Abstract: uIn this work, we discuss three novel Ti (germano-)silicidation techniques featuring respectively the pre-contact amorphization implantation (PCAI), the TiSi co-deposition, and Ti atomic layer deposition (ALD). All three techniques form TiSix(Ge-y) contacts with ultralow contact resistivity (rho(c)) of (1-3)x10(-9) Omega.cm(2) on both highly doped n-Si and p-SiGe substrates: these techniques meet rho(c) requirement of 5-14 nm CMOS technology and feature unified CMOS contact solutions. We further discuss the compatibility of these techniques to the realistic CMOS transistor fabrication.

Abstract: As the field of perovskite optoelectronics developed, a plethora of strategies has arisen to control their electronic and morphological characteristics for the purpose of producing high efficiency devices. Unfortunately, despite this wealth of deposition approaches, the community experiences a great deal of irreproducibility between different laboratories, batches and preparation methods. Aiming to address this issue, we developed a simple deposition method based on gas quenching that yields smooth films for a wide range of perovskite compositions, in single, double, triple and quadruple cation varieties, and produces planar heterojunction devices with competitive efficiencies, so far up to 20%.

Abstract: We discuss the selection and assessment of alternative metals by a combination of ab initio computation of electronic properties, experimental resistivity assessments, and calibrated line resistance models. Pt-group metals as well as Nb are identified as the most promising elements, with Ru showing the best combination of material properties and process maturity. An experimental assessment of the resistivity of Ru, Ir, and Co lines down to similar to 30 nm(2) is then used to devise compact models for line and via resistance that can be compared to Cu predictions. The main advantage of alternative metals originates from the possibility for barrierless metallization.

Abstract: Intrinsic dislocation mechanisms in the vicinity of free surfaces of an almost FIB damage-free single crystal Ni sample have been quantitatively investigated owing to a novel sample preparation method combining twin-jet electro-polishing, in-situ TEM heating and FIB. The results reveal that the small-scale plasticity is mainly controlled by the conversion of few tangled dislocations, still present after heating, into stable single arm sources (SASs) as well as by the successive operation of these sources. Strain hardening resulting from the operation of an individual SAS is reported and attributed to the decrease of the length of the source. Moreover, the impact of the shortening of the dislocation source on the intermittent plastic flow, characteristic of SASs, is discussed. These findings provide essential information for the understanding of the regime of ‘dislocation source’ controlled plasticity and the related mechanical size effect.

Abstract: We investigate at the atomic level the most probable phase transformations under strain, that are responsible for the ferroelectric/ antiferroelectric behavior in Hf1-xZrxO2 materials. Four different crystalline phase transformations exhibit a polar/non-polar transition: monoclinic-to-orthorhombic requires a gliding strain tensor, orthorhombic-to-orthorhombic transformation does not need strain to polarize the material, whereas tetragonal-to-cubic cell compression and tetragonal-to-orthorhombic cell elongation destabilizes the non-polar tetragonal phase, facilitating the transition towards a polar atomic configuration, therefore changing the polarization-electric field loop from antiferroelectric to ferroelectric. Oxygen vacancies can reduce drastically the polarization reversal barriers.

Abstract: Metal-air batteries and fuel cells show a great deal of promise in advancing low-cost, high-energy-density charge storage solutions for sustainable energy applications. To improve the activities and stabilities of electrocatalysts for the critical oxygen reduction and evolution reactions (ORR and OER, respectively), a greater understanding is needed of the catalyst/carbon interactions and carbon stability. Herein, we report how LaNiO3 (LNO) supported on nitrogen-doped carbon nanotubes (N-CNT) made from a high-yield synthesis lowers the overpotential for both the OER and ORR markedly to enable a low bifunctional window of 0.81 V at only a 51 mu g cm(-2) mass loading. Furthermore, the addition of LNO to the N-CNTs improves the galvanostatic stability for the OER by almost 2 orders of magnitude. The nanoscale geometries of the perovskites and the CNTs enhance the number of metal-support and charge transfer interactions and thus the activity. We use rotating ring disk electrodes (RRDEs) combined with Tafel slope analysis and ICP-OES to quantitatively separate current contributions from the OER, carbon oxidation, and even anodic iron leaching from carbon nanotubes.

Abstract: Herein we demonstrate that meticulous and in-depth analysis of the reaction mechanisms of nanoparticle formation is rewarded by full control of size, shape and crystal structure of superparamagnetic iron oxide nanocrystals during synthesis. Starting from two iron sources – iron(II)- and iron(III) carbonate -a strict separation of oleate formation from the generation of reactive pyrolysis products and concomitant nucleation of iron oxide nanoparticles was achieved. This protocol enabled us to analyze each step of nanoparticle formation independently in depth. Progress of the entire reaction was monitored via matrix-assisted laser desorption ionization time-of-flight mass spectrometry (MALDI-TOF MS) and gas chromatography (GC) gaining insight into the formation of various iron oleate species prior to nucleation. Interestingly, due to the intrinsic strongly reductive pyrolysis conditions of the oleate intermediates and redox process in early stages of the synthesis, pristine iron oxide nuclei were composed exclusively from wustite, irrespective of the oxidation state of the iron source. Controlling the reaction conditions provided a very broad range of size- and shape defined monodisperse iron oxide nanoparticles. Curiously, after nucleation star shaped nanocrystals were obtained, which underwent metamorphism towards cubic shaped particles. EELS tomography revealed ex post oxidation of the primary wustite nanocrystal providing a full 3D image of Fe2+ and Fe3+ distribution within. Overall, we developed a highly flexible synthesis, yielding multigram amounts of well-defined iron oxide nanocrystals of different sizes and morphologies.

Abstract: In this work we study energy transport in a gliding arc discharge with two diverging flat
electrodes in argon gas at atmospheric pressure. The discharge is ignited at the shortest electrode
gap and it is pushed downstream by a forced gas flow. The current values considered are
relatively low and therefore a non-equilibrium plasma is produced. We consider two cases, i.e.
with high and low discharge current (28 mA and 2.8mA), and a constant gas flow of 10 lmin −1 ,
with a significant turbulent component to the velocity. The study presents an analysis of the
various energy transport mechanisms responsible for the redistribution of Joule heating to the
plasma species and the moving background gas. The objective of this work is to provide a
general understanding of the role of the different energy transport mechanisms in arc formation
and sustainment, which can be used to improve existing or new discharge designs. The work is
based on a three-dimensional numerical model, combining a fluid plasma model, the shear stress
transport Reynolds averaged Navier–Stokes turbulent gas flow model, and a model for gas
thermal balance. The obtained results show that at higher current the discharge is constricted
within a thin plasma column several hundred kelvin above room temperature, while in the low-
current discharge the combination of intense convective cooling and low Joule heating prevents
discharge contraction and the plasma column evolves to a static non-moving diffusive plasma,
continuously cooled by the flowing gas. As a result, the energy transport in the two cases is
determined by different mechanisms. At higher current and a constricted plasma column, the
plasma column is cooled mainly by turbulent transport, while at low current and an unconstricted
plasma, the major cooling mechanism is energy transport due to non-turbulent gas convection. In
general, the study also demonstrates the importance of turbulent energy transport in
redistributing the Joule heating in the arc and its significant role in arc cooling and the formation
of the gas temperature profile. In general, the turbulent energy transport lowers the average gas
temperature in the arc, thus allowing additional control of thermal non-equilibrium in the
discharge.

Abstract: The study analysed the factors that affect the internal governance quality of corporations in Ethiopia. It performed an ordered logistic regression analysis on a randomly selected sample of 76 corporations to analyse the effect of the ownership structure, form of ownership (private or government), leverage, corporate size, and sales growth on the internal governance quality score (IGQS). The governance quality score was measured using 20 indices categorized into four perspectives: disclosure, board characteristics, ethics, and shareholder rights. In this study, a significant positive effect of the corporate size and sales growth on the IGQS was found. In addition, government-owned corporations were found to perform better than privately owned corporations. It is recommended that appropriate authorities and officials should encourage the use of the corporate governance system in privately owned corporations and the convergence of internal governance quality of the two groups of corporations to the highest level.

Abstract: Illicit drugs consumption and trafficking is spread worldwide and remains an increasing challenge for local authorities. Forensic drugs and their metabolites are released into wastewaters due to human excretion after illegal consumption of drugs and occasionally due to disposal of clandestine laboratory wastes into sewage systems, being recently classified as the latest group of emerging pollutants. Hence, it is essential to have efficient and accurate methods to detect these type of compounds in seized street samples, biological fluids and wastewaters in order to reduce and prevent trafficking and consumption and negative effects on aquatic systems. Electrochemical strategies offer a fast, portable, low-cost and accurate alternative to chromatographic and spectrometric methods, for the analysis of forensic drugs and metabolites in different matrices. Recent electrochemical strategies applied to the detection of illicit drugs in wastewaters, biological fluids and street samples are presented in this review, together with the impact of drug consumption on the environment.

Abstract: Using density functional theory based first-principles calculations, the effect of surface hydrogenation on the structural, dynamical, electronic, and mechanical properties of monolayer washboard-gallenene (w-gallenene) is investigated. It is found that the dynamically stabilized strained monolayer of w-gallenene has a metallic nonmagnetic ground state. Both one-sided and two-sided hydrogenations of w-gallenene suppress its dynamical instability even when unstrained. Unlike one-sided hydrogenated monolayer w-gallenene (os-w-gallenene), two-sided hydrogenated monolayer w-gallenene (ts-w-gallenene) possesses the same crystal structure as w-gallenene. Electronic band structure calculations reveal that monolayers of hydrogenated derivatives of w-gallenene exhibit also metallic nonmagnetic ground state. Moreover, the linear-elastic constants, in-plane stiffness and Poisson ratio, are enhanced by hydrogenation, which is opposite to the behavior of other hydrogenated monolayer crystals. Furthermore, monolayer w-gallenene and ts-w-gallenene remain dynamically stable up to relatively higher biaxial strains as compared to borophene. With its enhanced dynamical stability, robust metallic character, and enhanced linear-elastic properties, hydrogenated monolayer w-gallenene is a potential candidate for nanodevice applications as a two-dimensional flexible metal.

Abstract: A thorough understanding of the thermal stability and potential reshaping of anisotropic gold nanostars is required for various potential applications. Combination of a tomographic heating holder with fast tilt series acquisition has been used to monitor temperature-induced morphological changes of Au nanostars. The outcome of our 3D investigations can be used as an input for boundary element method simulations, enabling us to investigate the influence of reshaping on the nanostars’ plasmonic properties. Our work leads to a better understanding of the mechanism behind thermal reshaping. In addition, the approach presented here is generic and can hence be applied to a wide variety of nanoparticles made of different materials and with arbitrary morphology.

Abstract: The possibility of an inhomogeneous charge density wave phase is investigated in a system of two coupled electron and hole monolayers separated by a hexagonal boron nitride insulating layer. The charge-density-wave state is induced through the assumption of negative compressibility of electron/hole gases in a Coulomb drag configuration between the electron and hole sheets. Under equilibrium conditions, we derive analytical expressions for the density oscillation along the zigzag and armchair directions. We find that the density modulation not only depends on the sign of the compressibility but also on the anisotropy of the low-energy bands. Our results are applicable to any two-dimensional system with anisotropic parabolic bands, characterized by different effective masses. For equal effective masses, i.e., isotropic energy bands, our results agree with Hroblak et al. [Phys. Rev. B 96, 075422 (2017)]. Our numerical results are applied to phosphorene.

Abstract: Among transition metal oxides, MnO2 is of considerable importance for various technological end-uses,from heterogeneous catalysis to gas sensing, owing to its
structural flexibility and unique properties at the nanoscale. In this work, we demonstrate the successful fabrication of supported MnO2 nanomaterials by a catalyst-free, plasmaassisted process starting from a fluorinated manganese(II)
molecular source in Ar/O2 plasmas. A thorough multitechnique characterization aimed at the systematic investigation of material structure, chemical composition, and
morphology revealed the formation of F-doped, oxygendeficient, MnO2-based nanomaterials, with a fluorine content tunable as a function of growth temperature (TG). Whereas phase-pure β-MnO2 was obtained for 100 °C ≤ TG ≤ 300 °C, the formation of mixed phase MnO2 + Mn2O3 nanosystems took place at 400 °C. In addition, the system nano-organization could be finely tailored, resulting in a controllable evolution from wheat-ear columnar arrays to high aspect ratio pointed-tip nanorod assemblies. Concomitantly, magnetic force microscopy analyses suggested the formation of spin domains with features dependent on material morphology. Preliminary tests in Vislight activated photocatalytic degradation of rhodamine B aqueous solutions pave the way to possible applications of the target materials in wastewater purification.

Abstract: Post-synthetic shape-transformation processes provide access to colloidal nanocrystal morphologies that are unattainable by direct synthetic routes. Herein, we report our finding about the ligand-induced fragmentation of CsPbBr3 perovskite nanowires (NWs) into low aspect-ratio CsPbX3 (X = Cl, Br and I) nanorods (NRs) during halide ion exchange reaction with PbX2-ligand solution. The shape transformation of NWs-to-NRs resulted in an increase of photoluminescence efficiency owing to a decrease of nonradiative decay rates. Importantly, we found that the perovskite NRs exhibit single photon emission as revealed by photon antibunching measurements, while it is not detected in parent NWs. This work not only reports on the quantum light emission of low aspect ratio perovskite NRs, but also expands our current understanding of shape-dependent optical properties of perovskite nanocrystals.