National Institute Of Materials Physics - Romania

TiO2 nanoparticles (NPs) doped with W (W:TiO2), double-doped with W and V (W&V:TiO2), and loaded with noble metals (W:TiO2 @Pt/Pd/Ag and W&V:TiO2@Pt/Pd/Ag) were synthesized by laser pyrolysis followed by chemical impregnation and reduction. Due to its exceptional properties, TiO2 is considered a key material being used in a wide range of applications. To improve its detection activity, the increase in the specific surface of the material, and the presence of defects in its structure play a decisive role. Doped and double-doped TiO2 nanoparticles with dimensions in the range of 25-30 nm presented a mixture of phases corresponding to titania, with the anatase phase accounting for the majority (95%). By loading these nanoparticles with small particles of noble metals, a significant increase in the specific surface area by three or even five times the original values was achieved. Sensitive thin films for surface acoustic wave (SAW) sensors were made with the NPs, embedded in polyethyleneimine (PEI) polymer and deposited by spin-coating. Each sensor was tested at CH4 concentrations between 0.4 and 2%, at room temperature, and the best results were obtained by the sensor with NPs doped with V and decorated with Pd, with a limit of detection (LOD) of 17 ppm, due to the strong catalytic effect of Pd.

This study investigates the influence of synthesis methods and electrode geometry on the physico-chemical properties of 5%Gd-doped SnO2. Two distinct synthesis routes, co-precipitation and hydrothermal growth, were employed, resulting in powders denoted as SnO2: Gd 5%-CP and SnO2: Gd 5%-HT. Morpho-structural and textural analyses reveal a uniform morphology consisting of quasi-spherical nanoparticles with dimensions of similar to 6 nm and mesoporosity for CP and a non-uniform morphology with larger nanoparticles of similar to 42 nm, with irregular shapes and macroporosity for the HT sample, respectively. The powders were deposited onto alumina substrates equipped with platinum interdigital electrodes with alternative gaps of 200 mu m and 100 mu m. The back-side heater allows for variation in the temperature of the layer. Sensing properties assessed under in-field-like atmospheres simulated by a computer-controlled Gas Mixing System reveal higher sensitivity to methane compared to carbon dioxide. Although the sensor signals did not differ quantitatively, they exhibited distinct saturation tendencies with an increasing methane concentration, attributed to the morpho-structure and porosity induced by the synthesis method. Differentiation was achieved by varying the interdigital gap of the electrodes, highlighting different sensor signals and conduction mechanisms, determined by the specific size of the crystallites.

Magnesium doped hydroxyapatite nanoparticles in dextran matrix (7MgHApDx) with average size diameter of 18.2 +/- 0.5 nm are synthesized by co-precipitation. The surface morphology and shape of 7MgHApDx particles are established by scanning electron microscopy (SEM). The stability that is evaluated by ultrasound measurements and zeta potential reveals a good stability. More than that, the functional groups present in the studied samples are identified by Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy studies. The antimicrobial properties of 7MgHApDx suspensions are determined against Staphylococcus aureus ATCC 25923, Escherichia coli ATCC 25922, and Candida albicans ATCC 10231 microbial strains.

SiGe-SiO2-based structures present high interest for their high photosensitivity from visible to short-wavelength infrared. Herein, two postdeposition annealing procedures, that is, rapid thermal annealing (RTA) and rapid-like furnace annealing (FA), are compared. Both RTA and FA are performed at 600 degrees C for 1 min for SiGe nanocrystals (NCs) formation in SiO2 matrix in Si/SiO2/SiGe/SiO2 structures deposited by magnetron sputtering. The FA imitates RTA resulting in enhanced spectral response. X-ray diffraction, transmission electron microscopy, and Raman spectroscopy are carried out showing Ge-rich SiGe NCs with 11.3 +/- 1.2 nm size for RTA and 9.4 +/- 0.8 nm for FA. Photocurrent spectra for both structures show several peaks that are annealing dependent. The photocurrent intensity for FA samples is approximate to 7 times higher than RTA samples while cutoff wavelengths are slightly different, that is, 1365 nm for FA and 1375 nm for RTA. The FA structures show (at -1.5 V) over 4 A W-1 responsivity at 730 nm, 6.4 x 10(7) Jones detectivity at 735 nm, and 2.2 x 10(7) Jones at about 1210 nm. FA structures contain small SiGe NCs with incorporated residual strain, while RTA ones are formed of columnar SiGe NCs separated by SiGeOx amorphous regions and show increased tensile strain in the SiGe.

Magnesium and magnesium thin alloy films were deposited using a thermionic vacuum arc (TVA), which has multiple applications in the field of metallic electrodes for diodes and batteries or active corrosion protection. An improved laser-induced TVA (LTVA) method favors the crystallization processes of the deposited magnesium-based films because the interaction between laser and plasma discharge changes the thermal energy during photonic processes due to the local temperature variation. Plasma diagnosis based on current discharge measurements suggests an inelastic collision between the laser beam and the atoms from the plasma discharge. The morphology and surface properties of the obtained thin films differ between these two methods. While the amorphous character is dominant for TVA thin films, enabling a smooth surface, the LTVA method produces rough surfaces with prominent crystallinity, less hydrophobic character and lower surface energy. The smooth surfaces obtained by the TVA methods produce metallic electrodes with good electrical contact, ensuring better diodes and battery charge transport. Both methods allow uniform magnesium alloys to be obtained, but the laser used in the LTVA on the discharge plasma controls the added metal or element ratio. (c) 2024 Chongqing University. Publishing services provided by Elsevier B.V.

The compounds KBa 1-x Sr x Cr 2 (PO 4 ) 3 (with x = 0.00; 0.25; 0.50; 0.75; 1.00) were synthesized by a solid-state reaction, and they were thoroughly characterized by different spectroscopic and microscopic techniques. Their structures were indexed in a cubic system with a P2 1 3 space group forming a 3D framework built on CrO 6 octahedra and PO 4 tetrahedra sharing vertices leading to identical Cr 2 P 3 O 18 (U) units. The interconnection between the tetrahedral and octahedral groups leads to the formation of two large closed cavities (K, M II )(1) and (K, M II )(2), statistically occupied by K + and M 2+ (M = Ba, Sr) atoms. Electron paramagnetic resonance spectroscopy confirmed the presence of paramagnetic Cr 3+ ions, showing the effects of substituting the Ba 2+ ions with smaller Sr 2+ ions on the dipolar coupling between the Cr 3+ centers. The obtained materials and active carbon were used as electrode materials in hybrid SC devices. At the same time, their electrochemical properties were assessed by potentiostatic electrochemical impedance spectroscopy, cyclic voltammetry, and galvanostatic charge-discharge measurements, showing promising results with a maximal specific capacitance (3.86 F/g), energy density (343 mWh/kg), and power density (30.9 kW/kg) in the case of KBa 0.5 Sr 0.5 Cr 2 (PO 4 ) 3 , proving them as good candidates for positive and/or negative electrode materials for energy storage applications.

Quaternary multicomponent Cu2BaSnS4 (CBTS) has emerged as a potential absorber material due to its abundant and nontoxic constituents, high absorption coefficient (10-4 cm-1) and suitable bandgap (1.5-2.0 eV) for the solar photovoltaic application. In this study, polycrystalline CBTS thin layers have been deposited by a typical spray pyrolysis technique on glass substrates using different substrate temperatures (Ts = 200, 250, 300 and 350 degrees C) followed by annealing in a sulfur-rich atmosphere at 550 degrees C under an argon flow. The (micro-)structural, compositional, and optical properties of both types of films have been studied. Analysis of x-ray diffractogram (XRD) patterns for all acquired films showed the presence of polycrystalline CBTS alongside various secondary phases, including Cu2SnS3 being predominant. Nonetheless, the XRD of the films deposited at 250 degrees C and annealed at 550 degrees C showed only the CBTS phase. Raman spectroscopy confirm the formation of the trigonal phase of CBTS. The presence of Cu, Ba, Sn and S in CBTS thin films was confirmed by X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy and Energy-dispersive X-ray spectroscopy. Scanning electron micrographs show a smooth and dense structure with enhanced crystallinity and improved uniformity. Overall, the physical properties of CBTS thin films were found to be spray deposition temperature dependent. An appropriate optical band gap of 1.6 to 1.8 eV and a compact structure indicate their prospective for solar cell applications.

We explored the possibility to guide the forming process in a Ta/TiO2/Pt memristive device using an X-ray nanopatterning procedure, which enables the manipulation of the oxygen content at the nanoscale. The irradiation of selected areas of the sample by a 65 x 58 nm2 synchrotron X-ray nanobeam locally generated oxygen vacancies which resulted in the formation of a conductive filament in the desired position in the material. The subsequent application of an electric field between the electrodes was exploited to achieve reversible bipolar resistive switching. A multitechnique characterization was then performed, highlighting a local increase in the height of the crystal and the formation of a dislocation network, associated with the presence of Wadsley defects. Our results show that X-ray nanopatterning could open new avenues for a more deterministic implementation of electroforming in oxide-based memristive devices. We tuned the oxygen content in a Ta/TiO2/Pt memristive device at the nanoscale by a synchrotron X-ray nanobeam. We obtained a conductive filament of oxygen vacancies in the desired position in the material to achieve a controlled resistive switching.

Fabrication and extensive characterization of hard-soft nanocomposites composed of hard magnetic low-temperature phase LTP-MnBi and amorphous Fe70Si10B20 soft magnetic phase for bulk magnets are reported. Samples with compositions Mn55Bi45 + x center dot(Fe70Si10B20) (x = 0, 3, 5, 10, 20 wt.%) were prepared by spark plasma sintering of powder mixtures. Characterization has been performed by X-ray diffraction, scanning and transmission electron microscopy, magnetometry and Fe-57 Mossbauer spectroscopy. It was shown that samples contain crystallized and nanometric LTP-MnBi phases with various elemental compositions depending on the degree of Bi clustering. Complex correlations between starting compositions, processes during fabrication, and functional magnetic characteristics were observed. Unexpected special situations of the relation between microstructure and magnetic coupling mechanisms are discovered. Exchange spring effects of different strengths occur, being very sensitive to morpho-structural and compositional features, which in turn are controlled by processing conditions. An in-depth analysis of related microscopic characteristics is provided. Results of this work suggest that fabrication by powder metallurgy routes, such as spark plasma sintering of hard and soft magnetic powder mixtures, of MnBi-based composites with exchange spring phenomena have a high potential in designing and optimization of suitable materials with tunable magnetic properties towards rare-earth-free permanent magnet applications.

CuFeS2 is a prominent chalcogenide that possesses similar optical properties and a significantly lower cost, compared to gold. Additionally, covalent organic frameworks are a class of materials at the forefront of current research, mainly used as photoactive components and porous absorbers. Hence, in this work, hydrophilic CuFeS2 particles are coupled with multi-functional covalent organic frameworks through ionic bonding to produce a hybrid material with unique and optimized properties. To render the CuFeS2 particles negatively charged and dispersible in water, we coated them with sodium dodecyl sulfonate, shifting the surface plasmon resonance of the nanoparticles from 472 to 492 nm. When they are electrostatically assembled with the positively charged COFs, an S-scheme is formed and the fluorescence of the hybrid materials is highly quenched, with the electron transfer happening from the networks to the nanoparticles and a simultaneous energy exchange which is dependent on the emission wavelength. Through detailed fluorescence spectroscopy, time-resolved measurements and Stern-Volmer analysis, we identified an efficient emission quenching that differs from the bulk to the exfoliated hybrid system, while detailed electron microscopy studies demonstrated the strong interaction between the two components. The quenching mechanisms and the on or off surface resonance dependent lifetime could be applied to photocatalytic and photovoltaic applications.