ACS Appl Mater Interfaces
August 2024
In contrast to the widely studied electrical properties of Pb(Zr,Ti)O thin films, which have led to their applicability in various application areas such as thin film capacitors, microelectronics, and ferroelectric memories, the electro-optic (EO) properties are far less studied, which hinders the applicability of Pb(Zr,Ti)O films for EO applications such as heterogeneously integrated phase modulators in silicon (Si) photonics. Therefore, the EO properties of Pb(Zr,Ti)O films need to be further investigated to pave the way for the applicability of Pb(Zr,Ti)O films in EO applications. As the EO properties of ferroelectric thin films strongly depend on their crystal phase and texture, which in turn are influenced by the method of film fabrication.
View Article and Find Full Text PDFTwo-dimensional (2D) hybrid organic-inorganic perovskites constitute a versatile class of materials applied to a variety of optoelectronic devices. These materials are composed of alternating layers of inorganic lead halide octahedra and organic ammonium cations. Most perovskite research studies so far have focused on organic sublattices based on phenethylammonium and alkylammonium cations, which are packed by van der Waals cohesive forces.
View Article and Find Full Text PDFMetal nanoparticle (NP) sintering is a prime cause of catalyst degradation, limiting its economic lifetime and viability. To date, sintering phenomena are interrogated either at the bulk scale to probe averaged NP properties or at the level of individual NPs to visualize atomic motion. Yet, "mesoscale" strategies which bridge these worlds can chart NP populations at intermediate length scales but remain elusive due to characterization challenges.
View Article and Find Full Text PDFThis work aims to describe the mechanism of intermediary phases formation in TiAl20 (wt. %) alloy composition during reactive sintering. The reaction between titanium and aluminum powders was studied by in situ diffraction and the results were confirmed by annealing at various temperatures.
View Article and Find Full Text PDFThe thickness characterization of transparent protective coatings on functional, transparent materials is often problematic. In this paper, a toolbox to determine the thicknesses of a transparent coating on functional window films is presented. The toolbox consists of a combination of secondary ion mass spectrometry and profilometry and can be transferred to other transparent polymeric materials.
View Article and Find Full Text PDFX-ray diffraction (XRD) and electron paramagnetic resonance spectroscopy (EPR) were combined to study the structural transformations induced by temperature, pressure and air humidity of the "breathing" metal-organic framework (MOF) MIL-53(Al), doped with paramagnetic V ions, after activation. The correlation between in situ XRD and thermogravimetric analysis measurements showed that upon heating this MOF in air, starting from ambient temperature and pressure, the narrow pore framework first dehydrates and after that makes the transition to a large pore state (lp). The EPR spectra of V[double bond, length as m-dash]O molecular ions, replacing Al-OH in the structure, also allow to distinguish the as synthesized, hydrated (np-h) and dehydrated narrow pore (np-d), and lp states of MIL-53(Al).
View Article and Find Full Text PDFMolecular layer deposition (MLD) of hybrid organic-inorganic thin films called "titanicones" was achieved using tetrakisdimethylaminotitanium (TDMAT) and glycerol (GL) or ethylene glycol (EG) as precursors. For EG, in situ ellipsometry revealed that the film growth initiates, but terminates after only 5 to 10 cycles, probably because both hydroxyls react with the surface. GL has a third hydroxyl group, and in that case steady state growth could be achieved.
View Article and Find Full Text PDFIn this work, we investigate binary Ag-Te thin films and their functionality as a cation supply layer in conductive bridge random access memory devices. A combinatorial sputter deposition technique is used to deposit a graded Ag(x)Te(1-x) (0 < x < 1) layer with varying composition as a function of the position on the substrate. The crystallinity, surface morphology, and material stability under thermal treatment as a function of the composition of the material are investigated.
View Article and Find Full Text PDFThis communication reports an approach based on plasma-enhanced atomic layer deposition of aluminium oxide for the functionalization of polytetrafluoroethylene (PTFE or "Teflon") surfaces. Alternating exposure of PTFE to oxygen plasma and trimethylaluminium causes a permanent hydrophilic effect, and a more than 10-fold improvement of the "glueability" of PTFE to aluminium.
View Article and Find Full Text PDFTitanium nitride (TiN) shows metallic-type electrical behavior and is therefore an interesting material to improve the conductivity of a wide variety of powders. Atomic layer deposition (ALD) is an excellent technique for achieving the desired ultrathin but conformal coatings. To conformally coat large amounts of particles using ALD, agitation of the particles and efficient reactant usage are necessary.
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