Granular metals with SiNdielectrics.

Understanding and controlling nanoscale interface phenomena, such as band bending and secondary phase formation, is crucial for electronic device optimization. In granular metal (GM) studies, where metal nanoparticles are embedded in an insulating matrix, the importance of interface phenomena is frequently neglected. We demonstrate that GMs can serve as an exemplar system for evaluating the role of secondary phases at interfaces through a combination of x-ray photoemission spectroscopy (XPS) and electrical transport studies.

The effect of metal-insulator interface interactions on electrical transport in granular metals.

We present an in-depth study of metal-insulator interfaces within granular metal (GM) films and correlate their interfacial interactions with structural and electrical transport properties. Nominally 100 nm thick GM films of Co and Mo dispersed within yttria-stabilized zirconia (YSZ), with volumetric metal fractions () from 0.2-0.

MnSnand MnSn-TiOnanostructured anode materials for lithium-ion batteries.

The high theoretical lithium storage capacity of Sn makes it an enticing anode material for Li-ion batteries (LIBs); however, its large volumetric expansion during Li-Sn alloying must be addressed. Combining Sn with metals that are electrochemically inactive to lithium leads to intermetallics that can alleviate volumetric expansion issues and still enable high capacity. Here, we present the cycling behavior of a nanostructured MnSnintermetallic used in LIBs.

Microfabrication of a gadolinium-derived solid-state sensor for thermal neutrons.

Neutron sensing is critical in civilian and military applications. Conventional neutron sensors are limited by size, weight, cost, portability and helium supply. Here the microfabrication of gadolinium (Gd) conversion material-based heterojunction diodes for detecting thermal neutrons using electrical signals produced by internal conversion electrons (ICEs) is described.

Recrystallized arrays of bismuth nanowires with trigonal orientation.

We demonstrate methods to improve the crystalline-quality of free-standing Bi nanowires arrays on a Si substrate and enhance the preferred trigonal orientation for thermoelectric performance by annealing the arrays above the 271.4 °C Bi melting point. The nanowires maintain their geometry during melting due to the formation of a thin Bi-oxide protective shell that contains the molten Bi.