Abstract: A new, two-step nanocasting method was developed to prepare N-doped ordered mesoporous carbon (NOMC) electrocatalysts for the reduction of O2 to H2O2. Our strategy involves the sequential pyrolysis of two inexpensive and readily available N and C precursors, i.e. aniline and dihydroxynaphthalene (DHN), inside the pores of a SBA-15 hard silica template to obtain N-doped graphitic carbon materials with well-ordered pores and high surface areas (764 and 877 m2g−1). By tuning the ratio of carbon sources to silica template, it was possible to achieve an optimal filling of the pores of the SBA-15 silica and to minimise carbon species outside the pores. These NOMC materials displayed outstanding electrocatalytic activity in the oxygen reduction reaction, achieving a remarkably enhanced kinetic current density compared to state-of-the-art N-doped carbon materials (−16.7 mA cm−2 at −0.35 V vs. Ag/AgCl in a 0.1 M KOH solution as electrolyte). The NOMC electrocatalysts showed high selectivity toward the two-electron reduction of oxygen to hydrogen peroxide and excellent long-term stability.

Abstract: A novel class of nanostructured Zr50Cu50 (%at.) metallic glass films with superior and tunable mechanical
properties is produced by pulsed laser deposition. The process can be controlled to synthetize a wide
range of film microstructures including dense fully amorphous, amorphous embedded with nanocrystals
and amorphous nano-granular. A unique dense self-assembled nano-laminated atomic arrangement
characterized by alternating Cu-rich and Zr/O-rich nanolayers with different local chemical enrichment
and amorphous or amorphous-crystalline composite nanostructure has been discovered, while
significant in-plane clustering is reported for films synthetized at high deposition pressures. This unique
nanoarchitecture is at the basis of superior mechanical properties including large hardness and elastic
modulus up to 10 and 140 GPa, respectively and outstanding total elongation to failure (>9%), leading to
excellent strength/ductility balance, which can be tuned by playing with the film architecture. These
results pave the way to the synthesis of novel class of engineered nanostructured metallic glass films
with high structural performances attractive for a number of applications in microelectronics and
coating industry.

Abstract: The design of high‐performance structural thin films consistently seeks to achieve a delicate equilibrium by balancing outstanding mechanical properties like yield strength, ductility, and substrate adhesion, which are often mutually exclusive. Metallic glasses (MGs) with their amorphous structure have superior strength, but usually poor ductility with catastrophic failure induced by shear bands (SBs) formation. Herein, we introduce an innovative approach by synthesizing MGs characterized by large and tunable mechanical properties, pioneering a nanoengineering design based on the control of nanoscale chemical/structural heterogeneities. This is realized through a simplified model Zr 24 Cu 76 /Zr 61 Cu 39 , fully amorphous nanocomposite with controlled nanoscale periodicity ( Λ , from 400 down to 5 nm), local chemistry, and glass–glass interfaces, while focusing in‐depth on the SB nucleation/propagation processes. The nanolaminates enable a fine control of the mechanical properties, and an onset of crack formation/percolation (>1.9 and 3.3%, respectively) far above the monolithic counterparts. Moreover, we show that SB propagation induces large chemical intermixing, enabling a brittle‐to‐ductile transition when Λ  ≤ 50 nm, reaching remarkably large plastic deformation of 16% in compression and yield strength ≈2 GPa. Overall, the nanoengineered control of local heterogeneities leads to ultimate and tunable mechanical properties opening up a new approach for strong and ductile materials.

Abstract: Advances in the synthesis of porous microspheres and in their functionalization are increasing the interest in applications of alumina. This paper deals with coatings plasma deposited from 3-aminopropyltriethoxysilane by means of dielectric barrier discharges on alumina porous microspheres, shaped by a vibrational droplet coagulation technique. Aims of the work are the functionalization of the particles with active amino groups, as well as the evaluation of their surface coverage and of the penetration of the coatings into their pores. A multi-diagnostic approach was used for the chemical/morphological characterization of the particles. It was found that 5 min exposure to plasma discharges promotes the deposition of homogeneous coatings onto the microspheres and within their pores, down to 1 μm.

Abstract: Hierarchical zeolites are a class of superior catalysts which couples the intrinsic zeolitic properties to enhanced accessibility and intracrystalline mass transport to and from the active sites. The design of hierarchical USY (Ultra-Stable Y) catalysts is achieved using a sustainable postsynthetic room temperature treatment with mildly alkaline NH4OH ( 0.02(M)) solutions. Starting from a commercial dealuminated USY zeolite (Si/Al = 47), a hierarchical material is obtained by selective and tuneable creation of interconnected and accessible small mesopores (2- 6 nm). In addition, the treatment immediately yields the NH4+ form without the need for additional ion exchange. After NH4OH modification, the crystal morphology is retained, whereas the microporosity and relative crystallinity are decreased. The gradual formation of dense amorphous phases throughout the crystal without significant framework atom leaching rationalizes the very high material yields (>90%). The superior catalytic performance of the developed hierarchical zeolites is demonstrated in the acid-catalyzed isomerization of alpha-pinene and the metal-catalyzed conjugation of safflower oil. Significant improvements in activity and selectivity are attained, as well as a lowered susceptibility to deactivation. The catalytic performance is intimately related to the introduced mesopores, hence enhanced mass transport capacity, and the retained intrinsic zeolitic properties.

Abstract: Graphene, having all atoms on its surface, is favorable to extend the functions by introducing the spin–orbit coupling and magnetism through proximity effect. Here, we report the tunable interfacial exchange field produced by proximity coupling in graphene/BiFeO3 heterostructures. The exchange field has a notable dependence with external magnetic field, and it is much larger under negative magnetic field than that under positive magnetic field. For negative external magnetic field, interfacial exchange coupling gives rise to evident spin splitting for N ≠ 0 Landau levels and a quantum Hall metal state for N = 0 Landau level. Our findings suggest graphene/BiFeO3 heterostructures are promising for spintronics.

Abstract: This paper reviews and compares 11 studies that have estimated external costs of fossil electricity generation by benefits transfer. These studies include 13 countries and most of these countries are developing countries. The impact pathway approach is applied to estimate the environmental impact arising from fossil fuel-fired power plant's air emission and the related damages on human health. The estimated damages are used to value the monetary external costs from fossil fuel electricity generation. The estimated external costs in the 13 countries vary from 0.51 to 213.5 USD (2005) per MWh due to differences in fossil fuel quality, location, technology, and efficiency of power plants and additionally differences in assumptions, monetization values, and impact estimations. Accounting for these externalities can indicate the actual costs of fossil energy. The results can be applied by policy makers to take measures to avoid additional costs and to apply newer and cleaner energy sources. The described methods in the selected studies for estimating the external costs with respect to incomplete local data can be applied as a useful example for other developing countries.

Abstract: Nanocrystalline powders of undoped and lanthanide (Pr3+, Tm3+)- doped gadolinium gallium garnet, Gd3Ga5O12 (GGG), were prepared by propellant synthesis and studied by x-ray powder diffraction (XRD), electron diffraction (ED), high-resolution electron microscopy (HREM) and luminescence spectroscopy. The x-ray diffraction patterns of the GGG samples were analysed using the Rietveld method. The Rietveld refinement reveals the existence of two garnet-type phases: both are cubic (space group Ia $(3) over bar $d) with a slightly different lattice parameter and probably a slightly different composition. Electron diffraction and electron microscopy measurements confirm the x-ray diffraction results. EDX measurements for lanthanide-doped samples show that stable solid solutions with composition Gd(3-x)Ln(x)Ga(5)O(12), x approximate to 0.3 ( Ln = Pr; Tm) have been obtained. The luminescence properties of the Tm3+ -doped nanocrystalline GGG samples were measured and analysed.

Abstract: Two-dimensional materials (2DMs) continue to attract a lot of attention, particularly for their extreme flexibility and superior thermal properties. Molecular dynamics simulations are among the most powerful methods for computing these properties, but their reliability depends on the accuracy of interatomic interactions. While first principles approaches provide the most accurate description of interatomic forces, they are computationally expensive. In contrast, classical force fields are computationally efficient, but have limited accuracy in interatomic force description. Machine learning interatomic potentials, such as Gaussian Approximation Potentials, trained on density functional theory (DFT) calculations offer a compromise by providing both accurate estimation and computational efficiency. In this work, we present a systematic procedure to develop Gaussian approximation potentials for selected 2DMs, graphene, buckled silicene, and h-XN (X = B, Al, and Ga, as binary compounds) structures. We validate our approach through calculations that require various levels of accuracy in interatomic interactions. The calculated phonon dispersion curves and lattice thermal conductivity, obtained through harmonic and anharmonic force constants (including fourth order) are in excellent agreement with DFT results. HIPHIVE calculations, in which the generated GAP potentials were used to compute higher-order force constants instead of DFT, demonstrated the first-principles level accuracy of the potentials for interatomic force description. Molecular dynamics simulations based on phonon density of states calculations, which agree closely with DFT-based calculations, also show the success of the generated potentials in high-temperature simulations.

Abstract: The newest members of a two-dimensional material family, involving transition metal carbides and nitrides (called MXenes), have garnered increasing attention due to their tunable electronic and thermal properties depending on the chemical composition and functionalization. This flexibility can be exploited to fabricate efficient electrochemical energy storage (batteries) and energy conversion (thermoelectric) devices. In this study, we calculated the Seebeck coefficients and lattice thermal conductivity values of oxygen terminated M2CO2 (where M = Ti, Zr, Hf, Sc) monolayer MXene crystals in two different functionalization configurations (model-II (MD-II) and model-III (MD-III)), using density functional theory and Boltzmann transport theory. We estimated the thermoelectric figure-of-merit, zT, of these materials by two different approaches, as well. First of all, we found that the structural model (i.e. adsorption site of oxygen atom on the surface of MXene) has a paramount impact on the electronic and thermoelectric properties of MXene crystals, which can be exploited to engineer the thermoelectric properties of these materials. The lattice thermal conductivity kappa(l), Seebeck coefficient and zT values may vary by 40% depending on the structural model. The MD-III configuration always has the larger band gap, Seebeck coefficient and zT, and smaller kappa(l) as compared to the MD-II structure due to a larger band gap, highly flat valence band and reduced crystal symmetry in the former. The MD-III configuration of Ti2CO2 and Zr2CO2 has the lowest kappa(l) as compared to the same configuration of Hf2CO2 and Sc2CO2. Among all the considered structures, the MD-II configuration of Hf2CO2 has the highest kappa(l), and Ti2CO2 and Zr2CO2 in the MD-III configuration have the lowest kappa(l). For instance, while the band gap of the MD-II configuration of Ti2CO2 is 0.26 eV, it becomes 0.69 eV in MD-III. The zT(max) value may reach up to 1.1 depending on the structural model of MXene.

Abstract: Combining long-range magnetic order with polarity in the same structure is a prerequisite for the design of (magnetoelectric) multiferroic materials. There are now several demonstrated strategies to achieve this goal, but retaining magnetic order above room temperature remains a difficult target. Iron oxides in the +3 oxidation state have high magnetic ordering temperatures due to the size of the coupled moments. Here we prepare and characterize ScFeO3 (SFO), which under pressure and in strain-stabilized thin films adopts a polar variant of the corundum structure, one of the archetypal binary oxide structures. Polar corundum ScFeO3 has a weak ferromagnetic ground state below 356 K-this is in contrast to the purely antiferromagnetic ground state adopted by the well-studied ferroelectric BiFeO3.

Abstract: SrFe0.75Mo0.25O3-delta has been recently discovered as an extremely efficient electrode for intermediate temperature solid oxide fuel cells (IT-SOFCs). We have performed structural and magnetic studies to fully characterize this multifunctional material. We have observed by powder neutron diffraction (PND) and transmission electron microscopy (TEM) that its crystal symmetry is better explained with a tetragonal symmetry (I4/mcm space group) than with the previously reported orthorhombic symmetry (Pnma space group). The temperature dependent magnetic properties indicate an exceptionally high magnetic ordering temperature (T-N similar to 750 K), well above room temperature. The ordered magnetic structure at low temperature was determined by PND to be an antiferromagnetic coupling of the Fe cations. Mossbauer spectroscopy corroborated the PND results. A detailed study, with X-ray absorption spectroscopy (XAS), in agreement with the Mossbauer results, confirmed the formal oxidation states of the cations to be mixed valence Fe3+/4+ and Mo6+.

Abstract: A novel 6H-type hexagonal perovskite Ba-3(Cr0.97(1)Te0.03(1))(2)TeO9 was prepared at high pressure (6 GPa) and temperature (1773 K). Both transmission electron microscopy and synchrotron powder X-ray diffraction data demonstrate that Ba-3(Cr0.97(1)Te0.03(1))(2)TeO9 crystallizes in P6(3)/mmc with face-shared (Cr0.97(1)Te0.03(1))O-6 octahedral pairs interconnected with TeO6 octahedra via corner-sharing. Structure analysis shows a mixed Cr2+/Cr3+ valence state with similar to 10% Cr2+. The existence of Cr2+ in Ba-3(Cr0.10(1)2+Cr0.87(1)3+Te0.036+)(2)TeO9 is further evidenced by X-ray absorption near-edge spectroscopy. Magnetic properties measurements show a paramagnetic response down to 4 K and a small glassy-state curvature at low temperature. In this work, the octahedral Cr2+O6 component is stabilized in an oxide material for the first time; the expected Jahn-Teller distortion of high-spin (d(4)) Cr2+ is not found, which is attributed to the small proportion of Cr2+ (similar to 10%) and the face-sharing arrangement of CrO6 octahedral pairs, which structurally disfavor axial distortion.

Abstract: Single crystals of Bi3Mn1.9Te1.1O11 were prepared from NaCl+KCl flux. This compound adopts KSbO3-type crystal structure as evidenced by electron and single crystal X-ray diffraction analysis. The three-dimensional channel structure is formed by corner-sharing octahedral (Mn0.63Te0.37)2O10 dimers and two identical (Bi1)4(Bi2)2 interpenetrating lattices. The intra-dimer Mn/TeMn/Te distances in Bi3Mn1.9Te1.1O11 are short and are consistent with weak metalmetal interactions. The mixed oxidation state of manganese and the edge-sharing octahedral features are confirmed by X-ray near edge absorption spectroscopy measurements, which indicate Bi3(MnIII1.1MnIV0.8)TeVI1.1O11 with 57.7% Mn3+ and 42.3% Mn4+. The partial substitution of Te for Mn perturbs long-range magnetic interactions, thereby destroying the ferromagnetic ordering found in Bi3Mn3O11 (TC=150 K).