Ultrathin ALD Coatings of Zr and V Oxides on Anodic TiO Nanotube Layers: Comparison of the Osteoblast Cell Growth.

The current study investigates and compares the biological effects of ultrathin conformal coatings of zirconium dioxide (ZrO) and vanadium pentoxide (VO) on osteoblastic MG-63 cells grown on TiO nanotube layers (TNTs). Coatings were achieved by the atomic layer deposition (ALD) technique. TNTs with average tube diameters of 15, 30, and 100 nm were fabricated on Ti substrates (via electrochemical anodization) and were used as primary substrates for the study.

Temperature Dependence of Relativistic Valence Band Splitting Induced by an Altermagnetic Phase Transition.

Altermagnetic (AM) materials exhibit non-relativistic, momentum-dependent spin-split states, ushering in new opportunities for spin electronic devices. While the characteristics of spin-splitting are documented within the framework of the non-relativistic spin group symmetry, there is limited exploration of the inclusion of relativistic symmetry and its impact on the emergence of a novel spin-splitting in the band structure. This study delves into the intricate relativistic electronic structure of an AM material, α-MnTe.

Carboxymethyl starch as a reducing and capping agent in the hydrothermal synthesis of selenium nanostructures for use with three-dimensional-printed hydrogel carriers.

The hydrothermal method is a cost-effective and eco-friendly route for preparing various nanomaterials. It can use a capping agent, such as a polysaccharide, to govern and define the nanoparticle morphology. Elemental selenium nanostructures (spheres and rods) were synthesized and stabilized using a tailor-made carboxymethyl starch (CMS, degree of substitution = 0.

Biosynthesis of ternary NiCoFeO nanoflowers: investigating their 3D structure and potential use in gene delivery.

Multicomponent nanoparticle systems are known for their varied properties and functions, and have shown potential as gene nanocarriers. This study aims to synthesize and characterize ternary nickel-cobalt-ferrite (NiCoFeO) nanoparticles with the potential to serve as gene nanocarriers for cancer/gene therapy. The biogenic nanocarriers were prepared using a simple and eco-friendly method following green chemistry principles.

Atomically sharp domain walls in an antiferromagnet.

The interest in understanding scaling limits of magnetic textures such as domain walls spans the entire field of magnetism from its physical fundamentals to applications in information technologies. Here, we explore antiferromagnetic CuMnAs in which imaging by x-ray photoemission reveals the presence of magnetic textures down to nanoscale, reaching the detection limit of this established microscopy in antiferromagnets. We achieve atomic resolution by using differential phase-contrast imaging within aberration-corrected scanning transmission electron microscopy.

Defect-driven antiferromagnetic domain walls in CuMnAs films.

Efficient manipulation of antiferromagnetic (AF) domains and domain walls has opened up new avenues of research towards ultrafast, high-density spintronic devices. AF domain structures are known to be sensitive to magnetoelastic effects, but the microscopic interplay of crystalline defects, strain and magnetic ordering remains largely unknown. Here, we reveal, using photoemission electron microscopy combined with scanning X-ray diffraction imaging and micromagnetic simulations, that the AF domain structure in CuMnAs thin films is dominated by nanoscale structural twin defects.

Hierarchical Atomic Layer Deposited V O on 3D Printed Nanocarbon Electrodes for High-Performance Aqueous Zinc-Ion Batteries.

Aqueous rechargeable zinc-ion batteries (ARZIBs) are promising energy storage systems owing to their ecofriendliness, safety, and cost-efficiency. However, the sluggish Zn diffusion kinetics originated from its inherent large atomic mass and high polarization remains an ongoing challenge. To this end, electrodes with 3D architectures and high porosity are highly desired.

Microwave plasma-based high temperature dehydrogenation of hydrocarbons and alcohols as a single route to highly efficient gas phase synthesis of freestanding graphene.

Understanding underlying processes behind the simple and easily scalable graphene synthesis methods enables their large-scale deployment in the emerging energy storage and printable device applications. Microwave plasma decomposition of organic precursors forms a high-temperature environment, above 3000 K, where the process of catalyst-free dehydrogenation and consequent formation of Cmolecules leads to nucleation and growth of high-quality few-layer graphene (FLG). In this work, we show experimental evidence that a high-temperature environment with a gas mixture of Hand acetylene, CH, leads to a transition from amorphous to highly crystalline material proving the suggested dehydrogenation mechanism.

Mn-Rich MnSb Te : A Topological Insulator with Magnetic Gap Closing at High Curie Temperatures of 45-50 K.

Ferromagnetic topological insulators exhibit the quantum anomalous Hall effect, which is potentially useful for high-precision metrology, edge channel spintronics, and topological qubits.  The stable 2+ state of Mn enables intrinsic magnetic topological insulators. MnBi Te is, however, antiferromagnetic with 25 K Néel temperature and is strongly n-doped.

Rhenium Doping of Layered Transition-Metal Diselenides Triggers Enhancement of Photoelectrochemical Activity.

The ever decreasing sources of fossil fuels have launched extensive research of alternative materials that might play a key role in their replacement. Therefore, the scientific community continuously investigates the possibilities of maximizing the working capacity of such materials in order to fulfill energy challenges in the near future. In this context, doping of the semiconducting materials is a versatile strategy to trigger their physicochemical properties as well their electrochemical performance.

Atomic Layer Deposition of Electrocatalytic Insulator AlO on Three-Dimensional Printed Nanocarbons.

The advantages of three-dimensional (3D) printing technologies, such as rapid-prototyping and the freedom to customize electrodes in any design, have elevated the benchmark of conventional electrochemical studies. Furthermore, the 3D printed electrodes conveniently accommodate other active layers for diverse applications such as energy storage, catalysis, and sensors. Nevertheless, to enhance a complex 3D structure while preserving the fine morphology, conformal deposition by atomic layer deposition (ALD) technique is a powerful solution.

Atomic Layer Deposition of SnO-Coated Anodic One-Dimensional TiO Nanotube Layers for Low Concentration NO Sensing.

The continuous emission of nitrous oxides contributes to the overall air pollution and deterioration of air quality. In particular, an effective NO sensor capable of low concentration detection for continuous monitoring is demanded for safety, health, and wellbeing. The sensing performance of a metal oxide-based sensor is predominantly influenced by the availability of surface area for O adsorption and desorption, efficient charge transport, and size or thickness of the sensing layer.

Laser-induced crystallization of anodic TiO nanotube layers.

In this study, crystallization of amorphous TiO nanotube (TNT) layers upon optimized laser annealing is shown. The resulting anatase TNT layers do not show any signs of deformation or melting. The crystallinity of the laser annealed TNT layers was investigated using X-ray diffraction, Raman spectroscopy, and high-resolution transmission electron microscopy (HRTEM).

TiO Nanotube Layers Decorated with AlO/MoS/AlO as Anode for Li-ion Microbatteries with Enhanced Cycling Stability.

TiO nanotube layers (TNTs) decorated with AlO/MoS/AlO are investigated as a negative electrode for 3D Li-ion microbatteries. Homogenous nanosheets decoration of MoS, sandwiched between AlO coatings within self-supporting TNTs was carried out using atomic layer deposition (ALD) process. The structure, morphology, and electrochemical performance of the AlO/MoS/AlO-decorated TNTs were studied using scanning transmission electron microscopy, energy dispersive X-ray spectroscopy, X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy, and chronopotentiometry.

2D MoS nanosheets on 1D anodic TiO nanotube layers: an efficient co-catalyst for liquid and gas phase photocatalysis.

One-dimensional TiO nanotube layers with different dimensions were homogeneously decorated with 2D MoS nanosheets via atomic layer deposition and employed for liquid and gas phase photocatalysis. The 2D MoS nanosheets revealed a high amount of exposed active edge sites and strongly enhanced the photocatalytic performance of TiO nanotube layers.

Generation and Stabilization of Small Platinum Clusters Pt Inside a Metal-Organic Framework.

The generation and matrix stabilization of ligand-free, small platinum nanoclusters (NCs) Pt is presented. The metal-organic framework-template approach is based on encapsulating CO-ligated, atom-precise Pt Chini clusters [{Pt(CO)}] into the zeolitic imidazolate framework ZIF-8. The selective formation of the air-stable inclusion compound [NBu][{Pt(CO)}]@ZIF-8 of defined atomicity Pt and with Pt loadings of 1-20 wt % was monitored by UV/vis and IR spectroscopy and was confirmed by high-resolution transmission electron microscopy (HR-TEM), high-angle annular dark-field scanning transmission electron microscopy (HAADF-STEM), X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS), and powder X-ray diffraction (PXRD).

Optimizing the Size of Platinum Nanoparticles for Enhanced Mass Activity in the Electrochemical Oxygen Reduction Reaction.

High oxygen reduction (ORR) activity has been for many years considered as the key to many energy applications. Herein, by combining theory and experiment we prepare Pt nanoparticles with optimal size for the efficient ORR in proton-exchange-membrane fuel cells. Optimal nanoparticle sizes are predicted near 1, 2, and 3 nm by computational screening.

Bismuth Oxychloride Nanoplatelets by Breakdown Anodization.

Herein, the synthesis of BiOCl nanoplatelets of various dimensions is demonstrated. These materials were prepared by anodic oxidation of Bi ingots in diluted HCl under dielectric breakdown conditions, triggered by a sufficiently high anodic field. Additionally, it is shown that the use of several other common diluted acids (HNO, HSO, lactic acid) resulted in the formation of various different nanostructures.

Top-Down Synthesis of Nanostructured Platinum-Lanthanide Alloy Oxygen Reduction Reaction Catalysts: Pt Pr/C as an Example.

The oxygen reduction reaction (ORR) is of great interest for future sustainable energy conversion and storage, especially concerning fuel cell applications. The preparation of active, affordable, and scalable electrocatalysts and their application in fuel cell engines of hydrogen cars is a prominent step toward the reduction of air pollution, especially in urban areas. Alloying nanostructured Pt with lanthanides is a promising approach to enhance its catalytic ORR activity, whereby the development of a simple synthetic route turned out to be a nontrivial endeavor.

Mitigating Curtaining Artifacts During Ga FIB TEM Lamella Preparation of a 14 nm FinFET Device.

We report on the mitigation of curtaining artifacts during transmission electron microscopy (TEM) lamella preparation by means of a modified ion beam milling approach, which involves altering the incident angle of the Ga ions by rocking of the sample on a special stage. We applied this technique to TEM sample preparation of a state-of-the-art integrated circuit based on a 14-nm technology node. Site-specific lamellae with a thickness <15 nm were prepared by top-down Ga focused ion beam polishing through upper metal contacts.