National Institute Of Materials Physics - Romania

Publications

860 articles found

381. Short-wave infrared LEDs from GeSn/SiGeSn multiple quantum wells

Authors: Stange, D; den Driesch, NV; Rainko, D; Roesgaard, S; Povstugar, I; Hartmann, JM; Stoica, T; Ikonic, Z; Mantl, S; Grutzmacher, D; Buca, D

Published: FEB 20 2017, OPTICA, 4, 188, DOI: 10.1364/OPTICA.4.000185

Group IV photonics is on its way to be integrated with electronic circuits, making information transfer and processing faster and more energy efficient. Light sources, a critical component of photonic integrated circuits, are still in development. Here, we compare multi-quantum-well (MQW) light-emitting diodes (LEDs) with Ge0.915Sn0.085 wells and Si0.1Ge0.8Sn0.1 barriers to a reference Ge0.915Sn0.085 homo-junction LED. Material properties as well as band structure calculations are discussed, followed by optical investigations. Electroluminescence spectra acquired at various temperatures indicate effective carrier confinement for electrons and holes in the GeSn quantum wells and confirm the excellent performance of GeSn/SiGeSn MQW light emitters. (C) 2017 Optical Society of America

382. Magnetite-based glass-ceramics prepared by controlled crystallization of borosilicate glasses: Effect of nucleating agents on magnetic properties and relaxation

Authors: Sandu, V; Cimpoiasu, E; Greculeasa, S; Kuncser, A; Nicolescu, MS; Kuncser, V

Published: FEB 15 2017, CERAMICS INTERNATIONAL, 43, 3413, DOI: 10.1016/j.ceramint.2016.11.188

The specific magnetic structure and magnetic relaxation phenomena in magnetite nanoentities grown in a glassy matrix by controlled crystallization of Fe-containing borosilicate and boroaluminosilicate glasses in the presence of two types of nucleating agents, Cr2O3 and P2O5, were investigated. The structure, morphology and magnetic properties are strongly influenced by the nucleating agents. Cr2O3 generates magnetite-based glass ceramics with magnetite configurations showing an upward relaxation of magnetization at low and high temperatures but downward at intermediate temperatures. The magnetite grown with P2O5 displays only downward relaxation but with different signs of the temperature derivative of the relaxation rate S in different temperature ranges. The observed effects are discussed with respect to the following factors: i) the existence of a multimodal size distribution of the magnetite (nano)particles as revealed by high resolution electron microscopy; ii) the degree of occupation of different sublattices of the magnetite structure with Fe3+ and Fe2+ ions; and the interplay between the relaxation mechanisms in different temperature ranges.

383. On the threshold for ion track formation in CaF2

Authors: Karlusic, M; Ghica, C; Negrea, RF; Siketic, Z; Jaksic, M; Schleberger, M; Fazinic, S

Published: FEB 10 2017, NEW JOURNAL OF PHYSICS, 19, DOI: 10.1088/1367-2630/aa5914

There is an ongoing debate regarding the mechanism of swift heavy ion (SHI) track formation in CaF2. The objective of this study is to shed light on this important topic using a range of complementary experimental techniques. Evidence of the threshold for ion track formation being below 3 keV nm(-1) is provided by both transmission electron microscopy (TEM) and Rutherford backscattering spectroscopy in the channelling mode, which has direct consequences for the validity of models describing the response of CaF2 to SHI irradiation. Furthermore, information about the elemental composition within the ion tracks is obtained using scanning TEM, electron energy loss spectroscopy, and with respect to the stoichiometry of the materials surface by in situ time of flight elastic recoil detection analysis. Advances in the analyses of the experimental data presented here pave the way for a better understanding of the ion track formation.

384. A general perspective on the magnetization reversal in cylindrical soft magnetic nanowires with dominant shape anisotropy

Authors: Kuncser, A; Antohe, S; Kuncser, V

Published: FEB 1 2017, JOURNAL OF MAGNETISM AND MAGNETIC MATERIALS, 423, 38, DOI: 10.1016/j.jmmm.2016.09.066

Peculiarities of the magnetization reversal process in cylindrical Ni-Cu soft magnetic nanowires with dominant shape anisotropy are analyzed via both static and time dependent micromagnetic simulations. A reversible process involving acoherent-like spin rotation is always observed for magnetic fields applied perpendicularly to the easy axis whereas nucleation of domain walls is introduced for fields applied along the easy axis. Simple criteria for making distinction between a Stoner-Wohlfarth type rotation and a nucleation mechanism in systems with uniaxial magnetic anisotropy are discussed. Superposed reversal mechanisms can be in action for magnetic fields applied at arbitrary angles with respect to the easy axis within the condition of an enough strong axial component required by the nucleation. The dynamics of the domain wall, involving two different stages (nucleation and propagation), is discussed with respect to initial computing conditions and orientations of the magnetic field. A nucleation time of about 3 ns and corkscrew domain walls propagating with a constant velocity of about 150 m/s are obtained in case of Ni-Cu alloy (Ni rich side) NWs with diameters of 40 nm and high aspect ratio.

385. Lipoic Acid Gold Nanoparticles Functionalized with Organic Compounds as Bioactive Materials

Authors: Turcu, I; Zarafu, I; Popa, M; Chifiriuc, MC; Bleotu, C; Culita, D; Ghica, C; Ionita, P

Published: FEB 2017, NANOMATERIALS, 7, DOI: 10.3390/nano7020043

Water soluble gold nanoparticles protected by lipoic acid were obtained and further functionalized by standard coupling reaction with 1-naphtylamine, 4-aminoantipyrine, and 4 0 -aminobenzo-15-crown-5 ether. Derivatives of lipoic acid with 1-naphtylamine, 4-aminoantipyrine, and 4 0 -aminobenzo-15-crown-5 ether were also obtained and characterized. All these were tested for their antimicrobial activity, as well as for their influence on mammalian cell viability and cellular cycle. In all cases a decreased antimicrobial activity of the obtained bioactive nanoparticles was observed as compared with the organic compounds, proving that a possible inactivation of the bioactive groups could occur during functionalization. However, both the gold nanoparticles as well as the functionalized bioactive nanosystems proved to be biocompatible at concentrations lower than 50 mu g/mL, as revealed by the cellular viability and cell cycle assay, demonstrating their potential for the development of novel antimicrobial agents.

386. Interaction of New-Developed TiO2-Based Photocatalytic Nanoparticles with Pathogenic Microorganisms and Human Dermal and Pulmonary Fibroblasts

Authors: Nica, IC; Stan, MS; Popa, M; Chifiriuc, MC; Lazar, V; Pircalabioru, GG; Dumitrescu, I; Ignat, M; Feder, M; Tanase, LC; Mercioniu, I; Diamandescu, L; Dinischiotu, A

Published: FEB 2017, INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF MOLECULAR SCIENCES, 18, DOI: 10.3390/ijms18020249

TiO2-based photocatalysts were obtained during previous years in order to limit pollution and to ease human daily living conditions due to their special properties. However, obtaining biocompatible photocatalysts is still a key problem, and the mechanism of their toxicity recently received increased attention. Two types of TiO2 nanoparticles co-doped with 1% of iron and nitrogen (TiO2-1% Fe-N) atoms were synthesized in hydrothermal conditions at pH of 8.5 (HT1) and 5.5 (HT2), and their antimicrobial activity and cytotoxic effects exerted on human pulmonary and dermal fibroblasts were assessed. These particles exhibited significant microbicidal and anti-biofilm activity, suggesting their potential application for microbial decontamination of different environments. In addition, our results demonstrated the biocompatibility of TiO2-1% Fe-N nanoparticles at low doses on lung and dermal cells, which may initiate oxidative stress through dose accumulation. Although no significant changes were observed between the two tested photocatalysts, the biological response was cell type specific and time- and dose-dependent; the lung cells proved to be more sensitive to nanoparticle exposure. Taken together, these experimental data provide useful information for future photocatalytic applications in the industrial, food, pharmaceutical, and medical fields.

387. Electrochemically shape-controlled transformation of magnetron sputtered platinum films into platinum nanostructures enclosed by high-index facets

Authors: Khalakhan, I; Lavkova, J; Matolinova, I; Vorokhta, M; Potin, V; Kus, P; Vaclavu, M; Maraloiu, VA; Kuncser, AC; Matolin, V

Published: JAN 15 2017, SURFACE & COATINGS TECHNOLOGY, 309, 11, DOI: 10.1016/j.surfcoat.2016.11.017

A new method based on transformation of magnetron sputtered platinum thin films into platinum nanostructures enclosed by high-index facets, using electrochemical potential cycling in a twin working electrode system is reported. The controllable formation of various Pt nanostructures, described in this paper, indicates that this method can be used to control a selective growth of high purity Pt nanostructures with specific shapes (facets or edges). The method opens up new possibilities for electrochemical preparation of nanostructured Pt catalysts at high yield. (C) 2016 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.

388. C-N cross-coupling on supported copper catalysts: The effect of the support, oxidation state, base and solvent (vol 341, pg 205, 2016)

Authors: Tirsoaga, A; Cojocaru, B; Teodorescu, C; Vasiliu, F; Grecu, MN; Ghica, D; Parvulescu, VI; Garcia, H

Published: JAN 2017, JOURNAL OF CATALYSIS, 345, 329, DOI: 10.1016/j.jcat.2016.11.016

389. Influence of preparation conditions on structure and photosensing properties of GeSi/TiO2 multilayers

Authors: Slav, A; Palade, C; Stavarache, I; Teodorescu, VS; Ciurea, ML; Muller, R; Dinescu, A; Sultan, MT; Manolescu, A; Gudmundsson, JT; Svavarsson, HG

Published: 2017, 2017 INTERNATIONAL SEMICONDUCTOR CONFERENCE (CAS), 40TH EDITION, 66, DOI:

The photosensing properties related to the structure of GeSi/TiO2 multilayers prepared under different conditions are studied. TiO2 cap/(GeSi/TiO2)(2) multilayers (ML) were deposited by magnetron sputtering (MS) and annealed by rapid thermal annealing. Trilayers of TiO2 cap/GeSi/TiO2 (TL) were also deposited using reactive high power impulse MS (HiPIMS) for TiO2 layers and dc MS for the GeSi layer. For TL samples a two-step annealing was employed, one before and the second after depositing TiO2 cap. Structure and morphology characterization (X-ray diffraction, scanning and transmission electron microscopy) was carried out and photocurrent measurements (voltage dependences, spectral curves) were performed. The annealed ML samples are formed of GeSi NCs with 5 - 10 nm sizes, while in the annealed TL samples, the GeSi NCs are larger (20 - 30 nm). These morphologies determine the multilayers photosensing properties in VIS-NIR of ML structures and in UV in TL ones, respectively.

390. Gas sensing mechanism involved in H2S detection with NiO loaded SnO2 gas sensors

Authors: Simion, CE; Florea, OG; Stanoiu, A

Published: 2017, ROMANIAN JOURNAL OF INFORMATION SCIENCE AND TECHNOLOGY, 20, 425, DOI:

SnO2 loaded with 1 wt.% NiO based gas sensors, have been tested under humid background towards different H2S concentrations when operated at 350 degrees C. Knowing that water dissociation takes place, leading to the formation of strongly bonded surface hydroxyl groups, usually hindering the subsequent gas detection, it is of highly importance to understand the role of NiO as "OH groups trapper" element. By using complementary phenomenological investigations (simultaneous electrical resistance and work function measurements) we could emphasize the role of loading element in mitigating the water effects, further reflected through the different H2S interaction mechanisms. As such, the exposure of the SnO2 - 1 wt.% NiO sensors to different relative humidity levels was mirrored through a decrease in surface band bending due to the water donor effect and to a minor increase in the electronic affinity explained by the low adsorption of surface OH groups.