Direct observation of strong surface reconstruction in partially reduced nickelate films.

The polarity of a surface can affect the electronic and structural properties of oxide thin films through electrostatic effects. Understanding the mechanism behind these effects requires knowledge of the atomic structure and electrostatic characteristics at the surface. In this study, we use annular bright-field imaging to investigate the surface structure of a PrSrNiO (0 < x < 1) film.

Experimental evidence of a size-dependent sign change of the Seebeck coefficient of Bi nanowire arrays.

The electrical transport in bismuth nanowires is strongly influenced by both sample geometry and crystallinity. Compared to bulk bismuth, the electrical transport in nanowires is dominated by size effects and influenced by surface states, which gain increasing relevance with increasing surface-to-volume ratios, i.e.

Thickness-Dependent Interface Polarity in Infinite-Layer Nickelate Superlattices.

The interface polarity plays a vital role in the physical properties of oxide heterointerfaces because it can cause specific modifications of the electronic and atomic structure. Reconstruction due to the strong polarity of the NdNiO/SrTiO interface in recently discovered superconducting nickelate films may play an important role, as no superconductivity has been observed in the bulk. By employing four-dimensional scanning transmission electron microscopy and electron energy-loss spectroscopy, we studied effects of oxygen distribution, polyhedral distortion, elemental intermixing, and dimensionality in NdNiO/SrTiO superlattices grown on SrTiO (001) substrates.

Three-dimensional free-standing gold nanowire networks as a platform for catalytic applications.

We report the catalytic performance of networks of highly interconnected Au nanowires with diameters tailored between 80 and 170 nm. The networks were synthesized by electrodeposition in etched ion-track polymer templates, and the synthesis conditions were developed for optimal wire crystallinity and network homogeneity. The nanowire networks were self-supporting and could be easily handled as electrodes in electrochemical cells or other devices.