Dynamic response of a growing inclusion in a discrete system

The propagation of a semi-infinite line defect, contained in an infinite square-cell lattice is considered. The defect is composed of particles lighter than those in the ambient lattice and it is assumed this defect propagates with constant speed. Dispersion properties of the lattice are related to waves generated by the propagating defect. In order to determine these properties, the Wiener–Hopf technique is applied. Additional features, related to localisation along the defect are also identified. Analysis of the dispersion relations for this lattice, from the kernel function inside the Wiener–Hopf equation, is carried out. The solution of the Wiener–Hopf equation is presented for the case when an external load is applied corresponding to an energy flux at infinity.     

General relationships for isovalent cation substitution into oxides with the rocksalt structure

Isovalent cation substitution into rocksalt oxides, MO, has been investigated using atomistic simulation. A strain related parameter, ε, is established that relates the size of a substitutional cation to the host lattice ion for which it has been substituted. This has allowed us to identify relationships between solution energy, defect volume and a strain parameter, which are general for any rocksalt oxide host lattice and as such are predictive for any combination of a divalent cation and rocksalt host lattice.     

Enhancement of single‑photon emission from nitrogen‑vacancy centers with TiN/(Al,Sc)N hyperbolic metamaterial

The broadband enhancement of single‑photon emission from nitrogen‐vacancy centers in nanodiamonds coupled to a planar multilayer metamaterial with hyperbolic dispersion is studied experimentally. The metamaterial is fabricated as an epitaxial metal/dielectric superlattice consisting of CMOS‐compatible ceramics: titanium nitride (TiN) and aluminum scandium nitride (Al_xSc_1‐xN). It is demonstrated that employing the metamaterial results in significant enhancement of collected single‑photon emission and reduction of the excited‐state lifetime. Our results could have an impact on future CMOS‐compatible integrated quantum sources.

     

Study of CO adsorption on perfect and defective pyrite(100)surfaces by density functional theory

First-principles calculations based on density functional theory (DFT) and the generalized gradient approximation (GGA) have been used to study the adsorption of CO molecule on the perfect and defective FeS 2 (100) surfaces. The defective Fe 2 S(100) surfaces are caused by sulfur deficiencies. Slab geometry and periodic boundary conditions are employed with partial relaxations of atom positions in calculations. Two molecular orientations, Cand O-down, at various distinct sites have been considered. Total energy calculations indicated that no matter on perfect or deficient surfaces, the Fe position is relatively more favored than the S site with the predicted binding energies of 120.8 kJ/mol and 140.8 kJ/mol, respectively. Moreover, CO was found to be bound to Fe atom in vertical configuration. The analysis of density of states and vibrational frequencies before and after adsorption showed clear changes of the C–O bond.     

Evolution of Cu(In,Ga)Se2 surfaces under water immersion monitored by X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy

Cu(In,Ga)Se₂ absorbers were immerged in deionized water for different times, and specific chemical evolutions were monitored thanks to X-ray photoemission spectroscopy. Cu(In,Ga)Se₂ related dissolution products were studied in water through induced coupled plasma optical emission spectroscopy. From those analyses, specific surface network disorganization was observed, with Cu migration towards the surface, leading to different kinetics of oxidation and dissolution for each element that could be quantified.     

乙二醇溶剂热合成的CeO2的可逆氧化还原性及CO2捕获性能

利用乙二醇的还原性,采用乙二醇溶剂热法制备了表面具有丰富氧空穴的CeO₂-GST纳米晶,对其进行了X射线衍射、透射电镜、X射线光电子能谱、原位H₂还原-O₂氧化循环和CO₂原位红外漫反射表征,并研究了其可逆氧化还原性及CO₂捕获性能. 结果表明,与CeO₂-nanorod和柠檬酸溶胶法合成的CeO₂-CA样品相比,CeO₂-GST纳米晶具有最好的可逆氧化还原性能和循环稳定性,同时在50 ℃下具有最好的CO₂吸附性能（149 μmol/g）. 利用原位红外漫反射光谱研究了CO₂在还原CeO₂表面的吸附情况,发现CO₂主要以双齿碳酸盐和桥连碳酸盐两种形式吸附在CeO₂表面,其中桥连碳酸盐物种不稳定,He吹扫可脱附. 此外,CO₂在CeO₂-nanorod上还会生成稳定的甲酸盐和单齿碳酸盐物种.     

Engineering lattice defects in 2D nanomaterials for enhancing biomedical performances

2D nanomaterials are widely investigated for biomedical applications, attributed to their large specific surface area, high therapeutic loading capacity, and unique optical, thermal, and/or electronic characteristics. Lattice defects affect the theranostic performance of 2D nanomaterials significantly by altering their electronic properties and chemical binding. Recent investigations have shown that defect-rich 2D nanomaterials are capable of enhancing tumor treatment through efficient drug delivery, photothermal and photodynamic therapies (PTT and PDT), and improving diagnostics via computed tomography (CT), photoacoustic and magnetic resonance imaging. This review summarizes recent progresses, including synthesis, characterization approach, and applications of defect-engineered 2D nanomaterials that are potentially useful in cancer treatment. The expert opinions are also proposed as the conclusion.     

Luminescence properties of Y3Al5O12:Ce nanoceramics

Comparative analysis of the luminescent properties of Y₃Al₅O₁₂:Ce (YAG:Ce) transparent optical ceramics (OС) with those of single crystal (SC) and single crystalline film (SCF) analogues has been performed under excitation by pulsed synchrotron radiation in the fundamental absorption range of YAG host. It has been shown that the properties of YAG:Ce OC are closer to the properties of the SCF counterpart, where Y_Al antisite defects are completely absent, rather than to the properties of SC of this garnet with large concentration of Y_Al antisite defects. At the same time, the luminescence spectra of YAG:Ce OC show weak emission bands in the 200-470 nm range related to Y_Al antisite defects and charged oxygen vacancies (F⁺ and F centers). YAG:Ce ОС also possesses significantly larger contribution of slow components in the Ce³⁺ luminescence decay under high-energy excitation in comparison with SC and SCF of this garnet due to the involvement of antisite defects, charged oxygen vacancies as well as boundaries of grains in the energy transfer processes from the host to the Ce³⁺ ions.     

Reducing Detrimental Defects for High‐Performance Metal Halide Perovskite Solar Cells

In several photovoltaic (PV) technologies, the presence of electronic defects within the semiconductor band gap limit the efficiency, reproducibility, as well as lifetime. Metal halide perovskites (MHPs) have drawn great attention because of their excellent photovoltaic properties that can be achieved even without a very strict film‐growth control processing. Much has been done theoretically in describing the different point defects in MHPs. Herein, we discuss the experimental challenges in thoroughly characterizing the defects in MHPs such as, experimental assignment of the type of defects, defects densities, and the energy positions within the band gap induced by these defects. The second topic of this Review is passivation strategies. Based on a literature survey, the different types of defects that are important to consider and need to be minimized are examined. A complete fundamental understanding of defect nature in MHPs is needed to further improve their optoelectronic functionalities.     

Oxygen vacancy O-terminated surface: The most exposed surface of hexagonal WO3 (001) surface

It is known that exposed surface determines material’s performance. WO₃ is widely used in gas sensing and its working surface is proposed to control its sensitivity. However, the working surface, or most exposed surface with detailed surface structure remain unclear. In this paper, DFT calculation confirmed that oxygen vacancy O-terminated surface is the most exposed hexagonal WO₃ (001) surface, judging from competitive adsorption of CO and O₂, working surface determination for CO sensing and comparison of oxygen vacancy formation energies on different h-WO₃ (001) surfaces. It is found that DFT can be a useful alternate for exposed surface determination. Our results provide new perspectives and performance explanations for material research.