Morphology Of Nanostructures Research Articles

Manipulating formation of different InGaAs/GaAs nanostructures via tailoring As4 flux

This research provides a flexible approach to manipulate formation of InGaAs nanostructures on the GaAs (100) surface by varying arsenic (As4) beam equivalent pressure (BEP). By selecting the As4/(In+Ga) BEP ratio to be 4, 8, 20, 50 and 100, we were able to obtain different quantum structures from quantum well (QW) to quantum dots (QDs), then to spatially ordered quantum dot chains (QD-chains), and finally to quantum wires (QWRs), respectively. This transformation of nanostructures was explained by anisotropic surface diffusion coupled with the strain relieving Stranski–Krastanov growth mode, while the anisotropy was modulated by increasing As4 flux and subsequently enhanced by multilayer-stacking growth with a suitable spacer thickness. Photoluminescence characteristics show correlation to the nanostructure morphology for each sample. In particular, the formation of QD-chains and QWRs results in anisotropic features that offer potential device applications.

Controllable morphology of Pd nanostructures: from nanoparticles to nanofoams

Abstract Metallic nanofoams offer enhanced surface area and reduced density compared to their bulk counterparts while keeping intrinsic metallic properties. This combination makes nanofoams ideal for many applications, such as catalysis and battery. However, the synthesis of nanofoams is still challenging. This work introduces a non-complex synthesis method of Pd nanofoams employing a polar lipid structured as a sponge phase in water. The Pd nanostructures were characterized using Scanning Electron Microscopy (SEM), Transmission Electron Microscopy (TEM), X-Ray Diffraction (XRD), N2 adsorption-desorption isotherms, X-Ray Photoelectron Spectroscopy (XPS), and X-Ray Absorption Near Edge Structure (XANES) at Pd K edge techniques. The morphology of the nanostructure, from nanofoam to nanoparticle, is easily controlled by the presence of the polar lipid and the Pd salt used. The Pd nanostructures synthesized are fully oxidized, but the nanofoams reduce quickly (less than 5 minutes) to metallic Pd after H2 exposure at room temperature. The nanostructures were applied for hydrogen storage and Pd nanofoams achieved a remarkable gravimetric capacity of 0.76 wt.% at room temperature and 1 atm H2 pressure. DFT calculation showed that the changes in the morphology of Pd lead to great changes in the adsorption energy of hydrogen, thus allowing the improvement of the material for hydrogen storage applications through the method developed.

Free-standing sodium niobate nanowires film: Morphological and chemical surface characterization

This work presents the development and characterization of a novel free-standing sodium niobate nanowires (SNN) film. The material is obtained by hydrothermal synthesis, and a methodology to detach the SNN film from the substrate was developed. The obtained free-standing film exhibits flexibility and two distinct surfaces, the bulk-side and the free-side. Another aspect of the SNN film is its adhesive property, which is observed only on the free-side. The FEG-SEM characterization showed that the bulk-side has a spongy morphology, whereas the free-side presents a nanostructured surface in the form of nanowires with a thickness of 28.96 ± 5.4 nm and the cross-sectional image of the film revealed a thickness of 16.25 µm ± 1.01 µm. Wettability was also determined, and it shows that the bulk-side is less hydrophilic than the free-side. Besides, it was possible to determine that the two surfaces exhibited distinct chemical compositions by XPS and ToF-ERDA analyses. In addition, it is worth highlighting that the interplay between the free-standing nature, the adhesive property, and the nanostructured morphology of the SNN film can provide great versatility of applications.

Explore the effect of magnesium oxide nanoparticles decorated graphene oxide hybrid nanofillers reinforced polyaniline ternary nanocomposites on optical, thermal, and dielectric properties

The Neem (Azadirachta indica) leaves utilized for the synthesis of magnesium oxide nanoparticles (MgONPs) are readily available and pose little risk of harm. The MgONPs@GO hybrid nanofillers are synthesized through in situ method and is reinforced with polyaniline (PANI) to enhance its electrical characteristics and thermal stability. The UV-visible spectroscopy demonstrates the formation of a charge transfer complex in the PANI/MgONPs@GO ternary nanocomposites. The presence of functional groups in the PANI/MgONPs@GO ternary nanocomposites was detected using Fourier transform infrared (FTIR) spectroscopy. The crystalline phases of the PANI/MgONPs@GO ternary nanocomposites were validated using x-ray diffraction (XRD) investigation. The scanning electron microscopy (SEM) technique was used to investigate the nanostructured morphology of the PANI/MgONPs@GO ternary nanocomposites. The thermogravimetric analysis (TGA) revealed that the PANI/MgONPs@GO ternary nanocomposites exhibited greater thermal stability compared to the pure PANI. The AC conductivity (σ ac), dielectric permittivity (ε′), and dielectric loss (tanδ) of PANI/MgONPs@GO ternary nanocomposites exhibit a substantial increase compared to pure PANI.

A study on the evolution of hydrothermally synthesized MoS2 on thermal annealing and development of novel MoS2-MoO3 hybrid nanostructure for supercapacitor applications

The electrochemical capacitor also known as supercapacitor is a high-performance energy storage device with exceptional properties. We report the evolution of structural, morphological, optical, and thermal properties of MoS2 on thermal annealing along with its supercapacitor study. The pristine MoS2 is synthesized via the hydrothermal method at 200°C and the material is annealed in the presence of air at 250°C, 300°C, and 350°C. The 300°C annealed sample has shown a hybrid MoO3-xMoS2-y phase characterized by morphology of mixed flower-like and nano brick-like structures, marking the first time report of this novel formation. The evolution of the novel MoO3-xMoS2-y phase can be attributed to the intervention of lattice and interstitial oxygen species during synthesis. Electrochemical analysis is employed to study the supercapacitor nature of the materials. The electrochemical study revealed that the hybrid structure has a higher charge storage capacity than MoS2 or MoO3. The calculated specific capacitance from the galvanostatic charge-discharge curve of MoO3-xMoS2-y in 0.1M NaOH is observed to be 1.71mF/cm2, five times greater than other samples. Furthermore, the capacitor behavior of MoO3-xMoS2-y is studied in different electrolytes such as KOH, NaOH, and Na2SO4 at a concentration of 3M. The intercalation-assisted faradaic process is observed to be the major charge storage mechanism of the hybrid structure. Developing novel nanostructures with distinct properties is crucial for advancing supercapacitors to achieve optimal performance.

Analysis of Structural, Optical, Morphological and Magnetic Behaviour of Lead Nanoferrite by Two Different Methods

Sol gel and the hydrothermal approach are two distinct techniques that have been successfully used to synthesise lead nanoferrite (PbFe2O4). To determine which of the two approaches is superior, the features of the sample prepared by each have been examined. Vibration Sample Magnetometer (VSM), Fourier Transform Infrared Spectroscopy, UV-VIS Spectral investigations, Scanning Electron Microscopy (SEM), X-Ray Diffraction, and Size, Band Gap Energies, Morphology, and Magnetic Properties of Nanostructures were used to determine and compare its various aspects. The mean diameters of the synthesised lead ferrite nanocrystalline were found to be 33 nm for the sol gel method and 20 nm for the hydrothermal method, respectively, based on X-Ray Diffraction analysis using Debye-Scherer’s formula with the peak. FTIR spectra are used to analyse the vibration characteristics of nanomaterials. The optical characteristics of the synthesised nanomaterials, such as their Energy Band Gap, were determined using UV-VIS Spectral investigations. SEM is used for surface morphological investigations, allowing the structure of the synthesised nanomaterials to be studied. Using VSM, the magnetisation of the produced nanomaterials was examined, and the hysteresis loops were used to calculate the saturation magnetisation (Ms), coercivity (Hc), and retainivity (Mr).

A Versatile Approach to Stabilize Liquid-Liquid Interfaces using Surfactant Self-Assembly.

Stabilizing liquid-liquid interfaces, whether between miscible or immiscible liquids, is crucial for a wide range of applications, including energy storage, microreactors, and biomimetic structures. In this study, a versatile approach for stabilizing the water-oil interface is presented using the morphological transitions that occur during the self-assembly of anionic, cationic, and nonionic surfactants mixed with fatty acid oils. The morphological transitions underlying this approach are characterized and extensively studied through small-angle X-ray scattering (SAXS), rheometry, and microscopy techniques. Dissipative particle dynamics (DPD) as a simulation tool is adopted to investigate these morphological transitions both in the equilibrium ternary system as well as in the dynamic condition of the water-oil interface. Such a versatile strategy holds promise for enhancing applications such as liquid-in-liquid 3D printing. Moreover, it has the potential to revolutionize a wide range of fields where stabilizing liquid-liquid interfaces not only offers unprecedented opportunities for fine-tuning nanostructural morphologies but also imparts interesting practical features to the resulting liquid shapes. These features include perfusion capabilities, self-healing, and porosity, which could have significant implications for variousindustries.

Monitoring the synergistic effect of Mn/Ni Co-doping and morphological engineering in α-Fe2O3 for energy storage capacity as battery type electrode material

Morphology engineering and elemental doping proved to be an efficient way to enhance the capacitive performance of electroactive materials. To investigate the tuning of morphology via doping here, pure α-Fe2O3 and Ni1-xMnxFeO3+δ (x = 0,0.3,0.5,0.7,1) was synthesized via the hydrothermal method and investigated the impact of Ni and Mn doping on the structural, morphological, and electrochemical properties of α-Fe2O3. The XRD and Raman spectra confirmed the single-phase hematite's rhombohedral crystal structure of pure α-Fe2O3 with no extra peaks confirming the Ni and Mn doping without impurities. SEM analysis demonstrated a shift in the morphology of nanostructures, from spherical to nano-rod structures with increasing the concentration of Mn doping. Cyclic voltammetry results unveiled the battery-type behavior of Ni1-xMnxFeO3+δ nanoparticles while GCD results indicated an escalation in specific capacity from 380 Cg-1 (706 Fg-1) to 751 Cg-1 (1251 Fg-1) with higher Mn content. This increase culminated in the highest specific capacity of 751 Cg-1 (1251 Fg-1) for α-MnFeO3 +δ nanoparticles at the current density of 1 Ag-1 which is higher than α-Fe2O3 (380 Cg-1), NiFeO3+δ (425 Cg-1), Ni0.7Mn0.3FeO3+δ (470 Cg-1), Ni0.5Mn0.5FeO3+δ (530 Cg-1), and Ni0.3Mn0.7FeO3+δ (590 Cg-1). In addition, α-MnFeO3+δ exhibited a remarkable charge capacity retention (96%), and 100% coulomb efficiency after 10,000 consecutive GCD cycles. The noteworthy specific capacity and robust stability of the α-MnFeO3+δ nanorods suggest their suitability as potential candidates for battery type supercapacitors.

Optimized Chemical Bath Deposition for Low Cost, Scalable, and Environmentally Sustainable Synthesis of Star-Like ZnO Nanostructures.

This paper highlights an affordable and straightforward method called chemical bath deposition (CBD) for generating different morphologies of ZnO-based nanostructures. In particular, a specific protocol was found to drive the growth versus a high-yield in-plane symmetric six-arm nanostructure, named a nanostar (NS). Each arm of the star consists of a cluster of parallel wires, creating a subnanostructure with a huge surface-to-volume ratio. As-grown NSs present a mixed phase of ZnOHF and ZnO, which converts to ZnO under thermal annealing at 300 °C. The NSs have a highly exposed surface area (13.2702 m2·g-1) and exhibit an energy gap of 3.25 eV. A cradle-to-gate life cycle assessment (LCA) analysis has shown the high ecofriendly potential of this synthesis route and identified hotspots that need to be addressed to minimize the environmental impact of NS synthesis on an industrial scale.

Optimization of GeSn nanostructures via tuning of femtosecond laser parameters

Semiconductor nanostructures are known to exhibit interesting electrical and optical properties, as well as functionalities that are significantly different from their bulk counterparts. These unique characteristics can be attributed to their quantum confinement effects, and large surface-to-volume ratios, along with the fact that their compositions can be tuned. This study proposes a new method for tuning the properties of GeSn nanostructures on a silicon substrate using femtosecond laser direct writing. A series of GeSn nanostructures with different compositions of Sn ranging from nanodots, nanoholes, nanostrips, nanogaps, and nano-cauliflowers were successfully prepared via tuning of femtosecond laser parameters. The morphology, composition of Sn, and crystalline properties of the formed nanostructures were also greatly influenced by the laser fluence and the effective pulse number. The femtosecond laser/GeSn interaction mechanism was thoroughly investigated based on the two-temperature Drude model. This work provides a novel strategy for tuning the bandgap and morphology of GeSn nanostructures, through which the properties of GeSn-based devices can be tailored according to the requirements of practical applications in the fields of microelectronics and photonics.

Anisotropic growth of Ag nanonails induced by plasmon-mediated chemical reactions in cross-shaped nanocavity array

The Ag nanonail rooted in Au cross-channel nanocavity is fabricated by plasmon-mediated chemical reactions (PMCRs). The Au cross-channel nanocavity is prepared based on two-dimensional polystyrene (PS) nanosphere template through wet etching, and the shape of Au cross-channel nanocavity changes from trapezoidal to triangular, depending on the wet etching time. The growth of Ag nanostructures in Au channels by PMCRs indicates the morphology of Ag nanostructures has changed from Ag nanoparticles to nanonails, which is regulated by the shape of Au nanocavities and the exciting light polarization. The hotspots distributions results in the anisotropic growth of Ag nanostructures induced by PMCRs, which leading to the different Ag nanostructures depending on the shape of Au nanocavity and light polarization, as confirmed by FDTD simulations. In comparison with others reports, our nanocavity provide more parameters to control the shapes of Ag nanostructures, the nanocavity shape, the light polarization and the growth time. Our work provides a profound insight into the construction of periodic nanostructures and reconstruction of hotspots.

Growth of WO3 nanostructure deposited on TiO2 nanotube arrays for electrochemical enzyme-free glucose sensor

In this study, a novel WO3-TiO2 hybrid nanostructure-based electrochemical non-enzymatic glucose biosensor has been developed. The anodization method was utilized to successfully produce TiO2 nanotubes on Ti6Al4V alloy functioning as substrates and WO3 nanomaterial decorate on the surface of TiO2 nanotubes (TNTs) deposited through electrochemical technique. The incorporation of WO3 on TNTs has resulted in a high electroactive surface and more degradation resistance in comparison to pure TNTs, resulting in enhanced electron transfer rate and electrode stability. High-resolution transmission electron microscopy (HR-TEM), field emission scanning electron microscopy (FE-SEM), and X-ray diffraction were used to investigate the crystalline structure and morphology of the WO3-TiO2 nanostructure. The electrochemical properties of the hybrid electrodes were investigated employing amperometry, cyclic voltammetry (CV), and electrochemical impedance spectroscopy (EIS). The hybrid electrode had a promising sensitivity (1228.12 μA/mM/cm2), low detection limit (0.19 mM), wide linear range (1.0–6.5 mM), and short response time (2-s). The sensors also demonstrated superior levels of reproducibility, repeatability, and stability.

A “like-zwitterionic” forward osmosis membranes with electrostatic deposition of aluminosilicate nanotubes for resisting positively and negatively charged protein and oil contaminant

Membrane fouling has always been a huge obstacle to the development of membrane separation technology, including forward osmosis (FO) technology. In this work, polyamide (PA) thin-film composite (TFC) membranes were simply immersed in aluminosilicate nanotubes (ANTs) dispersions to obtain thin-film nanocomposite (TFN) FO membranes. With the help of the opposite surface charge of ANTs and PA layer, and the representative “peak-valley” structure of PA TFC membrane, ANTs are stably bound to the surface of TFC membrane by electrostatic adsorption and physical confinement. The TFN membrane has greatly enhanced hydration ability due to the rich hydrophilic hydroxyl groups of ANTs, “like-zwitterionic” surface composition and rough nanostructure morphology, resulting in good underwater superoleophobicity. Combined with the water transport channel formed by its nanoporous structure, the surface anti-protein adhesion and anti-oil–water emulsion adhesion can be achieved without affecting the water flux. It is worth noting that the surface potential of TFN membrane is close to neutral due to charge neutralization. This avoids the electrostatic interaction between the membrane surface and the contaminant, and further achieves a universal anti-fouling ability that is not affected by protein or emulsion charge, and the irreversible adsorption is close to zero. In addition, the rigid ANTs coating exhibits excellent stability and reusability under long-term use, and the water flux after cleaning can be restored to nearly 99.9%. In general, this method of using ANTs deposition to improve the antifouling performance of PA based TFC membrane is simple, efficient, stable, and easy scalable. This method is not only limited to FO membrane, but also can be extended to PA based reverse osmosis and nanofiltration membranes, which has great practical application potential.

Inhalable drug-loaded silk fibroin carriers for pulmonary drug delivery.

The design and development of engineered micro and nano-carriers offering superior therapeutic performance compared to traditional delivery forms, are crucial in pharmaceutical research. Aerosolization and inhalation of carriers with improved solubility/stability of insoluble drugs, has huge potential for targeted drug delivery (DD) in various pulmonary diseases. Indeed, dedicated carriers must meet specific dimensional rules for proper lung delivery. Particles between 2-10 μm in size are normally deposited in the tracheobronchial region, while particles of 0.5-2 μm may be properly deposited in the alveoli. In this work, we report the development of inhalable nanostructured carries made of a 'green' bio-inspired polymer from aqueous solutions, i.e. silk fibroin (SF), efficiently loaded with a hydrophobic drug, i.e. the thyroid hormone levothyroxine (L-T4), a drug for the treatment of idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis. The aim is to optimize a standard method for the synthesis of SF-based nanocarriers with controlled size and shape, where a fine control of their geometrical properties is aimed at efficiently controlling the pulmonary DD. L-T4 loaded SF particles were synthesized through a one-pot co-precipitation method. Optimized systems were determined by varying the chemo-physical parameters during the synthesis. Ethylenediaminetetraacetic acid (EDTA) was used to remove CaCO3 cores. The proposed synthesis routes have led to two SF structures, whose structural heterogeneity and nanostructured morphology have been demonstrated using fluorescence microscopy, DLS, SEM and EDX. Two systems with varying shape and size have been obtained: (i) a flat disk-like SF structure with an irregular surface and an in-plane length of about 1-2 μm; (ii) solid SF nanospheres, obtained using ethylene glycol as additive, showing two size populations (main diameters of 0.5 μm and 1.7 μm). Solid nanospherical systems, in particular, show a tendency to arrange into agglomerates that, when loosely bound into smaller particles, can facilitate the delivery at the alveoli. Both formulations exhibited similar drug loading efficiencies, evaluated by HPLC analysis. However, SF nanospheres showed greater in vitro drug release after 24 hours. The demonstrated control over the characteristics imparted to the proposed DD systems may be critical to select the most suitable size/shape to achieve high rates of delivery to the appropriate lung compartment.

Preparation and surface photovoltage regulation of (Cs/MA)3Bi2I9 double A-site cation mixed-phase perovskite nanocrystal structure

This paper reports a novel (Cs/MA)3Bi2I9 double A-site cations perovskite nanostructured photoelectrode and its fabrication method, utilizing a stoichiometric dissolution of MAI, CsI, and BiI3 solutes in DMF solvent. The (Cs/MA)3Bi2I9 perovskite electrodes are then prepared on FTO glass substrates using the spin-coating technique. Furthermore, by adjusting the molar ratio x of Cs+ to the total moles of Cs+ and MA+ in precursor, the morphology and size of the (Cs/MA)3Bi2I9 perovskite nanostructures can be effectively modulated, thereby tuning their photoelectrical properties. (Cs/MA)3Bi2I9 consists of two phases: (CsMA)3Bi2I9 formed by substituting Cs+ with MA+, and (MACs)3Bi2I9 formed by substituting MA+ with Cs+. The surface photovoltage performance of the (Cs/MA)3Bi2I9 perovskites prepared at different x values surpasses that of pure MA3Bi2I9 and Cs3Bi2I9 bismuth-based perovskites. Particularly noteworthy is that at x = 0.6, the surface photovoltage performance of (Cs/MA)3Bi2I9 perovskite is nearly double that of the pure MA3Bi2I9 and Cs3Bi2I9 perovskites.

The Effect of Concentration of Aluminum on Structural, Optical, and Electrical Properties of Aluminum‐doped ZnO Nanostructures Electrochemically Deposited on Polyimide

AbstractAluminum‐doped ZnO (AZO) were successfully prepared on polyimide (PI) film using electrochemical deposition. Field emission scanning electron microscopy (FESEM) analysis revealed that as the aluminum concentration increased, the morphology of AZO nanostructures changed from pellets to nanorods. X‐ray photoelectron spectrometry (XPS) was employed to study the chemical states of undoped and Al‐doped ZnO on a polyimide substrate. The X‐ray diffraction (XRD) patterns of the PI/AZO nanostructures showed a polycrystalline wurtzite structure with a crystallographic orientation along the (002) plane. The XRD analysis also indicated that the average crystallite size decreased from 50.5 nm to 31.0 nm with increasing aluminum concentration (from 0.05 mM to 10 mM). Transmittance analysis revealed that with increasing aluminum concentration, the average optical transmittance in the visible region decreased from 90 % to 75 %. The aluminum concentration has a significant effect on the electrical properties of the samples, as shown by current‐voltage (I–V) and Hall measurements. Among the samples, the AZO/PI film prepared with 5 mM aluminum concentration exhibited the minimum electrical resistivity (4.14×10−2 Ω.cm), the highest carrier density (1.10×1021 cm−3) and the Hall mobility (5.40 cm2 V−1 s−1). We also discuss the possible mechanisms underlying these results compared to undoped ZnO films. This study contributes to the potential applications in flexible electronics and optoelectronics by demonstrating the tunability of AZO nanostructures on a flexible polyimide substrate through controlled aluminum doping.

Synthesis, characterization and photoelectrochemical performance of Bi2Fe4O9 thin films

Mullite-type Bi2Fe4O9 has been little explored in thin film form as a photoanode for photoelectrochemical water splitting. In this study, Bi2Fe4O9 thin films have been prepared using the sol-gel technique from a simple precursor solution based on the corresponding metal salts, acetic acid, and polyvinyl alcohol. The films were deposited by dip-coating onto fluorine-doped tin oxide substrates and dried at 350 °C, repeating the dipping-drying cycle six times, and finally sintered at 600 °C. The films were characterized by GIXRD, revealing the formation of the material in its orthorhombic phase. Raman spectroscopy showed the Ag and B1g vibrational modes, validating the formation of the bismuth iron oxide. UV–Vis transmittance measurements revealed that the material exhibits two optical transitions: a direct band gap of 2.86 eV and an indirect band gap of 1.98 eV. FESEM micrographs and AFM images showed a uniform nanostructured surface morphology. The photoelectrochemical properties of the Bi2Fe4O9 films were studied using cyclic voltammetry and chronoamperometry with front side illumination, demonstrating the stability of the material in aqueous media and the generation of photocurrent in the presence of H2O2. Furthermore, results from intensity-modulated photocurrent spectroscopy (IMPS) revealed that the photocurrent is limited by both bulk and surface recombination and a short hole diffusion length.

Plasma-enabled growth of vertically oriented carbon nanostructures for AC line filtering capacitors

Self-standing vertically oriented carbon nanostructures (VCNs) were synthesized using a large-scale microwave plasma under low-pressure conditions, employing methane as a carbon precursor. The influence of plasma operational and substrate conditions on nanostructure growth and morphology were systematically studied. Furthermore, post-synthesis N-doping of VCNs with nitrogen content of 2.4 at% N was achieved using an Ar-N2 microwave plasma. Plasma-enabled direct deposition of VCNs, both doped and un-doped, onto nickel foils has been accomplished. The assessment of the developed nanostructures as electrodes in high-frequency AC filtering capacitors, has demonstrated an overall capacitance of approximately 480 µF at 100 Hz, with a cut-off frequency of 4 kHz for a phase angle of −45°. The excellent electrochemical performance can be attributed to the appropriate structural and morphological properties peculiar for the directly deposited on nickel foil VCNs providing binder-free electrode fabrication, thus enhancing the electrode’s conductivity and charge transfer kinetics. This plasma-enabled approach for electrode design on a large scale, coupled with excellent filtering performance, paves the way for many applications in high-frequency scenarios, offering an environmentally friendly alternative to conventional electrolytic capacitors.

In-situ constructed NiCoZnS composite on nickel foam with hierarchical structures as bifunctional electrocatalysts for oxygen evolution reaction (OER) and supercapacitors

Transition metal sulfides have shown promise as candidates for energy storage and conversion devices, but the limited electroactive sites may greatly hinder further improvement. The novel nanostructured morphologies enhance active sites and surface area, thereby increasing overall electrochemical performance. Herein, we successfully synthesized various morphologies such as ZnS spheres, CoS star anise spice-like structures, and NiS flakes-like structures, which were directly grown on Ni foam using a single-step hydrothermal method. Additionally, the novel nanostructured morphologies were combined as a heterojunction NiCoZnS electrode to further utilize electronic and junction properties, thereby enhancing performance. This combination of morphologies—spheres, star anise spice, and flakes-like structures with ultrathin thickness and large surface areas—effectively increases the number of active sites, resulting in enhanced supercapacitor and oxygen evolution reaction (OER) performance. Moreover, directly growing nanostructures on conductive Ni foam endows the electrode materials with higher conductivity and richer active sites. In terms of supercapacitor performance, the NiCoZnS electrode exhibits a specific capacity of 1171.3 C g−1 at 0.5 A g−1 and remarkable rate performance. Furthermore, NiCoZnS maintains a capacitance retention of 94.9 % after 5000 cycles. As an electrocatalyst, NiCoZnS undergoes a rapid self-reconstruction process during the oxygen evolution reaction (OER), producing rich oxygen vacancies and thus demonstrating remarkable long-term stability. The NiCoZnS nanocomposites exhibit small overpotential (157 mV at 100 mA cm−2) and a Tafel slope of 128 mV dec−1. NiCoZnS's unique hierarchical nanostructures, doping-optimized electronic structural configuration, and specific surface lead to high catalytic performance. These remarkable performances of mixed morphologies like NiCoZnS hold great promise for energy storage and conversion devices.

(Digital Presentation) Investigation of the Damage of Focus Ion Beam (FIB) on Nanocrystals Formed in Terbium-Doped Silicon Oxide Thin Films

Terbium-doped oxygen-rich silicon oxide (ORSO:Tb) thin films were fabricated using Integrated magnetron sputtering and electron cyclotron plasma-enhanced chemical vapor deposition (IMS ECR-PECVD) method. To investigate damage from focus ion beam (a comparison is made between mechanical and FIB methods measurements, which did not reveal crystal damage induced by FIB.Silicon-based thin films are fundamental materials in electronics and photonics, and doping is a common method to enhance silicon-based thin film’s luminescence. Terbium (Tb), characterized by well-defined emission lines, ranging from 400 to 620 nm (green emission), provides compelling reasons for using Tb as a dopant in silicon-based thin films (1).TEM is a method employed for studying. Preparation methods are required to make a TEM sample that is transparent to the electron beam (with a thickness of approximately 100 to 200 nm) (2). While conventional techniques, like electrolytic polishing and mechanical milling, are commonly used for preparing TEM samples, they fall short of achieving the precise preparation of a TEM sample in a specific area of interest with high spatial resolution.FIB has been used for preparing TEM specimens, which is fast and reliable. By scanning the beam across the cross-section, it becomes possible to reduce the thickness of the sample to prepare it for TEM (4)(5). The primary issue is due to the impact of ion beams accelerated to high energy therefore, examination effect of FIB on structure is important. Damages resulting from using FIB have mainly been studied on Silicon-based materials (6)(7)(8).In this paper, Tb-doped silicon oxide (oxygen-rich) thin film deposited by IMS ECR-PECVD offers a more uniform distribution and well-controlled rare-earth doping (9). To investigate the damages induced in the preparation process, ORSO:Tb annealed at 1200 °C was divided into two parts, and then a comparison between the mechanical and FIB preparations for TEM samples was made.ORSO:Tb were fabricated using an IMS ECR-PECVD system, employing 2 sccm SiH4 at 30% Ar and 28 sccm O2 at 10% as silicon (Si) and oxygen (O) precursors. These gas sources were delivered to the ECR chamber, pure Tb target with a sputtering power of 30 W and the substrate temperature was set at 350 °C. Following deposition, the thin film underwent annealing at 1200 °C for 1 hour.The TEM samples prepared by mechanical method and annealed at 1200 ⁰C, Fig. 1(a), showed a well-defined crystal structure. The dark points on the sample represent the nanocrystals of terbium disilicate. The average thickness of the sample is approximately 168.88 nm. Fig. 1(b) displays the ORSO:Tb annealed at 1200 ⁰C, showing the cross-sectional morphology of well-ordered nanostructures on the specimen with Tb doping, prepared by FIB. The cross-section of the thin film is well-ordered, and the FIB process did not disrupt the crystal structure of the sample annealed at high temperature, nor did it lead to the formation of a new structure. Furthermore, a comparative analysis between the TEM-prepared sample employing the mechanical method and the one prepared using FIB makes it evident that the FIB-prepared sample possesses superior resolution. The size distribution of particles is approximately the same, while due to the higher resolution of the TEM sample prepared through FIB, exhibits a particle distribution with a greater range with more details. In contrast, particle size determination in the mechanical method is more challenging due to its lower resolution, determining details and size characterization more difficult. Conclusion The ORSO:Tb sample was fabricated using the IMS ECR-PECVD system at 1200 degrees. Based on the findings presented in the paper, the effect of FIB, particularly at high annealing temperatures, does not induce significant damage to the crystal structure of ORSO:Tb thin film. The particle size distribution in the TEM sample prepared with FIB is broader and more detailed than in the mechanical due to its higher resolution. Particle size determination using the mechanical method is more challenging due to its lower resolution, making it more difficult to distinguish details and characterize sizes. Additionally, atomic composition analysis indicated the accurate abundance of oxygen in oxygen-rich silicon oxide. Figure 1