| 1. |
- Modin, Anders, et al.
(författare)
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5 f-Shell correlation effects in dioxides of light actinides studied by O 1s x-ray absorption and emission spectroscopies and first-principles calculations
- 2015
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Ingår i: Journal of Physics. - : IOP Publishing. - 0953-8984 .- 1361-648X. ; 27:31
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Tidskriftsartikel (refereegranskat)abstract
- Soft x-ray emission and absorption spectroscopic data are reported for the O 1s region of a single crystal of UO2, a polycrystalline NpO2 sample, and a single crystal of PuO2. The experimental data are interpreted using first-principles correlated-electron calculations within the framework of the density functional theory with added Coulomb U interaction (DFT+U). A detailed analysis regarding the origin of different structures in the x-ray emission and x-ray absorption spectra is given and the effect of varying the intra-atomic Coulomb interaction-U for the 5f electrons is investigated. Our data indicate that O 1s x-ray absorption and emission spectroscopies can, in combination with DFT+U calculations, successfully be used to study 5f-shell Coulomb correlation effects in dioxides of light actinides. The values for the Coulomb U parameter in these dioxides are derived to be in the range of 4-5 eV.
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| 2. |
- Butorin, Sergei. M., et al.
(författare)
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Characteristics of chemical bonding of pentavalent uranium in La-doped UO2
- 2017
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Ingår i: Chemical Communications. - : Royal Society of Chemistry (RSC). - 1359-7345 .- 1364-548X. ; 53:1, s. 115-118
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Tidskriftsartikel (refereegranskat)abstract
- The effect of La doping on the electronic structure of U in UO2 was studied using an advanced technique, namely, X-ray absorption spectroscopy (XAS) in the high-energy-resolution fluorescence-detection (HERFD) mode, at the U 3d(3/2) (M-4) edge. Thanks to a significant reduction of the core-hole lifetime broadening and distinct chemical shifts of the HERFD-XAS lines, the U(v) formation as a result of La doping was identified. The isolated contribution of U(v) in the M-4 HERFD-XAS spectrum reveals the so-called charge-transfer satellites due to the U 5f-O 2p hybridization. The analysis of the experimental data within the framework of the Anderson impurity model (AIM) indicates a significant change in the characteristics and degree of covalency for the chemical bonding in the U(v) subsystem of UO2 as compared to undoped UO2, which is a Mott-Hubbard system. The results are also supported by AIM calculations of X-ray photoelectron and optical absorption data.
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| 3. |
- Butorin, Sergei M., et al.
(författare)
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Crystal-Field and Covalency Effects in Uranates : An X-ray Spectroscopic Study
- 2016
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Ingår i: Chemistry - A European Journal. - : Wiley. - 0947-6539 .- 1521-3765. ; 22:28, s. 9693-9698
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Tidskriftsartikel (refereegranskat)abstract
- The electronic structure of U-V- and U-VI-containing uranates NaUO3 and Pb3UO6 was studied by using an advanced technique, namely X-ray absorption spectroscopy (XAS) in high-energy-resolution fluorescence-detection (HERFD) mode. Due to a significant reduction in core-hole lifetime broadening, the crystal-field splittings of the 5f shell were probed directly in HERFD-XAS spectra collected at the U3d edge, which is not possible by using conventional XAS. In addition, the charge-transfer satellites that result from U5f-O2p hybridization were clearly resolved. The crystal-field parameters, 5f occupancy, and degree of covalency of the chemical bonding in these uranates were estimated by using the Anderson impurity model by calculating the U3d HERFD-XAS, conventional XAS, core-to-core (U 4f-3d transitions) resonant inelastic X-ray scattering (RIXS), and U4f Xray photoelectron spectra. The crystal field was found to be strong in these systems and the 5f occupancy was determined to be 1.32 and 0.84 electrons in the ground state for NaUO3 and Pb3UO6, respectively, which indicates a significant covalent character for these compounds.
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| 4. |
- Butorin, Sergei M., et al.
(författare)
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Local Symmetry Effects in Actinide 4f X-ray Absorption in Oxides
- 2016
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Ingår i: Analytical Chemistry. - : American Chemical Society (ACS). - 0003-2700 .- 1520-6882. ; 88:8, s. 4169-4173
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Tidskriftsartikel (refereegranskat)abstract
- A systematic X-ray absorption study at actinide N-6,(7) (4f -> 6d transitions) edges was performed for light-actinide oxides including data obtained for the first time for NpO2, PuO2 and UO3. The measurements were supported by ab initio calculations based on local-density approximation. with added 5f-5f Coulomb interaction (LDA+U). Improved energy resolution compared to common experiments at actinide L-2,L-3 (2p -> 6d transitions) edges allowed us to resolve the major structures of the 13 unoccupied 6d density of states (DOS) and estimate the crystal-field 116) splittings in the 6d shell directly from the spectra of light-actinide dioxides. The measurements demonstrated an enhanced sensitivity of the N-6,N-7, spectral shape to changes in the compound crystal structure. For nonstoichiometric NpO2-x, the filling of the entire band gap with Np 6d states was observed thus supporting a phase coexistence of Np metal and stoichiometric NpO2 which is in agreement with the tentative Np-O phase diagram.
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| 5. |
- Kvashnina, Kristina, et al.
(författare)
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Sensitivity to Actinide Doping of Uranium Compounds by Resonant Inelastic X-ray Scattering at Uranium L-3 Edge
- 2015
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Ingår i: Analytical Chemistry. - 0003-2700 .- 1520-6882. ; 87:17, s. 8772-8780
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Tidskriftsartikel (refereegranskat)abstract
- Valence-to-core resonant inelastic X-ray scattering (RIXS) and high energy resolution fluorescence detection (HERFD) X-ray absorption measurements were performed at the U (L)3 edges of UO2 and UO2(NO3)(2)(H2O)(6). The results are compared with model calculations based on the local-density-approximation formalism, taking into account Coulomb interaction U (LDA + U). We show that despite strong 5f-5f electronic correlations in the studied systems and the use of core-level excitations in the intermediate stage of the spectroscopic process, the RIXS technique probes a convolution of the single-particle densities of states in the valence and conduction bands. For UO2, the detected crystal-field splitting between the U 6d e(g) and t(2g) orbitals from the RIXS spectra (similar to 3.5 eV) is larger than that previously derived from optical spectroscopy. Furthermore, by using an example of the U0.75Pu0.25O2 mixed oxide, we show that the RIXS technique at the U L-3 edges is sensitive to the substitution of U with other actinide, in contrast to conventional X-ray absorption methods. That is, due to changes in the occupied part rather than in the unoccupied part of the U 6d states caused by the substitution.
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| 6. |
- Phuyal, Dibya, et al.
(författare)
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Ferroelectric properties of BaTiO3 thin films co-doped with Mn and Nb
- 2019
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Ingår i: AIP Advances. - : American Institute of Physics. - 2158-3226. ; 9:9
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Tidskriftsartikel (refereegranskat)abstract
- We report on properties of BaTiO3 thin films where the bandgap is tuned via aliovalent doping of Mn and Nb ions co-doped at the Ti site. The doped films show single-phase tetragonal structure, growing epitaxially with a smooth interface to the substrate. Using piezoforce microscopy, we find that both doped and undoped films exhibit good ferroelectric response. The piezoelectric domain switching in the films was confirmed by measuring local hysteresis of the polarization at several different areas across the thin films, demonstrating a switchable ferroelectric state. The doping of the BaTiO3 also reduces the bandgap of the material from 3.2 eV for BaTiO3 to nearly 2.7 eV for the 7.5% doped sample, suggesting the viability of the films for effective light harvesting in the visible spectrum. The results demonstrate co-doping as an effective strategy for bandgap engineering and a guide for the realization of visible-light applications using its ferroelectric properties.
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| 7. |
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| 8. |
- Amidani, Lucia, et al.
(författare)
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Understanding the size effects on the electronic structure of ThO2 nanoparticles
- 2019
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Ingår i: Physical Chemistry, Chemical Physics - PCCP. - : Royal Society of Chemistry (RSC). - 1463-9076 .- 1463-9084. ; 21:20, s. 10635-10643
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Tidskriftsartikel (refereegranskat)abstract
- Developing characterization techniques and analysis methods adapted to the investigation of nanoparticles (NPs) is of fundamental importance considering the role of these materials in many fields of research. The study of actinide based NPs, despite their environmental relevance, is still underdeveloped compared to that of NPs based on stable and lighter elements. We present here an investigation of ThO2 NPs performed with High-Energy Resolution Fluorescence Detected (HERFD) X-ray Absorption Near-Edge Structure (XANES) and with ab initio XANES simulations. The first post-edge feature of Th L-3 edge HERFD XANES disappears in small NPs and simulations considering non-relaxed structural models reproduce the trends observed in experimental data. Inspection of the simulations of Th atoms in the core and on the surface of the NP indeed demonstrates that the first post-edge feature is very sensitive to the lowering of the number of coordinating atoms and therefore to the more exposed Th atoms at the surface of the NP. The sensitivity of the L-3 edge HERFD XANES to low coordinated atoms at the surface stems from the hybridization of the d-Density of States (DOS) of Th with both O and Th neighboring atoms. This may be a common feature to other oxide systems that can be exploited to investigate surface interactions.
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| 9. |
- Butorin, Sergei, et al.
(författare)
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Effect of Ag Doping on Electronic Structure of Cluster Compounds AgxMo9Se11 (x = 3.4, 3.9)
- 2018
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Ingår i: ACS Applied Energy Materials. - : American Chemical Society (ACS). - 2574-0962. ; 1:8, s. 4032-4039
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Tidskriftsartikel (refereegranskat)abstract
- The electronic structure of AgxMo9Se11 as a potential material for thermoelectric applications was studied using high-energy-resolution fluorescence-detection X-ray absorption spectroscopy (HERFD-XAS) and the resonant inelastic X-ray scattering (RIXS) technique. The experiments were supported by first-principle calculations using density functional theory (DFT). The analysis of obtained spectra indicate the presence of subvalent (less than 1+) Ag in AgxMo9Se11. The advanced HERFD-XAS measurements allowed us to resolve the contribution of the electronic states at the Fermi level of AgxMo9Se11 and to monitor its dependence on the x value. A comparison of the experimental data with the results of the DFT calculations suggests the importance of the Ag2-type sites with the shortest Ag–Se distance for affecting the properties of AgxMo9Se11.
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| 10. |
- Butorin, Sergei M., et al.
(författare)
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High-resolution X-ray absorption spectroscopy as a probe of crystal-field and covalency effects in actinide compounds
- 2016
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Ingår i: Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences of the United States of America. - : Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences. - 0027-8424 .- 1091-6490. ; 113:29, s. 8093-8097
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Tidskriftsartikel (refereegranskat)abstract
- Applying the high-energy resolution fluorescence-detection (HERFD) mode of X-ray absorption spectroscopy (XAS), we were able to probe, for the first time to our knowledge, the crystalline electric field (CEF) splittings of the 5f shell directly in the HERFD-XAS spectra of actinides. Using ThO2 as an example, data measured at the Th 3d edge were interpreted within the framework of the Anderson impurity model. Because the charge-transfer satellites were also resolved in the HERFD-XAS spectra, the analysis of these satellites revealed that ThO2 is not an ionic compound as previously believed. The Th 6d occupancy in the ground state was estimated to be twice that of the Th 5f states. We demonstrate that HERFD-XAS allows for characterization of the CEF interaction and degree of covalency in the ground state of actinide compounds as it is extensively done for 3d transition metal systems.
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| 11. |
- Butorin, Sergei. M., et al.
(författare)
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Probing Chemical Bonding in Uranium Dioxide by Means of High- Resolution X-ray Absorption Spectroscopy
- 2016
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Ingår i: The Journal of Physical Chemistry C. - : American Chemical Society (ACS). - 1932-7447 .- 1932-7455. ; 120:51, s. 29397-29404
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Tidskriftsartikel (refereegranskat)abstract
- A systematic X-ray absorption study at the U 3d, 4d, and 4f edges of UO2 was performed, and the data were analyzed within framework of the Anderson impurity model. By applying the high-energy-resolution fluorescence-detection (HERFD) mode of X-ray absorption spectroscopy (XAS) at the U 3d(3/2) edge and conducting the XAS measurements at the shallower U 4f levels, fine details of the XAS spectra were resolved resulting from reduced core-hole lifetime broadening. This multiedge study enabled a far more effective analysis of the electronic structure at the U sites and characterization of the chemical bonding and degree of the 5f localization in UO2. The results support the covalent character of UO2 and do not agree with the suggestions of rather ionic bonding in this compound as expressed in some publications.
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| 12. |
- Conradson, Steven D., et al.
(författare)
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Closure of the Mott gap and formation of a superthermal metal in the Frohlich-type nonequilibrium polaron Bose-Einstein condensate in UO2+x
- 2017
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Ingår i: Physical Review B. - 2469-9950 .- 2469-9969. ; 96:12
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Tidskriftsartikel (refereegranskat)abstract
- Mixed valence O-doped UO2+x. and photoexcited UO2 containing transitory U3+ and U5+ host a coherent polaronic quantum phase (CPQP) that exhibits the characteristics of a Frohlich-type, nonequilibrium, phononcoupled Bose-Einstein condensate whose stability and coherence are amplified by collective, anharmonic motions of atoms and charges. Complementary to the available, detailed, real space information from scattering and EXAFS, an outstanding question is the electronic structure. Mapping the Mott gap in UO2, U4O9, and U3O7 with O XAS and NIXS and UM5 RIXS shows that O doping raises the peak of the U5f states of the valence band by similar to 0.4 eV relative to a calculated value of 0.25 eV. However, it lowers the edge of the conduction band by 1.5 eV vs the calculated 0.6 eV, a difference much larger than the experimental error. This 1.9 eV reduction in the gap width constitutes most of the 2-2.2 eV gap measured by optical absorption. In addition, the XAS spectra show a tail that will intersect the occupied U5f states and give a continuous density-of-states that increases rapidly above its constricted intersection. Femtosecond-resolved photoemission measurements of UO2, coincident with the excitation pulse with 4.7 eV excitation, show the unoccupied U5f states of UO2 and no hot electrons. 3.1 eV excitation, however, complements the O-doping results by giving a continuous population of electrons for several eV above the Fermi level. The CPQP in photoexcited UO2 therefore fulfills the criteria for a nonequilibrium condensate. The electron distributions resulting from both excitations persist for 5-10 ps, indicating that they are the final state that therefore forms without passing through the initial continuous distribution of nonthermal electrons observed for other materials. Three exceptional findings are: (1) the direct formation of both of these long lived (> 3-10 ps) excited states without the short lived nonthermal intermediate; (2) the superthermal metallic state is as or more stable than typical photoinduced metallic phases; and (3) the absence of hot electrons accompanying the insulating UO2 excited state. This heterogeneous, nonequilibrium, Frohlich BEC stabilized by a Fano-Feshbach resonance therefore continues to exhibit unique properties.
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| 13. |
- Kvashnina, Kristina O., et al.
(författare)
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A Novel Metastable Pentavalent Plutonium Solid Phase on the Pathway from Aqueous Plutonium(VI) to PuO2 Nanoparticles
- 2019
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Ingår i: Angewandte Chemie International Edition. - : John Wiley & Sons. - 1433-7851 .- 1521-3773. ; 58:49, s. 17558-17562
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Tidskriftsartikel (refereegranskat)abstract
- Here we provide evidence that the formation of PuO2 nanoparticles from oxidized PuVI under alkaline conditions proceeds through the formation of an intermediate PuV solid phase, similar to NH4PuO2CO3, which is stable over a period of several months. For the first time, state‐of‐the‐art experiments at Pu M4 and at L3 absorption edges combined with theoretical calculations unambiguously allow to determine the oxidation state and the local structure of this intermediate phase.
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| 14. |
- Kvashnina, Kristina O., et al.
(författare)
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Trends in the valence band electronic structures of mixed uranium oxides
- 2018
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Ingår i: Chemical Communications. - : ROYAL SOC CHEMISTRY. - 1359-7345 .- 1364-548X. ; 54:70, s. 9757-9760
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Tidskriftsartikel (refereegranskat)abstract
- The valence band electronic structures of mixed uranium oxides (UO2 , U4O9 , U3O7, U3O8 , and beta-UO3) have been studied using the resonant inelastic X-ray scattering (RIXS) technique at the U M-5 edge and computational methods. We show here that the RIXS technique and recorded U 5f-O 2p charge transfer excitations can be used to test the validity of theoretical approximations.
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| 15. |
- Phuyal, Dibya, 1985-, et al.
(författare)
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Electronic Structure of Two-Dimensional Lead(II) Iodide Perovskites : An Experimental and Theoretical Study
- 2018
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Ingår i: Chemistry of Materials. - : American Chemical Society (ACS). - 0897-4756 .- 1520-5002. ; 30:15, s. 4959-4967
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Tidskriftsartikel (refereegranskat)abstract
- Layered two-dimensional (2D) hybrid organic-inorganic perovskites (HOP) are promising materials for light-harvesting applications because of their chemical stability, wide flexibility in composition and dimensionality, and increases in photovoltaic power conversion efficiencies. Three 2D lead iodide perovskites were studied through various X-ray spectroscopic techniques to derive detailed electronic structures and band energetics profiles at a titania interface. Core-level and valence band photoelectron spectra of HOP were analyzed to resolve the electronic structure changes due to the reduced dimensionality of inorganic layers. The results show orbital narrowing when comparing the HOP, the layered precursor PbI2, and the conventional 3D (CH3NH3)PbI3 such that different localizations of band edge states and narrow band states are unambiguously due to the decrease in dimensionality of the layered HOPs. Support from density functional theory calculations provide further details on the interaction and band gap variations of the electronic structure. We observed an interlayer distance dependent dispersion in the near band edge electronic states. The results show how tuning the interlayer distance between the inorganic layers affects the electronic properties and provides important design principles for control of the interlayer charge transport properties, such as the change in effective charge masses as a function of the organic cation length. The results of these findings can be used to tune layered materials for optimal functionality and new applications.
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| 16. |
- Phuyal, Dibya, et al.
(författare)
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The origin of low bandgap and ferroelectricity of a co-doped BaTiO3
- 2018
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Ingår i: Europhysics letters. - : IOP Publishing. - 0295-5075 .- 1286-4854. ; 124:2
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Tidskriftsartikel (refereegranskat)abstract
- We recently demonstrated the lowest bandgap bulk ferroelectric material, BaTi1-x(Mn1/2Nb1/2)xO3, a promising candidate material for visible light absorption in opto- electronic devices. Using a combination of x-ray spectroscopies and density functional theory (DFT) calculations, we here elucidate this compound’s electronic structure and the modifications induced by Mn doping. In particular, we are able to rationalize how this compound retains its ferroelectricity even through a significant reduction of the optical gap upon Mn doping. The local electronic structure and atomic coordination are investigated using x-ray absorption at the Ti K, Mn K, and O K edges, which suggests only small distortions to the parent tetragonal ferroelectric system, BaTiO3, thereby providing a clue to the substantial retention of ferroelectricity in spite of doping. Features at the Ti K edge, which are sensitive to local symmetry and an indication of Ti off-centering within the Ti-O6 octahedra, show modest changes with doping and strongly corroborates with our measured polarization values. Resonant photoelectron spectroscopy results suggest the origin of the reduction of the bandgap in terms of newly created Mn d bands that hybridize with O 2p states. X-ray absorption spectra at the O K-edge provide evidence for new states below the conduction band of the parent compound, illustrating additional contributions facilitating bandgap reduction.
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| 17. |
- Plakhova, Tatiana V., et al.
(författare)
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Towards the surface hydroxyl species in CeO2 nanoparticles
- 2019
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Ingår i: Nanoscale. - : ROYAL SOC CHEMISTRY. - 2040-3364 .- 2040-3372. ; 11:39, s. 18142-18149
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Tidskriftsartikel (refereegranskat)abstract
- Understanding the complex chemistry of functional nanomaterials is of fundamental importance. Controlled synthesis and characterization at the atomic level is essential to gain deeper insight into the unique chemical reactivity exhibited by many nanomaterials. Cerium oxide nanoparticles have many industrial and commercial applications, resulting from very strong catalytic, pro- and anti-oxidant activity. However, the identity of the active species and the chemical mechanisms imparted by nanoceria remain elusive, impeding the further development of new applications. Here, we explore the behavior of cerium oxide nanoparticles of different sizes at different temperatures and trace the electronic structure changes by state-of-the-art soft and hard X-ray experiments combined with computational methods. We confirm the absence of the Ce(III) oxidation state at the surface of CeO2 nanoparticles, even for particles as small as 2 nm. Synchrotron X-ray absorption experiments at Ce L-3 and M-5 edges, combined with X-ray diffraction (XRD), high-resolution transmission electron microscopy (HRTEM) and small angle X-ray scattering (SAXS) and theoretical calculations demonstrate that in addition to the nanoceria charge stability, the formation of hydroxyl groups at the surface profoundly affects the chemical performance of these nanomaterials.
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| 18. |
- Safdari, Majid, et al.
(författare)
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Impact of synthetic routes on the structural and physical properties of butyl-1,4-diammonium lead iodide semiconductors
- 2017
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Ingår i: Journal of Materials Chemistry A. - : Royal Society of Chemistry. - 2050-7488 .- 2050-7496. ; 5:23, s. 11730-11738
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Tidskriftsartikel (refereegranskat)abstract
- We report the significant role of synthetic routes and the importance of solvents in the synthesis of organic-inorganic lead iodide materials. Through one route, the intercalation of dimethylformamide in the crystal structure was observed leading to a one-dimensional (1D) [NH3(CH2)4NH3]Pb2I6 structure of the product. This product was compared with the two-dimensional (2D) [NH3(CH2)4NH3]PbI4 recovered from aqueous solvent based synthesis with the same precursors. UV-visible absorption spectroscopy showed a red-shift of 0.1 eV for the band gap of the 1D network in relation to the 2D system. This shift primarily originates from a shift in the valence band edge as determined from photoelectron-and X-ray spectroscopy results. These findings also suggest the iodide 5p orbital as the principal component in the density of states in the valence band edge. Single crystal data show a change in the local coordination around iodide, while in both materials, lead atoms are surrounded by iodide atoms in octahedral units. The conductivity of the one-dimensional material ([NH3(CH2)4NH3]Pb2I6) was 50% of the two-dimensional material ([NH3(CH2)4NH3]PbI4). The fabricated solar cells reflect these changes in the chemical and electronic structure of both materials, although the total light conversion efficiencies of solar cells based on both products were similar.
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