Annealing Conditions Research Articles

Formation of an extended defect cluster in cuprous oxide

Abstract Intrinsic defects and defect clusters play an important role in the room-temperature transport of cuprous oxide. Neutralization of these defects by doping and/or modifying the synthesis process is essential to improve the room temperature (RT) hole mobility in cuprous oxide. Towards this, we annealed polycrystalline cuprous oxide under Cu-rich conditions leading to neutralization of the intrinsic acceptor defect. The concentration of both the acceptor defects (VCu and Vsplit Cu) that are already present, reduces by four to five orders of magnitude. This is commensurate with the amount of possible Cu incorporation under different annealing conditions, indicating the back-filling of a large fraction of the Cu vacancies. Unforeseeably, the experimental conditions lead to the creation of yet another higher order extended defect (3VCu + 2Cui) with a defect level at ≈0.5 eV above the valence band. The formation of such a defect is also indirectly suggested by the analysis of carrier concentration vs. temperature data and first principle calculations. Such singly ionized higher order defects with a possibly higher capture cross-section act as more effective traps resulting in reduced hole mobility.

Study of the amorphous and crystalline states in Ge(Te1-xSex) thick films (x = 0, 0.50) by in situ temperature-dependent structural analyses

As-deposited and unencapsulated GeTe1-xSex (x = 0, 0.5) 3-μm-thick amorphous films on Si(001) were obtained via the thermal co-evaporation technique. The crystallization and the structure of these phase change materials were examined using in situ temperature-dependent X-ray diffraction (XRD) and grazing-incidence fluorescence X-ray Absorption Near Edge Structure (XANES) in isochronal annealing conditions under nitrogen flow. The results show that the onset temperature of crystallization is highly sensitive to the substitution of the Te atoms by the Se ones and that the rhombohedral structure, with the space group R3m, is the one that crystallized for both samples without Ge or Te rejection. Moreover, the local order around the Ge and Se atoms, probed by Ge and Se K-edge XANES analyses, presents clear modifications from the amorphous state to the crystalline one expecting a Ge four-fold and a Se two-fold coordination in the amorphous state, with an increase of the local disorder with the Se substitution (x = 0.5).

An Assessment of a Photovoltaic System’s Performance Based on the Measurements of Electric Parameters under Changing External Conditions

This article presents an analysis of the performance of a 14.04 kWp grid-connected photovoltaic (PV) installation consisting of monocrystalline silicon, polycrystalline silicon and bifacial glass–glass monocrystalline silicon modules. The photovoltaic system was mounted in Poland, a location characterized by temperate climate conditions. On the basis of the obtained results, the photovoltaic parameters were determined in accordance with the international standard. The annual energy yield of the entire system was 1033 kWh/kWp, and the performance ratio achieved was 83%. The highest average daily final yield was in the range of 4.0–4.5 kWh/kWp for each photovoltaic technology under investigation. In the cold part of the year, the efficiency of the photovoltaic modules was estimated to be 15%, and it was estimated to be 7% during the warm part of the year. Array capture losses accounted for around 0.75 kWh/kWp of energy loss per day, whereas the inverter efficiency was over 95% during the months that are beneficial for energy production.

Using Surface Composition and Energy to Control the Formation of Either Tetrahexahedral or Hexoctahedral High-Index Facet Nanostructures.

High-index facet nanoparticles with structurally complex shapes, such as tetrahexahedron (THH) and hexoctahedron (HOH), represent a class of materials that are important for catalysis, and the study of them provides a fundamental understanding of the relationship between surface structures and catalytic properties. However, the high surface energies render them thermodynamically unfavorable compared to low-index facets, thereby making their syntheses challenging. Herein, we report a method to control the shape of high-index facet Cu nanoparticles (either THH with {210} facets or HOH with {421} facets) by tuning the facet surface energy with trace amounts of Te atoms. Density functional theory (DFT) calculations reveal that the density of Te atoms on Cu nanoparticles can change the relative stability of the high-index facets associated with either the THH or HOH structures. By controlling the annealing conditions and the rate of Te dealloying from CuTe nanoparticles, the surface density of Te atoms can be deliberately adjusted, which can be used to force the formation of either THH (higher surface Te density) or HOH (lower surface Te density) nanoparticles.

Development and characterization of self-centering friction dampers with confined shape memory alloy bars

This study proposes a new self-centering, shape memory alloy bar-based device to address the tension-compression asymmetry and limited energy dissipation capacity of similar SMA bar-based devices. The proposed device, named the Confined Superelastic Friction Damper (CSFD), employs buckling-restrained SMA bars to maintain symmetry in force-displacement responses and enhance effectiveness in both tension and compression. The device also integrates a frictional damping mechanism, contributing to increased energy dissipation capacity. First, an optimal annealing condition is investigated for as-received SMA bars to achieve a satisfactory superelastic response. Then, the working and design principles of the CSFD are outlined. The experimental characterization of CSFD devices in various configurations is conducted under an increasing amplitude loading protocol. The devices are tested with different levels of frictional damping to assess the effects of the added frictional forces on device characteristics. Analysis of test results considers parameters such as hysteresis curves, maximum force, equivalent viscous damping, and self-centering efficiency to provide a comprehensive performance evaluation of each device. Findings reveal that while a single buckling-restrained SMA bar device exhibits up to 90 % higher forces in compression than in tension, a CSFD device with two such bars nearly eliminates this asymmetry. Compared to tension-only SMA devices, capable of symmetric response, the proposed CSFD device demonstrates a 2.6 times higher force-resisting capacity. For all devices, the addition of some frictional damping improves the energy dissipation and equivalent viscous damping capacity, while leading to some reduction in self-centering efficiency.

Increasing the capacity of pseudocapacitive WO3 auxiliary electrode for enhanced two-step decoupled acid water electrolysis

Decoupled water electrolysis has all the necessary properties to become an effective hydrogen production tool. Hydrogen evolution is decoupled from oxygen evolution using red-ox mediator electrodes in decoupled electrolysis. Therefore, oxygen and hydrogen are not produced simultaneously or in the same space. This simplifies the design of electrolysers and opens up the possibility of not using membranes and diaphragms for gas separation as conventional electrolysers do. Also, membrane-free technology improves the durability and efficiency of electrolysers. The reduction and oxidation of the red-ox mediator electrode must be reversible. Also, the electrode material should have a high charge capacity and be durable. In this work, we demonstrate WO3 as a red-ox mediator electrode in decoupled water electrolysis with acid electrolyte and investigate the effect of lyophilisation and annealing conditions on WO3 capacity. Indeed, the WO3 electrode can successfully act as a red-ox mediator through intercalation and deintercalation of H+ ions. Lyophilisation increases capacity more than two times than the air-dried sample, 495.55 and 201.41 F/g, respectively. Such high capacities as 837.43 F/g were reached when an inert annealing atmosphere was used. The electrolysis faradaic efficiency of 98-99% was achieved in all prepared samples, with an energetical efficiency of 34-58%.

Modification of Local Site Preference for Achieving Tunable Color Emission from Blue to Near-White in Sr3(PO4)2:Dy3+ Phosphor

The color tunability of Sr3(PO4)2:1%Dy3+ phosphor from blue to near white is studied at various annealing conditions. Higher temperature annealing promotes agglomerated rhombohedral (α) phase formation. Experimental and theoretical analysis reveal dopant preference at the low-symmetry Sr(II) site, altering electric (4F9/2→6H13/2) and magnetic (4F9/2→6H15/2) dipole transitions, thereby affecting the yellow-to-blue (Y/B) ratio. The luminescence intensity variation and color tunability are explained based on the local site symmetry and occupation probability of the dopant in the host lattice. An increase in the luminescence intensity up to an annealing temperature of 1200°C, followed by quenching is observed due to the oxygen vacancies. Commission Internationale d'Eclairage (CIE) color coordinates of (0.31, 0.38), Correlated Color Temperature (CCT) of 6341 K, and color purity of 22.57% confirm the potential of Sr3(PO4)2:1%Dy3+ phosphor annealed at (1200°C, 6hrs) for white light generation. A probable photoluminescence mechanism involving 4f→5d→4f transitions in Sr3(PO4)2:1%Dy3+ is proposed.

Amorphous ribbons for GMI detection of stray fields FeOx magnetic filler of epoxicomposites

Magnetoimpedance (MI) effect in stress-annealed Co-based amorphous ribbon was studied in the states without and in presence of the magnetic epoxy composite of cylindrical shape. Iron oxide FeOx magnetic microparticles of different concentrations (0–70 wt%) were used as a magnetic filler. The condition of stress annealing (350 °C, 1 h and 250 MPa specific load) were selected in order to insure the high MI sensitivity with respect to external magnetic field in the field of a few Oersted. The MI responses were modified in the presence of the magnetic epoxy composites due to the contribution of the stray fields of embedded microparticles. It was experimentally found that degree of the MI curves modification depended on the microparticles concentration. The MI characteristics were also dependent on the length-to-width ratio of the MI element. The most sensitive MI element under study showed a linear dependence with a 1 %/weightpercent microparticle concentration slope. Mathematical modeling using finite elements (FEM) protocol for the properties of short MI elements confirmed the results and highlighted the non-monotonic contribution of high-concentration composites to the MI responses

Enabling high capacity and reversible Li storage in indium(III) oxide anode surrounded by carbon nanotube matrix

In2O3 is one of the post-transition metal oxides that can be a potential anode material for the Li-ion batteries (LIBs) because of its high theoretical capacity (869 mAh g-1) and low operating voltage (0.8V vs Li/Li+) compared to other metal oxides. However, they have rarely been used in practical applications because of typical challenges such as irreversible capacity, unstable cycling stability, and poor coulombic efficiency. In this study, carbon nanotubes (CNTs) were successfully combined with In2O3 nanoparticles (NPs) via a solvothermal process. The In2O3 NPs and CNTs were homogeneously mixed by controlling the CNT dispersion (functionalization and appropriate solvent) and mixing sequence (dissolving the In2O3 precursor in the CNT-dispersed solution followed by thermal annealing). In addition, an increase in the oxygen vacancies in the In2O3 NPs by controlling the thermal annealing conditions (In2O3/CNT_Ar) could enhance robust binding with CNTs, increase the number of Li-ion binding sites, and improve the electrical conductivity. Therefore, at an appropriate ratio of In2O3 and CNT (92:8, w/w), the In2O3/CNT_Ar demonstrated remarkable cycling performance (830 mAh g-1 at a current density of 200mAg-1 after 100 cycles) and rate capability (65% retention at 5Ag-1 relative to 100mAg-1), which outperformed most In2O3-based anodes previously studied. Therefore, In2O3/CNT_Ar is a promising anode material for use in next-generation LIBs.

Micromechanical Analysis of Metal-Ceramic Thin-Films on Steel Substrates

AbstractThin-layered coatings on material surfaces can resist contact forces and provide protection against material wear. In this study, FeCrNi-Al2O3 composite coatings were prepared by electrodeposition onto a 316L steel substrate. The effects of electrodeposition cathode current density (3 A·dm−2, 5 A·dm−2, 7 A·dm−2 and 9 A·dm−2) and post annealing at 500°C in Ar atmosphere were investigated. An increase in deposition rate resulted in a rougher coating surface and a thicker coating at a constant deposition duration. Post-deposition heat treatment caused the surface roughness to increase because of the introduction of denser micro-cracks. Higher current densities improved adhesion and prevented angled cracks during scratching, while annealing led to scratching-induced failures at lower applied loads. FeCrNi-Al2O3 composite coatings showed higher hardness but lower Young's modulus compared to the steel substrate. The coating hardness is slightly enhanced by increasing the electrodeposition current density from 5 A·dm−2 to 9 A·dm−2, and a more significant increase is observed after annealing. However, the hardness is negatively impacted by the combined effect of annealing and higher current density. These findings demonstrate the importance of carefully balancing the electrodeposition current density and annealing conditions to achieve optimal coating properties. To optimize metal-ceramic composite coatings, it is crucial to investigate multiple process parameters that may interact with each other.

Potential climates and habitability on Gl 514 b: a super-Earth exoplanet with high eccentricity

Abstract The recently discovered super-Earth Gl 514 b, orbiting a nearby M0.5-1.0 star at 7.6 pc, is one of the best benchmark exoplanets for understanding the potential climate states of eccentric planets. The elongated (e = 0.45$^{+0.15}_{-0.14}$) orbit of Gl 514 b, which only partially lies in the Conservative Habitable Zone, suggests a dynamically young system, where the spin-orbit tidal synchronization may not have yet occurred up to the present time. In the present work, we use a seasonal-latitudinal energy balance model, EOS-ESTM, to explore the potential impact of both constrained and unconstrained planetary, orbital and atmospheric parameters on the Gl 514 b habitability, mapped in terms of surface temperature. We test three distinct CO2-dominated atmospheres by varying the CH4 concentration values (0 %, 0.1 % and 1 %) and the total surface pressure. As a general trend, we find that habitable conditions are favoured by high-CH4 and high-pressure regimes. Habitability also increases for high axis obliquities (at least until the appearance of an icebelt), long rotation periods, and high ocean fractional coverage. If the ocean fraction is low, then also the argument of periastron becomes relevant. Our results are robust against changes of the continental distribution. Thus, we conclude that Gl 514 b can potentially maintain temperate surface conditions with modest seasonal temperature variations under a wide variety of planetary, orbital and atmospheric conditions. Despite no transit have been detected yet, the results found in this work should motivate the community to invest time in future observations.

Reconstruction of a deep-time critical zone in southern patagonia (mid-high paleolatitude) during the mid-cretaceous greenhouse

The mid-Cretaceous was a period characterized by a global greenhouse climate. Paleosols can be used to reconstruct Critical Zones of the Earth́s past and enhance our comprehension of such greenhouse conditions. Through macro- and micromorphological, clay-mineralogy, and bulk geochemical analyses of the paleosols, we conducted a deep-time Critical Zone reconstruction at mid-high paleolatitudes of the mid-Cretaceous Puesto El Moro Formation in the southern Patagonia (Austral-Magallanes Basin). Paleosols were classified as hydromorphic Histosol-like paleosols (Kachaike pedotype), Alfisols like-paleosols (La Lila pedotype), and Vertisol like-paleosols (La Bernarda pedotype). The analysis of these paleosols facilitated the reconstruction of the deep-time Critical Zone and enables us to infer the four scientific spheres (lithosphere, hydrosphere, biosphere, and atmosphere). Different types of paleosols developed under different parent materials with specific soil-moisture regime and drainage class. Overall, paleosols took place during temperate and humid conditions with a marked seasonality of the precipitations. The paleoclimate reconstruction obtained here provides new data from mid-high paleolatitudes and agrees with the current mid-Cretaceous climate reconstructions in the context of a greenhouse world.

Effect of annealing on the microstructure and mechanical properties of Al/Zn composite plates

The study examined how various annealing methods affect the structure and characteristics of Al/Zn layered composite plates. Four distinct composite plates underwent annealing at temperatures of 160 °C, 200 °C, and 240 °C for durations ranging from 0.5 h, 1 h, 1.5 h, and 2 h. Changes in grain structure, interface appearance, and thickness of the interface diffusion layer were analyzed using metallographic microscopy, scanning electron microscopy (SEM), energy-dispersive X-ray spectroscopy (EDS), and electron backscatter diffraction (EBSD). Tensile and microhardness tests were performed under different annealing conditions and cycling durations. Results showed that as annealing time increased, tensile strength initially rose before declining, while elongation remained consistently high. The optimal balance between strength and ductility was observed at 200 °C for 1.5 h of annealing across all plate types. Before annealing, Al displayed a fractured ultrafine crystalline structure, while Zn's texture underwent changes.

Effect of films thickness and hydrogen annealing on passivation performance of plasma ALD based Hafnium oxide films

We investigate the silicon surface passivation property of Plasma Atomic Layer Deposited (PALD) hafnium oxide thin films and study its dependence on silicon (Si) doping type, film thickness, and post-deposition annealing conditions. Our results demonstrate that as-deposited HfOx films exhibit poor passivation quality that can be improved by performing post-deposition annealing at 450 °C in hydrogen ambient. We demonstrate that the films can effectively passivate p-Si surfaces as compared to n-Si, where the surface passivation quality of the films improves with increasing film thickness for both silicon doping types. The best performance with a minority carrier lifetime of 1.7 ms, corresponding surface recombination velocity (SRV) ∼10 cm s−1, is achieved for HfOx films thickness ∼23 nm deposited on the p-Si substrate. The Capacitance-Voltage (C–V) measurements give an insight into the passivation mechanism of the studied films. Field effect passivation is found to be an important passivation mechanism in PALD-deposited HfOx films, as revealed by C–V measurements. The films are also characterized using Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR) and x-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS), which reveals the chemical passivation provided by hydrogen ambient annealing. Overall, the impact of hafnium oxide film thickness and hydrogen ambient annealing conditions on silicon surface passivation is investigated. Our findings will help in utilizing plasma ALD process based HfOx films for silicon solar cell device application.

Analysis of bitter gourd genotypes for yield and traits that contribute to yield using character association and path coefficients under temperate conditions of Kashmir

Analysis of bitter gourd genotypes for yield and traits that contribute to yield using character association and path coefficients under temperate conditions of Kashmir

Microstructure, mechanical properties and corrrosion behavior of Al-Zn-Mg-Cu wire under different annealing conditions

Al-Zn-Mg-Cu aluminum alloy wires were annealed at 404 °C and then cooled at 10–100 °C/h. On the basis of the cooling speed of 10 °C/h, a second stage of 232 °C annealing was added and held for 4–8 h. The differences in grain organization, grain boundary precipitation phase, electrical conductivity, mechanical properties and intergranular corrosion properties of Al-Zn-Mg-Cu aluminum alloy wires with different annealing processes were comparatively investigated by using electron backscatter diffraction (EBSD) technique, transmission electron microscope (TEM), electronic tensile tester, conductivity meter. It is found that the grain size of Al-Zn-Mg-Cu wire after different annealing processes has not grown significantly, and the grain orientation has not changed obviously. As the cooling speed decreased from 100 °C/h to 10 °C/h, the precipitated η phase continued to merge and grow, from chain distribution to independent distribution, and the Cu element in η phase increase. The Cu content of η phase increases to 14.7 wt% by adding a second annealing stage. The conductivity of the alloy increases to 48.6 %IACS and the tensile strength is reduced to 168 MPa. In addition, the maximum corrosion depth of the alloy is reduced to 16 μm. It shows good mechanical properties and excellent corrosion resistance.

Trace gas oxidation sustains energy needs of a thermophilic archaeon at suboptimal temperatures

Diverse aerobic bacteria use atmospheric hydrogen (H2) and carbon monoxide (CO) as energy sources to support growth and survival. Such trace gas oxidation is recognised as a globally significant process that serves as the main sink in the biogeochemical H2 cycle and sustains microbial biodiversity in oligotrophic ecosystems. However, it is unclear whether archaea can also use atmospheric H2. Here we show that a thermoacidophilic archaeon, Acidianus brierleyi (Thermoproteota), constitutively consumes H2 and CO to sub-atmospheric levels. Oxidation occurs across a wide range of temperatures (10 to 70 °C) and enhances ATP production during starvation-induced persistence under temperate conditions. The genome of A. brierleyi encodes a canonical CO dehydrogenase and four distinct [NiFe]-hydrogenases, which are differentially produced in response to electron donor and acceptor availability. Another archaeon, Metallosphaera sedula, can also oxidize atmospheric H2. Our results suggest that trace gas oxidation is a common trait of Sulfolobales archaea and may play a role in their survival and niche expansion, including during dispersal through temperate environments.

Relative Contribution of Different SRI Practices Towards Growth and Yield of Rice under Temperate Conditions

Relative Contribution of Different SRI Practices Towards Growth and Yield of Rice under Temperate Conditions

Studies on Pollination, Fruit Set and Self-Incompatibility Index in Apple Varieties under Wet Temperate Conditions of Himachal Pradesh

Studies on Pollination, Fruit Set and Self-Incompatibility Index in Apple Varieties under Wet Temperate Conditions of Himachal Pradesh

Flexible multi-electrode neural probe using active-matrix design of transistor array

To realize a brain-machine interface, a neural probe is one of key hardware. For the neural probe, a high spatial resolution of an electrode array, high electrical sensitivity, and mechanical flexibility remain challenging and essential issues. In regard to these, implantable multi-electrode neural probe employing active-matrix design with field effect transistors (FETs) can attract attention due to their advantages of a suitable integration density and good signal-amplifying abilities. Therefore, we developed a flexible multi-electrode neural probe employing an active-matrix design based on a two-transistor (2T) scheme for application to a flexible neural signal recording probe. As a proof of concept, 4 × 8 electrode array (32 channels) with TFTs was demonstrated. For the flexible active-matrix design, back-gate indium-gallium-zinc-oxide (IGZO) thin film transistors (TFTs) were fabricated on a polyimide (PI). The TFTs used here can amplify signals and achieve a switching function to drive the active matrix. The probe structure was encapsulated by the same PI material again to achieve flexibility with good reliability, as the sandwich-like structure can induce a neutral plane on the TFT and electrodes. To ensure a high signal-to-noise ratio, the structural and process parameters of the TFT were studied. Among different annealing times and temperatures of the IGZO TFT, the optimized annealing condition of the TFT was found to be 250 °C a 1 hour on a flexible substrate. The width over length of the transistors was optimized to 50 μm/10 μm, and the field-effect mobility was 8.33 cm2/V·s. The on current was 2.28 × 10−6 A at a low driving voltage of 5 V. The transconductance was 2.16 μS and the threshold voltage (Vth) was 1.6 V. By applying 5 V, the switching TFT was turned on, and a doubly amplified signal (> 2.4 times) could be measured on the drain line. The electrode array probe with the active-matrix design can use for accurate neural recording and herald a new generation of flexible neural probes with high spatial resolutions.