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“Au@MOF-5 and Au/Mox@MOF-5 (M = Zn, Ti, x = 1, 2) : preparation and microstructural characterisation”. Müller M, Turner S, Lebedev OI, Wang Y, Van Tendeloo G, Fischer RA, European journal of inorganic chemistry , 1876 (2011). http://doi.org/10.1002/ejic.201001297
Abstract: The Zn-carboxylate-based porous coordination polymer MOF-5 [Zn4O(bdc)3] and the metal oxide loaded materials ZnO@MOF-5 and TiO2@MOF-5 were loaded in a second step with the precursor [ClAuCO] to yield intermediate materials denoted as [ClAuCO]@MOF-5, [ClAuCO]/ZnO@MOF-5 and [ClAuCO]/TiO2@MOF-5. These composites were decomposed to Au@MOF-5, Au/ZnO@MOF-5 and Au/TiO2@MOF-5 under hydrogen at 100 °C. The nanoparticle-loaded hybrid materials were characterised by powder X-ray diffraction (PXRD), IR spectroscopy, X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS) and N2 sorption measurements, which reveal an intact MOF-5 structure that maintains a high specific surface area. For Au@MOF-5, crystalline Au nanoparticles were distributed over the MOF matrix in a homogeneous fashion with a size of ca. 13 nm, evidenced by high resolution transmission electron microscopy. In the case of Au/ZnO@MOF-5, the Au and metal oxide particles of a few nm in size were coexistent in a given volume of the MOF-5 matrix and were not separated in different crystalline MOF particles. For the TiO2 loaded materials the oxide is preferentially located near the outer surface of the MOF particles, leading to an increase of larger exterior Au particles in comparison to very small interior Au particles as observed for the other materials. Au@MOF-5, Au/ZnO@MOF-5 and Au/TiO2@MOF-5 were tested in liquid-phase oxidation of alcohols. Preliminary results show a high activity for the Au loaded materials in this reaction. This observation is attributed to the microstructure of the composites with very small Au particles distributed homogeneously over the MOF matrix.
Keywords: A1 Journal article; Electron microscopy for materials research (EMAT)
Impact Factor: 2.444
Times cited: 75
DOI: 10.1002/ejic.201001297
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“Resonant magnetopolaron effects in GaAs/AlGaAs MQWs at high magnetic fields”. Wang YJ, Nickel HA, McCombe BD, Peeters FM, Hai GQ, Shi JM, Devreese JT, Wu XG, , 797 (1997)
Keywords: P3 Proceeding; Condensed Matter Theory (CMT); Theory of quantum systems and complex systems
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“&alpha, phase growth and branching in titanium alloys”. Shi R, Choudhuri D, Kashiwar A, Dasari S, Wang Y, Banerjee R, Banerjee D, Philosophical magazine (2021). http://doi.org/10.1080/14786435.2021.1998693
Abstract: The morphology and spatial distribution of alpha (α) precipitates have been mapped as a function of Mo content in Ti-Mo binary alloys employing a combinatorial approach. Heat-treatments were carried out on compositionally graded Ti-xMo samples processed using a rapid throughput laser engineered net shape (LENS) process. The composition space spans 1.5 at% to 6 at% Mo with ageing at 750°C, 650°C and 600°C following a β solution treatment. Three distinct regimes of α morphology and distribution were observed. These are colony-dominated microstructures originating from grain boundary α allotriomorphs, bundles of intragranular α laths, and homogeneously distributed individual fine-scale α laths. Branching of the α precipitates was observed in all these domains in a manner reminiscent of solid-state dendritic growth. The phenomenon is particularly apparent at low volume fractions of α. Similar features are present in a wide variety of alloy compositions. 3-dimensional features of such branched structures have been analysed. Simulation of the branching process by phase field methods incorporating anisotropy in the α/β interface energy and elasticity suggests that it can be initiated at growth ledges present at broad faces of the α laths, driven by the enhancement of the diffusion flux at these steps. The dependence of branching on various parameters such as supersaturation and diffusivity, and microstructural features like ledge height and distribution and the presence of adjacent α variants has been evaluated.
Keywords: A1 Journal article; Engineering sciences. Technology; Electron microscopy for materials research (EMAT)
Impact Factor: 1.505
DOI: 10.1080/14786435.2021.1998693
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“SF₆, catalytic degradation in a γ-Al₂O₃, packed bed plasma system : a combined experimental and theoretical study”. Cui Z, Zhou C, Jafarzadeh A, Meng S, Yi Y, Wang Y, Zhang X, Hao Y, Li L, Bogaerts A, High voltage , 1 (2022). http://doi.org/10.1049/HVE2.12230
Abstract: Effective abatement of the greenhouse gas sulphur hexafluoride (SF6) waste is of great importance for the environment protection. This work investigates the size effect and the surface properties of gamma-Al2O3 pellets on SF6 degradation in a packed bed dielectric barrier discharge (PB-DBD) system. Experimental results show that decreasing the packing size improves the filamentary discharges and promotes the ignition and the maintenance of plasma, enhancing the degradation performance at low input powers. However, too small packing pellets decrease the gas residence time and reduce the degradation efficiency, especially for the input power beyond 80 W. Besides, lowering the packing size promotes the generation of SO2, while reduces the yields of S-O-F products, corresponding to a better degradation. After the discharge, the pellet surface becomes smoother with the appearance of S and F elements. Density functional theory calculations show that SF6 is likely to be adsorbed at the Al-III site over the gamma-Al2O3(110) surface, and it is much more easily to decompose than in the gas phase. The fluorine gaseous products can decompose and stably adsorb on the pellet surface to change the surface element composition. This work provides a better understanding of SF6 degradation in a PB-DBD system.
Keywords: A1 Journal article; Plasma Lab for Applications in Sustainability and Medicine – Antwerp (PLASMANT)
Impact Factor: 4.4
DOI: 10.1049/HVE2.12230
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“Resonant magnetopolaron effect in GaAs/AlGaAs multiple quantum well structures”. Wang YJ, Nichel HA, McCombe BD, Peeters FM, Shi JM, Hai GQ, Wu XG, Eustis TJ, Schaff W, Physica. E: Low-dimensional systems and nanostructures 2, 161 (1998). http://doi.org/10.1016/S1386-9477(98)00035-6
Keywords: A1 Journal article; Condensed Matter Theory (CMT)
Impact Factor: 2.221
DOI: 10.1016/S1386-9477(98)00035-6
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“Hierarchical zeolite single-crystal reactor for excellent catalytic efficiency”. Sun M-H, Zhou J, Hu Z-Y, Chen L-H, Li L-Y, Wang Y-D, Xie Z-K, Turner S, Van Tendeloo G, Hasan T, Su B-L, Matter 3, 1226 (2020). http://doi.org/10.1016/J.MATT.2020.07.016
Abstract: As a size- and shape-selective catalyst, zeolites are widely used in petroleum and fine-chemicals processing. However, their small micropores severely hinder molecular diffusion and are sensitive to coke formation. Hierarchically porous zeolite single crystals with fully interconnected, ordered, and tunable multimodal porosity at macro-, meso-, and microlength scale, like in leaves, offer the ideal solution. However, their synthesis remains highly challenging. Here, we report a versatile confined zeolite crystallization process to achieve these superior properties. Such zeolite single crystals lead to significantly improved mass transport properties by shortening the diffusion length while maintaining shape-selective properties, endowing them with a high efficiency of zeolite crystals, enhanced catalytic activities and lifetime, highly reduced coke formation, and reduced deactivation rate in bulky-molecule reactions and methanol-to-olefins process. Their industrial utilization can lead to the design of innovative and intensified reactors and processes with highly enhanced efficiency and minimum energy consumption.
Keywords: A1 Journal article; Electron microscopy for materials research (EMAT)
DOI: 10.1016/J.MATT.2020.07.016
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“Composite super-moiré, lattices in double-aligned graphene heterostructures = Composite super-moire lattices in double-aligned graphene heterostructures”. Wang Z, Wang YB, Yin J, Tovari E, Yang Y, Lin L, Holwill M, Birkbeck J, Perello DJ, Xu S, Zultak J, Gorbachev RV, Kretinin AV, Taniguchi T, Watanabe K, Morozov SV, Andelkovic M, Milovanović, SP, Covaci L, Peeters FM, Mishchenko A, Geim AK, Novoselov KS, Fal'ko VI, Knothe A, Woods CR, Science Advances 5, eaay8897 (2019). http://doi.org/10.1126/SCIADV.AAY8897
Abstract: When two-dimensional (2D) atomic crystals are brought into close proximity to form a van der Waals heterostructure, neighbouring crystals may influence each other's properties. Of particular interest is when the two crystals closely match and a moire pattern forms, resulting in modified electronic and excitonic spectra, crystal reconstruction, and more. Thus, moire patterns are a viable tool for controlling the properties of 2D materials. However, the difference in periodicity of the two crystals limits the reconstruction and, thus, is a barrier to the low-energy regime. Here, we present a route to spectrum reconstruction at all energies. By using graphene which is aligned to two hexagonal boron nitride layers, one can make electrons scatter in the differential moire pattern which results in spectral changes at arbitrarily low energies. Further, we demonstrate that the strength of this potential relies crucially on the atomic reconstruction of graphene within the differential moire super cell.
Keywords: A1 Journal article; Engineering sciences. Technology; Electron microscopy for materials research (EMAT); Condensed Matter Theory (CMT)
Times cited: 71
DOI: 10.1126/SCIADV.AAY8897
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“Chip-based in situ TEM investigation of structural thermal instability in aged layered cathode”. Wang Y, Yuan Y, Liao X, Van Tendeloo G, Zhao Y, Sun C, Nanoscale Advances 5, 4182 (2023). http://doi.org/10.1039/D3NA00201B
Abstract: Thermally induced oxygen release is an intrinsic structural instability in layered cathodes, which causes thermal runaway issues and becomes increasingly critical with the continuous improvement in energy density. Furthermore, thermal runaway events always occur in electrochemically aged cathodes, where the coupling of the thermal and electrochemical effect remains elusive. Herein, we report the anomalous segregation of cobalt metal in an aged LiCoO2 cathode, which is attributed to the local exposure of the high-energy (100) surface of LiCoO2 and weak interface Co-O dangling bonds significantly promoting the diffusion of Co. The presence of the LCO-Co interface severely aggregated the oxygen release in the form of dramatic Co growth. A unique particle-to-particle oxygen release pathway was also found, starting from the isolated high reduction areas induced by the cycling heterogeneity. This study provides atomistic insight into the robust coupling between the intrinsic structural instability and electrochemical cycling.
Keywords: A1 Journal article; Engineering sciences. Technology; Electron microscopy for materials research (EMAT)
Impact Factor: 4.7
DOI: 10.1039/D3NA00201B
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“Strong resonant intersubband magnetopolaron effect in heavily modulation-doped GaAs/AlGaAs single quantum wells at high magnetic fields”. Wang YJ, Leem YA, McCombe BD, Wu XG, Peeters FM, Jones E, Reno J, Lee XY, Jiang HW, Physica. E: Low-dimensional systems and nanostructures 6, 195 (2000). http://doi.org/10.1016/S1386-9477(99)00086-7
Keywords: A1 Journal article; Condensed Matter Theory (CMT)
Impact Factor: 2.221
Times cited: 2
DOI: 10.1016/S1386-9477(99)00086-7
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“Stabilization and encapsulation of gold nanostars mediated by dithiols”. Wang Y, Belén Serrano A, Sentosun K, Bals S, Liz-Marzán LM, Small 11, 4314 (2015). http://doi.org/10.1002/smll.201500703
Abstract: Surface chemistry plays a pivotal role in regulating the morphology of nanoparticles, maintaining colloidal stability, and mediating the interaction with target analytes toward practical applications such as surface-enhanced Raman scattering (SERS)-based sensing and imaging. The use of a binary ligand mixture composed of 1,4-benzenedithiol (BDT) and hexadecyltrimethylammonium chloride (CTAC) to provide gold nanostars with long-term stability is reported. This is despite BDT being a bifunctional ligand, which usually leads to bridging and loss of colloidal stability. It is found however that neither BDT nor CTAC alone are able to provide sufficient colloidal and chemical stability. BDT-coated Au nanostars are additionally used as seeds to direct the encapsulation with a gold outer shell, leading to the formation of unusual nanostructures including semishell-coated gold nanostars, which are characterized by high-resolution electron microscopy and electron tomography. Finally, BDT is exploited as a probe to reveal the enhanced local electric fields in the different nanostructures, showing that the semishell configuration provides significantly high SERS signals as compared to other coreshell configurations obtained during seeded growth, including full shells.
Keywords: A1 Journal article; Electron microscopy for materials research (EMAT)
Impact Factor: 8.643
Times cited: 36
DOI: 10.1002/smll.201500703
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“Superconducting diode effect via conformal-mapped nanoholes”. Lyu Y-Y, Jiang J, Wang Y-L, Xiao Z-L, Dong S, Chen Q-H, Milošević, MV, Wang H, Divan R, Pearson JE, Wu P, Peeters FM, Kwok W-K, Nature Communications 12, 2703 (2021). http://doi.org/10.1038/S41467-021-23077-0
Abstract: A superconducting diode is an electronic device that conducts supercurrent and exhibits zero resistance primarily for one direction of applied current. Such a dissipationless diode is a desirable unit for constructing electronic circuits with ultralow power consumption. However, realizing a superconducting diode is fundamentally and technologically challenging, as it usually requires a material structure without a centre of inversion, which is scarce among superconducting materials. Here, we demonstrate a superconducting diode achieved in a conventional superconducting film patterned with a conformal array of nanoscale holes, which breaks the spatial inversion symmetry. We showcase the superconducting diode effect through switchable and reversible rectification signals, which can be three orders of magnitude larger than that from a flux-quantum diode. The introduction of conformal potential landscapes for creating a superconducting diode is thereby proven as a convenient, tunable, yet vastly advantageous tool for superconducting electronics. This could be readily applicable to any superconducting materials, including cuprates and iron-based superconductors that have higher transition temperatures and are desirable in device applications. A superconducting diode is dissipationless and desirable for electronic circuits with ultralow power consumption, yet it remains challenging to realize it. Here, the authors achieve a superconducting diode in a conventional superconducting film patterned with a conformal array of nanoscale holes.
Keywords: A1 Journal article; Engineering sciences. Technology; Condensed Matter Theory (CMT)
Impact Factor: 12.124
Times cited: 71
DOI: 10.1038/S41467-021-23077-0
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“Quantitatively linking morphology and optical response of individual silver nanohedra”. Wang Y, Sztranyovszky Z, Zilli A, Albrecht W, Bals S, Borri P, Langbein W, Nanoscale 14, 11028 (2022). http://doi.org/10.1039/D2NR02131E
Abstract: The optical response of metal nanoparticles is governed by plasmonic resonances, which are dictated by the particle morphology. A thorough understanding of the link between morphology and optical response requires quantitatively measuring optical and structural properties of the same particle. Here we present such a study, correlating electron tomography and optical micro-spectroscopy. The optical measurements determine the scattering and absorption cross-section spectra in absolute units, and electron tomography determines the 3D morphology. Numerical simulations of the spectra for the individual particle geometry, and the specific optical set-up used, allow for a quantitative comparison including the cross-section magnitude. Silver nanoparticles produced by photochemically driven colloidal synthesis, including decahedra, tetrahedra and bi-tetrahedra are investigated. A mismatch of measured and simulated spectra is found in some cases when assuming pure silver particles, which is explained by the presence of a few atomic layers of tarnish on the surface, not evident in electron tomography. The presented method tightens the link between particle morphology and optical response, supporting the predictive design of plasmonic nanomaterials.
Keywords: A1 Journal article; Engineering sciences. Technology; Electron microscopy for materials research (EMAT)
Impact Factor: 6.7
Times cited: 1
DOI: 10.1039/D2NR02131E
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“Epitaxially grown silicon-based single-atom catalyst for visible-light-driven syngas production”. Chen H, Xiong Y, Li J, Abed J, Wang D, Pedrazo-Tardajos A, Cao Y, Zhang Y, Wang Y, Shakouri M, Xiao Q, Hu Y, Bals S, Sargent EHH, Su C-Y, Yang Z, Nature communications 14, 1719 (2023). http://doi.org/10.1038/S41467-023-37401-3
Abstract: Despite the natural abundance and promising properties of Si, there are few examples of crystalline Si-based catalysts. Here, the authors report an epitaxial growth method to construct Co single atoms on Si for light driven CO2 reduction to syngas. Improving the dispersion of active sites simultaneous with the efficient harvest of photons is a key priority for photocatalysis. Crystalline silicon is abundant on Earth and has a suitable bandgap. However, silicon-based photocatalysts combined with metal elements has proved challenging due to silicon's rigid crystal structure and high formation energy. Here we report a solid-state chemistry that produces crystalline silicon with well-dispersed Co atoms. Isolated Co sites in silicon are obtained through the in-situ formation of CoSi2 intermediate nanodomains that function as seeds, leading to the production of Co-incorporating silicon nanocrystals at the CoSi2/Si epitaxial interface. As a result, cobalt-on-silicon single-atom catalysts achieve an external quantum efficiency of 10% for CO2-to-syngas conversion, with CO and H-2 yields of 4.7 mol g((Co))(-1) and 4.4 mol g((Co))(-1), respectively. Moreover, the H-2/CO ratio is tunable between 0.8 and 2. This photocatalyst also achieves a corresponding turnover number of 2 x 10(4) for visible-light-driven CO2 reduction over 6 h, which is over ten times higher than previously reported single-atom photocatalysts.
Keywords: A1 Journal article; Engineering sciences. Technology; Electron microscopy for materials research (EMAT)
Impact Factor: 16.6
Times cited: 6
DOI: 10.1038/S41467-023-37401-3
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“State of the art and prospects for Halide Perovskite Nanocrystals”. Dey A, Ye J, De A, Debroye E, Ha SK, Bladt E, Kshirsagar AS, Wang Z, Yin J, Wang Y, Quan LN, Yan F, Gao M, Li X, Shamsi J, Debnath T, Cao M, Scheel MA, Kumar S, Steele JA, Gerhard M, Chouhan L, Xu K, Wu X-gang, Li Y, Zhang Y, Dutta A, Han C, Vincon I, Rogach AL, Nag A, Samanta A, Korgel BA, Shih C-J, Gamelin DR, Son DH, Zeng H, Zhong H, Sun H, Demir HV, Scheblykin IG, Mora-Sero I, Stolarczyk JK, Zhang JZ, Feldmann J, Hofkens J, Luther JM, Perez-Prieto J, Li L, Manna L, Bodnarchuk M I, Kovalenko M V, Roeffaers MBJ, Pradhan N, Mohammed OF, Bakr OM, Yang P, Muller-Buschbaum P, Kamat P V, Bao Q, Zhang Q, Krahne R, Galian RE, Stranks SD, Bals S, Biju V, Tisdale WA, Yan Y, Hoye RLZ, Polavarapu L, Acs Nano 15, 10775 (2021). http://doi.org/10.1021/ACSNANO.0C08903
Abstract: Metal-halide perovskites have rapidly emerged as one of the most promising materials of the 21st century, with many exciting properties and great potential for a broad range of applications, from photovoltaics to optoelectronics and photocatalysis. The ease with which metal-halide perovskites can be synthesized in the form of brightly luminescent colloidal nanocrystals, as well as their tunable and intriguing optical and electronic properties, has attracted researchers from different disciplines of science and technology. In the last few years, there has been a significant progress in the shape-controlled synthesis of perovskite nanocrystals and understanding of their properties and applications. In this comprehensive review, researchers having expertise in different fields (chemistry, physics, and device engineering) of metal-halide perovskite nanocrystals have joined together to provide a state of the art overview and future prospects of metal-halide perovskite nanocrystal research.
Keywords: A1 Journal article; Engineering sciences. Technology; Electron microscopy for materials research (EMAT)
Impact Factor: 13.942
Times cited: 538
DOI: 10.1021/ACSNANO.0C08903
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“Color-switchable nanosilicon fluorescent probes”. Chen H, Xu J, Wang Y, Wang D, Ferrer-Espada R, Wang Y, Zhou J, Pedrazo-Tardajos A, Yang M, Tan J-H, Yang X, Zhang L, Sychugov I, Chen S, Bals S, Paulsson J, Yang Z, ACS nano 16, 15450 (2022). http://doi.org/10.1021/ACSNANO.2C07443
Abstract: Fluorescent probes are vital to cell imaging by allowing specific parts of cells to be visualized and quantified. Color-switchable probes (CSPs), with tunable emission wavelength upon contact with specific targets, are particularly powerful because they not only eliminate the need to wash away all unbound probe but also allow for internal controls of probe concentrations, thereby facilitating quantification. Several such CSPs exist and have proven very useful, but not for all key cellular targets. Here we report a pioneering CSP for in situ cell imaging using aldehydefunctionalized silicon nanocrystals (SiNCs) that switch their intrinsic photoluminescence from red to blue quickly when interacting with amino acids in live cells. Though conventional probes often work better in cell-free extracts than in live cells, the SiNCs display the opposite behavior and function well and fast in universal cell lines at 37 ? while requiring much higher temperature in extracts. Furthermore, the SiNCs only disperse in cytoplasm not nucleus, and their fluorescence intensity correlated linearly with the concentration of fed amino acids. We believe these nanosilicon probes will be promising tools to visualize distribution of amino acids and potentially quantify amino acid related processes in live cells.
Keywords: A1 Journal article; Engineering sciences. Technology; Electron microscopy for materials research (EMAT)
Impact Factor: 17.1
Times cited: 1
DOI: 10.1021/ACSNANO.2C07443
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“Comparison of electrostatic and electromagnetic simulations for very high frequency plasmas”. Zhang Y-R, Xu X, Zhao S-X, Bogaerts A, Wang Y-N, Physics of plasmas 17, 113512 (2010). http://doi.org/10.1063/1.3519515
Abstract: A two-dimensional self-consistent fluid model combined with the full set of Maxwell equations is developed to investigate an argon capacitively coupled plasma, focusing on the electromagnetic effects on the discharge characteristics at various discharge conditions. The results indicate that there exist distinct differences in plasma characteristics calculated with the so-called electrostatic model (i.e., without taking into account the electromagnetic effects) and the electromagnetic model (which includes the electromagnetic effects), especially at very high frequencies. Indeed, when the excitation source is in the high frequency regime and the electromagnetic effects are taken into account, the plasma density increases significantly and meanwhile the ionization rate evolves to a very different distribution when the electromagnetic effects are dominant. Furthermore, the dependence of the plasma characteristics on the voltage and pressure is also investigated, at constant frequency. It is observed that when the voltage is low, the difference between these two models becomes more obvious than at higher voltages. As the pressure increases, the plasma density profiles obtained from the electromagnetic model smoothly shift from edge-peaked over uniform to a broad maximum in the center. In addition, the edge effect becomes less pronounced with increasing frequency and pressure, and the skin effect rather than the standing-wave effect becomes dominant when the voltage is high.
Keywords: A1 Journal article; Plasma Lab for Applications in Sustainability and Medicine – Antwerp (PLASMANT)
Impact Factor: 2.115
Times cited: 30
DOI: 10.1063/1.3519515
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“Fluid simulations of frequency effects on nonlinear harmonics in inductively coupled plasma”. Si X-J, Zhao S-X, Xu X, Bogaerts A, Wang Y-N, Physics of plasmas 18, 033504 (2011). http://doi.org/10.1063/1.3566007
Abstract: A fluid model is self-consistently established to investigate the harmonic effects in an inductively coupled plasma, where the electromagnetic field is solved by the finite difference time domain technique. The spatiotemporal distribution of harmonic current density, harmonic potential, and other plasma quantities, such as radio frequency power deposition, plasma density, and electron temperature, have been investigated. Distinct differences in current density have been observed when calculated with and without Lorentz force, which indicates that the nonlinear Lorentz force plays an important role in the harmonic effects, especially at low frequencies. Moreover, the even harmonics are larger than the odd harmonics both in the current density and the potential. Finally, the dependence of various plasma quantities with and without the Lorentz force on various driving frequencies is also examined. It is shown that the deposited power density decreases and the depth of penetration increases slightly because of the Lorentz force. The electron density increases distinctly while the electron temperature remains almost the same when the Lorentz force is taken into account.
Keywords: A1 Journal article; Plasma Lab for Applications in Sustainability and Medicine – Antwerp (PLASMANT)
Impact Factor: 2.115
Times cited: 7
DOI: 10.1063/1.3566007
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“Positive and negative streamer propagation in volume dielectric barrier discharges with planar and porous electrodes”. Zhang Q‐Z, Zhang L, Yang D‐Z, Schulze J, Wang Y‐N, Bogaerts A, Plasma Processes And Polymers 18, 2000234 (2021). http://doi.org/10.1002/ppap.202000234
Abstract: The spatiotemporal dynamics of volume and surface positive and negative streamers in a pintoplate volume dielectric barrier discharge is investigated in this study. The discharge characteristics are found to be completely different for positive and negative streamers. First, the spatial propagation of a positive streamer is found to rely on electron avalanches caused by photo-electrons in front of the streamer head, whereas this is not the case for negative streamers. Second, our simulations reveal an interesting phenomenon of floating positive surface discharges, which develop when a positive streamer reaches a dielectric wall and which explain the experimentally observed branching characteristics. Third, we report for the first time, the interactions between a positive streamer and dielectric pores, in which both the pore diameter and depth affect the evolution of a positive streamer.
Keywords: A1 Journal article; Plasma Lab for Applications in Sustainability and Medicine – Antwerp (PLASMANT)
Impact Factor: 2.846
DOI: 10.1002/ppap.202000234
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“Field-free superconducting diode in a magnetically nanostructured superconductor”. Jiang J, Milošević, MV, Wang Y-L, Xiao Z-L, Peeters FM, Chen Q-H, Physical review applied 18, 034064 (2022). http://doi.org/10.1103/PHYSREVAPPLIED.18.034064
Abstract: A strong superconducting diode effect (SDE) is revealed in a thin superconducting film periodically nanostructured with magnetic dots. The SDE is caused by the current-activated dissipation mitigated by vortex-antivortex pairs (VAPs), which periodically nucleate under the dots, move and annihilate in the superconductor-eventually driving the system to the high-resistive state. Inversing the polarity of the applied current destimulates the nucleation of VAPs, the system remains superconducting up to far larger currents, leading to the pronounced diodic response. Our dissipative Ginzburg-Landau simulations detail the involved processes, and provide reliable geometric and parametric ranges for the experimental realiza-tion of such a nonvolatile superconducting diode, which operates in the absence of any applied magnetic field while being fluxonic by design.
Keywords: A1 Journal article; Condensed Matter Theory (CMT)
Impact Factor: 4.6
Times cited: 9
DOI: 10.1103/PHYSREVAPPLIED.18.034064
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“Ion exchange in atomically thin clays and micas”. Zou Y-C, Mogg L, Clark N, Bacaksiz C, Milanovic S, Sreepal V, Hao G-P, Wang Y-C, Hopkinson DG, Gorbachev R, Shaw S, Novoselov KS, Raveendran-Nair R, Peeters FM, Lozada-Hidalgo M, Haigh SJ, Nature Materials 20, 1677 (2021). http://doi.org/10.1038/S41563-021-01134-9
Abstract: The physical properties of clays and micas can be controlled by exchanging ions in the crystal lattice. Atomically thin materials can have superior properties in a range of membrane applications, yet the ion-exchange process itself remains largely unexplored in few-layer crystals. Here we use atomic-resolution scanning transmission electron microscopy to study the dynamics of ion exchange and reveal individual ion binding sites in atomically thin and artificially restacked clays and micas. We find that the ion diffusion coefficient for the interlayer space of atomically thin samples is up to 10(4) times larger than in bulk crystals and approaches its value in free water. Samples where no bulk exchange is expected display fast exchange at restacked interfaces, where the exchanged ions arrange in islands with dimensions controlled by the moire superlattice dimensions. We attribute the fast ion diffusion to enhanced interlayer expandability resulting from weaker interlayer binding forces in both atomically thin and restacked materials. This work provides atomic scale insights into ion diffusion in highly confined spaces and suggests strategies to design exfoliated clay membranes with enhanced performance. Layered clays are of interest for membranes and many other applications but their ion-exchange dynamics remain unexplored in atomically thin materials. Here, using electron microscopy, it is found that the ion diffusion for few-layer two-dimensional clays approaches that of free water and that superlattice cation islands can form in twisted and restacked materials.
Keywords: A1 Journal article; Condensed Matter Theory (CMT)
Impact Factor: 39.737
Times cited: 2
DOI: 10.1038/S41563-021-01134-9
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“The effect of F2 attachment by low-energy electrons on the electron behaviour in an Ar/CF4 inductively coupled plasma”. Zhao S-X, Gao F, Wang Y-N, Bogaerts A, Plasma sources science and technology 21, 025008 (2012). http://doi.org/10.1088/0963-0252/21/2/025008
Abstract: The electron behaviour in an Ar/CF4 inductively coupled plasma is investigated by a Langmuir probe and a hybrid model. The simulated and measured results include electron density, temperature and electron energy distribution function for different values of Ar/CF4 ratio, coil power and gas pressure. The hybrid plasma equipment model simulations show qualitative agreement with experiment. The effect of F2 electron attachment on the electron behaviour is explored by comparing two sets of data based on different F atom boundary conditions. It is demonstrated that electron attachment at F2 molecules is responsible for the depletion of low-energy electrons, causing a density decrease as well as a temperature increase when CF4 is added to an Ar plasma.
Keywords: A1 Journal article; Plasma Lab for Applications in Sustainability and Medicine – Antwerp (PLASMANT)
Impact Factor: 3.302
Times cited: 23
DOI: 10.1088/0963-0252/21/2/025008
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“Stable polyoxometalate insertion within the mesoporous metal organic framework MIL-100(Fe)”. Canioni R, Roch-Marchal C, Sécheresse F, Horcajada P, Serre C, Hardi-Dan M, Férey G, Grenèche J-M, Lefebvre F, Chang J-S, Hwang Y-K, Lebedev O, Turner S, Van Tendeloo G, Journal of materials chemistry 21, 1226 (2011). http://doi.org/10.1039/c0jm02381g
Abstract: Successful encapsulation of polyoxometalate (POM) within the framework of a mesoporous iron trimesate MIL-100(Fe) sample has been achieved by direct hydrothermal synthesis in the absence of fluorine. XRPD, 31P MAS NMR, IR, EELS, TEM and 57Fe Mössbauer spectrometry corroborate the insertion of POM within the cavities of the MOF. The experimental Mo/Fe ratio is 0.95, in agreement with the maximum theoretical amount of POM loaded within the pores of MIL-100(Fe), based on steric hindrance considerations. The POM-MIL-100(Fe) sample exhibits a pore volume of 0.373 cm3 g−1 and a BET surface area close to 1000 m2 g−1, indicating that small gas molecules can easily diffuse inside the cavities despite the presence of heavy phosphomolybdates. These latter contribute to the decrease in the overall surface area, due to the increase in molar weight, by 65%. Moreover, the resulting Keggin containing MIL-100(Fe) solid is stable in aqueous solution with no POM leaching even after more than 2 months. In addition, no exchange of the Keggin anions by tetrabutylammonium perchlorate in organic media has been observed.
Keywords: A1 Journal article; Electron microscopy for materials research (EMAT)
Times cited: 158
DOI: 10.1039/c0jm02381g
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“ZnO@ZIF-8 : stabilization of quantum confined ZnO nanoparticles by a zinc methylimidazolate framework and their surface structural characterization probed by CO2 adsorption”. Esken D, Noei H, Wang Y, Wiktor C, Turner S, Van Tendeloo G, Fischer RA, Journal of materials chemistry 21, 5907 (2011). http://doi.org/10.1039/c1jm10091b
Abstract: The microporous and activated zeolitic imidazolate framework (Zn(MeIM)2; MeIM = imidazolate-2-methyl; ZIF-8) was loaded with the MOCVD precursor diethyl zinc [Zn(C2H5)2]. Exposure of ZIF-8 to the vapour of the volatile organometallic molecule resulted in the formation of the inclusion compound [Zn(C2H5)2]0.38@ZIF-8 revealing two precursor molecules per cavity. In a second step the obtained material was treated with oxygen (5 vol% in argon) at various temperatures (oxidative annealing) to achieve the composite material ZnO0.35@ZIF-8. The new material was characterized with powder XRD, FT-IR, UV-vis, solid state NMR, elemental analysis, N2 sorption measurements, and transmission electron microscopy. The data give evidence for the presence of nano-sized ZnO particles stabilized by ZIF-8 showing a blue-shift of the UV-vis absorption caused by quantum size effect (QSE). The surface structure and reactivity of embedded ZnO nanoparticles were characterized via carbon dioxide adsorption at different temperatures monitored by ultra-high vacuum FTIR techniques. It was found that the surface of ZnO nanoparticles is dominated by polar OZnO and ZnZnO facets as well as by defect sites, which all exhibit high reactivity towards CO2 activation forming various adsorbed carbonate and chemisorbed CO2δ− species.
Keywords: A1 Journal article; Electron microscopy for materials research (EMAT)
Times cited: 76
DOI: 10.1039/c1jm10091b
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“Electron bounce resonance heating in dual-frequency capacitively coupled oxygen discharges”. Liu Y-X, Zhang Q-Z, Liu L, Song Y-H, Bogaerts A, Wang Y-N, Plasma sources science and technology 22, 025012 (2013). http://doi.org/10.1088/0963-0252/22/2/025012
Abstract: The electron bounce resonance heating (BRH) in dual-frequency capacitively coupled plasmas operated in oxygen is studied by different experimental methods and a particle-in-cell/Monte Carlo collision (PIC/MCC) simulation, and compared with the electropositive argon discharge. In comparison with argon, the experimental results show that in an oxygen discharge the resonance peaks in positive-ion density and light intensity tend to occur at larger electrode gaps. Moreover, at electrode gaps L > 2.5 cm, the positive-ion (and electron) density and the light emission drop monotonically in the oxygen discharge upon increasing L, whereas they rise (after an initial drop) in the argon case. At resonance gap the electronegativity reaches its maximum due to the BRH. All these experimental observations are explained by PIC/MCC simulations, which show that in the oxygen discharge the bulk electric field becomes quite strong and is out of phase with the sheath field. Therefore, it retards the resonance electrons when traversing the bulk, resulting in a suppressed BRH. Both experiment and simulation results show that this effect becomes more pronounced at lower high-frequency power, when the discharge mode changes from electropositive to electronegative. In a pure oxygen discharge, the BRH is suppressed with increasing pressure and almost diminishes at 12 Pa. Finally, the driving frequency significantly affects the BRH, because it determines the phase relation between bulk electric field and sheath electric field.
Keywords: A1 Journal article; Plasma Lab for Applications in Sustainability and Medicine – Antwerp (PLASMANT)
Impact Factor: 3.302
Times cited: 20
DOI: 10.1088/0963-0252/22/2/025012
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“Gas ratio effects on the Si etch rate and profile uniformity in an inductively coupled Ar/CF4 plasma”. Zhao S-X, Gao F, Wang Y-N, Bogaerts A, Plasma sources science and technology 22, 015017 (2013). http://doi.org/10.1088/0963-0252/22/1/015017
Abstract: In this work, a hybrid model is used to investigate the effect of different gas ratios on the Si etching and polymer film deposition characteristics in an Ar/CF4 inductively coupled plasma. The influence of the surface processes on the bulk plasma properties is studied, and also the spatial characteristics of important gas phase and etched species. The densities of F and CF2 decrease when the surface module is included in the simulations, due to the species consumption caused by etching and polymer deposition. The influence of the surface processes on the bulk plasma depends on the Ar/CF4 gas ratio. The deposited polymer becomes thicker at high CF4 content because of more abundant CFx radicals. As a result of the competition between the polymer thickness and the F flux, the etch rate first increases and then decreases upon increasing the CF4 content. The electron properties, more specifically the electron density profile, affect the Si etch characteristics substantially by determining the radical density and flux profiles. In fact, the radial profile of the etch rate is more uniform at low CF4 content since the electron density has a smooth distribution. At high CF4 content, the etch rate is less uniform with a minimum halfway along the wafer radius, because the electron density distribution is more localized. Therefore, our calculations predict that it is better to work at relatively high Ar/CF4 gas ratios, in order to obtain high etch rate and good profile uniformity for etch applications. This, in fact, corresponds to the typical experimental etch conditions in Ar/CF4 gas mixtures as found in the literature, where Ar is typically present at a much higher concentration than CF4.
Keywords: A1 Journal article; Plasma Lab for Applications in Sustainability and Medicine – Antwerp (PLASMANT)
Impact Factor: 3.302
Times cited: 11
DOI: 10.1088/0963-0252/22/1/015017
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“Heating mechanism in direct current superposed single-frequency and dual-frequency capacitively coupled plasmas”. Zhang Q-Z, Liu Y-X, Jiang W, Bogaerts A, Wang Y-N, Plasma sources science and technology 22, 025014 (2013). http://doi.org/10.1088/0963-0252/22/2/025014
Abstract: In this work particle-in-cell/Monte Carlo collision simulations are performed to study the heating mechanism and plasma characteristics in direct current (dc) superposed radio-frequency (RF) capacitively coupled plasmas, operated both in single-frequency (SF) and dual-frequency (DF) regimes. An RF (60/2 MHz) source is applied on the bottom electrode to sustain the discharge, and a dc source is fixed on the top electrode. The heating mechanism appears to be very different in dc superposed SF and DF discharges. When only a single source of 60 MHz is applied, the plasma bulk region is reduced by the dc source, thus the ionization rate and hence the electron density decrease with rising dc voltage. However, when a DF source of 60 and 2 MHz is applied, the electron density can increase upon addition of a dc voltage, depending on the gap length and applied dc voltage. This is explained from the spatiotemporal ionization rates in the DF discharge. In fact, a completely different behavior is observed for the ionization rate in the two half-periods of the LF source. In the first LF half-period, the situation resembles the dc superposed SF discharge, and the reduced plasma bulk region due to the negative dc bias results in a very small effective discharge area and a low ionization rate. On the other hand, in the second half-period, the negative dc bias is to some extent counteracted by the LF voltage, and the sheath close to the dc electrode becomes particularly thin. Consequently, the amplitude of the high-frequency sheath oscillations at the top electrode is largely enhanced, while the LF sheath at the bottom electrode is in its expanding phase and can thus well confine the high-energy electrons. Therefore, the ionization rate increases considerably in this second LF half-period. Furthermore, in addition to the comparison between SF and DF discharges and the effect of gap length and dc voltage, the effect of secondary electrons is examined.
Keywords: A1 Journal article; Plasma Lab for Applications in Sustainability and Medicine – Antwerp (PLASMANT)
Impact Factor: 3.302
Times cited: 9
DOI: 10.1088/0963-0252/22/2/025014
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“Encapsulation of bimetallic metal nanoparticles into robust zirconium-based metal-organic frameworks : evaluation of the catalytic potential for size-selective hydrogenation”. Roesler C, Dissegna S, Rechac VL, Kauer M, Guo P, Turner S, Ollegott K, Kobayashi H, Yamamoto T, Peeters D, Wang Y, Matsumura S, Van Tendeloo G, Kitagawa H, Muhler M, Llabres i Xamena FX, Fischer RA, Chemistry: a European journal 23, 3583 (2017). http://doi.org/10.1002/CHEM.201603984
Abstract: The realization of metal nanoparticles (NPs) with bimetallic character and distinct composition for specific catalytic applications is an intensively studied field. Due to the synergy between metals, most bimetallic particles exhibit unique properties that are hardly provided by the individual monometallic counterparts. However, as small-sized NPs possess high surface energy, agglomeration during catalytic reactions is favored. Sufficient stabilization can be achieved by confinement of NPs in porous support materials. In this sense, metal-organic frameworks (MOFs) in particular have gained a lot of attention during the last years; however, encapsulation of bimetallic species remains challenging. Herein, the exclusive embedding of preformed core-shell PdPt and RuPt NPs into chemically robust Zr-based MOFs is presented. Microstructural characterization manifests partial retention of the core-shell systems after successful encapsulation without harming the crystallinity of the microporous support. The resulting chemically robust NP@UiO-66 materials exhibit enhanced catalytic activity towards the liquid-phase hydrogenation of nitrobenzene, competitive with commercially used Pt on activated carbon, but with superior size-selectivity for sterically varied substrates.
Keywords: A1 Journal article; Electron microscopy for materials research (EMAT)
Impact Factor: 5.317
Times cited: 13
DOI: 10.1002/CHEM.201603984
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“Hierarchically dual-mesoporous TiO2 microspheres for enhanced photocatalytic properties and lithium storage”. Xiao S, Lu Y, Xiao B-Y, Wu L, Song J-P, Xiao Y-X, Wu S-M, Hu J, Wang Y, Chang G-G, Tian G, Lenaerts S, Janiak C, Yang X-Y, Su B-L, Chemistry: a European journal 24, 13246 (2018). http://doi.org/10.1002/CHEM.201801933
Abstract: Hierarchically dual‐mesoporous TiO2 microspheres have been synthesized via a solvothermal process in the presence of 1‐butyl‐3‐methylmidazolium tetrafluoroborate ([BMIm][BF4]) and diethylenetriamine (DETA) as co‐templates. Secondary mesostructured defects in the hierarchical TiO2 microspheres produce the oxygen vacancies, which not only significantly enhance the photocatalytic activity on degrading methyl blue (over 1.7 times to P25) and acetone (over 2.9 times of P25), but which also are beneficial for lithium storage. Moreover, we propose a mechanism to obtain a better understanding of the role of dual mesoporosity of TiO2 microspheres for enhancing the molecular diffusion, ion transportation and electron transformation.
Keywords: A1 Journal article; Engineering sciences. Technology; Sustainable Energy, Air and Water Technology (DuEL)
Impact Factor: 5.317
Times cited: 6
DOI: 10.1002/CHEM.201801933
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“Unconventional superconducting diode effects via antisymmetry and antisymmetry breaking”. Li C, Lyu Y-Y, Yue W-C, Huang P, Li H, Li T, Wang C-G, Yuan Z, Dong Y, Ma X, Tu X, Tao T, Dong S, He L, Jia X, Sun G, Kang L, Wang H, Peeters FM, Milošević, MV, Wu P, Wang Y-L, Nano letters 24, 4108 (2024). http://doi.org/10.1021/ACS.NANOLETT.3C05008
Abstract: Symmetry breaking plays a pivotal role in unlocking intriguing properties and functionalities in material systems. For example, the breaking of spatial and temporal symmetries leads to a fascinating phenomenon: the superconducting diode effect. However, generating and precisely controlling the superconducting diode effect pose significant challenges. Here, we take a novel route with the deliberate manipulation of magnetic charge potentials to realize unconventional superconducting flux-quantum diode effects. We achieve this through suitably tailored nanoengineered arrays of nanobar magnets on top of a superconducting thin film. We demonstrate the vital roles of inversion antisymmetry and its breaking in evoking unconventional superconducting effects, namely a magnetically symmetric diode effect and an odd-parity magnetotransport effect. These effects are nonvolatilely controllable through in situ magnetization switching of the nanobar magnets. Our findings promote the use of antisymmetry (breaking) for initiating unconventional superconducting properties, paving the way for exciting prospects and innovative functionalities in superconducting electronics.
Keywords: A1 Journal article; Engineering sciences. Technology; Condensed Matter Theory (CMT)
Impact Factor: 10.8
DOI: 10.1021/ACS.NANOLETT.3C05008
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“The effects of electron surface interactions in geometrically symmetric capacitive RF plasmas in the presence of different electrode surface materials”. Sun J-Y, Wen D-Q, Zhang Q-Z, Liu Y-X, Wang Y-N, Physics of plasmas 26, 063505 (2019). http://doi.org/10.1063/1.5094100
Abstract: Particle-in-cell/Monte Carlo collision (PIC/MCC) simulations are performed to investigate the asymmetric secondary electron emission (SEE) effects when electrons strike two different material electrodes in low pressure capacitively coupled plasmas (CCPs). To describe the electron-surface interactions, a realistic model, considering the primary electron impact energy and angle, as well as the corresponding surface property-dependent secondary electron yields, is employed in PIC/MCC simulations. In this model, three kinds of electrons emitted from the surface are considered: (i) elastically reflected electrons, (ii) inelastically backscattered electrons, and (iii) electron induced secondary electrons (SEs, i.e., delta-electrons). Here, we examined the effects of electron-surface interactions on the ionization dynamics and plasma characteristics of an argon discharge. The discharge is driven by a voltage source of 13.56MHz with amplitudes in the range of 200-2000V. The grounded electrode material is copper (Cu) for all cases, while the powered electrode material is either Cu or silicon dioxide (SiO2). The simulations reveal that the electron impact-induced SEE is an essential process at low pressures, especially at high voltages. Different electrode materials result in an asymmetric response of SEE. Depending on the instantaneous local sheath potential and the phase of the SEE, these SEs either are reflected by the opposite sheath or strike the electrode surface, where they can induce delta-electrons upon their residual energies. It is shown that highly energetic delta-electrons contribute significantly to the ionization rate and a self-bias forms when the powered electrode material is assumed to be made of SiO2. Complex dynamics is observed due to the multiple electron-surface interaction processes and asymmetric yields of SEs in CCPs.
Keywords: A1 Journal article; Plasma Lab for Applications in Sustainability and Medicine – Antwerp (PLASMANT)
Impact Factor: 2.115
Times cited: 1
DOI: 10.1063/1.5094100
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