Operando soft X-ray emission spectroscopy of the Fe2O3 anode to observe the conversion reaction.

Drastic electronic-structure changes in an Fe2O3 thin film anode for a Li-ion battery during discharge (lithiation) and charge (delithiation) processes were observed using operando Fe 2p soft X-ray emission spectroscopy (XES). The conversion reaction forming metallic iron due to the lithiation reaction was confirmed by operando XES in combination with the analysis using full-multiplet calculation. The valence of Fe at the open-circuit voltage (OCV) before the second cycle was not Fe3+, but Fe2+ with a weak p-d hybridization, suggesting a considerable irreversibility upon the first discharge-charge cycle and a weakened Fe-O bond after the first cycle. Moreover, we revealed that the Fe 3d electronic-structure change during the second cycle was to some extent reversible as Fe2+ (2.7 V vs. Li/Li+: open circuit voltage) → Fe0 (0.1 V vs. Li/Li+: discharged) → Fe(2+δ)+ (3.0 V vs. Li/Li+: charged). This operando Fe 2p XES in combination with the full-multiplet calculation provides detailed information for redox chemistry during a discharge-charge operation that cannot be obtained by other methods such as crystal-structure and morphology analyses. XES is thus very powerful for investigating the origin and limitation of the lithiation function of anodes involving conversion reactions.

Microscopic photoelectron analysis of single crystalline LiCoO2 particles during the charge-discharge in an all solid-state lithium ion battery.

We report synchrotron-based operando soft X-ray microscopic photoelectron spectroscopy under charge-discharge control of single crystalline LiCoO2 (LCO) particles as an active electrode material for an all solid-state lithium-ion battery (LIB). Photoelectron mapping and the photoelectron spectrum of a selected microscopic region are obtained by a customized operando cell for LIBs. During the charge process, a more effective Li extraction from a side facet of the single crystalline LCO particle than from the central part is observed, which ensures the reliability of the system as an operando microscopic photoelectron analyzer that can track changes in the electronic structure of a selected part of the active particle. Based on these assessments, the no drastic change in the Co 2p XPS spectra during charge-discharge of LCO supports that the charge-polarization may occur at the oxygen side by strong hybridization between Co 3d and O 2p orbitals. The success of tracking the electronic-structure change at each facet of a single crystalline electrode material during charge-discharge is a major step toward the fabrication of innovative active electrode materials for LIBs.

Fermi surface topology in a metallic phase of VO2 thin films grown on TiO2(001) substrates.

Since the first observation of the metal-to-insulator transition (MIT), VO2 has attracted substantial attention in terms of whether this transition is impelled by electron-phonon interaction (Peierls transition) or electron-electron interaction. Regarding Peierls transition, it has been theoretically predicted that the Fermi surface (FS) cross-section exhibits certain nesting features for a metallic phase of VO2. Various experimental studies related to the nesting feature have been reported. Nevertheless, there is no experimental result on FS topology. In this work, we determine the FS topology of the metallic phase of VO2 through studies of VO2 epitaxial thin films on TiO2(001) substrates, using synchrotron radiation angle-resolved photoemission spectroscopy (ARPES). Three electron pockets around Γ are observed in band structures along the Γ-X direction. These three bands form electron surfaces around Γ in the ΓXRZ plane. Furthermore, the lowest energy band FS exhibits the nesting feature corresponding to a nesting vector [Formula: see text] = ΓR, as predicted by the calculation. Our results strongly indicate the formation of the charge-density wave with [Formula: see text] = ΓR and thus, the importance of Peierls transition for the mechanism of the MIT in VO2.

Operation Mechanism of GaN-based Transistors Elucidated by Element-Specific X-ray Nanospectroscopy.

With the rapid depletion of communication-frequency resources, mainly due to the explosive spread of information communication devices for the internet of things, GaN-based high-frequency high-power transistors (GaN-HEMTs) have attracted considerable interest as one of the key devices that can operate in the high-frequency millimeter-wave band. However, GaN-HEMT operation is destabilized by current collapse phenomena arising from surface electron trapping (SET), which has not been fully understood thus far. Here, we conduct quantitative mechanistic studies on SET in GaN-HEMTs by applying element- and site-specific photoelectron nanospectroscopy to a GaN-HEMT device under operation. Our study reveals that SET is induced by a large local electric field. Furthermore, surface passivation using a SiN thin film is demonstrated to play a dual role: electric-field weakening and giving rise to chemical interactions that suppress SET. Our findings can contribute to the realization of high-capacity wireless communication systems based on GaN-HEMTs.

Wetting Induced Oxidation of Pt-based Nano Catalysts Revealed by In Situ High Energy Resolution X-ray Absorption Spectroscopy.

In situ high energy resolution fluorescence detection X-ray absorption spectroscopy (HERFD-XAS) was used to systematically evaluate interactions of H2O and O2 adsorbed on Pt and Pt3Co nanoparticle catalysts in different particle sizes. The systematic increase in oxidation due to adsorption of different species (H2O adsorption

Investigation of the enhanced photocathodic activity of La5Ti2CuS5O7 photocathodes in H2 evolution by synchrotron radiation nanospectroscopy.

The local electronic structures of La5Ti2MS5O7 (M = Cu, Ag) particulate photoelectrodes with and without Ga doping were investigated, using a photoemission spectroscopy system with a lateral resolution of approximately 100 nm. The band alignments for La5Ti2MS5O7 were determined on the basis of pinpoint photoemission spectra acquired at optimal positions on the sample surfaces. A clear upward chemical potential shift of approximately 0.35 eV was observed in the case of Ga-doped La5Ti2CuS5O7. On the other hand, the electronic structure of La5Ti2AgS5O7 remained almost unaffected by Ga doping. These results explain the enhanced photocathodic response of La5Ti2CuS5O7 upon Ga doping.

Lewis Basicity of Nitrogen-Doped Graphite Observed by CO2 Chemisorption.

The characteristics of CO2 adsorption sites on a nitrogen-doped graphite model system (N-HOPG) were investigated by X-ray photoelectron and absorption spectroscopy and infrared reflection absorption spectroscopy. Adsorbed CO2 was observed lying flat on N-HOPG, stabilized by a charge transfer from the substrate. This demonstrated that Lewis base sites were formed by the incorporation of nitrogen via low-energy nitrogen-ion sputtering. The possible roles of twofold coordinated pyridinic N and threefold coordinated valley N (graphitic N) sites in Lewis base site formation on N-HOPG are discussed. The presence of these nitrogen species focused on the appropriate interaction strength of CO2 indicates the potential to fine-tune the Lewis basicity of carbon-based catalysts.

Pt-free carbon-based fuel cell catalyst prepared from spherical polyimide for enhanced oxygen diffusion.

The development of a non-precious metal (NPM) fuel cell catalyst is extremely important to achieve globalization of polymer electrolyte fuel cells due to the cost and scarcity of platinum. Here, we report on a NPM cathode catalyst prepared by the pyrolysis of spherical polyimide nanoparticles that contain small amounts of Fe additive. 60 nm diameter Fe-containing polyimide nanoparticles were successfully synthesized by the precipitation polymerization of pyromellitic acid dianhydride and 1,3,5-tris(4-aminophenyl)benzene with Fe(acac)3 (acac = acetylacetonate) as an additive. The particles were subsequently carbonized by multistep pyrolysis to obtain the NPM catalyst while retaining the small particle size. The catalyst has good performance and promising durability for fuel cell applications. The fuel cell performance under a 0.2 MPa air atmosphere at 80 °C of 1.0 A cm(-2) at 0.46 V is especially remarkable and better than that previously reported.

Characterization of nitrogen species incorporated into graphite using low energy nitrogen ion sputtering.

The electronic structures of nitrogen species incorporated into highly oriented pyrolytic graphite (HOPG), prepared by low energy (200 eV) nitrogen ion sputtering and subsequent annealing at 1000 K, were investigated by X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS), angle-dependent X-ray absorption spectroscopy (XAS), and Raman spectroscopy. An additional peak was observed at higher binding energy of 401.9 eV than 400.9 eV for graphitic1 N (graphitic N in the basal plane) in N 1s XPS, where graphitic2 N (graphitic N in the zigzag edge and/or vacancy sites) has been theoretically expected to appear. N 1s XPS showed that graphitic1 N and graphitic2 N were preferably incorporated under low nitrogen content doping conditions (8 × 10(13) ions cm(-2)), while pyridinic N and graphitic1 N were dominantly observed under high nitrogen content doping conditions. In addition, angle-dependent N 1s XAS showed that the graphitic N and pyridinic N atoms were incorporated into the basal plane of HOPG and thus were highly oriented. Furthermore, Raman spectroscopy revealed that low energy sputtering resulted in almost no fraction of the disturbed graphite surface layers under the lowest nitrogen doping condition. The suitable nitrogen doping condition was discovered for realizing the well-controlled nitrogen doped HOPG. The electrochemical properties for the oxygen reduction reaction of these samples in acidic solution were examined and discussed.

Active site formation mechanism of carbon-based oxygen reduction catalysts derived from a hyperbranched iron phthalocyanine polymer.

Carbon-based cathode catalysts derived from a hyperbranched iron phthalocyanine polymer (HB-FePc) were characterized, and their active-site formation mechanism was studied by synchrotron-based spectroscopy. The properties of the HB-FePc catalyst are compared with those of a catalyst with high oxygen reduction reaction (ORR) activity synthesized from a mixture of iron phthalocyanine and phenolic resin (FePc/PhRs). Electrochemical measurements demonstrate that the HB-FePc catalyst does not lose its ORR activity up to 900°C, whereas that of the FePc/PhRs catalyst decreases above 700°C. Hard X-ray photoemission spectra reveal that the HB-FePc catalysts retain more nitrogen components than the FePc/PhRs catalysts between pyrolysis temperatures of 600°C and 800°C. This is because the linked structure of the HB-FePc precursor has high thermostability against nitrogen desorption. Consequently, effective doping of active nitrogen species into the sp (2) carbon network of the HB-FePc catalysts may occur up to 900°C.

Enhancement in Kinetics of the Oxygen Reduction Reaction on a Nitrogen-Doped Carbon Catalyst by Introduction of Iron via Electrochemical Methods.

The iron (Fe) electrodeposition-electrochemical dissolution has been employed on nitrogen-doped carbon material (P-PI) prepared via multi-step pyrolysis of a polyimide precursor to achieve the introduction of Fe species, and its influence on the oxygen reduction reaction (ORR) is investigated by cyclic and rotating ring-disk electrode voltammetry in 0.5 M H2SO4. After the electrochemical treatment, the overpotential and H2O2 production percentage of ORR on the P-PI are decreased and the number of electrons transferred is increased in the meanwhile. In combination with the results of X-ray absorption fine structure spectra, the presence of Fe-Nx sites (Fe ions coordinated by nitrogen) is believed to be responsible for the improved ORR performance. Further kinetic analysis indicates that a two-electron reduction of O2 is predominant on the untreated P-PI with coexistence of a direct four-electron transformation of O2 to H2O, while the introduction of Fe species leads to a larger increase in the rate constant for the four-electron reduction than that for the two-electron process, being in good agreement with the view that Fe-Nx sites are active for four-electron ORR.

Controlling band alignments by artificial interface dipoles at perovskite heterointerfaces.

The concept 'the interface is the device' is embodied in a wide variety of interfacial electronic phenomena and associated applications in oxide materials, ranging from catalysts and clean energy systems to emerging multifunctional devices. Many device properties are defined by the band alignment, which is often influenced by interface dipoles. On the other hand, the ability to purposefully create and control interface dipoles is a relatively unexplored degree of freedom for perovskite oxides, which should be particularly effective for such ionic materials. Here we demonstrate tuning the band alignment in perovskite metal-semiconductor heterojunctions over a broad range of 1.7 eV. This is achieved by the insertion of positive or negative charges at the interface, and the resultant dipole formed by the induced screening charge. This approach can be broadly used in applications where decoupling the band alignment from the constituent work functions and electron affinities can enhance device functionality.

Enhanced electrical transparency by ultrathin LaAlO3 insertion at oxide metal/semiconductor heterointerfaces.

We demonstrate that the electrical conductivity of metal/semiconductor oxide heterojunctions can be increased over 7 orders of magnitude by inserting an ultrathin layer of LaAlO3. This counterintuitive result, that an interfacial barrier can be driven transparent by inserting a wide-gap insulator, arises from the large internal electric field between the two polar LaAlO3 surfaces. This field modifies the effective band offset in the device, highlighting the ability to design the electrostatic boundary conditions with atomic precision.

A new sealed lithium-peroxide battery with a co-doped Li2O cathode in a superconcentrated lithium bis(fluorosulfonyl)amide electrolyte.

We propose a new sealed battery operating on a redox reaction between an oxide (O(2-)) and a peroxide (O2(2-)) with its theoretical specific energy of 2570 Wh kg(-1) (897 mAh g(-1), 2.87 V) and demonstrate that a Co-doped Li2O cathode exhibits a reversible capacity over 190 mAh g(-1), a high rate capability, and a good cyclability with a superconcentrated lithium bis(fluorosulfonyl)amide electrolyte in acetonitrile. The reversible capacity is largely dominated by the O(2-)/O2(2-) redox reaction between oxide and peroxide with some contribution of the Co(2+)/Co(3+) redox reaction.

Microscopically-tuned band structure of epitaxial graphene through interface and stacking variations using Si substrate microfabrication.

Graphene exhibits unusual electronic properties, caused by a linear band structure near the Dirac point. This band structure is determined by the stacking sequence in graphene multilayers. Here we present a novel method of microscopically controlling the band structure. This is achieved by epitaxy of graphene on 3C-SiC(111) and 3C-SiC(100) thin films grown on a 3D microfabricated Si(100) substrate (3D-GOS (graphene on silicon)) by anisotropic etching, which produces Si(111) microfacets as well as major Si(100) microterraces. We show that tuning of the interface between the graphene and the 3C-SiC microfacets enables microscopic control of stacking and ultimately of the band structure of 3D-GOS, which is typified by the selective emergence of semiconducting and metallic behaviours on the (111) and (100) portions, respectively. The use of 3D-GOS is thus effective in microscopically unlocking various potentials of graphene depending on the application target, such as electronic or photonic devices.

New soft X-ray beamline BL07LSU at SPring-8.

A new soft X-ray beamline, BL07LSU, has been constructed at SPring-8 to perform advanced soft X-ray spectroscopy for materials science. The beamline is designed to achieve high energy resolution (E/ΔE> 10000) and high photon flux [>10(12) photons s(-1) (0.01% bandwidth)(-1)] in the photon energy range 250-2000 eV with controllable polarization. To realise this state-of-the-art performance, a novel segmented cross undulator was developed and adopted as a light source. The details of the undulator light source and beamline monochromator design are described. The achieved performance of the beamline, such as the photon flux, energy resolution and the state of polarization, is reported.

Distinguishing between High- and Low-Spin States for Divalent Mn in Mn-Based Prussian Blue Analogue by High-Resolution Soft X-ray Emission Spectroscopy.

We combine Mn L2,3-edge X-ray absorption, high resolution Mn 2p-3d-2p resonant X-ray emission, and configuration-interaction full-multiplet (CIFM) calculation to analyze the electronic structure of Mn-based Prussian blue analogue. We clarified the Mn 3d energy diagram for the Mn(2+) low-spin state separately from that of the Mn(2+) high-spin state by tuning the excitation energy for the X-ray emission measurement. The obtained X-ray emission spectra are generally reproduced by the CIFM calculation for the Mn(2+) low spin state having a stronger ligand-to-metal charge-transfer effect between Mn t2g and CN π orbitals than the Mn(2+) high spin state. The d-d-excitation peak nearest to the elastic scattering was ascribed to the Mn(2+) LS state by the CIFM calculation, indicating that the Mn(2+) LS state with a hole on the t2g orbital locates near the Fermi level.

Selective probing of the OH or OD stretch vibration in liquid water using resonant inelastic soft-x-ray scattering.

High-resolution O 1s resonant inelastic x-ray scattering spectra of liquid H2O, D2O, and HDO, obtained by excitation near the preedge resonance show, in the elastic line region, well-separated multiple vibrational structures corresponding to the internal OH stretch vibration in the ground state of water. The energy of the first-order vibrational excitation is strongly blueshifted with respect to the main band in the infrared or Raman spectra of water, indicating that water molecules with a highly weakened or broken donating hydrogen bond are correlated with the preedge structure in the x-ray absorption spectrum. The vibrational profile of preedge excited HDO water is well fitted with 50%±20% greater OH-stretch contribution compared to OD, which strongly supports a preference for OH being the weakened or broken H-bond in agreement with the well-known picture that D2O makes stronger H-bonds than H2O. Accompanying path-integral molecular dynamics simulations show that this is particularly the case for strongly asymmetrically H-bonded molecules, i.e., those that are selected by preedge excitation.

Capability of insulator study by photoemission electron microscopy at SPring-8.

The observation method of photoemission electron microscopy (PEEM) on insulating samples has been established in an extremely simple way. Surface conductivity is induced locally on an insulating surface by continuous radiation of soft X-rays, and Au films close to the area of interest allow the accumulated charges on the insulated area to be released to ground level. Magnetic domain observations of a NiZn ferrite, local X-ray absorption spectroscopy of sapphire, high-resolution imaging of a poorly conducting Li0.9CoO2 film surface, and Au pattern evaporation on a fine rock particle are demonstrated. Using this technique, all users' experiments on poorly conducting samples have been performed successfully at the PEEM experimental station of SPring-8.

Theoretical characterization of X-ray absorption, emission, and photoelectron spectra of nitrogen doped along graphene edges.

K-edge X-ray absorption (XAS), emission (XES), and photoelectron (XPS) spectra of nitrogen doped along graphene edges are systematically investigated by using first-principles methods. In this study we considered pyridinium-like, pyridine-like, cyanide-like, and amine-like nitrogens at armchair and zigzag edges and pyrrole-like nitrogen at armchair edge as well as graphite-like nitrogen at graphene interior site. Our results indicate that nitrogen configuration and its location (armchair or zigzag edge) in nitrogen-doped graphene can be identified via the spectral analysis. Furthermore, some controversial spectral features observed in experiment for N-doped graphene-like materials are unambiguously assigned. The present analysis gives an explanation to the reason why the peak assignment is usually made differently between XPS and XAS.