量子垒生长速率对InGaN基绿光LED性能的影响

利用MOCVD技术在图形化Si(111)衬底上生长了InGaN/GaN绿光LED外延材料。在GaN量子垒的生长过程中,保持NH3流量不变,通过调节三乙基镓(TEGa)源的流量来改变垒生长速率,研究了量子垒生长速率对LED性能的影响。使用二次离子质谱仪(SIMS)和荧光显微镜(FLM)分别对量子阱的阱垒界面及晶体质量进行了表征,使用电致发光测试系统对LED光电性能进行了表征。实验结果表明,垒慢速生长,在整个测试电流密度范围内,外量子效率(EQE)明显提升。我们认为,小电流密度下,EQE的提升归结为量子阱晶体质量的改善;而大电流密度下,EQE的提升则归结为阱垒界面陡峭程度的提升。     

Emergence of a non-Fowler-Nordheim-type behavior for a general planar tunneling barrier

In this work we investigate a generalized tunneling barrier for planar emitters at zero-temperature. We present the evidence of the emergence of a non-Fowler-Nordheim-type general behavior for the field emission current density in the case that the Fermi energy (μ) is comparable with or smaller that the decay width ($d_F$). Therefore, for some non-metals or materials that have very small Fermi energy the standard Fowler-Nordheim-type theory may require a correction. In the opposite regime, i.e., for μ much larger that $d_F$, we confirm that the conventional theory is suitable for metals.     

Properties of RhP predicted by first-principles

Using density functional theory combined with a global crystal structure search with the particle swarm optimization method, we propose three stable three-dimensional (3D) metallic RhP structures, namely, the Cmcm (RhP-I), P6/mmm (RhP-II), and P6₃mc (RhP-III) phases. All these structures are found to be dynamically stable through vibrational normal mode calculations, indicating that they could be successfully synthesized in experiments. We show that the RhP-I phase has a relatively high thermodynamic stability and high mechanical strength in comparison with the others. The RhP-II and RhP-III phases have porous structures which could accommodate small atoms or molecules. However their thermodynamics are poor, especially the RhP-III phase. The RhP-II structure is stable at 500 K, but the RhP-III fails to survive even at the freezing point of water. Importantly, all these materials have one dimensional conducting channels corresponding to ultrahigh Fermi velocities. Moreover, the porous hexagonal RhP-II and III structures exhibit excellent ability to trap lithium, hydrogen, oxygen, and boron atoms. The RhP-II structure could be especially useful for directly dissociating the hydrogen molecule into two atoms without an energy barrier. In the present study, we identify three new metallic structures to the family of RhP structures, and anticipate their potential for technological applications.     

The effect of two ferromagnetic metal stripes on valley polarization of electrons in a graphene

As the key factor for designing the valleytronic devices is to well understand the valley-dependent transport mechanism in graphene, we investigate, in this work, the effect of two ferromagnetic (FM) metal stripes on the valley polarization in a graphene nanostructure with a strain. The nearly 100% valley polarization is observed at certain energy windows and it can be easily controlled through changing the width and the position of the FM stripe as well as the strength of the magnetic field induced by the FM stripe. Our interesting findings reveal the valley-dependent transport mechanism of electrons and promote the realization of the new types of valleytronic devices modulated by the FM stripe and the strain.     

Chemoselective Hydrogenation of 6-Alkynyl-3-fluoro-2-pyridinaldoximes: Access to First-in-Class 6-Alkyl-3-Fluoro-2-pyridinaldoxime Scaffolds as New Reactivators of Sarin-Inhibited Human Acetylcholinesterase with Increased Blood–Brain Barrier Permeability

Novel 6-alkyl- and 6-alkenyl-3-fluoro-2-pyridinaldoximes have been synthesised by using a mild and efficient chemoselective hydrogenation of 6-alkynyl-3-fluoro-2-pyridinaldoxime scaffolds, without altering the reducible, unprotected, sensitive oxime functionality and the C−F bond. These novel 6-alkyl-3-fluoro-2-pyridinaldoximes may find medicinal application as antidotes to organophosphate poisoning. Indeed, one low-molecular-weight compound exhibited increased affinity for sarin-inhibited acetylcholinesterase (hAChE) and greater reactivation efficiency or resurrection for sarin-inhibited hAChE, compared with those of 2-pyridinaldoxime (2-PAM) and 1-({[4-(aminocarbonyl)pyridinio]methoxy}methyl)-2-[(hydroxyimino)methyl]pyridinium chloride (HI-6), two pyridinium salts currently used as antidote by several countries. In addition, the uncharged 3-fluorinated bifunctional hybrid showed increased in vitro blood–brain barrier permeability compared with those of 2-PAM, HI-6 and obidoxime. These promising features of novel low-molecular-weight alkylfluoropyridinaldoxime open up a new era for the design, synthesis and discovery of central non-quaternary broad spectrum reactivators for organophosphate-inhibited cholinesterases.     

(Sm0.5Gd0.2Nd0.3)2(Hf0.3Ce0.7)2O7复合氧化物的热物理性能

为寻求新型热障涂层用陶瓷材料,本文采用高温固相烧结法制备了(Sm_0.5Gd_0.2Nd_0.3)₂(Hf_0.3Ce_0.7)₂O₇复合氧化物。利用XRD分析了其晶体结构,SEM分析其显微组织,膨胀仪测试其热膨胀性能,激光热导仪测试其热扩散系数。结果表明,成功制备了具有单一萤石晶体结构的(Sm_0.5Gd_0.2Nd_0.3)₂(Hf_0.3Ce_0.7)₂O₇复合氧化物。其显微组织结构致密,晶界清晰无其他相存在。由于复杂的元素组成和较大的原子量,其热导率明显低于7YSZ和Sm₂Ce₂O₇。其较低的热膨胀系数则归因于B位离子较小的离子半径,但其热膨胀系数依然满足热障涂层的要求。     

High-frequency enhancement-mode millimeterwave AlGaN/GaN HEMT with an fT/fmax over 100 GHz/200 GHz

Ultra-thin barrier (UTB) 4-nm-AlGaN/GaN normally-off high electron mobility transistors (HEMTs) having a high current gain cut-off frequency (f_T) are demonstrated by the stress-engineered compressive SiN trench technology. The compressive in-situ SiN guarantees the UTB-AlGaN/GaN heterostructure can operate a high electron density of 1.27×10¹³cm^-2, a high uniform sheet resistance of 312.8 Ω /□, but a negative threshold for the short-gate devices fabricated on it. With the lateral stress-engineering by full removing in-situ SiN in the 600-nm SiN trench, the short-gated (70 nm) devices obtain a threshold of 0.2 V, achieving the devices operating at enhancement-mode (E-mode). Meanwhile, the novel device also can operate a large current of 610 mA/mm and a high transconductance of 394 mS/mm for the E-mode devices. Most of all, a high f_T/f_max of 128 GHz/255 GHz is obtained, which is the highest value among the reported E-mode AlGaN/GaN HEMTs. Besides, being together with the 211 GHz/346 GHz of f_T/f_max for the D-mode HEMTs fabricated on the same materials, this design of E/D-mode with the realization of f_max over 200 GHz in this work is the first one that can be used in Q-band mixed-signal application with further optimization. And the minimized processing difference between the E- and D-mode designs the addition of the SiN trench, will promise an enormous competitive advantage in the fabricating costs.     

Enhancement of Mass and Charge Transfer during Carbon Dioxide Photoreduction by Enhanced Surface Hydrophobicity without a Barrier Layer

The CO₂ reduction reaction (CRR) represents a promising route for the clean utilization of renewable resources. But mass-transfer limitations seriously hinder the forward step. Enhancing the surface hydrophobicity by using polymers has been proved to be one of the most efficient strategies. However, as macromolecular organics, polymers on the surface hinder the transfer of charge carriers from catalysts to reactants. Herein, we describe an in-situ surface fluorination strategy to enhance the surface hydrophobicity of TiO₂ without a barrier layer of organics, thus facilitating the mass transfer of CO₂ to catalysts and charge transfer. With less obstruction to charge transfer, a higher CO_2, and lower H⁺ surface concentration, the photocatalytic CRR generation rate of methanol (CH₃OH) is greatly enhanced to up to 247.15 μmol g⁻¹ h⁻¹. Furthermore, we investigated the overall defects; enhancing the surface hydrophobicity of catalysts provides a general and reliable method to improve the competitiveness of CRR.     

Amperometric Detection of Ethanol Vapors by Screen Printed Electrodes Modified by Paper Crowns Soaked with Room Temperature Ionic Liquids

A convenient assembly recently proposed for screen printed gold electrodes (SPEs) suitable for measurements in gaseous samples is here tested for the analysis of the ethanol content in alcoholic drinks. This assembly involves the use of a circular crown of filter paper, soaked in the room temperature ionic liquid (RTIL) 1-butyl-3-methylimidazolium hydrogen sulfate, which is simply placed upon a disposable screen printed cell, so as to contact the outer edge of the gold disc working electrode, as well as peripheral counter and reference electrodes. The electrical contact between the paper crown soaked in RTIL and the SPE electrode is assured by a gasket and all components are installed in a polylactic acid holder. This assembly provides a portable and disposable electrochemical platform, assembled by the easy immobilization onto a porous and inexpensive supporting material such as paper of a RTIL characterized by profitable electrical conductivity and negligible vapor pressure. The electroanalytical performance of this device was assayed for the flow injection analysis of the ethanol concentration in some real samples of wine and beer and the results obtained are compared with the alcoholic degree reported in the relevant bottle-labels, thus highlighting a substantially satisfactory agreement. Repeatable sharp peaks (RSD=6–8 %) were detected for ethanol over a wide linear range (1–20 % v/v in water) and a detection and quantitation limit of 0.55 % v/v and 1.60 % v/v were inferred for a signal-to-noise ratio of 3 and 10, respectively.     

Anti-amyloid nanoclusters for the treatment of brain hazards associated with incurable neurodegenerative diseases

Neurodegenerative diseases such as Parkinson's disease (PD) and Alzheimer's disease (AD) have no cure and pose a serious threat to human health. The accumulated amyloid has been the therapeutic target of various studies for over a decade, but there is a lack of effective treatments due to various limitations, such as the difficulty to cross the blood-brain barrier (BBB) and unfavorable bioaccumulation. To overcome these challenges, ultra-small metal nanoclusters (MNCs) (<2 nm) have emerged as promising new agents. Simple modifications of MNCs efficiently cross the BBB to reach the brain and dissociate amyloid fibrils into less toxic species. In addition, the enzymatic behavior of MNCs facilitates the scavenging of intracellular reactive oxygen species (ROS) and alleviates neuroinflammation. Herein, we summarize the reported anti-amyloid MNCs. Multiple promising functions of MNCs that may alleviate the harms of neurodegenerative diseases are exhibited. The physicochemical properties that influence the inhibition and degradation of common amyloid fibrils, including alpha-synuclein (α-syn) and amyloid beta-peptide (Aβ) are discussed. The prospect of optimizing MNCs to suppress more harm in the brain is presented to facilitate the development of practical therapies for neurodegenerative diseases.