Low-temperature Crystallization Research Articles

Effect of solvent ratio on omega-3 extraction of catfish (Clarias sp.) and pangasius catfish (Pangasius sp.) using low-temperature crystallization method

Effect of solvent ratio on omega-3 extraction of catfish (Clarias sp.) and pangasius catfish (Pangasius sp.) using low-temperature crystallization method

Origin of Early Triassic Hornblende Gabbro from the Yunkai Massif, South China: Constraints from Mineral and Bulk-Rock Geochemistry

The early Triassic (~250 Ma) hornblende gabbro from the Tengxian area of Yunkai Massif, South China, contains a mineral assemblage of clinopyroxene, hornblende, biotite, plagioclase, K-feldspar and quartz and accessory apatite, and zircon and ilmenite. Based on mineral association and crystallization sequence, two generations of the mineral assemblage have been identified: clinopyroxene + plagioclase + apatite (zircon) in Generation I and ilmenite + hornblende + biotite + K-feldspar + quartz in Generation II. The high crystallization temperature (T = 999–1069 °C) of clinopyroxene and its coexistence with labradorite (An = 52–58) indicate that Generation I crystallized in a basaltic magma, while the hornblende’s relatively low crystallization temperature (T = 780–820 °C) and coexistence with K-feldspar and quartz suggest that Generation II formed in an evolved alkaline melt. The mineralogical records are likely attributed to pulsed intrusion of the late-stage evolved magma into a crystal mush, like in Generation I. The bulk-rock geochemical data include a sub-alkaline affinity, arc-type trace element features, and highly enriched Sr-Nd-Pb-Hf isotopic compositions, consistent with the isotopic records from the accessory minerals, e.g., the very high δ18O values in both zircon and apatite and significantly negative εHf(t) in zircon. The combined mineral and bulk-rock geochemical data suggest that the primary magma for the Tengxian hornblende gabbro was derived from a mantle wedge that had been metasomatized by voluminous subducted terrigenous sediment-derived melts in response to subduction of the Paleo-Tethys Ocean.

Low-temperature crystallization of kumdykolite, a polymorph of albite, during mineral carbonation within fluid inclusions in hornblendite from the Dabie orogen, central China

Abstract Kumdykolite is a polymorph of albite that has been predominantly identified within crystallized melt inclusions in high-temperature metamorphic rocks. This study reports a new occurrence of kumdykolite that formed during internal mineral carbonation within amphibole-hosted fluid inclusions in postcollisional hornblendite from the Dabie orogen, central China. Amphibole in the hornblendite trapped CO2-rich fluid inclusions at magmatic stage, and mineral carbonation, referring to the reaction of mineral rich in divalent cations and CO2 into carbonate, occurred in situ within the fluid inclusions due to interaction between trapped CO2-rich fluids and host amphibole during cooling of the hornblendite. Kumdykolite was produced along with calcite, dolomite, chlorite, talc, a SiO2 phase (quartz or cristobalite), a TiO2 phase (rutile or anatase), and mica during internal mineral carbonation within the fluid inclusions. It is estimated that kumdykolite in the fluid inclusions crystallized under near-surface conditions, which are significantly different from the conditions of crystallization proposed in previous studies. It is further inferred that kumdykolite may crystallize metastably across the stability field of albite, and presence of kumdykolite is not indicative of extreme thermobaric and fluid-absent conditions.

Composition and fatty acid profile of milk from cows fed diets supplemented with raw and n-3 PUFA-enriched fish oil

Dietary supplementation of ruminants with fish oil is a strategy for favorably modifying the fatty acid composition of milk fat. This study investigated the effect of supplementing cows’ diet with fish oil after low-temperature crystallisation (LTC-FO) compared to its raw form (FO) on milk yield, milk components (fat, protein, and lactose), and milk fatty acid profile. Twenty-four mid-lactating multiparous Polish Holstein–Friesian cows fed a total-mix ration were randomly assigned to two homogeneous groups (n = 12 cows each) and supplemented with LTC-FO or FO at 1% of dry matter. Milk samples were collected on days 14 and 30 of the 30-day experiment. No significant differences between the groups in terms of milk yield, milk protein, and lactose content were found, however, the fat yield and content decreased in the LTC-FO group. Milk fat from cows in the LTC-FO group contained significantly higher levels of C18:1 trans-11, C18:2 cis-9, trans-11, C18:3n − 3, C20:5, and C22:6, and lower levels of saturated fatty acids compared to the FO group (p < 0.05). Therefore, LTC-FO may be a more efficient feed additive than FO and may serve as a practical way to modify the fatty acid composition of milk fat.

Low temperature crystallization of atomic-layer-deposited SrTiO3 films with an extremely low equivalent oxide thickness of sub-0.4 nm

Despite SrTiO3(STO) possessing a high dielectric constant, its application as a capacitor dielectric in dynamic random-access memory(DRAM) capacitors faces challenges due to the high-temperature annealing for crystallization, its compositional inhomogeneity, and the high leakage currents of STO films. To address these issues, we employ atomic layer deposition(ALD) of STO films onto Pt substrates at elevated temperatures(340–380 °C). The use of low-reactivity Pt electrodes effectively mitigates the initial growth of excess Sr, ensuring enhanced compositional uniformity along the film growth direction. Coupled with ALD at high temperatures, this approach facilitates the crystallization of STO films in the as-grown state, further enhancing the crystallinity with increasing film thickness. Subsequent low-temperature post-deposition annealing (PDA) at 400 and 500 °C achieves full crystallization. This process results in a remarkable increase in the dielectric constant, reaching approximately 150. Furthermore, the absence of microcracks after PDA, attributed to the formation of adequately dense films, contributes to substantially improved dielectric properties. Consequently, these STO films exhibit an exceptionally low equivalent oxide thickness of 0.34 nm coupled with an ultralow leakage current of 3.7 × 10−8 A/cm2 at an operation voltage of 0.8 V, promising for advancing DRAM capacitors. This study presents a pathway for the sustainable scaling of DRAMs, addressing challenges in ALD-grown STO films.

Detrital zircon and rutile of southern Mexico Cambrian–Ordovician sandstone: Their significance for sediment provenance and Rheic Ocean evolution

The Cambrian–Ordovician Tiñú Formation of southern Mexico is key for identifying sediment sources along the northern margin of Gondwana, enhancing our understanding of early Paleozoic paleogeography and linking it with age-equivalent units in terranes with Gondwanan affinity. This study integrates detrital zircon U–Pb ages, Hf isotope signatures, and heavy mineral chemical data. U–Pb detrital zircon ages indicate sources from Stenian–Tonian (900–1200 Ma) to Calymmian (1400–1600 Ma) ages. The Stenian to Tonian zircon population, with peak ages around 1.0 Ga and model ages ranging from 1.68 to 1.90 Ga, suggests a provenance from the metaigneous rocks of the Oaxacan and Guichicovi complexes. The presence of the Calymmian zircon population, tourmaline crystals, and rutile grains displaying lower crystallization temperatures compared to the high-temperature rutile from the Oaxacan Complex suggests additional sources. Hf isotope signatures from Calymmian-aged zircon grains, with model ages between 1.95 and 2.30 Ga, match well with the Paleo-Mesoproterozoic Catarina Unit in the southern Chiapas Massif Complex. Further potential sources may include the basement of the Putumayo Province in Colombia and igneous rocks from the western Guiana Shield and the Rio Negro-Juruena Province. The Tiñú Formation provenance is comparable to coeval metasedimentary units across the northwestern margin of Gondwana found in Belize, the southern Chiapas Massif Complex, and Guatemala. The Tiñú Formation was likely deposited adjacent to the rifted margin of the Rheic Ocean. The results also emphasize combining U–Pb–Hf isotope analysis and trace elements in detrital zircon and rutile as effective provenance tracers.

Phase diagrams of CoSO4-H2O and CoSO4-H2SO4-H2O systems for CoSO4·nH2O (n = 6,7) recovery by cooling and eutectic freeze crystallization

This paper reports the solid-liquid phase equilibria of the CoSO4-H2O and CoSO4-H2SO4-H2O systems at low temperatures. Binary and ternary phase diagrams, including the stable solid phases CoSO4·6H2O and CoSO4·7H2O were established using experimental data and thermodynamic modeling applying the mixed-solvent electrolyte (MSE) model. The results showed that the addition of H2SO4 shifts the eutectic temperature and concentration to lower values for cobalt sulfate and ice crystallization. The trends obtained from the experimental data and the modeling are consistent for the binary CoSO4-H2O system with good agreement, but the ternary CoSO4-H2SO4-H2O system shows some deviations. In general, the MSE model is shown to be reliable for inferring and establishing the phase diagram of the low-temperature system. The phase diagrams are helpful for designing the pathways of cooling crystallization and eutectic freeze crystallization and assessing the performance of the low-temperature crystallization process in the production of CoSO4 hydrates. In addition, some practical examples of cooling crystallization and eutectic freeze crystallization of CoSO4 solutions are provided.

Enhanced remnant polarization in ferroelectric Hf0.5Zr0.5O2 thin film capacitors through Mo top electrode by post-metallization annealing treatment

Zr-doped HfO2 (Hf0.5Zr0.5O2) ferroelectric thin films have garnered considerable attention due to their appealing attributes, including a large bandgap (>5 eV), low crystallization temperature, and compatibility with CMOS technology. In this study, we present the achievement of a substantial remnant polarization in ferroelectric Hf0.5Zr0.5O2 thin films, fabricated through atomic layer deposition, with Mo and TiN serving as the top and bottom electrodes, respectively. The Mo/Hf0.5Zr0.5O2/TiN capacitor exhibited commendable ferroelectric behavior and demonstrated high endurance within a thermal budget ranging from 400 to 500 °C. Leveraging the relatively low thermal expansion coefficient of the Mo top electrode facilitated the induction of in-plane tensile strain, fostering an increased formation of the ferroelectric orthorhombic phase within the Hf0.5Zr0.5O2 layer. Elevating the post-metallization annealing temperature to 500 °C yielded a substantial increase in 2Pr (≈54 μC/cm2) with excellent endurance exceeding 106 cycles. The influence of annealing temperature on the morphological and structural properties of Hf0.5Zr0.5O2 thin films was comprehensively analyzed through atomic force microscopy and grazing incidence X-ray diffraction analysis.

Fluorination Modification of Methyl Vinyl Silicone Rubber and Its Compatibilization Effect on Fluorine/Silicone Rubber Composites.

Among numerous rubbers, high-performance rubber composites can be obtained by mixing fluororubber (FKM) with excellent oil resistance and silicone rubber (SiR) with excellent low-temperature resistance. While the difference in polarity between these two kinds of rubbers leads to a reduction in the properties of the composites. To solve the compatibility problem between the two-phase interfaces in FKM/SiR composites, in this research, fluorinated silicone rubbers (MVQ-g-PFDT) of methyl vinyl silicone rubber (MVQ) grafted with 1H,1H,2H,2H-perfluorodecanethiol (PFDT) were prepared via a facile and efficient thiol-ene click reaction, which was then added into FKM/SiR composites. The results showed that the fluorine-containing side chains could effectively inhibit the low-temperature crystallization phenomenon of silicone rubber and further broaden its application ranges in low-temperature environments. The properties of FKM/SiR composites with the addition of MVQ-g-PFDT were significantly improved, with the highest tensile strength of 14.1 MPa and the lowest mass change rate of 6.71% after 48h immersion at 200 °C in IRM903 oil. Additionally, the hydroxyl groups between the fluorine-containing side chains of MVQ-g-PFDT and the surface of silica facilitate the enhancement of the uniform dispersion of fillers. Atomic force microscopy (AFM) characterization results showed a distinct enhancement of the compatibility between the two phases of FKM and SiR. This work would provide further insight into efforts to improve compatibility between rubbers with widely different polarities.

Mineralizations of Nb-Ta-Rb-Zr and rare-earth elements in Boziguoer, South Tianshan, NW China: Geochronology and geochemistry of monazite and bastnäsite

The Boziguoer alkaline intrusion is located in the South Tianshan Orogenic Belt on the northern margin of the Tarim Craton. The intrusion is entirely mineralized and forms a super-large rare metal (RM) and rare-earth element (REE) deposit dominated by Nb-Ta-Rb, accompanied by Zr-REE. The primary RM minerals include pyrochlore, astrophyllite, and zircon, while the main REE minerals consist of fluocerite, monazite, xenotime, and bastnäsite, which are commonly present as granular aggregates or singularly filling the interstices between gangue minerals. Through a combination of geochronological and geochemical analyses of different types of monazite and bastnäsite in the mineralized alkaline rocks, this study elucidates the role of magmatic-hydrothermal evolution on the Boziguoer RM-REE mineralization and reconstructs the geochronological framework of alkalic magmatic-hydrothermal evolution and mineralization processes, as well as establishing mechanisms responsible for RM-REE enrichment. Petrographic observations and back-scattered electron (BSE) imaging revealed several types of monazite and bastnäsite with different characteristics as follows: (1) type Ia monazite (Mnz-Ia) experienced intense hydrothermal alteration, forming residual cores of monazite mantled by apatite and allanite coronas; (2) type Ib monazite (Mnz-Ib) was partially eroded, forming concentric zoning patterns with a core of monazite, a mantle of apatite, and an outer rim of allanite coronas; (3) type II monazite (Mnz-II) is slightly modified, and commonly associated with fluorite; (4) bastnäsite and fluocerite exhibit a core-rim structure, with the core of fluocerite being brighter than the rim of bastnäsite in BSE images. According to the paragenetic relationships and compositional variations, all two types of monazite are of primary magmatic origin, while bastnäsite is of hydrothermal origin. In addition, principal component analysis (PCA) and partial least squares-discriminant analysis (PLS-DA) results indicate that Mnz-Ia and Mnz-Ib belong to the same group, different from Mnz-II. The latter has higher (Ce/Gd)N and (Th/U)N ratios, indicating relatively low-temperature crystallization of Mnz-II at late stages. In-situ LA-ICP-MS U-Th-Pb dating of monazite and bastnäsite show that Mnz-Ia and Mnz-Ib have ages of ca. 290 Ma, consistent with the zircon age of the intrusion, whereas the Mnz-II and bastnäsite have younger ages of ca. 280 Ma, representing a post-magmatic hydrothermal mineralization event at Boziguoer. These new ages indicate that both magmatic and subsequent hydrothermal processes played critical roles in the RM-REE mineralization in this deposit. The latest findings also support the model that the formation of the alkaline belt where the Boziguoer ore-bearing intrusion was temporally and spatially linked to the Tarim Large Igneous Province that is genetically related to a mantle plume.

Mechanical, Thermal, and Physicochemical Properties of Filaments of Poly (Lactic Acid), Polyhydroxyalkanoates and Their Blend for Additive Manufacturing.

Polymeric blends are employed in the production of filaments for additive manufacturing to balance mechanical and processability properties. The mechanical and thermal properties of polymeric filaments made of poly (lactic acid) (PLA), polyhydroxyalkanoates (PHA), and its blend (PLA-PHA) are investigated herein and correlated to their measured structural and physicochemical properties. PLA exhibits the highest stiffness and tensile strength, but lower toughness. The mechanical properties of the PLA-PHA blend were similar to those of PLA, but with a significantly higher toughness. Despite the lower mechanical properties of neat PHA, incorporating a small amount (12 wt.%) of PHA into PLA significantly enhances toughness (approximately 50%) compared to pure PLA. The synergistic effect is attributed to the spherulitic morphology of blended PHA in PLA, promoting interactions between the amorphous regions of both polymers. Thermal stability is notably improved in the PLA-PHA blend, as determined by thermogravimetric analysis. The blend also exhibits lower cold crystallization and glass transition temperatures as compared to PLA, which is beneficial for additive manufacturing. Following additive manufacturing, X-ray photoelectron spectroscopic showed that the three filaments present an increase in C-C and C=O bonds associated with the loss of C-O bonds. The thermal process induces a slight increase in crystallinity in PHA due to chain reorganization. The study provides insights into the thermal and structural changes occurring during the melting process of additive manufacturing.

Crystallization behavior and properties of ZnO–MgO–Al2O3–SiO2 transparent glass-ceramics with SnO2 and ZrO2 as nucleating agents

Transparent ZnO–MgO–Al2O3–SiO2 (ZMAS) glass-ceramics comprising ZrO2 and SnO2 as nucleating agents were prepared via melting and two-step heat treatment. The effects of varying the SnO2 concentration (1–3 mol%) on the crystallization behavior, microstructures, and mechanical properties of the glass-ceramics were investigated. Increasing the SnO2 content promoted the precipitation of spinel and gahnite because SnO2 improved the formation of ZrO2 nanocrystals, which provided nucleation sites for subsequent crystallization. When the SnO2 content was varied between 2 and 3 mol%, the crystallization behavior of the ZMAS glass-ceramics showed little difference, and SnO2 crystals precipitated from the glass at a relatively low crystallization temperature. In addition, glass-ceramics containing 2 and 3 mol% SnO2 exhibited average grain sizes of ∼26 and ∼29 nm, respectively, but their transmittance decreased to ∼52% and ∼50%, respectively, owing to grain aggregation. The best overall performance was achieved when the SnO2 content of the glass-ceramic was 3 mol% and heat treatment was conducted at 780 °C for 3 h and 960 °C for 2 h, with the resulting glass-ceramic exhibiting a bending strength of ∼187 MPa and a Vickers hardness of ∼845 kgf/mm2.

Strain-dependent grain boundary properties of n-type germanium layers

Polycrystalline Ge thin films have attracted considerable attention as potential materials for use in various electronic and optical devices. We recently developed a low-temperature solid-phase crystallization technology for a doped Ge layer and achieved the highest electron mobility in a polycrystalline Ge thin film. In this study, we investigated the effects of strain on the crystalline and electrical properties of n-type polycrystalline Ge layers. By inserting a GeOx interlayer directly under Ge and selecting substrates with different coefficients of thermal expansion, we modulated the strain in the polycrystalline Ge layer, ranging from approximately 0.6% (tensile) to − 0.8% (compressive). Compressive strain enlarged the grain size to 12 µm, but decreased the electron mobility. The temperature dependence of the electron mobility clarified that changes in the potential barrier height of the grain boundary caused this behavior. Furthermore, we revealed that the behavior of the grain boundary barrier height with respect to strain is opposite for the n- and p-types. This result strongly suggests that this phenomenon is due to the piezoelectric effect. These discoveries will provide guidelines for improving the performance of Ge devices and useful physical knowledge of various polycrystalline semiconductor thin films.

Enhancing 3D printability of polyhydroxybutyrate (PHB) and poly(3-hydroxybutyrate-co-3-hydroxy valerate) (PHBV) based blends through melt extrusion based-3D printing

Polyhydroxybutyrate (PHB) and poly (3-hydroxybutyrate-co-3-hydroxy valerate) (PHBV) possess favorable biological properties such as biocompatibility and biodegradability, making them suitable for various applications. However, their utility is limited by a narrow processing window due to low thermal stability and challenges in manipulating filament size during extrusion, attributed to poor melt strength. These issues result in irregularities such as discontinuous flow and incomplete deposition of melted PHB, significantly affecting 3D printing outcomes. To address these concerns, this study explores blending PHB and PHBV with poly (lactic acid) (PLA) and poly (butylene adipate-co-terephthalate) (PBAT) to enhance its processability and printability. Thermal analysis of all blends revealed three distinct degradation steps occurring at approximately 300, 360, and 400ºC, corresponding to PHB or PHBV, PLA, and PBAT, respectively. Moreover, the melting temperatures of PHB, PHBV, PLA, and PBAT were measured around 176, 173, 152, and 121ºC, respectively. It was observed that the polymer blends exhibited lower crystallization temperature and degree of crystallinity compared to PHB or PHBV. Assessing their 3D printability, neat PHB and PHBV filaments experienced fusion issues, poor flow during extrudate deposition, and significant warping, leading to 3D printing failures. In contrast, the blends displayed enhanced flowability and successfully produced high-quality specimens. Scanning electron microscope (SEM) analysis highlighted a phase separation morphology in the blends, showcasing uniform dispersion of PLA and PBAT within the PHB matrix.

Low-Temperature Crystallization of Structural Defects in LuB12 According to 175Lu NMR Data

Low-Temperature Crystallization of Structural Defects in LuB12 According to 175Lu NMR Data

Lipase-catalyzed interesterification of Sunite sheep tail fat and flaxseed oil provides a fat having a unique fatty acid content and favorable physicochemical and nutritional properties.

The aim of this study is to combine flaxseed oil (FO), rich in α-linolenic acid (ALA), with Sunite sheep tail fat (STF) through a lipase-catalyzed transesterification reaction, in order to produce an edible oil with a fatty acid ratio suitable for human needs. Initially, the optimal conditions for esterification were determined using the Box-Behnken design, with the measurement criterion being the content of ALA at the sn-2 position. The results indicated that the highest content of sn-2 ALA was obtained under the conditions of using 6.8 wt% Lipozyme®RMIM as the catalyst, a reaction temperature of 57°C, a reaction time of 3.3 h, and a substrate mass ratio of 5.6:4.4 for STF and FO. This led to the rapid breaking and recombining of molecular bonds, resulting in the interesterified fat (IF) with the highest content of ALA at the sn-2 position. Comparing STF and FO, IF exhibited excellent fatty acid composition and content. Furthermore, IF had a lower melting point and crystallization temperature compared to STF, and its solid fat content decreased with increasing temperature, completely melting at temperatures above 30°C. Thus, IF is a synthesized fat with excellent properties from both animal and vegetable sources.

Feasibility study on titanium‐catalyzed polyester for the preparation of high‐strength industrial yarns

AbstractIn order to overcome the environmental pollution or personal injury caused by precipitation of heavy metal ions during post‐processing and application of antimony‐catalyzed polyester industrial yarns, the titanium catalyst was used to prepare polyethylene terephthalate (PET) with high molecular weight, and then the titanium‐ catalyzed PET properties related to spinning kinetics were investigated as a basis for designing the drying, melting, spinning and extrusion, cooling, hot stretching and heat‐ setting process parameters. Compared with the spinning process of antimony‐catalyzed polyester of similar molecular weight, based on the lower melting point and melt viscosity of titanium‐catalyzed PET, the spinning temperature was lowered by about 5°C to reduce the thermal degradation of PET during extrusion, and the hot stretching speed and temperature were appropriately lowered based on the characteristics of low crystallization temperature and high crystallization rate in the heating process so that a product with a breaking strength of 8.29 cN/dtex was developed on an industrial device successfully. Titanium‐catalyzed high‐strength polyester industrial yarns, the structure and properties of crystal orientation, lamellar thickness, strength and elongation at break were comparable with those of antimony‐catalyzed polyester industrial yarns.

Peraluminous Rare Metal Granites in Iberia: Geochemical, Mineralogical, Geothermobarometric, and Petrogenetic Constraints

The intensive variables, geochemical, mineralogical, and petrogenetic constraints of the Iberian peraluminous rare metal granites (RMGs), many of them unknown, are presented. The mineral chemistry of ore and gangue minerals, whole rock analyses, geothermobarometry, melt water and phosphorus contents, mass balance, and Rayleigh modeling were performed to achieve these objectives. These procedures allow us to distinguish two main contrasting granitic types: Nb-Ta-rich and Nb-Ta-poor granites. The former have lower crystallization temperatures, higher water contents, and lower emplacement pressures than Nb-Ta-poor granites. Nb-Ta-rich granites also have higher fluoride contents, strong fractionation into geochemical twins, higher Na contents, and different evolutionary trends. At the deposit scale, the fractional crystallization of micas properly explains the variation in the Ta/Nb ratio in both Nb-Ta-poor and Nb-Ta-rich RMGs, although in higher-grade granites, the variation is not as clear due to the action of fluids. Fluid phase separation processes especially occurred in the Nb-Ta rich granites, thus transporting halogens and metals that increased the grades in the top and sometimes in the core of granites. Gas-driven filter pressing processes facilitated the migration of fluid and melt near solidus melt in Nb-Ta-rich granites. The geochemical signature of the Iberian rare metal granites mainly follows the trends of two-mica granites and P-rich cordierite granites, but also of granodiorites.

In Situ Insights into Cathode Calcination for Predictive Synthesis: Kinetic Crystallization of LiNiO2 from Hydroxides.

Calcination is a solid-state synthesis process widely deployed in battery cathode manufacturing. However, its inherent complexity associated with elusive intermediates hinders the predictive synthesis of high-performance cathode materials. Here, correlative in situ X-ray absorption/scattering spectroscopy is used to investigate the calcination of nickel-based cathodes, focusing specifically on the archetypal LiNiO2 from Ni(OH)2 . Combining in situ observation with data-driven analysis reveals concurrent lithiation and dehydration of Ni(OH)2 and consequently, the low-temperature crystallization of layered LiNiO2 alongside lithiated rocksalts. Following early nucleation, LiNiO2 undergoes sluggish crystallization and structural ordering while depleting rocksalts; ultimately, it turns into a structurally-ordered layered phase upon full lithiation but remains small in size. Subsequent high-temperature sintering induces rapid crystal growth, accompanied by undesired delithiation and structural degradation. These observations are further corroborated by mesoscale modeling, emphasizing that, even though calcination is thermally driven and favors transformation towardsthermodynamically equilibrium phases, the actual phase propagation and crystallization can be kinetically tuned via lithiation, providing freedom for structural and morphological control during cathode calcination.

Nucleation and grain growth in low-temperature rapid solid-phase crystallization of hydrogen-doped indium oxide

Nucleation and grain growth are discussed as a means of clarifying the mechanism of the rapid solid-phase crystallization (SPC) process of H2-doped amorphous indium oxide (InO x :H) films. H2-doping in InO x :H films reduced nucleation density at 250 °C from 4.1 to 1.1 μm−2, resulting in an increase in grain size and Hall mobility of the polycrystalline (poly)-InO x :H films. Lateral growth rate from the nucleus was estimated to be 220 nm min−1 for the InO x :H film at 250 °C. Thus, an amorphous InO x :H film could be converted to a poly-InO x :H film within 3 min owing to a fast lateral growth rate from the nucleus. Almost the same grain size, Hall mobility, and carrier density could be obtained from the poly-InO x :H films after annealing at 250 °C for only 3 min irrespective of the ramp rate. The results demonstrated the wide range of the processing window for SPC for poly-InO x :H films.