Temperature-induced phase transition of two-dimensional semiconductor GaTe

GaTe is a two-dimensional Ⅲ-Ⅵ semiconductor with suitable direct bandgap of~1.65 eV and high photoresponsivity,which makes it a promising candidate for optoelectronic applications.GaTe exists in two crystalline phases:monoclinic(m-GaTe,with space group C2/m) and hexagonal(h-GaTe,with space group P63/mmc).The phase transition between the two phases was reported under temperature-varying conditions,such as annealing,laser irradiation,etc.The explicit phase transition temperature and energy barrier during the temperature-induced phase transition have not been explored.In this work,we present a comprehensive study of the phase transition process by using first-principles energetic and phonon calculations within the quasi-harmonic approximation framework.We predicted that the phase transition from h-GaTe to m-GaTe occurs at the temperature decreasing to 261 K.This is in qualitative agreement with the experimental observations.It is a two-step transition process with energy barriers 199 meV and 288 meV,respectively.The relatively high energy barriers demonstrate the irreversible nature of the phase transition.The electronic and phonon properties of the two phases were further investigated by comparison with available experimental and theoretical results.Our results provide insightful understanding on the process of temperature-induced phase transition of GaTe.     

Temperature-induced phase transition in phlogopite revealed by Raman spectroscopy

Raman study of a natural hydrous phlogopite was carried out at temperatures up to 500 °C for the first time. Evolution of four well-resolved Raman modes at wavenumbers 196, 278, 322, and 682 cm⁻¹ was followed in detail with temperature increase. The analysis of data reveals linear decrease of vibrational wavenumbers in the studied temperature range, with small but experimentally significant discontinuities occurring at a temperature of 365±15 °C. Although the overall appearance of Raman spectra remains intact on crossing this temperature, the presence of discontinuities, as well as a marked difference between Gruneisen parameters calculated for high- and low-temperature ranges, signifies the presence of a temperature-induced phase transformation. By combining and correlating the results of the present Raman study with the high-temperature X-ray work performed by Tutti et al. [High-temperature study and thermal expansion of phlogopite, Phys. Chem. Miner. 27 (2000) 599-603] we arrive at the interpretation of a temperature-induced structural phase transformation in phlogopite without a significant symmetry change, with an underlying microscopic mechanism involving deformation of Mg octahedra and rotation of tetrahedral grid from ditrigonal toward hexagonal at the transition temperature.     

Fine structure effects and phase transition of Xe nanocrystals in Si

We report on an X-ray diffraction study performed on Xe agglomerates obtained by ion implantation in a Si matrix. At low temperature, Xe nano-crystals were formed in Si with different average sizes according to the preparation procedure. High resolution diffraction spectra were detected as a function of the temperature, in the range 15–300 K, showing evidence of fine structure effects in the growth mode of the Xe nanocrystals. We report the first experimental observation of fcc crystalline agglomerates with a lattice parameter expanded by the epitaxial condensation on the Si cavities, whereas for small agglomerates randomly oriented evidence of a contracted lattice was found. For these nanocrystals, a solid-to-liquid transition temperature, size dependent, was detected; above the transition temperature, a fluid phase was observed. Neither overpressurized clusters were detected at any temperature, nor preferential binary size distribution as reported for a metal matrix.     

A critical force constant of the structural phase transition in quartz

Long wavelength optical phonons of quartz were analyzed by a Born-Von Karman model not previously used. It was found that only one force constant associated with the turning of the Si-O bonds has a critical effect on the soft-mode frequency and the α-β transition in quartz. The square of the soft-mode frequency was found to depend linearly on this force constant which has the temperature dependence $\text{κ(T)=?5.33+225.3×10}{}^{\mathrm{?4}}\text{(851?T)}{}^{\mathrm{<mtext>2</mtext><mtext>3</mtext>}}$ in units of 10⁴ dyn/cm².     

Diffuse phase transition in a surface quartz layer with variations in temperature

The temperature dependence of the α-phase concentration in surface layers of a solution-grown quartz crystal has been studied in the range 290–820 K. This has been achieved by measuring the intensity of the 695.1, 785.0, and 1061.5 cm^?1 bands in the ?″(ν) IR damping spectra. It has been found that, in a surface layer ～0.15 μm thick, the concentration of the α-phase behaves with increasing temperature as expected for a first-order phase transition, namely, before 800 K, it remains constant, after which at T → 846 K, tends to zero. At a distance from ～1 to 20 μm from the surface, however, the concentration of the α-phase starts to decrease already at ～350 K, while at 812 K it decreases to one-fifth of the original value. This is paralleled by an increase in the intensity of the 804 cm^?1 band assigned to the β-phase. The diffusive pattern of the α-β phase transition is initiated by distortion of the quartz crystal lattice around growth dislocations. The internal stresses arising in these layers have been estimated from the shift of the band maxima. It has been established that at distances up to ～1 μm from the surface, tensile stresses reaching ～300–400 MPa appear at 400 K. These stresses drive in the surface layer of the macrocrystal microcracks culminating in total destruction of the sample. The appearance of tensile stresses is assigned to an increase in volume of the macrocrystal layer located at a distance from ～1 to 20 μm from the surface and the growth in it of the β-phase concentration. At the same time, compressive stresses develop in a layer ～1 to 20 μm thick at a temperature above 500 K, which reach a maximum at ～650 K, to fall off thereafter with increasing temperature. The compression is caused by vibrations of growth dislocation loops in the temperature range specified.     

Investigation of size-driven phase transition in bismuth titanate nanocrystals by Raman spectroscopy

Raman spectroscopy was used to investigate the lattice dynamics and structural transformations in bismuth titanate (Bi₄Ti₃O₁₂) nanocrystals prepared by a chemical coprecipitation technique. The crystal structure of the samples of different grain sizes was determined by X-ray-diffraction analysis. The evolution of the Raman spectrum with grain size was characterized by an intensity decrease, a broadening of the line width, a frequency shift, and the disappearance of the Raman mode. The results revealed the appearance of a size-driven phase transition from orthorhombic to tetragonal phases at a critical size of 44 nm. This result is quite consistent with the X-ray-diffraction measurement and differential thermal analysis. The origin was attributed to the grain-size effect and explained by the surface-energy mechanism. Received: 26 June 2002 / Accepted: 18 August 2002 / Published online: 15 January 2003 RID="*" ID="*"Corresponding author. Fax: +86-25/3595535, E-mail: msz@nju.edu.cn     

Photoinduced phase transition in VO2 nanocrystals: ultrafast control of surface-plasmon resonance

We study the ultrafast insulator-to-metal transition in nanoparticles of VO2, obtained by ion implantation and self-assembly in silica. The nonmagnetic, strongly correlated compound VO2 undergoes a reversible phase transition, which can be photoinduced on an ultrafast time scale. In the nanoparticles, prompt formation of the metallic state results in the appearance of surface-plasmon resonance. We achieve large, ultrafast enhancement of optical absorption in the near-infrared spectral region that encompasses the wavelength range for optical-fiber communications. One can further tailor the response of the nanoparticles by controlling their shape.     

Temperature-induced micelle transition of gemini surfactant in aqueous solution

The viscosity and morphology of gemini surfactant in aqueous solution at various temperatures are investigated by rheometer and transmission electron microscopy with a freeze fracture replication technique. The viscosity of 18-3-18 or 16-3-16 reaches its maximum when the solution temperature is near the Krafft temperature of the surfactant. The morphology of a gemini surfactant in aqueous solution is strongly influenced by the temperature: vesicles or sphere-like aggregates are formed in the dilute solution of 18-3-18 under 25 °C environment; when the solution temperature goes up to 50 °C, such aggregates will transit to worm-like micelles with the length of each from 100 nm to 400 nm; meanwhile, the increase of concentration may lead to the formation of network; however, the worm-like micelles or network will transit to vesicles or sphere-like aggregates again when the temperature reaches 80 °C.     

Neutron diffraction study of the size-induced tetragonal to monoclinic phase transition in zirconia nanocrystals

Accurate neutron powder diffraction experiments at several temperatures allow one to monitor the reconstructive tetragonal to monoclinic phase transition as a function of the size of zirconia nanoparticles. The structure of the tetragonal phase observed in the nanocrystals is identical to that observed in micrometric zirconia above 1400 K. A uniaxial strain depending on grain size is observed. The phase transition occurs above a threshold crystal size. These results are analyzed within the Landau theory and can be understood as a mechanism of size-dependent phase transition where the primary order parameter is altered by the nanoparticle size.     

Organic-ligand-assisted supercritical hydrothermal synthesis of titanium oxide nanocrystals leading to perfectly dispersed titanium oxide nanoparticle in organic phase

Titanium oxide (TiO₂) nanocyrstals which are perfectly dispersed in organic solvents are synthesized by organic-ligand-assisted supercritical hydrothermal synthesis. The addition of hexaldehyde to the supercritical hydrothermal synthesis of TiO₂ leads to the in-situ surface modification, which enables the synthsized TiO₂ nanocrystals to be perfectly dispersed in iso-octane because of its hydrophobic nature. Further, the one-pot synthesis of hybrid materials results in the significant reduction of the particles size, probably due to the capping effect of hexaldehyde to suppress the particles growth.     

One-step green route to narrowly dispersed copper nanocrystals

We report a total “green” chemical method in aqueous solution for synthesizing stable narrowly distributed copper nanoparticles with average diameter less than 5 nm in the presence of Polyvinylpyrrolidone (PVP) as a stabilizer and without any inert gas protection. In our synthesis route, ascorbic acid, natural vitamin C (VC), an excellent oxygen scavenger, acts as both reducing agent and antioxidant, to reduce the metallic ion precursor, and to effectively prevent the common oxidation process of the newborn pure copper nanoclusters.     

Size dependence of phase transition temperatures of ferromagnetic ,ferroelectric and superconductive nanocrystals

With the miniaturization of devices, size and interface effects become increasingly important for the properties and performances of nanomaterials. Here, we present a thermodynamic approach to the mechanism behind size-induced unusual behavior in the phase stabilities of ferromagnetic (FM), antiferromagnetic (AFM), ferroelectric (FE), and superconductive (SC) nanocrystals, which are different dramatically from their bulk counterparts. This method is based on the Lindemann criterion for melting, Mott’s expression for the vibrational melting entropy, and the Shi model for the size-dependent melting temperature. Simple and unified functions, without any adjustable parameter, are established for the size and interface dependences of thermal and phase stabilities of FM, AFM, FE and SC nanocrystals. According to these analytic functions, as the size of nanocrystals is reduced, the thermal and phase stabilities may strengthen or weaken, depending on the confluence of the surface/volume ratio of nanocrystals and the FM(AFM, FE or SC)/substrate interface situations. The validity of this model is confirmed by a large number of experimental results. This theory will be significant for the choice of materials and the design of devices for practical application.      

Size dependence of phase transition temperatures of ferromagnetic, ferroelectric and superconductive nanocrystals

With the miniaturization of devices, size and interface effects become increasingly important for the properties and performances of nanomaterials. Here, we present a thermodynamic approach to the mechanism behind size-induced unusual behavior in the phase stabilities of ferromagnetic (FM), antiferromagnetic (AFM), ferroelectric (FE), and superconductive (SC) nanocrystals, which are different dramatically from their bulk counterparts. This method is based on the Lindemann criterion for melting, Mott’s expression for the vibrational melting entropy, and the Shi model for the size-dependent melting temperature. Simple and unified functions, without any adjustable parameter, are established for the size and interface dependences of thermal and phase stabilities of FM, AFM, FE and SC nanocrystals. According to these analytic functions, as the size of nanocrystals is reduced, the thermal and phase stabilities may strengthen or weaken, depending on the confluence of the surface/volume ratio of nanocrystals and the FM(AFM, FE or SC)/substrate interface situations. The validity of this model is confirmed by a large number of experimental results. This theory will be significant for the choice of materials and the design of devices for practical application.     

纳米晶粒在高压下的相变

文章报道了纳米晶粒的晶粒尺寸对压力诱导相变的影响的最新研究进展．采用热力学理论揭示了纳米晶体材料的相变压力与同种大块材料不同的主要因素是体积变化率、表面能差和内能差．通过估算这3个因素的具体大小，可解释文献中报道的实验结果，并且可以确定同种大块材料和纳米晶体材料之间的相变压力发生差异的控制因素．在纳米晶体材料中，晶粒尺寸对结构稳定性和相变压力的影响与体系本身有关．     

Magnetic properties of MnO nanocrystals dispersed in a silica matrix

Magnetic nanocrystalline MnO particles have been synthesized in a silica glass matrix by the sol-gel method at calcination temperatures up to 1000 °C. EPR spectra of 0.1 mol% MnO doped silica gel and glasses studied in the temperature range 10-290 K show with the exception of those samples calcined at 900 and 1000 °C 6-line characteristic Mn(II) hyperfine (HF) lines. Additionally five spin-forbidden doublets have been observed at 100 K and below. Small spreads in spin Hamiltonian parameters (D and E) imply that the ligand field environments of Mn(II) ions embedded in the silica glass are nearly uniform. Monotonous decrease in HF linewidth in going from 120 °C gel to 800 °C calcined glass has been interpreted as the continuous decrease in population of isolated Mn²⁺ ions in silica glass matrix resulting in the decrease of magnetic dipolar interactions leading to the observed decrease in HF linewidth. XRD and TEM of sample calcined at 1000 °C shows the presence of nanocrystals of MnO having orthorhombic crystalline phase and sizes about 10 nm. The thermal behavior of magnetization (zero-field-cooled and field-cooled) and magnetic hysteresis of MnO nanocrystals in the 5-300 K temperature interval have demonstrated that the MnO nanocrystals display superparamagnetic-ferromagnetic transition at low temperatures. X-band EPR linewidth data plotted versus inverse of temperature (1/T) for samples calcined at 900 and 1000 °C (EPR recorded in the vicinity of 0.35 T applied field) depict similar transitions.     

On the possibility of the incommensurate phase near α⇄β transition point in quartz

Explanation of the experimental data on the existance of periodical domain structure near the α?β transition point in quartz reported by G. van Tendeloo et al. is proposed. It is shown that due to the interaction between the soft optical branch and the acoustic one that the soft mode frequency in quartz may correspond to the wave vectors of non-zero value. The specific angular dependence in the soft mode dispersion law provided by such an interaction makes it possible to determine the incommensurate superstructures wave vector's directions. The last coincides with the experimentally observed one. A possible origin of the temperature region narrowness of the incommensurate phase existence is discussed.