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Bulk high-temperature superconductivity in pressurized tetragonal La 2 PrNi 2 O 7

The Ruddlesden–Popper (R–P) bilayer nickelate, La 3 Ni 2 O 7 , was recently found to show signatures of high-temperature superconductivity (HTSC) at pressures above 14 GPa . Subsequent investigations achieved zero resistance in single-crystalline and polycrystalline samples under hydrostatic pressure conditions. Yet, obviousdiamagnetic signals, the other hallmark of superconductors, are still lacking owing to the flamentary nature with low superconducting volume fraction. The presence of a new 1313 polymorph and competing R–P phases obscured proper identification of the phase for HTSC. Thus, achieving bulk HTSC and identifying the phase at play are the most prominent tasks. Here we address these issues in the praseodymium (Pr)-doped La 2 PrNi 2 O 7 polycrystalline samples. We find that substitutions of Pr for La efectively inhibit the intergrowth of diferent R–P phases, resulting in a nearly pure bilayer structure. For La 2 PrNi 2 O 7 , pressure-induced orthorhombic to tetragonalstructural transition takes place at P c ≈ 11 GPa, above which HTSC emerges gradually on further compression. The superconducting transition temperatures at 18–20 GPa reach $T$ $^{onset}_{c}$ = $82.5$ $K$ and $T$ $^{zero}_{c}$ = $60$ $K$, which are the highest values, to our knowledge, among known nickelate superconductors. Importantly, bulk HTSC was testified by detecting clear diamagnetic signals below about 75 K with appreciable superconducting shielding volume fractions at a pressure of above 15 GPa. Further, our results not only resolve the existing controversies but also provide directions for exploring bulk HTSC in the bilayer nickelates.

75 CONDENSED MATTER PHYSICS, SUPERCONDUCTIVITY AND↗

Signatures of ambient pressure superconductivity in thin film La 3 Ni 2 O 7

Recently, the bilayer nickelate La 3 Ni 2 O 7 has been discovered as a new superconductor with transition temperature T c near 80 K under high pressure. Despite extensive theoretical and experimental work to understand the nature of its superconductivity, the requirement of extreme pressure restricts the use of many experimental probes and limits its application potential. Here, in this work, we present signatures of superconductivity in La 3 Ni 2 O 7 thin films at ambient pressure, facilitated by the application of epitaxial compressive strain. The onset T c varies approximately from 26 K to 42 K, with higher T c values correlating with smaller in-plane lattice constants. We observed the co-existence of other Ruddlesden-Popper phases within the films and dependence of transport behavior with ozone annealing, suggesting that the observed low zero resistance T c of around 2 K can be attributed to stacking defects, grain boundaries, and oxygen stoichiometry. This finding initiates numerous opportunities to stabilize and study superconductivity in bilayer nickelates at ambient pressure, and to facilitate the broad understanding of the ever-growing number of high temperature and unconventional superconductors in the transition metal oxides.

75 CONDENSED MATTER PHYSICS, SUPERCONDUCTIVITY AND↗

Strain-driven oxygen vacancy ordering in LaNiO 3 thin films revealed by integrated differential phase contrast imaging in scanning transmission electron microscopy

Rare-earth nickelates, such as LaNiO 3 (LNO), exhibit complex electronic properties, with ordered oxygen vacancies (OOV) influencing conductivity and magnetic behavior. We investigate the structural stability of strain-induced OOV phases in LNO thin films grown on SrTiO 3 substrates and the impact of Ruddlesden–Popper (RP) faults. Using high-angle annular dark-field scanning transmission electron microscopy (HAADF-STEM) and integrated differential phase contrast (iDPC) STEM imaging, we conducted atomic-scale structural and compositional analyses of OOV. Geometric phase analysis (GPA) was employed to measure the strain in fault-free and RP fault regions, while density functional theory (DFT) calculations explored different OOV arrangements in the LNO phase. Simulated iDPC-STEM imaging of energy-stabilized structures was performed to correlate with experimental results. Here, our findings reveal superstructure modulation in the chemical composition and atomic-scale lattice structure in LNO, primarily due to the formation of the OOV in Ni–O layers of the LaNiO 2.5 phase. The out-of-plane compressive strain of about 2% stabilizes this phase, reducing the strain, diminishing OOV, and transforming them into LNO.

36 MATERIALS SCIENCE↗

Design principles of spacer cations for suppressing phase segregation in 2D halide perovskites

Suppression of photoinduced halide segregation in mixed halide perovskites remains a significant challenge for their application as wide bandgap semiconductors in solar cells. In addition to stability issues, halide segregation leads to a loss in power conversion efficiency in solar cells and a shift in emission wavelength in light-emitting devices. However, employing low-dimensional halide perovskites, such as two-dimensional (2D) or quasi-2D structures, offers a strategy to mitigate this segregation. Here, we have systematically studied how the molecular structure and binding configuration of spacer cations, ranging from linear alkyl chains to aromatic structures, affect photoinduced halide segregation across both Ruddlesden–Popper (RP) and Dion–Jacobson (DJ) frameworks in 2D mixed halide perovskites (Br : I = 50 : 50). Aromatic spacer cations within the DJ perovskite configuration were found to suppress segregation most effectively. For example, the halide segregation rate in a 2D mixed halide perovskite film with the DJ phase using the aromatic spacer cation 1,4-phenylenedimethanammonium (PDMA) was 9.3 × 10 −4 s −1 —an order of magnitude lower than that observed with linear 2D RP perovskites employing butylammonium (BA) as the spacer cation (6.1 × 10 −3 s −1 ). Spectroscopic studies detailing the influence of spacer cation selection in mixed halide perovskites for suppressing phase segregation are discussed.

37 INORGANIC, ORGANIC, PHYSICAL, AND ANALYTICAL CH↗

Solvent-mediated carboxylic acid diammonium spacer for synthesizing FA-based 2D Dion–Jacobson perovskites toward efficient solar cells

Two-dimensional (2D) perovskites are promising for photovoltaic applications due to their outstanding optical properties and better environmental stability compared to three-dimensional (3D) perovskites. Unlike 2D Ruddlesden–Popper (RP) perovskites, which use monovalent ammonium spacers, Dion–Jacobson (DJ) perovskites employ divalent organic spacers that enhance structural stability by mitigating weak van der Waals interactions. However, the random phase distribution and disorder crystal orientation in 2D DJ perovskites create deep quantum wells, hindering charge transfer and reducing short-circuit current density (J SC ) and overall photovoltaic performance. This study introduces an organic diammonium, 1,4-butanediamine diacetate (BDAAc 2 ), to replace the traditional halide spacer 1,4-butanediamine iodide (BDADI 2 ). This substitution regulates perovskites crystallization dynamics, reducing compositional disorder and random phase distribution, thus improving the quality of the perovskite films. The robust coordination interactions between BDAAc 2 and the perovskite inorganic framework lead to an ordered [PbX 6 ] 4− arrangement, suppressing the formation of complex intermediate phases and significantly enhancing δ phase crystallinity in the intermediate film. This results in a high yield of high-quality α phase. Consequently, the resulting 2D DJ perovskite solar cells based on BDAFA 3 Pb 4 (I 0.9 Br 0.1 ) 13 achieve a higher power conversion efficiency of 16.41% and an elevated J SC of 20.46 mA cm −2 .

14 SOLAR ENERGY↗

Electronic structure and magnetic tendencies of trilayer La 4 Ni 3 O 10 under pressure: Structural transition, molecular orbitals, and layer differentiation

Motivated by the recent observation of superconductivity in the pressurized trilayer Ruddlesden-Popper (RP) nickelate La 4 Ni 3 O 10 , we explore its structural, electronic, and magnetic properties as a function of hydrostatic pressure from first-principles calculations. We find that an orthorhombic (monoclinic)-to-tetragonal transition under pressure takes place concomitantly with the onset of superconductivity. The electronic structure of La 4 Ni 3 O 10 can be understood using a molecular trimer basis wherein n molecular subbands arise as the d z 2 orbitals hybridize strongly along the c axis within the trilayer. The magnetic tendencies indicate that the ground state at ambient pressure is formed by nonmagnetic inner planes and stripe-ordered outer planes that are antiferromagnetically coupled along the c axis, resulting in an unusual ↑, 0, ↓ stacking that is consistent with the spin density wave model previously suggested by neutron diffraction. Such a state is destabilized at the pressure where superconductivity arises. Despite the presence of d z 2 states at the Fermi level, the d x 2 –y 2 orbitals also play a key role in the electronic structure of La4Ni3O10. Finally, this active role of the d x 2 –y 2 states in the low-energy physics of the trilayer RP nickelate, together with the distinct electronic behavior of the inner and outer planes, resembles the physics of multilayer cuprates.

75 CONDENSED MATTER PHYSICS, SUPERCONDUCTIVITY AND↗

Electronic structure, self-doping, and superconducting instability in the alternating single-layer trilayer stacking nickelates La 3 ⁢Ni 2 ⁢O 7

Motivated by the recently proposed alternating single-layer trilayer stacking structure for the nickelate La 3 ⁢Ni 2 ⁢O 7 , we comprehensively study this system using ab initio and random-phase approximation techniques. Here, our analysis unveils similarities between this novel La 3⁢ Ni 2 ⁢O 7 structure and other Ruddlesden-Popper nickelate superconductors, such as a similar charge-transfer gap value and orbital-selective behavior of the eg orbitals. Pressure primarily increases the bandwidths of the Ni e g bands, suggesting an enhancement of the itinerant properties of those e g states. By changing the cell volume ratio V/V 0 from 0.9 to 1.10, we found that the bilayer structure in La 3 ⁢Ni 2 ⁢O 7 always has lower energy than the single-layer trilayer stacking La 3 ⁢Ni 2 ⁢O 7 . In addition, we observe a “self-doping” effect (compared to the average 1.5 electrons per eg orbital per site of the entire structure) from the trilayer to the single-layer sublattices and this effect will be enhanced by overall electron doping. Moreover, we find a leading d x 2 -y 2 -wave pairing state that is restricted to the single layer. Because the effective coupling between the single layers is very weak, due to the nonsuperconducting trilayer in-between, this suggests that the superconducting transition temperature T c in this structure should be much lower than in the bilayer structure.

75 CONDENSED MATTER PHYSICS, SUPERCONDUCTIVITY AND↗

Impurity induced confinement effects in size-separated Mn-doped CsPbCl 3 nanocrystals

Beyond quantum confinement, impurity doping of semiconductor nanocrystals (NCs) offers a degree of control over their optical and electronic properties, which are of interest for potential applications. Manganese (Mn)-doped CsPbCl 3 NCs, for example, show synergistic effects in the visible, with large enhancements in both blue (exciton) and red (dopant) emission over a narrow range of dopant concentration. Although Mn concentration is the primary parameter, NC size offers an additional degree of control over the number of dopants per NC. Size-resolved CsPbCl 3 NCs prepared in the limit of strong Mn doping highlight the emergence of defective NCs with deviations from anticipated confinement trends. In conclusion, the transition correlates with a redshift and increase in the amplitude of dopant emission, and we discuss these observations in the context of atomistic simulations of Ruddlesden-Popper defects in CsPbCl 3 .

36 MATERIALS SCIENCE↗

Strain-dependent insulating state and Kondo effect in epitaxial SrIrO 3 films

The large spin-orbit coupling in iridium oxides plays a significant role in driving novel physical behaviors, including emergent phenomena in the films and heterostructures of perovskite and Ruddlesden-Popper iridates. Here, in this Letter, we study the role of epitaxial strain on the electronic behavior of thin SrIrO 3 films. We find that compressive epitaxial strain leads to metallic transport behavior, but a slight tensile strain shows gapped behavior. Temperature-dependent resistivity measurements are used to examine different behaviors in films as a function of strain. We find Kondo contributions to the resistivity, with stronger effects in films that are thinner and under less compressive epitaxial strain. These results show the potential to tune SrIrO 3 into Kondo insulating states and open possibilities for a quantum critical point that can be controlled with strain in epitaxial films.

36 MATERIALS SCIENCE↗

Assessing spin-density wave formation in La 3 Ni 2 O 7 from electronic structure calculations

Here, we employ correlated density-functional theory methods (DFT + Hubbard U) to investigate the spin-density wave state of the bilayer Ruddlesden-Popper (RP) nickelate La 3 Ni 2 O 7 which becomes superconducting under pressure. We predict that the ground state of this bilayer RP material has traits of both the double spin-stripe and the single spin-charge stripe phases proposed in the literature as it corresponds to in-plane up/up′/down/down′ diagonal stripes with up/down being high spin (formally Ni 2+ : d 8 ), and up′ /down′ being low spin (formally Ni 3+ : d 7 ). The main feature of this solution (that is insulating even at U = 0) is the dominant role of the d x 2 −y 2 bands around the Fermi level, which would become doped with the introduction of electrons via oxygen vacancies. In spite of the similarity with cuprates in terms of the dominant role of d x 2 −y 2 bands, some differences are apparent in the magnetic ground state of La 3 Ni 2 O 7 : the antiferromagnetic out-of-plane coupling within the bilayer (linked to the d z 2 orbitals forming a spin-singlet-like configuration) is found to be the dominant one while in-plane interactions are reduced due to the stripe order of the ground state. With pressure, this striped magnetic ground state remains similar in nature but the increase in bandwidth quickly transitions La 3 Ni 2 O 7 into a metallic state with all the activity close to the Fermi level involving, to a large extent, d x 2 −y 2 orbitals. This is reminiscent of the cuprates and may provide key insights into how superconductivity arises in this material under pressure.

LaBollita, Harrison↗

Cleavable quaternary oxychlorides with high magnetic ordering temperatures

Quaternary oxychlorides derived from Ruddlesden–Popper 3d transition metal oxides offer a route to cleavable crystals with bulk antiferromagnetic ordering temperatures reaching at least 550 K. Here, we study the magnetic, optical, and mechanical behavior of Sr 2 FeO 3 Cl, Ca 2 FeO 3 Cl, Ca 3 Fe 2 O 5 Cl 2 , and Sr 3 Fe 2 O 5 Cl 2 . Through optical absorption measurements, we show that these antiferromagnetic semiconductors have optical band gaps of ≈2.1(1) eV. The magnetic ordering symmetries and temperatures were probed by neutron powder diffraction and Mössbauer spectroscopy on polycrystalline samples, demonstrating Néel temperatures (T N ) near room temperature in the single layer Sr 2 FeO 3 Cl (T N ≈ 311 K) and Ca 2 FeO 3 Cl (T N ≈ 360 K), and the double-layer compound Sr 3 Fe 2 O 5 Cl 2 has T N ≈ 545 K. The high-spin moments of Fe 3+ lie within the basal plane and the magnetic structures are compensated within each magnetic layer and characterized by magnetic propagation vectors k = ($\frac{1}{2}$ $\frac{1}{2}$ 0). Magnetization results demonstrate the quasi-2D nature of the magnetism, with a broad maximum in the susceptibility near 2T N for Sr 2 FeO 3 Cl. Scotch tape tests and mechanical exfoliation onto SiO 2 confirm the micaceous nature of these crystals with cleavage down to a single unit cell (two magnetic layers) achieved for Sr 3 Fe 2 O 5 Cl 2 . In conclusion, this paper highlights strong antiferromagnetic interactions, semiconducting band gaps, and cleavability of quaternary Fe-based oxychlorides and motivates future work on crystals and exfoliated flakes of these and related oxyhalide systems.

36 MATERIALS SCIENCE↗

Lattice-Charge Coupling in a Trilayer Nickelate with Intertwined Density Wave Order

Intertwined charge and spin correlations are ubiquitous in a wide range of transition metal oxides and are often perceived as intimately related to unconventional superconductivity. Theoretically envisioned as driven by strong electronic correlations, the intertwined order is usually found to be strongly coupled to the lattice as signaled by pronounced phonon softening. Recently, both charge and spin density waves (CDW and SDW) and superconductivity have been discovered in several Ruddlesden-Popper (RP) nickelates, in particular trilayer nickelates 𝑅⁢𝐸 4⁢ Ni 3 ⁢O 10 (𝑅⁢𝐸 = Pr, La). The nature of the intertwined order and the role of lattice-charge coupling are at the heart of the debate about these materials. Using inelastic x-ray scattering, we mapped the low-energy phonon dispersions in 𝑅⁢𝐸 4⁢ Ni 3 ⁢O 10 and found no evidence of softening near the CDW wave vector over a wide temperature range, which contrasts with the pronounced anomalies frequently observed in cuprate superconductors. Calculations of the electronic susceptibility revealed a peak at the observed SDW ordering vector but not at the CDW wave vector. Our experimental and theoretical findings highlight the crucial role of the spin degree of freedom and establish a foundation for understanding the interplay between superconductivity and density-wave transitions in RP nickelate superconductors and beyond.

36 MATERIALS SCIENCE↗

Superconductivity in an ultrathin multilayer nickelate

We report the appearance of superconductivity in single-unit-cell Nd 6 Ni 5 O 12 , exhibiting a transition temperature similar to that of thicker films. In situ synchrotron x-ray scattering performed during growth of the parent phase, Nd 6 Ni 5 O 16 , shows that the necessary layer-by-layer deposition sequence does not follow the sequence of the formula unit but an alternate order due to the relative stability of the perovskite unit cell. We exploit this insight to grow ultrathin Nd 6 Ni 5 O 16 heterostructures and conduct in situ studies of topotactic reduction, finding that formation of the square-planar phase occurs rapidly and is highly sensitive to reduction temperature, with small deviations from the optimum condition leading to inhomogeneity and the loss of superconductivity. The fluorite layer within the unit cell facilitates reduction by initially stabilizing the square-planar phase in the upper half of the unit cell. Our findings provide insight into growth of the Ruddlesden-Popper nickelates, highlighting the need for in situ studies of the metastable phases key to superconductivity.

75 CONDENSED MATTER PHYSICS, SUPERCONDUCTIVITY AND↗

CO 2 Electrolysis Using Metal-Supported Solid Oxide Cells with Infiltrated Pr 0.5 Sr 0.4 Mn 0.2 Fe 0.8 O 3-$δ$ Catalyst

Electrochemical conversion of CO 2 to CO is demonstrated with symmetric-structured metal supported solid oxide cells (MS-SOC). Perovskite Pr 0.5 Sr 0.4 Mn 0.2 Fe 0.8 O 3-δ (PSMF) and Pr 6 O 11 catalysts were infiltrated into the MS-SOC cathode and anode, using 3 cycles with firing at 850 °C and 8 cycles with firing at 800 °C, respectively. Upon reduction during operation, the perovskite PSMF was transformed to Ruddlesden–Popper structure with a highly efficient electrocatalytic activity. The impact of operating temperature (600–800 °C) and overpotential (0–1.8 V) on the CO 2 conversion was investigated. The highest CO 2 conversion of 57.2% was achieved at 750 °C and 1.8 V. During extended operation for 150 h at 750 °C and 1.2 V, a cell demonstrated relatively stable performance, with initial current density of 535 mA cm -2 and CO 2 conversion of 23%. Degradation mechanisms were studied by posttest characterization.

25 ENERGY STORAGE↗

Tuning Catalytically Active Single Sites in Nonstoichiometric, Mixed Metal Oxides for Oxygen Electrocatalysis (Final Technical Report)

The objective of the proposed work is to employ controlled synthesis, advanced characterization, detailed electrochemical testing and theoretical calculations to develop a framework that would guide the design of robust, non-stoichiometric mixed metal oxides for oxygen electrocatalysis. In this research plan, we focus around the idea of tuning the metal ion composition and environment to create single atom centers with the utmost electrocatalytic activity. We hypothesized that tuning the cationic sites in nonstoichiometric mixed metal oxides will lead to single 4d/5d metal surface sites with optimal catalytic activity for low temperature oxygen reduction (ORR) and oxygen evolution (OER) at solid/liquid interfaces. We will focus on different crystal structures of these oxides including Ruddlesden-Popper (R-P) oxides, simple perovskites and pyrochlores due to their flexibility in accommodating different metal cation dopants, and the fact that they represent variations in the cationic arrangements in non-stoichiometric mixed metal oxide structures, which will lead to an understanding of how bulk crystal structure effects catalytic activity and stability of these systems.

08 HYDROGEN↗

Hybrid Metal Halides: Advancing Optoelectronic Materials (Final Technical Report)

Hybrid metal halides, particularly main group halide perovskites, are a unique class of materials that offer exceptional optoelectronic properties along with a remarkable materials design space. Initial research on this class of materials was driven by the ability of the prototype hybrid 3D perovskite-structured compound methylammonium lead iodide to function as the active layer in thin film solar cells. It is now known that this class of materials comprise a large family with tunable band gaps, relatively high charge carrier mobilities in both single crystal and polycrystalline forms, and relatively low concentrations of (deleterious) electrically active states within the band gap. Beyond applications in solar cells, the potential of these materials has been extended to emitters in light emitting diodes, and active components of radiation detectors. Complementing new functionality, the design space for hybrid metal halides continues to increase with discovery of new structural motifs. In this project, the combination of organic and inorganic functionalities has been employed to open pathways to the design and synthesis new, functional hybrid metal halides. Beyond the simple perovskites, Ruddlesden-Popper and Dion-Jacobsen compounds, and other variants, such as the newly advanced “hollow” perovskites have been studied. The materials have provided routes to understanding the unique electronic properties of hybrid metal halides because of their natural quantum well structures as well as other means of controlling band gaps and band dispersions. Understanding these materials, including the design rules for their formation, their structures and compositions in bulk and in thin films form, and the role of local (non-crystallographic) structure has an important aspect of this endeavor. The goal of advancing new materials and new fundamental understanding within this deceptively simple, yet fascinating class of compounds, so richly endowed with interesting and useful functionality, has been fulfilled.

36 MATERIALS SCIENCE↗

Sr 2 MnO 4 as a reactive CO 2 sorbent for sorption-enhanced steam reforming of biogas to green hydrogen

Sorption-enhanced steam biogas reforming is an attractive approach for hydrogen production from renewable resources, with the performance of the CO 2 sorbents being a critical factor. In this study, Sr 2 MnO 4 was investigated as a redox-activated CO 2 sorbent for sustainable hydrogen production from biogas. The Sr 2 MnO 4 sorbents exhibited a CO 2 sorption capacity of over 26 g per 100 g of sorbents, along with excellent cyclic stability in thermogravimetric analysis. Complete regeneration of the sorbent was achieved with a relatively small temperature swing (100 °C). Fixed-bed reactor experiments further demonstrated the application of Sr 2 MnO 4 sorbents in sorption-enhanced steam biogas reforming. Biogas simulants with varying CO 2 contents were converted to ~94 vol% H 2 before CO 2 breakthrough. Stable CO 2 capacity and hydrogen production were maintained over 20 cycles. In addition, optimization of the regeneration duration enabled the generation of highly pure CO 2 and more efficient use of O 2 . These results support the feasibility of biogas-to‑hydrogen conversion with net-negative carbon emissions through integration with CO 2 capture and sequestration.

09 BIOMASS FUELS↗

Photophysics and Carrier Dynamics of Lasing in Quasi-2D Lead Halide Perovskites

Quasi-2D perovskites have recently been extensively studied due to their narrow-bandwidth-tunable emission, solution processability, and applicability as optical gain media. Quasi-2D perovskites are composed of inorganic perovskite crystal layers encapsulated with a bulky organic ligand such as phenylethylammonium, endowing the perovskite with a quantum-well structure and improved stability. In this article, we explore the photophysics of a quasi-2D metal halide perovskite as a promising light-harvesting and emitting medium. We find it exhibits high optical absorption (~10 5 cm -1 ) and an optically pumped amplified spontaneous emission threshold at 623 μJ/cm 2 . We study charge transfer processes in the complex mixed quantum wells of these perovskites through transient absorption and time-resolved photoluminescence measurements and develop a phenomenological model that incorporates optical gain for lasing. Further, while both free carriers and excitons are observed, we show surprisingly that photoluminescence is dominated by excitons despite the relatively small binding energy (~16 meV) of the low-energy band edge. Additionally, we extract the rates of exciton relaxation pathways, revealing a relatively large radiative term of 4.6 x 10 8 s -1 as well as an exciton-exciton annihilation term of 3.6 x 10 -13 cm 3 s -1 that is 3 orders of magnitude smaller than in similar quasi-2D perovskites.

37 INORGANIC, ORGANIC, PHYSICAL, AND ANALYTICAL CH↗