Новые публикации

DOI https://doi.org/10.1039/D4NJ05015K

Magnetic nanoparticles, consisting of a metallic iron core with a shell of gold and iron oxides, were synthesized by ultra-high vacuum surface nucleation on a water-soluble NaCl substrate followed by oxidation in water. Using the methods of electron microscopy, electron diffraction, photoelectron spectroscopy and calculation of the specific density of iron in the oxidized shell, the oxides γ-Fe₂O₃, Fe₃O₄ and oxyhydroxide α-FeO(OH) were discovered. A non-uniform distribution of the Fe³⁺/Fe²⁺ ion ratio over the particle depth and a predominance of α-FeO(OH) in the contrast shell of nanoparticles, directly observed in transmission electron microscopy, were discovered. Comparison of the magnetic properties of partially gold-coated particles with similar Fe particles without gold showed a larger residual volume of unoxidized metal core with partial gold coating. This points to the anisotropy of the surface chemical properties associated with the Janus-like structure. For the first time, the magnetodynamic properties of partially gold-coated Fe nanoparticles were assessed by ellipsometric measurements of the surface of a colloidal solution in a gradient magnetic field.

https://doi.org/10.3390/s25010149

This paper presents the results of quantum-chemical modeling performed by the Density Functional-Based Tight Binding (DFTB) method to investigate the change in the band structure of hybrid materials based on carbon nanotubes and unsubstituted, tetra-, or octa-halogen-substituted zinc phthalocyanines upon the adsorption of ammonia molecules. The study showed that the electrical conductivity of these materials and its changes in the case of interaction with ammonia molecules depend on the position of the impurity band formed by the orbitals of macrocycle atoms relative to the forbidden energy gap of the hybrids. The sensor response of the hybrids containing halogenated phthalocyanines was lower by one or two orders of magnitude, depending on the number of substituents, compared to the hybrid with unsubstituted zinc phthalocyanine. This result was obtained by calculations performed using the nonequilibrium Green’s functions (NEGF) method, which demonstrated a change in the electrical conductivity of the hybrids upon the adsorption of ammonia molecules. The analysis showed that in order to improve the sensor characteristics of CNT-based hybrid materials, preference should be given to those phthalocyanines in which substituents contribute to an increase in HOMO energy relative to the unsubstituted macrocycles

https://doi.org/10.1016/j.photonics.2024.101350

A resonant microcavity with photonic crystal mirrors and a chiral liquid crystal resonant layer is fabricated. In our experimental set-up the microcavity is illuminated at Brewster’s angle, for which the TM-polarized scattering channels are open, while the TE-polarized channels are closed. Thus, the problem is reduced to two-channel scattering. By applying an external voltage to the resonant layer it is possible to control the position, linewidth and amplitude of multiple resonant lines via changing the radiation decay rate into the scattering channels due to polarization mixing within the chiral layer. It is found, that under a certain value of the applied voltage, the microcavity becomes transparent over a wide spectral range, i.e. none of the resonant modes can be excited.

https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jssc.2025.125183

A series of single crystals of solid solutions KTi_1-xZr_xOAsO₄ (x = 0.025, 0.05, 0.075, 0.1) have been grown by the Czochralski method. The structural analysis of this series of samples showed that at titanium partial substitution (0.025 ≤ x ≤ 0.1) Zr⁴⁺ occupies the T1 position of the Ti1O₆ octahedron, as well as the T2 position of the Ti2O₆ octahedron, at the same time the volume of octahedra increases. But at 0.05 ≤ x ≤ 0.1 the volume of the Ti1O₆ octahedron stops growing, and only the volume of Ti2O₆ increases, consequently, at x = 0.05 Zr saturation is observed at position Ti1. The Raman spectrum of a pure KTA crystal is very different from the spectra of the entire range of solid solutions. In the transmission spectrum of samples with partial substitution of titanium atoms by zirconium atoms, there is practically no wide absorption band at 3.5–4 μm typical for pure KTA, the maximum crystal transparency in this region is achieved for x = 0.075. It was found that the introduction of large Zr ions into the KTiOAsO₄ structure leads to a distortion of the lattice and an increase of the band gap.

https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jallcom.2024.178297

For the first time, single crystals of Ni_3−xMn_xBO₅:Cu, measuring up to 0.4×0.4×4 mm³, have been grown using the flux technique. The flux used was based on Bi₂Mo₃O₁₂-B₂O₃; the addition of CuO served as a solvent component and promoted the growth of Ni_3−xMn_xBO₅:Cu. Energy-dispersive X-ray spectroscopy (EDX) showed that the concentration of copper in the crystal, relative to the flux content was low-approximately 1:8. Subsequently, neutron diffraction, alternating current (AC) magnetization, and electron spin resonance (ESR) were performed on the Ni_3−xMn_xBO₅:Cu compound, which is classified as ludwigite-type compound. Neutron diffraction results confirmed that the Ni_3−xMn_xBO₅:Cu structure belongs to the Pbam space group. Furthermore, AC magnetization and ESR measurements identified three ferrimagnetic phase transitions occurring at 90 K, 95 K, and 150 K, as well as a canonical spin-glass transition near 50 K.

https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jallcom.2024.178421

Fe-doped cobalt oxide nanoparticles, Fe_xCo_3-xO₄, attract considerable attention due to their unique properties, high application potential, and the ability to vary the properties over a wide range by changing the technological conditions. The annealing temperature is one of the decisive parameters critically affecting the properties of nanoparticles. In this work, we studied the Fe_0.5Co_2.5O₄ (Co₃O₄ type) nanoparticles synthesized by the combustion method: the impact of annealing temperature (400, 500, 600, 700 and 800 °C) on their structural, morphological, magnetic characteristics and on their ability to absorb organic dyes. X-ray diffraction analysis revealed that the nanoparticles under study consisted of a crystalline phase of Fe_0.5Co_2.5O_4, with an admixture of the iron oxide phase in trace concentrations. A giant increase in the crystallite size due to annealing was observed. Overall, the average crystallite size increased from ⁓5 nm in the as-prepared sample to ⁓110 nm in the sample annealed at 800 °C. These changes in size are explained by the efficiency of the Ostwald ripening process. They are accompanied by an increase in the magnetization of nanoparticles and an appearance of magnetic hysteresis. The study of the adsorption properties of the nanoparticles with respect to the most important water pollutants – organic dyes, i.e. cationic methylene blue (MB) and anionic Congo red (CR) revealed their high selective adsorption capacity to CR. The as-prepared nanoparticles had the highest capacity: the CR dye concentration in water decreased by 90 percent within 5 minutes of exposure to the nanoparticles in concentration of 1 g/L. When the annealing temperature increased from 400 to 800 °C, the adsorption capacity decreased by approximately half, but remained high enough to consider these nanoparticles as a promising material for CR selective removal from water.

https://doi.org/10.1016/j.solidstatesciences.2024.107821

New structure of Na₃Yb(BO₃)₂ has been synthesized for the first time using a solid-state reaction method. The crystal structure of the title compound was elucidated using a simulated annealing method. Samples used in powder diffraction analysis for structure determination were prepared via solid-state synthesis. To refine obtained crystal structure, the Rietveld method was applied, yielding the following parameters: triclinic symmetry (sp. gr. P 1¯.), a = 5.1661(1) Å, b = 6.6249(2) Å, c = 8.5991(2) Å, α = 92.089(1)°, β = 93.281(2)°, γ = 88.010(1)°, Z = 2, V = 293.47(1) ų, R_wp = 4.83, GOF = 4.85. The double borate Na₃Yb(BO₃)₂ congruently melted at 1119 °C exhibited a complex thermal profile, as evidenced by DSC, with four polymorphic transitions observed at 277 °C, 497 °C, 653 °C, and 694 °C. Ab initio calculated IR spectrum of Na₃Yb(BO₃)₂, exhibited a high degree of agreement with the experimentally obtained IR spectrum. The band gap of the title compound was calculated to be 4.7(2) eV using the combination of the Tauc method and DASF method. The calculated energy barrier for sodium ion migration, equal to 0.5 eV, was in a reasonable agreement with the experimentally determined activation energy of 0.75 eV. The title compound exhibited an ionic conductivity of 0.4 × 10⁻³ S/cm at 1023 K.

https://doi.org/10.1080/01431161.2024.2440670

In this theoretical paper, a method for temperature profile retrieval in frozen tundra soil is proposed based on the thermoevolutionary relationship between polarimetric multi-angular brightness temperature (TB) at 1.4 GHz, observed in sliding time window with a fixed duration, and the time series of soil temperature profiles, predicted by the heat equation. For TB modelling, the profiles of volumetric moisture, dry bulk density, and organic matter content in the active layer, measured at the Franklin Bluffs test site (North slope of Alaska, U.S.) from 12 December 2022 to 5 May 2023, were used. When solving the inverse problem, the retrieving temperature profiles were specified as a linear interpolation function between four known depths 0 cm, 25 cm, 50 cm, and 95 cm. The thermodynamic properties of the frozen active layer were considered independent of soil temperature, time, and vertical coordinates, which made it possible, based on weather station data, to determine the apparent value of the thermal diffusivity coefficient in the heat equation. The practically significant accuracy of retrieving soil temperature up to a depth of 70 cm with a root-mean-square error of 0.5–1.8°C and a coefficient of determination of 0.877–0.988 was demonstrated by the proposed method. The pursued research shows the advantage of the synergy of the heat equation and polarimetric multi-time compared to only single-moment TB observations for temperature profile retrieval in frozen tundra soil.

https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jallcom.2024.178230

The magnetic properties of rare-earth borates evoke keen interest, since the coexistence of two interconnected magnetic subsystems, 3d and 4 f ions, in the crystals of this family causes a diversity of magnetic structures and phase transitions between them. A comparative study of the effect of synthesis conditions on the structure and magnetic properties of the terbium chromoborate TbCr₃(BO₃)₄ single crystals grown from bismuth molybdate and lithium tungstate solvents has been carried out. In the single crystals with the monoclinic symmetry synthesized from the bismuth molybdate solvent, partial substitution of Bi³⁺ions for Tb³⁺ ions occurs, which entails a change in the magnetic anisotropy of the crystal and the formation of an angular magnetic structure, in which, unlike the crystals grown from another solvent, the Ising axis of Tb³⁺ ions deviates from the С₃ pseudo-axis direction by an angle of ∼40°. In the case of the lithium tungstate solvent, single crystals with the trigonal and monoclinic symmetry are formed and their temperature and field dependences of the magnetization coincide. At a Néel temperature of T_N1 = 9.2 K, the antiferromagnetic ordering with the magnetic moments lying in the basal plane is established in the Cr³⁺ ion subsystem. Due to the weakness of the exchange interaction between Cr³⁺ and Tb³⁺ ions, the antiferromagnetic order in the terbium subsystem of all the investigated TbCr₃(BO₃)₄ crystals is formed at a lower temperature: T_N2 = 5.5 K. The existence of two temperatures of the successive ordering of the magnetic subsystems of 3d and rare-earth ions has been found for the first time in the crystals of the huntite family and confirmed by the results of the magnetization and specific heat investigations. The lower ordering temperature of the terbium subsystem, which has a strong easy-axis magnetic anisotropy, also explains the nature of the easy plane→easy axis orientational transition in the chromium subsystem discovered previously at a temperature of ∼5 K.

https://doi.org/10.1007/s10948-024-06894-4

The Boltzmann sigmoid function effectively describes parameter changes during transitions between different states. A method using the Boltzmann function is proposed to analyze the temperature dependencies of superconductors near their critical temperature. Data for various superconductors (MgB₂, YBCO, Bi2212, a high-entropy alloy, CeH₉) are described, and parameters characterizing their resistive transition are estimated.

https://doi.org/10.1016/j.mssp.2024.109237

Light-induced transport phenomena in semiconductor-based structures with magnetic layers, have been the subject of significant scientific research. One notable mechanism for inducing magnetotransport effects in semiconductor-based devices is the lateral photovoltaic effect (LPE), which arises from the separation of photogenerated carriers under illumination. We present a study on the simulation of spectral dependence of diffusion-induced photovoltage in Mn/SiO₂/n-Si hybrid structure. By analyzing both lateral and transverse photovoltaic effects in terms of light absorption depth, we gain a deeper insight of the mechanisms governing light-induced transport. The magnetic field's effect on photovoltage is attributed to the Lorentz force and sample's geometry. Additionally, the photovoltage's dependence on the magnetic field exhibits ferromagnetic hysteresis, suggesting the presence of a ferromagnetic MnSi phase near the Mn/SiO₂ interface.

https://doi.org/10.1021/acsomega.4c07152

The magnetization and anisotropy of magnetic susceptibility of a 5CB nematic liquid crystal doped three extracts containing chlorophylls a and b and carotenoids in different weight percentage has been studied. The extracts have been dissolved in the liquid crystal matrix at a concentration of 2%. The magnetic susceptibility of the substances has been measured by the Faraday–Curie balance method. The field σ(H) and temperature Δχ(T) dependences of molar magnetizations σ and anisotropy of magnetic susceptibility Δχ for the investigated objects have been obtained. The divergence of the σ(H) dependences for the extracts dissolved in the liquid crystal matrix and in acetone has been found. The growth of the Δχ values in the Δχ(T) dependence with an increase in the weight percentage of chlorophylls in the extracts has been established. The influence of molecules of the dopants on the anisotropy of magnetic susceptibility has been evaluated with allowance for the π-electron currents in the conjugated systems of the benzene rings and in the porphyrin nuclei of chlorophylls, as well as in chemical bonds of the aliphatic fragments.

http://journal.sfu-kras.ru/en/article/154329

Study of the molecular transport of benzene and cyclohexane in mesoporous mesostructured powders of SBA‑15 was carried out using the diffusion NMR method. An isotropic character of the translational motion of hydrocarbon molecules was observed on a length scale of 35–80 μm. It was found that at low content of hydrocarbons (φ<0.3, where φ is a mass content), the mobility of their molecules is 2–3 times higher than those typical for a liquid media. It was also shown that for benzene molecules, unlike to cyclohexane, in the range of 0.4<φ<0.6 the hindering of translational motion is observed as compared to those in liquid state, which can potentially lead to a shift of the equilibrium in the benzene/ cyclohexane mixture at the outlet of the porous material sample.

Методом ЯМР‑диффузометрии проведено исследование процессов молекулярного транспорта бензола и циклогексана в мезопористых мезоструктурированных порошках SBA‑15 в зависимости от массового содержания углеводородов. Обнаружен изотропный характер трансляционного движения молекул углеводородов в масштабах 35–80 мкм. Найдено, что при малых значениях содержания углеводородов (φ<0,3, где φ – массовая доля) мобильность их молекул в 2–3 раза превышает значения, характерные для жидкой среды. Для молекул бензола, в отличие от циклогексана, в концентрационном диапазоне 0,4<φ<0,6 наблюдается торможение скорости трансляционного перемещения по сравнению с жидкой средой, что может приводить к изменению равновесного содержания одного из компонентов в смеси на выходе из объема материала.

https://doi.org/10.3390/cryst14121025

The effect of the Mn³⁺ ion on the local distortions of FeO₆ octahedra in orthoferrite samples was investigated. Mössbauer spectroscopy measurements for a series of HoFe1−𝑥Mn𝑥O3HoFe1−�Mn�O3 (x = 0–0.7) orthoferrite samples with the space group Pnma were carried out at temperatures above the Néel point (700 K). The electric field gradient (EFG) tensor on Fe ions for these compounds was found using first-principle calculations. The concentration dependence of quadrupole splitting was obtained using experimental and theoretical data. Mn³⁺ cations were found to affect the Mössbauer spectra mainly due to distortions of the crystal lattice. Theoretical calculations show that the values of all electric field gradient components increase significantly with the manganese concentration in the system, and the eigenvectors 𝐞𝐱𝐱�xx and 𝐞𝐲𝐲�yy of the electric field gradient tensor sharply change their direction at concentrations of x > 0.1.

https://doi.org/10.1007/s10854-024-14121-y

Developing new environmentally friendly methods of producing materials for electronics is critical important task for material science. Manufacturing process of semiconductor materials, transparent electrodes, electrical and thermal conductive pastes, fillers for conductive inks and some other materials should be improved from environmental point of view. Here we present a waste-free closed cycle fabrication of two important materials for electronics based on the concept of a self-organized cracked template. Optically transparent silver meshes and silver microflakes were obtained in waste-free manufacturing cycle. The morphological, structural, optoelectric, and shielding properties of transparent silver meshes and silver microflakes films were studied in detail. Also, we made transparent heater in close manufacturing cycle. The first type of materials are transparent silver meshes with irregular structure that have a transparency of more than 80% in visible range and with a shielding efficiency of more than 40 dB in the S and L bands and about 30 dB in the K and K_a bands. The second type of material is silver microflakes. We produced solid films using vacuum filtration with our silver microflakes. These films have a shielding efficiency of 90.1 dB with a thickness of 6.2 ± 1.2 μm in the K and K_a bands. A detailed analysis of the shielding properties showed that both types of the obtained shielding materials are comparable to the best literature results in shielding efficiency and are significantly lower in cost than analogs. We show silver mesh transparent heater with contact pads based on self-made conductive pastes filled with silver microflakes. Self-made conductive paste has a low resistivity of 5.26 ± 1.13 µΩ∙m. Optically transparent heaters obtained in a waste-free closed cycle demonstrate uniform temperature field distribution and high heating efficiency. Our results show a new approach for creating materials for electronics and this is significant addition for this emerging industry.

 https://doi.org/10.1002/pssr.202400279

The epitaxial alignment of Mn₂GaC MAX phase on 12 common single-crystalline substrates is analyzed through a crystallographical approach utilizing near-coincidence site lattices. This method effectively predicts epitaxial relationships in MAX phase thin films grown on MgO(111) and Al2⁢O3(001), as well as prospective rutile, muscovite, MgAl2⁢O4 and SrTiO3 substrates, highlighting the chemical affinities and atomic configurations at their interfaces. Novel epitaxial relationships for Mn₂GaC MAX phase are identified, offering alternatives to the traditional (001) out-of-plane orientation and exploring variations in epitaxial lattice stress. Additionally, this study examines the temperature dependence of interface strain for the most promising orientation relationship candidates, offering insights into the effect of substrate temperature on the growth of the MAX phase thin films.

https://doi.org/10.1007/s10948-024-06890-8

The phenomenon of shape anisotropy predominantly constitutes the principal factor influencing effective anisotropy, serving as a significant determinant of the magnetic characteristics of one-dimensional ferromagnetic nanostructures, materials that hold substantial promise for a diverse array of applications in the domains of electronics and biomedicine. However, it is noteworthy that effective anisotropy may be modulated through the manipulation of various other forms of anisotropy, thereby facilitating the tuning of the magnetic properties of nanowire arrays without necessitating alterations to their spatial curvature. In this study, we elucidate the characteristics of nanowire arrays with varying lengths and compositions, which have been electrochemically synthesized utilizing identical porous templates. Through a range of experimental methodologies, we establish a correlation between atypical magnetic behavior and the underlying morphology and crystalline structure of the nanowires. We attribute the pronounced magnetostatic interactions observed within cobalt (Co) nanowires to the presence of significant local uniaxial magnetocrystalline anisotropy, along with a nanostructure oriented perpendicular to the longitudinal axis of the nanowire. Furthermore, we examine the repercussions of substantial discrepancies in the lengths of iron (Fe) nanowires on the magnetostatic field distribution. Our analysis employs mean field theory, incorporating the contributions of various anisotropies present within the system, as well as the non-uniform lengths of the nanowires. Ultimately, through micromagnetic simulations, we investigated the stray fields present within the nanowire array and delineated how strong magnetocrystalline anisotropy and the variability in length affect their spatial distribution.

https://doi.org/10.1016/j.molliq.2024.126642

Nematic liquid crystal layers doped with dichroic anthraquinone dyes at the hybrid tangential-conical boundary conditions have been considered under light irradiation. The samples under study are sensitive to the exposure time, light polarization and wavelength that leads to a modification of the optical textures, which persists for a long time. It has been shown this effect is caused by a dye-initiated change in the director tilt angle at the conical-anchored substrate. The results obtained are of interest for the development of liquid crystal sensors with tunable optical characteristics under the influence of low-power light.

https://doi.org/10.1007/s00339-024-08131-0

The development of new materials showing the magneto-caloric effect (MCE) requires fast and reliable characterization methods. For this purpose, a phenomenological model developed by M. A. Hamad has proven to be a useful tool to predict the magnetocaloric properties (the isothermal magnetic entropy change, Δ�M, the magnetization-related change of the specific heat, Δ��,�, and the relative cooling power, RCP) via calculation from magnetization measurements as a function of temperature, M(T). However, fitting the M(T) data is difficult for broad, smoothed-out transition curves which are often observed for material systems such as core-shell nanoparticles, nanowires, nanowire fabrics or nanoparticle hybrid materials. Thus, in this contribution we present a different approach enabling proper fitting of such magnetization data via the use of an asymmetric Boltzmann sigmoid function, which provides a clear physical background and enables to properly describe the broad and smoothed out transitions of nanomaterials. As examples for our procedure, we present fits to M(T) curves of polycrystalline, bulk La0.67Ba0.33MnO3 as well as La1−�Sr�MnO3 (�= 0.2, 0.3, 0.4) and La0.7Ca0.3MnO3 nanostructured materials from various authors.

https://doi.org/10.1016/j.solidstatesciences.2024.107799

The analysis of baro- and piezo-caloric effects in ferroelectrics and ferroelastics containing tetrahedral and octahedral ion groups in the structure is carried out. The role of the degree of structural disorder in the formation of both effects is discussed. The features of the caloric response at phase transitions of different proximity to the tricritical point are revealed. The strong piezocaloric anisotropy of the studied materials is a convenient tool for extending the operating temperature range of the cooling cycle. An important advantage of ferroelastics and ferroelectrics undergoing transformations of the first order is the combination in one material of low thermal hysteresis and high sensitivity to hydrostatic and/or uniaxial pressure.

https://doi.org/10.1007/s10948-024-06835-1

In this manuscript we study the magnetic MAOX phases (M = Mn, Cr; A = Ga, Al, X = C) obtained by the replacement of the A-layer in the parent MAX phase by the AO₂ layer. The screening analysis of the magnetic and electronic properties of Mn- and Cr-based MAOX phases is performed using DFT calculations. All MAOX are thermodynamically stable. It was found that in MAOX phases Cr magnetic moments are pronounced increased in compare to corresponding MAX phase. Moreover, drastically changes in the electronic structure arise in Cr₂AlO₂C and Cr₂GaO₂C MAOX phases. The metal behavior in Cr₂GaC MAX phase changes for the near to half-metallic behavior with 90% spin polarization at the Fermi energy in Cr₂GaO₂C MAOX phases. We have found that in Cr₂AlO₂C, the change in the electronic structure leads to the formation of the spin-gapless semiconductor state under slight extension in the ab plane. The obtained results make Cr₂GaO₂C and especially Cr₂AlO₂C prospective candidates for application as functional elements of electronics and spintronics. 

https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jallcom.2024.177925

The effect of nonstoichiometry in manganese selenide (MnSe)_1х(Tm_0.76Se)_х (0 ≤ x ≤ 0.3) substituted with thulium of variable valence on the magnetic, structural, and magnetoelastic properties of the compound has been studied. The magnetic susceptibility in the temperature range of 801000 K, infrared spectra (IR) in the frequency range of 4007500 cm^–1 at temperatures of 80500 K, thermal expansion coefficient, electrostriction, and magnetostriction of the compound have been experimentally determined. The maximum paramagnetic susceptibility, thermal expansion coefficient, and IR absorption frequency shift and the critical temperatures and frequencies at which the IR absorption vanishes have been found above the Néel temperature. A model of bipolarons with vacancies in the anion subsystem has been proposed. Anomalies in the magnetic and structural characteristics of the investigated compound have been explained by the bipolaron dissociation accompanied by a singlettriplet transition and vacancy recombination. The temperatures of the onset of the piezoelectric effect and magnetostriction induced by the loss of inversion in clusters with thulium and the formation of ferromagnetic exchange between thulium and manganese ions have been established. It is shown that the negative thermal expansion coefficient is caused by the competition of the ferro- and antiferromagnetic interactions.

https://doi.org/10.1016/j.vacuum.2024.113877

The problem under study is concerned with amorphous silicon (a-Si) crystallization which is induced by an intermetallic compound, with this compound chosen to be Al₂Cu, formed by a solid-state reaction between nanolayers of aluminum and copper in a Cu/Al/a-Si multilayer system. In the case of crystallization initiated by the intermetallic compound Al₂Cu, the crystallization temperature of amorphous silicon was found to be ≈ 300°С (upon heating at a rate of 5–10 °C/min), which was significantly higher than in the case of pure Al (≈170°С), but lower as compared to using pure Cu (≈485°С). The higher crystallization temperatures in comparison with aluminium-induced crystallization are assumed to be caused by a decrease in the number of free electrons due to the presence of copper and formation of the Al₂Cu phase. By kinetic modeling, it was revealed that the mechanism of a-Si crystallization induced by the intermetallic compound Al₂Cu was similar to the mechanism of Al-induced crystallization of a-Si in multilayer (Al/a-Si)_n films, i.e the process of a-Si crystallization occurred in two subsequent stages: Cn-X→Fn. Kinetic parameters of silicon crystallization for each reaction step were obtained. The enthalpy of a-Si crystallization initiated by Al₂Cu was estimated to be ΔH = 12.3 ± 0.5 kJ/mol.

https://doi.org/10.1016/j.marpolbul.2024.117375

This work reports on the first multi-scale NMR study of new plant-based herding agent suitable for application in Arctic marine environment. Using NMR spectroscopy the chemical components of the herding agent were established while through the NMR relaxometry and diffusometry the local dynamics, molecular mobility, and transport properties of the components were studied depending on water content upon dilution. MRI method was first applied to probe the effect of herder on freezing and thawing processes occurring in dodecane/water and light oil/water mixtures. It was found out that the herder affects the internal structure and the surface texture of the ice under oil slick, and presence of herder is supposed to shift the heat balance in marine freeze/thawing cycling inherent to cold regions. The results of the work contribute into better understanding of the surfactant-oil/water/ice interaction and facilitate more effective application of herders for oil spills response in marine environment.

https://doi.org/10.1007/s11433-024-2496-9

Bound states in the continuum (BICs) are perfectly localized resonances despite embedding in the continuum spectrum. However, an isolated BIC is very sensitive to the structure perturbation. Here, we report merging acoustic BICs in a single open resonator, robust against the structure perturbation. We find that both symmetry-protected BIC and Friedrich-Wintgen BIC are sustained in a single coupled waveguide-resonator system. By varying the height and length of the resonator, these two BICs move toward each other and merge into a single one at a critical dimension. Compared to an individual BIC, the merged BIC is robust against fabrication error because its Q-factor is proportional to ΔL⁻⁴, where ΔL embodies the structure perturbation. The essence of this extraordinary phenomenon is perfectly explained by the two- and three-level approximations of the effective non-Hermitian Hamiltonian. Finally, we present direct experimental demonstrations of the moving and merging of BICs in a coupled 3D waveguide-resonator, which are evidenced by the vanishing of the linewidth of Fano resonance in the transmission spectra. Our results may find exciting applications in designing high-quality acoustic sources, sensors and filters.

https://doi.org/10.1016/j.chemphys.2024.112528

The work elucidates detailed analysis of X-ray near edge structure of Gd³⁺ ions using Synchrotron studies and deciphers the energy transfer mechanism involved in the stoichiometric ratio of (79-x)B₂O₃ + 10ZnO + 10BaO + xGd₂O₃ + 1Sm₂O₃ (BZBGS; x  = 0, 5, 10, 15, 20 mol.%) glasses. A detailed analysis of the glasses’ optical, structural, and luminescence properties were instigated to understand light emitting and scintillating behaviour. The oxidation state of Gd atom inside the glass found to be + 3. Stimulated emission cross section, radiative transition probability and branching of the metastable state of rare-earth ions were evaluated using Judd-Ofelt model and compared with other reported literature. Photo-Emission spectra were monitored at the UV-C band and X-rays. Luminescence was analysed with various excitation wavelengths and sources. Photoluminescence quantum yield show more than 22 % efficiency and show more than 15 % compared with other reported glasses. Luminescence intensity ratio was analysed and found that the Sm³⁺-ions do not occupy the inversion-symmetry which enhances the luminescence intensity in the present glass system. The CIE and CCT values were evaluated and discussed.

https://doi.org/10.1016/j.matlet.2024.137744

For the first time Ni₄₄Fe₁₉Ga₂₇Co₁₀ single crystals with high-temperature martensitic transformation (M_s = 336 K) and high-temperature superelasticity (373–548 K) under tension and compression were obtained after annealing at 1448 K for 6 h, followed by fast quenching in ice-cold salt water. The increase in temperature is associated with the precipitation of the large γ-particles and the substantial decrease in the precipitation of the nanosized ω-phase, which was observed in the single crystals after annealing at 1448 K for 1 h with slower water quenching.

https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jmmm.2024.172675

The interplay of the magnetically dead layer and structural defects in interacting ultrafine nickel ferrite (NiFe₂O₄) nanoparticles (<d> = 4 nm) have been investigated using transmission electron microscopy, X-ray diffraction, ⁵⁷Fe Mössbauer spectrometry, and static (dc) magnetization and dynamic (ac) susceptibility measurements. According to the magnetic measurement data, there are three magnetic subsystems in NiFe₂O₄ nanoparticles. The first subsystem with the lowest blocking (spin freezing) temperature (T_S = 8 K) involves atomic magnetic moments of magnetically disordered particles with a size of d < 4 nm. The other two subsystems are formed by magnetic moments of the cores of nanoparticles more than 4 nm in size and by correlated surface spins in nanoparticle clusters. The magnetic moments of the ferrimagnetically ordered cores are blocked at a higher temperature (∼40 K). It has been shown that the most significant contribution to the energy dissipation is made upon blocking of the correlated nanoparticle surface spins from the magnetically dead layer on the nanoparticle surface. The magnetic measurements have shown that the thickness of this layer is d_md ≈ 1 nm for a particle with a diameter of < d> = 4 nm. At the same time, the ⁵⁷Fe Mössbauer spectrometry study has revealed a structural disorder penetrating to a depth of up to d_cd ≈ 0.6 nm in a particle with a diameter of < d> = 4 nm. This evidence for a faster violation of the magnetic order than in the case of the crystal order upon moving away from the center of a particle to its periphery.

https://doi.org/10.1016/j.physb.2024.416754