Understanding the Adsorption of Rare-Earth Elements in Oligo-Grafted Mesoporous Carbon.

Rare-earth elements (REEs) are 17 elements of the periodic table primarily consisting of lanthanides. In modern society, the usage of REEs is ubiquitous in almost all modern gadgets and therefore efficient recovery and separation of REEs are of high importance. Selective adsorption and chelation of REEs in solid sorbents is a unique and sustainable process for their recovery. In this work, single-stranded oligos with 100 units of thymine were grafted onto carboxylated mesoporous carbon to synthesize a sorbent with phosphorus and oxygen functionalities. The sorbent was characterized by X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy, Fourier-transform infrared spectroscopy, and scanning electron microscopy-energy-dispersive X-ray spectroscopy. Three different REEs with varying atomic radii and densities, Lu, Dy, and La, were adsorbed onto the carbon from aqueous solutions. It was observed that the adsorbed amounts increased with the increase in the atomic radius or decrease in the atomic density. Calculation of the distribution coefficients for all the equilibrium adsorption amounts suggested that adsorption is more effective in the lower concentration region. The L3-edge X-ray absorption near-edge structure confirmed a 3+ oxidation state of REEs in the adsorbed phase. Extended X-ray absorption fine structure (EXAFS) confirmed the binding of REEs with oxygen functionalities in the adsorbed phase. The radial distribution functions calculated from the EXAFS data suggest a longer RE-O distance for La compared to those for Lu and Dy. The coordination numbers and Debye-Waller factors have typical values of about 8-9 atoms and 0.01-0.02 Å2, respectively.

Topological analysis of chemical bonding in the layered FePSe3 upon pressure-induced phase transitions.

Two pressure-induced phase transitions have been theoretically studied in the layered iron phosphorus triselenide (FePSe3 ). Topological analysis of chemical bonding in FePSe3 has been performed based on the results of first-principles calculations within the periodic linear combination of atomic orbitals (LCAO) method with hybrid Hartree-Fock-DFT B3LYP functional. The first transition at about 6 GPa is accompanied by the symmetry change from R 3 ¯ to C2/m, whereas the semiconductor-to-metal transition (SMT) occurs at about 13 GPa leading to the symmetry change from C2/m to P 3 ¯ 1 m . We found that the collapse of the band gap at about 13 GPa occurs due to changes in the electronic structure of FePSe3 induced by relative displacements of phosphorus or selenium atoms along the c-axis direction under pressure. The results of the topological analysis of the electron density and its Laplacian demonstrate that the pressure changes not only the interatomic distances but also the bond nature between the intralayer and interlayer phosphorus atoms. The interlayer P-P interactions are absent in two non-metallic FePSe3 phases while after SMT the intralayer P-P interactions weaken and the interlayer P-P interactions appear.

Origin of pressure-induced insulator-to-metal transition in the van der Waals compound FePS3 from first-principles calculations.

Pressure-induced insulator-to-metal transition (IMT) has been studied in the van der Waals compound iron thiophosphate (FePS3 ) using first-principles calculations within the periodic linear combination of atomic orbitals method with hybrid Hartree-Fock-DFT B3LYP functional. Our calculations reproduce correctly the IMT at ∼15 GPa, which is accompanied by a reduction of the unit cell volume and of the vdW gap. We found from the detailed analysis of the projected density of states that the 3p states of phosphorus atoms contribute significantly at the bottom of the conduction band. As a result, the collapse of the band gap occurs due to changes in the electronic structure of FePS3 induced by relative displacements of phosphorus or sulfur atoms along the c-axis direction under pressure.

Neural Network Approach for Characterizing Structural Transformations by X-Ray Absorption Fine Structure Spectroscopy.

The knowledge of the coordination environment around various atomic species in many functional materials provides a key for explaining their properties and working mechanisms. Many structural motifs and their transformations are difficult to detect and quantify in the process of work (operando conditions), due to their local nature, small changes, low dimensionality of the material, and/or extreme conditions. Here we use an artificial neural network approach to extract the information on the local structure and its in situ changes directly from the x-ray absorption fine structure spectra. We illustrate this capability by extracting the radial distribution function (RDF) of atoms in ferritic and austenitic phases of bulk iron across the temperature-induced transition. Integration of RDFs allows us to quantify the changes in the iron coordination and material density, and to observe the transition from a body-centered to a face-centered cubic arrangement of iron atoms. This method is attractive for a broad range of materials and experimental conditions.

Effect of atomic vibrations in XANES: polarization-dependent damping of the fine structure at the Cu K-edge of (creat)2CuCl4.

Polarization-dependent damping of the fine structure in the Cu K-edge spectrum of creatinium tetrachlorocuprate [(creat)2CuCl4] in the X-ray absorption near-edge structure (XANES) region is shown to be due to atomic vibrations. These vibrations can be separated into two groups, depending on whether the respective atoms belong to the same molecular block; individual molecular blocks can be treated as semi-rigid entities while the mutual positions of these blocks are subject to large mean relative displacements. The effect of vibrations can be efficiently included in XANES calculations by using the same formula as for static systems but with a modified free-electron propagator which accounts for fluctuations in interatomic distances.

Temperature-dependent EXAFS study of the local structure and lattice dynamics in cubic Y2O3.

The local structure and lattice dynamics in cubic Y2O3 were studied at the Y K-edge by X-ray absorption spectroscopy in the temperature range from 300 to 1273 K. The temperature dependence of the extended X-ray absorption fine structure was successfully interpreted using classical molecular dynamics and a novel reverse Monte Carlo method, coupled with the evolutionary algorithm. The obtained results allowed the temperature dependence of the yttria atomic structure to be followed up to ∼6 Šand to validate two force-field models.

Structure of Polaronic Centers in Proton-Intercalated AWO4 Scheelite-Type Tungstates.

The studies of polaronic centers in a homologous series of scheelite-type compounds AWO4 (A = Ca, Sr, Ba) were performed using the W L3-edge and Sr K-edge X-ray absorption spectroscopy combined with the reverse Monte Carlo simulations, X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS), and first-principles calculations. Protonated scheelites HxAWO4 were produced using acid electrolytes in a one-step route at ambient conditions. The underlying mechanism behind this phenomenon can be ascribed to the intercalation of H+ into the crystal structure of tungstate, effectively resulting in the reduction of W6+ to W5+, i.e., the formation of polaronic centers, and giving rise to a characteristic dark blue-purple color. The emergence of the W5+ was confirmed by XPS experiments. The relaxation of the local atomic structure around the W5+ polaronic center was determined from the analysis of the extended X-ray absorption fine structures using the reverse Monte Carlo method. The results obtained suggest the displacement of the W5+ ions from the center of [W5+O4] tetrahedra in the structure of AWO4 scheelite-type tungstates. This finding was also supported by the results of the first-principles calculations.

The Development and Atomic Structure of Zinc Oxide Crystals Grown within Polymers from Vapor Phase Precursors.

Sequential infiltration synthesis (SIS), also known as vapor phase infiltration (VPI), is a quickly expanding technique that allows growth of inorganic materials within polymers from vapor phase precursors. With an increasing materials library, which encompasses numerous organometallic precursors and polymer chemistries, and an expanding application space, the importance of understanding the mechanisms that govern SIS growth is ever increasing. In this work, we studied the growth of polycrystalline ZnO clusters and particles in three representative polymers: poly(methyl methacrylate), SU-8, and polymethacrolein using vapor phase diethyl zinc and water. Utilizing two atomic resolution methods, high-resolution scanning transmission electron microscopy and synchrotron X-ray absorption spectroscopy, we probed the evolution of ZnO nanocrystals size and crystallinity level inside the polymers with advancing cycles─from early nucleation and growth after a single cycle, through the formation of nanometric particles within the films, and to the coalescence of the particles upon polymer removal and thermal treatment. Through in situ Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy and microgravimetry, we highlight the important role of water molecules throughout the process and the polymers' hygroscopic level that leads to the observed differences in growth patterns between the polymers, in terms of particle size, dispersity, and the evolution of crystalline order. These insights expand our understanding of crystalline materials growth within polymers and enable rational design of hybrid materials and polymer-templated inorganic nanostructures.

Examining the Effect of Cu and Mn Dopants on the Structure of Zinc Blende ZnS Nanopowders.

It is known that doping zinc sulfide (ZnS) nanoparticles with Mn or Cu ions significantly affects their luminescent properties. Herein, we investigated how dopant atoms are incorporated into the structure of ZnS using X-ray diffraction and multi-edge X-ray absorption spectroscopy. The observed broadening of the X-ray diffraction patterns indicates an average crystallite size of about 6 nm. By analyzing the Zn, Mn, and Cu K-edge extended X-ray absorption fine structure (EXAFS) spectra using the reverse Monte Carlo method, we were able to determine the relaxations of the local environments around the dopants. Our findings suggested that upon the substitution of Zn by Mn or Cu ions, there is a shortening of the Cu-S bonds by 0.08 Å, whereas the Mn-S bonds exhibited lengthening by 0.07 Å. These experimental results were further confirmed by first-principles density functional theory calculations, which explained the increase in the Mn-S bond lengths due to the high-spin state of Mn2+ ions.

Nanocrystalline CaWO4 and ZnWO4 Tungstates for Hybrid Organic-Inorganic X-ray Detectors.

Hybrid materials combining an organic matrix and high-Z nanomaterials show potential for applications in radiation detection, allowing unprecedented device architectures and functionality. Herein, novel hybrid organic-inorganic systems were produced using a mixture of tungstate (CaWO4 or ZnWO4) nanoparticles with a P3HT:PCBM blend. The nano-tungstates with a crystallite size of 43 nm for CaWO4 and 30 nm for ZnWO4 were synthesized by the hydrothermal method. Their structure and morphology were characterized by X-ray diffraction and scanning electron microscopy. The hybrid systems were used to fabricate direct conversion X-ray detectors able to operate with zero bias voltage. The detector performance was tested in a wide energy range using monochromatic synchrotron radiation. The addition of nanoparticles with high-Z elements improved the detector response to X-ray radiation compared with that of a pure organic P3HT:PCBM bulk heterojunction cell. The high dynamic range of our detector allows for recording X-ray absorption spectra, including the fine X-ray absorption structure located beyond the absorption edge. The obtained results suggest that nanocrystalline tungstates are promising candidates for application in direct organic-inorganic X-ray detectors.

Effect of High-Pressure Torsion on Phase Formation and Mechanical Properties of a High-Entropy TiZrHfMoCrCo Alloy.

This investigation delved into the alterations in the mechanical properties of a TiZrHfMoCrCo high-entropy alloy due to phase transformations induced by high-pressure torsion (HPT). The alloy's genesis involved levitation melting within an argon atmosphere, presenting two distinct states for analysis: the initial, post-manufacturing state and the state subsequent to HPT treatment. The original alloy featured a composition comprising a singular A2 phase with a bcc lattice and two Laves phases, C15 and C14. The HPT process triggered significant phase modifications: a retention of one C15 Laves phase and decomposition of the bcc phase into two distinct phases exhibiting different bcc lattice parameters. The HPT-induced effect prominently manifests as strong grain refinement. However, scanning electron microscopy (SEM) observations unveiled persistent inhomogeneities at a micron scale both before and after HPT treatment. Thus, grain refinement occurs separately within each of the bcc and Laves phases, visible in the light, dark, and gray areas in SEM images, while mixing does not occur on the scale of several microns. The examination of Ti, Cr, Co, Zr, Mo, and Hf via X-ray absorption spectroscopy (EXAFS) at specific K-edges and L3-edge revealed that the HPT treatment conserves the local atomic environment of metal atoms, albeit with a slight elevation in static disorder. Assessments through microhardness and three-point bending tests demonstrated the material's inherent hardness and brittleness. The microhardness, standing at a substantial value of 600 HV, displayed negligible augmentation post-HPT. However, the microhardness of individual phases exhibited a notable alteration, nearly doubling in magnitude.

Octahedral Tilting in Homologous Perovskite Series CaMoO3-SrMoO3-BaMoO3 Probed by Temperature-Dependent EXAFS Spectroscopy.

Local distortions in perovskites can be induced by cation displacements and/or by the tilting and rotating of cation-anion octahedra. Both phenomena have been subject to intense investigations over many years. However, there are still controversies in the results obtained from experimental techniques that are sensitive to long-range order (X-ray, neutron, or electron diffraction) and those sensitive to short-range order (X-ray absorption spectroscopy). In this study, we probed the details of the local environment in AMoO3 perovskites (A = Ca, Sr, Ba) using extended X-ray absorption fine structure (EXAFS) in a wide temperature range (10-300 K). An advanced analysis of the EXAFS spectra within the multiple-scattering formalism using the reverse Monte Carlo method enhanced by an evolutionary algorithm allowed us (i) to extract detailed information on metal-oxygen and metal-metal radial distribution functions, and metal-oxygen-metal and oxygen-metal-oxygen bond angle distribution functions, and (ii) to perform polyhedral analysis. The obtained results demonstrate the strong sensitivity of the EXAFS spectra to the tilting of [MoO6] octahedra induced by the differences in the sizes of alkaline earth metal cations (Ca2+, Sr2+, and Ba2+).

Unraveling the Structure and Properties of Layered and Mixed ReO3-WO3 Thin Films Deposited by Reactive DC Magnetron Sputtering.

Tungsten trioxide (WO3) is a well-known electrochromic material with a wide band gap, while rhenium trioxide (ReO3) is a "covalent metal" with an electrical conductivity comparable to that of pure metals. Since both WO3 and ReO3 oxides have perovskite-type structures, the formation of their solid solutions (ReO3-WO3 or Re x W1-x O3) can be expected, which may be of significant academic and industrial interest. In this study, layered WO3/ReO3, ReO3/WO3, and mixed ReO3-WO3 thin films were produced by reactive DC magnetron sputtering and subsequent annealing in air at 450 °C. The structure and properties of the films were characterized by X-ray diffraction, optical spectroscopy, Hall conductivity measurements, conductive atomic force microscopy, scanning and transmission electron microscopy, energy-dispersive X-ray spectroscopy, and X-ray photoemission spectroscopy. First-principles density functional theory calculations were performed for selected compositions of Re x W1-x O3 solid solutions to model their crystallographic structure and electronic properties. The calculations predict metallic conductivity and tetragonal distortion of solid solutions in agreement with the experimental results. In contrast to previously reported methods, our approach allows us to produce the WO3-ReO3 alloy with a high Re content (>50%) at moderate temperatures and without the use of high pressures.

Spectroscopic study of the electric field induced valence change of Fe-defect centers in SrTiO3.

The electrochemical changes induced by an electric field in Fe-doped SrTiO(3) have been investigated by X-ray absorption spectroscopy (XANES and EXAFS), electron paramagnetic resonance (EPR) and Raman spectroscopy. A detailed study of the Fe dopant in the regions around the anode and cathode reveals new insights into the local structure and valence state of Fe in SrTiO(3) single crystals. The ab initio full multiple-scattering XANES calculations give an evidence of the oxygen vacancy presence in the first coordination shell of iron. Differences in the length and disorder of the Fe-O bonds as extracted from EXAFS are correlated to the unequivocal identification of the defect type by complementary spectroscopical techniques to identify the valence state of the Fe-dopant and the presence of the Fe - V(Ö) complexes. Through this combinatorial approach, novel structural information on Fe - V(Ö) complexes is provided by X-ray absorption spectroscopy, and the relation of Fe-O bond length, doping level and oxidation state in SrTi(1-x)Fe(x)O(3) is briefly discussed.

Study of High-Temperature Behaviour of ZnO by Ab Initio Molecular Dynamics Simulations and X-ray Absorption Spectroscopy.

Wurtzite-type zinc oxide (w-ZnO) is a widely used material with a pronounced structural anisotropy along the c axis, which affects its lattice dynamics and represents a difficulty for its accurate description using classical models of interatomic interactions. In this study, ab initio molecular dynamics (AIMD) was employed to simulate a bulk w-ZnO phase in the NpT ensemble in the high-temperature range from 300 K to 1200 K. The results of the simulations were validated by comparison with the experimental Zn K-edge extended X-ray absorption fine structure (EXAFS) spectra and known diffraction data. AIMD NpT simulations reproduced well the thermal expansion of the lattice, and the pronounced anharmonicity of Zn-O bonding was observed above 600 K. The values of mean-square relative displacements and mean-square displacements for Zn-O and Zn-Zn atom pairs were obtained as a function of interatomic distance and temperature. They were used to calculate the characteristic Einstein temperatures. The temperature dependences of the O-Zn-O and Zn-O-Zn bond angle distributions were also determined.

Oxidation State and Local Structure of Chromium Ions in LaOCl.

LaOCl doped with 0-10 mol% Cr was synthesized by thermal decomposition of chlorides. X-ray diffraction (XRD) analysis revealed that incorporation of chromium results in a decrease of the lattice parameter a and a simultaneous increase of the lattice parameter c. The local structure of chromium ions was studied with X-ray photoelectron (XPS), X-ray absorption (XANES), multifrequency electron paramagnetic resonance (EPR) and electron-nuclear double resonance (ENDOR) spectroscopy techniques. It was determined that synthesis in oxidizing atmosphere promotes the incorporation of chromium ions predominantly in the 5+ oxidation state. Changes of chromium oxidation state and local environment occur after a subsequent treatment in reducing atmosphere. Spin-Hamiltonian (SH) parameters for a Cr5+ and two types of Cr3+ centers in LaOCl were determined from the EPR spectra simulations.

Grain Boundary Wetting by a Second Solid Phase in the High Entropy Alloys: A Review.

In this review, the phenomenon of grain boundary (GB) wetting by the second solid phase is analyzed for the high entropy alloys (HEAs). Similar to the GB wetting by the liquid phase, the GB wetting by the second solid phase can be incomplete (partial) or complete. In the former case, the second solid phase forms in the GB of a matrix, the chain of (usually lenticular) precipitates with a certain non-zero contact angle. In the latter case, it forms in the GB continuous layers between matrix grains which completely separate the matrix crystallites. The GB wetting by the second solid phase can be observed in HEAs produced by all solidification-based technologies. The particle chains or continuous layers of a second solid phase form in GBs also without the mediation of a liquid phase, for example by solid-phase sintering or coatings deposition. To describe the GB wetting by the second solid phase, the new GB tie-lines should be considered in the two- or multiphase areas in the multicomponent phase diagrams for HEAs. The GB wetting by the second solid phase can be used to improve the properties of HEAs by applying the so-called grain boundary engineering methods.

Adsorption of Rare Earth Elements onto DNA-Functionalized Mesoporous Carbon.

The recovery and separation of rare earth elements (REEs) are of national importance owing to the specific usages, high demand, and low supply of these elements. In this research, we have investigated the adsorption of rare earth elements onto DNA-functionalized mesoporous carbons with a BET surface area of 605 m2/g and a median mesopore width of 48 Å. Three types of single-stranded DNA, one with 100 base units of thymine, another with 20 units of thymine, and the third, a 2000 unit long DNA from salmon milt were grafted on the carboxylated mesoporous carbon surface. All of the DNA-functionalized mesoporous carbons demonstrated higher adsorption of REEs compared to pristine mesoporous carbon and DNA grafted with 100 units of thymine demonstrated slightly higher adsorbed amounts compared to others. Pure neodymium (Nd(III)) adsorption in the aqueous phase demonstrated an adsorbed amount of 110.4 mg/g with respect to the initial concentration of 500 mg/g. A pH variation study with pure Nd(III) demonstrated that the adsorbed amount is higher at elevated pH compared to that at lower pH, thereby suggesting possible recovery at lower pH. Adsorption of a mixture of 16 REEs, including Sc, Lu, Tm, Yb, Er, Ho, Tb, Dy, Y, Eu, Gd, Sm, Ce, Nd, Pr, and La revealed that the adsorbed amount increased with an increase in the atomic weight and metallic radii of elements within the lanthanides. The calculation of the distribution coefficients for all of the equilibrium adsorption amounts suggested that adsorption is more effective in the lower concentration region. The Nd L3-edge X-ray absorption near edge structure (XANES) confirmed a 3+ oxidation state of Nd in the adsorbed phase. The extended X-ray absorption fine structure (EXAFS) confirmed the local atomic structure relaxation of Nd complexes in the adsorbed phase and shortening of the Nd-O bond distance by about 0.03-0.04 Å, which may be associated with their local complexation at the carbon surface.

Tuning the Photoresponse of Nano-Heterojunction: Pressure-Induced Inverse Photoconductance in Functionalized WO3 Nanocuboids.

Inverse photoconductivity (IPC) is a unique photoresponse behavior that exists in few photoconductors in which electrical conductivity decreases with irradiation, and has great potential applications in the development of photonic devices and nonvolatile memories with low power consumption. However, it is still challenging to design and achieve IPC in most materials of interest. In this study, pressure-driven photoconductivity is investigated in n-type WO3 nanocuboids functionalized with p-type CuO nanoparticles under visible illumination and an interesting pressure-induced IPC accompanying a structural phase transition is found. Native and structural distortion induced oxygen vacancies assist the charge carrier trapping and favor the persistent positive photoconductivity beyond 6.4 GPa. The change in photoconductivity is mainly related to a phase transition and the associated changes in the bandgap, the trapping of charge carriers, the WO6 octahedral distortion, and the electron-hole pair recombination process. A unique reversible transition from positive to inverse photoconductivity is observed during compression and decompression. The origin of the IPC is intimately connected to the depletion of the conduction channels by electron trapping and the chromic property of WO3. This synergistic rationale may afford a simple and powerful method to improve the optomechanical performance of any hybrid material.

X-ray excited optical luminescence detection by scanning near-field optical microscope: a new tool for nanoscience.

Investigations of complex nanostructured materials used in modern technologies require special experimental techniques able to provide information on the structure and electronic properties of materials with a spatial resolution down to the nanometer scale. We tried to address these needs through the combination of x-ray absorption spectroscopy (XAS) using synchrotron radiation microbeams with scanning near-field optical microscopy (SNOM) detection of the x-ray excited optical luminescence (XEOL) signal. This new instrumentation offers the possibility to carry out a selective structural analysis of the sample surface with the subwavelength spatial resolution determined by the SNOM probe aperture. In addition, the apex of the optical fiber plays the role of a topographic probe, and chemical and topographic mappings can be simultaneously recorded. Our working XAS-SNOM prototype is based on a quartz tuning-fork head mounted on a high stability nanopositioning system; a coated optical fiber tip, operating as a probe in shear-force mode; a detection system coupled with the microscope head control system; and a dedicated software/hardware setup for synchronization of the XEOL signal detection with the synchrotron beamline acquisition system. We illustrate the possibility to obtain an element-specific contrast and to perform nano-XAS experiments by detecting the Zn K and W L(3) absorption edges in luminescent ZnO and mixed ZnWO(4)-ZnO nanostructured thin films.