66 results on '"Asher C. Leff"'
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2. Single-Particle Insights into Plasmonic Hot Carrier Separation Augmenting Photoelectrochemical Ethanol Oxidation with Photocatalytically Synthesized Pd–Au Bimetallic Nanorods
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Gregory T. Forcherio, Behnaz Ostovar, Jonathan Boltersdorf, Yi-Yu Cai, Asher C. Leff, Kyle N. Grew, Cynthia A. Lundgren, Stephan Link, and David R. Baker
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General Engineering ,General Physics and Astronomy ,General Materials Science - Abstract
Understanding the nature of hot carrier pathways following surface plasmon excitation of heterometallic nanostructures and their mechanistic prevalence during photoelectrochemical oxidation of complex hydrocarbons, such as ethanol, remains challenging. This work studies the fate of carriers from Au nanorods before and after the presence of reductively photodeposited Pd at the single-particle level using scattering and emission spectroscopy, along with ensemble photoelectrochemical methods. A sub-2 nm epitaxial Pd
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- 2022
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3. Dual driven mechanism ( <scp>hygro‐redox</scp> ) <scp>semi‐</scp> interpenetrating polymer network composite film ( <scp>polyaniline‐polyacrylic</scp> acid/sulfonated poly (ether ether ketone)) for artificial muscles
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Haval Kareem, Alex Langrock, Jeffrey Auletta, Luther Mahoney, Daniel Hallinan, Hyun Kim, Asher C. Leff, Dat T. Tran, and David Mackie
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Polymers and Plastics - Published
- 2022
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4. Noble Metal Ion‐Directed Assembly of 2D Materials for Heterostructured Catalysts and Metallic Micro‐Texturing
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Joshua M. Little, Jiayue Sun, Ali Kamali, Amy Chen, Asher C. Leff, Yang Li, Leah K. Borden, Thilini U. Dissanayake, Deborah Essumang, Benita O. Oseleononmen, Dongxia Liu, Taylor J. Woehl, and Po‐Yen Chen
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Biomaterials ,Electrochemistry ,Condensed Matter Physics ,Electronic, Optical and Magnetic Materials - Published
- 2023
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5. Lattice Strain and Surface Activity of Ternary Nanoalloys under the Propane Oxidation Condition
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Haval Kareem, Yazan Maswadeh, Zhi-Peng Wu, Asher C. Leff, Han-Wen Cheng, Shiyao Shan, Shan Wang, Richard Robinson, Dominic Caracciolo, Alex Langrock, David M. Mackie, Dat T. Tran, Valeri Petkov, and Chuan-Jian Zhong
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General Materials Science - Abstract
The ability to harness the catalytic oxidation of hydrocarbons is critical for both clean energy production and air pollutant elimination, which requires a detailed understanding of the dynamic role of the nanophase structure and surface reactivity under the reaction conditions. We report here findings of an in situ/operando study of such details of a ternary nanoalloy under the propane oxidation condition using high-energy synchrotron X-ray diffraction coupled to atomic pair distribution function (HE-XRD/PDF) analysis and diffuse reflectance infrared Fourier transform spectroscopy (DRIFTS). The catalysts are derived by alloying Pt with different combinations of second (Pd) and third (Ni) transition metals, showing a strong dependence of the catalytic activity on the Ni content. The evolution of the phase structure of the nanoalloy is characterized by HE-XRD/PDF probing of the lattice strain, whereas the surface activity is monitored by DRIFTS detection of the surface intermediate formation during the oxidation of propane by oxygen. The results reveal the dominance of the surface intermediate species featuring a lower degree of oxygenation upon the first C-C bond cleavage on the lower-Ni-content nanoalloy and a higher degree of oxygenation upon the second C-C bond cleavage on the higher-Ni-content nanoalloy. The face-centered-cubic-type phase structures of the nanoalloys under the oxidation condition are shown to exhibit Ni-content-dependent changes of lattice strains, featuring the strongest strain with little variation for the higher-Ni-content nanoalloy, in contrast to the weaker strains with oscillatory variation for the lower-Ni-content nanoalloys. This process is also accompanied by oxygenation of the metal components in the nanoalloy, showing a higher degree of oxygenation for the higher-Ni-content nanoalloy. These subtle differences in phase structure and surface activity changes correlate with the Ni-composition-dependent catalytic activity of the nanoalloys, which sheds a fresh light on the correlation between the dynamic change of atomic strains and the surface reactivity and has significant implications for the design of oxidation catalysts with enhanced activities.
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- 2022
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6. Earth-Abundant Fe and Ni Dually Doped Co2P for Superior Oxygen Evolution Reactivity and as a Bifunctional Electrocatalyst toward Renewable Energy-Powered Overall Alkaline Water Splitting
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Peng Zheng, David R. Baker, Jiangtian Li, Asher C. Leff, Rongzhong Jiang, and Deryn Chu
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Materials science ,business.industry ,Doping ,Inorganic chemistry ,Earth abundant ,Oxygen evolution ,Energy Engineering and Power Technology ,Alkaline water ,Electrocatalyst ,Renewable energy ,chemistry.chemical_compound ,chemistry ,Materials Chemistry ,Electrochemistry ,Chemical Engineering (miscellaneous) ,Reactivity (chemistry) ,Electrical and Electronic Engineering ,Bifunctional ,business - Published
- 2021
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7. Visualizing Ligand-Mediated Bimetallic Nanocrystal Formation Pathways with in Situ Liquid-Phase Transmission Electron Microscopy Synthesis
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Asher C. Leff, Yue Li, Taylor J. Woehl, and Mei Wang
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In situ ,Materials science ,Ligand ,General Engineering ,Rational design ,General Physics and Astronomy ,Liquid phase ,Nanotechnology ,02 engineering and technology ,010402 general chemistry ,021001 nanoscience & nanotechnology ,01 natural sciences ,0104 chemical sciences ,Nanocrystal ,Transmission electron microscopy ,General Materials Science ,0210 nano-technology ,Bimetallic strip ,Colloidal synthesis - Abstract
Colloidal synthesis of alloyed multimetallic nanocrystals with precise composition control remains a challenge and a critical missing link in theory-driven rational design of functional nanomateria...
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- 2021
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8. Dynamically reconfigurable electronic and phononic properties in intercalated HfS2
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Asher C. Leff, Adam A. Wilson, Madan Dubey, Sina Najmaei, and Chinedu Ekuma
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Materials science ,Phonon ,Mechanical Engineering ,Reconfigurability ,chemistry.chemical_element ,Nanotechnology ,02 engineering and technology ,010402 general chemistry ,021001 nanoscience & nanotechnology ,Condensed Matter Physics ,01 natural sciences ,0104 chemical sciences ,Hafnium ,symbols.namesake ,Thermal conductivity ,Neuromorphic engineering ,chemistry ,Mechanics of Materials ,Electrical resistivity and conductivity ,symbols ,General Materials Science ,van der Waals force ,0210 nano-technology ,Material properties - Abstract
Dynamic reconfigurability of material properties is essential to enabling innovative neuromorphic- and quantum-computing paradigms. The unique structure of van der Waals layers can facilitate a robust mechanism for this desired reconfigurability. Here, we present a highly versatile and effective approach, based on electrochemical intercalation of organometallics, to control the electron and phonon behavior in hafnium disulfide. Computational and experimental exploration of the physical properties in the intercalated material indicates a significant and measured change. Furthermore, the weak chemical interactions between the organometallics and hafnium disulfide enable an electric-field mediated intercalant drift and charge–discharge process. The control of organometallic concentration in this way provides a dynamic 400-fold control of cross-plane electrical conductivity (1.8 μS/cm–741 μS/cm) and a corresponding 4-fold control of cross-plane thermal conductivity in hafnium disulfide (0.35 Wm−1 K−1–1.45 Wm−1 K−1). Our findings unveil a broad approach to dynamically design layered-material properties for high-performance electronic and phononic applications.
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- 2020
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9. Multimetallic FeCoNiOx Nanoparticles Covered with Nitrogen-Doped Graphene Layers as Trifunctional Catalysts for Hydrogen Evolution and Oxygen Reduction and Evolution
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Sheng S. Zhang, Dat T. Tran, Rongzhong Jiang, David R. Baker, Jiangtian Li, and Asher C. Leff
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Materials science ,Chemical engineering ,Zinc–air battery ,Spinel ,Oxygen evolution ,engineering ,Water splitting ,Nanoparticle ,General Materials Science ,Core (manufacturing) ,Hydrogen evolution ,engineering.material ,Catalysis - Abstract
This Article demonstrates the synthesis and catalysis of a functional material with one core and dual shells containing an alloyed FeCoNi core covered with a thin layer of spinel oxides and encapsu...
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- 2020
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10. Ex-situ catalytic fast pyrolysis of wood chips over lamellar MFI zeolite supported nickel catalyst
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Sampath Gunukula, Laleh Emdadi, Asher C. Leff, Sampath A. Karunarathne, Sichao Cheng, Wei Wu, Dongxia Liu, and Dat T. Tran
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Fuel Technology ,Analytical Chemistry - Published
- 2023
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11. Evolution of β-phase precipitates in an aluminum-magnesium alloy at the nanoscale
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Mitra L. Taheri, Daniel L. Foley, Andrew C. Lang, and Asher C. Leff
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010302 applied physics ,Materials science ,Polymers and Plastics ,Magnesium ,Metals and Alloys ,chemistry.chemical_element ,02 engineering and technology ,021001 nanoscience & nanotechnology ,01 natural sciences ,Electronic, Optical and Magnetic Materials ,Condensed Matter::Materials Science ,chemistry ,Transmission electron microscopy ,Chemical physics ,Metastability ,0103 physical sciences ,Ceramics and Composites ,Precession electron diffraction ,Grain boundary ,Solvus ,Magnesium alloy ,0210 nano-technology ,High-resolution transmission electron microscopy - Abstract
Aluminum alloys in the 5xxx series are susceptible to sensitization due to the formation of β (Al3Mg2) at grain boundaries at moderate to low temperatures. Little is known about the mechanism of β phase formation, which is thought to be preceded by the metastable phases β’’ and β’. Using high-resolution transmission electron microscopy (HRTEM), energy dispersive x-ray spectroscopy (EDS), and precession electron diffraction (PED), we determine a parameter space for β phase precipitates at various sensitization temperatures and investigate their growth habits and local matrix strain states along grain boundaries. Our findings reveal that metastable β-related phases are present at low aging temperatures, while the equilibrium β phase is present at temperatures well above the previously described solvus of similar alloys. Furthermore, the phases were found to prefer particular grain boundary planes and contribute to the local grain boundary strain state differently. Overall, these findings present a unified view of β phase evolution and its contribution to lattice strain environments in aluminum magnesium alloys, which serves as a foundation for use in a range of temperatures and environments.
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- 2020
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12. Origin of High Activity and Durability of Twisty Nanowire Alloy Catalysts under Oxygen Reduction and Fuel Cell Operating Conditions
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Fangfang Chang, Jin Luo, Haval Kareem, Gang Yu, Zhijie Kong, Zhi-Peng Wu, Sanghyun Nam, Sarvjit Shastri, Chuan-Jian Zhong, Asher C. Leff, Jason M. Lee, Valeri Petkov, Yazan Maswadeh, Dat T. Tran, Shan Yan, Jorge A. Vargas, Shiyao Shan, and Xingfang Zhao
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inorganic chemicals ,Chemistry ,organic chemicals ,Alloy ,Nanowire ,General Chemistry ,engineering.material ,010402 general chemistry ,01 natural sciences ,Biochemistry ,Durability ,Catalysis ,Oxygen reduction ,0104 chemical sciences ,Colloid and Surface Chemistry ,Chemical engineering ,engineering ,High activity ,Fuel cells ,Oxygen reduction reaction ,heterocyclic compounds - Abstract
The ability to control the surface composition and morphology of alloy catalysts is critical for achieving high activity and durability of catalysts for oxygen reduction reaction (ORR) and fuel cells. This report describes an efficient surfactant-free synthesis route for producing a twisty nanowire (TNW) shaped platinum-iron (PtFe) alloy catalyst (denoted as PtFe TNWs) with controllable bimetallic compositions. PtFe TNWs with an optimal initial composition of ∼24% Pt are shown to exhibit the highest mass activity (3.4 A/mg
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- 2019
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13. Surface Plasmon Resonant Gold-Palladium Bimetallic Nanoparticles for Promoting Catalytic Oxidation
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Cynthia A. Lundgren, Joshua P. McClure, Jonathan Boltersdorf, Gregory T. Forcherio, and Asher C. Leff
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Materials science ,Mechanical Engineering ,Nanoparticle ,chemistry.chemical_element ,02 engineering and technology ,010402 general chemistry ,021001 nanoscience & nanotechnology ,Condensed Matter Physics ,Photochemistry ,01 natural sciences ,0104 chemical sciences ,Catalysis ,chemistry.chemical_compound ,chemistry ,Catalytic oxidation ,Mechanics of Materials ,Titanium dioxide ,Photocatalysis ,General Materials Science ,Surface plasmon resonance ,0210 nano-technology ,Bimetallic strip ,Palladium - Abstract
Colloidal gold-palladium (Au-Pd) bimetallic nanoparticles were used as catalysts to study the ethanol (EtOH) photo-oxidation cycle, with an emphasis towards driving carbon-carbon (C-C) bond cleavage at low temperatures. Au-Pd bimetallic alloy and core-shell nanoparticles were prepared to synergistically couple a plasmonic absorber (Au) with a catalytic metal (Pd) with composite optical and catalytic properties tailored towards promoting photocatalytic oxidation. Catalysts utilizing metals that exhibit localized surface plasmon resonance (SPR) can be harnessed for light-driven enhancement for small molecule oxidation via augmented photocarrier generation/separation and photothermal conversion. The coupling of Au to Pd in an alloy or core-shell nanostructure maintains SPR-induced charge separation, mitigates the poisoning effects on Pd, and allows for improved EtOH oxidation. The Au-Pd nanoparticles were coupled to semiconducting titanium dioxide photocatalysts to probe their effects on plasmonically-assisted photocatalytic oxidation of EtOH. Complete oxidation of EtOH to CO2 under solar simulated-light irradiation was confirmed by monitoring the yield of gaseous products. Bimetallics provide a pathway for driving desired photocatalytic and photoelectrochemical reactions with superior catalytic activity and selectivity.
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- 2019
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14. Thick uniform epsilon-near-zero ITO films grown by hi-power impulse magnetron sputtering
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Andrew S. DeLoach, Jimmy H. Ni, Asher C. Leff, Wendy L. Sarney, and Weimin Zhou
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Electronic, Optical and Magnetic Materials - Abstract
We report on the growth and characterization of wavelength-thick indium tin oxide (ITO) films deposited using high power impulse magnetron sputtering (HiPIMS) with post deposition processing to achieve an epsilon near zero (ENZ) property at 1550 nm telecom wavelengths. The goal is to fabricate 1550 nm ENZ films for use as claddings for waveguides, resonators, or high-contrast metastructures in photonic devices operated at telecom wavelengths. We developed a HiPIMS growth and post-annealing process to improve on existing ENZ ITO quality and uniformity. By consecutively annealing the ITO film, the plasma frequency gradually shifts, enabling fine tuning of the ENZ wavelength regime from 1800 to 1500 nm. The films were characterized using spectroscopic ellipsometry, transmission electron microscopy, x-ray diffraction, and energy dispersive x-ray spectroscopy. Our micro-analyses shows that the change in the microstructure resulted in the change in the optical properties of the ITO. These findings allow us to control the ENZ property at the desired wavelength and reduce the absorption loss, which is beneficial for device application.
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- 2022
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15. Tuning superconductivity in Ge:Ga using Ga+ implantation energy
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Javad Shabani, Matthieu C. Dartiailh, Joseph Yuan, Mehdi Hatefipour, William Mayer, Asher C. Leff, Kasra Sardashti, T. Nguyen, and Wendy L. Sarney
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Superconductivity ,Quantum phase transition ,Materials science ,Physics and Astronomy (miscellaneous) ,Condensed matter physics ,chemistry.chemical_element ,Germanium ,Coupling (probability) ,Nanocrystalline material ,Condensed Matter::Materials Science ,Paramagnetism ,chemistry ,General Materials Science ,Gallium ,Critical field - Abstract
High-fluence gallium $({\mathrm{Ga}}^{+})$ implantation at medium energies is proven to be an effective tool in forming superconducting (SC) thin films in germanium (Ge). By changing the post-implantation annealing conditions nanocrystalline to single-crystalline Ge matrices have been produced. Irrespective of crystallinity, such processes have mostly led to supersaturated Ge:Ga films where superconductivity is controlled by the extent of coherent coupling between Ga precipitates. Here we use ${\mathrm{Ga}}^{+}$ implantation energy as a means to tailor the spatial distribution and the coupling energy of the Ga precipitates. By systematic structural and magneto-transport studies, we unravel the complex connection between the internal structure of Ge:Ga films and their global SC parameters. At the shallowest implantation depth, we observe the strongest coupling leading to a robust superconductivity that sustains parallel magnetic fields as high as 9.95 T, above the conventional Pauli paramagnetic limit and consistent with a quasi-2D geometry. Further measurements at mK temperatures revealed an anomalous upturn in perpendicular critical field ${\mathrm{B}}_{\ensuremath{\perp}}$ vs temperature whose curvature and thus origin may be tuned between weakly coupled SC arrays and vortex glass states with quenched disorder. This warrants future investigations into Ge:Ga films for applications where tunable disorder is favorable, including test-beds for quantum phase transitions and superinductors in quantum circuits.
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- 2021
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16. Topology Optimized Aluminum Heat Sinks for Steady-State and Transient Operation
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Darin J. Sharar, Asher C. Leff, and Adam A. Wilson
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Filter (large eddy simulation) ,Materials science ,Fin ,Steady state ,Topology optimization ,Topology (electrical circuits) ,Transient (oscillation) ,Mechanics ,Heat transfer coefficient ,Heat sink - Abstract
This study reports the use of numerical topology optimization schemes to design heat sinks for steady-state and transient operation. Using COMSOL 5.6, a circular heat sink design space is considered to model temperature as a function of design fill factor. An initial parameterization of Helmholtz filter (minimum feature size) from 125 to 2000µm and penalization factor from 2 to 7, shows that smaller feature size improves performance. Using a moderate selective laser melting tolerance of 250µm, we perform solid-isotropic-material-with-penalization (SIMP) simulations to show the impact of heat transfer coefficient (from 5 to 100 Wm-2K-1) on fill factor. Intuitively, higher heat transfer coefficient requires less aluminum fin material for a given design point. The transient results are less intuitive and represent a unique progression from a preference for larger quantities of material near the heat source with sparse or nonexistent fins to designs that converge to steady state solutions at large times. It is found that the transient approach is preferred over steady state, particularly for low time steps, where significant weight savings can be realized. These results demonstrate the benefits of transient topology optimization approaches using COMSOL 5.6 and set the stage for future numerical transient mitigation approaches.
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- 2021
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17. Development of thick epsilon-near-zero ITO metafilms for use in metastructure and metasurface devices
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Jimmy H. Ni, Andrew S. DeLoach, Asher C. Leff, Weimin Zhou, and Wendy L. Sarney
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Cladding (metalworking) ,Wavelength ,Fabrication ,Materials science ,business.industry ,Annealing (metallurgy) ,Pulsed DC ,Optoelectronics ,Sputter deposition ,High-power impulse magnetron sputtering ,business ,Indium tin oxide - Abstract
We report our development of Indium tin oxide (ITO) films with thicknesses greater than the typical optical telecommunication wavelength bands (~1550 nm) having epsilon-near-zero (ENZ) property at 1550 nm wavelength for the purpose of providing a new ENZ material platform for building high-contrast metastructure and metasurface devices. The films were grown using a high-power impulse magnetron sputtering (HiPIMS) tool, which allows for more control over film growth. A post-growth thermal annealing allowed the ITO film to reach the ENZ condition at the desirable wavelength. Our goal is to understand how deposition parameters and post deposition annealing conditions affect the film’s optical properties, therefore obtaining a controllable fabrication process for a desired optical property. Using spectroscopic ellipsometry to characterize the films, we show that the thick ITO films grown with HiPIMS exhibit ENZ behavior after post deposition annealing. The regime in which the material exhibits ENZ behavior is shown to be tunable within the wavelength range of 1500-1650 nm by varying the anneal temperature, anneal time, and oxygen exposure during anneal. In comparison with other thick ITO films grown with conventional pulsed DC magnetron sputtering, the optical constants of HiPIMS ITO films are shown to be much more constant with less variation throughout the bulk of the film. This result shows that these ITO films can be used to design a new family of opto-electronic devices that use ENZ ITO as the low-index base for high-contrast metasurface devices and as cladding for waveguides or optical cavities.
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- 2021
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18. Developing a chip-scale optical clock
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Stephen Anderson, Tanvir Mahmood, Patrick G. Sykes, Andrew S. DeLoach, Weimin Zhou, Asher C. Leff, Wendy L. Sarney, Jimmy H. Ni, James P. Cahill, and Sang-Yeon Cho
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business.industry ,Computer science ,Optical engineering ,General Engineering ,Physics::Optics ,Metamaterial ,02 engineering and technology ,Chip ,01 natural sciences ,Atomic and Molecular Physics, and Optics ,010309 optics ,Interferometry ,Resonator ,020210 optoelectronics & photonics ,0103 physical sciences ,0202 electrical engineering, electronic engineering, information engineering ,Electronic engineering ,Time transfer ,Photonics ,business ,Block (data storage) - Abstract
We report our in-house R&D efforts of designing and developing key integrated photonic devices and technologies for a chip-scale optical oscillator and/or clock. This would provide precision sources to RF-photonic systems. It could also be the basic building block for a photonic technology to provide positioning, navigation, and timing as well as 5G networks. Recently, optical frequency comb (OFC)-based timing systems have been demonstrated for ultra-precision time transfer. Our goal is to develop a semiconductor-based, integrated photonic chip to reduce the size, weight, and power consumption, and cost of these systems. Our approach is to use a self-referenced interferometric locking circuit to provide short-term stabilization to a micro-resonator-based OFC. For long-term stabilization, we use an epsilon-near-zero (ENZ) metamaterial to design an environment-insensitive cavity/resonator, thereby enabling a chip-scale optical long-holdover clock.
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- 2021
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19. Visualizing Ligand-Mediated Bimetallic Nanocrystal Formation Pathways with
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Mei, Wang, Asher C, Leff, Yue, Li, and Taylor J, Woehl
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Colloidal synthesis of alloyed multimetallic nanocrystals with precise composition control remains a challenge and a critical missing link in theory-driven rational design of functional nanomaterials. Liquid-phase transmission electron microscopy (LP-TEM) enables direct visualization of nanocrystal formation mechanisms that can inform discovery of design rules for nanocrystal synthesis, but it remains unclear whether the salient flask synthesis chemistry is preserved under electron beam irradiation during LP-TEM. Here, we demonstrate controlled
- Published
- 2021
20. Visualizing Ligand-Mediated Bimetallic Nanocrystal Formation Pathways with In Situ Liquid Phase Transmission Electron Microscopy Synthesis
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Mei Wang, Yue Li, Asher C. Leff, and Taylor J. Woehl
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In situ ,Materials science ,Nanocrystal ,Ligand ,Transmission electron microscopy ,Molecule ,Nanoparticle ,equipment and supplies ,Photochemistry ,Bimetallic strip ,Nanomaterials - Abstract
Colloidal synthesis of alloyed multimetallic nanocrystals with precise composition control remains a challenge and a critical missing link in theory-driven rational design of functional nanomaterials. Liquid phase transmission electron microscopy (LP-TEM) enables directly visualizing nanocrystal formation mechanisms that can inform discovery of design rules for colloidal multimetallic nanocrystal synthesis, but it remains unclear whether the salient chemistry of the flask synthesis is preserved in the extreme electron beam radiation environment during LPTEM. Here we demonstrate controlled in situ LP-TEM synthesis of alloyed AuCu nanoparticles while maintaining the molecular structure of electron beam sensitive metal thiolate precursor complexes. Ex situ flask synthesis experiments showed that nearly equimolar AuCu alloys formed from heteronuclear metal thiolate complexes, while gold-rich alloys formed in their absence. Systematic dose rate-controlled in situ LP-TEM synthesis experiments established a range of electron beam synthesis conditions that formed alloyed AuCu nanoparticles with similar alloy composition, random alloy structure, and particle size distribution shape as those from ex situ flask synthesis, indicating metal thiolate complexes were preserved under these conditions. Reaction kinetic simulations of radical-ligand reactions revealed that polymer capping ligands acted as effective hydroxyl radical scavengers during LP-TEM synthesis and prevented metal thiolate oxidation at low dose rates. In situ synthesis experiments and ex situ atomic scale imaging revealed that a key role of metal thiolate complexes was to prevent copper atom oxidation and facilitate formation of prenucleation cluster intermediates. This work demonstrates that complex ion precursor chemistry can be maintained during LP-TEM imaging, enabling probing nanocrystal formation mechanisms with LP-TEM under reaction conditions representative of ex situ flask synthesis.
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- 2020
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21. Additively Manufacturing Nitinol as a Solid-State Phase Change Material
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Adam A. Wilson, Andrew N. Smith, Ibrahim Karaman, Raymundo Arroyave, Alaa Elwany, K. Can Atli, Asher C. Leff, and Darin J. Sharar
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020209 energy ,Solid-state ,02 engineering and technology ,Conductivity ,021001 nanoscience & nanotechnology ,Phase-change material ,Temperature measurement ,Thermal conductivity ,Latent heat ,0202 electrical engineering, electronic engineering, information engineering ,Transient (oscillation) ,Composite material ,0210 nano-technology ,Reduction (mathematics) - Abstract
This study reports the use of Additively Manufactured nitinol as a high-performance metallic solid-solid phase change material. Compared to standard phase change materials, which offer point solutions, it’s shown here that latent heat, thermal conductivity, and transformation temperature can be tuned in additively manufactured nitinol by adjusting the chemistry, processing parameters, and heat treatment. Leveraging these results, a 28% reduction in peak temperature during a simulated transient electronic application is demonstrated. It’s anticipated that these perennial results, combined with future optimization efforts, will encourage new phase change material development and architecture designs.
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- 2020
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22. Implications of Microstructure in Helium-Implanted Nanocrystalline Metals
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James E. Nathaniel, Osman El-Atwani, Shu Huang, Jaime Marian, Asher C. Leff, Jon K. Baldwin, Khalid Hattar, and Mitra L. Taheri
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food and beverages ,extreme environments ,radiation effects ,ion irradiation ,helium bubble ,nanocrystalline ,General Materials Science - Abstract
Helium bubbles are known to form in nuclear reactor structural components when displacement damage occurs in conjunction with helium exposure and/or transmutation. If left unchecked, bubble production can cause swelling, blistering, and embrittlement, all of which substantially degrade materials and—moreover—diminish mechanical properties. On the mission to produce more robust materials, nanocrystalline (NC) metals show great potential and are postulated to exhibit superior radiation resistance due to their high defect and particle sink densities; however, much is still unknown about the mechanisms of defect evolution in these systems under extreme conditions. Here, the performances of NC nickel (Ni) and iron (Fe) are investigated under helium bombardment via transmission electron microscopy (TEM). Bubble density statistics are measured as a function of grain size in specimens implanted under similar conditions. While the overall trends revealed an increase in bubble density up to saturation in both samples, bubble density in Fe was over 300% greater than in Ni. To interrogate the kinetics of helium diffusion and trapping, a rate theory model is developed that substantiates that helium is more readily captured within grains in helium-vacancy complexes in NC Fe, whereas helium is more prone to traversing the grain matrices and migrating to GBs in NC Ni. Our results suggest that (1) grain boundaries can affect bubble swelling in grain matrices significantly and can have a dominant effect over crystal structure, and (2) an NC-Ni-based material can yield superior resistance to irradiation-induced bubble growth compared to an NC-Fe-based material and exhibits high potential for use in extreme environments where swelling due to He bubble formation is of significant concern.
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- 2022
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23. Visible Light-Promoted Plasmon Resonance to Induce 'Hot' Hole Transfer and Photothermal Conversion for Catalytic Oxidation
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Joshua P. McClure, David R. Baker, Jonathan Boltersdorf, Cynthia A. Lundgren, Asher C. Leff, and Gregory T. Forcherio
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Materials science ,Formic acid ,02 engineering and technology ,010402 general chemistry ,021001 nanoscience & nanotechnology ,Photochemistry ,01 natural sciences ,0104 chemical sciences ,Surfaces, Coatings and Films ,Electronic, Optical and Magnetic Materials ,chemistry.chemical_compound ,General Energy ,chemistry ,Catalytic oxidation ,Titanium dioxide ,Photocatalysis ,Nanorod ,Physical and Theoretical Chemistry ,Surface plasmon resonance ,0210 nano-technology ,Bond cleavage ,Visible spectrum - Abstract
Titanium dioxide (TiO2) semiconductor photocatalysts were photosensitized to the visible spectrum with gold nanospheres (AuNSs) and gold nanorods (AuNRs) to study the ethanol photo-oxidation cycle, with an emphasis toward driving carbon–carbon (C–C) bond cleavage at low temperatures. The photocatalysts exhibited a localized surface plasmon resonance (SPR) that was harnessed to drive the complete photo-oxidation of formic acid (FA) and ethanol (EtOH) via augmented carrier generation/separation and photothermal conversion. Contributions of transverse and longitudinal localized SPR modes were decoupled by irradiating AuNSs–TiO2 and AuNRs–TiO2 with targeted wavelength ranges to probe their effects on plasmonically assisted photocatalytic oxidation of FA and EtOH. Photocatalytic performance was assessed by monitoring the yield of gaseous products during photo-oxidation experiments using a gas chromatography–mass spectrometry–multiple headspace extraction (GC–MS–MHE) analysis method. The complete oxidation of E...
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- 2018
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24. Targeted Deposition of Platinum onto Gold Nanorods by Plasmonic Hot Electrons
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Kyle N. Grew, Asher C. Leff, Jonathan Boltersdorf, David R. Baker, Cynthia A. Lundgren, Gregory T. Forcherio, and Joshua P. McClure
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Materials science ,Surface plasmon ,Nucleation ,chemistry.chemical_element ,02 engineering and technology ,010402 general chemistry ,021001 nanoscience & nanotechnology ,Photochemistry ,01 natural sciences ,0104 chemical sciences ,Surfaces, Coatings and Films ,Electronic, Optical and Magnetic Materials ,Dipole ,General Energy ,chemistry ,Photocatalysis ,Surface modification ,Nanorod ,Physical and Theoretical Chemistry ,0210 nano-technology ,Platinum ,Plasmon - Abstract
Photocatalytic assembly of heterometallic nanoarchitectures via plasmonic hot electrons is demonstrated by liquid-phase, reductive photodeposition of platinum (Pt) onto gold nanorods (AuNR) under longitudinal surface plasmon (LSP) excitation. Nucleation of Pt0 from PtCl62– was initiated by plasmonic hot electrons at the Au surface. Sub-5 nm epitaxial overgrowth of Pt followed a core–shell morphology. Measured 6.5 longitudinal:transversal growth aspect ratio revealed longitudinal growth preferentiality that was consistent with the LSP dipole polarity. In situ spectroscopic monitoring of the photocatalytic growth process permitted real-time feedback into Au surface functionalization with PtCl62– according to 16 nm red-shift in its Cl–Pt ligand-to-metal charge-transfer (LπMCT) band involving ligand π orbitals. Subsequent Pt0 growth kinetics were tracked using the LπMCT band. Discrete dipole models elucidated evolving light-matter interactions of Pt-decorated AuNR that were consistent with experimental charac...
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- 2018
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25. Visualizing non-classical formation pathways of alloyed nanocrystals with liquid phase transmission electron microscopy
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Mei Wang, Taylor J. Woehl, Yue Li, and Asher C. Leff
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Materials science ,Nanocrystal ,Chemical engineering ,Transmission electron microscopy ,Liquid phase ,Instrumentation - Published
- 2021
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26. Growth conditions and mechanisms for IrOx nano-platelet formation by reactive sputtering
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Brendan Hanrahan, Adam A. Wilson, Bradley Sanchez, Manuel Rivas, David R. Baker, Paul Sunal, Milena B. Graziano, Thomas C. Parker, and Asher C. Leff
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Inorganic Chemistry ,Materials science ,Nanostructure ,X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy ,Chemical engineering ,Sputtering ,Rutile ,Scanning electron microscope ,Nano ,Materials Chemistry ,Sputter deposition ,Condensed Matter Physics ,Deposition (law) - Abstract
Iridium oxide (IrOx) forms a wide array of tailorable nanostructures, including plates, rods, and cones. Despite a strong body of literature on nanostructured IrOx, prior work did not explore the specific growth conditions and mechanisms for platelet formation. Here we report on how IrOx nanoplatelets take their form during DC reactive sputtering deposition, highlight the conditions and growth mechanisms that lead to unique nanostructures, and demonstrate changes in morphology and crystal orientation via x-ray diffraction (XRD), atomic force microscopy, scanning electron microscopy and x-ray photoelectron spectroscopy. The XRD spectra indicate that IrOx undergoes a substantial transition with increasing oxygen flow rate during deposition, with the initial face-centered cubic (1 1 1), (2 0 0) and (2 2 0) peaks vanishing, while the rutile (1 0 1) and (1 1 0) peaks emerge, with several intermediate peaks indicating transition species. Ultimately (1 0 1) emerges as the preferred orientation of the IrOx nanostructures, as evidenced by the time-series XRD spectra. Corresponding stress analysis indicates that in the absence of oxygen flow, the IrOx films are highly compressive, and that the film stress becomes significantly less compressive with increasing oxygen flow. This unlocks the use of IrOx as a highly tailorable nanostructured material, ranging from dense film to high aspect ratio platelets, by simply adjusting oxygen flow rate and/or sputtering time.
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- 2022
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27. Direct observation of recrystallization mechanisms during annealing of Cu in low and high strain conditions
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Christopher M. Barr, Asher C. Leff, Mitra L. Taheri, and A. Nye
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010302 applied physics ,In situ ,Materials science ,Scanning electron microscope ,Annealing (metallurgy) ,Mechanical Engineering ,Metals and Alloys ,Nucleation ,Recrystallization (metallurgy) ,chemistry.chemical_element ,02 engineering and technology ,021001 nanoscience & nanotechnology ,Condensed Matter Physics ,01 natural sciences ,Copper ,High strain ,chemistry ,Mechanics of Materials ,0103 physical sciences ,General Materials Science ,Composite material ,0210 nano-technology ,Crystal twinning - Abstract
Recrystallization and subsequent twin formation in > 99.99% pure copper is investigated by in situ annealing in a scanning electron microscope. Distinct microstructural evolution mechanisms are observed for specimens deformed using 5% and 25% cold-rolled reductions. Upon annealing the former, growth and twinning of existing grains via strain-induced boundary migration is observed while the latter exhibits nucleation and growth. Serial sectioning indicates that recrystallization in the low strain condition is surface dominant while nucleation occurs through thickness in the high strain condition. Geometrically necessary dislocation densities are calculated and mapped to identify the localized driving pressures for each recrystallization mechanism.
- Published
- 2018
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28. Unraveling the origin of twin related domains and grain boundary evolution during grain boundary engineering
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Asher C. Leff, Mitra L. Taheri, Roger D. Doherty, Ryan DeMott, and Christopher M. Barr
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010302 applied physics ,Austenite ,Materials science ,Polymers and Plastics ,Metallurgy ,Metals and Alloys ,Recrystallization (metallurgy) ,Geometry ,02 engineering and technology ,021001 nanoscience & nanotechnology ,01 natural sciences ,Electronic, Optical and Magnetic Materials ,Grain growth ,0103 physical sciences ,Ceramics and Composites ,Thermomechanical processing ,Grain boundary ,0210 nano-technology ,Crystal twinning ,Grain boundary strengthening ,Electron backscatter diffraction - Abstract
Grain boundary engineering of Fe-based austenitic stainless steels and other materials has been successful in producing a large increase in twin and twin related grain boundaries from a wide range of thermomechanical treatments. However, the exact mechanisms and effective grain boundary network descriptors to create the heavily twinned microstructures are yet to be fully understood. In this study, we provide insight into the grain boundary engineering process by examining sequential progression of the same spatial location of a twin related microstructure through thermomechanical processing. The results show that clusters of twin related grain boundaries called twin related domains form during primary recrystallization. The size of the twin related domains increases as the level of strain falls toward the critical strain for recrystallization. Growth of twin related domains during recrystallization results in the formation of twin boundaries behind the migrating grain boundary front. Formation of higher order twin boundaries occurs when two separate grain boundary fronts of the same twin related domain impinge upon each other. We also present relevant microstructural descriptors with emphasis on twin related domain statistics to recrystallization phenomena in grain boundary engineering materials.
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- 2018
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29. Direct observation of a coincident dislocation- and grain boundary-mediated deformation in nanocrystalline iron
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Asher C. Leff, G. Vetterick, Mitra L. Taheri, Khalid Hattar, M. Marshall, Jon K. Baldwin, and Amit Misra
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010302 applied physics ,Materials science ,Mechanical Engineering ,Metallurgy ,Superplasticity ,02 engineering and technology ,021001 nanoscience & nanotechnology ,Condensed Matter Physics ,01 natural sciences ,Grain size ,Nanocrystalline material ,Grain growth ,Deformation mechanism ,Mechanics of Materials ,0103 physical sciences ,General Materials Science ,Grain boundary ,Composite material ,0210 nano-technology ,Grain boundary strengthening ,Grain Boundary Sliding - Abstract
The vast majority of our understanding about the deformation mechanisms in nanocrystalline materials is limited to information gained from experimental and theoretical characterization of FCC materials. Related behavior in nanocrystalline BCC materials is not as frequently studied, and thus outstanding questions remain regarding deformation regimes and Hall-Petch trends. Using in situ TEM, we investigate the deformation mechanisms of nanocrystalline BCC iron films with an average grain size of 35 nm produced by physical vapor deposition. The tensile experiments showed that fracture resulted after strains of about 5%. Crack propagation occurred primarily by separation of grain boundaries at the crack tip, which was accompanied by localized intragranular ductile (often superplastic) fracture. Deformation at the crack tip was accommodated by dislocation motion, grain rotation, and grain growth. No evidence was observed of twinning in nanocrystalline BCC iron. The concurrent nature of the grain rotation and dislocation motion indicates that grain rotation occurs at fairly large grain sizes and there is no sharp transition from dislocation-mediated to grain boundary sliding mechanisms as grain size is decreased in BCC iron.
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- 2018
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30. NiTiHf shape memory alloys as phase change thermal storage materials
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Darin J. Sharar, Adam A. Wilson, Tejas Umale, K.C. Atli, Ibrahim Karaman, Asher C. Leff, William Trehern, and N. Hite
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Austenite ,Materials science ,Polymers and Plastics ,Metals and Alloys ,Thermodynamics ,Shape-memory alloy ,Thermal energy storage ,Electronic, Optical and Magnetic Materials ,Thermal conductivity ,Differential scanning calorimetry ,Nickel titanium ,Phase (matter) ,Ceramics and Composites ,Figure of merit - Abstract
Motivated by the recent advancements demonstrating the effectiveness of NiTi shape memory alloys (SMAs) as high figure of merit (FOM) phase change materials (PCMs) for thermal management and storage, NiTiHf SMAs were explored as candidate solid-solid PCMs with high temperature capability. Differential scanning calorimetry and Archimedes’ method were used to determine the transformation temperatures, thermal hysteresis, enthalpy of transformation, and density of several different NiTiHf SMAs with varying compositions. Ni50.3Ti29.7Hf20 (at. %) demonstrated a high transformation enthalpy of 32.5 J/g, a relatively low thermal hysteresis of 31°C and a thermal conductivity of 11.19 Wm−1K−1 in the austenite phase. In general, NiTiHf SMAs exhibited FOM values an order of magnitude higher than traditional PCMs and up to about 120 % higher than the FOM value measured in binary NiTi SMAs. The clear trends relating transformation temperatures, transformation enthalpy, and thermal hysteresis to composition presented here provide for tunability of NiTiHf SMAs to specific thermal energy storage applications through composition control. High FOM values combined with transformation temperatures surpassing 500°C allows NiTiHf alloys to populate previously empty regions of FOM vs. transformation temperature property space for high FOM PCMs.
- Published
- 2021
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31. On the accessibility of the disclination tensor from spatially mapped orientation data
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Christopher R. Weinberger, Asher C. Leff, and Mitra L. Taheri
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010302 applied physics ,Work (thermodynamics) ,Materials science ,Polymers and Plastics ,Series (mathematics) ,business.industry ,Orientation (computer vision) ,Metals and Alloys ,02 engineering and technology ,Disclination ,021001 nanoscience & nanotechnology ,01 natural sciences ,Outcome (probability) ,Electronic, Optical and Magnetic Materials ,Optics ,0103 physical sciences ,Ceramics and Composites ,Precession electron diffraction ,Tensor ,Statistical physics ,0210 nano-technology ,business ,Electron backscatter diffraction - Abstract
Disclinations, defects that accommodate rotational incompatibilities in a crystal lattice, have been described in detail in the literature, but rarely observed in solid materials. Recently, a method has been described by which it is proposed that disclination densities can be estimated using spatially resolved orientation data generated from electron backscatter diffraction or precession electron diffraction. Herein, a rigorous evaluation of this approach is performed. In this work, a series of constructed and real data sets are used to evaluate the methodology for estimating disclination densities from spatially mapped orientation data and demonstrate the inherent error associated with this approach. It is shown that the outcome of this analysis is heavily dependent on the how numerical approximations are implemented. If a self-consistent method is used, then the disclination tensor will always be zero and if an inconsistent method is used then the error in the estimation of the disclination tensor is unbounded. Therefore, although the theory behind the disclination tensor is sound, the inputs needed to calculate it are not experimentally accessible through the application of numerical approximation methods to orientation maps and a different methodology is needed.
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- 2017
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32. Cyclic compression response of micropillars extracted from textured nanocrystalline NiTi thin-walled tubes
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M. Kamarajugadda, K. Sharvan Kumar, Mitra L. Taheri, Hassan Ghassemi-Armaki, Jinesh Dahal, and Asher C. Leff
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010302 applied physics ,Materials science ,Polymers and Plastics ,Metals and Alloys ,02 engineering and technology ,Particle displacement ,Shape-memory alloy ,021001 nanoscience & nanotechnology ,01 natural sciences ,Nanocrystalline material ,Electronic, Optical and Magnetic Materials ,Stress (mechanics) ,Nickel titanium ,Transmission electron microscopy ,0103 physical sciences ,Ceramics and Composites ,Nanoindenter ,Texture (crystalline) ,Composite material ,0210 nano-technology - Abstract
Compression-compression cyclic deformation of nanocrystalline NiTi tubes intended for medical stents and with an outer diameter of 1 mm and wall thickness of 70 μm was studied using micropillars produced by FIB with the loading axis orthogonal to the tube axis. These micropillars were cycled in a displacement-controlled mode using a nanoindenter equipped with a flat punch to strain levels of 4, 6 and 8% in each cycle and specimens were subjected to several hundred cycles. The cyclic response of two NiTi tubes, one with Af of 17 °C and the other with an Af of −5 °C is compared. The texture of the tube with the Af of −5 °C was measured at the microscopic level using transmission electron microscopy and at the macroscopic level by X-ray diffraction and good agreement was noted. Characteristics such as i) a reduction in the forward transformation stress, ii) increase in maximum stress for a given displacement amplitude, and iii) a reduction in the hysteresis loop area, all with increasing number of cycles, observed typically during cyclic deformation of conventional macroscopic specimens, were captured in the micropillar cyclic tests. These observations lead to the conclusion that micropillar compression testing in a cyclic mode can enable characterizing the orientation-dependent response in such small dimension components that see complex loading in service, and additionally provide an opportunity for calibrating constitutive equations in micromechanical models.
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- 2017
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33. High-Capacity High-Power Thermal Energy Storage Using Solid-Solid Martensitic Transformations
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Andrew N. Smith, Asher C. Leff, Adam A. Wilson, and Darin J. Sharar
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Work (thermodynamics) ,Condensed Matter - Materials Science ,Materials science ,020209 energy ,Nuclear engineering ,Energy Engineering and Power Technology ,Materials Science (cond-mat.mtrl-sci) ,FOS: Physical sciences ,02 engineering and technology ,Shape-memory alloy ,Heat transfer physics ,Thermal energy storage ,Heat capacity ,Industrial and Manufacturing Engineering ,Thermal conductivity ,020401 chemical engineering ,Nickel titanium ,Latent heat ,0202 electrical engineering, electronic engineering, information engineering ,0204 chemical engineering - Abstract
Adding thermal conductivity enhancements to increase thermal power in solid-liquid phase-change thermal energy storage modules compromises volumetric energy density and often times reduces the mass and volume of active phase change material (PCM) by well over half. In this study, a new concept of building thermal energy storage modules using high-conductivity, solid-solid, shape memory alloys is demonstrated to eliminate this trade-off and enable devices that have both high heat transfer rate and high thermal capacity. Nickel titanium, Ni50.28Ti49.36, was solution heat treated and characterized using differential scanning calorimetry and Xenon Flash to determine transformation temperature (78deg-C), latent heat (183 kJm-3), and thermal conductivity in the Austenite and Martensite phases (12.92/12.64 Wm-1K-1). Four parallel-plate thermal energy storage demonstrators were designed, fabricated, and tested in a thermofluidic test setup. These included a baseline sensible heating module (aluminum), a conventional solid-liquid PCM module (aluminum/1-octadecanol), an all-solid-solid PCM module (Ni50.28Ti49.36), and a composite solid-solid/solid-liquid PCM module (Ni50.28Ti49.36/1-octadecanol). By using high-conductivity solid-solid PCMs, and eliminating the need for encapsulants and conductivity enhancements, we are able to demonstrate a 1.73-3.38 times improvement in volumetric thermal capacity and a 2.03-3.21 times improvement in power density as compared to the conventional approaches. These experimental results are bolstered by analytical models to explain the observed heat transfer physics and reveal a 5.86 times improvement in thermal time constant. This work demonstrates the ability to build high-capacity and high-power thermal energy storage modules using multifunctional shape memory alloys and opens the door for leap ahead improvement in thermal energy storage performance., Comment: 35 pages, 9 figures, submitted pre-decisional
- Published
- 2020
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34. Property Variation in Wavelength-thick Epsilon-Near-Zero ITO Metafilm for Near IR Photonic Devices
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Jimmy H. Ni, Weimin Zhou, Asher C. Leff, Wendy L. Sarney, and James P. Cahill
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Permittivity ,Diffraction ,Multidisciplinary ,Materials science ,business.industry ,Annealing (metallurgy) ,lcsh:R ,lcsh:Medicine ,02 engineering and technology ,021001 nanoscience & nanotechnology ,Cladding (fiber optics) ,01 natural sciences ,Article ,Indium tin oxide ,010309 optics ,Wavelength ,Metamaterials ,0103 physical sciences ,Optoelectronics ,lcsh:Q ,Photonics ,0210 nano-technology ,business ,Spectroscopy ,lcsh:Science - Abstract
Thin indium tin oxide (ITO) films have been used as a medium to investigate epsilon-near-zero (ENZ) behavior for unconventional tailoring and manipulation of the light-matter interaction. However, the ENZ wavelength regime has not been studied carefully for ITO films with thicknesses larger than the wavelength. Thick ENZ ITO film would enable the development of a new family of ENZ-based opto-electronic devices that take full advantage of the ENZ behavior. Here, we demonstrated wavelength-thick ITO films reaching the ENZ regime around a wavelength of 1550 nm, which permit the design of such devices operating in the common optical telecommunications wavelength band. We discovered that the permittivity of the film was non-uniform with respect to the growth direction. In particular, after annealing at a sufficiently high temperature, the real part of the permittivity showed a step change from negative to positive value, crossing zero permittivity near the middle of the film. Subsequently, we conducted comprehensive microanalysis with X-ray diffraction, transmission electron microscopy (TEM) and energy dispersive X-ray spectroscopy (EDS) to investigate the correlation of the permittivity variation with variations in the ITO crystallite morphology and relative concentrations of different atom species. The result of this study will allow us to design a new family of opto-electronic devices where ITO can be used as the cladding that guides light within an air-core waveguide to provide a new platform to explore ENZ properties such as environment insensitivity, super-coupling, and surface avoidance. We have also provided a comprehensive method to determine the permittivity in a non-uniform ENZ material by using an advanced physical model to the fit experimental data.
- Published
- 2019
35. Thick epsilon-near-zero metamaterial film (Conference Presentation)
- Author
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James P. Cahill, Jimmy H. Ni, Wendy L. Sarney, Weimin Zhou, and Asher C. Leff
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Physics ,Presentation ,Optics ,business.industry ,media_common.quotation_subject ,Zero (complex analysis) ,Metamaterial ,business ,media_common - Published
- 2019
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36. Photodeposition of Pd onto Colloidal Au Nanorods by Surface Plasmon Excitation
- Author
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Kyle N. Grew, David R. Baker, Jonathan Boltersdorf, Gregory T. Forcherio, Cynthia A. Lundgren, Asher C. Leff, and Joshua P. McClure
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Nanotubes ,Materials science ,General Immunology and Microbiology ,Lasers ,General Chemical Engineering ,General Neuroscience ,Surface plasmon ,Nanotechnology ,Gold Colloid ,Substrate (electronics) ,Surface Plasmon Resonance ,engineering.material ,Photochemical Processes ,General Biochemistry, Genetics and Molecular Biology ,X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy ,engineering ,Nanorod ,Noble metal ,Surface plasmon resonance ,Bimetallic strip ,Palladium ,Plasmon - Abstract
A protocol is described to photocatalytically guide Pd deposition onto Au nanorods (AuNR) using surface plasmon resonance (SPR). Excited plasmonic hot electrons upon SPR irradiation drive reductive deposition of Pd on colloidal AuNR in the presence of [PdCl4]2-. Plasmon-driven reduction of secondary metals potentiates covalent, sub-wavelength deposition at targeted locations coinciding with electric field "hot-spots" of the plasmonic substrate using an external field (e.g., laser). The process described herein details a solution-phase deposition of a catalytically-active noble metal (Pd) from a transition metal halide salt (H2PdCl4) onto aqueously-suspended, anisotropic plasmonic structures (AuNR). The solution-phase process is amenable to making other bimetallic architectures. Transmission UV-vis monitoring of the photochemical reaction, coupled with ex situ XPS and statistical TEM analysis, provide immediate experimental feedback to evaluate properties of the bimetallic structures as they evolve during the photocatalytic reaction. Resonant plasmon irradiation of AuNR in the presence of [PdCl4]2- creates a thin, covalently-bound Pd0 shell without any significant dampening effect on its plasmonic behavior in this representative experiment/batch. Overall, plasmonic photodeposition offers an alternative route for high-volume, economical synthesis of optoelectronic materials with sub-5 nm features (e.g., heterometallic photocatalysts or optoelectronic interconnects).
- Published
- 2019
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37. Effect of Grain Size on the Thermal Properties of Nickel-Titanium Shape Memory Alloys Across the Martensite-Austenite Phase Transition
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Adam A. Wilson, Darin J. Sharar, Andrew N. Smith, Nicholas T. Vu, Ronald J. Warzoha, Asher C. Leff, and Brian F. Donovan
- Subjects
Austenite ,Phase transition ,Differential scanning calorimetry ,Thermal conductivity ,Materials science ,Nickel titanium ,Volumetric heat capacity ,Shape-memory alloy ,Composite material ,Grain size - Abstract
In this work, the thermal conductivity and volumetric heat capacity of 50–50 NiTi shape memory alloys (SMA) with varying grain size are investigated as a function of temperature. SMAs, and NiTi in particular, have a critical role to play in next-generation solid-state refrigeration systems and long-term thermal storage applications. However, their performance in these applications is predicated on their latent heat, thermal conductivity and heat capacity. Complicating the prediction of their performance is the wide variability in reported results for each of these properties within the scientific literature and a lack of information regarding their temperature-dependence, particularly as SMAs experience a martensitic-austenitic phase transition. We use Frequency-Domain Thermoreflectance (FDTR) to probe the thermal transport properties of NiTi as a function of average grain size and temperature and report our results here. Differential Scanning Calorimetry (DSC) and Transmission Electron Microscopy (TEM) are used to characterize the phase transitions and microstructure of the NiTi, respectively. Collectively, these measurements provide a better understanding of the impact of grain size and phase transition on thermal transport and storage within NiTi as it changes phase, permitting improved predictions of their behavior in a host of important applications.
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- 2019
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38. Mitigation of hydrogen embrittlement in alloy custom age 625 PLUS® via grain boundary engineering
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Mitra L. Taheri, Ryan DeMott, Asher C. Leff, and Samuel J. Kernion
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Materials science ,Hydrogen ,Mechanical Engineering ,chemistry.chemical_element ,Fracture mechanics ,02 engineering and technology ,Intergranular corrosion ,010402 general chemistry ,021001 nanoscience & nanotechnology ,Condensed Matter Physics ,01 natural sciences ,0104 chemical sciences ,Intergranular fracture ,Brittleness ,chemistry ,Mechanics of Materials ,General Materials Science ,Grain boundary ,Composite material ,0210 nano-technology ,Stress intensity factor ,Hydrogen embrittlement - Abstract
Hydrogen embrittlement is the deterioration of mechanical properties in a metal exposed to hydrogen, often characterized by brittle, intergranular fracture at low applied stresses. While grain boundary engineering has been applied to mitigate this issue, ambiguity in the mechanisms behind hydrogen embrittlement leads to ambiguity in the mechanism by which grain boundary engineering helps to mitigate this problem. In this study, grain boundary engineering was applied to improve resistance to hydrogen embrittlement in Custom Age 625 PLUS®, an alloy frequently used in corrosive environments where hydrogen embrittlement is of particular concern. Iterative low strain cold rolling followed by annealing at intermediate temperature successfully produced a grain boundary engineered microstructure with large twin-related domains and a high fraction of interconnected coincident site lattice (CSL) boundaries. Rising step load testing demonstrated that grain boundary engineering increased the stress intensity at which failure from hydrogen embrittlement occurred and caused a shift from intergranular to transgranular crack propagation. Evidence of localized plasticity on fracture surfaces suggest that hydrogen-enhanced localized plasticity (HELP) is the dominant mechanism of hydrogen embrittlement.
- Published
- 2021
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39. (Invited) Photoelectrochemical Methanol Oxidation Under Visible and UV Excitation of TiO2-Supported TiN and Zrn Plasmonic Nanoparticles
- Author
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Olga A. Baturina, Albert Epshteyn, Gregory T. Forcherio, Asher C. Leff, Alexander O. Govorov, Blake S. Simpkins, Jonathan Boltersdorf, Eva Yazmin Santiago, and Andrew P. Purdy
- Subjects
Plasmonic nanoparticles ,chemistry.chemical_compound ,Materials science ,chemistry ,chemistry.chemical_element ,Methanol ,Photochemistry ,Tin ,Excitation - Abstract
TiN and ZrN nanoparticles (NPs) are an emerging class of plasmonic materials that can be used for harvesting energy of visible light in order to drive chemical reactions on the photocatalyst surface [1-3]. These refractory NPs effectively absorb light over l = 450-1200 nm, covering most of the solar spectrum. Both TiN and ZrN have the optical appearence of gold, but with the advantages of thermal stability, corrosion resistance and low cost. Previous theoretical and experimental research have shown that TiN does not exhibit as strong of a plasmonic resonance as gold (broader response, sample variability due to defect-dependent metallicity) [2, 4]. ZrN is expected to have a sharper blue-shifted local surface plasmon resonance (LSPR) response in comparison to TiN [4, 5]. Indeed, this theoretical prediction was verified by observation of a sharp plasmonic maximum for ZrN NPs decorated by a thin layer of SiN [4]. However, ZrN NPs appear to be less chemically inert owing to zirconium’s strong affinity for oxygen. A layer of dielectric ZrO2 forms on the surface of ZrN NPs even in the presence of trace oxygen. The oxide layer has a detrimental effect on the LSPR, leading to its broadening and red-shifting [5]. Herein both experimental and computational approaches are used in order to optimize the performance of TiO2-supported TiN and ZrN NPs towards photoelectrochemical methanol (CH3OH) oxidation under visible excitation. UV excitation is utilized in order to provide complementary information on the interaction between photogenerated carriers at the plasmonic NP/semiconductor interface. The effects of plasmonic catalyst loading and applied potential were examined. Reaction products were determined by gas chromatography-mass spectrometry analysis of ZrN/TiO2 and TiN/TiO2 aqueous suspensions. Optical spectra for both TiN and ZrN NPs were computed using COMSOL including calculations of these NPs in solution and embedded in a TiO2 matrix. To examine the effect of oxide layer, the NPs were decorated with the corresponding oxide layers. ZrN NPs were synthesized by ammonolysis of Zr(NMe2)4. Clean Zr(NMe2)4 was prepared following a protocol from the literature [6]. In-house made ZrN powder and commercial TiN NPs (PlasmaChem) were dispersed into a P25 TiO2 matrix via the sonochemically mediated mixing of the transition metal nitride and TiO2 NPs in 50:50 (v/v) H2O:ethanol mixture overnight. The resulting photocatalysts contained 0.5 - 5 wt. % loadings of TiN and ZrN on TiO2. The ZrN/TiO2, TiN/TiO2 and bare TiO2 films for photoelectrochemical experiments were prepared by drop-casting 60 mL of ink comprising 20 mg of the photocatalyst, 30 ml of 5 wt% Nafion solution (Ion Power), 2.96 ml H2O and 0.74 ml iso-propanol, on FTO slide (coated surface area of 0.385 cm2). Experiments were conducted in a three-electrode photoelectrochemical cell. The photocatalyst films deposited on FTO-coated glass substrates served as working electrodes, while Pt foil and Ag/AgCl in 3 M NaCl (BioLogic, Inc) were used as counter and reference electrodes, respectively. Nine single-color LED lights were employed for illumination. The intensities varied between 10-100 mW/cm2, and 300-480 mW/cm2 in the wavelength range of 490-670 and 730-960 nm, respectively. Our results indicate that optical properties and photocatalytic activity of ZrN/TiO2 are strongly affected by ZrN surface oxidation and agglomeration. We found that under visible illumination, both in-house synthesized 17 nm ZrN and commercial 30 nm TiN NPs promote TiO2 activity for CH3OH oxidation, while under visible + UV excitation, an inhibition effect is observed. The differences between the TiN/TiO2 and ZrN/TiO2 interfaces are discussed and the mechanisms of promotion/inhibition of TiO2 photocatalytic activity by ZrN and TiN NPs are proposed. References [1] A. Naldoni, U. Guler, Z.X. Wang, M. Marelli, F. Malara, X.G. Meng, L.V. Besteiro, A.O. Govorov, A.V. Kildishev, A. Boltasseva, V.M. Shalaev, Advanced Optical Materials, 5 (2017) [2] O.A. Baturina, A. Epshteyn, B. Simpkins, N. Bhattarai, T.H. Brintlinger, E.Y. Santiago, A.O. Govorov, J. Electrochem. Soc 166 (2019) H485 [3] B. S. Simpkins, A. Purdy, A. Epshteyn and O. Baturina, J. Phys. Chem. C, 123 (2019) 13863 [4] T. Liu, L.V. Besteiro, Z. Wang, A.O. Govorov, Faraday Discussions, 214 (2019) 199. [5] S. Exarhos, A. Alvarez-Barragan, E. Aytan, A. A. Balandin and L. Mangolini, ACS Energy Lett., 3, 2349 (2018). [6] D. C. Bradley, I.M. Thomas, Proceedings of the Chemical Society, August 1959, 225-226.
- Published
- 2021
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40. The role of grain size in He bubble formation: Implications for swelling resistance
- Author
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James E. Nathaniel, Osman El-Atwani, Asher C. Leff, Jon K. Baldwin, Khalid Hattar, Mitra L. Taheri, and Brittany Muntifering
- Subjects
010302 applied physics ,Nuclear and High Energy Physics ,Materials science ,Misorientation ,Bubble ,02 engineering and technology ,021001 nanoscience & nanotechnology ,01 natural sciences ,Nanocrystalline material ,Grain size ,Crystallography ,Nuclear Energy and Engineering ,0103 physical sciences ,General Materials Science ,Grain boundary ,Liquid bubble ,Area density ,Composite material ,0210 nano-technology ,Grain boundary strengthening - Abstract
Nanocrystalline metals are postulated as radiation resistant materials due to their high defect and particle (e.g. Helium) sink density. Here, the performance of nanocrystalline iron films is investigated in-situ in a transmission electron microscope (TEM) using He irradiation at 700 K. Automated crystal orientation mapping is used in concert with in-situ TEM to explore the role of grain orientation and grain boundary character on bubble density trends. Bubble density as a function of three key grain size regimes is demonstrated. While the overall trend revealed an increase in bubble density up to a saturation value, grains with areas ranging from 3000 to 7500 nm 2 show a scattered distribution. An extrapolated swelling resistance based on bubble size and areal density indicated that grains with sizes less than 2000 nm 2 possess the greatest apparent resistance. Moreover, denuded zones are found to be independent of grain size, grain orientation, and grain boundary misorientation angle.
- Published
- 2017
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41. In situ Transmission Electron Microscopy He+ implantation and thermal aging of nanocrystalline iron
- Author
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Asher C. Leff, Rémi Dingreville, Aaron Dunn, Khalid Hattar, Brittany Muntifering, Mitra L. Taheri, Youwu Fang, and Jianmin Qu
- Subjects
In situ ,Nuclear and High Energy Physics ,Materials science ,Annealing (metallurgy) ,Metallurgy ,chemistry.chemical_element ,Thermal aging ,02 engineering and technology ,021001 nanoscience & nanotechnology ,01 natural sciences ,Crystallographic defect ,Nanocrystalline material ,In situ transmission electron microscopy ,Nuclear Energy and Engineering ,chemistry ,0103 physical sciences ,General Materials Science ,Grain boundary ,Composite material ,010306 general physics ,0210 nano-technology ,Helium - Abstract
The high density of interfaces in nanostructured materials are hypothesized to improve radiation tolerance compared to coarse-grained materials. In order to investigate the roles of vacancies, self-interstitials, and helium, both room temperature in situ TEM He+ implantation and annealing, as well as high temperature He+ implantation was performed on nanocrystalline iron. Dislocation loops are formed by the accumulation of mobile point defects rather than by displacement cascades at intermediate temperatures. Around 600 °C, loops disappeared through gradual shrinking, which is hypothesized to correspond to the annihilation of self-interstitial atoms by mobile vacancies that also resulted in cavity formation. The room temperature implantation resulted in cavities evenly distributed throughout the grain after annealing, whereas cavities were predominately observed at grain boundaries for the elevated temperature implantation. This difference is associated with the formation of stable helium-vacancy complexes in the grains during room temperature implantation, which is not present during high temperature implantation.
- Published
- 2016
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42. Quantitative assessment of the driving force for twin formation utilizing Nye tensor dislocation density mapping
- Author
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Mitra L. Taheri and Asher C. Leff
- Subjects
010302 applied physics ,Materials science ,Condensed matter physics ,Annealing (metallurgy) ,Mechanical Engineering ,Metals and Alloys ,02 engineering and technology ,021001 nanoscience & nanotechnology ,Microstructure ,Condensed Matter Physics ,01 natural sciences ,Nuclear magnetic resonance ,Materials Science(all) ,Mechanics of Materials ,Transmission electron microscopy ,0103 physical sciences ,Quantitative assessment ,Precession electron diffraction ,General Materials Science ,0210 nano-technology - Abstract
Transmission electron microscopy was coupled with precession electron diffraction methods to determine the role of local defect distributions in the formation and growth behavior of twin nuclei. Three distinct cases were observed that are indicative of three separate formation mechanisms, two as the result of annealing and the third as a result of deformation. While all of the observed cases are consistent with the proposed mechanisms for twin formation found in literature, this study marks the first experimental evidence to support all three mechanisms occurring simultaneously in the same microstructure.
- Published
- 2016
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43. The influence of solute on irradiation damage evolution in nanocrystalline thin-films
- Author
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Osman El-Atwani, Khalid Hattar, James E. Nathaniel, G. Vetterick, Pete Baldo, Mitra L. Taheri, Marquis A. Kirk, Asher C. Leff, and Jon K. Baldwin
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Nuclear and High Energy Physics ,Toughness ,Materials science ,02 engineering and technology ,Conductivity ,021001 nanoscience & nanotechnology ,01 natural sciences ,Grain size ,Nanocrystalline material ,010305 fluids & plasmas ,Nuclear Energy and Engineering ,Chemical engineering ,Transmission electron microscopy ,0103 physical sciences ,General Materials Science ,Grain boundary ,Irradiation ,0210 nano-technology ,Saturation (magnetic) - Abstract
Grain boundaries (GBs) are considered sinks where mobile defects are attracted and annihilated thereby hampering irradiation damage accumulation. Nanocrystalline (NC) metals characteristically have greater densities of GBs relative to their coarse-grained counterparts hence they are postulated to provide enhanced resistance to irradiation damage. The use of alloying as a means to impart synergistic properties such as corrosion resistance, increased toughness, or improved conductivity is well studied, yet the cooperative effects of solute addition and grain size in the nano-regime is not well understood. In this study, a combination of in situ ion irradiation, transmission electron microscopy (TEM), and automated crystal orientation mapping (ACOM) on model Ni, NiCr, Fe, and FeCr NC thin-films are used to provide experimental evidence that grain size and irradiation induced defect morphology (defect density and size) are not directly correlated due to defect agglomeration, annihilation at sinks, and saturation, while the addition of solute impedes defect mobility, altering the final damage state.
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- 2021
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44. Photoelectrochemical Methanol Oxidation Under Visible and UV Excitation of TiO2-Supported TiN and ZrN Plasmonic Nanoparticles
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Alexander O. Govorov, Olga A. Baturina, Blake S. Simpkins, Asher C. Leff, Andrew P. Purdy, Eva Yazmin Santiago, Albert Epshteyn, and Todd Brintlinger
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Plasmonic nanoparticles ,Materials science ,Renewable Energy, Sustainability and the Environment ,chemistry.chemical_element ,Condensed Matter Physics ,Photochemistry ,Surfaces, Coatings and Films ,Electronic, Optical and Magnetic Materials ,chemistry.chemical_compound ,chemistry ,Materials Chemistry ,Electrochemistry ,Methanol ,Tin ,Excitation - Abstract
TiN and ZrN refractory transition metal nitride nanoparticles (NPs) have recently emerged as an alternative to noble metals in plasmonic applications. However, plasmon-driven photocatalysis by ZrN NPs is largely unexplored. In this study, optical properties, morphology, crystal structure and surface composition of in-house synthesized and commercial ZrN nanoparticles (NPs) are vigorously characterized in order to select the best candidate material for evaluation of activity towards CH3OH photoelectrochemical oxidation. The photocatalytic activity of TiO2-supported ZrN NPs is compared to that of TiN/TiO2 as a function of NP loading and illumination wavelength. Our results indicate that optical properties and photocatalytic activity of ZrN/TiO2 are strongly affected by ZrN surface oxidation and agglomeration. We found that under visible illumination, both in-house synthesized 17 nm ZrN and commercial 30 nm TiN NPs promote TiO2 activity for CH3OH oxidation, while under visible + UV excitation, an inhibition effect is observed. The differences between the TiN/TiO2 and ZrN/TiO2 interfaces are discussed and the mechanisms of promotion/inhibition of TiO2 photocatalytic activity by ZrN and TiN NPs are proposed. Electromagnetic simulations are used to facilitate interpretation of experimental extinctions and photocatalytic activities.
- Published
- 2021
- Full Text
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45. Dielectric, energy storage, and loss study of antiferroelectric-like Al-doped HfO2 thin films
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Brendan Hanrahan, Alexis Payne, Jacob L. Jones, Owen Brewer, Nicholas A. Strnad, and Asher C. Leff
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010302 applied physics ,Materials science ,Physics and Astronomy (miscellaneous) ,Dopant ,Weibull modulus ,Doping ,02 engineering and technology ,Dielectric ,021001 nanoscience & nanotechnology ,01 natural sciences ,Ferroelectricity ,Energy storage ,Atomic layer deposition ,0103 physical sciences ,Thin film ,Composite material ,0210 nano-technology - Abstract
Antiferroelectric thin films have properties ideal for energy storage due to their lower losses compared to their ferroelectric counterparts as well as their robust endurance properties. We fabricated Al-doped HfO2 antiferroelectric thin films via atomic layer deposition at variable thicknesses (20 nm or 50 nm) with varying dopant concentrations (4 at. % or 8 at. %). 50 nm thick 8 at. % Al-doped HfO2 showed a maximum energy storage density of 63 J/cm3 while maintaining an efficiency of 85%. A study comparing these thin films revealed thicker films allowed for higher operating electric fields and thus higher energy storage densities at operating voltage. The loss tangents of the thin films at operating voltage were under 2% over the range of −4 to 4 MV/cm and at frequencies ranging from 500 Hz to 100 kHz. Reliability studies showed the thin films endure up to 106–107 cycles and the breakdown field of the films yielded Weibull moduli greater than 6 for all our thin films. The Weibull modulus provides a measurement of the consistency of the breakdown strength from sample to sample, with higher moduli indicating a more invariable result. These electrical characteristics along with the thin film's cycling endurance and reliability make antiferroelectric-like Al-doped thin films a promising material for energy storage applications.
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- 2020
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46. Gold-Palladium Bimetallic Nanoparticles for Inducing Surface Plasmon Resonance to Catalyze Ethanol Oxidation
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Asher C. Leff, Gregory T. Forcherio, and Jonathan Boltersdorf
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chemistry.chemical_compound ,Materials science ,Ethanol ,chemistry ,chemistry.chemical_element ,Nanoparticle ,Surface plasmon resonance ,Photochemistry ,Bimetallic strip ,Palladium - Abstract
Gold-palladium (Au-Pd) bimetallic nanoparticles were prepared as a series of alloy and core-shell nanostructures to synergistically couple plasmonic (Au) and catalytic (Pd) metals to tailor the optical and catalytic properties. Catalysts utilizing plasmonic metals that exhibit a localized surface plasmon resonance (SPR) can be harnessed for light-driven enhancement via augmented carrier generation/separation and photothermal conversion. Titania-supported Au-Pd bimetallic nanoparticles were used as catalysts to study the ethanol (EtOH) oxidation reaction, with an emphasis towards driving carbon-carbon (C-C) bond cleavage at low temperatures. Plasmonically-assisted photocatalytic oxidation of EtOH to CO2 under solar simulated-light irradiation was studied by monitoring the yield of gaseous products via suspended particle photocatalysis and electrochemical methods. Results are correlated with Au-Pd composition and homogeneity to maintain SPR-induced charge separation and mitigate the carbon monoxide poisoning effects on Pd. Under solar simulated conditions, carrier generation/separation and photothermal conversion was achieved, resulting in the photogenerated “hot” holes driving the photo-oxidation of EtOH primarily on the AuPd, providing a method to selectively cleave C-C bonds. Bimetallics provide a pathway for driving desired photocatalytic and photoelectrochemical reactions with superior catalytic activity and selectivity.
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- 2020
- Full Text
- View/download PDF
47. Comparison of Photocatalytic Activities of TiN and Zrn Nanoparticles Incorporated into TiO2matrix Under Visible Excitation
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Olga A Baturina, Jonathan Boltersdorf, Albert Epshteyn, Andrew Purdy, Blake Simpkins, Asher C Leff, Gregory T. Forcherio, Eva Santiago, and Alexander O. Govorov
- Abstract
TiN and ZrN belong to a new class of refractory transition metal nitride plasmonic materials that exhibit a localized surface plasmon resonance in visible and near-infrared spectral regions [1, 2]. TiN and ZrN exhibit an optical response analogous to that of the extensively studied plasmonic Au nanostructures thereby offering inexpensive, chemically and mechanically robust material alternative to Au for plasmon-mediated photocatalytic reactions. When plasmonic nanoparticle (NP) is integrated with a semiconducting TiO2 support, properties of the interface become important. Prior research highlighted two significant differences between the TiN/TiO2 and Au/TiO2 interfaces [3]. First, TiN does not form a Schottky barrier with TiO2, leading to poor separation of photogenerated carriers in the absence of an external bias. However, under positive potential bias, higher efficiencies of hot carrier collection are observed for TiN/TiO2 system as compared to Au/TiO2 [4]. Second, photocarriers generated via interband transitions in TiN may play a major role in photoelectrochemical reactions at the TiN/TiO2 interface, in contrast to the intraband transitions in Au NPs at the Au/TiO2 interface [4, 5]. Herein, we extend our scope to the ZrN/TiO2 interface that is predicted to benefit from higher rates of hot carrier generation in ZrN (vs TiN) [6]. The plasmonically-sensitized TiN/TiO2 and ZrN/TiO2 photocatalysts were investigated for methanol (CH3OH) photoelectrochemical oxidation under visible excitation. The effect of plasmonic NPs loading, applied potential, pH and CH3OH concentration were examined. Near-and far-field electrodynamic simulations and quantum calculations were performed to facilitate interpretation of photoelectrochemical experiments. Using COMSOL software, we computed both free-standing TiN and ZrN NPs, as well as embedded into a TiO2 matrix. The rates of resonant optical generation of over-barrier hot electrons were calculated using the quantum formalism. ZrN powder prepared in lab and commercial TiN NPs (PlasmaChem) were dispersed into a P25 TiO2 matrix by ultrasonically agitating metal nitride NPs and TiO2 powders in H2O overnight. ZrN NPs were synthesized by ammonolysis of Zr(NMe2)4 and subsequent annealing at 950 °C under NH3 flow; clean Zr(NMe2)4 was prepared following a literature protocol [7]. Electrochemical experiments were conducted in a three-electrode photoelectrochemical cell. Thin films of TiN/TiO2 and ZrN/TiO2 deposited onto fluorine-tin-oxide (FTO)-coated glass served as working electrodes. Platinum foil and Ag/AgCl in 3 M NaCl (BioLogic, Inc) were used as a counter and reference electrodes, respectively. Nine single-color LED lights were employed for illumination. The intensities varied between 10-100 mW/cm2, and 300-480 mW/cm2 in the wavelength range of 490-670 and 730-960 nm, respectively. References [1] G.V. Naik, J.L. Schroeder, X. Ni, A.V. Kildishev, T.D. Sands, A. Boltasseva, Optical Materials Express, 2 (2012) 478. [2] U. Guler, A. Boltasseva, V.M. Shalaev, Science, 344 (2014) 263. [3] A. Naldoni, U. Guler, Z.X. Wang, M. Marelli, F. Malara, X.G. Meng, L.V. Besteiro, A.O. Govorov, A.V. Kildishev, A. Boltasseva, V.M. Shalaev, Advanced Optical Materials, 5 (2017). [4] O.A. Baturina, A. Epshteyn, B. Simpkins, N. Bhattarai, T.H. Brintlinger, J. Electrochem. Soc 166 (2019) H485 [5] J. Boltersdorf, G. T. Forcherio, J. P. McClure, D. R. Baker, A. C. Leff, C. Lundgren, J. Phys. Chem. C, 122 (2018) 28934. [6] T. Liu, L.V. Besteiro, Z. Wang, A.O. Govorov, Faraday Discussions, 214 (2019) 199. [7] D. C. Bradley, I.M. Thomas, Proceedings of the Chemical Society, August 1959, 225-226.
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- 2020
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48. Understanding the Electrical Behavior of Pyrolyzed Three‐Dimensional‐Printed Microdevices
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Gabriel L. Smith, Peter M. Wilson, Asher C. Leff, Nathan Lazarus, John Cumings, and Joshua B. Tyler
- Subjects
Materials science ,Three dimensional printing ,General Materials Science ,Nanotechnology ,Condensed Matter Physics ,Pyrolysis - Published
- 2020
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- View/download PDF
49. Grain growth-induced thermal property enhancement of NiTi shape memory alloys for elastocaloric refrigeration and thermal energy storage systems
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Elena Cimpoiasu, Asher C. Leff, Adam A. Wilson, Andrew N. Smith, Ronald J. Warzoha, Nicholas T. Vu, Darin J. Sharar, and Brian F. Donovan
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Fluid Flow and Transfer Processes ,Materials science ,Mechanical Engineering ,Refrigeration ,02 engineering and technology ,Shape-memory alloy ,Coefficient of performance ,021001 nanoscience & nanotechnology ,Condensed Matter Physics ,Thermal energy storage ,01 natural sciences ,Grain size ,010305 fluids & plasmas ,Grain growth ,Thermal conductivity ,0103 physical sciences ,Thermal ,Composite material ,0210 nano-technology - Abstract
We interrogate the extent to which grain size plays a role in augmenting the thermal conductivity and thermal energy storage capacity of a NiTi shape memory alloy (SMA) using the optical pump-probe technique frequency-domain thermoreflectance and advanced calorimetry techniques, respectively. To alter grain size, we apply a solution anneal process to a nanograined commercial NiTi sample and show that grain growth (from ~ 40 nm to ~ 60 µm) significantly increases thermal conductivity in both phases and improves the thermal storage capacity of the material by up to a factor of ~ 50. These results are contrary to the performance metrics achieved using conventional mechanisms that improve PCM thermal conductivity, and provide a viable route to develop elastocaloric refrigeration systems with a high coefficient of performance (COP) as well as large figure-of-merit passive thermal regulation methods for cooling high power density electronics.
- Published
- 2020
- Full Text
- View/download PDF
50. (Invited) Comparison of Photocatalytic Activities of TiN and Zrn Nanoparticles Incorporated into TiO2matrix Under Visible Excitation
- Author
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Eva Yazmin Santiago, Alexander O. Govorov, Jonathan Boltersdorf, Albert Epshteyn, Gregory T. Forcherio, Andrew P. Purdy, Asher C. Leff, Olga A. Baturina, and Blake S. Simpkins
- Subjects
Materials science ,chemistry ,Photocatalysis ,chemistry.chemical_element ,Nanoparticle ,Tin ,Photochemistry ,Excitation - Abstract
Refractory transition metal nitrides such as TiN and ZrN belong to a new class of plasmonic materials that exhibit a plasmon resonance in visible and near-infrared spectral regions [1, 2]. The similarity of the optical appearance between that of Au and TiN and ZrN makes one wonder whether these inexpensive, chemically and mechanically robust materials can be used in place of Au for plasmon-mediated photocatalytic reactions. When integrated with a semiconducting TiO2 support, there are two important differences between the TiN/TiO2 and Au/TiO2 interfaces. First, TiN does not form a Schottky barrier with TiO2, leading to poor separation of photogenerated carriers in absence of an external bias. Under positive potential bias however, higher efficiencies of hot electron collection by TiO2 are observed for TiN/TiO2 systems as compared to Au/TiO2 systems [3]. Second, photocarriers generated across interband transitions in TiN may play a major role in photoelectrochemical reactions at the TiN/TiO2 interface, in contrast to the intraband transitions in Au nanoparticles (NPs) [4]. Here, we extend our scope to the ZrN/TiO2 interface that is predicted to benefit from higher rates of hot carrier generation in ZrN (vs TiN) [5]. We investigate TiN/TiO2 and ZrN/TiO2 photocatalysts for methanol (CH3OH) photoelectrochemical oxidation under visible excitation. The effect of variables such as plasmonic catalyst loading, applied potential, pH and CH3OH concentration are examined. Near-and far-field electrodynamic simulations and quantum calculations were performed to facilitate interpretation of photoelectrochemical experiments. Using COMSOL software, we computed both free-standing TiN and ZrN NPs, as well as ones embedded into a TiO2 matrix. In the following step, we calculated the rates of resonant optical generation of over-barrier hot electrons using the quantum formalism. ZrN powder prepared in lab and commercial TiN NPs (PlasmaChem) were dispersed into a P25 TiO2 matrix by ultrasonically agitating metal nitride NPs and TiO2 powders in H2O overnight. ZrN NPs were synthesized by ammonolysis of Zr(NMe2)4; clean Zr(NMe2)4 was prepared following a literature protocol. Electrochemical experiments were conducted in a three-electrode photoelectrochemical cell. Thin films of TiN/TiO2 and ZrN/TiO2 were deposited onto fluorine-tin-oxide (FTO)-coated glass as a working electrode. Platinum foil and Ag/AgCl in 3 M NaCl (BioLogic, Inc) were used as a counter and reference electrodes, respectively. Nine single-color LED lights were employed for illumination. The intensities varied between 10-100 mW/cm2, and 300-480 mW/cm2 in the wavelength range of 490-670 and 730-960 nm, respectively. References [1] G.V. Naik, J.L. Schroeder, X. Ni, A.V. Kildishev, T.D. Sands, A. Boltasseva, Optical Materials Express, 2 (2012) 478. [2] U. Guler, A. Boltasseva, V.M. Shalaev, Science, 344 (2014) 263. [3] A. Naldoni, U. Guler, Z.X. Wang, M. Marelli, F. Malara, X.G. Meng, L.V. Besteiro, A.O. Govorov, A.V. Kildishev, A. Boltasseva, V.M. Shalaev, Advanced Optical Materials, 5 (2017). [4] O.A. Baturina, A. Epshteyn, B. Simpkins, N. Bhattarai, T.H. Brintlinger, submitted to Journal of the Electrochemical Society in March, 2019. [5] T. Liu, L.V. Besteiro, Z. Wang, A.O. Govorov, Faraday Discussions, (2018) Ahead of Print.
- Published
- 2020
- Full Text
- View/download PDF
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