Oxidation of Au/Ag films by oxygen plasma: phase separation and generation of nanoporosity

• Abdel-Aziz El Mel,
• Said A. Mansour,
• Mujaheed Pasha,
• Atef Zekri,
• Janarthanan Ponraj,
• Akshath Shetty and
• Yousef Haik

Beilstein J. Nanotechnol. 2020, 11, 1608–1614, doi:10.3762/bjnano.11.143

• Department of Mechanical and Industrial Engineering, Texas A & M University-Kingsville, TX 78363, USA 10.3762/bjnano.11.143 Abstract The oxidation of Au/Ag alloy thin films using radio-frequency oxygen plasma was studied in this work. It was demonstrated that there is a phase separation occurring between

• a few have reported on the oxidation of silver alloys [15][20][21]. Gao et al. investigated the oxidation of Ag/Cu alloy by exposure to atomic oxygen. They demonstrated that the resistance of silver against corrosion by atomic oxygen was improved due to the presence of copper in the alloy [21]. From

• gold/silver oxide nanostructures [20]. Starting from Au/Ag alloy nanospheres, they showed that gold/silver oxide core/shell nanospheres with a hollow interior could be obtained after oxidation using atomic oxygen. In this study we further explored the oxidation and phase separation events observed by

Fabrication of nano/microstructures for SERS substrates using an electrochemical method

• Jingran Zhang,
• Tianqi Jia,
• Xiaoping Li,
• Junjie Yang,
• Zhengkai Li,
• Guangfeng Shi,
• Xinming Zhang and
• Zuobin Wang

Beilstein J. Nanotechnol. 2020, 11, 1568–1576, doi:10.3762/bjnano.11.139

• nanopores. Results and Discussion Fabrication of arrayed nanopores on the Mg surface Surface roughness and chemical composition have a strong influence on the intensity of Raman signals. PEO was employed to fabricate a porous oxide layer on a Mg alloy surface, which benefits from the increase of surface

• roughness and shows the potential for storing micro- or nanoparticles. During PEO treatment, the intrinsic passivation layer of the Mg alloy is disrupted in random positions through local melting during electrical breakdowns. After cooling by the electrolyte, a stable oxide layer containing arrayed pores is

Proximity effect in [Nb(1.5 nm)/Fe(x)]₁₀/Nb(50 nm) superconductor/ferromagnet heterostructures

• Yury Khaydukov,
• Sabine Pütter,
• Laura Guasco,
• Roman Morari,
• Gideok Kim,
• Thomas Keller,
• Anatolie Sidorenko and
• Bernhard Keimer

Beilstein J. Nanotechnol. 2020, 11, 1254–1263, doi:10.3762/bjnano.11.109

• the Al2O3(1−102) substrate. Samples grown at this condition possess a high residual resistivity ratio of 15–20. By using neutron reflectometry we show that Fe/Nb superlattices with x < 4 nm form a depth-modulated FeNb alloy with concentration of iron varying between 60% and 90%. This alloy has weak

• between the SLDs of Fe and Nb. Interdiffusion will lead to suppression of the contrast and, hence, of R1. Assuming that the packing density Nav is the same for both layers, we may estimate the concentration of Fe in the FecNb1−c alloy as where = ρ/Nav is the averaged coherent scattering length of the

• a rather low RRR of 3.4, which is attributed to enhanced scattering of conduction electrons at the grain boundaries. Neutron reflectometry has shown that Fe/Nb superlattices with x ≤ 2.5 nm form a depth-modulated FeNb alloy with the concentration of iron varying within the superlattice unit cell

A 3D-polyphenylalanine network inside porous alumina: Synthesis and characterization of an inorganic–organic composite membrane

• Jonathan Stott and
• Jörg J. Schneider

Beilstein J. Nanotechnol. 2020, 11, 938–951, doi:10.3762/bjnano.11.78

• over calcium hydride and sodium/benzophenone, respectively. For recrystallization n-pentane was dried by distillation over sodium/potassium eutectic alloy. SEM measurements were performed with an XL30 FEG (Philips) system. Contact angles and NIR-spectroscopic analysis were performed with DSA30 (Krüss

Band tail state related photoluminescence and photoresponse of ZnMgO solid solution nanostructured films

• Vadim Morari,
• Aida Pantazi,
• Nicolai Curmei,
• Vitalie Postolache,
• Emil V. Rusu,
• Marius Enachescu,
• Ion M. Tiginyanu and
• Veaceslav V. Ursaki

Beilstein J. Nanotechnol. 2020, 11, 899–910, doi:10.3762/bjnano.11.75

• of the alloy composition. Thin films were also prepared by aerosol spray pyrolysis deposition using the same sol–gel precursors for the purpose of comparison. The prepared films were tested for photodetector applications. Keywords: aerosol spray pyrolysis deposition; energy band tails; photodetector

• ; photoluminescence; photosensitivity; spin coating; thin films; ZnMgO semiconductor alloy; Introduction The ZnMgO solid solution system is of interest due to the possibility to tailor many important physical properties by varying their composition. This alloy system covers a wide ultraviolet (UV) spectral range

• structures are used, namely, hexagonal wurtzite structure (w-ZnMgO), cubic rock salt structure (c-ZnMgO) and films with mixed-phase (m-ZnMgO) [5]. Since the crystal structure of the alloy changes from w-ZnMgO to c-ZnMgO with increasing Mg content, the coexistence of two structures in ZnMgO films is

Epitaxial growth and superconducting properties of thin-film PdFe/VN and VN/PdFe bilayers on MgO(001) substrates

• Wael M. Mohammed,
• Igor V. Yanilkin,
• Amir I. Gumarov,
• Airat G. Kiiamov,
• Roman V. Yusupov and
• Lenar R. Tagirov

Beilstein J. Nanotechnol. 2020, 11, 807–813, doi:10.3762/bjnano.11.65

• ; epitaxial superconductor–ferromagnet heterostructure; palladium–iron alloy (PdFe); vanadium nitride (VN); superconducting spintronics; Introduction Since its invention, rapid single-flux quantum (RSFQ) logic [1][2] based on superconducting digital electronics has been seriously considered as an alternative

• of niobium as a superconductor with a Pd1−xFex alloy as a soft and weak ferromagnet was considered as material of choice for superconducting magnetic random access memories (MRAM) [8][29][30]. However, no further developments towards a prototype using a Pd1−xFex alloy have been demonstrated. There

• impurities and to nanoclustering of the alloy. Following the development of a way to grow single-crystalline, magnetically homogeneous epitaxial Pd1−xFex films on MgO(001) single-crystalline substrates [33], we propose fully epitaxial Pd1−xFex/VN and VN/Pd1−xFex (x ≤ 0.08) building blocks as an alternative

Structural optical and electrical properties of a transparent conductive ITO/Al–Ag/ITO multilayer contact

• Aliyu Kabiru Isiyaku,
• Ahmad Hadi Ali and
• Nafarizal Nayan

Beilstein J. Nanotechnol. 2020, 11, 695–702, doi:10.3762/bjnano.11.57

• of an ITO sandwich electrode with Ag alloy against heat treatment at 450 °C was carried out by Roh et al. [30]. An appreciable durability and stability of the Ag films was observed. In the present work, the structural, optical and electrical properties of an Al–Ag bilayer between ITO layers (ITO/Al

Luminescent gold nanoclusters for bioimaging applications

• Nonappa

Beilstein J. Nanotechnol. 2020, 11, 533–546, doi:10.3762/bjnano.11.42

• complexes and SCQD-based nanomaterials. To improve the quantum yield and PL, various approaches have been developed including ligand engineering, selective doping to create alloy clusters, aggregation-induced emission, selective etching and self-assembly [48][49][50][51][52][53][54][55][56][57][58]. Ligands

Fabrication of Ag-modified hollow titania spheres via controlled silver diffusion in Ag–TiO₂ core–shell nanostructures

• Bartosz Bartosewicz,
• Malwina Liszewska,
• Bogusław Budner,
• Marta Michalska-Domańska,
• Krzysztof Kopczyński and
• Bartłomiej J. Jankiewicz

Beilstein J. Nanotechnol. 2020, 11, 141–146, doi:10.3762/bjnano.11.12

• third peak with a maximum between 358.66 and 358.78 eV and a half width of 1.36–1.40 eV was assigned to a silver alloy with titanium. Its location cannot be linked to any oxidation state of silver. Such a shift of the Ag 3d5/2 peak can only come from alloys of silver with metals of lower

• electronegativity [28]. Wang and collaborators obtained this effect for an Ag/Al alloy in which Ag and Al have electronegativity values of 1.93 and 1.61, respectively [28]. We believe that a similar situation occurs in the case of Ag–TiO2 nanostructures due to the electronegativity of Ti (1.54) being lower than the

Antimony deposition onto Au(111) and insertion of Mg

• Lingxing Zan,
• Da Xing,
• Abdelaziz Ali Abd-El-Latif and
• Helmut Baltruschat

Beilstein J. Nanotechnol. 2019, 10, 2541–2552, doi:10.3762/bjnano.10.245

• the substrate is roughened on the atomic scale due to alloy formation, as demonstrated by CV and STM. Further multilayer deposition correspondingly leads to a rough deposit with protrusions of up to 3 nm. The cyclic voltammogram for Mg insertion/de-insertion from MgCl2/AlCl3/tetraglyme (MACC/TG

• ) electrolyte into/from a Sb-modified electrode shows a positive shift (400 mV) of the onset potential of Mg deposition compared to that of a bare Au electrode. From the charge of the Mg deposition, we find that the ratio of Mg to Sb is 1:1, which is somewhat less than expected for the Mg3Sb2 alloy. Keywords

• : alloy; antimony; Au(111); electrodeposition; insertion; STM; Introduction Rechargeable batteries have become essential energy storing devices, which are widely used in portable electronic devices and hybrid electric vehicles. Magnesium-based secondary batteries have been regarded as a viable

Formation of metal/semiconductor Cu–Si composite nanostructures

• Natalya V. Yumozhapova,
• Andrey V. Nomoev,
• Vyacheslav V. Syzrantsev and
• Erzhena C. Khartaeva

Beilstein J. Nanotechnol. 2019, 10, 2497–2504, doi:10.3762/bjnano.10.240

• possibility of the formation of the Cu–Si nanoparticles from both a homogeneous alloy and two initial drops at short distance were shown. A comparative analysis showed that the diameter distribution of copper and silicon atoms in experimental particles coincides with the simulation results with silicon

• liquid alloy and 2) core–shell and Janus-like nanoparticles made of liquid silicon and copper droplets. We have presented new data on the formation of metal/semiconductor nanoclusters, such as the transition of particles from a core–shell structure to a Janus-like structure starting from the liquid state

• molecular dynamics research package [25]. A part of the calculations was performed using the resources of the Information and Computing Center of the Novosibirsk State University. Results and Discussion Modelling a free spherical cluster of a copper/silicon alloy We considered a free spherical cluster of a

Adsorption and desorption of self-assembled L-cysteine monolayers on nanoporous gold monitored by in situ resistometry

• Elisabeth Hengge,
• Eva-Maria Steyskal,
• Rupert Bachler,
• Alexander Dennig,
• Bernd Nidetzky and
• Roland Würschum

Beilstein J. Nanotechnol. 2019, 10, 2275–2279, doi:10.3762/bjnano.10.219

• ); voltammetry; Findings Nanoporous gold, produced by selective etching of the less noble component of a AuAg master alloy (also known as dealloying), is a very promising material in many applications due to its three-dimensional nanoporous structure. Among many other technological applications as sensing [1][2

• water and the easy handling. The npAu substrate material was fabricated by electrochemically assisted dealloying of Ag75Au25. The alloy was prepared by arc melting, homogenized at 800 °C for 12 h under argon atmosphere, rolled to a sheet of 220 μm in thickness, annealed again at 600 °C for 1 h, and cut

• in rectangular pieces sized 10 × 5 mm. Two representative samples are presented here, referred to as sample A (91 mg) and sample B (86 mg). Given weights refer to the master alloy. Each sample was contacted by five flattened Au wires, attached in line. The mid-positioned wire served as connection to

Nontoxic pyrite iron sulfide nanocrystals as second electron acceptor in PTB7:PC₇₁BM-based organic photovoltaic cells

• Olivia Amargós-Reyes,
• José-Luis Maldonado,
• Omar Martínez-Alvarez,
• María-Elena Nicho,
• José Santos-Cruz,
• Juan Nicasio-Collazo,
• Irving Caballero-Quintana and
• Concepción Arenas-Arrocena

Beilstein J. Nanotechnol. 2019, 10, 2238–2250, doi:10.3762/bjnano.10.216

• of these NCs incorporated into the PTB7:PC71BM active layer of bulk-heterojunction ternary organic photovoltaic (OPV) cells. The OPV devices are fabricated with the direct configuration glass/ITO/PEDOT:PSS/PTB7:PC71BM:FeS2/PFN/FM. The Field’s metal (FM) is a eutectic alloy composed of 32.5% Bi, 51

Porous silver-coated pNIPAM-co-AAc hydrogel nanocapsules

• William W. Bryan,
• Riddhiman Medhi,
• Maria D. Marquez,
• Supparesk Rittikulsittichai,
• Michael Tran and
• T. Randall Lee

Beilstein J. Nanotechnol. 2019, 10, 1973–1982, doi:10.3762/bjnano.10.194

• enhanced extinction compared to molecular chromophores [44][45]. This type of particle generally consists of a single metal or an alloy shell with or without a dielectric silica core [46][47][48]. Fortunately, for biological applications, the optical properties of the nanoshells can be tuned by varying the

Oblique angle deposition of nickel thin films by high-power impulse magnetron sputtering

• Hamidreza Hajihoseini,
• Movaffaq Kateb,
• Snorri Þorgeir Ingvarsson and
• Jon Tomas Gudmundsson

Beilstein J. Nanotechnol. 2019, 10, 1914–1921, doi:10.3762/bjnano.10.186

• -based shape memory alloy thin films utilized in micro-actuator applications [9]. It is well known that microstructure, texture and structure of thin films can have significant influence on the magnetic and other functional properties of the films. The magnetic properties of evaporated [10][11

TiO₂/GO-coated functional separator to suppress polysulfide migration in lithium–sulfur batteries

• Ning Liu,
• Lu Wang,
• Taizhe Tan,
• Yan Zhao and
• Yongguang Zhang

Beilstein J. Nanotechnol. 2019, 10, 1726–1736, doi:10.3762/bjnano.10.168

• synthesized by selectively dissolving Al atoms from a Ti10Al90 alloy. It can be readily observed that the abundant nanowires and uniform nanopores, with a pore size of ≈40 nm, formed a sea-urchin-like structure. Furthermore, the energy-dispersive X-ray spectroscopy (EDS) analysis confirms the homogenous

• potential of the TiO2/GO functional interlayer in next-generation Li/S batteries and presents a novel approach to prepare metal oxide based hybrid coatings for energy storage applications. Experimental Preparation of TiO2/GO composite Ti10Al90 alloy ribbons were fabricated by refining pure Al (99.9 wt

• %) and Ti (99.9 wt %) in an arc furnace, followed by melt spinning under an argon-protected atmosphere. The Ti10Al90 alloy ribbons were immersed in a 2 M NaOH solution for 72 h to prepare nanoporous TiO2 particles at ambient temperature. The resulting powder was washed several times by using deionized

Giant magnetoresistance ratio in a current-perpendicular-to-plane spin valve based on an inverse Heusler alloy Ti₂NiAl

• Yu Feng,
• Zhou Cui,
• Bo Wu,
• Jianwei Li,
• Hongkuan Yuan and
• Hong Chen

Beilstein J. Nanotechnol. 2019, 10, 1658–1665, doi:10.3762/bjnano.10.161

• Physics, Zunyi Normal College, Zunyi 563002, People’s Republic of China 10.3762/bjnano.10.161 Abstract A Ti2NiAl inverse Heusler alloy based current-perpendicular-to-plane (CPP) spin valve (SV) with various kinds of atomic terminated interfaces has been designed to explore the potential application of

• × 105, and it has great application potential in spintronics devices. Keywords: current-perpendicular-to-plane geometry; Heusler alloy; nonequilibrium Green’s function; spin transport; spintronics; spin valve; Introduction Since the first theoretical prediction of the half metallicity of Heusler

• alloys [1], there has been explosive interest in manipulating the electron spin in a Heusler-alloy-based spintronic device [2][3][4]. As one of the most important spintronics devices, a current-perpendicular-to-plane (CPP) spin valve (SV) based on the giant magnetoresistive (GMR) effect consists of a

Synthesis of P- and N-doped carbon catalysts for the oxygen reduction reaction via controlled phosphoric acid treatment of folic acid

• Rieko Kobayashi,
• Takafumi Ishii,
• Yasuo Imashiro and
• Jun-ichi Ozaki

Beilstein J. Nanotechnol. 2019, 10, 1497–1510, doi:10.3762/bjnano.10.148

• , Fe) moieties on the surface of the carbon supports [6][7]. Our research group has identified and characterized different types of non-Pt ORR catalysts, the so-called carbon alloy catalysts (CACs) [8]. We prepared two types of CACs (nanoshell-containing carbon materials [9][10] and BN-doped carbon

Superconducting switching due to a triplet component in the Pb/Cu/Ni/Cu/Co₂Cr_1−xFe_xAl_y spin-valve structure

• Andrey Andreevich Kamashev,
• Nadir Nurgayazovich Garif’yanov,
• Aidar Azatovich Validov,
• Joachim Schumann,
• Vladislav Kataev,
• Bernd Büchner,
• Yakov Victorovich Fominov and
• Ilgiz Abdulsamatovich Garifullin

Beilstein J. Nanotechnol. 2019, 10, 1458–1463, doi:10.3762/bjnano.10.144

• Technology, 141700 Dolgoprudny, Russia National Research University Higher School of Economics, 101000 Moscow, Russia 10.3762/bjnano.10.144 Abstract We report the superconducting properties of the Co2Cr1−xFexAly/Cu/Ni/Cu/Pb spin-valve structure the magnetic part of which comprises the Heusler alloy layer HA

• generalize the results of the pioneering work by Singh and co-workers [14]. Previously, we have shown the advantages of using the Heusler alloy (HA) Co2Cr1−xFexAly as a weak ferromagnet in the F2 layer of the F1/F2/S SSV structure [15]. Therefore, instead of CrO2, which in accordance with the data on point

• at Tsub = 700 K to achieve the desired spin polarization of the conduction band of the HA. Indeed, in accordance with our previous work [17] the composition of our alloy, which we call a Heusler alloy, is, in reality, Co2Cr1−xFexAl0.63 with x = 0.48. Obviously, there is deficiency of aluminum in this

Selective gas detection using Mn₃O₄/WO₃ composites as a sensing layer

• Yongjiao Sun,
• Zhichao Yu,
• Wenda Wang,
• Pengwei Li,
• Gang Li,
• Wendong Zhang,
• Lin Chen,
• Serge Zhuivkov and
• Jie Hu

Beilstein J. Nanotechnol. 2019, 10, 1423–1433, doi:10.3762/bjnano.10.140

• sensing materials was dried in air and sintered at 500 °C; (4) a resistance heater (Ni-Cr alloy) was inserted into the ceramic tube to provide a desired temperature for the sensing layer; (5) the simple sensors were aged for 3 days to guarantee their stability. The sensor response (S) to the target gas

Kelvin probe force microscopy of the nanoscale electrical surface potential barrier of metal/semiconductor interfaces in ambient atmosphere

• Petr Knotek,
• Tomáš Plecháček,
• Jan Smolík,
• Petr Kutálek,
• Filip Dvořák,
• Milan Vlček,
• Jiří Navrátil and
• Čestmír Drašar

Beilstein J. Nanotechnol. 2019, 10, 1401–1411, doi:10.3762/bjnano.10.138

• preparation and characterization of metallic nanoinclusions on the surface of semiconducting Bi2Se3 that could be used for an enhancement of the efficiency of thermoelectric materials. We used Au forming a 1D alloy through diffusion (point nanoinclusion) and Mo forming thermodynamically stable layered MoSe2

• photoelectron spectroscopy (UPS) in UHV at the macroscale. The existence of the Schottky barrier was demonstrated at +120 meV for the Mo layer and −80 meV for the Au layer reflecting the formation of MoSe2 and Au/Bi2Se3 alloy, respectively. The results of both methods (KPFM and UPS) were in good agreement. We

• forming Au/Bi2Se3 alloy and NIs in the shape of a semispherical defect, whereas Mo reacts with the matrix and forms thermodynamically more stable layered MoSe2 in the shape of nanosheets. Experimental Single crystalline Bi2Se3 samples were grown by heating stoichiometric mixtures of the pure elements

Warped graphitic layers generated by oxidation of fullerene extraction residue and its oxygen reduction catalytic activity

• Machiko Takigami,
• Rieko Kobayashi,
• Takafumi Ishii,
• Yasuo Imashiro and
• Jun-ichi Ozaki

Beilstein J. Nanotechnol. 2019, 10, 1391–1400, doi:10.3762/bjnano.10.137

• the ORR catalytic activity in some carbon catalysts (i.e., carbon alloy catalysts (CACs)). To prove our assumption, we needed to use WGLs consisting of carbon materials, but without any extrinsic catalytic elements, such as nitrogen, iron, or cobalt, which effectively enhance ORR activity. The present

• maximum specific ORR activity after 1 h of oxidation time. WGLs were found to lower the heat of adsorption for O2 and to increase the occurrence of heterogeneous electron transfer. Keywords: carbon alloy catalysts; fullerene extraction residue; oxygen reduction reaction (ORR); polymer electrolyte fuel

• ]. Our non-precious-metal ORR catalysts are based on carbon alloy catalysts (CACs) [29]. CACs are carbon-based catalysts with active sites consisting of mainly carbon atoms. The sites are constructed by controlling the crystallographic and chemical states of carbon atoms through careful carbonization

Alloyed Pt₃M (M = Co, Ni) nanoparticles supported on S- and N-doped carbon nanotubes for the oxygen reduction reaction

• Stéphane Louisia,
• Yohann R. J. Thomas,
• Pierre Lecante,
• Marie Heitzmann,
• M. Rosa Axet,
• Pierre-André Jacques and
• Philippe Serp

Beilstein J. Nanotechnol. 2019, 10, 1251–1269, doi:10.3762/bjnano.10.125

• selected area) displaying a Pt3Co composition. The absence of Co NPs in the Co/N-CNT sample, and the composition and structure of the Pt3Co/N-CNTs, indicate that the Pt3Co/N-CNT is more likely an alloy than a core–shell structure. The presence of residual cobalt atoms or clusters on the CNT surface was

Synthesis and characterization of quaternary La(Sr)S–TaS₂ misfit-layered nanotubes

• Marco Serra,
• Erumpukuthickal Ashokkumar Anumol,
• Dalit Stolovas,
• Iddo Pinkas,
• Ernesto Joselevich,
• Reshef Tenne,
• Andrey Enyashin and
• Francis Leonard Deepak

Beilstein J. Nanotechnol. 2019, 10, 1112–1124, doi:10.3762/bjnano.10.111

• lattice of the alloy is stable up to 40 atom % Sr content, where the charge distribution and the lattice parameters thereafter exhibit abrupt changes, which can be attributed to lattice instability. The interlayer distance (along the c-axis) increases and the degree of charge transfer from the rock-salt

An iridescent film of porous anodic aluminum oxide with alternatingly electrodeposited Cu and SiO₂ nanoparticles

• Menglei Chang,
• Huawen Hu,
• Haiyan Quan,
• Hongyang Wei,
• Zhangyi Xiong,
• Jiacong Lu,
• Pin Luo,
• Yaoheng Liang,
• Jianzhen Ou and
• Dongchu Chen

Beilstein J. Nanotechnol. 2019, 10, 735–745, doi:10.3762/bjnano.10.73

• of the fabrication of an iridescent film of porous AAO on an industrial aluminum alloy substrate, with alternatingly electrodeposited Cu and SiO2 nanoparticles (NPs). A rainbow effect was effectively obtained for the optimized sample with appropriate alternating electrodeposition times. The structure

• treatment can allow the aluminum alloy to bear different structural colors, providing exciting opportunities for bringing such materials to the fields of decorative materials [14][15][16][17]. However, only a limited number of colors has been produced by the traditional coloration techniques [14][16][18][19

• widely explored [25][32][36][37], we employed an industrial aluminum alloy as substrate to first generate porous AAO films and subsequently investigated the structural color exhibited in the AAO films after alternating electrodeposition of Cu NPs and SiO2 NPs with high and low refractive indexes