Modifying the Substrate-Dependent Pd/FeO Catalyst-Support Synergism with ZnO Atomic Layer Deposition.

Low-loading Pd supported on FeO nanoparticles was synthesized. A common nanocatalyst system with previously reported synergistic enhancement of reactivity that is attributed to the electronic interactions between Pd and the FeO support. FeO-selective precoalescence overcoating with ZnO atomic layer deposition (ALD), using Zn(CHCH) and HO as precursors, dampens competitive hydrogenation reactivity at FeO-based sites.

Nanoscale goldbeating: Solid-state transformation of 0D and 1D gold nanoparticles to anisotropic 2D morphologies.

Goldbeating is the ancient craft of thinning bulk gold (Au) into gossamer leaves. Pioneered by ancient Egyptian craftsmen, modern mechanized iterations of this technique can fabricate sheets as thin as ∼100 nm. We take inspiration from this millennia-old craft and adapt it to the nanoscale regime, using colloidally synthesized 0D/1D Au nanoparticles (AuNPs) as highly ductile and malleable nanoscopic Au ingots and subjecting them to solid-state, uniaxial compression.

Release Rate Studies of 5-Aminosalacylic Acid Coated with Atomic Layer-Deposited AlO and ZnO in an Acidic Environment.

5-Aminosalicylic acid (5-ASA) is a first-line defense drug used to treat mild cases of inflammatory bowel disease. When administered orally, the active pharmaceutical ingredient is released throughout the gastrointestinal tract relieving chronic inflammation. However, delayed and targeted released systems for 5-ASA to achieve optimal dose volumes in acidic environments remain a challenge.

High Quality Factors in Superlattice Ferroelectric HfZrO Nanoelectromechanical Resonators.

The discovery of ferroelectricity and advances in creating polar structures in atomic-layered hafnia-zirconia (HfZrO) films spur the exploration of using the material for novel integrated nanoelectromechanical systems (NEMS). Despite its popularity, the approach to achieving high quality factors (s) in resonant NEMS made of HfZrO thin films remains unexplored. In this work, we investigate the realization of high s in HfZrO nanoelectromechanical resonators by stress engineering via the incorporation of alumina (AlO) interlayers.

Growth of C-Axis Textured AlN Films on Vertical Sidewalls of Silicon Microfins.

A fabrication process is developed to grow c -axis textured aluminum nitride (AlN) films on the sidewall of single-crystal silicon (Si) microfins to realize fin bulk acoustic wave resonators (FinBARs). FinBARs enable ultradense integration of high-quality-factor ( Q ) resonators and low-loss filters on a small chip footprint and provide extreme lithographical frequency scalability over ultra- and super-high-frequency regimes. Si microfins with large aspect ratio are patterned and their sidewall surfaces are atomically smoothened.

Ostwald Ripening-Mediated Grafting of Metal-Organic Frameworks on a Single Colloidal Nanocrystal to Form Uniform and Controllable MXF.

MXF, a metal-organic framework (MOF) that contains more than two components, such as heterogeneous inorganic nanoparticle@MOF (NP@MOF) with precisely defined structures, is important in applications such as catalysis, energy, and biochemistry. However, the ambiguous growth mechanism of MXF has hindered the exploration of controllable design of nanoparticle level MXF complexes. Here, we report an Ostwald ripening-mediated grafting of MOF on a single multidentate inorganic colloidal nanocrystal via heterogeneous nucleation.

Comparing electron recombination via interfacial modifications in dye-sensitized solar cells.

Establishing a blocking layer between the interfaces of the photoanode is an effective approach to improve the performance of dye-sensitized solar cells (DSSCs). In this work, HfO2 blocking layers are deposited via atomic layer deposition (ALD) onto tin-doped indium oxide (ITO) and TiO2. In both cases, addition of the blocking layer increases cell efficiencies to greater than 7%.