the first time as flexible 2D insulators with anomalous lattice vibration and chemical and physical properties. New hydrothermal crystal growth technique enabled isolation of environmentally stable monolayer Mg(OH)(2) sheets. Raman spectroscopy and vibrational calculations reveal that the lattice vibrations of Mg(OH)(2) have fundamentally different signature peaks and dimensionality effects compared to other 2D material systems known to date. Sub-wavelength electron energy-loss spectroscopy measurements and theoretical calculations show that Mg(OH)(2) is a 6 eV direct-gap insulator in 2D, and its optical band gap displays strong band renormalization effects from monolayer to bulk, marking the first experimental confirmation of confinement effects in 2D insulators. Interestingly, 2D-Mg(OH)(2) sheets possess rather strong surface polarization (charge) effects which is in contrast to electrically neutral h-BN materials. Using 2D-Mg(OH)(2) sheets together with CVD-MoS2 in the vertical stacking shows that a strong change transfer occurs from n-doped CVD-MoS2 sheets to Mg(OH)(2), naturally depleting the semiconductor, pushing towards intrinsic doping limit and enhancing overall optical performance of 2D semiconductors. Results not only establish unusual confinement effects in 2D-Mg(OH)(2), but also offer novel 2D-insulating material with unique physical, vibrational, and chemical properties for potential applications in flexible optoelectronics.
Keywords: A1 Journal article; Engineering sciences. Technology; Condensed Matter Theory (CMT)
Impact Factor: 4.259
Times cited: 39
DOI: 10.1038/srep20525
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“Nanoscale mapping of plasmon and exciton in ZnO tetrapods coupled with Au nanoparticles”. Bertoni G, Fabbri F, Villani M, Lazzarini L, Turner S, Van Tendeloo G, Calestani D, Gradečak S, Zappettini A, Salviati G, Scientific reports 6, 19168 (2016). http://doi.org/10.1038/srep19168
Abstract: Metallic nanoparticles can be used to enhance optical absorption or emission in semiconductors, thanks to a strong interaction of collective excitations of free charges (plasmons) with electromagnetic fields. Herein we present the direct imaging at the nanoscale of plasmon-exciton coupling in Au/ZnO nanostructures by combining scanning transmission electron energy loss and cathodoluminescence spectroscopy and mapping. The Au nanoparticles (~30 nm in diameter) are grown in-situ on ZnO nanotetrapods by means of a photochemical process without the need of binding agents or capping molecules. This results in clean interfaces, enabling to prove the occurrence of the plasmon-exciton coupling and the straightforward mapping of its spatial localization. Interestingly, the Au plasmon resonance is localized at the Au/vacuum interface, rather than presenting an isotropic distribution around the nanoparticle. On the contrary, a strong localization of the ZnO excitons, has been observed inside the Au nanoparticle, revealing the existence of the plasmon-exciton coupling, as also confirmed by numerical simulations.
Keywords: A1 Journal article; Engineering sciences. Technology; Electron microscopy for materials research (EMAT)
Impact Factor: 4.259
Times cited: 15
DOI: 10.1038/srep19168
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“Phonon limited superconducting correlations in metallic nanograins”. Croitoru MD, Shanenko AA, Vagov A, Milošević, MV, Axt VM, Peeters FM, Scientific reports 5, 16515 (2015). http://doi.org/10.1038/srep16515
Abstract: Conventional superconductivity is inevitably suppressed in ultra-small metallic grains for characteristic sizes smaller than the Anderson limit. Experiments have shown that above the Anderson limit the critical temperature may be either enhanced or reduced when decreasing the particle size, depending on the superconducting material. In addition, there is experimental evidence that whether an enhancement or a reduction is found depends on the strength of the electronphonon interaction in the bulk. We reveal how the strength of the e-ph interaction interplays with the quantum-size effect and theoretically obtain the critical temperature of the superconducting nanograins in excellent agreement with experimental data. We demonstrate that strong e-ph scattering smears the peak structure in the electronic density-of-states of a metallic grain and enhances the electron mass, and thereby limits the highest T-c achievable by quantum confinement.
Keywords: A1 Journal article; Engineering sciences. Technology; Condensed Matter Theory (CMT)
Impact Factor: 4.259
Times cited: 9
DOI: 10.1038/srep16515
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“Spontaneous symmetry breaking in vortex systems with two repulsive lengthscales”. Curran PJ, Desoky WM, Milošević, MV, Chaves A, Laloe J-B, Moodera JS, Bending SJ, Scientific reports 5, 15569 (2015). http://doi.org/10.1038/srep15569
Abstract: Scanning Hall probe microscopy (SHPM) has been used to study vortex structures in thin epitaxial films of the superconductor MgB2. Unusual vortex patterns observed in MgB2 single crystals have previously been attributed to a competition between short-range repulsive and long-range attractive vortex-vortex interactions in this two band superconductor; the type 1.5 superconductivity scenario. Our films have much higher levels of disorder than bulk single crystals and therefore both superconducting condensates are expected to be pushed deep into the type 2 regime with purely repulsive vortex interactions. We observe broken symmetry vortex patterns at low fields in all samples after field-cooling from above T-c. These are consistent with those seen in systems with competing repulsions on disparate length scales, and remarkably similar structures are reproduced in dirty two band Ginzburg-Landau calculations, where the simulation parameters have been defined by experimental observations. This suggests that in our dirty MgB2 films, the symmetry of the vortex structures is broken by the presence of vortex repulsions with two different lengthscales, originating from the two distinct superconducting condensates. This represents an entirely new mechanism for spontaneous symmetry breaking in systems of superconducting vortices, with important implications for pinning phenomena and high current density applications.
Keywords: A1 Journal article; Engineering sciences. Technology; Condensed Matter Theory (CMT)
Impact Factor: 4.259
Times cited: 12
DOI: 10.1038/srep15569
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“Stroboscopic phenomena in superconductors with dynamic pinning landscape”. Jelić, ŽL, Milošević, MV, Van de Vondel J, Silhanek AV, Scientific reports 5, 14604 (2015). http://doi.org/10.1038/srep14604
Abstract: Introducing artificial pinning centers is a well established strategy to trap quantum vortices and increase the maximal magnetic field and applied electric current that a superconductor can sustain without dissipation. In case of spatially periodic pinning, a clear enhancement of the superconducting critical current arises when commensurability between the vortex configurations and the pinning landscape occurs. With recent achievements in (ultrafast) optics and nanoengineered plasmonics it has become possible to exploit the interaction of light with superconductivity, and create not only spatially periodic imprints on the superconducting condensate, but also temporally periodic ones. Here we show that in the latter case, temporal matching phenomena develop, caused by stroboscopic commensurability between the characteristic frequency of the vortex motion under applied current and the frequency of the dynamic pinning. The matching resonances persist in a broad parameter space, including magnetic field, driving current, or material purity, giving rise to unusual features such as externally variable resistance/impedance and Shapiro steps in current-voltage characteristics. All features are tunable by the frequency of the dynamic pinning landscape. These findings open further exploration avenues for using flashing, spatially engineered, and/or mobile excitations on superconductors, permitting us to achieve advanced functionalities.
Keywords: A1 Journal article; Engineering sciences. Technology; Condensed Matter Theory (CMT)
Impact Factor: 4.259
Times cited: 29
DOI: 10.1038/srep14604
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“A comparative study for the inactivation of multidrug resistance bacteria using dielectric barrier discharge and nano-second pulsed plasma”. Hoon Park J, Kumar N, Hoon Park D, Yusupov M, Neyts EC, Verlackt CCW, Bogaerts A, Ho Kang M, Sup Uhm H, Ha Choi E, Attri P;, Scientific reports 5, 13849 (2015). http://doi.org/10.1038/srep13849
Abstract: Bacteria can be inactivated through various physical and chemical means, and these have always been the focus of extensive research. To further improve the methodology for these ends, two types of plasma systems were investigated: nano-second pulsed plasma (NPP) as liquid discharge plasma and an Argon gas-feeding dielectric barrier discharge (Ar-DBD) as a form of surface plasma. To understand the sterilizing action of these two different plasma sources, we performed experiments with Staphylococcus aureus (S. aureus) bacteria (wild type) and multidrug resistant bacteria (Penicillum-resistant, Methicillin-resistant and Gentamicin-resistant). We observed that both plasma sources can inactivate both the wild type and multidrug-resistant bacteria to a good extent. Moreover, we observed a change in the surface morphology, gene expression and β-lactamase activity. Furthermore, we used X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy to investigate the variation in functional groups (C-H/C-C, C-OH and C=O) of the peptidoglycan (PG) resulting from exposure to plasma species. To obtain atomic scale insight in the plasma-cell interactions and support our experimental observations, we have performed molecular dynamics simulations to study the effects of plasma species, such as OH, H2O2, O, O3, as well as O2 and H2O, on the dissociation/formation of above mentioned functional groups in PG.
Keywords: A1 Journal article; Engineering sciences. Technology; Plasma Lab for Applications in Sustainability and Medicine – Antwerp (PLASMANT)
Impact Factor: 4.259
Times cited: 32
DOI: 10.1038/srep13849
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“Giant paramagnetic Meissner effect in multiband superconductors”. da Silva RM, Milošević, MV, Shanenko AA, Peeters FM, Albino Aguiar J, Scientific reports 5, 12695 (2015). http://doi.org/10.1038/srep12695
Abstract: Superconductors, ideally diamagnetic when in the Meissner state, can also exhibit paramagnetic behavior due to trapped magnetic flux. In the absence of pinning such paramagnetic response is weak, and ceases with increasing sample thickness. Here we show that in multiband superconductors paramagnetic response can be observed even in slab geometries, and can be far larger than any previous estimate – even multiply larger than the diamagnetic Meissner response for the same applied magnetic field. We link the appearance of this giant paramagnetic response to the broad crossover between conventional Type-I and Type-II superconductors, where Abrikosov vortices interact non-monotonically and multibody effects become important, causing unique flux configurations and their locking in the presence of surfaces.
Keywords: A1 Journal article; Engineering sciences. Technology; Condensed Matter Theory (CMT)
Impact Factor: 4.259
Times cited: 25
DOI: 10.1038/srep12695
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“Enhancement of electron-hole superfluidity in double few-layer graphene”. Zarenia M, Perali A, Neilson D, Peeters FM, Scientific reports 4, 7319 (2014). http://doi.org/10.1038/srep07319
Abstract: We propose two coupled electron-hole sheets of few-layer graphene as a new nanostructure to observe superfluidity at enhanced densities and enhanced transition temperatures. For ABC stacked few-layer graphene we show that the strongly correlated electron-hole pairing regime is readily accessible experimentally using current technologies. We find for double trilayer and quadlayer graphene sheets spatially separated by a nano-thick hexagonal boron-nitride insulating barrier, that the transition temperature for electron-hole superfluidity can approach temperatures of 40 K.
Keywords: A1 Journal article; Engineering sciences. Technology; Condensed Matter Theory (CMT)
Impact Factor: 4.259
Times cited: 38
DOI: 10.1038/srep07319
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“Quantum rotor in nanostructured superconductors”. Lin S-H, Milošević, MV, Covaci L, Janko B, Peeters FM, Scientific reports 4, 4542 (2014). http://doi.org/10.1038/srep04542
Abstract: Despite its apparent simplicity, the idealized model of a particle constrained to move on a circle has intriguing dynamic properties and immediate experimental relevance. While a rotor is rather easy to set up classically, the quantum regime is harder to realize and investigate. Here we demonstrate that the quantum dynamics of quasiparticles in certain classes of nanostructured superconductors can be mapped onto a quantum rotor. Furthermore, we provide a straightforward experimental procedure to convert this nanoscale superconducting rotor into a regular or inverted quantum pendulum with tunable gravitational field, inertia, and drive. We detail how these novel states can be detected via scanning tunneling spectroscopy. The proposed experiments will provide insights into quantum dynamics and quantum chaos.
Keywords: A1 Journal article; Engineering sciences. Technology; Condensed Matter Theory (CMT)
Impact Factor: 4.259
Times cited: 4
DOI: 10.1038/srep04542
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“High-mobility Bi2Se3 nanoplates manifesting quantum oscillations of surface states in the sidewalls”. Yan Y, Wang L-X, Ke X, Van Tendeloo G, Wu X-S, Yu D-P, Liao Z-M, Scientific reports 4, 3817 (2014). http://doi.org/10.1038/srep03817
Abstract: Magnetotransport measurements of topological insulators are very important to reveal the exotic topological surface states for spintronic applications. However, the novel properties related to the surface Dirac fermions are usually accompanied by a large linear magnetoresistance under perpendicular magnetic field, which makes the identification of the surface states obscure. Here, we report prominent Shubnikov-de Haas (SdH) oscillations under an in-plane magnetic field, which are identified to originate from the surface states in the sidewalls of topological insulator Bi2Se3 nanoplates. Importantly, the SdH oscillations appear with a dramatically weakened magnetoresistance background, offering an easy path to probe the surface states directly when the coexistence of surface states and bulk conduction is inevitable. Moreover, under a perpendicular magnetic field, the oscillations in Hall conductivity have peak-to-valley amplitudes of 2 e(2)/h, giving confidence to achieve a quantum Hall effect in this system. A cross-section view of the nanoplate shows that the sidewall is (015) facet dominant and therefore forms a 586 angle with regard to the top/ bottom surface instead of being perpendicular; this gives credit to the surface states' behavior as two-dimensional transport.
Keywords: A1 Journal article; Engineering sciences. Technology; Electron microscopy for materials research (EMAT)
Impact Factor: 4.259
Times cited: 31
DOI: 10.1038/srep03817
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“Misfit phase (BiSe)1.10NbSe2 as the origin of superconductivity in niobium-doped bismuth selenide”. Kamminga ME, Batuk M, Hadermann J, Clarke SJ, Communications Materials 1, 82 (2020). http://doi.org/10.1038/s43246-020-00085-z
Abstract: Topological superconductivity is of great contemporary interest and has been proposed in doped Bi<sub>2</sub>Se<sub>3</sub>, in which electron-donating atoms such as Cu, Sr or Nb have been intercalated into the Bi<sub>2</sub>Se<sub>3</sub>structure. For Nb<sub><italic>x</italic></sub>Bi<sub>2</sub>Se<sub>3</sub>, with<italic>T</italic><sub>c</sub> ~ 3 K, it is assumed in the literature that Nb is inserted in the van der Waals gap. However, in this work an alternative origin for the superconductivity in Nb-doped Bi<sub>2</sub>Se<sub>3</sub>is established. In contrast to previous reports, it is deduced that Nb intercalation in Bi<sub>2</sub>Se<sub>3</sub>does not take place. Instead, the superconducting behaviour in samples of nominal composition Nb<sub><italic>x</italic></sub>Bi<sub>2</sub>Se<sub>3</sub>results from the (BiSe)<sub>1.10</sub>NbSe<sub>2</sub>misfit phase that is present in the sample as an impurity phase for small<italic>x</italic>(0.01 ≤ <italic>x</italic> ≤ 0.10) and as a main phase for large<italic>x</italic>(<italic>x</italic> = 0.50). The structure of this misfit phase is studied in detail using a combination of X-ray diffraction and transmission electron microscopy techniques.
Keywords: A1 Journal article; Electron microscopy for materials research (EMAT)
DOI: 10.1038/s43246-020-00085-z
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“Halide-guided active site exposure in bismuth electrocatalysts for selective CO₂, conversion into formic acid”. Yang S, An H, Arnouts S, Wang H, Yu X, de Ruiter J, Bals S, Altantzis T, Weckhuysen BM, van der Stam W, Nature Catalysis 6, 796 (2023). http://doi.org/10.1038/S41929-023-01008-0
Abstract: It remains a challenge to identify the active sites of bismuth catalysts in the electrochemical CO2 reduction reaction. Here we show through in situ characterization that the activation of bismuth oxyhalide electrocatalysts to metallic bismuth is guided by the halides. In situ X-ray diffraction results show that bromide promotes the selective exposure of planar bismuth surfaces, whereas chloride and iodide result in more disordered active sites. Furthermore, we find that bromide-activated bismuth catalysts outperform the chloride and iodide counterparts, achieving high current density (>100 mA cm(-2)) and formic acid selectivity (>90%), suggesting that planar bismuth surfaces are more active for the electrochemical CO2 reduction reaction. In addition, in situ X-ray absorption spectroscopy measurements reveal that the reconstruction proceeds rapidly in chloride-activated bismuth and gradually when bromide is present, facilitating the formation of ordered planar surfaces. These findings show the pivotal role of halogens on selective facet exposure in activated bismuth-based electrocatalysts during the electrochemical CO2 reduction reaction.
Keywords: A1 Journal article; Electron microscopy for materials research (EMAT); Applied Electrochemistry & Catalysis (ELCAT)
Impact Factor: 37.8
Times cited: 13
DOI: 10.1038/S41929-023-01008-0
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