Search Results (232)

In this study, Hf_0.5Zr_0.5O₂ (HZO) thin-films were deposited using a Co-plasma atomic layer deposition (CPALD) process that combined both remote plasma and direct plasma, for the development of ferroelectric memory devices. Ferroelectric capacitors with a symmetric hybrid TiN/W/HZO/W/TiN electrode structure, incorporating W electrodes as insertion layers, were fabricated. Rapid thermal annealing (RTA) was subsequently employed to control the crystalline phase of the films. The electrical and structural properties of the capacitors were analyzed based on the RTA temperature, and the presence, thickness, and position of the W insertion electrode layer. Consequently, the capacitor with 5 nm-thick W electrode layers inserted on both the top and bottom sides and annealed at 700 °C exhibited the highest remnant polarization (2P_r = 61.0 μC/cm²). Moreover, the symmetric hybrid electrode capacitors annealed at 500–600 °C also exhibited high 2P_r values of approximately 50.4 μC/cm², with a leakage current density of approximately 4 × 10⁻⁵ A/cm² under an electric field of 2.5 MV/cm. The findings of this study are expected to contribute to the development of electrode structures for improved performance of HZO-based ferroelectric memory devices. Full article

Hybrid materials based on porous organic polymers (POPs) and metal–organic frameworks (MOFs) are increasing attention for advanced separation processes due to the possibility to combine their properties. POPs provide high surface areas, chemical stability, and tunable porosity, while MOFs contribute a high variety of defined crystalline structures and enhanced separation characteristics. The combination (or hybridization) with PIMs gives rise to mixed-matrix membranes (MMMs) with improved permeability, selectivity, and long-term stability. However, interfacial compatibility remains a key limitation, often addressed through polymer functionalization or controlled dispersion of the MOF phase. MOF/COF hybrids are more used as biochemical sensors with elevated sensitivity, catalytic applications, and wastewater remediation. They are also very well known in the gas sorption and separation field, due to their tunable porosity and high electrical conductivity, which also makes them feasible for energy storage applications. Last but not less important, hybrids with other POPs, such as hyper-crosslinked polymers (HCPs), covalent triazine frameworks (CTFs), or conjugated microporous polymers (CMPs), offer enhanced functionality. MOF/HCP hybrids combine ease of synthesis and chemical robustness with tunable porosity. MOF/CTF hybrids provide superior thermal and chemical stability under harsh conditions, while MOF/CMP hybrids introduce π-conjugation for enhanced conductivity and photocatalytic activity. These and other findings confirm the potential of MOF-POP hybrids as next-generation materials for gas separation and carbon capture applications. Full article

This paper presents a comparative study examining the effects of carbon nanotubes (CNTs) and expanded graphite (EG) on the thermal, mechanical, morphological, electrical, and piezoresistive properties of poly(ethylene-co-methacrylic acid) (EMAA) nanocomposites. To this end, different amounts of carbonaceous fillers (EG and CNTs separately) were added to the EMAA thermoplastic matrix, and the relative electrical percolation thresholds (EPTs) were determined. The effect of filler concentration on thermo-oxidative degradation and the EMAA crystallinity was investigated via thermogravimetric analysis (TGA) and differential scanning calorimetry (DSC), respectively. Dynamic mechanical analysis (DMA) demonstrated that both fillers enhance the Young’s and storage moduli, as well as the glass transition temperature, with a greater improvement for the bidimensional nanofiller, most likely due to the cumulative effect of more extensive EG-matrix interactions. In tensile tests, a very relevant difference was detected in the Gauge Factor (G.F.) and the elongation at break of the two typologies of nanocomposites. The G.F. of EMAA 10% CNT and EMAA 15% EG were found to be 0.5 ± 0.08 and 165 ± 14, respectively, while elongation at break was about 68% for EMAA 10% CNT and 8% for EMAA 15% EG. Emission Scanning Electron Microscopy (FESEM) and Tunneling Atomic Force Microscopy (TUNA) have contributed to explaining the differences between EG- and CNT-based nanocomposites from a morphological point of view, underlying the pivotal role of the filler aspect ratio and its structural features in determining different mechanical and piezoresistive performance. The comprehensive analysis of EMAA-EG and EMAA-CNT nanocomposites provides a guide for selecting the best self-sensing system for the specific application. More specifically, EMAA-CNT nanocomposites with high elongation at break and lower sensitivity to small strains are suitable for movement sensors in the soft robotic field, where high deformation has to be detected. On the other hand, the high sensitivity at a low strain of EMAA-EG systems makes them suitable for integrated sensors in more rigid composite structures, such as aeronautical and automotive components or wind turbines. Full article

The possibility of reinforcing polymeric matrices with multifunctional fillers for improving structural and functional properties is widely exploited. The compatibility between the filler and the polymeric matrix is crucial, especially for high filler content. In this paper, polymeric matrices of Nylon 6,6 with pyrene chains were successfully synthesized to improve the compatibility with carbonaceous fillers. The compatibility was proven using graphite as a carbonaceous filler. The different properties, including thermal stability, crystallinity, morphology, and local mechanical properties, have been evaluated for various filler contents, and the results have been compared to those of synthetic Nylon 6,6 without pyrene chain terminals. XRD results highlighted that the compatibilization of the composite matrix may lead to an intercalation of the polymeric chains among the graphite layers. This phenomenon leads to the protection of the polymer from thermal degradation, as highlighted by the thermogravimetric analysis (i.e., for a filler content of 20%, the beginning degradation temperature goes from 357 °C for the non-compatibilized matrix to 401 °C for the compatibilized one and the residual at 750 °C goes from 33% to 67%, respectively. A significant improvement in the interphase properties, as proven via Atomic Force Microscopy in Harmonix mode, leads to a considerable increase in local mechanical modulus values. Specifically, the compatibilization of the matrix hosting the graphite leads to a less pronounced difference in modulus values, with more frequent reinforcements that are quantitatively similar along the sample surface. This results from a significantly improved filler distribution with respect to the composite with the non-compatibilized matrix. The present study shows how the thermoplastic/filler compatibilization can sensitively enhance thermal and mechanical properties of the thermoplastic composite, widening its potential use for various high-performance applications, such as in the transport field, e.g., for automotive components (engine parts, gears, bushings, washers), and electrical and electronics applications (heat sinks, casing for electronic devices, and insulating materials). Full article

The electrospinning technique can produce multifunctional polymeric devices by forming solid fibers from polymer solutions under a high-voltage electric field. Variations such as concentric needles yield core/shell fibers. This study evaluates the effects of applied voltage (12.5–20 kV) and tip-to-collector distance (12.5–20 cm) on the morphology and thermochemical behavior of PLGA/PVA fibers made by coaxial electrospinning compared with casting-produced membranes and monolithic fibers. Optimal coaxial fibers (597 ± 90 nm diameter) were produced at 15 cm/12.5 kV, exhibiting a well-defined core/shell structure (PVA core: ~100 nm; PLGA shell: ~50 nm) confirmed by laser scanning confocal (core solution labeled with fluorescein) and TEM. FTIR and TGA demonstrated nearly complete solvent removal in electrospun samples versus ~10% solvent retention in cast films. XRD analysis indicated that cast films (PLGAff) exhibited minimal crystallinity (Xc ≈ 0.1%), while electrospun PLGA (PLGAe) showed cold crystallization and higher crystallinity (Tcc ≈ 90.6 °C; Xc ≈ 2.45%). DSC detected two different Tg (≈43.2 °C and 52.8 °C) in the coaxial fibers, confirming distinct polymer domains with interfacial interactions. These results establish precise processing/structure relationships for defect-free coaxial fibers and provide fundamental design principles for hybrid systems in controlled drug delivery and tissue engineering applications. Full article

Vanadium pentoxide (V₂O₅) has attracted considerable interest owing to its unique chemical and physical properties. However, traditional synthesis methods are often time-consuming, complex, and difficult to scale, limiting the broader applications of V₂O₅. Herein, we present a flame vapor deposition (FVD) method to enable rapid, scalable, and one-step synthesis of various V₂O₅ nanostructures under ambient pressure conditions. By optimizing critical synthesis parameters, specifically, source temperature (840 °C) and substrate temperature (610 °C), we achieved highly crystalline, one-dimensional (1D) V₂O₅ nanorods on a variety of substrates, including silicon (Si), fluorine tin doped (FTO) glass, stainless steel, and silicon dioxide (SiO₂). Moreover, we demonstrate the rapid growth of ultrathin, two-dimensional (2D) V₂O₅ nanoflakes with nanometer-scale thickness, as well as enhanced uniformity and coverage density with an externally applied electric field. This FVD method provides a simple, efficient, and scalable approach for synthesizing advanced V₂O₅ nanostructures, significantly expanding opportunities for their integration into various technological applications. Full article

Polyphenylene sulfide (PPS)-based separators have garnered significant attention as high-performance components for next-generation lithium-ion batteries (LIBs), driven by their exceptional thermal stability (>260 °C), chemical inertness, and mechanical durability. This review comprehensively examines advances in PPS separator design, focusing on two structurally distinct categories: porous separators engineered via wet-chemical methods (e.g., melt-blown spinning, electrospinning, thermally induced phase separation) and nonporous solid-state separators fabricated through solvent-free dry-film processes. Porous variants, typified by submicron pore architectures (<1 μm), enable electrolyte-mediated ion transport with ionic conductivities up to >1 mS·cm⁻¹ at >55% porosity, while their nonporous counterparts leverage crystalline sulfur-atom alignment and trace electrolyte infiltration to establish solid–liquid biphasic conduction pathways, achieving ion transference numbers >0.8 and homogenized lithium flux. Dry-processed solid-state PPS separators demonstrate unparalleled thermal dimensional stability (<2% shrinkage at 280 °C) and mitigate dendrite propagation through uniform electric field distribution, as evidenced by COMSOL simulations showing stable Li deposition under Cu particle contamination. Despite these advancements, challenges persist in reconciling thickness constraints (<25 μm) with mechanical robustness, scaling solvent-free manufacturing, and reducing costs. Innovations in ultra-thin formats (<20 μm) with self-healing polymer networks, coupled with compatibility extensions to sodium/zinc-ion systems, are identified as critical pathways for advancing PPS separators. By addressing these challenges, PPS-based architectures hold transformative potential for enabling high-energy-density (>500 Wh·kg⁻¹), intrinsically safe energy storage systems, particularly in applications demanding extreme operational reliability such as electric vehicles and grid-scale storage. Full article

In this work, micro Zn-doped Ga₂O₃ films (GZO) were deposited by one-step mixed atomic layer deposition (ALD) followed by post-thermal engineering. The effects of Zn doping and post-annealing temperature on both structure characteristics and electric properties were investigated in detail. The combination of plasma-enhanced ALD of Ga₂O₃ and thermal ALD of ZnO can realize the fast growth rate (0.62 nm/supercyc.), high density (4.9 g/cm³), and smooth interface (average R_q = 0.51 nm) of Zn-doped Ga₂O₃ film. In addition, the thermal engineering of the GZO was achieved by setting the annealing temperature to 400, 600, 800, and 1000 °C, respectively. The GZO film annealed at 800 °C exhibits a typical crystalline structure (Ga₂O₃: β phase, ZnO: hexagonal wurtzite), a lower roughness (average R_q = 2.7 nm), and a higher average breakdown field (16.47 MV/cm). Notably, compared with the pure GZO film, the breakdown field annealed at 800 °C increases by 180%. The O_V content in the GZO after annealing at 800 °C is as low as 34.8%, resulting in a remarkable enhancement of electrical properties. These research findings offer a new perspective on the high-quality ALD-doped materials and application of GZO in high-power electronics and high-sensitive devices. Full article

Health assessments of high-voltage power cables are important for stable operations of power grids; however, most current health assessment model parameters lack whole cable test data, making them unable to effectively characterize the insulation aging state of whole cables. In this paper, a dielectric loss measurement device for high-voltage cables is developed. Using a high-voltage amplifier and high-precision dielectric loss measurement algorithm, the dielectric loss values of whole cables at different aging stages are measured, and the physicochemical and electrical characteristics of XLPE slice samples at each aging stage are analyzed. Through the analysis of high-voltage dielectric loss, crystallinity, carbonyl index, AC breakdown field strength, and elongation at break, aging correlation parameters are determined. The characteristic high voltage frequency domain dielectric response and delamination degree are proposed to characterize the aging state of cable insulation. The correlation between the high voltage frequency domain dielectric characteristics and cable insulation aging state is established. Finally, an assessment method of the insulation aging state of high-voltage cable is developed, providing a reference for the diagnosis and assessment of the insulation state of high-voltage XLPE cable on site. Full article

Sustainable and eco-friendly materials are vital for structural and energy storage applications. Synthetic fiber composites have long been utilized, but their high manufacturing cost and negative environmental impacts are concerning. This study aims to enhance the mechanical strength, thermal stability and electrical conductivity of jute fiber–reinforced epoxy composites by hand-lay-up technique with fiber surface modification with alkali (KOH) and carboxilated graphene oxide (CGO). Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy and field emission scanning electron microscopy confirmed fiber surface modification and the presence of CGO particles over the fiber surface. Differential scanning calorimetry was used to analyze the thermal stability and crystallinity of the samples. The electrical conductivity was measured by an electrometer, and the mechanical properties were assessed through tensile and flexural strength tests. Alkaline and CGO-treated jute fiber epoxy composites exhibited remarkable enhancement in mechanical properties, which were attributed to improved fiber-matrix interfacial bonding. Electrical conductivity also improved significantly. However, a trade-off between mechanical and electrical properties, particularly due to the susceptibility of cellulose to alkaline treatment, warrants optimizing the performance of the composites. The developed composites would be suitable for industrial applications where improved mechanical properties, thermal stability, and electrical conductivity are required. Full article

We investigated Im-3m H₃S at 200 GPa, a pressure regime where crystalline H₃S is widely considered to be a superconductor. Simulated circularly polarized 10 femtosecond (fs) laser pulses were applied and we quantified the effects on the electron dynamics both during the application of the ultra-fast laser pulse and 5.0 fs after the pulse was switched off. In addition, the carrier-envelope phase (CEP) angle ϕ, which quantifies the relationship between the time-varying direction of electric (E)-field and the amplitude envelope, is employed to control the time evolution of the wavefunction ψ(r). This is undertaken for the first application of Next Generation Quantum Theory of Atoms in Molecules (NG-QTAIM) to the solid state. Ultra-fast phenomena related to superconductivity are discovered in the form of a geometric Berry phase angle associated with the H--H bonding in addition to very high values of the chirality–helicity function that correspond to values normally found in chiral molecules. Future applications are discussed, including chiral spin selective phenomena in addition to high-temperature superconductivity and organic superconductors where phonons do not play a significant role. Full article

The optical properties of Mn⁵⁺ ions, which are responsible for the intense green–turquoise–blue coloration of Mn⁵⁺-based pigments and the near-infrared emission of phosphors, are the focus of this article. Mn⁵⁺ ions enter crystalline matrices in four-fold coordinated positions and can maintain their 5+ valence state when crystalline hosts meet the conditions described in this work. Mn⁵⁺ ions have [Ar]3d² electronic configuration and always experience a strong crystal field due to a high electric charge; therefore, their lower electronic states have the ³A₂ < ¹E < ¹A₁ < ³T₂ < ³T₁ progression in energy. We present the properties of several Mn⁵⁺-based pigments and discuss the electronic transitions responsible for their coloration. Specifically, we show that the color is determined by the spin-allowed ³A₂ → ³T₁(³F) absorption, which extends across the orange–red–deep red spectral region and is strongly influenced by crystal field strength. The narrow-band emission Mn⁵⁺-activated near-infrared phosphors arise from the spin-forbidden ¹E → ³A₂ transition, whose energy is independent of the crystal field strength and determined by the nephelauxetic effect. We demonstrate the linear relationship between ¹E state energy and the nephelauxetic parameter β₁ using Racah parameter literature data for Mn⁵⁺ phosphors. Lastly, we address the recent applications of these Mn⁵⁺ phosphors in luminescence thermometry. Full article

Dielectric capacitors offer immense application potential in advanced electrical and electronic systems with their unique ultrahigh power density. Polymer-based dielectric composites with high energy density are urgently needed to meet the ever-growing demand for the integration and miniaturization of electronic devices. However, the universal contradictory relationship between permittivity and breakdown strength in traditional ceramic/polymer nanocomposite still poses a huge challenge for a breakthrough in energy density. In this work, all-organic carbon quantum dot CDs were synthesized and introduced into a poly(vinylidene fluoride) PVDF polymer matrix to achieve significantly boosted energy storage performance. The ultrasmall and surface functionalized CDs facilitate the polar β-phase transition and crystallinity of PVDF polymer and modulate the energy level and traps of the nanocomposite. Surprisingly, a synergistic dielectric enhancement and loss reduction were achieved in CD/PVDF nanocomposite. For one thing, the improvement in ε_r and high-field D_m originates from the CD-induced polar transition and interface polarization. For another thing, the suppressed dielectric loss and high-field D_r are attributed to the conductive loss depression via the introduction of deep trap levels to capture charges. More importantly, E_b was largely strengthened from 521.9 kV mm⁻¹ to 627.2 kV mm⁻¹ by utilizing the coulomb-blockade effect of CDs to construct energy barriers and impede carrier migration. As a result, compared to the 9.9 J cm⁻³ for pristine PVDF, the highest discharge energy density of 18.3 J cm⁻³ was obtained in a 0.5 wt% CD/PVDF nanocomposite, which is competitive with most analogous PVDF-based nanocomposites. This study demonstrates a new paradigm of organic quantum dot-enhanced ferroelectric polymer-based dielectric energy storage performance and will promote its application for electrostatic film capacitors. Full article

The objective of this study was to examine the changes in starch processed under various ohmic heating (OH) conditions in relation to the characteristics of nixtamalized maize. Ground and dehydrated nixtamalized doughs (masas) were analyzed. Samples were prepared using both OH and traditional nixtamalization methods for comparison. The OH process variables included cooking temperature (85 and 90 °C), heating time (0, 5, and 10 min), and voltage (120 and 130 V). Starch modifications were assessed through viscosity measurements, differential scanning calorimetry (DSC), X-ray diffraction, and scanning electron microscopy (SEM). The results showed that viscosity in OH-treated samples was influenced by both thermal conditions (time and temperature) and the electric field (at 130 V), due to gelatinization and electroporation, evidenced by starch granule damage in SEM. DSC and X-ray diffraction revealed gelatinization and a loss of crystalline structures, along with new interactions between starch components that stabilized the system and reduced peak viscosity in the OH masa flours. Full article

A generalized scientific review with elements of additions and clarifications has been carried out on the methods of theoretical research on the electrophysical properties of crystals with ionic–molecular chemical bonds (CIMBs). The main theoretical tools adopted are the methods of quasi-classical kinetic theory as applied to ionic subsystems relaxing in layered dielectrics (natural silicates, crystal hydrates, various types of ceramics, and perovskites) in an electric field. A universal (applicable for any CIMBs class crystals) nonlinear quasi-classical kinetic equation of theoretical and practical importance has been constructed. This equation describes, in complex with the Poisson equation, the mechanism of ion-relaxation polarization and conductivity in a wide range of polarizing field parameters (0.1–1000 MV/m) and temperatures (1–1550 K). The physical model is based on a system of non-interacting ions (due to the low concentration in the crystal) moving in a one-dimensional, spatially periodic crystalline potential field, perturbed by an external electric field. The energy spectrum of ions is assumed to be continuous. Elements of quantum mechanical theory in a quasi-classical model are used to mathematically describe the influence of tunnel transitions of hydrogen ions (protons) during the interaction of proton and anion subsystems in hydrogen-bonded crystals (HBC) on the polarization of the dielectric in the region of nitrogen (50–100 K) and helium (1–10 K) temperatures. The mathematical model is based on the solution of a system of nonlinear Fokker-Planck and Poisson equations, solved by perturbation theory methods (via expanding solutions into infinite power series in a small dimensionless parameter). Theoretical frequency and temperature spectra of the dielectric loss tangent were constructed and analyzed, the molecular parameters of relaxers were calculated, and the physical nature of the maxima of the experimental temperature spectra of dielectric losses for a number of HBC crystals was discovered. The low-temperature maximum, which is caused by the quantum tunneling of protons and is absent in the experimental spectra, was theoretically calculated and investigated. The most effective areas of scientific and technical application of the theoretical results obtained were identified. The application of the equations and recurrent formulas of the constructed model to the study of nonlinear optical effects in elements of laser technologies and nonlinear radio wave effects in elements of microwave signal control systems is of the greatest interest. Full article