Gamma radiation shielding characteristics of some nitrides: a Monte–Carlo simulation study

Polarization-dependent photothermal effects in plasmonic nanostructures hold promise for applications like polarization-encoded thermal signaling, but conventional approaches rely on anisotropic absorption and are vulnerable to polarization perturbations. Here, we report unconventional polarization-sensitive photothermal effects in a zirconium nitride (ZrN) plasmonic metamaterial absorber that exhibits nearly polarization-independent absorption. Despite minimal absorption variation (≤0.1%), significant polarization-induced temperature differences of 5 K are achieved. This photothermal anisotropy originates from polarization-dependent near-field localization and subsequent joule heating at the sharp corners of square prisms. Furthermore, we show that photothermal anisotropy can be regulated through structural symmetry, providing a design framework for polarization-sensitive plasmonic platforms.

The influence of protective coatings on corrosion resistance in orthodontic magnets: A systematic review of in vitro studies.

This work presents a theoretically optimized multilayer surface plasmon resonance (SPR) biosensor for quantitative hemoglobin detection using the Kretschmann configuration. The sensor integrates a BK-7 prism, silver plasmonic layer, graphene enhancement layer, zirconium nitride (ZrN) protective layer, and aqueous sensing medium. This architecture synergistically combines enhanced electromagnetic confinement with chemical stability, addressing silver's oxidation vulnerability while maintaining superior plasmonic performance. Electromagnetic analysis via transfer matrix method and finite-element simulations demonstrates exceptional sensitivity metrics: maximum angular sensitivity of 500°/RIU, figure of merit of 92.25 RIU⁻¹, and detection limit of 0.006 RIU across clinically relevant hemoglobin concentrations (10–40 g/L). Localized electric field enhancement (~10⁶ V/m) at the sensing interface confirms optimal light-matter interaction amplification. Machine learning models predict sensor responses to graphene thickness and refractive index variations with R² > 0.99, enabling rapid optimization. This design advances SPR biosensor technology for sensitive, label-free biochemical detection applications.

Using glancing angle deposition (GLAD), this study fabricated chiral zirconium nitride structures with triangular and L‐shaped geometries on quartz substrates with thicknesses between 172 and 344 nm. Some films are sputtered at room temperature while others were heated to 300 °C during deposition. Circular dichroism (CD) spectroscopy confirmed optical chirality in all GLAD fabricated films, with clockwise and counterclockwise deposited films exhibiting mirror image CD spectra. A single peak around 280 nm is observed for all films deposited at glancing incidence. Additionally, increasing the deposition time per triangular side redshifts the CD peak, demonstrating tunability of the optical response. X‐ray diffraction reveals that heating induces crystallinity into the films with a Zr 3 N 4 (011) peak at 28.5°, Zr 3 N 4 (111) peak at 30.6°, and a ZrN (200) peak at 39.8°. SEM confirms tilted columnar growth in both heated and unheated films. Finite element simulations using COMSOL Multiphysics reproduce the main CD features, including a strong peak at ≈280 nm.

This paper analyzes a surface plasmon resonance (SPR) sensor utilizing silver (Ag) and Zirconium Nitride (ZrN) for glucose concentration detection in urine samples by the transfer matrix method (TMM). For effective SP excitation, a high-RI BAF10 prism is thought to be used as the coupling layer in the suggested theoretical design. The performance of the proposed SPR biosensor is theoretically evaluated using the wavelength interrogation technique by analyzing wavelength sensitivity (WS), detection accuracy (DA), figure of merit (FoM), and penetration depth (PD) parameters. Glucose in urine samples serves as the sensing medium (SM) in this biosensor configuration. The sensor achieves a maximum wavelength sensitivity of 6416.66 nm/RIU with a penetration depth of 297.53 nm. The ZrN structure incorporated in the biosensor demonstrates enhanced wavelength sensitivity through its molecular recognition sites that provide strong binding with glucose molecules. The improved wavelength sensitivity is attributed to the greater resonance wavelength shift produced by ZrN, resulting in significant performance enhancement of the biosensor for glucose detection. Benefits of the proposed SPR biosensor include very small urine sample concentration requirements (usually 0 mg/dL to 10 g/dL), compatibility with compact prism-based configurations that support the development of portable and affordable point-of-care devices, and quick detection within a few seconds due to real-time plasmonic response. These features make the sensor ideal for rapid, minimally invasive, and field-deployable glucose monitoring in both home and clinical relevance.

Surface plasmon resonance (SPR) sensors using noble metals like gold face critical limitations in cost, thermal stability, and spectral tunability, despite their strong plasmonic response. This study demonstrates that refractory metal nitrides-titanium nitride (TiN) and zirconium nitride (ZrN) achieve competitive sensing performance, while addressing these drawbacks. Employing the transfer matrix method in a Kretschmann prism coupling configuration, we systematically evaluate TiN and ZrN against gold across key metrics, such as surface plasmon quality factor, penetration depth, and propagation length. Results reveal that metal nitride-based SPR sensors achieve sensitivity up to 155.3 deg/RIU and detection accuracy of 0.077 deg–1, with figures of merit (FOM) reaching 11 RIU–1. While Au exhibits higher sensitivity (∼167.4 deg/RIU) and FOM (∼0.107 RIU–1), the performance of metal nitrides-based sensors remain sufficient for practical applications. The current research puts metal nitrides as revolutionary materials in areas where conventional noble metals are inadequate, such as industrial process monitoring, integrated photonic circuits, and next-generation SPR devices in harsh environments.

Background/Objectives:A comparative study of silver (Ag), titanium nitride (TiN), zirconium nitride (ZrN), and copper (Cu) coatings on titanium (Ti) disks, considering the specifications of a microporous skin- and bone-integrated titanium pylon (SBIP), was performed to assess their biocompatibility, osseointegration, and mechanical properties.Methods:To assess cytotoxicity and biocompatibility, Ti disks with various metal coatings were co-cultured with FetMSCs and MG-63 cells for 1, 3, 7, and 14 days and subsequently evaluated using a cell viability assay, as supported by SEM and confocal microscopy studies. The antimicrobial activity of the selected four materials coating the implants was tested against S. aureus by mounting Ti disks onto the surface of LB agar dishes spread with a bacterial suspension and measuring the diameter of the growth inhibition zones. Quantitative Real-Time Polymerase Chain Reaction (RT-PCR) analysis of the relative gene expression of biomarkers that are associated with extracellular matrix components (fibronectin, vitronectin, type I collagen) and cell adhesion (α2, α5, αV integrins), as well as of osteogenic markers (osteopontin, osteonectin, TGF-β1, SMAD), was performed during the 14-day follow-up period. Additionally, the activity of matrix metalloproteinases (MMP-1, -2, -8, -9) was assessed.Results:All samples with metal coatings, except the copper coating, demonstrated a good cytotoxicity profile, as evidenced by the presence of a cellular monolayer on the sample surface on the 14th day of the follow-up period (as shown by SEM and inverted confocal microscopy). All metal coatings enhanced MMP activity, as well as cellular adhesion and osteogenic marker expression; however, TiN showed the highest values of these parameters. Significant inhibition of bacterial growth was observed only in the Ag-coated Ti disks, and it persisted for over 35 days.Conclusions:The silver-based coating, due to its high antibacterial activity, low cytotoxicity, and biointegrative capacity, can be recommended as the coating of choice for microporous titanium implants for further preclinical studies.

Diamond-like carbon (DLC) coatings have been widely studied for their exceptional hardness, low friction, and excellent wear and corrosion resistance, making them highly attractive for biomedical and industrial applications. However, their practical implementation is often hindered by internal stress and poor adhesion to metallic substrates. In this study, the effect of interlayers including plasma nitriding (PN), zirconium nitride (ZrN), and tantalum nitride (TaN) on the microstructure, wear behavior, and corrosion resistance of DLC coatings was investigated. FESEM images revealed a high density and uniformity of the DLC coatings in all three samples, with crack-free and pore-free surfaces. AFM analysis indicated that the ZrN + DLC and TaN + DLC samples, with surface roughness values of 3.42 nm and 3.31 nm respectively, exhibited smoother surfaces compared to the PN + DLC sample, which had a roughness of 42.34 nm. Wear testing showed that the TaN + DLC sample exhibited the lowest weight loss (8 mg) and wear rate (0.001901 mm³/N·m). Moreover, impedance curves indicated the highest corrosion resistance in the TaN + DLC sample. These findings demonstrate that the incorporation of ZrN and TaN interlayers significantly enhances the surface characteristics, particularly surface roughness and structural uniformity, along with the wear and corrosion resistance of DLC coatings.

Foamed ceramics prepared at temperatures below 900 °C using zirconium nitride as a blowing agent

ABSTRACT This study aims to enhance the anticorrosion and mechanical performance of epoxy coatings by incorporating tantalum nitride (TaN), zirconium nitride (ZrN), 2‐mercaptobenzothiazole (MBT), and graphene oxide (GO) into various nanocomposite formulations. Electrochemical assessments via SECM and EIS demonstrated that the EP/GO/MBT‐TaN/ZrN nanocomposite coating provided superior corrosion resistance in seawater, exhibiting a significantly low current density (1.7 nA) and high coating and charge transfer resistances (2.98 × 10 11 and 3.57 × 10 11 Ω·cm², respectively) after 900 h of immersion. The enhanced performance is attributed to the synergistic effects of the nanomaterials: MBT functionalizes TaN and ZrN nanoparticles via mercapto groups, improving interfacial bonding with the steel substrate and enhancing compatibility with the epoxy matrix, leading to uniform dispersion and reduced porosity. As a result, the EP/GO/MBT‐TaN/ZrN coating exhibits excellent adhesion strength (20.4 MPa), hardness (1382 MPa), and hydrophobicity (163°), making it a highly promising candidate for long‐term corrosion protection in marine and other harsh industrial environments.

The electrochemical two-electron oxygen reduction reaction (2e- ORR) offers a green and energy-efficient pathway for hydrogen peroxide (H2O2) production, yet reliance on high-purity oxygen significantly limits scalability. Here, we report a triazolate-modified zirconium nitride catalyst (T-ZrN) that enables efficient and durable H2O2 electrosynthesis directly from atmospheric air. The T-ZrN catalyst achieves a high H2O2 yield of 55.6 mol·h-1·g-1 and a Faradaic efficiency of 93.2%, while maintaining stable operation over 540 h at an industrial-level current density of 800 mA·cm-2. Economic analysis reveals a production cost of 70 wt % H2O2 as low as $0.10 kg-1, highlighting its commercial potential. This work presents a viable strategy for cost-effective and decentralized H2O2 manufacturing advancing sustainable chemical production technologies.

Brain-inspired computational systems with complex, dynamic behaviors are under active development. Self-organized networks of interacting nano-objects exhibit rich, neural-like spiking behaviors driven by resistive switching. The collective switching dynamics in nanoparticle networks (NPNs) position them as promising candidates for neuromorphic computing. However, the individual switching behavior and structural factors that govern spiking behavior in these networks remain to be fully understood. In this study, the relation between switching behavior and network composition and morphology is explored by the example of three types of silver-based, self-organized percolating NPNs: a monometallic silver (Ag) NPN, an alloy silver–gold (AgAu) NPN, and a composite silver–zirconium nitride (Ag/ZrN) NPN. These are compared with respect to the time scales of switching events (SEs). The SEs comprise a switch-on and a relaxation process. Transmission electron microscopy (TEM) offers valuable insights into the morphological characteristics of the NPNs. Molecular dynamics simulations provide insights into the filamentary processes occurring between Ag nanoparticles (NPs), exploring the dynamics involved in an SE. The distinct differences observed in switching time and kinetics suggest that the composition, morphology, and local environment of the NPs play a critical role in modulating resistive switching behavior, including filament formation and dissolution processes. This materials-based approach enables modification of switch-on and relaxation time scales and patterns in self-organized networks. Such tunability is advantageous for applications where these networks function as physical reservoirs for signal processing and classification (e.g., speech recognition) and in reservoir computing (RC), potentially enhancing adaptive learning capabilities and computational performance.

Unlocking Superconductivity: The Impact of Phase Diversity on Zirconium Nitride through Density Functional Theory

This work successfully investigated the effect of N2 gas flow rates on the structure and hardness of chromium zirconium nitride (CrZrN) thin films. The CrZrN films were deposited on silicon wafers using a reactive DC unbalance-magnetron co-sputtering process with N2 flow rates ranging from 4 to 10 sccm. The crystal structure was investigated using grazing-incidence X-ray diffraction (GI-XRD). Field-emission scanning electron microscopy (FE-SEM) was used to examine the included material's microstructure, surface morphology, and thickness. The elemental composition was determined using energy dispersive spectroscopy (EDS). The hardness was measured using the nanoindentation method in depth-controlled mode. The results reveal that the as-deposited films were formed as a nanocrystalline (Cr,Zr)N solid solution with small crystal sizes less than 10 nm. Increasing the N2 flow rate altered the preferred orientation growth behavior by decreasing the 2θ-values and increasing the lattice constants. The thickness decreased from 569 nm to 410 nm as the N2 flow rate increased, due to target poisoning. The elemental composition of the as-deposited films was affected by changes in the N2 flow rates. The N content increased with higher N2 flow rates, while the Cr and Zr contents decreased. The surface morphology of the films changed as the N2 flow rate increased, due to the reduction in ion-bombardment energy, leading to a decrease in substrate temperature. The as-deposited films consisted of tiny grains, which grew larger with increasing N2 flow rates. Cross-sectional analysis showed that the films exhibited a compact columnar structure. The hardness of CrZrN films in this study ranged from 13.1 to 13.8 GPa at various N2 flow rates.

Retraction Note: Multilayer Functional Polyurethane Nanocomposite Coating Containing Graphene Oxide and Silanized Zirconium Nitride for the Protection of Aluminum Alloy Structures in Aerospace Industries

Abstract This research aims to offer a comprehensive understanding of the complex interplay of molecular interactions in binary liquid mixtures containing norbornadiene (NBD). Molecular fluorescence and energy storage properties of NBD liquid mixture in presence of surface plasmons is studied along with Density Functional Theory (DFT), and Time-Dependent Density Functional Theory (TDDFT). These techniques allow for a detailed exploration of energetics, bonding patterns, solute-solvent interactions, and absorption spectra, providing a theoretical framework for understanding the mechanisms driving the behaviour of the mixtures. Additionally, this study examines the interaction between surface plasmons and NBD to uncover the underlying mechanisms and efficiency of fluorescence enhancement. The role of gold (Au) and zirconium nitride (ZrN) nanoparticles in modulating the fluorescence properties of NBD is analyzed, with a focus on extending the absorption range into the ultraviolet and visible regions for improved solar energy storage. Together, these investigations offer valuable insights into molecular interactions, fluorescence enhancement mechanisms, and energy storage capabilities, contributing to the development of advanced materials for energy capture and photo-switch applications.

Evaluating electrochemical performance of magnetron sputtered binder free zirconium nitride thin film for hybrid supercapacitor in various electrolytes

Zirconium nitride holds promise for improving nuclear reactor components, where thermal conductivity is important, highlighting the need for a detailed understanding of its phonons. However, the phonon dispersion derived from previous inelastic neutron scattering data is in disagreement with modern theoretical calculations, pointing to the necessity for further experimental validation. Here, we use inelastic neutron scattering experiments on polycrystalline ZrN at 6, 100, 300, 400, and 600 K, and density functional theory (DFT) calculations to study the momentum-resolved scattering and the phonon density of states. Both experimental and theoretical results reveal a phonon cutoff energy near 65 meV, in stark disagreement with previous single-crystal neutron scattering measurements indicating a cutoff near 75 meV. The 65 meV cutoff energy is, however, in reasonable agreement with previous measurements on ${\mathrm{ZrN}}_{0.9}$. Consistency between our theoretical and experimental results confirms that ZrN is a wide phonon band gap system and that DFT provides a reliable description of its phonons.

Transition-metal nitrides (TMNs), such as hafnium nitride (HfN), titanium nitride (TiN), and zirconium nitride (ZrN), have emerged as highly promising materials in photonics and plasmonics, drawing significant interest due to their optical properties comparable to those of conventional plasmonic materials like Ag and Ag, with remarkable thermal and chemical stability. While TMNs possess high bulk melting points and impressive resistance to degradation, the impact of scaling down to nanoscale dimensions and exposure to oxidizing environments under high temperatures on their optical properties remains largely underexplored. In this work, we establish a comprehensive experimental framework combining in situ optical characterization and ex situ surface analysis to explore the behavior of TMNs at 600 °C with exposure to oxygen. This oxidation process enables gradual color transitions in TMNs, thereby opening pathways for innovative applications in high-temperature structural color for printing. We further investigate aluminum oxide (Al2O3) as a protective coating to effectively prevent oxidation and preserve optical behaviors up to 830 °C, making these coatings suitable for applications in demanding thermal environments. The findings highlight TMNs' potential in next-generation high-temperature photonic devices, balancing optical performance and durability in challenging environments.