Search NASA⌕ Search

Engineering topics

Manjón, F. J.

Publications and source records attributed to Manjón, F. J..

Layered topological semimetal GaGeTe: New polytype with non-centrosymmetric structure

GaGeTe is a layered van der Waals material composed of germanene and GaTe sublayers that has been recently predicted to be a basic Z 2 topological semimetal. To date, only one polytype of GaGeTe is known with trigonal centrosymmetric structure (α phase, space group R-3m, No. 166). Here we show that as-grown samples of GaGeTe show traces of at least another polytype with hexagonal non-centrosymmetric structure (β phase, space group P6 3 mc, No. 186). Moreover, we suggest that another bulk hexagonal polytype (γ phase, space group P-3m1, No. 164) could also be found near room conditions. Both α and β polytypes have been identified and characterized by means of X-ray diffraction and Raman scattering measurements with the support of ab initio calculations. We provide the vibrational properties of both polytypes and show that the Raman spectrum reported for GaGeTe almost forty years ago and attributed to the α phase, was, in fact, that of the secondary β phase. Additionally, we show that a Fermi resonance occurs in α-GaGeTe under non-resonant excitation conditions, but not under resonant excitation conditions. Theoretical calculations show that bulk β-GaGeTe is a non-centrosymmetric weak topological semimetal with even smaller lattice thermal conductivity than centrosymmetric bulk α-GaGeTe. In perspective, our work paves the way for the control and engineering of GaGeTe polytypes to design and implement complex van der Waals heterostructures formed by a combination of centrosymmetric and non-centrosymmetric layers of up to three different polytypes in a single material, suitable for a number of fundamental studies and technological applications.

36 MATERIALS SCIENCE↗

Structural and optical properties of Ta{sub 2}O{sub 5}:Eu{sup 3+}: Mg{sup 2+} or Ca{sup 2+} phosphor prepared by molten salt method

Ta{sub 2}O{sub 5}:Eu{sup 3+}: Mg{sup 2+} or Ca{sup 2+} phosphor materials were prepared by molten salt method using KCl as flux. The X-ray diffraction (XRD) patterns illustrated that the well crystallized Ta{sub 2}O{sub 5}:Eu{sup 3+}: Mg{sup 2+} or Ca{sup 2+} were formed in the presence of flux under reduced temperature (800 °C) in contrast to conventional solid state method (1200-1500 °C). Scanning electron microscope (SEM) images indicate the achievement of well dispersed particles (hexagonal tablet and rod-like structures). Meanwhile, the photo-luminescent studies demonstrated that Ta{sub 2}O{sub 5} is an efficient host to sensitize europium red emissions. The addition of Mg{sup 2+} or Ca{sup 2+} as co-dopant enhanced the luminescent intensity of Ta{sub 2}O{sub 5}: Eu{sup 3+} compound.

36 MATERIALS SCIENCE↗