“Advanced tomography techniques for inorganic, organic, and biological materials”. Evans JE, Friedrich H;, MRS bulletin 41, 516 (2016). http://doi.org/10.1557/mrs.2016.134
Abstract: Three-dimensional (3D) tomography using electrons and x-rays has pushed and expanded our understanding of the micro-and nanoscale spatial organization of inorganic, organic, and biological materials. While a significant impact on the field of materials science has already been realized from tomography applications, new advanced methods are quickly expanding the versatility of this approach to better link structure, composition, and function of complex 3D assemblies across multiple scales. In this article, we highlight several frontiers where new developments in tomography are empowering new science across biology, chemistry, and physics. The five articles that appear in this issue of MRS Bulletin describe some of these latest developments in detail, including analytical electron tomography, atomic resolution electron tomography, advanced recording schemes in scanning transmission electron microscopy (STEM) tomography, cryo-STEM tomography of whole cells, and multiscale correlative tomography.
Keywords: A1 Journal article; Electron microscopy for materials research (EMAT)
Impact Factor: 5.199
Times cited: 12
DOI: 10.1557/mrs.2016.134
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“Atomic resolution electron tomography”. Bals S, Goris B, de Backer A, Van Aert S, Van Tendeloo G, MRS bulletin 41, 525 (2016). http://doi.org/10.1557/mrs.2016.138
Abstract: Over the last two decades, three-dimensional (3D) imaging by transmission electron microscopy or “electron tomography” has evolved into a powerful tool to investigate a variety of nanomaterials in different fields, such as life sciences, chemistry, solid-state physics, and materials science. Most of these results were obtained with nanometer-scale resolution, but different approaches have recently pushed the resolution to the atomic level. Such information is a prerequisite to understand the specific relationship between the atomic structure and the physicochemical properties of (nano) materials. We provide an overview of the latest progress in the field of atomic-resolution electron tomography. Different imaging and reconstruction approaches are presented, and state-of-the-art results are discussed. This article demonstrates the power and importance of electron tomography with atomic-scale resolution.
Keywords: A1 Journal article; Electron microscopy for materials research (EMAT)
Impact Factor: 5.199
Times cited: 19
DOI: 10.1557/mrs.2016.138
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“Effect of substitutional impurities on the electronic transport properties of graphene”. Berdiyorov GR, Bahlouli H, Peeters FM, Physica. E: Low-dimensional systems and nanostructures 84, 22 (2016). http://doi.org/10.1016/j.physe.2016.05.024
Abstract: Density-functional theory in combination with the nonequilibrium Green's function formalism is used to study the effect of substitutional doping on the electronic transport properties of hydrogen passivated zig-zag graphene nanoribbon devices. B, N and Si atoms are used to substitute carbon atoms located at the center or at the edge of the sample. We found that Si -doping results in better electronic transport as compared to the other substitutions. The transmission spectrum also depends on the location of the substitutional dopants: for single atom doping the largest transmission is obtained for edge substitutions, whereas substitutions in the middle of the sample give larger transmission for double carbon substitutions. The obtained results are explained in terms of electron localization in the system due to the presence of impurities. (C) 2016 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.
Keywords: A1 Journal article; Engineering sciences. Technology; Condensed Matter Theory (CMT)
Impact Factor: 2.221
Times cited: 17
DOI: 10.1016/j.physe.2016.05.024
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“Electrochemical behavior of electrodeposited nanoporous Pt catalysts for the oxygen reduction reaction”. Geboes B, Ustarroz J, Sentosun K, Vanrompay H, Hubin A, Bals S, Breugelmans T, ACS catalysis 6, 5856 (2016). http://doi.org/10.1021/acscatal.6b00668
Abstract: Nanoporous Pt based nanoparticles (NP's) are promising fuel cell catalysts due to their high surface area and increased electrocatalytic activity toward the ORR In this work a direct double-pulse electrodeposition procedure at room temperature is applied to obtain dendritic Pt structures (89 nm diameter) with a high level of porosity (ca. 25%) and nanopores of 2 nm protruding until the center of the NP's. The particle morphology is characterized using aberration corrected high angle annular dark field scanning transmission electron microscopy (HAADF-STEM) and electron tomography (ET) combined with field emission scanning electron microscopy (FESEM) and macroscopic electrochemical measurements to assess their activity and stability toward the ORR. Macroscopic determination of the active surface area through hydrogen UPD measurements in combination with FESEM and ET showed that a considerable amount of the active sites inside the pores of the low overpotential NP's were accessible to oxygen species. As a result of this accessibility, up to a 9-fold enhancement of the Pt mass corrected ORR activity at 0.85 V vs RHE was observed at the highly porous structures. After successive potential cycling upward to 1.5 V vs RHE in a deaerated HClO4 solution a negative shift of 71 mV in half-wave potential occurred. This decrease in ORR activity could be correlated to the partial collapse of the nanopores, visible in both the EASA values and 3D ET reconstructions.
Keywords: A1 Journal article; Electron microscopy for materials research (EMAT); Applied Electrochemistry & Catalysis (ELCAT)
Impact Factor: 10.614
Times cited: 48
DOI: 10.1021/acscatal.6b00668
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“Electronic properties of emergent topological defects in chiral p-wave superconductivity”. Zhang L, Fernández Becerra V, Covaci L, Milošević, MV, Physical review B 94, 024520 (2016). http://doi.org/10.1103/PhysRevB.94.024520
Abstract: Chiral p-wave superconductors in applied magnetic field can exhibit more complex topological defects than just conventional superconducting vortices, due to the two-component order parameter (OP) and the broken time-reversal symmetry. We investigate the electronic properties of those exotic states, some of which contain clusters of one-component vortices in chiral components of the OP and/or exhibit skyrmionic character in the relative OP space, all obtained as a self-consistent solution of the microscopic Bogoliubov-de Gennes equations. We reveal the link between the local density of states (LDOS) of the novel topological states and the behavior of the chiral domain wall between the OP components, enabling direct identification of those states in scanning tunneling microscopy. For example, a skyrmion always contains a closed chiral domain wall, which is found to be mapped exactly by zero-bias peaks in LDOS. Moreover, the LDOS exhibits electron-hole asymmetry, which is different from the LDOS of conventional vortex states with same vorticity. Finally, we present the magnetic field and temperature dependence of the properties of a skyrmion, indicating that this topological defect can be surprisingly large in size, and can be pinned by an artificially indented nonsuperconducting closed path in the sample. These features are expected to facilitate the experimental observation of skyrmionic states, thereby enabling experimental verification of chirality in emerging superconducting materials.
Keywords: A1 Journal article; Condensed Matter Theory (CMT)
Impact Factor: 3.836
Times cited: 27
DOI: 10.1103/PhysRevB.94.024520
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“Finite-temperature vortices in a rotating Fermi gas”. Klimin SN, Tempere J, Verhelst N, Milošević, MV, Physical review A 94, 023620 (2016). http://doi.org/10.1103/PhysRevA.94.023620
Abstract: Vortices and vortex arrays have been used as a hallmark of superfluidity in rotated, ultracold Fermi gases. These superfluids can be described in terms of an effective field theory for a macroscopic wave function representing the field of condensed pairs, analogous to the Ginzburg-Landau theory for superconductors. Here we establish how rotation modifies this effective field theory, by rederiving it starting from the action of Fermi gas in the rotating frame of reference. The rotation leads to the appearance of an effective vector potential, and the coupling strength of this vector potential to the macroscopic wave function depends on the interaction strength between the fermions, due to a renormalization of the pair effective mass in the effective field theory. The mass renormalization derived here is in agreement with results of functional renormalization-group theory. In the extreme Bose-Einstein condensate regime, the pair effective mass tends to twice the fermion mass, in agreement with the physical picture of a weakly interacting Bose gas of molecular pairs. Then we use our macroscopic-wave-function description to study vortices and the critical rotation frequencies to form them. Equilibrium vortex state diagrams are derived and they are in good agreement with available results of the Bogoliubov-de Gennes theory and with experimental data.
Keywords: A1 Journal article; Theory of quantum systems and complex systems; Condensed Matter Theory (CMT)
Impact Factor: 2.925
Times cited: 6
DOI: 10.1103/PhysRevA.94.023620
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“Layered-to-Tunnel Structure Transformation and Oxygen Redox Chemistry in LiRhO2upon Li Extraction and Insertion”. Mikhailova D, Karakulina OM, Batuk D, Hadermann J, Abakumov AM, Herklotz M, Tsirlin AA, Oswald S, Giebeler L, Schmidt M, Eckert J, Knapp M, Ehrenberg H, Inorganic chemistry 55, 7079 (2016). http://doi.org/10.1021/acs.inorgchem.6b01008
Abstract: Layered Li(M,Li)O2 (where M is a transition metal) ordered rock-salt-type structures are used in advanced metal-ion batteries as one of the best hosts for the reversible intercalation of Li ions. Besides the conventional redox reaction involving oxidation/reduction of the M cation upon Li extraction/insertion, creating oxygen-located holes because of the partial oxygen oxidation increases capacity while maintaining the oxidized oxygen species in the lattice through high covalency of the M–O bonding. Typical degradation mechanism of the Li(M,Li)O2 electrodes involves partially irreversible M cation migration toward the Li positions, resulting in gradual capacity/voltage fade. Here, using LiRhO2 as a model system (isostructural and isoelectronic to LiCoO2), for the first time, we demonstrate an intimate coupling between the oxygen redox and M cation migration. A formation of the oxidized oxygen species upon electrochemical Li extraction coincides with transformation of the layered Li1–xRhO2 structure into the γ-MnO2-type rutile–ramsdellite intergrowth LiyRh3O6 structure with rutile-like [1 × 1] channels along with bigger ramsdellite-like [2 × 1] tunnels through massive and concerted Rh migration toward the empty positions in the Li layers. The oxidized oxygen dimers with the O–O distances as short as 2.26 Å are stabilized in this structure via the local Rh–O configuration reminiscent to that in the μ-peroxo-μ-hydroxo Rh complexes. The LiyRh3O6 structure is remarkably stable upon electrochemical cycling illustrating that proper structural implementation of the oxidized oxygen species can open a pathway toward deliberate employment of the anion redox chemistry in high-capacity/high-voltage positive electrodes for metal-ion batteries. Upon chemical or electrochemical oxidation, layered LiRhO2 shows a unique structural transformation that involves both cation migration and oxidation of oxygen resulting in a stable tunnel-like rutile−ramsdellite intergrowth LiyRh3O6 structure. This structure demonstrates excellent performance with the steady and reversible capacity of ∼200 mAh/g. The stability of LiyRh3O6 is rooted in the accommodation of partially oxidized oxygen species through the formation of short O−O distances that are compatible with the connectivity of RhO6 octahedra.
Keywords: A1 Journal article; Electron microscopy for materials research (EMAT)
Impact Factor: 4.857
Times cited: 12
DOI: 10.1021/acs.inorgchem.6b01008
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“Nanostructured materials for solid-state hydrogen storage : a review of the achievement of COST Action MP1103”. Callini E, Aguey-Zinsou KF, Ahuja R, Ares JR, Bals S, Biliškov N, Chakraborty S, Charalambopoulou G, Chaudhary AL, Cuevas F, Dam B, de Jongh P, Dornheim M, Filinchuk Y, Grbović, Novaković, J, Hirscher M, Jensen TR, Jensen PB, Novaković, N, Lai Q, Leardini F, Gattia DM, Pasquini L, Steriotis T, Turner S, Vegge T, Züttel A, Montone A, International journal of hydrogen energy
T2 –, E-MRS Fall Meeting / Symposium C on Hydrogen Storage in Solids -, Materials, Systems and Aplication Trends, SEP 15-18, 2015, Warsaw, POLAND 41, 14404 (2016). http://doi.org/10.1016/j.ijhydene.2016.04.025
Abstract: In the framework of the European Cooperation in Science and Technology (COST) Action MP1103 Nanostructured Materials for Solid-State Hydrogen Storage were synthesized, characterized and modeled. This Action dealt with the state of the art of energy storage and set up a competitive and coordinated network capable to define new and unexplored ways for Solid State Hydrogen Storage by innovative and interdisciplinary research within the European Research Area. An important number of new compounds have been synthesized: metal hydrides, complex hydrides, metal halide ammines and amidoboranes. Tuning the structure from bulk to thin film, nanoparticles and nanoconfined composites improved the hydrogen sorption properties and opened the perspective to new technological applications. Direct imaging of the hydrogenation reactions and in situ measurements under operando conditions have been carried out in these studies. Computational screening methods allowed the prediction of suitable compounds for hydrogen storage and the modeling of the hydrogen sorption reactions on mono-, bi-, and three-dimensional systems. This manuscript presents a review of the main achievements of this Action. (C) 2016 Hydrogen Energy Publications LLC. Published by Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.
Keywords: A1 Journal article; Engineering sciences. Technology; Electron microscopy for materials research (EMAT)
Impact Factor: 3.582
Times cited: 89
DOI: 10.1016/j.ijhydene.2016.04.025
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“Radiative and nonradiative recombination in CuInS2 nanocrystals and CuInS2-based core/shell nanocrystals”. Berends AC, Rabouw FT, Spoor FCM, Bladt E, Grozema FC, Houtepen AJ, Siebbeles LDA, de Donega CM, The journal of physical chemistry letters 7, 3503 (2016). http://doi.org/10.1021/acs.jpclett.6b01668
Abstract: Luminescent copper indium sulfide (CIS) nanocrystals are a potential solution to the toxicity issues associated with Cd- and Pb-based nanocrystals. However, the development of high-quality CIS nanocrystals has been complicated by insufficient knowledge of the electronic structure and of the factors that lead to luminescence quenching. Here we investigate the exciton decay pathways in CIS nanocrystals using time resolved photoluminescence and transient absorption spectroscopy. Core-only CIS nanocrystals with low quantum yield are compared to core/shell nanocrystals (CIS/ZnS and CIS/CdS) with higher quantum yield. Our measurements support the model of photoluminescence by radiative recombination of a conduction band electron with a localized hole. Moreover, we find that photoluminescence quenching in low-quantum-yield nanocrystals involves initially uncoupled decay pathways for the electron and hole. The electron decay pathway determines whether the exciton recombines radiatively or nonradiatively. The development of high-quality CIS nanocrystals should therefore focus on the elimination of electron traps.
Keywords: A1 Journal article; Engineering sciences. Technology; Electron microscopy for materials research (EMAT)
Impact Factor: 9.353
Times cited: 67
DOI: 10.1021/acs.jpclett.6b01668
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“Strain-induced topological phase transition in phosphorene and in phosphorene nanoribbons”. Sisakht ET, Fazileh F, Zare MH, Zarenia M, Peeters FM, Physical review B 94, 085417 (2016). http://doi.org/10.1103/PhysRevB.94.085417
Abstract: Using the tight-binding (TB) approximation with inclusion of the spin-orbit interaction, we predict a topological phase transition in the electronic band structure of phosphorene in the presence of axial strains. We derive a low-energy TB Hamiltonian that includes the spin-orbit interaction for bulk phosphorene. Applying a compressive biaxial in-plane strain and perpendicular tensile strain in ranges where the structure is still stable leads to a topological phase transition. We also examine the influence of strain on zigzag phosphorene nanoribbons (zPNRs) and the formation of the corresponding protected edge states when the system is in the topological phase. For zPNRs up to a width of 100 nm the energy gap is at least three orders of magnitude larger than the thermal energy at room temperature.
Keywords: A1 Journal article; Condensed Matter Theory (CMT)
Impact Factor: 3.836
Times cited: 76
DOI: 10.1103/PhysRevB.94.085417
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“Structural chemistry and magnetic properties of the perovskite Sr3Fe2TeO9”. Tang Y, Hunter EC, Battle PD, Sena RP, Hadermann J, Avdeev M, Cadogan JM, Journal of solid state chemistry 242, 86 (2016). http://doi.org/10.1016/j.jssc.2016.06.024
Abstract: A polycrystalline sample of perovskite-like Sr3Fe2TeO9 has been prepared in a solid-state reaction and studied by a combination of electron microscopy, Mossbauer spectroscopy, magnetometry, X-ray diffraction and neutron diffraction. The majority of the reaction product is shown to be a trigonal phase with a 2:1 ordered arrangement of Fe3+ and Te6+ cations. However, the sample is prone to nano twinning and tetragonal domains with a different pattern of cation ordering exist within many crystallites. Antiferromagnetic ordering exists in the trigonal phase at 300 K and Sr3Fe2TeO9 is thus the first example of a perovskite with 2:1 trigonal cation ordering to show long-range magnetic order. At 300 K the antiferromagnetic phase coexists with two paramagnetic phases which show spin -glass behaviour below similar to 80 K. (C) 2016 The Authors. Published by Elsevier Inc.
Keywords: A1 Journal article; Electron microscopy for materials research (EMAT)
Impact Factor: 2.299
Times cited: 12
DOI: 10.1016/j.jssc.2016.06.024
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“van der Waals density functionals applied to corundum-type sesquioxides : bulk properties and adsorption of CH3 and C6H6 on (0001) surfaces”. Dabaghmanesh S, Neyts EC, Partoens B, Physical chemistry, chemical physics 18, 23139 (2016). http://doi.org/10.1039/c6cp00346j
Abstract: van der Waals (vdW) forces play an important role in the adsorption of molecules on the surface of solids. However, the choice of the most suitable vdW functional for different systems is an essential problem which must be addressed for different systems. The lack of a systematic study on the performance of the vdW functionals in the bulk and adsorption properties of metal-oxides motivated us to examine different vdW approaches and compute the bulk and molecular adsorption properties of alpha-Cr2O3, alpha-Fe2O3, and alpha-Al2O3. For the bulk properties, we compared our results for the heat of formation, cohesive energy, lattice parameters and bond distances between the different vdW functionals and available experimental data. Next we studied the adsorption of benzene and CH3 molecules on top of different oxide surfaces. We employed different approximations to exchange and correlation within DFT, namely, the Perdew-Burke-Ernzerhof (PBE) GGA, (PBE)+U, and vdW density functionals [ DFT(vdW-DF/DF2/optPBE/optB86b/optB88)+U] as well as DFT-D2/D3(+U) methods of Grimme for the bulk calculations and optB86b-vdW(+U) and DFT-D2(+U) for the adsorption energy calculations. Our results highlight the importance of vdW interactions not only in the adsorption of molecules, but importantly also for the bulk properties. Although the vdW contribution in the adsorption of CH3 (as a chemisorption interaction) is less important compared to the adsorption of benzene (as a physisorption interaction), this contribution is not negligible. Also adsorption of benzene on ferryl/chromyl terminated surfaces shows an important chemisorption contribution in which the vdW interactions become less significant.
Keywords: A1 Journal article; Condensed Matter Theory (CMT); Plasma Lab for Applications in Sustainability and Medicine – Antwerp (PLASMANT)
Impact Factor: 4.123
Times cited: 6
DOI: 10.1039/c6cp00346j
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“Complex Microstructure and Magnetism in Polymorphic CaFeSeO”. Cassidy SJ, Batuk M, Batuk D, Hadermann J, Woodruff DN, Thompson AL, Clarke SJ, Inorganic chemistry 55, 10714 (2016). http://doi.org/10.1021/acs.inorgchem.6b01951
Abstract: The structural complexity of the antiferromagnetic oxide selenide CaFeSeO is described. The compound contains puckered FeSeO layers composed of FeSe2O2 tetrahedra sharing all their vertexes. Two polymorphs coexist that can be derived from an archetype BaZnSO structure by cooperative tilting of the FeSe2O2 tetrahedra. The polymorphs differ in the relative arrangement of the puckered layers of vertex-linked FeSe2O2 tetrahedra. In a noncentrosymmetric Cmc21 polymorph (a = 3.89684(2) A, b = 13.22054(8) A, c = 5.93625(2) A) the layers are related by the C-centering translation, while in a centrosymmetric Pmcn polymorph, with a similar cell metric (a = 3.89557(6) A, b = 13.2237(6) A, c = 5.9363(3) A), the layers are related by inversion. The compound shows long-range antiferromagnetic order below a Neel temperature of 159(1) K with both polymorphs showing antiferromagnetic coupling via Fe-O-Fe linkages and ferromagnetic coupling via Fe-Se-Fe linkages within the FeSeO layers. The magnetic susceptibility also shows evidence for weak ferromagnetism which is modeled in the refinements of the magnetic structure as arising from an uncompensated spin canting in the noncentrosymmetric polymorph. There is also a spin glass component to the magnetism which likely arises from the disordered regions of the structure evident in the transmission electron microscopy.
Keywords: A1 Journal article; Electron microscopy for materials research (EMAT)
Impact Factor: 4.857
Times cited: 6
DOI: 10.1021/acs.inorgchem.6b01951
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“Strength, toughness and aging stability of highly-translucent Y-TZP ceramics for dental restorations”. Zhang F, Inokoshi M, Batuk M, Hadermann J, Naert I, Van Meerbeek B, Vleugels J, Dental Materials 32, e327 (2016). http://doi.org/10.1016/j.dental.2016.09.025
Abstract: OBJECTIVE: The aim was to evaluate the optical properties, mechanical properties and aging stability of yttria-stabilized zirconia with different compositions, highlighting the influence of the alumina addition, Y2O3 content and La2O3 doping on the translucency. METHODS: Five different Y-TZP zirconia powders (3 commercially available and 2 experimentally modified) were sintered under the same conditions and characterized by X-ray diffraction with Rietveld analysis and scanning electron microscopy (SEM). Translucency (n=6/group) was measured with a color meter, allowing to calculate the translucency parameter (TP) and the contrast ratio (CR). Mechanical properties were appraised with four-point bending strength (n=10), single edge V-notched beam (SEVNB) fracture toughness (n=8) and Vickers hardness (n=10). The aging stability was evaluated by measuring the tetragonal to monoclinic transformation (n=3) after accelerated hydrothermal aging in steam at 134 degrees C, and the transformation curves were fitted by the Mehl-Avrami-Johnson (MAJ) equation. Data were analyzed by one-way ANOVA, followed by Tukey's HSD test (alpha=0.05). RESULTS: Lowering the alumina content below 0.25wt.% avoided the formation of alumina particles and therefore increased the translucency of 3Y-TZP ceramics, but the hydrothermal aging stability was reduced. A higher yttria content (5mol%) introduced about 50% cubic zirconia phase and gave rise to the most translucent and aging-resistant Y-TZP ceramics, but the fracture toughness and strength were considerably sacrificed. 0.2mol% La2O3 doping of 3Y-TZP tailored the grain boundary chemistry and significantly improved the aging resistance and translucency. Although the translucency improvement by La2O3 doping was less effective than for introducing a substantial amount of cubic zirconia, this strategy was able to maintain the mechanical properties of typical 3Y-TZP ceramics. SIGNIFICANCE: Three different approaches were compared to improve the translucency of 3Y-TZP ceramics.
Keywords: A1 Journal article; Electron Microscopy for Materials Science (EMAT);
Impact Factor: 4.07
DOI: 10.1016/j.dental.2016.09.025
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“Extension of Friedel's law to vortex-beam diffraction”. Juchtmans R, Guzzinati G, Verbeeck J, Physical Review A 94, 033858 (2016). http://doi.org/10.1103/PhysRevA.94.033858
Abstract: Friedel's law states that the modulus of the Fourier transform of real functions is centrosymmetric, while the phase is antisymmetric. As a consequence of this, elastic scattering of plane-wave photons or electrons within the first-order Born-approximation, as well as Fraunhofer diffraction on any aperture, is bound to result in centrosymmetric diffraction patterns. Friedel's law, however, does not apply for vortex beams, and centrosymmetry in general is not present in their diffraction patterns. In this work we extend Friedel's law for vortex beams by showing that the diffraction patterns of vortex beams with opposite topological charge, scattered on the same two-dimensional potential, always are centrosymmetric to one another, regardless of the symmetry of the scattering object. We verify our statement by means of numerical simulations and experimental data. Our research provides deeper understanding in vortex-beam diffraction and can be used to design new experiments to measure the topological charge of vortex beams with diffraction gratings or to study general vortex-beam diffraction.
Keywords: A1 Journal article; Electron microscopy for materials research (EMAT)
Impact Factor: 2.925
Times cited: 13
DOI: 10.1103/PhysRevA.94.033858
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“Atom-counting in High Resolution Electron Microscopy: TEM or STEM –, that's the question”. Gonnissen J, De Backer A, den Dekker AJ, Sijbers J, Van Aert S, Ultramicroscopy 174, 112 (2016). http://doi.org/10.1016/j.ultramic.2016.10.011
Abstract: In this work, a recently developed quantitative approach based on the principles of detection theory is used in order to determine the possibilities and limitations of High Resolution Scanning Transmission Electron Microscopy (HR STEM) and HR TEM for atom-counting. So far, HR STEM has been shown to be an appropriate imaging mode to count the number of atoms in a projected atomic column. Recently, it has been demonstrated that HR TEM, when using negative spherical aberration imaging, is suitable for atom-counting as well. The capabilities of both imaging techniques are investigated and compared using the probability of error as a criterion. It is shown that for the same incoming electron dose, HR STEM outperforms HR TEM under common practice standards, i.e. when the decision is based on the probability function of the peak intensities in HR TEM and of the scattering cross-sections in HR STEM. If the atom-counting decision is based on the joint probability function of the image pixel values, the dependence of all image pixel intensities as a function of thickness should be known accurately. Under this assumption, the probability of error may decrease significantly for atom-counting in HR TEM and may, in theory, become lower as compared to HR STEM under the predicted optimal experimental settings. However, the commonly used standard for atom-counting in HR STEM leads to a high performance and has been shown to work in practice.
Keywords: A1 Journal article; Electron microscopy for materials research (EMAT); Vision lab
Impact Factor: 2.843
Times cited: 2
DOI: 10.1016/j.ultramic.2016.10.011
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“Depth sectioning combined with atom-counting in HAADF STEM to retrieve the 3D atomic structure”. Alania M, Altantzis T, De Backer A, Lobato I, Bals S, Van Aert S, Ultramicroscopy 177, 36 (2016). http://doi.org/10.1016/j.ultramic.2016.11.002
Abstract: Aberration correction in scanning transmission electron microscopy (STEM) has greatly improved the lateral and depth resolution. When using depth sectioning, a technique during which a series of images is recorded at different defocus values, single impurity atoms can be visualised in three dimensions. In this paper, we investigate new possibilities emerging when combining depth sectioning and precise atom-counting in order to reconstruct nanosized particles in three dimensions. Although the depth resolution does not allow one to precisely locate each atom within an atomic column, it will be shown that the depth location of an atomic column as a whole can be measured precisely. In this manner, the morphology of a nanoparticle can be reconstructed in three dimensions. This will be demonstrated using simulations and experimental data of a gold nanorod.
Keywords: A1 Journal article; Electron microscopy for materials research (EMAT)
Impact Factor: 2.843
Times cited: 13
DOI: 10.1016/j.ultramic.2016.11.002
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“Influence of substrate tilt angle on the incorporation of BaHfO3 in thick YBa2Cu3O7-&delta, films”. Sieger M, Pahlke P, Ottolinger R, Stafford BH, Lao M, Meledin A, Bauer M, Eisterer M, Van Tendeloo G, Schultz L, Nielsch K, Hühne R, IEEE transactions on applied superconductivity 27, 1 (2016). http://doi.org/10.1109/Tasc.2016.2631587
Abstract: High critical current densities can be realized in high-temperature superconductors such as YBa2Cu3O7-δ (YBCO) by controlling density, shape, size and direction of a secondary phase. Whereas the dependence on the growth rate and deposition temperature has been widely studied as key parameters for nano-engineering the pinning landscape, the vicinal tilt of the substrate surface might have an additional influence. Therefore, we deposited 6 mol% BaHfO3 (BHO) doped YBCO on SrTiO3 (STO) substrates with vicinal angles α between 0° and 40° to identify the influence of the tilt on the growth mode of BHO. An undisturbed epitaxial growth of the superconductor as well as an epitaxial integration of the BHO phase in the YBCO matrix is observed for all vicinal angles investigated. The critical temperature is constant up to α = 20°, whereas the self-field critical current density at 77 K starts to decrease above 10°. A detailed structural analysis of the film cross sections showed that the growth mode of BHO changes already for a vicinal tilt of 2° from a pure c-axis oriented growth to a layered structure with BHO aligned parallel to the YBCO ab-plane. We identified a strong influence of such a microstructure on the current flow in BHO doped YBCO films on STO substrates as well as on MgO based coated conductors prepared by inclined substrate deposition
Keywords: A1 Journal article; Electron microscopy for materials research (EMAT)
Times cited: 3
DOI: 10.1109/Tasc.2016.2631587
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“A Universal Deposition Protocol for Planar Heterojunction Solar Cells with High Efficiency Based on Hybrid Lead Halide Perovskite Families”. Conings B, Babayigit A, Klug M T, Bai S, Gauquelin N, Sakai N, Wang J T-W, Verbeeck J, Boyen H-G, Advanced materials 28, 10701 (2016). http://doi.org/10.1002/adma.201603747
Abstract: A robust and expedient gas quenching method is developed for the solution deposition of hybrid perovskite thin films. The method offers a reliable standard practice for the fabrication of a non-exhaustive variety of perovskites exhibiting excellent film morphology and commensurate high performance in both regular and inverted structured solar cell architectures.
Keywords: A1 Journal article; Engineering sciences. Technology; Electron microscopy for materials research (EMAT)
Impact Factor: 19.791
Times cited: 95
DOI: 10.1002/adma.201603747
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“Influence of the Material Dielectric Constant on Plasma Generation inside Catalyst Pores”. Zhang Y-R, Neyts EC, Bogaerts A, The journal of physical chemistry: C : nanomaterials and interfaces 120, 25923 (2016). http://doi.org/10.1021/acs.jpcc.6b09038
Abstract: Plasma catalysis is gaining increasing interest for various environmental applications, but the crucial question is whether plasma can be created inside catalyst pores and under which conditions. In practice, various catalytic support materials are used, with various dielectric constants. We investigate here the influence of the dielectric constant on the plasma properties inside catalyst pores and in the sheath in front of the pores, for various pore sizes. The calculations are performed by a two-dimensional fluid model for an atmospheric pressure dielectric barrier discharge in helium. The electron impact ionization rate, electron temperature, electron and ion density, as well as the potential distribution and surface charge density, are analyzed for a better understanding of the discharge behavior inside catalyst pores. The results indicate that, in a 100 μm pore, the electron impact ionization in the pore, which is characteristic for the plasma generation inside the pore, is greatly enhanced for dielectric constants below 300. Smaller pore sizes only yield enhanced ionization for smaller dielectric constants, i.e., up to εr = 200, 150, and 50 for pore sizes of 50, 30, and 10 μm. Thus, the most common catalyst supports, i.e., Al2O3 and SiO2, which have dielectric constants around εr = 8−11 and 4.2, respectively, should allow more easily that microdischarges can be formed inside catalyst pores, even for smaller pore sizes. On the other hand, ferroelectric materials with dielectric constants above 300 never seem to yield plasma enhancement inside catalyst pores, not even for 100 μm pore sizes. Furthermore, it is clear that the dielectric constant of the material has a large effect on the extent of plasma enhancement inside the catalyst pores, especially in the range between εr = 4 and εr = 200. The obtained results are explained in detail based on the surface charge density at the pore walls,
and the potential distribution and electron temperature inside and above the pores. The results obtained with this model are
important for plasma catalysis, as the production plasma species in catalyst pores might affect the catalyst properties, and thus
improve the applications of plasma catalysis.
Keywords: A1 Journal article; Plasma Lab for Applications in Sustainability and Medicine – Antwerp (PLASMANT)
Impact Factor: 4.536
Times cited: 34
DOI: 10.1021/acs.jpcc.6b09038
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“Antisite Disorder and Bond Valence Compensation in Li2FePO4F Cathode for Li-Ion Batteries”. Karakulina OM, Khasanova NR, Drozhzhin OA, Tsirlin AA, Hadermann J, Antipov EV, Abakumov AM, Chemistry Of Materials 28, 7578 (2016). http://doi.org/10.1021/acs.chemmater.6b03746
Keywords: A1 Journal article; Electron microscopy for materials research (EMAT)
Impact Factor: 9.466
Times cited: 10
DOI: 10.1021/acs.chemmater.6b03746
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“Visible light activation of room temperature NO2 gas sensors based on ZnO, SnO2 and In2O3 sensitized with CdSe quantum dots”. Chizhov AS, Rumyantseva MN, Vasiliev RB, Filatova DG, Drozdov KA, Krylov IV, Marchevsky AV, Karakulina OM, Abakumov AM, Gaskov AM, Thin solid films : an international journal on the science and technology of thin and thick films 618, 253 (2016). http://doi.org/10.1016/j.tsf.2016.09.029
Abstract: This work reports the analysis of visible light activation of room temperature NO2 gas sensitivity of metal oxide semiconductors (MOS): blank and CdSe quantum dots (QDs) sensitized nanocrystallinematrixes ZnO, SnO2 and In2O3. Nanocrystalline metal oxides (MOx) ZnO, SnO2, In2O3 were synthesized by the precipitation method. Colloidal CdSe QDs were obtained by high temperature colloidal synthesis. Sensitization was effectuated by direct adsorption of CdSe QDs stabilized with oleic acid on MOx surface. The role of illumination consists in generation of electrons, which can be transferred into MOx conduction band, and holes that can recombine with the electrons previously trapped by the chemisorbed acceptor species and thus activate desorption of analyte molecules. Under green light illumination for blank SnO2 and In2O3 matrixes the indirect consequential mechanism for the generation of holes is proposed. Anothermechanismis realized in the presence of CdSe QDs. In this case the electron-hole pair is generated in the CdSe quantum dot. Sensor measurements demonstrated that synthesizedmaterials can be used for NO2 detection under visible (green) light illumination at room temperature without any thermal heating.
Keywords: A1 Journal article; Electron microscopy for materials research (EMAT)
Impact Factor: 1.879
Times cited: 19
DOI: 10.1016/j.tsf.2016.09.029
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“Probing the electrochemical behavior of {111} and {110} faceted hollow Cu2O microspheres for lithium storage”. Yu W-B, Hu Z-Y, Yi M, Huang S-Z, Chen D-S, Jin J, Li Y, Van Tendeloo G, Su B-L, RSC advances 6, 97129 (2016). http://doi.org/10.1039/C6RA21026K
Abstract: Transition metal oxides with exposed highly active facets have become of increasing interest as anode materials for lithium ion batteries, because more dangling atoms exposed at the active surface facilitate the reaction between the transition metal oxides and lithium. In this work, we probed the electrochemical behavior of hollow Cu2O microspheres with {111} and {110} active facets on the polyhedron surface as anodes for lithium storage. Compared to commercial Cu2O nanoparticles, hollow Cu2O microspheres with {111} and {110} active facets show a rising specific capacity at 30 cycles which then decreases after 110 cycles during the cycling process. Via advanced electron microscopy characterization, we reveal that this phenomenon can be attributed to the highly active {111} and {110} facets with dangling “Cu” atoms facilitating the conversion reaction of Cu2O and Li, where part of the Cu2O is oxidized to CuO during the charging process. However, as the reaction proceeds, more and more formed Cu nanoparticles cannot be converted to Cu2O or CuO. This leads to a decrease of the specific capacity. We believe that our study here sheds some light on the progress of the electrochemical behavior of transition metal oxides with respect to their increased specific capacity and the subsequent decrease via a conversion reaction mechanism. These results will be helpful to optimize the design of transition metal oxide micro/nanostructures for high performance lithium storage.
Keywords: A1 Journal article; Electron microscopy for materials research (EMAT)
Impact Factor: 3.108
Times cited: 5
DOI: 10.1039/C6RA21026K
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“BiVO4/3DOM TiO2 nanocomposites: Effect of BiVO4 as highly efficient visible light sensitizer for highly improved visible light photocatalytic activity in the degradation of dye pollutants”. Zalfani M, Hu Z-Y, Yu W-B, Mahdouani M, Bourguig R, Wu M, Li Y, Van Tendeloo G, Djoued Y, Su B-L, Applied Catalysis B-Environmental 205, 121 (2016). http://doi.org/10.1016/j.apcatb.2016.12.019
Abstract: A series of BiVO4/3DOM TiO2 nanocomposites have been synthesized and their photocatalytic activity was investigated under visible light irradiation using the RhB dye as model pollutant molecule in an aqueous solution. The effect of the amount of BiVO4 as visible light sensitizer on the photocatalytic activity of BiVO4/3DOM TiO2 nanocomposites was highlighted. The heterostructured composite system leads to much higher photocatalytic efficiencies than bare 3DOM TiO2 and BiVO4 nanoparticles. As the proportion of BiVO4 in BiVO4/3DOM TiO2 nanocomposites increases from 0.04 to 0.6, the photocatalytic performance of the BiVO4/3DOM TiO2 nanocomposites increases and then decreases after reaching a maximum at 0.2. This improvement in photocatalytic perfomance is related to 1) the interfacial electron transfer efficiency between the coupled materials, 2) the 3DOM TiO2 inverse opal structure with interconnected pores providing an easy mass transfer of the reactant molecules and high accessibility to the active sites and large surface area and 3) the effect of light sensitizer of BiVO4. Intensive studies on structural, textural, optical and surface properties reveal that the electronic interactions between BiVO4 and TiO2 lead to an improved charge separation of the coupled BiVO4/TiO2 system. The photogenerated charge carrier densities increase with increasing the BiVO4 content, which acts as visible light sensitizer to the TiO2 and is responsible for the enhancement in the rate of photocatalytic degradation. However, the photocatalytic activity is reduced when the BiVO4 amount is much higher than that of 3DOM TiO2. Two reasons could account for this behavior. First, with increasing BiVO4 content, the photogenerated electron/hole pairs are accumulated at the surface of the BiVO4 nanoparticles and the recombination rate increases as shown by the PL results. Second, decreasing the amount of 3DOM TiO2 in the nanocomposite decreases the surface area as shown by the BET results. Moreover, the poor adsorptive properties of the BiVO4 photocatalyst also affect the photocatalytic performance, in particular at higher BiVO4 content. The present work demonstrates that BiVO4/3DOM TiO2 is a very promising heterojunction system for visible light photocatalytic applications.
Keywords: A1 Journal article; Electron microscopy for materials research (EMAT)
Impact Factor: 9.446
Times cited: 52
DOI: 10.1016/j.apcatb.2016.12.019
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“Optimization of Automated Crystal Orientation Mapping in a TEM for Ni4Ti3 Precipitation in All-Round SMA”. Yao X, Amin-Ahmadi B, Li Y, Cao S, Ma X, Zhang X-P, Schryvers D, Shape memory and superelasticity 2, 286 (2016). http://doi.org/10.1007/s40830-016-0082-z
Abstract: Automated crystal orientation and phase mapping in TEM are applied to the quantification of Ni4Ti3 precipitates in Ni–Ti shape memory alloys which will be used for the implantation of artificial sphincters operating using the all-round shape memory effect. This paper focuses on the optimization process of the technique to obtain best values for all major parameters in the acquisition of electron diffraction patterns as well as template generation. With the obtained settings, vast statistical data on nano- and microstructures essential to the operation of these shape memory devices become available.
Keywords: A1 Journal article; Electron microscopy for materials research (EMAT)
Times cited: 2
DOI: 10.1007/s40830-016-0082-z
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“Atomic Structure of Wurtzite CdSe (Core)/CdS (Giant Shell) Nanobullets Related to Epitaxy and Growth”. Bladt E, van Dijk-Moes RJA, Peters J, Montanarella F, de Mello Donega C, Vanmaekelbergh D, Bals S, Journal of the American Chemical Society 138, 14288 (2016). http://doi.org/10.1021/jacs.6b06443
Abstract: Hetero-nanocrystals consisting of a CdSe core and a giant CdS shell have shown remarkable optical properties which are promising for applications in opto-electrical devices. Since these properties sensitively depend on the size and shape, a morphological characterization is of high interest. Here, we present a High Angle Annular Dark Field Scanning Transmission Electron Microscopy (HAADF-STEM) study of CdSe (core) / CdS (giant shell) hetero-nanocrystals. Electron tomography reveals that the nanocrystals have a bullet shape, either ending in a tip or a small dip, and that the CdSe core is positioned closer to the tip (or dip) than to the hexagonal base. Based on a high resolution HAADF-STEM study, we were able to determine all the surface facets. We present a heuristic model for the different growth stages of the CdS crystal around the CdSe core.
Keywords: A1 Journal article; Electron microscopy for materials research (EMAT)
Impact Factor: 13.858
Times cited: 28
DOI: 10.1021/jacs.6b06443
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“Analyzing the dispersion of cargo vapors around a ship’s superstructure by means of wind tunnel experiments”. Jacobs W, Reynaerts C, Andries S, van den Akker S, Moonen N, Lamoen D, Journal of marine science and technology 21, 758 (2016). http://doi.org/10.1007/s00773-016-0387-9
Abstract: In a previous study, it was found that cargo tank operations like cleaning and venting, lead to higher cargo vapor concentrations around the ship’s superstructure. Can wind tunnel experiments confirm these findings? Is there an improvement when using higher outlets at high velocities compared to lower outlets with a low outlet velocity? Is there a relation between relative wind speed and measured concentration? These questions were investigated in the Peutz wind tunnel. By using a tracer gas for the wind tunnel experiments, concentration coefficients have been calculated for various settings. The study shows that using high-velocity outlets is an efficient way to keep concentrations as low as possible. The only exception is for relative wind directions from the bow. In this last case using a manhole as ventilation outlet leads to lower concentrations. With increasing wind speeds the building downwash effect resulted in higher concentration coefficients near the main deck. This study confirms our on-board measurements and suggests the lowering of the ventilation inlet of the accommodation, so that the high-velocity outlet can be used safely at all times.
Keywords: A1 Journal article; Electron microscopy for materials research (EMAT)
Impact Factor: 0.838
Times cited: 2
DOI: 10.1007/s00773-016-0387-9
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“Highly Luminescent Cesium Lead Halide Perovskite Nanocrystals with Tunable Composition and Thickness by Ultrasonication”. Tong Y, Bladt E, Aygüler MF, Manzi A, Milowska KZ, Hintermayr VA, Docampo P, Bals S, Urban AS, Polavarapu L, Feldmann J, Angewandte Chemie: international edition in English 55, 13887 (2016). http://doi.org/10.1002/anie.201605909
Abstract: We describe the simple, scalable, single-step, and polar-solvent-free synthesis of high-quality colloidal CsPbX3 (X=Cl, Br, and I) perovskite nanocrystals (NCs) with tunable halide ion composition and thickness by direct ultrasonication of the corresponding precursor solutions in the presence of organic capping molecules. High angle annular dark field scanning transmission electron microscopy (HAADF-STEM) revealed the cubic crystal structure and surface termination of the NCs with atomic resolution. The NCs exhibit high photoluminescence quantum yields, narrow emission line widths, and considerable air stability. Furthermore, we investigated the quantum size effects in CsPbBr3 and CsPbI3 nanoplatelets by tuning their thickness down to only three to six monolayers. The high quality of the prepared NCs (CsPbBr3) was confirmed by amplified spontaneous emission with low thresholds. The versatility of this synthesis approach was demonstrated by synthesizing different perovskite NCs.
Keywords: A1 Journal article; Electron microscopy for materials research (EMAT)
Impact Factor: 11.994
Times cited: 549
DOI: 10.1002/anie.201605909
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“Cold atmospheric plasma treatment of melanoma and glioblastoma cancer cells”. Vermeylen S, De Waele J, Vanuytsel S, De Backer J, Van der Paal J, Ramakers M, Leyssens K, Marcq E, Van Audenaerde J, L J Smits E, Dewilde S, Bogaerts A, Plasma processes and polymers 13, 1195 (2016). http://doi.org/10.1002/ppap.201600116
Abstract: In this paper, two types of melanoma and glioblastoma cancer cell lines are treated with cold atmospheric plasma to assess the effect of several parameters on the cell viability. The cell viability decreases with treatment duration and time until analysis in all cell lines with varying sensitivity. The majority of dead cells stains both AnnexinV (AnnV) and propidium iodide, indicating that the plasma-treated non-viable cells are mostly late apoptotic or necrotic. Genetic mutations might be involved in the response to plasma. Comparing the effects of two gas mixtures, as well as indirect plasma-activated medium versus direct treatment, gives different results per cell line. In conclusion, this study confirms the potential of plasma for cancer therapy and emphasizes the influence of experimental parameters on therapeutic outcome.
Keywords: A1 Journal article; Plasma Lab for Applications in Sustainability and Medicine – Antwerp (PLASMANT)
Impact Factor: 2.846
Times cited: 26
DOI: 10.1002/ppap.201600116
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“Galvanic Replacement Coupled to Seeded Growth as a Route for Shape-Controlled Synthesis of Plasmonic Nanorattles”. Polavarapu L, Zanaga D, Altantzis T, Rodal-Cedeira S, Pastoriza-Santos I, Pérez-Juste J, Bals S, Liz-Marzán LM, Journal of the American Chemical Society 138, 11453 (2016). http://doi.org/10.1021/jacs.6b06706
Abstract: Shape-controlled synthesis of metal nanoparticles (NPs) requires mechanistic understanding toward the development of modern nanoscience and nanotechnology. We demonstrate here an unconventional shape transformation of Au@Ag core−shell NPs (nanorods and nanocubes) into octahedral nanorattles via roomtemperature galvanic replacement coupled with seeded growth. The corresponding morphological and chemical transformations were investigated in three dimensions, using state-of-the-art X-ray energy-dispersive spectroscopy (XEDS) tomography. The addition of a reducing agent (ascorbic acid) plays a key role in this unconventional mechanistic path, in which galvanic replacement is found to dominate initially when the shell is made of Ag, while seeded growth suppresses transmetalation when a composition of Au:Ag (∼60:40) is reached in the shell, as revealed by quantitative XEDS tomography. This work not only opens new avenues toward the shape control of hollow NPs beyond the morphology of sacrificial templates, but also expands our understanding of chemical transformations in nanoscale galvanic replacement reactions. The XEDS electron tomography study presented here can be generally applied to investigate a wide range of nanoscale morphological and chemical transformations.
Keywords: A1 Journal article; Electron microscopy for materials research (EMAT)
Impact Factor: 13.858
Times cited: 75
DOI: 10.1021/jacs.6b06706
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