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At least 343 records · Page 19

How transparent is graphene? A surface science perspective on remote epitaxy

Remote epitaxy is the synthesis of a single crystalline film on a graphene-covered substrate, where the film adopts epitaxial registry to the substrate as if the graphene is transparent. Despite many exciting applications for flexible electronics, strain engineering, and heterogeneous integration, an understanding of the fundamental synthesis mechanisms remains elusive. Here we offer a perspective on the synthesis mechanisms, focusing on the foundational assumption of graphene transparency. We identify challenges for quantifying the strength of the remote substrate potential that permeates through graphene, and propose Fourier and beating analysis as a bias-free method for decomposing the lattice potential contributions from the substrate, from graphene, and from surface reconstructions, each at different frequencies. We highlight the importance of graphene-induced reconstructions on epitaxial templating, drawing comparison to moiré epitaxy. We highlight the role of the remote potential in tuning surface diffusion and adatom kinetics on graphene, which are crucial for navigating the competition between remote epitaxy and defect-seeded mechanisms like pinhole epitaxy. In light of this weak remote potential, we re-evaluate the current state-of-the-art experimental evidence, highlighting why it remains challenging to experimentally validate a ‘remote’ epitaxy mechanism that cannot be explained by alternatives, such as pinhole-seeded epitaxy or serial van der Waals epitaxy. We end with one experimental example that, to out knowledge, cannot be explained by competing mechanisms: a different long-range epitaxial relationship for GdPtSb films grown on graphene/sapphire, compared to direct epitaxy on sapphire. We suggest for future experiments that directly measure the remote potential and impact of tuneable growth kinetics.

epitaxy↗

Octahedral rotations in Ruddlesden-Popper layered oxides under pressure from first principles

The combination of reduced dimensionality and tunable structural distortions in layered perovskite oxides makes these materials ideal platforms for designing novel properties and functionalities. One example is hybrid improper ferroelectricity in n = 2 Ruddlesden-Popper oxides, where the combination of a layered crystal structure and rotations of the metal-oxide octahedra break symmetry and induce a polarization. Precisely controlling the octahedral rotation distortions, for example by the application of hydrostatic pressure, provides a pathway to tune and optimize the properties of these materials. Here we combine group theoretic methods, density functional theory calculations, and Landau theory analysis to investigate how octahedral rotations respond to pressure in the hybrid improper ferroelectrics Sr 3 Zr 2 O 7 , Ca 3 Ti 2 O 7 , and Sr 3 Sn 2 O 7 . We find that factors that are known to control the pressure response of ABO 3 perovskites—the formal charge of the A- and B-site cations, tolerance factor, and B-site chemistry—also impact the pressure response of these layered perovskites. We also show that coupling between the octahedral rotation and strain order parameters plays a key role in determining the overall pressure response. Despite some similarities, we find that these layered perovskites display a distinct pressure response compared to their ABO 3 perovskite analogs. By identifying trends and underlying mechanisms that control octahedral rotations in Ruddlesden-Popper oxides under pressure, this work lays the foundation for tailoring the structure and properties of these materials.

75 CONDENSED MATTER PHYSICS, SUPERCONDUCTIVITY AND↗

High-level co-production of 3-hydroxypropionic acid and 1,3-propanediol from glycerol: Metabolic engineering and process optimization

3-Hydroxypropionic acid (3-HP) and 1,3-propanediol (1,3-PDO) are value-added chemicals with versatile applications in the chemical, pharmaceutical, and food industries. Nevertheless, sustainable production of 3-HP and 1,3-PDO is often limited by the lack of efficient strains and suitable fermentation configurations. We report attempts have been made to improve the co-production of both metabolites through metabolic engineering of Escherichia coli and process optimization. First, the 3-HP and 1,3-PDO co-biosynthetic pathways were recruited and optimized in E. coli, followed by coupling the pathways to the transhydrogenase-mediated cofactor regeneration systems that increased cofactor availability and product synthesis. Next, pathway rebalancing and block of by-product formation significantly improved 3-HP and 1,3-PDO net titer. Subsequently, glycerol flux toward 3-HP and 1,3-PDO synthesis was maximized by removing metabolic repression and fine-tuning the glycerol oxidation pathway. Lastly, the combined fermentation process optimization and two-stage pH-controlled fed-batch fermentation co-produced 140.50 g/L 3-HP and 1,3-PDO, with 0.85 mol/mol net yield.

1,3-propanediol↗

Enhanced superconductivity and ferroelectric quantum criticality in plastically deformed strontium titanate

The properties of quantum materials are commonly tuned using experimental variables such as pressure, magnetic field and doping. Here we explore a different approach using irreversible, plastic deformation of single crystals. We show that compressive plastic deformation induces low-dimensional superconductivity well above the superconducting transition temperature (Tc) of undeformed SrTiO3, with evidence of possible superconducting correlations at temperatures two orders of magnitude above the bulk Tc. The enhanced superconductivity is correlated with the appearance of self-organized dislocation structures, as revealed by diffuse neutron and X-ray scattering. We also observe deformation-induced signatures of quantum-critical ferroelectric fluctuations and inhomogeneous ferroelectric order using Raman scattering. Our results suggest that strain surrounding the self-organized dislocation structures induces local ferroelectricity and quantum-critical dynamics that strongly influence Tc, consistent with a theory of superconductivity enhanced by soft polar fluctuations. Our results demonstrate the potential of plastic deformation and dislocation engineering for the manipulation of electronic properties of quantum materials.

75 CONDENSED MATTER PHYSICS, SUPERCONDUCTIVITY AND↗

Higher Vortexability: Zero-Field Realization of Higher Landau Levels

The rise of moiré materials has led to experimental realizations of integer and FCIs in small or vanishing magnetic fields. At the same time, a set of minimal conditions sufficient to guarantee an Abelian fractional state in a flat band were identified, namely “ideal" or “vortexable" quantum geometry. Such vortexable bands share essential features with the LLL, while excluding the need for more fine-tuned aspects such as flat Berry curvature. A natural and important generalization is to ask if such conditions can be extended to capture the quantum geometry of higher Landau levels, particularly the first (1LL), where non-Abelian states at ν = 1/2, 2/5 are known to be competitive. The possibility of realizing these states at zero magnetic field, and perhaps even more exotic ones, could become a reality if we could identify the essential structure of the 1LL in Chern bands. In this work, we introduce a precise definition of 1LL quantum geometry, along with a figure of merit that measures how closely a given band approaches the 1LL. Furthermore, periodically strained Bernal graphene is shown to realize such a 1LL structure even in zero magnetic field.

75 CONDENSED MATTER PHYSICS, SUPERCONDUCTIVITY AND↗

Analysis of correlations between intrinsic ductility and electronic density of states in refractory alloys

High entropy alloys (HEAs) correspond to a new and emerging class of materials that allows us to explore a large composition space to tune mechanical strength and thermal stability. Therefore, to design better alloys, it is important to scan the high-dimensional space of chemistry, composition and temperature. Here, to facilitate this search, we present a method to screen intrinsically ductile body centered cubic (BCC) refractory alloys from electronic structure calculations by using the density of states (DOS) at the Fermi level, g(μ F ). This correlation between intrinsic ductility and g(μ F ) is tested by analyzing group V (V, Nb, Ta) and VI (Mo, W) refractory metals, binary alloys, such as W-Nb, W-V, Mo-Nb and Mo-V, and refractory alloys for which experimental stress-strain measurements are available. In addition, we perform a high-throughput exploration of the entire composition space of a recently proposed alloy system, CrMoNbV, and identify compositions that exhibit high intrinsic ductility.

36 MATERIALS SCIENCE↗

Tunable phononic bandgap materials designed via topology optimization

Topology optimization is used to design phononic bandgap materials that are tunable by mechanical deformation. A periodic media is considered, which due to the assumption of length scale separation, allows the dispersion relations to be obtained by analyzing a single unit cell subjected to Floquet–Bloch boundary conditions. A finite macroscopic deformation is applied to the unit cell to affect its geometry and hence dispersion. We tune the dispersion–deformation relation to our liking by solving a topology optimization problem using nonlinear programming. The adjoint method is employed to compute the sensitivities, and the non-differentiability of degenerate eigenvalues is avoided using symmetric polynomials. Several tunable phononic crystal designs are presented. Also, a verification analysis is performed, wherein the optimized design is interpreted and analyzed using a conforming finite element mesh.

42 ENGINEERING↗

F4‐TCNQ as an Additive to Impart Stretchable Semiconductors with High Mobility and Stability

Abstract Numerous strategies are developed to impart stretchability to polymer semiconductors. Although these methods improve the ductility, mobility, and stability of such stretchable semiconductors, they nonetheless still need further improvement. Here, it is shown that 2,3,5,6‐tetrafluoro‐7,7,8,8‐tetracyanoquinodimethane (F4‐TCNQ) is an effective molecular additive to tune the properties of a diketopyrrolopyrrole‐based (DPP‐based) semiconductor. Specifically, the addition of F4‐TCNQ is observed to improve the ductility of the semiconductor by altering the polymer’s microstructures and dynamic motions. As a p‐type dopant additive, F4‐TCNQ can also effectively enhance the mobility and stability of the semiconductor through changing the host polymer’s packing structures and charge trap passivation. Upon fabricating fully stretchable transistors with F4‐TCNQ‐DPP blended semiconductor films, it is observed that the resulting stretchable transistors possess one of the highest initial mobility of 1.03 cm 2 V −1 s −1 . The fabricated transistors also exhibit higher stability (both bias and environmental) and mobility retention under repeated strain, compared to those without F4‐TCNQ additive. These findings offer a new direction of research on stretchable semiconductors to facilitate future practical applications.

Mun, Jaewan↗

Fast strength model characterization using Bayesian statistics

A variety of flow stress models exist with new models constantly being developed. These models aim to approximate the strength of materials in a variety of regimes from quasistatic loading through shock scenarios. All models contain an array of parameters which need to be tuned to the material under study. Some models perform well under limited conditions, requiring adjustment of the parameters when venturing outside of those predefined ranges. Other models perform well over a wide range of conditions with a set of parameters, but may be outperformed by other models optimized on a tighter range of conditions. Recent research by Los Alamos demonstrated the ability to optimize the Johnson Cook (JC) model using a set of 3 plate-impact experiments on Aluminum. They utilized Bayesian statistics and emulation to determine optimal parameters for the model with a quantification of parameter uncertainty. We present an extension of this capability to incorporate velocimetry from plate-impact tests, stress-strain data from split Hopkinson pressure bar and quasistatic compression tests, plus profiles from Taylor cylinders in a unified fashion. Statistically robust comparisons of the performance and uncertainty of different realizations of the JC flow stress model were carried out based on calibration to several possible combinations of these three different experiment types.

75 CONDENSED MATTER PHYSICS, SUPERCONDUCTIVITY AND↗

Superconducting phase of Ti x O y thin films grown by molecular beam epitaxy

Here we investigate the complex relationship between the growth conditions and the structural and transport properties of Ti x O y thin films grown by molecular beam epitaxy. Transport properties ranging from metallicity to superconductivity and insulating states are stabilized by effectively tuning the O/Ti ratio via the Ti flux rate and the O partial pressure P Ox for films grown on (0001)-Al 2 O 3 substrates at 850° C. A cubic c-TiO 1±δ buffer layer is formed for low O/Ti ratios, while a corundum cr-Ti 2 O 3 layer is formed under higher-oxidizing conditions. Metallicity is observed for c-TiO 1-δ buffer layers. The superconducting γ -Ti 3 O 5 Magnéli phase is found to nucleate on a c-TiO 1-δ buffer for intermediate POx conditions, and an insulator-superconducting transition is observed at 4.5 K (T$^{onset}_{C}$ = 6K) for 85 nm thick films. Strain relaxation of γ -Ti 3 O 5 occurs with increasing film thickness and correlates with a thickness-dependent increase in T C observed for Ti x O y thin films.

71 CLASSICAL AND QUANTUM MECHANICS, GENERAL PHYSIC↗

Building Durable Multimetallic Electrocatalysts from Intermetallic Seeds

When combined with earth-abundant metals, Pt-based alloy nanoparticles (NPs) can be cost-effective electrocatalysts. However, these NPs can experience leaching of non-noble-metal components under harsh electrocatalytic conditions. In this work, the Skrabalak group has demonstrated a novel NP construct in which Pt-based random alloy surfaces are stabilized against non-noble-metal leaching by their deposition onto intermetallic seeds. These core@shell NPs are highly durable electrocatalysts, with the ability to tune catalytic performance by the core@shell architecture, surface alloy composition, and NP shape. This versatility was demonstrated in a model system in which random alloy (ra-) PtM surfaces were deposited onto ordered intermetallic (i-) PdCu seeds using seed-mediated co-reduction (SMCR). In the initial demonstration, ra-PtCu shells were deposited on i-PdCu seeds, with these core@shell NPs exhibiting higher specific and mass activities for the oxygen reduction reaction (ORR) when compared to similarly sized ra-PtCu NPs. These NPs also showed outstanding durability, maintaining ~85% in specific activity after 5000 cycles. Characterization of the NPs after use revealed minimal loss of Cu. The activity enhancement was attributed to the strained surface that arises from the lattice mismatch between the intermetallic core and random alloy surface. The outstanding durability was attributed to the ordered structure of the intermetallic core. The origin of this durability enhancement was investigated by classical molecular dynamics simulations, where Pt atoms were found to have a lower potential energy when deposited on an intermetallic core than when deposited on a random alloy core. Also, ordering of Cu atoms at the core@shell interface appears to enhance the overall binding between the core and the shell materials. Inspired by this initial demonstration, SMCR has been used to achieve shells of different random alloy compositions, PtM (M = Ni, Co, Cu, or Fe). This advance is significant because ligand effects vary as a function of PtM identity and Pt/M ratio. These features also influence the degree of surface strain imparted from the lattice mismatch between the core and shell materials. Like the initial demonstration, standout features of these core@shell NPs were high durability and resistance to non-noble metal leaching. Moving forward, efforts have been directed toward integrating shape-control to this core@shell NP construct. This integration is motivated by the shape-dependent catalytic performance of NPs derived from the selective expression of specific facets. Considering the initial i-PdCu@ra-PtCu system, NPs with a cubic shape have been achieved by judicious selection of capping ligands during SMCR. Evaluation of these NPs as catalysts for the electrooxidation of formic acid found that the nanocubic shape enhances catalytic performance compared to similar core@shell NPs with a spherical morphology. We envision that SMCR can be applied to other NP systems to achieve highly durable catalysts as the syntheses of monodisperse and shape-controlled intermetallic seeds are advanced. This Account highlights the role of intermetallic cores in providing more durable electrocatalysts. More broadly, the versatility of SMCR is highlighted as a route to integrate architecture, alloy surfaces, and shape within one NP system, and how this achievement is inspiring new high-performance and robust catalysts is discussed.

37 INORGANIC, ORGANIC, PHYSICAL, AND ANALYTICAL CH↗

Structure and equation of state of Bi 2 Sr 2 Ca n-1 Cu n O 2n+4+δ from x-ray diffraction to megabar pressures

Pressure is a unique tuning parameter for probing the properties of materials, and it has been particularly useful for studies of electronic materials such as high-temperature cuprate superconductors. In this work we report the effects of quasihydrostatic compression produced by a neon pressure medium on the structures of bismuth-based high-T c cuprate superconductors with the nominal composition Bi 2 Sr 2 Ca n-1 Cu n O 2n+4+δ (n=1, 2, 3) up to 155 GPa. The structures of all three compositions obtained by synchrotron x-ray diffraction can be described as pseudotetragonal over the entire pressure range studied. We show that previously reported pressure-induced distortions and structural changes arise from the large strains that can be induced in these layered materials by nonhydrostatic stresses. The pressure-volume equations of state (EOS) measured under these quasihydrostatic conditions cannot be fit to single phenomenological formulation over the pressure ranges studied, starting below 20 GPa. This intrinsic anomalous compression as well as the sensitivity of Bi 2 Sr 2 Ca n-1 Cu n O 2n+4+δ to deviatoric stresses provide explanations for the numerous inconsistencies in reported EOS parameters for these materials. We conclude that the anomalous compressional behavior of all three compositions is a manifestation of the changes in electronic properties that are also responsible for the remarkable nonmonotonic dependence of T c with pressure, including the increase in T c at the highest pressures studied so far for each. Transport and spectroscopic measurements up to megabar pressures are needed to fully characterize these cuprates and explore higher possible critical temperatures in these materials.

36 MATERIALS SCIENCE↗

Amorphous complexions alter the tensile failure of nanocrystalline Cu-Zr alloys

Grain boundary-based mechanisms are known to control the plastic deformation and failure of nanocrystalline metals, with manipulation of the boundary structure a promising path for tuning this response. In this study, the role of interfacial structural disorder on plasticity and failure of nanocrystalline Cu-Zr alloys is investigated with in situ scanning electron microscopy tensile deformation experiments. Two model materials are created, one with only the typical ordered grain boundaries and another with amorphous intergranular films interspersed into the boundary network, while the microstructures are otherwise identical. Hence, the importance of complexion type on plasticity and failure is isolated by only varying complexion structure. Here, the tensile experiments show that failure of the samples containing amorphous films is significantly retarded, as evidenced by an increase in the cross-sectional area reduction, a decrease in the occurrence of shear-dominated failure, a decrease in strain localization, and fracture surfaces with more elongated dimple features. As a whole, this study provides direct evidence that structural disorder at the grain boundaries can be beneficial for improving the ductility of nanocrystalline metals.

36 MATERIALS SCIENCE↗

Theory of the strange metal Sr 3 Ru 2 O 7

The bilayer perovskite Sr 3 Ru 2 O 7 has been widely studied as a canonical strange metal. It exhibits T -linear resistivity and a T log(1/ T ) electronic specific heat in a field-tuned quantum cr itical fan. Criticality is known to occur in “hot” Fermi pockets with a high density of states close to the Fermi energy. We show that while these hot pockets occupy a small fraction of the Brillouin zone, they are responsible for the anomalous transport and thermodynamics of the material. Specifically, a scattering process in which two electrons from the large, “cold” Fermi surfaces scatter into one hot and one cold electron renders the ostensibly noncritical cold fermions a marginal Fermi liquid. From this fact the transport and thermodynamic phase diagram is reproduced in detail. To conclude, we show that the same scattering mechanism into hot electrons that are instead localized near a 2D van Hove singularity explains theanomalous transport observed in strained Sr 2 RuO 4 .

36 MATERIALS SCIENCE↗

Tuning martensitic transformations via coherent second phases in nanolaminates using free energy landscape engineering

In this work we explore the possibilities and limitations of using a coherent second phase to engineer the thermo-mechanical properties of a martensitic alloy by modifying the underlying free energy landscape that controls the transformation. We use molecular dynamics simulations of a model atomistic system where the properties of a coherent, nanoscale second phase can be varied systematically. With a base martensitic material that undergoes a temperature-induced transformation from a cubic austenite to a monoclinic martensite, simulations show significant ability to engineer the transformation temperatures, from a ~50% reduction to a ~200% increase, with 50 at.% of the cubic second phase. We establish correlations between the properties of the second phase, the transformation characteristics, and the microstructure via the free energy landscape of the twophase systems. Coherency stresses have a strong influence on the martensitic variants observed and can even cause the non-martensitic second phase to undergo a transformation. Reducing the stiffness of the second phase increases the transformation strain and modifies the martensitic microstructure, increasing the volume fraction of the transformed material. This increase in transformation strain is accompanied by a significant increase in Af and thermal hysteresis, while Ms remains unaltered. Our findings on the tunability of martensitic transformations can be used for informed searches of second phases to achieve desired material properties, such as achieving room temperature, lightweight shape memory alloys.

36 MATERIALS SCIENCE↗

Role of diversity-generating retroelements for regulatory pathway tuning in cyanobacteria

Abstract Background Cyanobacteria maintain extensive repertoires of regulatory genes that are vital for adaptation to environmental stress. Some cyanobacterial genomes have been noted to encode diversity-generating retroelements (DGRs), which promote protein hypervariation through localized retrohoming and codon rewriting in target genes. Past research has shown DGRs to mainly diversify proteins involved in cell-cell attachment or viral-host attachment within viral, bacterial, and archaeal lineages. However, these elements may be critical in driving variation for proteins involved in other core cellular processes. Results Members of 31 cyanobacterial genera encode at least one DGR, and together, their retroelements form a monophyletic clade of closely-related reverse transcriptases. This class of retroelements diversifies target proteins with unique domain architectures: modular ligand-binding domains often paired with a second domain that is linked to signal response or regulation. Comparative analysis indicates recent intragenomic duplication of DGR targets as paralogs, but also apparent intergenomic exchange of DGR components. The prevalence of DGRs and the paralogs of their targets is disproportionately high among colonial and filamentous strains of cyanobacteria. Conclusion We find that colonial and filamentous cyanobacteria have recruited DGRs to optimize a ligand-binding module for apparent function in signal response or regulation. These represent a unique class of hypervariable proteins, which might offer cyanobacteria a form of plasticity to adapt to environmental stress. This analysis supports the hypothesis that DGR-driven mutation modulates signaling and regulatory networks in cyanobacteria, suggestive of a new framework for the utility of localized genetic hypervariation.

59 BASIC BIOLOGICAL SCIENCES↗

Decoding THz‐Driven Dynamic Fingerprints of Ferroelectric Nanotwin Networks

Ultrafast polarization dynamics in ferroelectrics are of considerable interest for high-speed tunable dielectrics and electro-optics. Extended domain wall networks formed in ferroelectric twin nanodomains can support collective dynamics in the terahertz regime but require techniques that track polarization and strain evolution driven by ultrafast stimulus. Here, we use multi-modal probing of THz-pulse-driven excitations in PbTiO 3 /SrTiO 3 superlattices by combining X-ray free electron laser measurements that directly tracks lattice changes, with optical second harmonic generation that tracks the electronic potential coupled with the lattice potential. Dynamical phase-field modeling enables fingerprinting of these collective modes as superpositions of domain “breathing” through wall oscillations and polarization “rotations” with still walls. Ultrafast domain wall motion at 0.1–0.5 THz is observed at practical fields of 100 kV/cm with wall velocities of >4000 m/s, approaching typical speed of sound in PbTiO 3 . A unique “charging” mode is discovered that can electrically charge and discharge domain walls on ∼4 ps time scale thus dynamically tuning wall conductivity. Integrated experimental and theoretical fingerprinting of the dynamical landscape presented here enables ultrafast control of ferroics for high-speed microelectronics and optical applications.

THz dynamics↗

X-ray diffraction and in situ pressurization of dentine apatite reveals nanocrystal modulus stiffening upon carbonate removal

Bone-like materials comprise carbonated-hydroxyapatite nanocrystals (c-Ap) embedding a fibrillar collagen matrix. The mineral particles stiffen the nanocomposite by tight attachment to the protein fibrils creating a high strength and toughness material. The nanometer dimensions of c-Ap crystals make it very challenging to measure their mechanical properties. Mineral in bony tissues such as dentine contains 2~6 wt.% carbonate with possibly different elastic properties as compared with crystalline hydroxyapatite. Here we determine strain in biogenic apatite nanocrystals by directly measuring atomic deformation in pig dentine before and after removing carbonate. Transmission electron microscopy revealed the platy 3D morphology while atom probe tomography revealed carbon inside the calcium rich domains. High-energy X-ray diffraction in combination with in situ hydrostatic pressurization quantified reversible c-Ap deformations. Additionally, crystal strains differed between annealed and ashed (decarbonated) samples, following 1 or 10 h heating at 250 °C or 550 °C respectively. Measured bulk moduli (K) and a-/c-lattice deformation ratios (η) were used to generate synthetic K syn and ηsyn identifying the most likely elastic constants C 33 and C 13 for c-Ap. These were then used to calculate the nanoparticle elastic moduli. For ashed samples, we find an average E 11 =107 GPa and E 33 =128 GPa corresponding to ~5% and ~17% stiffening of the a-/c-axes of the nanocrystals as compared with the biogenic nanocrystals in annealed samples. Ashed samples exhibit ~10% lower Poisson's ratios as compared with the 0.25~0.36 range of carbonated apatite. Carbonate in c-Ap may therefore serve for tuning local deformability within bony tissues.

36 MATERIALS SCIENCE↗