Deviatoric stress-induced metallization, layer reconstruction and collapse of van der Waals bonded zirconium disulfide.

In contrast to two-dimensional (2D) monolayer materials, van der Waals layered transition metal dichalcogenides exhibit rich polymorphism, making them promising candidates for novel superconductor, topological insulators and electrochemical catalysts. Here, we highlight the role of hydrostatic pressure on the evolution of electronic and crystal structures of layered ZrS. Under deviatoric stress, our electrical experiments demonstrate a semiconductor-to-metal transition above 30.

Enhanced Hydrogen Evolution Catalysis of Pentlandite due to the Increases in Coordination Number and Sulfur Vacancy during Cubic-Hexagonal Phase Transition.

The search for new phases is an important direction in materials science. The phase transition of sulfides results in significant changes in catalytic performance, such as MoS and WS. Cubic pentlandite [cPn, (Fe, Ni)S] can be a functional material in batteries, solar cells, and catalytic fields.

Oldhamite: a new link in upper mantle for C-O-S-Ca cycles and an indicator for planetary habitability.

In the solar system, oldhamite (CaS) is generally considered to be formed by the condensation of solar nebula gas. Enstatite chondrites, one of the most important repositories of oldhamite, are believed to be representative of the material that formed Earth. Thus, the formation mechanism and the evolution process of oldhamite are of great significance to the deep understanding of the solar nebula, meteorites, the origin of Earth, and the C-O-S-Ca cycles of Earth.

Experimental Study on the Shell: Distinctive Structure and Mechanical Behavior.

, Lamarck, 1819 (Bivalvia Cardiida Cardiidae, known as the fluted giant clam) is one of the largest-sized bivalve shells, which is equipped with a strong and tough bioceramic shell to effectively protect itself from the attack of predators. To better understand the mechanical defense mechanism, the relationship between the microstructure, composition, and mechanical properties of the shell was investigated. We find that the shell is composed of aragonite CaCO and a small portion of organic matter, which are well-arranged, assembling a multiscale, inhomogeneous, and anisotropic structure.