Identifying Iron-Bearing Nanoparticle Precursor for Thermal Transformation into the Highly Active Hematite Photo-Fenton Catalyst
Funding: This reseach was funded by the European Regional Development Fund within the Activity 1.1.1.2 “Post-doctoral Research Aid” of the Specific Aid Objective 1.1.1 “To increase the research and innovative capacity of scientific institutions of Latvia and the ability to attract external financing, investing in human resources and infrastructure” of the Operational Programme “Growth and Employment” (No. 1.1.1.2/VIAA/1/16/157).
Hardness and modulus of elasticity of atomic layer deposited Al2O3-ZrO2 nanolaminates and mixtures
This work was funded by the European Regional Development Fund project TK134 “Emerging orders in quantum and nanomaterials”, Estonian Research Agency project PRG4 “Emerging novel phases in strongly frustrated quantum magnets”.
Triboelectrification of nanocomposites using identical polymer matrixes with different concentrations of nanoparticle fillers
In this study, we investigate triboelectrification in polymer-based nanocomposites using identical polymer matrixes containing different concentrations of nanoparticles (NPs). The triboelectric surface charge density on polymer layers increased as the difference in nanoparticle filler concentration between the two triboelectric layers escalated, despite the fact that the polymer matrix was the same in both layers. This effect was observed in tests of various polymer types and filler NPs. Our mechanical experiments and finite element analysis simulations confirmed that polymeric triboelectrification is related to the surface viscoelastic deformation that occurs during mechanical contact and …
Investigation of ZrO[sub 2]–Gd[sub 2]O[sub 3] Based High-k Materials as Capacitor Dielectrics
Atomic layer deposition (ALD) of ZrO 2 ―Gd 2 O 3 nanolaminates and mixtures was investigated for the preparation of a high permittivity dielectric material. Variation in the relative number of ALD cycles for constituent oxides allowed one to obtain films with controlled composition. Pure ZrO 2 films possessed monoclinic and higher permittivity cubic or tetragonal phases, whereas the inclusion of Gd 2 O 3 resulted in the disappearance of the monoclinic phase. Changes in phase composition were accompanied with increased permittivity of mixtures and laminates with low Gd content. Further increase in the lower permittivity Gd 2 O 3 content above 3.4 cat. % resulted in the decreased permittivity…
Sol-gel auto-combustion synthesis of Ca2Fe2O5 brownmillerite nanopowders and thin films for advanced oxidation photoelectrochemical water treatment in visible light
Abstract This study describes a straightforward Ca2Fe2O5 brownmillerite nanopowder and thin film synthesis by the water-based sol-gel auto-combustion method. The material characterization results confirmed the phase pure narrow bandgap Ca2Fe2O5 nanoparticle formation. The surface area of synthesized nanopowder was 13.55 m2/g. Powders at loading 1 g/l exhibit high visible light photocatalytic activity by degrading 10 mg/l methylene blue in water in 120 min confirmed by total organic carbon studies. The high visible light photocatalytic activity is related to Ca2Fe2O5 narrow band gap and high reduction potential of its conduction band which triggers the formation of superoxide radical ∙ O 2 -…
Atomic Layer Deposition and Characterization of Erbium Oxide-Doped Zirconium Oxide Thin Films
ZrO 2 films doped with Er 2 O 3 were grown by atomic layer deposition from tris(2,2,6,6-tetramethyl-3,5-heptanedionato)erbium, bis(methylcyclopentadienyl)methoxymethylzirconium, and ozone as precursors at 350°C. The erbium content was 1―5 cation %. The films were uniform in thickness. The ZrO 2 :Er 2 O 3 films were crystallized already in the as-deposited state. Upon annealing at 650°C, they were stabilized in the form of cubic or tetragonal polymorph of ZrO 2 . Enhancement in capacitance required intense crystallization that was observed when the film thickness exceeded 4.4 nm. The permittivity of the ZrO 2 :Er 2 O 3 films could reach 31. The capacitors based on the doped ZrO 2 possessed l…
Rapid Catalytic Water Disinfection from Earth Abundant Ca 2 Fe 2 O 5 Brownmillerite
Water disinfection is a crucial challenge for humanity. Approaches that are effective, cheap, environmentally friendly, and do not promote gene exchange between bacteria are urgently required. Strongly oxidizing radicals are highly promising to achieve this as they lead to bacterial activation at high efficiencies. However, sources to consistently generate these radicals are limited to high energy UV/H2O2 treatments requiring a large energy input. Here the use of abundant, cheap, brownmillerite (Ca2Fe2O5) is demonstrated as an efficient radical generation material under dark conditions, showing a seven order of magnitude decrease in bacterial concentration over 10 min. This decrease is attr…
Colorimetric gas detection by the varying thickness of a thin film of ultrasmall PTSA-coated TiO2 nanoparticles on a Si substrate
Financial support from the Estonian Research Council (IUT2-25, PUT170, PUT1096, PUT748, PUTJD680), the Estonian Centre of Excellence in Research Projects “Advanced materials and high-technology devices for sustainable energetics, sensorics and nanoelectronics” TK141 (2014-2020.4.01.15-0011), “Emerging orders in quantum and nanomaterials” TK134 and the Development Fund of the University of Tartu, are all gratefully acknowledged.
Properties of atomic layer deposited nanolaminates of zirconium and cobalt oxides
Producción Científica
Mechanical properties of aluminum, zirconium, hafnium and tantalum oxides and their nanolaminates grown by atomic layer deposition
ABSTRACT The mechanical properties of two different metal oxide nanolaminates comprised of Ta 2 O 5 and Al 2 O 3 , HfO 2 or ZrO 2 , grown on soda–lime glass substrate by atomic layer deposition, were investigated. Ta 2 O 5 and Al 2 O 3 layers were amorphous, whereas ZrO 2 and HfO 2 possessed crystalline structure. Thickness of single oxide layers was varied between 2.5 and 15 nm. The total thickness of the laminate structures was in the range of 160–170 nm. The hardness values of single layer oxides on glass ranged from 6.7 GPa (Ta 2 O 5 ) to 9.5 GPa (Al 2 O 3 ). Corresponding elastic moduli were 96 GPa and 101 GPa. The hardnesses of laminates were in the range of 6.8–7.8 GPa and elastic mo…