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At least 37 records · Page 2

Quantitative Fermi level tuning in amorphous organic semiconductor by molecular doping: Toward full understanding of the doping mechanism

The doping mechanism in organic-semiconductor films has been quantitatively studied via ultrahigh-sensitivity ultraviolet photoelectron spectroscopy of N,N-bis(1-naphthyl)-N,N-diphenyl-1,1-biphenyl-4,4-diamine (α-NPD) films doped with hexaazatriphenylene-hexacarbonitrile [HAT(CN){sub 6}]. We observed that HOMO of α-NPD shifts to the Fermi level (E{sub F}) in two different rates with the doping concentration of HAT(CN){sub 6}, but HOMO distributions of both pristine and doped amorphous α-NPD films are excellently approximated with a same Gaussian distribution without exponential tail states over ∼5 × 10{sup 18} cm{sup −3} eV{sup −1}. From the theoretical simulation of the HAT(CN){sub 6}-concentration dependence of the HOMO in doped films, we show that the passivation of Gaussian-distributed hole traps, which peak at 1.1 eV above the HOMO onset, occurs at ultralow doping [HAT(CN){sub 6} molecular ratio (MR) < 0.01], leading to a strong HOMO shift of ∼0.40 eV towards E{sub F}, and MR dependence of HOMO changes abruptly at MR ∼ 0.01 to a weaker dependence for MR > 0.01 due to future of the dopant acceptor level.

71 CLASSICAL AND QUANTUM MECHANICS, GENERAL PHYSIC↗

Magnetic moments and spin structure in single-phase B20 Co 1+x Si 1-x (x = 0.043)

Neutron powder diffraction (NPD) and x-ray magnetic circular dichroism (XMCD) spectroscopy are employed to investigate the magnetism and spin structure in single-phase B20 Co 1.043 Si 0.957 . The magnetic contributions to the NPD data measured in zero fields are consistent with the helical order among the allowed spin structures derived from group theory. The magnitude of the magnetic moment is (0.3 ± 0.1) μ B /Co according to NPD, while the surface magnetization probed by XMCD at 3 kOe is (0.18–0.31) μ B /Co. Both values are substantially larger than the bulk magnetization of 0.11 μ B /Co determined from magnetometry at 70 kOe and 2 K. Finally, these experimental data indicate the formation of a helical spin phase and the associated conical states in high magnetic fields.

36 MATERIALS SCIENCE↗

Electronic and magnetic structures of a mixed triple perovskite: Ba 3 NiRuIrO 9

In search of spin-orbit coupling driven nonmagnetic J = 0 ground state and excitonic magnetism, various pentavalent iridates have been studied in recent years. However, a finite moment was observed in most of the cases due to solid state effects. Here, in this work, we investigate the electronic and magnetic structure of 6H hexagonal compound Ba 3 NiRuIrO 9 , where Ir 5+ is present along with magnetic Ni 2+ and Ru 5+ ions. Magnetic susceptibility measurements and neutron powder diffraction (NPD) experiments demonstrate the appearance of short-range magnetic ordering below 170 K and a long-range antiferromagnetic ordering below 80 K. The refinement of the NPD pattern further shows that the Ru and Ir moments interact antiferromagnetically within the dimer and interact ferromagnetically with the Ni sublattice. These experimental findings have been complemented by first-principles density functional theory calculations incorporating spin-orbit coupling effects and electronic correlations for the transitional metal d states. The computed magnetocrystalline anisotropy is also found to be significant and the crystallographic c axis comes out to be the easy axis of magnetization, consistent with the spin alignment direction found from NPD. This study shows that the mixed ruthenate iridate triple perovskite series is a promising family to study the interplay among spin-orbit coupling, electron correlation, and electron filling as a variety of Ba 3 M RuIrO 9 with M as a transition metal ion, rare-earth ion, and alkali metal ions can be synthesized.

75 CONDENSED MATTER PHYSICS, SUPERCONDUCTIVITY AND↗

Cataloging and Quantifying Value Streams from Non-Powered Dam Conversion

Hydropower is a key resource in the United States’ renewable energy transition; however, only 3% of existing dams in the United States currently generate electricity. While many non-powered dams (NPDs) have the potential for energy generation, hydropower addition to these dams has been slow. This is likely due, in part, to perceptions that hydropower development has prohibitively long payback periods, especially in comparison to other renewable energy resources that have shorter development processes. On the other hand, powering some NPDs may unlock new value streams in addition to the value obtained from selling generated energy. There is a need to understand and quantify a wider range of additional value streams to help increase the feasibility of such hydropower projects. In this work, we catalog indirect value streams and difficult-to-quantify direct value streams from NPD retrofitting, specifying which stakeholders are affected, and what kind of impacts (positive or negative) might occur. We identify appropriate quantification methodologies for these indirect value streams and describe the best practices around their implementation for NPD site-level analysis. We also demonstrate the quantification of a few indirect value streams for a selected NPD site, allowing for easier integration of these value streams into future studies by providing basis and background for quantifying these elements.

13 HYDRO ENERGY↗

US Non-powered Dam Characteristics Inventory

The U.S. Non-Powered Dam (NPD) Characteristics Inventory contains data from various sources, including identifiers, locations, and a wide variety of characteristics. Characteristics included describe US NPDs and their surroundings, including attributes related to the physical nature or design of a dam, environmental conditions, safety conditions, socioeconomic aspects, and hydropower development potential. Data may be continuous or discrete/categorical. Data were obtained for each dam listed as an NPD (based on USACE NID). This inventory supports the NPD Explorer and NPDamCAT web apps developed by ORNL.

13 HYDRO ENERGY↗

Three CA-Related Covariance Issues and Their Solutions

This presentation addresses three issues that arise in the use of DoD-produced satellite state estimate covariances in the conjunction assessment process: the realism of the provided covariances, how to address correlated error between two satellites' covariance matrices, and how to proceed when a furnished covariance is non-positive-definite. To address the first, DoD has implemented a set of two "consider parameters" with which to alter/expand the covariance to account for atmospheric density forecast error and satellite frontal area uncertainty, the two largest sources of unmodeled position prediction error for LEO orbits; these values are governed by a satellite's orbital parameters and ballistic coefficient histories, as well as the current and predicted space weather situation. This approach substantially improves the realism of the covariance by accounting for expected prediction errors that are not part of the fit process that generates the covariance. The second issue of covariance correlation is a complicated one, but the main shared error source—global atmospheric density error that is common to both satellites can be characterized and, through sensitivity vectors, quantified at the conjunction's time of closest approach and removed from the joint covariance, which is used in the CA probability of collision (Pc) calculation. Finally, while according to the orbit determination theory a non-positive-definite (NPD) covariance is not possible, numerical truncation and covariance interpolation can conspire to produce NPD results, which render the covariance unusable for certain CA risk assessment calculations, such as Monte Carlo Pc determination. Three similar techniques are profiled and the simplest of them recommended as a reasonable remediation technique when NPD covariances are encountered by CA practitioners.

Dynamic Consider Parameter↗

Powering America’s Non-Powered Dams, One Byte at a Time

Compared with other hydropower development opportunities, powering underutilized water infrastructure provides an attractive option for expanding clean energy in the 21st century. Research conducted by the U.S. Department of Energy’s (DOE) Oak Ridge National Laboratory (ORNL) targets hydropower development at non-powered dams (NPD) from several angles and is increasingly looking to new and improved data sources to inform decision-making. Sponsored by the DOE Water Power Technologies Office (WPTO), ORNL’s latest efforts build on a decade of work to advance understanding and data access for improved decision-making. Outcomes of the most recent research are geared toward better informing NPD stakeholders across a wide spectrum of interests. Furthermore, these outcomes are paving the way for additional federal investments to power NPDs in the U.S., including investments in innovative new technologies that incorporate ecological and social objectives while achieving cost reductions, commercialization and deployment. Here, this research centers around improving the breadth and accessibility of NPD data. These new digital information tools and associated tools can lead to a better decision-making process and support new hydropower development, helping to power America’s NPDs, one “byte” at a time.

13 HYDRO ENERGY↗

Investigation of Energy Selective Neutron Imaging at the PULSTAR Reactor

Neutron imaging is complementary to X-ray imaging where both are used to investigate the internal features of objects nondestructively. Historically, it only began three years after discovery of the neutron in 1932, however, neutron radiographs with reasonable quality were first made in the mid-fifties. Conventionally, the image is produced by placing the object between the neutron source and a two-dimensional position sensitive detector. The source commonly has a full energy spectrum (white beam) of thermal or cold neutrons to obtain high intensity in the sample and short exposure time. As a result, all neutron energies contribute to the obtained radiograph. Since the interaction of the neutron with matter is energy dependent, different energies produce different contrast on the radiographic image, hence, additional information about the object can be obtained. Neutron imaging that utilizes a narrow spectrum of energy instead of white beam is called energy selective neutron imaging. Many techniques have been explored to select a narrow band of neutron energy for the use in imaging such as the use velocity selectors, double crystal Monochromators, and time of flight techniques (at pulsed neutron sources). The PULSTAR reactor of North Carolina State University (1 MWth) currently has an operational neutron powder diffractometer (NPD) installed on beam tube no. 4, which was designed for neutron scattering experiments and can provide a monoenergetic beam of neutrons. The neutron energy could be selected by diffraction means using a Si bent perfect crystal as a Monochromator. In this work, an investigation of energy selective neutron imaging at the NPD is discussed in terms of the system performance and the ability of material discrimination on a test sample by observing the contrast variations of the neutron radiographs obtained using different neutron energies. Energy selective neutron imaging experiment was successfully tested at the PULSTAR reactor's NPD. Although, the uniform region is small and the exposure time is long in comparison with the NIF, both facilities exhibit similar spatial resolution which is a very important characteristic for any imaging facility. The contrast variation of neuron radiographs for the test sample obtained at different energies indicated a potential advantage for using energy selective neutron imaging over the white beam. (authors)

21 SPECIFIC NUCLEAR REACTORS AND ASSOCIATED PLANTS↗

Optimization of Archimedes Screw for Use in Hydroelectric Projects

In 2017, the Department of Energy’s (DOE) Water Power Technologies Office (WPTO) made federal funding available to several awardees to investigate and provide innovative technological solutions to reduce capital costs of installed hydroelectric facilities at non-powered dam’s (NPD’s) across the United States, while maintaining a high level of efficiency. Awardees were to develop specific technologies that showed promise of reducing installed capital cost (ICC) by at least 20% over a given baseline and maintain a water-to-wire efficiency of at least 80% at head levels of 50 feet or less and flows of 1000 cubic feet per second (cfs) or less. Canyon Hydro (Canyon) was selected as an awardee for this funding and worked to refine the implementation of the Archimedes screw turbine for use at these site conditions. Canyon and its project partners analyzed several dam inventory datasets to determine the most common head and flow range of current NPD’s in order to best select design conditions for a turbine that would perform successfully at common heads and flows. Computational Fluid Dynamic (CFD) analyses were conducted after site conditions had been selected to optimize the turbine geometry for efficiency. Through this effort we were able to estimate water-to-wire efficiency over a range of flows. Equipment design focused on concepts of modularity and pre-fabricated construction. These methodologies were used where possible to reduce costly on-site construction and shorten deployment timelines. Cost modeling was conducted with input from industry experts in general construction, pre-fabricated concrete construction, and composite fabrication. As a hydroelectric turbine manufacturer of 35 years, Canyon drew upon its own knowledge base in steel fabrication, water-to-wire component specification and ancillary systems to develop the remaining cost matrix for the project. As a result of these efforts, Canyon was able to present findings that indicated a modular Archimedes screw turbine system could be designed that reduced ICC by 23.9% and maintain a maximum water-to-wire efficiency of 82.3%, meeting the goals of the project.

13 HYDRO ENERGY↗

ASb 3 Mn 9 O 19 (A = K or Rb): New Mn-Based 2D Magnetoplumbites with Geometric and Magnetic Frustration

Magnetoplumbites are one of the most broadly studied families of hexagonal ferrites, typically with high magnetic ordering temperatures, making them excellent candidates for permanent magnets. However, magnetic frustration is rarely observed in magnetoplumbites. Herein, the discovery, synthesis, and characterization of the first Mn-based magnetoplumbite, as well as the first magnetoplumbite involving pnictogens (Sb), ASb 3 Mn 9 O 19 (A = K or Rb) are reported. The Mn 3+ ( S = 2) cations, further confirmed by DC magnetic susceptibility and X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy, construct three geometrically frustrated sublattices, including Kagome, triangular, and puckered honeycomb lattices. Magnetic properties measurements revealed strong antiferromagnetic spin–spin coupling as well as multiple low-temperature magnetic features. Heat capacity data does not show any prominent λ-anomaly, suggesting minimal associated magnetic entropy. Moreover, neutron powder diffraction (NPD) implied the absence of long-range magnetic ordering in KSb 3 Mn 9 O 19 down to 3 K. However, several magnetic peaks are observed in RbSb 3 Mn 9 O 19 at 3 K, corresponding to an incommensurate magnetic structure. Interestingly, strong diffuse scattering is seen in the NPD patterns of both compounds at low angles and is analyzed by reverse Monte Carlo refinements, indicating short-range spin ordering related to frustrated magnetism as well as 2D magnetic correlations in ASb 3 Mn 9 O 19 (A = K or Rb).

2-D magnetic correlation↗

Acid sphingomyelinase (aSMase) deficiency leads to abnormal microglia behavior and disturbed retinal function

Mutations in the acid sphingomyelinase (aSMase) coding gene sphingomyelin phosphodiesterase 1 (SMPD1) cause Niemann-Pick disease (NPD) type A and B. Sphingomyelin storage in cells of the mononuclear phagocyte system cause hepatosplenomegaly and severe neurodegeneration in the brain of NPD patients. However, the effects of aSMase deficiency on retinal structure and microglial behavior have not been addressed in detail yet. Here, we demonstrate that retinas of aSMase{sup −/−} mice did not display overt neuronal degeneration but showed significantly reduced scotopic and photopic responses in electroretinography. In vivo fundus imaging of aSMase{sup −/−} mice showed many hyperreflective spots and staining for the retinal microglia marker Iba1 revealed massive proliferation of retinal microglia that had significantly enlarged somata. Nile red staining detected prominent phospholipid inclusions in microglia and lipid analysis showed significantly increased sphingomyelin levels in retinas of aSMase{sup −/−} mice. In conclusion, the aSMase-deficient mouse is the first example in which microglial lipid inclusions are directly related to a loss of retinal function. - Highlights: • aSMase-deficient mice show impaired retinal function and reactive microgliosis. • aSMase-deficient microglia express pro-inflammatory transcripts. • aSMase-deficient microglia proliferate and have increased cell body size. • In vivo imaging shows hyperreflective spots in the fundus of aSMase-deficient mice. • aSMase-deficient microglia accumulate sphingolipid-rich intracellular deposits.

60 APPLIED LIFE SCIENCES↗

Numerical and experimental investigation of the flame kernel growth in a methane/air mixture near the lean flammability limit

Lean combustion has the potential to improve the thermal efficiency of spark-ignition engines, but it faces the significant challenge of increased cycle-to-cycle variation due to low mixture reactivity and unstable flame dynamics. Computational fluid dynamics (CFD) employing predictive models can guide engine design and optimize operating strategies for lean combustion. However, ignition and combustion models have rarely been validated at fuel-lean conditions, and a fundamental understanding of the early flame kernel growth process is also lacking for a successful sub-model development. Here, the present study develops a numerical simulation framework used to investigate early flame kernel growth in methane/air mixtures. A nanosecond-pulsed discharge (NPD) approach is employed to effectively decouple the flame kernel growth from the electrical discharge due to their difference in timescales, and equivalence ratios near the experimentally measured lean flammability limit (LFL) are selected to focus on challenging mixture conditions. Three numerical investigations, such as the choice of turbulence modeling, grid size, and grid control strategies, are examined to match both LFL and flame kernel structure measured from experiments. It is demonstrated that a quasi-direct numerical simulation (QDNS) with a fixed grid embedding of 10 μm can predict the LFL as φ CFD =0.61 and match the displacement speed of the kernel’s boundary marked in schlieren images. To predict the LFL and flame kernel shape, a fine grid (Δ≤12.5 μm) is needed to capture the consumption of formaldehyde (CH 2 O) in kernel’s reaction branches attached to the anode, and adaptive mesh refinement is replaced with the fixed embedding due to loss of simulation accuracy. Also, it is found that a large-eddy simulation (LES) using the Dynamic Structure model is not suitable for the NPD-induced flame kernel simulation because artificial sub-grid turbulent kinetic energy induced by shock dynamics alters the flow velocity calculation, resulting in divergence of LES from QDNS. Lastly, the simulation well matches the experimental data for the flame kernel evolution in three mixture conditions (φ = 0.7, 0.61, 0.55), showing toroidal flame kernel expansion and flame kernel growth/extinction.

33 ADVANCED PROPULSION SYSTEMS↗

Structural, magnetic and electronic properties of Ti-doped BaFeO 3-δ exhibiting colossal dielectric permittivity

We report a systematical investigation of the structural, magnetic, electronic, and dielectric properties of BaFe 1-x Ti x O 3-δ (x = 0.05, 0.10, 0.15 and 0.20) samples synthesized via the solid-state reaction method. Rietveld refinement using a combination of room-temperature X-ray (XRD) and neutron powder diffraction (NPD) data confirms single phases with a 6H-type structure for all the samples. X-ray absorption spectroscopy (XAS) study reveals a coexistence of Fe 3+ and Fe 4+ , whose ratio remains almost unchanged with increasing Ti concentration. Magnetization measurements reveal a low-temperature inhomogeneous magnetic state with coexisting ferromagnetic (FM), AFM clusters and a paramagnetic phase. Moreover, magnetization of x = 0.10 shows a pinched hysteresis loop behavior, suggesting the coexistence of hard and soft FM phases in samples with high Ti concentrations. Low-temperature NPD measurements also confirm the absence of any long-range magnetic order in the samples. A colossal dielectric permittivity and two relaxation processes are observed for most of the studied samples. There is a change in electric conduction mechanism from the small polaron hopping to the Mott's variable-range hopping with increasing Ti concentration.

36 MATERIALS SCIENCE↗

Synthesis, structure and electrochemical properties of LiNaCo{sub 0.5}Fe{sub 0.5}PO{sub 4}F fluoride-phosphate

LiNaCo{sub 0.5}Fe{sub 0.5}PO{sub 4}F fluoride-phosphate was synthesized via conventional solid-state and novel freeze-drying routes. The crystal structure was refined based on neutron powder diffraction (NPD) data and validated by electron diffraction (ED) and high-resolution transmission electron microscopy (HRTEM). The alkali ions are ordered in LiNaCo{sub 0.5}Fe{sub 0.5}PO{sub 4}F and the transition metals jointly occupy the same crystallographic sites. The oxidation state and oxygen coordination environment of the Fe atoms were verified by {sup 57}Fe Mössbauer spectroscopy. Electrochemical tests of the LiNaCo{sub 0.5}Fe{sub 0.5}PO{sub 4}F cathode material demonstrated a reversible activity of the Fe{sup 3+}/Fe{sup 2+} redox couple at the electrode potential near 3.4 V and minor activity of the Co{sup 3+}/Co{sup 2+} redox couple over 5 V vs Li/Li{sup +}. The material exhibited the discharge capacity of more than 82% (theo.) regarding Fe{sup 3+}/Fe{sup 2+} in the 2.4÷4.6 V vs Li/Li{sup +} potential range. - Graphical abstract: The ball-polyhedral representation of the LiNaCo{sub 0.5}Fe{sub 0.5}PO{sub 4}F crystal structure. The MO{sub 4}F{sub 2} units are depicted as blue octahedra, PO{sub 4} units as orange tetrahedra, sodium atoms are designated as yellow (Na1), lithium – red and brown (Li2, Li3 resp.), fluorine – green, oxygen – violet spheres. - Highlights: • Freeze-drying method was successfully applied to the synthesis of LiNaCo{sub 0.5}Fe{sub 0.5}PO{sub 4}F. • The crystal structure of LiNaCo{sub 0.5}Fe{sub 0.5}PO{sub 4}F was refined based on NPD and validated by ED and HRTEM. • LiNaCo{sub 0.5}Fe{sub 0.5}PO{sub 4}F demonstrated a reversible Li de/intercalation in the 2.5÷4.6 V vs Li/Li{sup +} range.

37 INORGANIC, ORGANIC, PHYSICAL, AND ANALYTICAL CH↗

Investigations into the chemical structure based selectivity of the microfabricated nitrogen-phosphorus detector

The nitrogen and phosphorus atoms are constituents of some of the most toxic chemical vapors. Nitrogen-phosphorus gas chromatograph detectors (NPDs) rely on selective ionization of such compounds using ionization temperatures typically greater than 600 °C. NPDs have previously been reported to be 7*10 4 × and 10 5 × more sensitive for nitrogen and phosphorus, respectively, than for carbon. Presented here is an investigation of the structure-based selectivity of a microfabricated nitrogen-phosphorus detector (μNPD). The μNPD presented here is smaller than a dime and can be placed in a system that is 1/100th the size of a commercial NPD. Comparison of responses of such devices to homologous anilines (p-methoxyaniline, p-fluoroaniline, and aniline) revealed that detection selectivity, determined by the ratio of μNPD to nonselective flame ionization detector (FID) peak areas, is correlated with acid disassociation pK a values for the respective analine. Selectivity was determined to be greatest for p-methoxyaniline, followed by p-fluoroaniline, with aniline having the smallest response. The limit of detection for a nitrogen containing chemical, p-methoxyaniline, using the μNPD was determined to be 0.29 ng compared to 59 ng for a carbon chemical containing no nitrogen or phosphorus, 1,3,5-trimethybenzene. The μNPD presented here has increased detection for nitrogen and phosphorus compared to the FID and with a slight increase in detection of carbon compounds compared to commercial NPD's sensitivity to nitrogen and carbon.

47 OTHER INSTRUMENTATION↗

High Density Two-Component Glasses of Organic Semiconductors Prepared by Physical Vapor Deposition

Physical Vapor Deposition (PVD) is widely utilized for the production of organic semiconductor devices due to its ability to form thin layers with exceptional properties. Although the layers in the device usually consist of two or more components, there is limited understanding about the fundamental characteristics of such multi-component vapor-deposited glasses. Here, spectroscopic ellipsometry was employed to characterize the densities, thermal stabilities and optical properties of co-vapor deposited NPD and TPD glasses across the entire range of composition. We find that co-deposited NPD and TPD form high density glasses with enhanced thermal stability. The dependences of density and stability upon substrate temperature are correlated, and the birefringence of the co-deposited glasses is determined by the reduced substrate temperature of mixtures. Additionally, we observe that the transformation of a highly stable and dense two-component glass into its supercooled liquid initiates from the free surface and propagates into the bulk at constant velocity, like single component PVD glasses. As a result, all these features are consistent with the surface equilibration mechanism.

77 NANOSCIENCE AND NANOTECHNOLOGY↗

Hydropower Potential at Non-Powered Dams: A Multi-Criteria Decision Analysis Tool based on Grid, Community, Industry, and Environmental Impacts

Non-powered dams (NPDs) are dams that do not include hydraulic turbine (hydropower) equipment. Currently, there are more than 80,000 such dams in the United States, which provide a variety of non-energy benefits, including flood control, water supply, navigation, and recreation. Approximately 500 of these NPDs are identified as having the potential to add hydropower generation (totaling up to a capacity of more than 8200 MW). A large share of investment costs and environmental impacts of dam construction have already been incurred at these NPDs. Hence, adding power to the existing dam structure is hypothesized to be achieved at a lower cost, with less risk, and a shorter timeframe than the development required for new dam construction. The abundance of NPDs, the associated environmental favorability, and cost advantages, combined with the reliability, predictability, and dispatchability of hydropower, make NPDs a strong candidate in the nation’s renewable energy portfolio. To assess the NPD to hydropower conversion potential, in this study, we developed a GIS-based multi-criterial decision analysis tool, which allows users to rank these NPDs based on the grid, community, industry, and environmental impacts (i.e., GCIE impacts). This web-based interactive tool (developed using open-source Python and JavaScript) lets the user choose from a wide range of features to define each of the GCIE impact scores through a user-friendly graphical user interface. These features are related to dam operation, hydropower generation opportunity, power market economy, social vulnerability and risk, proximity to critical infrastructure and energy generating facilities, environmental concerns (air, water, and critical habitat), and exposure to natural hazards. The overall priority score of NPDs is calculated based on user-defined weights for each of the GCIE impact scores. Besides ranking NPDs, the tool can also be used to estimate the energy-storage feasibility (battery, hydrogen, and pump-storage hydropower) at each of the potential sites.

13 HYDRO ENERGY↗

Noncollinear magnetic structure and anisotropic magnetoelastic coupling in cobalt pyrovanadate $\mathrm{Co_2V_2O_7}$

$\mathrm{Co_2V_2O_7}$ was recently reported to exhibit remarkable magnetic-field-induced magnetization plateaus and ferroelectricity, but its magnetic ground state remains ambiguous. Magnetometry measurements and time-of-flight neutron powder diffraction (NPD) have been employed to study the structural and magnetic properties of $\mathrm{Co_2V_2O_7}$, which includes two nonequivalent Co sites. Upon cooling below the Néel temperature $T_N = 6.0(2)$ K, we observe magnetic Bragg peaks at 2 K in NPD, which indicates the formation of long-range magnetic order of $\mathrm{Co^{2+}}$ moments. After symmetry analysis and magnetic structure refinement, we demonstrate that $\mathrm{Co_2V_2O_7}$ possesses a complicated noncollinear magnetic ground state with Co moments mainly located in the b-c plane and forming a noncollinear spin-chain-like structure along the c -axis. The ab initio calculations demonstrate that the noncollinear magnetic structure is more stable than various ferromagnetic states at low temperature. The noncollinear magnetic structure with a canted ↑↑↓↓ spin configuration is considered to be the origin of magnetoelectric coupling in$\mathrm{Co_2V_2O_7}$ because the inequivalent exchange striction induced by the spin-exchange interaction between the neighboring spins could be the driving force of ferroelectricity. Finally, it is also found that the deviation of lattice parameters a and b is opposite below $T_N$, while the lattice parameter c and $β$ stay almost constant below $T_N$, evidencing the anisotropic magnetoelastic coupling in $\mathrm{Co_2V_2O_7}$.

75 CONDENSED MATTER PHYSICS, SUPERCONDUCTIVITY AND↗