scholarly journals Unravelling the impact of Ta doping on the electronic and structural properties of titania: A combined theoretical and experimental approach

Author(s):  
Vignesh Kumaravel ◽  
Maria Barbara Maccioni ◽  
Snehamol Mathew ◽  
Steven Hinder ◽  
John Bartlett ◽  
...  

The introduction of new energy levels in the forbidden band through the doping of metal ions is an effective strategy to improve the thermal stability of TiO2. In the present study, the impact of Ta doping on the anatase to rutile transition (ART), structural characteristics, anion and cation vacancy formation were investigated in detail using Density Functional Theory (DFT) and experimental characterisation including, X-ray diffraction (XRD), Raman, and X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS). The average crystallite size of TiO2 decreases with an increase in the Ta concentration. At high temperatures, more oxygen atoms entered the crystal lattice and occupy the vacancies, leading to lattice expansion. Importantly, we find that Ta doping preserved the anatase content of TiO2 up to annealing temperatures of 850 °C which allows anatase stability to be maintained at typical ceramic processing temperatures. The substitution of Ti4+ by the Ta5+ ions increased the electron concentration in the crystal lattice through formation of Ti3+ defect states. Raman studies revealed the formation of new Ta bonds via disturbing the Ti-O-Ti bonds in the crystal lattice. It is concluded that under the oxidising conditions, Ta5+ ions could be enhanced on Ta-TiO2 surface due to the slow diffusion kinetics.

2019 ◽  
Vol 1 (10) ◽  
Author(s):  
Orestis Vryonis ◽  
Thomas Andritsch ◽  
Alun S. Vaughan ◽  
Paul L. Lewin

Abstract Two different graphitic powders, namely: moderately-oxidized graphene oxide (mGO) synthesized via a chromium-based technique and a commercial edge-oxidized graphene oxide (eGO), were characterized and incorporated into an epoxy resin, suitable for wind turbine blade structural components. Raman spectroscopy, X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy and thermogravimetric analysis revealed low oxygen content, but divergent structural characteristics for both powders confirming the increased basal-plane functionality of mGO compared to the peripherally decorated eGO. It is also shown that the eGO, displays carbon-based impurities. The inclusion of mGO, into the epoxy resulted in an initial glass transition temperature (Tg) increase (~ 5 °C at 4.4 vol.% mGO) but thereafter Tg decreased sharply. On the contrary, the inclusion of eGO resulted only in a progressive Tg increase. Introduction of just 1 vol.% of eGO deteriorated the tensile strength (~ 15% reduction) of the epoxy, while the strength of the mGO-filled samples was retained. Inclusion of mGO results in a percolation threshold (increase from 4.6 × 10−16 to 6 × 10−9 S/cm) at 0.53 vol.%; in contrast, at the same filler content, the eGO-filled systems are characterized by drastically lower conductivity values (3.4 × 10−16 S/cm). Nevertheless, further analysis indicates similar intrinsic conductivity (~ 10−6 S/cm) for the two fillers. Finally, the maximum achieved thermal conductivity increase with mGO was 200% (at 9.13 vol.%) compared with the unfilled epoxy, while the respective increase with eGO was 150% (at 18 vol.%).


2013 ◽  
Vol 740-742 ◽  
pp. 121-124 ◽  
Author(s):  
Enrique Escobedo-Cousin ◽  
Konstantin Vassilevski ◽  
Toby Hopf ◽  
Nick G. Wright ◽  
Anthony O’Neill ◽  
...  

Few-layers graphene films (FLG) were grown by local solid phase epitaxy on a semi-insulating 6H-SiC substrate by annealing Ni films deposited on the Si and C-terminated faces of the SiC. The impact of the annealing process on the final quality of the FLG films is studied using Raman spectroscopy. X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy was used to verify the presence of graphene on the sample surface. We also demonstrate that further device fabrication steps such as dielectric deposition can be carried out without compromising the FLG films integrity.


2014 ◽  
Vol 1073-1076 ◽  
pp. 2163-2167
Author(s):  
Kang Kang Li ◽  
Xiao Lin Zhang ◽  
Shi Ming Cao ◽  
Dian Wen Liu

As the zinc minerals of easy separation drying up, efficient utilization of refractory zinc oxide ores is getting more and more attention, especially for siliceous zinc oxide ore is quite difficult to separate, and it is a challenge for worldwide mineral processing industry. This article mainly used the density functional theory and X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy to study the adsorption mechanism of amine collectors on hemimorphite, when the composite activator was working.


2017 ◽  
Vol 2017 ◽  
pp. 1-9
Author(s):  
Vaijayanti Namdeo Nande ◽  
Diana Kostyukova ◽  
Jeonghee Choi ◽  
Yong Hee Chung

Layers of cerium dioxide nanoparticles were prepared on titanium by electrodeposition with organic solution. Three concentrations of cerium ions were used at 31.6 V. The organic solution was isobutanol and titanium foils were used as anodes and cathodes. Currents were monitored during the electrodeposition. Deposition times ranged from 0.5 to 8 h. Deposited Deposited layers were calcined at 700 K for 30 min. The morphology and composition of the deposited layers were examined by scanning electron microscopy (SEM), X-ray diffraction (XRD), and X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS). As-prepared and calcined deposition layers were assayed to be cerium dioxide. The average crystallite size increased from 4 to 7 nm through calcination at 700 K. Sizes of calcined cerium oxide agglomerates were ranging from 73 to 146 nm for 30 min deposition and 209 to 262 nm for 8 h deposition. The electrodeposition efficiencies of 0.5 h deposition at three concentrations were measured to be highest.


2006 ◽  
Vol 527-529 ◽  
pp. 1071-1074 ◽  
Author(s):  
Carey M. Tanner ◽  
Jong Woo Choi ◽  
Jane P. Chang

The electronic properties of HfO2 films on 4H-SiC were investigated to determine their suitability as high-κ dielectrics in SiC power MOS devices. The band alignment at the HfO2/4HSiC interface was determined by X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS) and supported by density functional theory (DFT) calculations. For the experimental study, HfO2 films were deposited on ntype 4H-SiC by atomic layer deposition (ALD). XPS analysis yielded valence and conduction band offsets of 1.69 eV and 0.75 eV, respectively. DFT predictions based on two monoclinic HfO2/4HSiC (0001) structures agree well with this result. The small conduction band offset suggests the potential need for further interface engineering and/or a buffer layer to minimize electron injection into the gate oxide.


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