Robust ferromagnetism in wafer-scale FeGaTe above room-temperature.

The discovery of ferromagnetism in van der Waals (vdW) materials has enriched the understanding of two-dimensional (2D) magnetic orders and opened new avenues for fundamental physics research and next generation spintronics. However, achieving ferromagnetic order at room temperature, along with strong perpendicular magnetic anisotropy, remains a significant challenge. In this work, we report wafer-scale growth of vdW ferromagnet FeGaTe using molecular beam epitaxy.

Broadband Photodetection of Centimeter-Scale T-Phase Gallium Telluride Grown by Molecular Beam Epitaxy.

Two-dimensional (2D) semiconductors have recently attracted considerable attention due to their promising applications in future integrated electronic and optoelectronic devices. Large-scale synthesis of high-quality 2D semiconductors is an increasingly essential requirement for practical applications, such as sensing, imaging, and communications. In this work, homogeneous 2D GaTe films on a centimeter scale are epitaxially grown on fluorphlogopite mica substrates by molecular beam epitaxy (MBE).

CsPbBr microarrays with tunable periodicity, optoelectronic and field emission properties using self-assembled polystyrene template and co-evaporation method.

The booming growth of all inorganic cesium lead halide perovskites in optoelectronic applications has prompted extensive research interest in the fabrication of ordered nanostructures or microarrays for enhanced device performances. However, the high cost and complexity of commercial lithographic approaches impede the facile fabrication of perovskite microarrays. Herein, CsPbBr microarrays with tunable periodicities have been fabricated using a self-assembled polystyrene nanosphere template and a co-evaporation method.

Impact of Graphene Work Function on the Electronic Structures at the Interface between Graphene and Organic Molecules.

The impact of graphene work function (WF) on the electronic structure at the graphene/organic interface has been investigated. WF manipulation of graphene is realized using self-assembled monolayers (SAMs) with different end groups. With this method, the upper surface of the functionalized graphene remains intact, and thus precludes changes of molecular orientation and packing structures of subsequently deposited active materials.

Superparamagnetic Fe3O4/Poly(N-isopropyl acrylamide) Nanocomposites Synthesized in Inverse Miniemulsions: Magnetic and Particle Properties.

In the present study, superparamagnetic Fe3O4/poly(N-isopropyl acrylamide) nanocomposites were synthesized by one-step inverse miniemulsion copolymerization of N-isopropyl acrylamide and N,N'-methylene diacrylamide. The loading of Fe3O4 nanoparticles in the nanocomposites was 27 wt%, and the saturation moment of the nanocomposites was 12.4 emu x g(-1).

Tunable formation of ordered wrinkles in metal films with controlled thickness gradients deposited on soft elastic substrates.

Controlled wrinkled surface is useful for a wide range of applications, including flexible electronics, smart adhesion, wettability, stamping, sensoring, coating, and measuring. In this work, thickness-gradient-guided spontaneous formation of ordered wrinkling patterns in metal films deposited on soft elastic substrates is revealed by atomic force microscopy, theoretic analysis, and simulation. It is observed that in the thicker film region, broad cracks form, and the film surface remains flat.

Manipulating the charge transfer at CuPc/graphene interface by O₂ plasma treatments.

The manipulation of charge transfer at CuPc/graphene interface has been demonstrated by treating pristine graphene with O₂ plasma. As revealed by in situ ultraviolet photoelectron spectroscopy measurements, a much stronger interfacial charge transfer occurs when the pristine graphene is exposed to O₂ plasma prior to the growth of CuPc films, which is attributed to the increased work function of graphene after O₂ plasma treatment. Moreover, the highest occupied molecular orbital leading edge of CuPc locates at ∼0.

Enhanced crystallization rate of poly(L-lactic acid) (PLLA) by polyoxymethylene (POM) fragment crystals in the PLLA/POM blends with a small amount of POM.

Phase diagrams and glass transition behaviors of poly(L-lactic acid)/polyoxymethylene (PLLA/POM) blends have been investigated in our previous work (Macromolecules 2013, 46, 5806-5814). In this work, the crystallization behaviors and physical properties of the PLLA/POM blends with the PLLA as the major component have been systematically studied. POM was crystallized into the fragment crystals that were finely dispersed in the PLLA matrix when cooling down from the melt of the blends.

Fabrication of nanogel core-silica shell and hollow silica nanoparticles via an interfacial sol-gel process triggered by transition-metal salt in inverse systems.

Nanogel (hydrophilic polymer nanoparticles) core-silica shell nanoparticles were successfully fabricated via hydrolysis and condensation reaction of tetraethoxysilane (TEOS). Transition-metal tetrafluoroborate-containing nanogels were used as templates for fabrication in inverse systems (cyclohexane as continuous phase). Magnetic, hollow silica particles were subsequently formed by removing the polymer core and converting iron salts to iron oxides via heat treatment.

Transition-metal salt-containing silica nanocapsules elaborated via salt-induced interfacial deposition in inverse miniemulsions as precursor to functional hollow silica particles.

Aqueous core-silica shell nanocapsules were successfully prepared using liquid droplets containing transition-metal salt as templates in inverse miniemulsions. The formation of the silica shell was attributed to the interfacial deposition of silica species induced by the presence of the transition-metal salt. In addition to the control of the particle morphology, the incorporated transition-metal salts could be used to derivatize the particles and confer additional functionalities to the hollow silica particles.

Exciton localization and optical properties improvement in nanocrystal-embedded ZnO core-shell nanowires.

We present a comparative investigation of the morphological, structural, and optical properties of vertically aligned ZnO nanowires (NWs) before and after high energy argon ion (Ar(+)) milling. It is found that the outer regions of the as-grown sample change from crystalline to amorphous, and ZnO core-shell NWs with ZnO nanocrystals embedded are formed after Ar(+) milling. Optical properties of the ZnO NWs have been investigated systematically through power and temperature dependent photoluminescence measurements, and the phenomenon of exciton localization as well as the relevant favorable photoluminescence characteristics is elucidated.