Grain Boundaries Control Lithiation of Solid Solution Substrates in Lithium Metal Batteries.

The development of sustainable transportation and communication systems requires an increase in both energy density and capacity retention of Li-batteries. Using substrates forming a solid solution with body-centered cubic Li enhances the cycle stability of anode-less batteries. However, it remains unclear how the substrate microstructure affects the lithiation behavior.

Nanoporous Gold Thin Films as Substrates to Analyze Liquids by Cryo-atom Probe Tomography.

Cryogenic atom probe tomography (cryo-APT) is being developed to enable nanoscale compositional analyses of frozen liquids. Yet, the availability of readily available substrates that allow for the fixation of liquids while providing sufficient strength to their interface is still an issue. Here, we propose the use of 1-2-µm-thick binary alloy film of gold-silver sputtered onto flat silicon, with sufficient adhesion without an additional layer.

Opportunities of combinatorial thin film materials design for the sustainable development of magnesium-based alloys.

Magnesium-based lightweight structural materials exhibit potential for energy savings. However, the state-of-the-art quest for novel compositions with improved properties through conventional bulk metallurgy is time, energy, and material intensive. Here, the opportunities provided by combinatorial thin film materials design for the sustainable development of magnesium alloys are evaluated.

Kinetically Limited Phase Formation of Pt-Ir Based Compositionally Complex Thin Films.

The phase formation of PtIrCuAuX (X = Ag, Pd) compositionally complex thin films is investigated to critically appraise the criteria employed to predict the formation of high entropy alloys. The formation of a single-phase high entropy alloy is predicted if the following requirements are fulfilled: 12 J∙K mol ≤ configurational entropy ≤ 17.5 J∙K mol, -10 kJ∙mol ≤ enthalpy of mixing ≤ 5 kJ∙mol and atomic size difference ≤ 5%.

Electrochromic Behavior and Phase Transformation in LiTiO upon Lithium-Ion Deintercalation/Intercalation.

The impact of phase transformation from spinel-structured LiTiO to rocksalt-type LiTiO on the electrochromic properties of the material is studied. Thin films of LiTiO are deposited on platinum-coated substrates using radio-frequency-ion beam sputtering. In situ and ex situ optical spectroscopy (in reflectance geometry) is performed along with electrochemical characterization.